ENTIRE INDEX
HOME PAGE TORAH PROPHETS TESTIMONY OF YESHUA
The INDEX and TEXT of the Word of Elohim [God] Gabriel Bible, (the so-called Old Testament) is arranged in the original (Jewish) order. “[T]he sages disagree as to whether Daniel should be included in that list or not.” The original Jewish order is unlike the Septuagint order of over 99.99% of the English Bibles in existence. The Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures was the first to come up with the present day skewed book arrangement, with the Catholic Bibles also including the Apocrypha in the Septuagint order. What evolved into what is called the Septuagint today is really the work of Origen (almost 200 years after the time of the Messiah). The Scriptures and their order were well established long before Yeshua (Jesus) arrived, contrary to the Council of Jamnia theory!
The Word of Elohim is the real name for the ‘Old Testament.’ Several years ago it was a revision of a prototype of the World English Bible (which was still “in draft form”), which is a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901, that was based on the Revised Version, a British revision of the KJV, itself having been revised from the original 1611 version (that does not contain the letter “J”, for example—no Jesus, no Jehovah). This is my ever changing ethereal backup, here in cyberspace. Verses with italicized numbers in the Word of Elohim, “Gabriel Bible” are finished. Verses with live links in them, are more developed, if not finished. Many thousands of changes were word processed into verses in various stages of development.
The Writings portion of the Gabriel Bible was in prototype form from 2000 to 2020, tho the online version of the Gabriel was in constant real time improvement. The entire Gabriel Bible is online and in print. Volume 4: The so called “New Testament” has been online since 2007 and in print since 2011. I should have the print copy updated in January 2023 to look more like the online version is now, with a bit more editing yet to do. Originally I was only going to do the “New Testament” in print. Once I learned that it was originally written in Aramaic and translated into Greek, and that there was no really modern version of the Aramaic in English at the time that praised Yehovah’s name, I stopped working on the Prophets for several years and created The Testimony of Yeshua (Gabriel Bible). I finished the Prophets in 2019. I focused on the Prophets because we are about to experience first hand the remaining 90% of them! I believe that the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24) will begin very soon, as I explain here. My website has hundreds of live links to help you understand the difficult times ahead. Who knows how long Bible commentary will be politically correct and permitted by the corporations online?
Technically Joshua (Yehoshua) and Judges are considered part of the Prophets, but I will be including them in the Torah volume in my print version due to the page limitations on print-on-demand (Lulu). 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings are in the print Volume 2 because they are technically part of the Prophets. The complete Torah will remain online as long as I am able to keep it there and there is time left. I am trying to keep my royalties (and your cost) on my seven books/volumes as close to zero as legally possible—typically under $20 a year.
There are three primary objectives for creating this version:
Objective 1: The omission of the names Yehovah and Yeshua, and their replacement with dubious to pagan LORD, God and Jesus are a misuse of their names that will not go unnoticed, as specified by the third Commandment (Exodus 20:7). The Leningrad Codex, the basis for all but one or so Bibles, differs from more recent Hebrew Bibles (of the last 900 years) in that it has the vowel points included, even ‘accidentally’ about 50 times in the Tetragrammaton where it is actually spelled Yehovah! (when substituting English letters). [As of JUNE 2018: Nehemiah Gordon, a Karaite has now found 1000 old Hebrew Tanak’s and other ancient sources with Yehovah fully spelled out! Zero with Yahweh. Many of these old Hebrew Bibles have never even been examined! Old theories are now dead!]
Objective 2: There are perhaps thousands of live links to the wonderful NASB Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, so that you aren’t even tempted to just trust my English rendering.
Objective 3: I wanted to create a completely modern version of the entire Bible, with easily read plain wording and accuracy, even easier to read than the modern copyrighted versions, expressing extreme clarity of thought, but free of copyright restrictions both online and in print, a version that reads as tho it was originally written in English, and doesn’t constantly remind you that it was translated from Hebrew and Aramaic. There should never be any impediments to the free usage of Scriptures and The Testimony of Yeshua, as explained by the writers of the World English Bible who for many years have striven for accuracy, but with wording that is deliberately quite reminiscent of the old ASV— hardly present day English. The Gabriel Bible is classified as Creative Commons, with only “One Right Reserved.”
Yeshua and His followers never said anything about an ‘Old Testament.’ He always referred to it as either ‘The Word of Elohim’ (Aloha in His native Aramaic, aka God), or ‘the Scriptures.’
The Complete INTRODUCTION is HERE.
Chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150
2 A truly blessed person never 'follows' the advice of the wicked, or 'frequents' the paths of sinners or sits in the 'company' of nitwits. 2 But they delight is in Yehovah’s Torah. They meditate on His Torah day and night. 3 They’re like trees planted along a riverbank that yield their fruit in season and whose leaves never wither. Whatever they do succeeds.
4 The wicked aren’t like that. They’re like chaff blowing in the wind. 5 So the wicked won’t 'survive' the judgment. Sinners won’t 'gather' in the assembly of the righteous. 6 Yehovah remembers the path of the righteous, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Sovereign laughs them to scorn! 5 Then He’ll speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury by saying: 6 I have installed My King on My 'cherished' [holy] hill of Zion.
7 “I’ll announce Yehovah’s decree, He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. 8 Ask me, and I’ll certainly give You the nations as Your inheritance, the remotest parts of the earth as Your property. 9 You’ll break them with an iron scepter. You’ll crush them to pieces like a pottery.”
10 So kings, show discernment. Be warned you leaders of the earth. 11 Serve Yehovah with reverence and celebrate with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son or He’ll be angry and you’ll die along the way, because His wrath can burst into flames. All those who take refuge in Him are blessed.
3 But you, Yehovah, are a shield around me, my splendor, the One who lifts my head high. 4 I cry out 'loud' to Yehovah, and He answers me from His 'special' mountain. Selah.
5 I lie down and sleep. I wake up again because Yehovah sustains me. 6 I won’t be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me on every side.
7 Get up, Yehovah! Save me, my Elohim! Strike all of my enemies on the jaw; shatter the teeth of the wicked! 8 Victory comes from Yehovah. May Your blessing be on Your people. Selah.
2 Human sons, how long will My splendor be turned into dishonor? How long will you love 'delusions' and pursue deceptions? Selah. 3 Realize that Yehovah has set apart for Himself the special ones, Yehovah will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry but don’t sin. Meditate about 'these things' as you lie in bed and remain 'silent'. Selah. 5 Offer the zebakim [sacrifices] of righteousness. Put your trust in Yehovah.
6 Many people say, “Who will show us something good?” Yehovah, may the light of Your face shine on us again. 7 You’ve given me greater joy than others have when their grain and their new wine abounds. 8 I’ll lie down and sleep in peace because You alone, Yehovah, enable me to live in safety.
4 You aren’t an Elohim who enjoys wickedness. You won’t even tolerate wickedness. 5 The arrogant have no standing in Your sight. You hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who tell lies. Yehovah abhors people who are violent and dishonest.
7 But as for me, in the abundance of Your faithful love. I’ll enter Your 'Temple'. I’ll bow in Your 'special' 'Temple' in reverence to You.
8 Yehovah lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way clear to me.
9 There is no truth in what they 'say'. Their 'default setting' is destruction. Their throat is an open grave. Their lies are slick. 10 Condemn them, Elohim. Have their schemes be their downfall. Throw them out for their many sins because they’ve rebelled against You.
11 May everyone who takes refuge in You celebrate. May they always shout for joy. Protect them so that everyone who loves Your name can rejoice in You. 12 You bless the righteous. Yehovah, You surround them with favor like a shield.
4 Yehovah, return and rescue me. Save me for the sake of your faithful love. 5 There is no awareness of You in death! Who could praise You from sheol? [1]
6 I’m worn out from sobbing. Every night I soak my bed from crying, drenching it with my tears. 7 My 'vision' fails due to grief; they are failing because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, you wicked people, since Yehovah has heard 'me' crying! 9 Yehovah has heard my plea for mercy. Yehovah accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be ashamed and terrified. They’ll turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
[1] This statement is quite consistent with all of the rest of the Bible. But the commentaries rationalize that the “old testament” ancients, like David, were morons prior to “Jesus”! But what did Yeshua have to say about David’s comment here in verse 4: See John 3:13, and What [else] Does the Bible Really Teach?6 Yehovah, get up in anger. Stand up against the rage of my enemies! Wake up for me. You stand for judgment! 7 Gather the 'nations' around You. Rule over them from above. 8 Yehovah judges the people. Vindicate me, Yehovah, commensurate with my righteousness and my integrity. 9 Put an end to the evil of the wicked, and establish the righteous, righteous Elohim, who examines minds and emotions.
10 Elohim is my shield; He saves those with righteous 'motives'. 11 Elohim is a righteous judge, an Elohim who is angry every day.
12 If a person doesn’t repent, He’ll sharpen His sword, and He’ll bend and 'string' His bow. 13 He has outfitted His deadly weapons. His flaming arrows are ready.
14 The wicked conceive evil, they’re pregnant with schemes and give birth to lies. 15 They dig holes, and fall into the pits they made. 16 The trouble they cause will 'land' on their own heads. Their violence will descend on their own heads.
I’ll give thanks to Yehovah due to His righteousness, and sing praise to the name of Yehovah the Most Supreme.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars that You set in place— 4 what is the 'human race' that you should notice us, 'human beings' [Lit: the son of man] that you should care for them? 5 You’ve made us slightly lower than Elohim, and crowned us with splendor and honor. 6 You’ve given us control of Your handiwork by putting everything [on earth] under 'our control': 7 all sheep and bulls and the wild animals, 8 the birds in the air, the fish in the sea, and whatever migrates thru the ocean currents.
9 Yehovah, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name thruout the earth!
2 I’ll celebrate and be filled with joy in You. I’ll sing praises to Your name, O Most Supreme 'One'.
3 When my enemies retreat, they stagger and die in Your presence. 4 You’ve established justice and my cause; You sit on the throne judging equitably. 5 You’ve censured the nations. You’ve destroyed the wicked. You’ve ERASED their names from the unending future! 6 Endless 'extinction' has wiped out my enemies; the very memory of the cities You’ve eradicated has 'vanished'.
7 But Yehovah reigns forever. He has established His throne for justice. 8 He’ll judge the world with justice; He’ll administer judgment to the nations with equity.
9 Yehovah is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in troublesome times. 10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, because You, Yehovah, have not forsaken those who seek You.
11 Sing praises to Yehovah who lives in Zion! Proclaim among the nations what He has done. 12 He who avenges bloodshed remembers them. He never forgets the cry of the suffering.
13 Have mercy on me, Yehovah, see how my enemies persecute me! Raise me up from the gates of death, 14 so that I can declare all Your praises, so that in the gates of the maiden Zion, I can celebrate in Your deliverance.
15 The nations have fallen into the pit that they 'dug'. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. 16 Yehovah has made 'His presence' known by the judgment He has carried out. The wicked are snared by the work of their own hands. Higgaion Selah.
17 The wicked will depart to sheol, all the nations that ignore Elohim. 18 The needy will never be forgotten. The hope of the afflicted will never perish.
19 Get up, Yehovah! Don’t let humanity think they will prevail. Judge the nations in Your presence.
20 Teach them to revere You, Yehovah. Let the nations know that they are only human. Selah.
1 Why do you stand so far off, Yehovah? Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked take pride in hunting down the weak. Have them be caught in the schemes they’ve devised. 3 The wicked boast of their 'own' cravings. They bless the greedy and reject Yehovah.
4 The wicked, as evidenced by the arrogant expressions on their faces, won’t seek Him. Elohim isn’t even a consideration. 5 Their 'methods' always succeed. Your judgments are beyond their grasp. They ridicule all of their adversaries. 6 They think to themselves, “Nothing will ever shake us. We’ll be free from misfortune forever.”
7 Their mouths are filled with curses and deceit. Trouble and wickedness are on the 'tips of' their tongues. 8 They lie in wait near the villages, waiting to ambush and murder innocent people. 9 They lurk in hiding for helpless victims, like a lion in its lair. Like trapper’s they seize the helpless, dragging them off in their nets. 10 The victims are crushed and collapse, falling due to the strength of the wicked. 11 They think to themselves, “Elohim will never notice. He’s 'looking the other way' and He’ll never see anything.”
12 Get up, Yehovah! Elohim, raise Your 'fist'! Don’t forget the helpless. 13 Why do the wicked hate Elohim? They think, “Elohim will never hold us accountable?” 14 But you see the trouble and grief in order to take the matter into Your hands. You help orphans.
15 Break the arms of the wicked and evildoers. Seek out their wickedness until You find no more. 16 Yehovah is King forever and ever! Nations will vanish from His land. 17 Yehovah, You’ve heard the hopes of the humble. You will encourage them. You will be 'sure' to 'listen' 18 to bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so that humans on earth will never be terrorists again!
4 “Yehovah is in His 'special' Temple. Yehovah is on His throne in heaven. He 'sees'. He 'examines' Adam’s descendants. 5 Yehovah tests the righteous, but He hates with a passion the wicked and people who love violence. 6 He’ll rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked. A cup of scorching wind will be their lot. 7 Yehovah is righteous. He loves justice. The righteous will see His face.
5 “Because the poor are being oppressed and because of the groans of the needy, I’ll arise now,” says Yehovah, “I’ll protect them from those who malign them.” 6 “The words of Yehovah are flawless, like silver refined in a clay furnace, refined seven times. 7 You, Yehovah, will keep us [DSS] safe, You’ll guard us [DSS] from this generation forever. 8 The wicked travel around everywhere, and what is vile is highly regarded by the 'human race'.
2 How long must I have internal struggles with agonizing sorrow every day? How long will my enemies dominate me?
3 Consider answering me, Yehovah, my Elohim; enlighten my eyes, or I’ll sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I’ve defeated him,” and my adversaries will celebrate when I fall.
5 But I trust in Your faithful love. I celebrate because You’ve rescued me. 6 I’ll sing to Yehovah, because He’s been good to me.
2 Yehovah looked down from heaven on Adam’s descendants to see if there were any with discernment, any who seek Elohim. 3 They’ve all turned away. They’ve all collectively become corrupt. None of them do good, not even one.
4 Will those trouble makers ever learn—those who devour My people like they eat bread, and never call on Yehovah? 5 There they are in great terror, because Elohim is present with a righteous generation. 6 You wicked frustrate the plans of the poor, but Yehovah is their refuge.
7 O that Israel’s Rescuer would come to Zion! When Yehovah restores His people to their former state, Jacob will rejoice and Israel will celebrate!
2 I said to Yehovah, “You are my Sovereign! Without You, I have nothing good.” 3 As for the faithful in the land, they are the majestic ones I take delight in! 4 The suffering of those who 'advocate' other gods will be amplified. I won’t pour out their drink offerings of blood or even 'mention' their names.
5 Yehovah is my inheritance and my 'allotment'. You hold my destiny. 6 My boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places. My inheritance is something beautiful.
7 I’ll praise Yehovah who guides me. My conscience instructs me in the night. 8 I always keep Yehovah before me. Because He is at my right hand, I’ll never be shaken.
9 So I am joyful in my inner being; I rejoice out loud. My body will remain secure. 10 You won’t abandon 'me' in sheol. You simply won’t allow your 'special' One to rot in the pit. [Acts 2:27] 11 You teach me the way of life. There is total joy in Your presence. At your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
3 You’ve tested my 'motives'. You’ve examined me at night. You’ve tried me and found nothing wrong. I’ve resolved not to sin in my 'speech'. 4 As for human behavior, I have avoided the ways of the violent in accord with Your 'words'. 5 I haven’t strayed from Your 'paths'. I haven’t 'wavered'.
6 I’ve called on You, because You’ll answer me, Elohim. 'Listen' to me. Hear what I have to say. 7 Show Your marvelous faithful love, O Savior of those who take refuge in Your 'power' from their 'enemies'. 8 Protect me as You would guard Your own eyes. Hide me under the shadow of Your wings 9 from the wicked who mistreat me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have no pity; their speech is arrogant. 11 They 'track' me down and surround me; they’re 'determined' to put me in the dirt. 12 They’re like lions eager to shred prey, like young lions lurking in hiding places.
13 Get up, Yehovah, confront them! Bring them down. Rescue 'me' from the wicked with Your sword, 14 Yehovah, rescue me from worldly men, whose 'only stake' is in this life. You fill the stomachs of Your cherished ones; they are satisfied with children, and leave an 'inheritance' to their babies. 15 Because I have lived in righteousnes, I’ll see You face to face. When I wake up I’ll be satisfied with Your likeness [Gill’s Exposition].
4 The cords of death swirled around me. The torrential floods of wickedness terrified me. 5 The cords of sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called on Yehovah, and cried to my Elohim. He heard my voice from His Temple. My cry reached Him and He 'listened'.
7 Then the earth shook and quaked. The foundations of the mountains also quaked and shook because He was angry. 8 Smoke ascended from His nostrils. Consuming fire came out of His mouth, flaming coals blazed ahead of Him! 9 He bent [1] the heavens and came down with thick darkness under His feet. 10 He rode a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His hiding place, His temporary shelter was circuitous in thick clouds of dark water in the skies. 12 Out of the brightness in front of Him thick clouds passed by with hailstones and burning coals. 13 Yehovah thundered in the sky. The Most Supreme’s voice reverberated amid hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He shot His arrows, and scattered the enemy, great lightning flashes threw them into confusion. 15 Then the channels of the sea floor were exposed. The foundations of the world were exposed at Your reprimand, Yehovah, at the spirited breath of Your nostrils.
16 He reached down from above; He took me. He drew me out of the deep water. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but Yehovah supported me. 19 He brought me into a wide-open space. He rescued me because He delighted in me. 20 Yehovah has spared me for being righteousness. He compensated me because of my 'innocence', 21 because I have kept the ways of Yehovah, and haven’t wickedly departed from my Elohim. 22 All His regulations are right in front of me; I didn’t abandon His unchanging tenets. 23 I have been blameless before Him; I kept myself from being wicked. 24 So Yehovah has compensated me commensurate with my righteousness, relative to my 'innocence' in His 'sight'.
25 You show mercy to Your 'special' ones. Among the blameless You have proven that You are blameless. 26 You are pure to those who are pure, but toward the crooked you’ll appear to be devious. 27 You rescue the humble, but You bring down those with an arrogant 'look'. 28 You light up my lamp, Yehovah; my Elohim illumines my darkness. 29 With you I can charge an army. With my Elohim I can scale a wall.
30 As for Elohim, His path is perfect. The word of Yehovah is tested. He is a shield to everyone who takes refuge in Him. 31 Who is Elohim except Yehovah? Who is a Rock other than our Elohim? 32 Elohim arms me with strength and keeps my path perfect. 33 He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and helps me stand on on mountain heights. 34 He trains 'me' for battle; He strengthens my arms to draw a bronze bow. 35 You’ve given me the shield of Your deliverance. Your 'strength' sustains me. Your help has made me great. 36 You widen a foot path beneath me to keep me from slipping.
37 I chased my enemies and caught them! I didn’t turn back until they were annihilated. 38 I crushed them so they could never rise. They fell under my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle. You’ve subdued my enemies under me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them, even to Yehovah, but He didn’t answer them. 42 Then I pulverized them like dust in the wind; I emptied them out like mud in the streets. 43 You’ve rescued me from attacks of the people. You’ve appointed me ruler over nations. People I never knew serve me. 44 As soon as they hear about me they obey me. Foreigners grovel before me. 45 Foreigners lose their courage and come trembling out of their hideouts.
46 Yehovah lives! Praise my Rock! Praise the Elohim who saves me— 47 the Elohim who avenges me and brings people under my rule. 48 He rescued me from my enemies. You lifted me above those who rose against me! You rescued me from the violent men. 49 So I’ll praise you, Yehovah, in the presence of the nations, and I’ll sing praises to Your name. 50 He gives great victories to His king, and shows faithful love to His anointed, to David and to His 'descendants' forever.
[1] “Albert Einstein taught that due to his general theory of relativity, a massive body like Earth should bend the space-time fabric of the universe, causing it to curve and flex like a trampoline supporting a bowling ball.”
7 Yehovah’s Torah is perfect, restoring our lives. Yehovah’s testimony is sure, making 'ordinary people' wise. 8 Yehovah’s directives are right, bringing peace of heart. Yehovah’s Commandments are pure, enlightening our 'vision'. 9 The reverence of Yehovah is pure, enduring forever. Yehovah’s regulations are true, and entirely righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the purest gold, and sweeter than honey dripping from the comb. 11 By them Your servant is warned. Keeping them is greatly rewarding.
12 Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Restrain Your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I’ll be virtuous. Then I’ll be blameless and acquitted of great wrongdoing.
14 May my 'speech' and my 'thoughts' be acceptable in Your sight, Yehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer.
4 May He grant you your 'every' desire and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory. In the name of our Elohim we’ll raise our banners. May Yehovah grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that Yehovah saves his anointed king. He’ll answer him from His heavenly 'special' place with the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust Yehovah our Elohim by name. 8 They have bowed down and fallen, but we rise up and stand upright.
9 Yehovah, give victory to the King. Answer us when we call
3 You welcomed him with blessings and prosperity; You put a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked You for life, You gave it to him, long 'life' forever and ever. 5 His 'reputation' is great because of Your victory. You gave him splendor and majesty. 6 You grant him unending blessings; You make him glad with the joy of Your presence. 7 The king trusts in Yehovah. Because of the faithful love of the Supreme One, he’ll stand firm.
8 You will 'grab' all of Your enemies. You will seize everyone who hates you with your right hand. 9 You’ll roast them as in an oven when You 'appear'. Yehovah will incinerate them in His anger. The fire will burn them up. 10 You’ll annihilate their descendants from the earth, their posterity from the human race. 11 Tho they intended to harm You [as does Satan] and devised a wicked plan, they won’t succeed. 12 You’ll put them to flight when You aim arrows from Your drawn bows at 'them'. 13 Be exalted, Yehovah, in Your strength. We’ll sing and praise Your power.
3 But You are 'special' The praises of Israel are Your throne. 4 Our ancestors trusted You. They trusted You and You rescued them. 5 They cried to You and were rescued. They trusted You and were not disappointed.
6 But I’m a worm and not a man, scorned by humanity, despised by the people. 7 Everyone who sees me taunts me. They taunt me and shake their heads saying, 8 “He trusts in Yehovah, see if He saves him. See if He rescue him, since He 'loves' Him.”
9 But you brought me out of the womb. You led me to trust You at my mother’s breasts. 10 I was thrown to You from birth. You have been my Elohim since 'before I was born'.
11 Don’t avoid me, because trouble is near and there’s no one to help. 12 Many bulls have surround me; strong bulls of Bashan are all around me. 13 They open their mouths wide at me like lions ripping and roaring! 14 I’m poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My mind is like wax, it has melted within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You’ve left me dying in the dust. 16 Dogs surround me. A pack of wicked 'people' are closing in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet [1]. 17 I can count all of my bones. They [my enemies] look and stare at me. 18 They divvy up my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothes.
19 But don’t be far off, Yehovah. You are my strength! Hurry and help me. 20 Save me from the sword, spare my precious life from the paws of these dogs. 21 Save me from the lion’s jaws! You have 'rescued' me from the horns of the unicorn (minute 25).
22 I’ll announce Your name to my brothers and sisters. Thruout the assembly, I’ll praise you. 23 You who revere Yehovah, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Stand in awe of Him, all you 'descendants' of Israel! 24 He hasn’t despised or abhorred the suffering of the one who suffered, or hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him for help, He heard.
25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear Him. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek Him will praise Him. May they 'prosper' forever! 27 The farthest horizons of the earth will acknowledge Yehovah and turn Him, and every family from every nation will bow down before Him. 28 The kingdom is Yehovah’s and He rules over the nations.
29 All the wealthy people of the earth will eat and worship. Everyone who goes down to the dust will bow before Him, including those who are barely alive. 30 Posterity will serve Him. Future generations will hear about the Sovereign. 31 They will proclaim His righteousness to people yet to be born, that it is finished!
[1] As it reads in some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, the Vulgate and the Septuagint. See this!
3 Who can ascend Yehovah’s mountain? Who can stand in His 'Cherished' Place? 4 Only those who have 'pure behavior' and a pure conscience, who haven’t dedicated their lives to falsehood, and haven’t sworn to lies. 5 They’ll receive a blessing from Yehovah, and righteousness from the Elohim who saves lives. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face [presence], O Jacob. [1]. Selah. 7 Gates will 'open up'! Ancient doors will be raised high so the King of Splendor can enter! 8 Who is the King of Splendor? Yehovah strong and mighty, Yehovah mighty in battle. 9 Gates will 'open up'! Ancient doors will be raised high so the King of Splendor can enter! 10 Who is this King of Splendor? Commander Yehovah, He is the King of Splendor! Selah.
[1] I found three 19th century Bibles (Young’s, Darby and Webster’s) that say what this one does without adding ‘God of” Jacob, or otherwise adding to the Hebrew, as does. ‘The A.V. marg. and R.V. rightly [as they all assume] follow the LXX, Vulg., and Syr. in reading [adding] ‘O God’ of Jacob. If the Massoretic text is retained, it must be rendered with R.V. marg., That seek thy face, [adding] ‘even’ Jacob.” But why mess with the words? The next four verses all say “the King of glory.” This is the generation when Yehovah is ready to enter the gates of Jerusalem!—Jacob will certainly be there for that.4 Show me Your ways, Yehovah. Teach me Your paths. 5 Guide me in Your truth and teach me. You are the Elohim of my deliverance, I wait for you all day long. 6 Yehovah, remember Your compassion and Your faithful love, because it has been evident from ancient times. 7 Don’t remember the sins of my youth or my rebellion. Remember me in keeping with Your faithful love, because of Your goodness sake, Yehovah.
8 Yehovah is good and virtuous. He instructs sinners in the right way. 9 He guides the humble in justice. He teaches the humble His way. 10 All the paths of Yehovah are loving, faithful and truth to those who obey His covenant and His declarations.
11 For Your name’s sake, Yehovah, forgive my many sins. 12 Who are the ones who revere Yehovah? He’ll show them which ways they should choose. 13 They will live the good life. Their descendants will inherit the earth. 14 Yehovah confides with those who revere Him; He reveals His covenant to them. 15 My eyes are always on Yehovah, because He’ll remove my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, because I’m alone and hurting. 17 My problems have increased; set me free from my distress! 18 Consider my oppression and my pain. Forgive all of my sins. 19 Look at how many enemies I have, and how viciously they hate me! 20 Protect me, and rescue me! Don’t let me be put to shame because I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and virtue guard me because I put my hope in You.
22 Elohim, redeem Israel from all their troubles.
9 Don’t round me up with sinners. Don’t condemn me along with bloodthirsty men. 10 They’re the handlers of wicked schemes, their right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I’ll 'live' with integrity. Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My feet stand on level ground. In the assemblys I’ll bless Yehovah.
4 I’ve asked one thing from Yehovah that I intend to pursue: that I can live in Yehovah’s 'Temple' all the days of my life, to gaze at Yehovah’s beauty, and to meditate in His 'Temple'. 5 In a 'time' of trouble He’ll conceal me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He’ll hide me. He’ll set me high on a ROCK. 6 Now I’ll lift my head high above my enemies who surround me. I’ll give offerings of joy in His Tabernacle with shouts of joy. I’ll sing praise to Yehovah.
7 Hear, Yehovah, when I cry 'out'. Have mercy on me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My 'presence',” my sentiments to you were, “I’ll seek Your 'presence', Yehovah.” 9 Don’t hide Your 'presence' from me. Don’t push Your servant away in anger. You’ve helped me. Don’t abandon me or forsake me, Elohim who saves me. 10 Even if my father and mother abandons me, then Yehovah will take me in.
11 Teach me Your way, Yehovah. Lead me on the right path because of my enemies. 12 Don’t hand me over to my enemies, because false witnesses have risen up against me breathing out violence. 13 I’m still confident that I’ll see the goodness of Yehovah in the land of the living.
14 Wait for Yehovah. Be strong and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for Yehovah.
3 Don’t drag me away with the wicked, with those who do wicked things, who speak peace with their neighbors while they’re plotting evil schemes. 4 Pay them commensurate to their work, in proportion to the wickedness of their behavior. Pay them back for their handiwork! Give them what they deserve. 5 They have no respect for what Yehovah has done, or the things He handles, He’ll tear them down rather than build them up.
6 Blessed be Yehovah, because He has heard my request for mercy! 7 Yehovah is my strength and my shield. 'I' trust Him and He helps me. I’m filled with joy and I thank Him with my song.
8 Yehovah is their strength. He is a stronghold of deliverance for His anointed. 9 Save Your people, and bless Your 'possession'. Be their Shepherd and carry them forever.
3 Yehovah’s voice is over the water. The Elohim of splendor, Yehovah, thunders over the mighty oceans. 4 Yehovah’s voice is powerful. Yehovah’s voice is majestic. 5 The voice of Yehovah breaks cedars. Yehovah shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon dance like a calf, and Sirion like a young monoclonius [?]. 7 Yehovah’s voice makes the lightning flash. 8 Yehovah’s voice shakes the wilderness. Yehovah shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 Yehovah’s voice twists mighty oaks [?], and strips the forests bare. In His 'Temple' everyone shouts “splendid!”
10 Yehovah sat enthroned at the flood. Yehovah sits as King forever! 11 Yehovah gives strength to His people; Yehovah will bless His people with peace.
4 Sing praises to Yehovah, you 'special' ones. Give thanks to His 'special' name. 5 His anger lasts for a moment, but His favor lasts for a lifetime. Crying may last for a night, but shouts of joy come in the morning.
6 When everything was well, I said, “I’ll never be shaken.” 7 O Yehovah, Your favor has made me as secure as a mountain [Zion]. But when You hid Your 'presence, I was terrified.
8 I called to You, Yehovah. To Yehovah I made a plea for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in shedding my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear me, Yehovah, and have mercy on me. Yehovah, help me.”
11 You’ve turned my mourning into dancing. You’ve removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 so that I can sing praise to You and not remain silent. Yehovah my Elohim, I’ll give thanks to You forever!
6 I hate those who worship false gods, but I trust in Yehovah. 7 I’ll rejoice and celebrate in Your faithful love, because You’ve seen my affliction, and You’re aware of the distress in my life. 8 You haven’t handed me over to the enemy. You’ve set my feet in a spacious place.
9 Have mercy on me, Yehovah, because I’m in distress, as does my body and my belly [unique word]. 10 My life is ending with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my wickedness. My bones are wasting away. 11 I am scorned by all my enemies, especially my neighbors. I scare my acquaintances. 'People' who see me on the street run away. 12 I am forgotten as tho I were dead; I’m like a broken pot. 13 I’ve heard the whispering of many people. There is terror on every side. 'My enemies' conspire against me, plotting to kill me.
14 But I trust in you, Yehovah. I say, “You are my Elohim.” 15 My future is in Your hands. Save me from the 'grasp' of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 16 'Smile' on Your servant. Save me in your mercy. 17 Don’t allow me to be put to shame, Yehovah, because I’ve called on You. Have the wicked be put to shame. Have them be silenced in sheol. 18 Silence their lying lips when they speak in arrogance against the righteous with pride and contempt!
19 How great is 'the' goodness that You’ve reserved for those who fear/revere You, that You provide for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of Adam’s descendants! 20 In the secret shelter of Your presence You’ll hide them like a treasure from conspirators. You’ll keep them secretly in a Tabernacle, far from accusing tongues.
21 Praise Yehovah, because He has shown me His miraculous mercy in a city under siege! 22 As for me, I said in alarm, “I’m cut off from Your 'sight'.” But You heard me 'voice' my request for mercy when I cried out to You.
23 Love Yehovah, all His 'special' ones! Yehovah protects the faithful and fully compensates the arrogant. 24 Be strong and courageous, all of you who put your hope in Yehovah.
5 I confessed my sin to You. I didn’t conceal my guilt. I said, “I’ll confess my rebellion against Yehovah.” And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. 6 So all of the 'special' ones should pray to You in a time when You can be found. Surely when 'flood' water overflows it won’t reach them. 7 You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! Selah.
8 I’ll instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I’ll advise you and keep My eye on you. 9 Don’t be like a senseless horse or mule that must be controlled with a bit and a bridle, or they won’t come near you.
10 Wicked people have many sorrows, but faithful love will surround those who trust in Yehovah. 11 Rejoice in Yehovah, and celebrate you righteous! Everyone with a 'clean conscience' shout for joy!
1 Shout for joy in Yehovah, you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Praise Yehovah with a lyre; make music for him on a ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully and shout praises. 4 The word of Yehovah is right, and everything He does is trustworthy. 5 He loves righteousness and justice. Yehovah’s mercy fills the earth.
6 By the word of Yehovah the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth He made the legion of stars. 7 He gathered the water of the ocean into a heap, and placed fathomless water in vast reservoirs. 8 The entire earth should revere Yehovah. All the inhabitants of the world should stand in awe of Him. 9 He spoke, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood firm.
10 Yehovah frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts all of their plans. 11 Yehova’s plans stand forever, His objectives will last from generation to generation.
12 Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is Yehovah, the people He chose as His own.
13 Yehovah looks down from heaven. He sees all of Adam’s descendants. 14 From His dwelling place He watches everyone who lives on earth. 15 He made all of their 'minds' and considers everything they do. 16 Kings aren’t saved by enormous armies; warriors aren’t rescued by great strength. 17 Warhorses are no assurance of victory; they can’t save anyone by strength alone.
18 Yehovah 'watches over' those who fear/revere Him, those who rely on His faithful love. 19 to rescue them from death to keep them alive during famines.
20 We put our hope in Yehovah. He helps and shields us. 21 'We' celebrate Him because we trust in His 'special' name.
22 May Your faithful love surround us, Yehovah, since we put our hope in You.
4 I sought Yehovah and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him, and were radiant; their facial expression will never blush with shame. 6 This poor man cried out, and Yehovah heard him and saved him from all his troubles. 7 The Messenger of Yehovah [Yeshua] encamps around those who revere Him, and rescues them.
8 O taste and see that Yehovah is good. Blessed is anyone who takes refuge in Him! 9 O revere Yehovah, you His 'chosen ones', since those who revere Him lack nothing. 10 The young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek Yehovah lack nothing good.
11 Come children, listen to me, and I’ll teach you the reverence of Yehovah. 12 Who among you delights in life, desiring a long life to enjoy what is good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good. Search for peace, track it down.
15 Yehovah’s 'looks' toward the righteous, and He 'listens' to their cries. 16 Yehovah’s face is against those who do evil, to 'obliterate' all memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and Yehovah hears and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 Yehovah is close to those 'suffering depression' and saves those whose spirit has been crushed.
19 Many adversities confront a righteous person, but Yehovah rescues them from it all. 20 He protects all their bones. Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil will kill the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 Yehovah will rescue His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
9 Then I will rejoice in Yehovah. I will celebrate when he saves me. 10 All my bones will say, “Yehovah, who is like You? You save the weak from those who are too strong for them—the poor and the needy from those who rob them.”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. 12 They repay me evil for good, leaving me devastated. 13 Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I denied myself by fasting for them. When my prayers were not answered, 14 I was as sad as if it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning as tho crying for my mother. 15 But when I was in trouble they got together and celebrated. People I don’t even know gathered to attack me. They slander me nonstop. 16 Like the profane skeptics at feasts, they angrily grind their teeth at me.
17 Sovereign, how long will you watch this happen? Rescue my precious life from these lions! 18 Then I’ll thank You in the great assembly; I’ll praise You among crowds of people.
19 Don’t let my treacherous enemies gloat over me. Don’t let those who hate me for no reason wink maliciously. 20 They don’t talk of peace, instead, they plot false accusations against the 'peaceful' people in the land. 21 They 'speak out' against me. They shout, “Aha! Aha! We’ve seen it with our own eyes!”
22 You’ve seen it, Yehovah. Don’t remain silent. Yehovah, don’t abandon me. 23 Wake up! Get up and defend me. Sovereign, my Elohim, fight for me! 24 Vindicate me, Yehovah my Elohim, in Your righteousness. Don’t let them laugh at me. 25 Don’t let them say to themselves, “Aha! That’s the way we want it!” Don’t let them say to themselves, “Yes, just what we wanted! We ate him alive!”
26 May those who rejoice at my misfortune be entirely humiliated who celebrate at my terror. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor 'when they' 'champion' themselves and belittle me. 27 May 'my friends' shout for joy and celebrate 'when they' rejoice at the vindication of my righteous cause. May they continually say, “Hail Yehovah, who delights in the well being of His servant!” 28 Then I’ll declare Your righteousness and praise You all day long.
5 Your faithful love, Yehovah, reaches the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains of Elohim. Your justice is like the ocean depths. Yehovah, You care for people and animals. 7 How precious is Your faithful love, Elohim! Adam’s descendants take refuge under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They feast on the bounty of Your house [earth]. You’ll have them drink from the rivers of Edens [U][1]! 9 You are the fountain of life. In Your light we see the light.
10 Extend Your faithful love to those who know You, Your righteousness to those whose motives are right. 11 Don’t allow arrogant people 'trample' on me. Don’t allow the wicked to shove me away. 12 The practitioners of wickedness fall there. They’re shoved down, never to rise again!
[1] Many Edens will be here! Compare with Luke 23:43.3 Trust in Yehovah and do good. Settle in the land and practice being faithful. 4 Take delight in Yehovah, and He’ll give you your 'deepest' desires.
5 Commit your 'life' to Yehovah. Trust in Him and He’ll make things happen. 6 He’ll make your righteousness like a radiant light, and your justice like the noon day sun.
7 Wait patiently for Yehovah, wait longingly for Him. Don’t fret when someone prospers 'doing things' their way, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and leave rage behind. Don’t fret, it only leads to wickedness. 9 The evil will be cut down, but those who anticipate Yehovah will take possession of the land.
10 In a little while the wicked will no longer exist. Tho you carefully consider their standing, they aren’t there. 11 But the humble will inherit the earth, and will be delighted in an abundance of peace.
12 Wicked people plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them. 13 The Sovereign will laugh at them, because He sees that their Judgment Day is coming.
14 Wicked people have drawn out their swords and 'strung' their bows to bring down the oppressed and needy and slay those who are decent. 15 Their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 The little that a righteous person has is better than the abundance of hordes of wicked people. 17 The arms of the wicked will be broken, but Yehovah sustains the righteous.
18 Yehovah knows the 'lifespan' of the innocent. Their legacy will endure forever. 19 They won’t be ashamed in times of disaster; when famine comes they’ll have plenty.
20 The wicked will be exterminated. The enemies of Yehovah will be like a beautiful meadow. They’ll vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 A wicked person borrows, but they don’t repay. The righteous are compassionate and generous. 22 Those He blesses will inherit the earth. Those He curses will be cut down.
23 'Our' steps are directed by Yehovah, when He delights in our ways. 24 Tho 'we' may stumble, we won’t fall, because Yehovah holds us by the hand.
25 In my youth, and now in my old age, I’ve never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food. 26 They are always generous and lend freely, and his descendants are a blessing.
27 Avoid evil and do good, and you’ll live forever! 28 Yehovah loves justice, and won’t abandon His 'cherished'ones'. They’ll be kept safe forever, but the descendants of wicked people will be destroyed. 29 The righteous will inherit the earth and live in it forever.
30 The righteous 'offer their' wisdom, and they 'teach' justice. 31 The Torah of their Elohim is on their minds, they never miss a step. 32 Wicked people lie in wait for the righteous, intent on killing them. 33 Yehovah won’t leave 'them' in their grasp or allow them to be condemned when they are brought to trial.
34 Wait for Yehovah and follow His paths, and He’ll elevate you by giving you the land; and when the wicked are destroyed, you’ll see it.
35 I’ve seen wicked powerful people acting like tyrants, flourishing like luxuriant native trees, 36 But when I came back, they were gone! I looked for them but I couldn’t find them!
37 Notice a wholesome person, and see the righteous, there is a future [1] for a peaceful person. 38 As for rebels, they’ll be exterminated all together. The future of the wicked will be cut short.
39 The deliverance of the righteous is from Yehovah. He is their refuge in a time of trouble. 40 Yehovah helps and rescues them. He rescues them from wicked people and saves them because they take refuge in Him.
[1] The KJV uses the word “end” here, similar to “end of the Law”, and while translators like to retain this word in reference to the Law (Torah), the meaning is entirely different in the 21st century. There is a future for the peaceful, with no “end” in sight.
9 Sovereign, You know my every desire; my cries are not hidden from You. 10 My heart pounds, my strength has failed. I’m losing my 'sight'.
11 My loved ones and my friends are afraid of my sickness, and my relatives stand at a distance. 12 Those who want me dead set traps. Those who want to hurt me talk about my destruction, and plan treason all day long.
13 But I’m deaf to all their threats. I’m like a mute who can’t 'speaks'. 14 I’ve become like a person who doesn’t hear anything, who has no answers to give. 15 I trust You, Yehovah. You will answer, Sovereign my Elohim. 16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies celebrate when my feet slip.”
17 I’m about to 'die'. I’m enduring constant pain.. 18 I confess my guilt; I’m worried about my sin. 19 But my enemies are zealous and strong. There are many who hate me for no reason. 20 They repay me evil for the good I did and oppose me because I aspired to do good. 21 Don’t abandon me, Yehovah. My Elohim, don’t be distant from me. 22 Hurry to help me, Sovereign, my Savior.
6 Surely everyone walks around like mirages. They make a lot of commotion over nothing, amassing wealth without knowing who will 'benefit' from it. 7 Now, Sovereign, what am I waiting for? My hope is in You. 8 Disencumber me from all my sins. Don’t let me be the scorn of fools. 9 I was silent, I didn’t open my mouth, because You are the one who caused this. 10 Remove your scourge from me. I’m being killed by the blows from Your 'fist'. 11 When You discipline someone for their sins, You consume their wealth like a moth. Everyone is only one breath away from death. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, Yehovah, and listen to my cry. Don’t ignore my tears. I’m a foreigner to You, a visitor, like all of my ancestors were. 13 Look away from me, so I can smile again before I leave and am no more.
4 Blessed are those who trust Yehovah, and have no regard for the arrogant or those who worship false elohim [or lies]. 5 Yehovah, my Elohim, You have done many miracles. And You have numerous plans for us. If I tried to mention them all, they would be too numerous to count.
6 You didn’t want zebakim [sacrifices] and meal offerings. You’ve 'equipped' [clothed] Me with a body! [U] [1] You haven’t required burnt offerings and sin offering. 7 Then I said, “Here I am! It is written about Me [2] in the Scripture scroll. [Commentary] 8 I want to do Your will, my Elohim. Your Torah is deep within me.”
9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly. I won’t 'hold anything back', Yehovah, as You know. 10 I didn’t keep Your righteousness 'to myself'. I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your saving power.. I haven’t hidden Your faithful love and Your truth from the great assembly.
11 Yehovah, don’t withhold Your compassion from me. May Your faithful love and Your truth always protect me. 12 Innumerable evils have surrounded me. My sins are 'piled so high' I can’t see an escape.. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I’ve lost my 'courage'.
13 Yehovah please rescue me. Yehovah, hurry to help me. 14 May all of the people trying to kill me be ashamed and humiliated. May those who want to do me harm be thoroughly frustrated and humiliated. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be destroyed by their shame.
16 May everyone who seeks You celebrate and be glad 'because of' You. May those who love Your deliverance continually shout, “Yehovah is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, may my Sovereign keep me in mind. You have helped me and saved me. Oh my Elohim, don’t delay!
[1] Commentaries like the JFB comment on the Septuagint’s reference to “His body”, but reject it. The Hebrew that the Septuagint translators had access to predated the Masoretic texts used today. The Masoretic text doesn’t use the phrase “You’ve 'equipped' Me with a body!”, as quoted and explained in Hebrews 10:4-8. I suspect that the Masoretic text (1000 AD) changed the wording to: “you have opened up my ears” to discredit Yeshua, since Him being made flesh is such a bold concept! While I seldom defer to the Septuagint, there was no anti-Yeshua bias before He was born! Many Bible writers assume that Greek was commonly spoken in Israel in the 1st century, and that the apostles wrote in it, but even Josephus, the famous Jewish translator for the Romans in the 1st century went to Rome to learn Greek, to translate his Aramaic “Complete Works of Josephus” (into Greek) once all Aramaic literature was being burned! And the Romans were shocked to learn that Paul knew Greek (Acts 21:37). Was the New Testament Really Written in Greek? (instead of Aramaic?—search word: Aramaic). (Save the book while you can!) [2] There is nothing in the Torah about a body being equipped for David. Yeshua quoted this as a cryptic prophecy about Himself coming down from heaven, in the flesh, replacing the need for animal zebakim [sacrifices], up until the future time of Ezekiel chapters 40 thru 48.
4 Yehovah, I said, “have mercy on me! Heal me, because I have sinned against You.” 5 My enemies speak maliciously about me: “When will he die and his name be 'forgotten'?” 6 When someone comes to see me, their 'intentions' are disingenuous. They come to bolster disaffection; once they leave the slander escalates. 7 Everyone who hates me murmurs together against me. They imagine the worst for me. 8 They fantasize, “A 'fatal disease' has afflicted him; once he lies down, he will never get up.” 9 Even my closest friend, someone I trusted, who ate 'at my table', has 'turned' against me.
10 But you, Yehovah, have mercy on me. Raise me up, so that I can repay them. 11 I know You are pleased with me, because my enemies aren’t triumphing over me. 12 You support me because of my integrity; you set me into Your presence forever. 13 Blessed be Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Aw-main and Aw-main.
4 But I remember these things as I’m overcome by emotions. I used to go along with the crowd and lead them to Elohim’s house, with joyous shouts and praise, a huge crowd celebrating the festival!
5 Why am 'I' so discouraged? Why am I so disturbed? Hope in Elohim! I’ll still praise Him for the saving help of His presence.
6 My Elohim, 'I’m' in despair. That’s why I remember You from the 'source' of the Jordan River, the heights of Hermon and Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls. All Your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 Yehovah commands His faithful love in the daytime. In the night His song is with me—a prayer to the Elohim of my life.
9 I’ll say to Elohim, my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by enemies?” 10 My enemies’ taunts break my bones. They continually ask me, “Where is your Elohim?”
11 Why am 'I' in despair. Why so disturbed? I should put my hope in Elohim! I’ll continue to praise Him, my Savior and my Elohim.
1 Vindicate me, Elohim, and plead my case against an impious nation. Rescue me from these unjust liars. 2 You are the Elohim of my strength. Why must I wander around mourning, oppressed by my enemies? 3 Send out Your light and Your truth to guide me. May they bring me to Your 'special' mountain, to where You live. 4 Then I’ll go to Elohim’s altar, to Elohim my exceeding joy. I’ll praise You with my lyre, O Elohim, my Elohim.
5 Why am I in despair? Why am I 'so' disturbed? Hope in Elohim! I’ll still praise Him, my Savior and my Elohim.
4 You are my King, Elohim. Command victories for Jacob! 5 Only by Your power can we push our enemies back; Thru Your name we’ll trample those who rise up against us. 6 I don’t trust my bow, and my sword can’t save me 7 But You’ve saved us from our adversaries, and put our adversaries to shame. 8 We’ll praise Elohim all day long, and we’ll give thanks to Your name forever. Selah.
9 But now You have rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and You don’t 'lead' our armies. 10 You cause us to retreat from the adversary. Those who hate us have plundered us. 11 You’ve handed us over like sheep for slaughter, and scattered us among the nations. 12 You’ve sold Your people for a trifle, gaining nothing from the sale. 13 You’ve made us a joke to all our neighbors; the scorn and derision of everyone around us. 14 You make us a euphemism among the nations, a 'laughingstock' among the people. 15 All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face 16 at the 'taunts' of those who slander and revile us, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
17 Tho all this happened to us, we haven’t forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant. 18 Our 'sentiments' haven’t turned back, and our steps never strayed from Your path. 19 Yet You’ve crushed us in the haunt of dragons and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten our Elohim’s name, or raised our hands to a foreign god, 21 wouldn’t Elohim realize it since He knows the secrets in our 'minds'. 22 But for Your sake we’re killed all day long. We are considered sheep ready for slaughter.
23 Wake up! Why are you sleeping, Elohim? Get up! Don’t reject us forever! 24 Why are You hiding Yourself? Why are You ignoring our suffering and oppression? 25 We’ve been sinking into the dust, lying facedown in the dirt. 26 Stand up and help us; rescue us for the sake of Your faithful love.
2 You are the most excellent of men; elegance has anointed your lips, so Elohim has blessed you forever. 3 Strap your sword on your thigh, valiant 'warrior', in your splendor and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility and justice. May your right hand perform awesome deeds. 5 Your sharp arrows pierce your enemies’ hearts. Nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, elohim [David], will last for ever and ever. Your kingdom’s scepter is a scepter of justice. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness. So elohim [David], Your Elohim, has anointed You with the oil of joy more than Your companions. 8 All your clothing is fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Out of ivory 'palaces' stringed instruments have delighted You. 9 Princesses are among your noble women. The queen stands at your right side wearing gold from Ophir!
10 Listen, daughter! Listen and 'pay attention'! Forget your people and your 'family'. 11 Then the king will desire your beauty. Because he is your sovereign, bow down to him. 12 The daughter of Tyre [1] comes with a gift. The rich among the people seek your favor. 13 The princess is splendid. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She will be led to the king in embroidered clothes; her bridesmaids [virgins] follow her, and those brought to be with her. 15 With gladness and rejoicing they’ll be led. They’ll enter the king’s palace.
16 Your sons will become kings like their father. You’ll make them princes thruout the world. 17 I’ll perpetuate Your name thru all generations. The nations will thank you forever and ever.
PS How is it that “the daughter of Tyre” in Psalm 45 (such an infamous country: Ezekiel 28) is so blessed and associated with King David’s everlasting dynasty? Could it be connected to the prophecy in Isaiah 23 about Queen Elizabeth II, as I explain here and here? And incidentally, I found out today (8/26/23), that according to myheritage.com that shares info with familysearch.org, I am related to 29 American presidents (and they are all direct descendants of King David) ibid, as is King Charles 3 (the Antimessiah)—as I suspected.
4 There is a river with streams that make the city of Elohim glad, the very ''Cherished' Place' of the Most Supreme. 5 Elohim is in 'that city'. She won’t be 'shaken' [Literally, “Totter, shaken, slip, be moved], Elohim will HELP HER at the break of dawn. 6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble; the land melts when He raises His voice. 7 Commander Yehovah is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come and see what Yehovah has done, the devastation He has imposed on the earth. 9 He brings wars to an end in the remotest parts of the earth. He breaks the bows and shatters the spears. He sets the chariots on fire.
10 “Be calm and know that I am Elohim. I’ll be praised among the nations. I’ll be praised on earth.” 11 Commander Yehovah is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
5 Elohim has ascended with a shout, Yehovah with the sound of a shofar. 6 Sing praise to Elohim, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For Elohim is the King of the entire earth, so sing a song of praise to Him. 8 Elohim reigns over the nations. Elohim is seated on His 'special' throne. 9 The leaders of the nations have gathered together, the people of the Elohim of Abraham. The shields of the earth belong to Elohim. He is highly exalted!
4 The kings gathered together, they passed by together. 5 They saw it [“Mount Zion” “the city”] and they were amazed. They were terrified, so they fled in panic. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain like a woman in childbirth. 7 You shattered the ships of Tarshish with the east wind.
8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of Commander Yehovah, in the city of our Elohim; Elohim will establish it forever. Selah.
9 We contemplate Your faithful love, Elohim, from within Your Temple. 10 Your name, Elohim, as Your praise reaches to the farthest reaches of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Mount Zion is filled with joy! May the daughters of Judah celebrate because of Your judgments.
12 Walk all the way around Zion; count her towers. 13 Examine her protective barriers. Consider her 'palaces', so that you can describe them to the next generation. 14 For such is Elohim, our Elohim forever and ever. He’ll be our guide until death.
5 Why should I be afraid in days of adversity, when wicked deceivers surround me? 6 None of those who trust in their wealth and brag about their abundant riches 7 will by any means redeem their brother or pay Elohim a ransom for him. 8 The price of redemption for their 'lives' is too costly, no payment is ever enough 9 to live on eternally and never undergo decay.
10 He sees that even wise people die just like fools, and senseless people leave their wealth to others. 11 They 'think' that their houses will last forever, and their homes to every generation. They even name their estates after themselves. 12 But even famous people don’t 'live forever'. They die just like the animals. 13 This is the destiny of the ignorant [or foolish], and their followers who perpetuate their 'allegations'. Selah.
14 They’re like a flock of sheep destined for sheol. Death will be their shepherd (but the righteous will rule over them in the morning!) Their bodies will rot in sheol, far from their estates. 15 But Elohim will redeem me from the power of sheol, because He’ll take me from the grave (Acts 2:29, 34). Selah.
16 Don’t be distracted when someone becomes rich, when the splendor of their houses is increased' 17 because when they die they take nothing with them. Their wealth won’t descend with them. 18 While they live they congratulate themselves—and people praise their success. 19 But they’ll join the generations of their ancestors where they never see the light. 20 Ignorant rich people are just like animals that die.
7 “Hear My people, and I’ll speak. Israel, I’ll testify against you. I’m Elohim, your Elohim. 8 I’m not punishing you for your zebakim or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. 9 I don’t need the bulls from your 'barns' or buck goats from your pens. 10 Every animal in the forest is Mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird on the mountains, and every creature moving in the fields is Mine. 12 If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you, because the world is Mine and everything in it. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink blood from buck goats? 14 Offer Elohim a zebak of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most Supreme. 15 Call on Me in times of trouble. I’ll rescue you, and you’ll honor Me.”
16 But to the wicked, Elohim says, “What right do you have reciting My unchanging rulings and 'mentioning' My covenant? 17 You hate discipline and you toss My words behind you. 18 When you see thieves, you befriend them, and you spend your time with adulterers. 19 You 'incessantly spout' evil. You’re 'devoted to' deception. 20 You sit around maligning your brother. You slander your own 'siblings'. 21 You’ve done these things, and I remained silent. You thought I was just like you. But I’ll punish you, and present a case for you to 'see'. 22 Consider this, you who forget Elohim, or I’ll tear you to pieces, and there won’t be anyone to rescue you. 23 Whoever makes an offering of thanksgiving honors Me. Whoever stays their course will see Elohim’s deliverance.”
7 Purify me with hyssop and I’ll be clean. Wash me and I’ll be whiter than snow. 8 Allow me to hear sounds of joy and gladness; “So that the bones that You’ve broken can rejoice. 9 'Don’t look at' my sins; wipe out all my guilt. 10 Create a clean heart in me, Elohim, and renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Don’t banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your 'special' spirit away from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your deliverance, and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I’ll teach rebels Your ways. Sinners will be converted [1] to You. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O Elohim, the Elohim of my salvation; then 'I' can sing of Your righteousness. 15 Sovereign, allow me 'to speak' so that 'I' can proclaim Your praise.
16 You don’t desire zebakim, or I would 'offer one'. You have no pleasure in burnt zebakim [sacrifices]. 17 The zebak that pleases Elohim is a broken spirit. But You, Elohim, will never despise a broken and repentant 'spirit'. 18 May it please You to favor Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You’ll be pleased with righteous zebakim, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
[1] Many translations say “turn back” or “return” here, but you can never return to a place you’ve never been, and you can’t revive (vivify) at a “revival meeting” someone who has never been spiritually alive before. Seldom would a truly converted person become totally apostate. And seldom would Hebrews 6:4-6 apply to a sinner.4 You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue. 5 But Elohim will permanently destroy you. He’ll pick you up and drag you out of your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous will see it and fear, and laugh at him and say: 7 “Here is a man who didn’t make Elohim his refuge, he depended on his wealth, and grew strong by destroying others!”
8 But as for me, I’m like a green olive tree in Elohim’s house. I’ll trust in Elohim’s faithful love forever and ever. 9 I’ll give thanks to You forever, for what You’ve done. I’ll trust in Your name, because it’s good, in the presence of Your 'special' ones.
2 Elohim looks down from heaven on Adam’s descendants to see if there is anyone who understands and seeks Elohim. 3 Every one of them has turned away. Together they have become filthy. There is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Are all of these wicked people ignorant? They eat up My people like they eat bread, and never call on Elohim. 5 But there they were, in great fear where there was nothing to fear, because Elohim has scattered the bones of those who are encamped against you. You’ve put them to shame, because Elohim has rejected them.
6 O that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! When Elohim brings His people back from captivity again [The Second Exodus], Jacob will celebrate and Israel will be glad.
4 Elohim helps me! The Sovereign sustains 'me'. 5 He’ll compensate my enemies with their own evil. Destroy them in Your faithfulness.
6 I’ll willingly zebak [sacrifice] to You, I’ll give thanks to Your name, Yehovah, because it’s good. 7 He has rescued me from all troubles, and 'I' have seen my enemies defeated.
4 I’m 'terrified'. The terrors of death have fallen on me. 5 Fear and trembling have overcome me, and horror overwhelms me. 6 I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and rest. 7 I’d wander far off and stay in the wilderness! Selah. 8 I would hurry to a shelter from the raging wind and storm.
9 Confuse them, Sovereign, and 'divide' their 'language', because I have seen violence and fighting in the city. 10 They patrol the walls day and night. Malice and abuse are inside the city. 11 Destructive forces fill the 'city'. Threats and lies never leave her streets.
12 It wasn’t an enemy who insulted me, or I could have endured it. It wasn’t someone who hated me who rose up against me, or I could have hidden from him. 13 But it’s you, a man like me, my companion and my 'close' friend. 14 What good fellowship we shared. We walked into Elohim’s house among worshipers.
15 May death stalk my 'enemies'; may they go down alive into sheol. Wickedness is at home among them.
16 As for me, I’ll call on Elohim. Yehovah will save me. 17 I cry out in distress evening, morning and noon, and He hears my voice. 18 He rescues 'me' unharmed from the assault against me, tho many still oppose me. 19 Elohim, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and humble them. Selah. They never change and they don’t revere Elohim.
20 'My friend' betrayed his 'friends' and broke his promises. 21 His 'words' were smoother than butter, but his 'motivation' was war. His words were smoother than oil, yet they were like drawn swords.
22 Throw your burdens on Yehovah and He’ll sustain you. He’ll never allow the righteous to be rattled. 23 But you, Elohim, will throw them into the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars won’t live out half their days. But I’m trusting in You.
5 All day long they twist my words. Their every thought is an evil plot against me. 6 They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, eager to kill me. 7 Don’t let them get away with wickedness? Elohim, bring down the nations in wrath.
8 You’ve kept track of my wandering. You put my tears in Your bottle. Aren’t they in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will retreat when I call for help. I know this because Elohim is for me. 10 I’ll praise Elohim for His word. I praise Yehovah for His word. 11 I have confidence in Elohim. I won’t be afraid. What can mortals do to me?
12 I will fulfill my vows to You, Elohim. I’ll render thank offerings to You. 13 You’ve protected me from death and prevented my feet from slipping, so now I can walk before Elohim in the light of life.
4 'I' live among lions. I must lie among ravenous beasts whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
5 Be exalted, above the heavens, Elohim! May Your splendor be above all the earth!
6 They’ve set a net for 'me'. I’m 'greatly distressed'. They dug a pit before me, but they’ve fallen into it themselves. Selah.
7 'I’m' determined, Elohim, 'I’m' committed. I’ll sing, I can sing your praises! 8 Wake up, my splendor! Wake up, harp and lyre! I’ll wake up the dawn. 9 I’ll give thanks to You, Sovereign, among the nations. I’ll sing Your praises among the nations. 10 Your faithful love reaches to the skies. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, Elohim, above the skies. May Your splendor be over all the earth.
6 Elohim, knock the teeth out of their mouths. Yehovah, tear out the young lions’ fangs. 7 May they vanish like water that flows away. When they draw their bows, make their arrows useless. 8 Have them be like snails that leave slime trails as they move along, or like a stillborn child who never sees the sun. 9 Before a pot can feel the heat from the thorns, He’ll blow away both the 'cold' and the burning twigs.
10 The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance carried out. They’ll wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 People will say, “There truly is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is an Elohim who judges the earth.”
6 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs, and prowling around the city. 7 Look at what they spew from their mouths; their words cut like swords. They think, “Who’s listening?” 8 But you, Yehovah laugh at them. You hold the nations in derision. 9 You are my source of strength! I will watch for You, because Elohim is my stronghold. 10 My Elohim in His faithful love WILL COME to meet me. Elohim will enable me to triumph over those who lie in wait for me.
11 Don’t kill them, or my people will forget. Make them homeless wanderers by Your power, and bring them down, Sovereign our shield. 12 Because of the sinful things 'they say', the 'opinions' 'they utter' and the curses and lies they speak, may they be caught in their arrogance. 13 Destroy them in anger. Consume them thru attrition until they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that Elohim rules over Jacob. Selah.
14 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs as they prowl around the city. 15 They wander around looking for food, and growl if they aren’t satisfied.
16 But I’ll sing about Your strength. In the morning I’ll sing about your love. You’ve been my refuge in times of trouble. 17 'You are' my strength, I’ll sing praises to You. For Elohim is my refuge, the Elohim who shows me mercy.
5 Save us by Your 'power', and answer us, so that those You love can be spared.
6 Elohim has spoken from His 'Temple' “I’ll triumph. I’ll divide Shechem, and measure off the valley of Succoth. 7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim is My helmet. Judah is My scepter. 8 Moab is my washbowl. I’ll throw My sandal at Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
9 Who will bring me into a fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Elohim, You’ve rejected us, haven’t You? You don’t go out with our armies, Elohim. 11 Help us fight the enemy; human help is worthless. 12 Thru Elohim we’ll do valiant things; He’s the one who will trample our enemies.
6 You’ll prolong the king’s life, his years will span many generations. 7 He’ll reign in Elohim’s presence forever. Preserve him with Your faithful love and truth. 8 So I’ll sing praise to Your name forever, so that I can fulfill my vows daily.
3 How long will you assault a man—all of you trying to kill me. To them I’m like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence. 4 They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They praise me with their 'words', but inside they’re cursing. Selah.
5 I wait quietly for Elohim alone; my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my defender, my fortress. I won’t be 'defeated'. 7 My honor and splendor comes from Elohim, the rock of my strength. My refuge is in Elohim. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your 'problems' before Him. Elohim is our refuge. Selah.
9 People of low merit are just a breath, and people of high merit are a lie. On a scales they go up. All of them together are lighter than a breath.
10 Don’t trust in extortion or put your hope in stolen goods. If wealth increases, don’t depend on it.
11 Elohim has spoken once, make that twice that I’ve have heard this, that power belongs to Elohim. 12 Sovereign, You epitomize faithful love, because You compensate people in proportion to their work.
6 I think of You as I lie in bed, and I think about You thru the night watches. 7 You have helped me, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 8 I cling to You. Your right hand supports me.
9 But those who try to kill me will descend into the depths of the earth. 10 They’ll be overpowered by swords. They’ll be jackal food. 11 But the king will rejoice in Elohim. Everyone who swears by Him will praise Him, while liars will be silenced.
7 But Elohim will shoot at them. They’ll be suddenly struck with an arrow. 8 They will eventually stumble. Their own tongues turn against them. Everyone who sees them will shake their heads. 9 All humanity will be afraid and declare, “These are the works of Elohim”, as they ponder what He has done! 10 The righteous will rejoice in Yehovah, and take refuge in Him. Everyone whose motives are right will offer praise!
5 You answer us by awesome deeds of righteousness, Elohim of our Victor. You who are the hope of everyone from the farthest horizons of the earth and of the most distant seas. 6 You formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with power. 7 You calm the roaring seas with their crashing waves, and the turmoil of the nations. 8 Those who live in remotest parts of the earth stand in awe of Your miracles. You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it. You greatly enrich it. Elohim’s river is full of water. You provide them grain, because You’ve planned it. 10 You water its seedbeds abundantly,. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers You bless the productivity. 11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest. Your wagon tracks 'exhibit' abundance. 12 The pastures in the wilderness are lush with dew. The hills are covered with joy. 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
5 Come and see Elohim’s deeds, His awesome miracles on behalf of 'humanity'. 6 He turned the sea into dry land. They crossed the river on foot. There we celebrated in Him. 7 He rules with power forever. He keeps an eye on the nations. The rebellious should never rise up against Him. Selah
8 May every nation praise our Elohim! May the sound of His praise be heard. 9 He protects our lives and keeps our feet from slipping. 10 Elohim, You have tested us. You’ve purified us like silver. 11 You trapped us in a net and laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let people trample our heads. We went thru fire and water, yet You brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I’ll come into Your 'Temple' with burnt offerings. I’ll fulfill my vows to You— 14 things 'I' promised when 'I' was in trouble. 15 I’ll offer You burnt offerings of stout animals, with the smoke of rams. I’ll offer bulls and buck goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, everyone who reveres Elohim, and I’ll tell you what He did for 'me'. 17 I cried to Him. I extolled Him 'when I spoke'. 18 If I had cherished evil 'thoughts', Elohim would not have listened. 19 But Elohim definitely listened. He 'paid attention' to my prayer. 20 Blessed be Elohim, who never ignored my prayer or withheld His love from me.
2 May Your ways be known on earth, and every nation realize that You can save. 3 May the nations praise You, Elohim. May the nations praise You. 4 The nations will celebrate and sing for joy, because You’ll judge the nations fairly and guide the kingdoms on earth. Selah.
5 All the nations will praise You, Elohim. All the nations will praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its harvest. Elohim, our Elohim, bless us. 7 Elohim will bless us. The 'far' ends of the earth will revere Him.
5 A Father of orphans, and a defender of widows, is Elohim in His 'special' dwelling. 6 Elohim sets the lonely in families. He sets prisoners free with singing. But the rebellious live in a parched land.
7 Elohim, when You led Your people, when You marched thru the wilderness, Selah, 8 the land trembled, and the skies poured down rain in the presence of Elohim. Sinai itself shook at the presence of Elohim, the Elohim of Israel. 9 You, Elohim, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary. 10 Your people settled there. You, Elohim, provided Your goodness for the poor.
11 The Sovereign gives the word, and numerous women announce the good news: 12 Kings and their armies retreat and flee, while the women at home divide the spoil! 13 Even while you sleep among the sheepfolds, the wings of my dove are covered with silver, her feathers with shining gold. 14 The Conqueror scattered kings like snow falling on Mount Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan have many peaks. 16 Why do you look in envy, you mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where Elohim chooses to reign, where Yehovah will live forever?
17 Elohim’s chariots number tens of thousands. The Sovereign is among them in Sinai in His 'special' Place.
18 You’ve ascended the heights, You’ve led away Your captives. You’ve received gifts from people, even the rebellious, so that Yah Elohim will live there.19 Blessed be the Sovereign, who daily bears our burdens, the Elohim who bears our burdens. Selah. 20 Our El is an El who saves us. Yehovah the Sovereign rescues us from death.
21 But Elohim will smash the heads of His enemies, the hairy scalp of those who continue in their sins. 22 The Sovereign said, “I’ll bring them back from Bashan, I’ll bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23 so that your feet 'wade' in their blood, while your dogs eat their share of your enemies.”
24 They’ve seen your processions, Elohim, even the processions of my Elohim, my King into the 'Cherished' Place. 25 The singers were in front, the musicians followed them; between them are the young women playing tambourines. 26 Praise Elohim in the assemblys, 'praise' the Sovereign, the Sustainer of Israel. 27 There’s the little tribe of Benjamin leading them, then the leaders of Judah with their masses, and the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28 Your Elohim has commanded your strength. Be strong, Elohim, as You have in the past. 29 The kings of the earth will bring tribute to Your Temple in Jerusalem. 30 Punish the wild beasts among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations until they submit with their silver. Scatter the warmongering nations. 31 Ambassadors will come from Egypt. Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to Elohim. 32 Sing to Elohim, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Sovereign! Selah. 33 Sing to the One who rides across the ancient heavens. His voice resounds, His powerful voice. 34 Proclaim Elohim’s power! His majesty is over Israel, His power is in the clouds. 35 Elohim, You are awesome in Your 'Cherished' Place. The Elohim of Israel personally gives strength and power to His people. Elohim deserves praise!
5 Elohim, You know my foolishness. My sins can’t be hidden from You. 6 Don’t let those who trust You be ashamed because of me, Sovereign Yehovih, the Commander. Don’t let those who seek You be brought to dishonor thru me, Elohim of Israel. 7 I endure scorn for Your sake. Shame covers my face. 8 I am like a stranger to my brothers, a foreigner to my mother’s children.
9 Passion for Your 'Temple' has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You falls on me. 10 When I cry and fast, I must endure ridicule. 11 When I wear my sackcloth clothing, I make a euphemism of me. 12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me, and drunkards sing songs about me.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to You, Yehovah, at an acceptable time, Elohim, in Your abundant faithful love, answer me with Your saving truth. 14 Rescue me from the mud. Don’t let me sink. Save me from those who hate me, and from the deep water. 15 Don’t let the flood water overwhelm me or let the deep water engulf me, or let the pit of sheol devour me!
16 Answer me, Yehovah, because Your faithful love is good; in Your great mercy turn to me. 17 Don’t 'hide' from me Your servant, because I’m in distress. Answer me quickly! 18 Come near and rescue me; ransom me from my enemies.
19 You know my shame and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before You. 20 I am 'crushed by' insults, and I’m in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but couldn’t find any. 21 They gave me gall for food. For my thirst they offered me vinegar to drink.
22 May the table set before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap. 23 May their eyes grow dim, so that they can’t see, and make their insides tremble constantly. 24 Pour out Your anger on them. May the fierceness of Your anger overtake them. 25 May their homes be deserted; leave no one to live in their tents. 26 They persecute the one You’ve wounded. They talk about the sorrow of those You’ve hurt. 27 Charge them with crime after crime. Don’t let them be found innocent. 28 May they be ERASED FRON THE BOOK OF LIFE. Don’t allow them to be counted among the righteous.
29 But I’m in pain and distress. May Your saving power protect me, Elohim. 30 I’ll praise Elohim by name with singing, and honor Him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please Yehovah more than a bull or a bull with its horns and hoofs.
32 The humble have seen it and are glad. You who seek after Elohim be encouraged. 33 For Yehovah hears the needy, and doesn’t despise His captive people.
34 May heaven and earth praise Him, the oceans, and everything that moves in them! 35 Elohim will save Zion and rebuild the towns of Judah. Then people will settle there and own it. 36 The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will live there.
7 I’ve become an ominous sign to many people because You are my strong refuge. 8 'I' am always praising You, declaring Your splendor all day long.
9 Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. 10 My enemies have spoken against me. They watch me as they conspire to take my life. 11 They say, “Elohim has abandoned him; chase him and seize him, because there is no one to rescue him.”
12 Elohim, don’t be so far from me. My Elohim, come quickly to help me. 13 May my accusers be shamefully destroyed; may they be covered with scorn and humiliation. 14 But I’ll always have hope, and praise Your more and more. 15 'I' will tell everyone about Your righteousness, and of Your saving power all day, tho I don’t fully 'understand it'. 16 I’ll come with the mighty acts of the Sovereign Yehovah. I’ll make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
17 Elohim, You’ve taught me from my youth, and I’m still proclaiming your wondrous deeds! 18 And even when I’m old and gray, Elohim, don’t abandon me until I have announced Your power to the next generation, Your might to everyone yet to come.
19 Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, Elohim, because you’ve done awesome things! Elohim, there is no one like you! 20 You have allowed us to suffer much hardship, but You will give me life again. You will 'resurrect' me from the depths of the earth. [Acts 2:34-35] 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me again.
22 Then I’ll praise You with a harp for Your faithfulness, my Elohim. I sing praises to You with a bagpipe, 'special' One of Israel. 23 'I' will shout for joy and sing praises to You, because You have redeemed me. 24 'I' will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, since those who wanted to hurt me have been shamed and humiliated.
6 May he come down like rain on the freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth. 7 May the righteous flourish during his 'reign', and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
8 May he rule from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the farthest reaches of the earth. 9 May desert nomads bow before him and his enemies lick the dust. 10 May the kings of Tarshish and the distant shores bring tribute. May the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 11 May every king bow down before Him and every nation serve him.
12 He’ll deliver the needy who cry out, and the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He’ll have compassion on the weak and the needy, and He’ll save the lives of the needy. 14 He’ll redeem 'them' from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
15 May the King live long! May the gold from Sheba be given to Him. May they pray for Him unceasingly and bless Him all day long. 16 May there will be an abundance of grain thruout the land waving on the hilltops, flourishing like the cedars of Lebanon; and 'the people' from the city flourish like vegetation in the fields. 17 May his name endure forever. May his name continue as long as the sun shines. May the nations be blessed by Him. May every nation call him blessed.
18 Praise Yehovah Elohim, the Elohim of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise His splendid name forever! May the entire earth be filled with His splendor! Aw-main' and Aw-main'.
20 This concludes the prayers by David [at that time], the son of Jesse.
[1] “Many of the pronouns in this Psalm may be rendered He since the typical reference is to the Messiah.” (NASB)12 This is what the wicked are like—always care free and amassing wealth!
13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my conscience, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 I have suffered all day long, and been punished every morning.
15 If I had said these things aloud, I would have betrayed a generation of Your children. 16 When I tried to understand this, I was deeply troubled, 17 until I entered Elohim’s 'Cherished' Place, and considered their coming demise. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places. You bring them down to destruction. 19 How suddenly they are destroyed! They are completely swept away by terror! 20 Like someone awaking from a dream, Sovereign, when You wake up, You despise their illusions.
21 When I was filled with bitterness and my inner self was wounded, 22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was like a brute beast in Your presence. 23 Yet I’m always with you. You hold onto my right hand. 24 You guide me by Your counsel, eventually to accept me with honor. 25 Who do I have in heaven but You? I don’t need anything on earth other than You. 26 My body and mind may fail, but Elohim is the Rock of my life and my inheritance forever.
27 Those who are far from You will die! You destroy everyone who is unfaithful to You. 28 But as for me, it’s good to be near Elohim. I have made the Sovereign my refuge, so I talk about everything You’ve done.
4 Your enemies have roared where You met with us; they’ve raised their own 'flags'. 5 They behaved like ax men hacking a forest. 6 Now they have hacked all its carved paneling down with hatchets and axes. 7 They’ve burned Your 'special' place to the ground. They have profaned the place that bears Your Name. 8 They said to themselves, “Let’s crush them completely.” They’ve burned up all the places in the land where Elohim was worshiped.
9 We see no miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and none of us knows how long this will last. 10 Elohim, how long will the adversary scorn us? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? 11 Why are You holding Your 'power' back? 'Use Your fist' and annihilate them!
12 Yet Elohim is my King from ancient times, bringing victory to the earth. 13 You split open the sea by Your strength. You broke the heads of the dragons * in the 'sea'. 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan. You fed him to the desert creatures. 15 You broke open springs and streams, and You dried up rivers that had never run dry. 16 The day belongs to You, the night is also Yours. You made the luminary and the sun. 17 You set all the parameters of the earth. You made summer and winter.
18 Remember this Sovereign Yehovah, the enemy has insulted You. Foolish people have blasphemed Your name. 19 Don’t hand Your dove over to wild beasts. Don’t forget the lives of Your afflicted people forever.
20 Honor Your covenant, because violence fills every dark place in the land. 21 Don’t let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise Your name.
22 Get up, Elohim! Fight for Your own cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. 23 Don’t ignore the clamor of Your enemies. The uproar of those who rise up against You never quits ascending.
2 Elohim says “I set the specified time and I’ll judge fairly. 3 The earth and all its people quake. I’m the One who steadies its pillars. Selah
4 “I said to the arrogant, ‘Brag no more’ and to the wicked, ‘Don’t lift up your horn [strength]. 5 Don’t raise your trumpet against the Most Supreme or speak 'arrogantly'.’” 6 Exaltation doesn’t come from the east or the west or from the southern desert.
7 But Elohim is the judge: He brings one down and raises another. 8 There is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices in Yehovah’s hand. He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth must drink it down to the dregs.
9 But as for me, I’ll declare this forever; I’ll sing praises to the Elohim of Jacob. 10 I’ll cut off all the 'power' of the wicked, but the 'power' of the righteous will be empowered.”
4 You are radiant, more majestic than mountains filled with game. 5 Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept the final sleep. None of warriors could lift their hands. 6 At Your reprimand, Elohim of Jacob, chariots and horses fell into a deep sleep.
7 You alone are to be revered. Who can stand in Your presence when You are angry? 8 You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth panicked and was silenced 9 when Elohim rose up to judge, to rescue all the oppressed people of the earth. Selah. 10 Even human anger brings You praise; and You arm Yourself with what remains of Your wrath.
11 Make vows to Yehovah your Elohim and fulfill them! May all of His neighbors bring presents to the One who is to be feared. 12 He breaks the spirit of leaders. He terrifies the kings of the earth.
4 You kept my eyelids from closing. I’m so disturbed that I can’t speak. 5 I think about the days of old, the years of long ago 6 and I remember my songs in the night and ponder on it. I meditate and my spirit keeps wondering:
7 Will the Sovereign reject us forever? Will He never be pleased again? 8 Has His faithful love vanished forever? Has His 'promise' permanently failed? 9 Has Elohim forgotten to be merciful? Has He, in anger, withheld His compassion? Selah.
10 Then I thought, “This is my fate; the 'power' of the Most Supreme has changed direction.” 11 But then I recall Yah’s deeds, I recall the miracles You did long ago. 12 I’ll meditate on all Your work and ponder Your works.
13 Your way, Elohim, are 'special' What god is as great as Elohim? 14 You are the Elohim who does wonders. You’ve demonstrated Your awesome power among the nations. 15 You’ve redeemed Your people by Your 'power', the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16 The water [Red Sea] saw You, Elohim. The water saw You and trembled! The depths of the sea shook. 17 The clouds poured down rain. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows flashed around. 18 The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind, the lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your road went thru the sea, Your path thru the raging water, but Your footsteps were unseen. 20 You led Your people like a flock by the 'care' of Moses and Aaron.
9 The descendants of Ephraim were archers, but they retreated on the day of battle. 10 They didn’t keep Elohim’s covenant and refused to 'live by' His Torah. 11 They forgot what He had done, and the miracles He had shown them.
12 He performed miracles within sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. 13 He divided the sea and caused them to pass thru. He made the water stand up like walls! 14 He led them with the cloud during the day, and all night by a fiery light. 15 He split the rock in the wilderness and gave them more than enough water, as if from the ocean depths. 16 He brought a stream out of the rock [Exodus 17:7], making water flow down like a river!
17 Yet they continued to sin against Him, rebelling against the Most Supreme in the wilderness. 18 They 'deliberately' tested Elohim by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against Elohim! They asked, “Can Elohim set a table in the wilderness? 20 He struck the rock and water gushed and streams overflowed, but can He give us bread? Can He provide meat for His people?” 21 So Yehovah heard and became angry. A fire was ignited against Jacob, and anger mounted against Israel, 22 because they didn’t trust Elohim. They didn’t trust Him to spare them. 23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened heaven’s doors. 24 He rained manna down on them to eat and gave them food from the sky. 25 So they ate the 'food' of the mighty ones. He sent them all the food they could eat. 26 He released the east wind in the sky and by His power He guided the south wind. 27 He rained meat on them like dust, as many birds as the sand on the seashore! 28 He caused birds to fall inside the camp and all around their tents. 29 So they ate and were well satisfied; He gave them what they wanted. 30 But before they satisfied their cravings, while food was still in their mouths 31 the anger of Elohim came up against them, killing some of the most hearty, and striking down the finest young men of Israel.
32 In spite of all this they still sinned, and had no faith in His miracles. 33 So He ended their futile days, and their years in terror. 34 Whenever He began killing them, they would seek Him and eagerly turn to Him again. 35 They remembered that Elohim was their Rock, and that the Most Supreme Elohim was their Redeemer. 36 But their words were not sincere. Their tongues were used for lies. 37 They were 'unfaithful' and disloyal to Him and His covenant. 38 But He, being merciful, covered over their wickedness and didn’t destroy them. Many times He restrained His anger and didn’t unleash all His wrath. 39 He remembered that they were just flesh, like a wind that blows by, never to return.
40 They kept rebelling against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! 41 Again and again they tested Elohim and provoked the 'special' One of Israel. 42 They didn’t remember His 'power' or the 'time' He saved them from the enemy; 43 when He performed His miraculous signs in Egypt and His marvels in the region of Zoan. 44 He turned their rivers into blood, and they couldn’t drink from their streams. 45 He sent swarms of biting flies against them, and frogs that devastated them. 46 He gave their crops to the grasshoppers and the 'fruit' of their labor to locusts. 47 He killed their grapevines with hail, their native fig trees with chunks of ice. 48 He forfeited their cattle to the hail, and their livestock to bolts of lightning. 49 He unleashed against them His burning anger, His wrath, indignation and hostility, a band of destructive messengers. 50 He 'cleared' a path for His anger. He didn’t spare their [the Egyptians] lives from death, but ravaged them during the epidemic. 51 He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of [their ancestor] Ham. 52 But He led His own people out like sheep and guided them thru the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 He brought them to His 'chosen' land, to the mountain that His 'power' had won. 55 He also drove out the nations before them, and allotted them the land for an inheritance, and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet they kept testing and rebelling against the Most Supreme Elohim, and didn’t obey His regulations. 57 They were disloyal and treacherous like their ancestors. They were as off course as arrows shot from a 'warped' bow. 58 They provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their engraved idols. 59 When Elohim heard this, He was filled with anger, and He completely rejected Israel. 60 So He abandoned His home in Shiloh, the Tabernacle where He had set up among 'humans'. 61 He gave up His strength [the Ark of the Covenant] to captivity, He surrendered His splendor into enemy hands. 62 He surrendered His people to 'warfare', He was furious with His heritage. 63 Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs. 64 His priests fell by swords, and their widows were not allowed to cry.
65 Then the Sovereign awakened like someone out of sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine. 66 He beat back his enemies and sent them to eternal shame. 67 He rejected the 'descendants' of Joseph, and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim. 68 Instead, He chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion that He loves. 69 He built His 'Cherished' Place like the mountain heights, like the earth that He established forever. 70 Then he chose His servant David and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from the care of ewes with their nursing lambs to being the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His heritage. 72 So he shepherded them with true integrity; and led them with his skillful hands.
5 Yehovah, how long will You be angry, forever? How long will Your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that don’t call on Your name. 7 They’ve devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland. 8 Don’t punish us for the sins of our ancestors. May Your compassion come quickly to meet us, because we’re helpless.
9 Help us, Elohim our victor, for the splendor of Your name. Rescue us and forgive our sins for the sake of Your name! 10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their Elohim?.” Show us before our very eyes Your vengeance against the nations for the spilled blood of Your servants. 11 May the groans of the prisoners come before You. By Your great power spare those who are sentenced to death.
12 Pay back our neighbors seven times over where it hurts, for the insults they used against You, Sovereign. 13 So we Your people and sheep of Your pasture will give You thanks forever. We will praise You forever from generation to generation.
3 Elohim, restore us and cause Your face to shine down on us. Only then can we be saved. 4 Yehovah Elohim the Commander, how long will You be angry with the prayers of Your people? 5 You’ve fed them bread made of tears, and given them 'pails' of tears to drink. 6 You’ve made us the scorn of neighboring nations; our enemies make fun of us.
7 Restore us, Elohim the Commander, 'look on us with favor'. Only then can we be saved. 8 You brought a grapevine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted 'us'. 9 You cleared the ground before 'us' so that 'we' took root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with 'our' shadow. 'Our' boughs were like Elohim’s cedars. 11 'Our' branches reached the Mediterranean] Sea, and 'our' shoots to the Euphrates River. 12 So why have You broken down 'our' hedgerows so that everyone who passes can steal the fruit? 13 Like boars from the forest they ravage it, and wild animals feed on us.
14 Come back, we urge You, Elohim the Commander. Look down from heaven and see. Come and take care of this grapevine, 15 the stock that You planted with Your 'own' hands, the branch that You secured for Yourself. 16 It’s set on fire. It’s cut down. They perish at Your reprimand. 17 May 'You' strengthen the one You have chosen for Yourself, the human son You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will never abandon You. Revive us and we’ll call on Your name.
19 Yehovah Elohim the Commander, restore us again. 'Show us Your favor'. Only then can we be saved.
Afterward he heard a language that he didn’t recognize say, 6 “I lifted the burden from their shoulders. Their hands were freed from the brick basket! [their labor]. 7 You called in distress and I rescued you. I answered you from the hidden place of thunder. I tested you at the 'oasis' of Meribah. Selah.
8 Listen, My people, and I’ll admonish you; Israel, if only you would listen to Me! 9 There must never be a foreign god among you, you must never worship any foreign god. 10 I am Yehovah your Elohim, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I’ll fill it.
11 But My people didn’t heed My voice. Israel wanted nothing to do with Me. 12 So I allowed them to pursue their own stubborn ways, to follow their own ideas. 13 O that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would 'live' My way! 14 I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries. 15 Those who hate Yehovah would cringe before Him, and their fate would last forever. 16 But I would feed you with superior wheat, I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”
[1] Only the King James Version fails to mention the full moon in this verse, and substitutes ‘in the time appointed”.3 “Defend the weak and orphans; uphold the rights of the poor and destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and needy. Rescue them from the grasp of the wicked. 5 They [the gods] don’t know or understand; they walk around in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaking. 6 I personally said, “You are elohim [gods]! All of you are children of the Most Supreme. 7 “But you’ll die like other men, and fall like any other ruler.’”
8 Rise up, Elohim, and judge the earth, because all the nations belong to You.
[1] There is no ‘DIVINE COUNCIL”.9 Do to them what You did to Midian, and what You did to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River. 10 They were destroyed at Endor, and were like manure on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their leaders like Zebah and Zalmunna. 12 They said, “Let’s take possession of Elohim’s pasturelands.” 13 My Elohim, make them like tumbleweeds, like chaff in the wind! 14 As a fire burns a forest, like a flame that sets the mountains ablaze, 15 chase them with Your storm, and terrify them with Your hurricane. 16 Yehovah, cover their faces with shame until they seek Your name. 17 Make them afraid and ashamed forever; let them die in humiliation. 18 Then they will know that You alone, whose name is Yehovah, are the Most Supreme over all the earth.
[1] The One Day Long Retaliatory War: This describes the confederacy of nations that will bring about the largest onslaught against the land of Israel (presently Judah) in history: Larger than the Assyrian conquest in about 722 BC, and larger than the Babylonian conquest between 607-586 B.C. The other end time prophecies concerning today’s modern Jewish state are equally dire! (Isaiah 15:1,6; Isa.17; Isa 19:4-18; Jer.49:28-33, 49:35-37; Eze. 25:12-14; Eze 35:7-9; Amos 1:6-10; Obadiah 5-9, 17-18; Zephaniah 2:4-5.5 Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who are 'resolved' to do pilgrimages to Zion. 6 Passing thru the Baca Valley, they make it a 'source' of springwater. The early rain covers it with blessings. 7 They continue to grow stronger until they appear before Elohim in Zion.
8 Commander Yehovah Elohim, 'hear' my prayer. Listen, Elohim of Jacob. Selah. 9 O Elohim, look at our shield [the king]! Look favorably on at the face of Your anointed one.
10 For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the 'Temple' of my Elohim than to live in the tents of wickedness. 11 Yehovah Elohim is a sun and a shield. Yehovah gives favor and honor. He withholds nothing good from those who 'live' blamelessly. 12 Commander Yehovah, how blessed are the people who trust You.
4 Elohim who saves us, put an end to Your anger! 5 Will you remain angry with us forever? Will you extend Your anger to all generations? 6 Won’t You revive us again, so that Your people can celebrate in You? 7 Yehovah, show us Your faithful love, and save us.
8 I’ll listen to what El Yehovah says, because He 'promises' peace to His people, His 'special' ones. But don’t allow them to return to their foolish ways. 9 Surely He will rescue those who revere Him, so that splendor can live in our land.
10 Unfailing love and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth springs from the 'ground'. Righteousness 'shines' down from heaven. 12 Yehovah will provide blessings! Our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before Him, making a road for His steps.
8 There is no one like You among the gods. Sovereign, nothing compares to Your works! 9 Every nation You’ve made will come and bow down before You, Sovereign. They’ll praise Your name. 10 You are great and do miracles. You alone are Elohim.
11 Teach me Your way, Yehovah. I’ll 'live by' Your truth. Give me a committed heart to revere Your name. 12 I’ll praise you, Sovereign my Elohim, 'unconditionally', and I’ll praise Your name forever. 13 Your faithful love for me is great. You’ve rescued me from the 'depths' of sheol.
14 Elohim, arrogant people have risen up against me. A gang of violent men are trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. 15 But you, Sovereign, are a compassionate and merciful Elohim, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love and truth. 16 'Look down' and have mercy on me! Grant Your strength to Your servant, save the son of Your maidservant. 17 Give me a sign of Your favor. Then those who hate me can see it and be put to shame, because You, Yehovah, help and comfort me.
4 I’ll record Rahab [Egypt] and Babylon among those who acknowledge Me. Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia too. “This one was born there.” 5 But of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; and the Most Supreme Himself will establish her. 6 When Yehovah registers the nations He’ll say, “This one was born there.” Selah.
7 Then those who sing and play flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in you.”
8 You’ve driven my friends away from me. You’ve made me an abomination to them. I’m trapped and I can’t escape. 9 My eyes are dim from grief. I call to You daily, Yehovah. I have lifted my hands to You. 10 Will You perform miracles for the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise You? Selah.
11 Is Your faithful love proclaimed in the grave? Will Your faithfulness be proclaimed in Abaddon? 12 Can Your miracles be realized in the dark or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion? 13 But Yehovah, I cry out to you. My prayers come to You in the morning. 14 Yehovah, why do you reject my very being? Why are 'You' hiding from me?
15 I’ve suffered and been ready to die since I was young. I’ve endured your terrors. I’m helpless. 16 Your burning anger has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. 17 They swirl around me like floodwater all day long. They completely engulfed me. 18 You’ve removed my loved ones and companions far from me. My only friend is darkness.
3 You said “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘I’ll establish your descendants [dynasty] forever, and I’ll build up your throne thru all generations.’ Selah.
5 The heavens will praise Your miracles, Yehovah, and Your loyalty in the assembly of the 'special' ones. 6 Who in the skies is comparable to Yehovah? Who among the elohim is like Yehovah. 7 Elohim is greatly revered in the council of the 'special' ones, far more awesome than anyone surrounding Him. 8 Commander Yehovah Elohim, who is like You, Mighty One? Yah, Your faithfulness surrounds You!
9 You rule over the raging sea. When its waves rise up, You calm them. 10 You’ve broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You’ve scattered Your enemies by Your 'power'. 11 The heavens are Yours. The earth is also Yours; the world and everything in it—You created it all. 12 You created the north and the south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout praises in Your name. 13 You have a powerful arm. Your hand is strong; Your right hand is lifted high! 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Faithful love and truth stand in front of 'You'. 15 The people who learn to acclaim You are blessed. Yehovah, they walk in the light of Your presence. 16 They rejoice in Your name all day long. They are uplifted by Your righteousness. 17 You are the splendor of their strength. In Your favor our 'strength' will be exalted. 18 Our shield belongs to Yehovah our king, to the 'special' One of Israel.
19 Then You spoke in vision to Your 'special' ones and said, “I have bestowed strength on a warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people. 20 I have found David, My servant. I have anointed him with My 'special' oil. 21 I will defend him with My hand and strengthen him with My arm. 22 No enemy will make him pay tribute; the wicked won’t oppress him. 23 I’ll crush the enemies he confronts, and strike down those who hate him. 24 But My faithfulness and My unfailing love will be with him. In My name he will 'grow in power'. 25 I’ll extend his 'rule' over the sea and his 'domination' over the rivers. 26 He’ll call out to Me, ‘You are my Father, my Elohim and the Rock who saves me.’ 27 I’ll make him My firstborn, the dominant king of the earth. 28 I’ll maintain My love to him forever. My covenant with him will last forever. 29 I’ll preserve his dynasty forever; his throne will endure as long as the heavens. 30 If his descendants abandon My Torah and fail to obey My judgments, 31 if they violate My unchanging rulings and stop keeping My Commandments, 32 then I’ll punish their rebellion with a rod, and their disobedience with a whip. 33 But I won’t stop loving him. I won’t betray my faithfulness. 34 I won’t break My covenant or go back on what I 'said'. 35 Once I have sworn I am 'committed', I won’t lie to David. 36 His dynasty will last forever. His throne will endure before Me like the sun. 37 It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah.
38 But you’ve rejected and spurned Your anointed. You’ve been angry with him. 39 You’ve renounced the covenant of Your servant. You’ve defiled his crown in the dust. 40 You’ve broken down all his walls. You’ve reduced his strongholds to rubble. 41 Everyone who comes down the road robs him. He is scorned by his neighbors. 42 You’ve lifted the right hand of his enemies. You gave all his enemies reason to celebrate. 43 You turn back the edge of his sword, 'You' haven’t supported him in battle. 44 You’ve ended his splendor and cast his throne to the ground. 45 You’ve shortened the days of his youth. You’ve wrapped him up in shame. Selah
46 Yehovah, how long? Will You hide Yourself forever? How long will Your anger burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my 'life' is! Why did You create humanity? For nothing? 48 Who can live and not see death? Who can save himself from the power of sheol? Selah?
49 Sovereign, where is the previous unending love that You swore to David in Your faithfulness? 50 Sovereign, remember how I have suffered the insults of so many nations, 51 Yehovah, when Your enemies ridiculed You, when they ridiculed every footstep of Your anointed.
52 Blessed be Yehovah forever. Aw-main' and Aw-main'.
13 Yehovah, come back to us! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love, so that we can sing for joy and celebrate all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as You’ve oppressed us, for 'as long' as we have experienced evil. 16 May Your work be seen by Your servants and Your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Sovereign our Elohim be on us. Cause our efforts to prevail.
14 “Because he loves Me, I’ll rescue him. I’ll set him high out of reach because he has known My name. 15 He’ll call on Me, and I’ll answer him. I’ll be with him when he’s in trouble. I’ll rescue him and honor him. 16 I’ll reward him with long life, and show him My salvation” [Literally: Yeshua].
4 “You, Yehovah, have caused me to rejoice by what You’ve done; I’ll sing for joy at the works of Your hands. 5 How magnificent are Your works, Yehovah, and how profound are Your thoughts! 6 Stupid people don’t know, fools don’t understand 7 that tho the wicked spring up like grass, and all the wicked flourish, they will be eternally destroyed.
8 But You, Yehovah, are high above (on high) forever. 9 Look at your enemies, Yehovah! Your enemies will die! All the wicked will be scattered. 10 But You’ve 'made me as strong' as a monoclonius [?]. I’m anointed with fresh oil. 11 I look down on those who would ambush me. I hear the wicked rising to oppose me. 12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. They’ll grow like a cedar of Lebanon. 13 Planted in Yehovah’s 'Temple', they’ll flourish in our Elohim’s courts. 14 They’ll still yield fruit in old age. They’ll be 'verdant' and green, 15 declaring that Yehovah is just. He is my Rock, and there is no injustice in Him.
2 Your throne was established from long ago. You are from eternity. 3 The 'rivers' have risen, Yehovah, the floods have raised their voices; the pounding waves of the seas are rising. 4 More than the sound of 'rushing' water, more than the breakers on the shore, Yehovah high above is majestic. 5 Your declarations [words] will stand forever. Yehovah, Your 'Temple' is set apart forever.
[1] Will the World Be Destroyed by Fire?8 Pay attention, you stupid people among the crowd; when will you wise up? 9 Doesn’t the One who formed the ear hear? Doesn’t the One who formed the eye see? 10 Doesn’t the One who disciplines nations punish. He is the one who teaches humanity discernment. 11 Yehovah knows that the thoughts of humanity are futile.
12 Blessed is the man You discipline, Yah, the one You teach from Your Torah; 13 You grant them relief from days of adversity, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 Yehovah won’t abandon His people; He won’t forsake His inheritance. 15 Justice will again be righteous. Everyone in their right mind will pursue it.
16 Who will stand up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the wicked? 17 Unless Yehovah had given me help, I would have soon been permanently silenced. 18 When I said, “My foot is slipping!” Your faithful love held me up, Yehovah. 19 When I am overwhelmed with anxious thoughts, Your comfort encourages me.
20 Can a destructive tribunal be allied with You that creates misery thru laws? 21 They convene against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But Yehovah has become my High Tower, my Elohim is the Rock of my refuge. 23 He will repay them for their wickedness and destroy them by means of their own wickedness. Yehovah, our Elohim will destroy them.
6 Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before Yehovah our Maker,
7 He is our Elohim and we are the people of His pasture, the flock He 'leads'. If only you would listen to 'Him' today! 8 Don’t harden your 'resolve' as was done at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your ancestors tested Me and tried My patience, even tho they had already seen My work.
10 Forty long years I despised that generation; and said, “Those people have a heart to stray. They have no regard for My ways.” 11 So I swore in My fury, “They WILL [1] enter My rest!’”
[1] As if there were a pied piper, virtually every version says “WILL NOT” in this verse, tho it doesn’t say that in Hebrew. (The YLT is literal and JFB notes it.) The account of how Israel WILL return to His rest is explained in Ezekiel 20:33-44; they’ll do it the hard way, under a new covenant.
7 The nations of the world should 'recognize' Yehovah; 'recognize' Yehovah’s splendor and strength. 8 Give Yehovah the splendor due to His name. Bring an offering, and enter His courts. 9 Worship Yehovah in all of His 'special' splendor. Tremble in His presence, all the world! 10 Say among the heathen, “Yehovah reigns.” The world is established so that it won’t fall. He’ll judge the nations fairly.
11 The heavens will rejoice and the earth will be glad. The sea and everything in it will roar. 12 The fields will be jubilant, and everything in them, and all the trees in the forest will sing. 13 You will rejoice before Yehovah because He is coming. He is coming to judge the world. He will judge the world with righteousness and the people with His truth.
10 Those of you who love Yehovah hate evil! He protects the lives of His ''special' ones' and rescues them from the grasp of the wicked. 11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and joy for the 'virtuous'. 12 Rejoice in Yehovah, you righteous people and praise His 'special' Name.
4 Shout for joy to Yehovah, all the earth! Burst into praise and sing for joy! 5 Sing praises to Yehovah with a harp, with a harp and the sound of music.
6 Blow the trumpets and sound the shofars; shout for joy to Yehovah, the King. 7 May the sea and everything in it roar; the world, and 'every creature' in it.
8 The rivers should clap their hands, and the hills should sing together for joy 9 in Yehovah’s presence, because He is coming to judge the world. He’ll judge the world with justice and the nations with fairness.
6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called on Yehovah and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them from the columnar cloud. They kept His regulations and the unchanging rulings that He gave them. 8 Yehovah our Elohim spoke to them. You were an Elohim who forgave them, but You punished them for their 'wrongs'.
9 Praise Yehovah our Elohim. Worship at His 'special' mountain because Yehovah our Elohim are 'special',!
6`I’ll 'focus' on the faithful of the land, so that they can live with me. Only those who 'live' in innocence will serve me. 7 I won’t allow deceivers to live in my house. People who tell lies won’t remain in my presence. 8 Every morning I’ll destroy all the wicked people of the land, eliminating all criminals from Yehovah’s city.
12 But you, Yehovah, will 'rule' forever. Your renown endures to all generations. 13 You’ll arise and have compassion on Zion, because it’s time to have mercy on her. The specified time has come! 14 Your servants cherish her stones, and even care about her dust. 15 So the nations will revere Yehovah’s name, all the kings of the earth will acknowledge Your splendor. 16 Yehovah will rebuild Zion and appear in 'Person'. 17 He’ll listen to the prayers of the destitute. He won’t despise their prayers.
18 This will be written down for the next generation so that people not yet created will praise Yah. 19 He has looked down from His 'Cherished' Place above. Yehovah gazed down on earth from heaven 20 to hear the prisoners’ groans, to free those condemned to death. 21 Yehovah’s name will be heard in Zion [once again] and His praise in Jerusalem, 22 when the nations are gathered together and all kingdoms come to serve Yehovah.
23 He weakened my strength in midlife; He cut my days short. 24 I said, “My Elohim, don’t take me away in the middle of my 'life'. Your years endure thruout all generations. 25 Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They’ll become old [1], but You will remain. All of these things [the universe] will wear out like a garment, but You’ll change them like clothing, and they’ll be changed/renewed. 27 But You are the same, and Your years will never end. 28 The children of Your servants will continue. Their 'descendants' will live secure before You.
[1] The earth may need a facelift after a thousand generations: Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 105:8; 1 Chronicles 16:156 Yehovah does what is right and fair for all the oppressed.
7 He revealed His ways to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 Yehovah is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love. 9 He won’t always strive with us, and He won’t stay angry forever. 10 He hasn’t treated us as our sins deserve or repaid in proportion to our sins. 11 As high as the sky is above the earth, that’s how great His faithful love is toward those who revere Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, that’s how far He has removed our sins from us. 13 Just like a father has compassion on his children, that’s how much compassion Yehovah has for those who revere Him. 14 He knows how we’re made. He’s aware that we’re dust. 15 Human life is like grass, they blossom like wild flowers; 16 the wind blows over it and it’s gone, and there’s no 'trace' of where it was. 17 But Yehovah’s faithful love is from eternity to eternity with those who revere Him, and His righteousness extends to the grandchildren 18 of those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His mandates.
19 Yehovah has established His throne in the heavens. His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Praise Yehovah, you Messengers of His who carry out His plans, obeying each of His commands. 21 Praise Yehovah, all you armies of His, His servants who do His will. 22 Everything Yehovah has made should praise Him everywhere He rules, thruout His entire dominion. Praise Yehovah with all my being!
Yehovah, my Elohim, You are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 You wear light like a robe. You stretch out the heavens like a tent. 3 You lay the beams of Your upper chambers in the atmospheric water. You make the clouds Your chariot. You ride on the wings of the wind. 4 You make the winds Your Messengers; flames of fire Your servants.
5 You laid the foundations of the earth’s crust, so it would never move out of 'orbit'. 6 You covered it with 'oceans' as with a garment. The water was higher than the mountains! 7 At Your command the water fled, at Your thunderous voice it hurried away. 8 The mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You established for them. 9 You’ve enclosed a boundary so that the water can never return and cover the earth.
10 You make springs pour water into the valleys, they flow between the mountains, 11 providing water for every 'wild' animal, the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 Above, the birds from the air 'nest' and 'sing' among the branches. 13 You water the mountains from Your upper chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of Your labor. 14 You make grass grow for the livestock and plants for people to cultivate, in order to produce food from the earth, 15 and wine to cheer people 'up', oil to make their faces glisten and bread that sustain their 'lives'. 16 Yehovah’s trees are well watered—the cedars of Lebanon that He has planted, 17 where the birds make their nests; where storks make their homes in fir trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats, and rocks are a refuge for the shephanim.
19 He made the moon to mark the Feasts; the sun knows when to set. 20 You bring darkness and it’s night, when all the forest animals prowl. 21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from Elohim. 22 The sun rises and they go back and lie down in their dens. 23 Then people go to work and they labor until the evening.
24 Yehovah, You have made so many things! With wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures. 25 There is the great ocean, deep and wide, teeming with both small and large living creatures. 26 There the ships venture, and the leviathan that You made frolics there.
27 All of them wait for You to provide their food at the right time. 28 When You give it to them, they gather it. You open Your hand and they are satisfied with good things. 29 But when You 'turn away' they are terrified. When You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. 30 When You send Your breath, they are created, and You renew the surface of the earth.
31 May Yehovah’s splendor endure forever. May Yehovah take pleasure in what He has made. 32 He looks at the earth and it trembles. He touches the mountains [volcanoes] and they smoke. 33 I’ll sing to Yehovah as long as I live. I’ll sing praises to my Elohim while I’m still alive. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I celebrate in Yehovah. 35 May all of the sinners vanish from the earth. May the wicked cease to exist!
Praise Yehovah with all my being.
Praise Yah!
7 He is Yehovah, our Elohim. His judgments permeate the earth. 8 He remembers His Covenant forever, the commitment that He made for a THOUSAND GENERATIONS [1], 9 the covenant that He made with Abraham and His oath to Isaac. 10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a permanent rule, and to Israel (Jacob) as an EVERLASTING COVENANT [See Ezekiel 37:26]. 11 He said: “I’ll give the land of Canaan to you as the region of your inheritance.”
12 When they were few in number, very few and foreigners in it, 13 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to the next. 14 He didn’t let anyone oppress them. He punished kings for their sakes. 15 “Don’t touch My anointed people! Don’t harm my prophets!”
16 He called for a famine in the land. He destroyed their food supplies. 17 He sent a man ahead of them. Joseph who was sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was locked in irons 19 until the time when his 'promise' came to pass. The word of Yehovah proved him true. 20 The king sent someone to free him; the ruler of the nation set him free. 21 He made him master of his 'palace' and the ruler of everything he owned, 22 to discipline his leaders as he pleased, and to teach his 'advisers' wisdom.
23 Then Israel arrived in Egypt; Jacob took up residence in the land of Ham. 24 He increased His people’s 'population' greatly, and made them stronger than their enemies. 25 He caused the 'Egyptians' to hate His people, and they conspired against His servants.
26 He sent His servant Moses, and He selected Aaron. 27 They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness and made the land dark, but 'the Egyptians' rejected His word. 29 He turned their water into blood and killed their fish. 30 Then frogs swarmed their land and even invaded the king’s bedrooms. 31 He spoke, and swarms of flies and gnats infested their territory. 32 He turned their rain into hail, and lightning flashes thruout their land. 33 He destroyed their grapevines and fig trees and shattered the trees in their territory. 34 He spoke and locusts came—young locusts beyond number. 35 They consumed every plant in their land. They devoured the crops in the fields. 36 He also struck down all the firstborn sons in their land, the firstborn 'son of each family'.
37 He brought them out with silver and gold. Not one of His tribesmen even stumbled. 38 Egypt celebrated when they left, because the dread of 'Israel' had fallen on them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to provide light at night. 40 They asked, and He brought quail, and fed them with bread from the sky. 41 He opened a rock and water gushed out; it flowed like a river thru the 'desert'. 42 He remembered His 'special' 'promise' to his servant Abraham. 43 He brought His people out rejoicing, the ones He chose with shouts of joy! 44 He gave them the lands other nations were occupying; and 'benefits' of other peoples’ labor, 45 so that they could follow His unchanging rulings and obey His Torah. Praise Yah!
[1] The word for “Perpetual” in Hebrew is “olam.” In this context it means for ages into the future (but not the past): forever or in perpetuity. So “PERPETUAL GENERATIONS” apparemntly means that the human race could continue FOREVER! Yehovah could be reproducing sons and daughters FOREVER! Deuteronomy 7:9 mentions a “a thousand generations” (50,000+ years) here on earth, but the sky is literally the limit!4 Remember me, Yehovah, with the favor that you show to Your people; come here and rescue me. 5 Let me see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, so that I can celebrate in the joy of Your nation and join Your inheritance.
6 We have sinned like our ancestors did. We have done wrong and behaved wicked. 7 When our ancestors were in Egypt, they were not impressed by Your miracles. They dismissed Your numerous acts of mercy, and they rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea. 8 But He saved them for the sake of His reputation, so that He could demonstrate His great power. 9 He commanded the Red Sea and it dried up; so He led them thru the deep sea as if it were wilderness. 10 He rescued them from the 'grasp' of their enemy. He rescued them from the 'power' of the enemy. 11 Water covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. 12 Then they believed what He 'said'. They sang His praise.
13 But they soon dismissed what He had done; They wouldn’t wait for His counsel! 14 They were overcome with craving in the wilderness, and tested Elohim’s patience in in the wasteland. 15 So He gave them what they asked for; but sent a wasting disease among them. 16 They envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron, Yehovah’s 'special' one. 17 The 'ground' opened and swallowed Dathan, and buried Abiram’s followers. 18 A fire blazed thruout their company; the flame consumed the wicked.
19 They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a molten image. 20 So they exchanged their splendor for a statue of a bull that eats grass. 21 They forgot Elohim who saved them, who had done those amazing things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea. 23 So He declared He would destroy them, but Moses, His chosen one, stood between them to turn His wrath away from destroying them.
24 But they rejected the pleasant land. They didn’t believe what He 'said'. 25 They grumbled in their tents and refused to 'obey' Yehovah. 26 So He swore to them that He would kill them in the wilderness, 27 that He would 'kill' their descendants among the nations, and scatter them to other lands.
28 They joined in worshiping Baal at Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. 29 They infuriated Him by their wicked deeds, and a plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was contained. 31 And he was regarded as righteous and will be for endless generations to come.
32 They also angered Him at the water of Meribah, and trouble came to Moses because of what they did. 33 Because they were rebellious against His spirit, 'Moses' spoke 'foolishly'.
34 They didn’t destroy the nations, as Yehovah commanded them, 35 Instead, they mingled with the other nations and learned their 'customs'. 36 They served their idols and were ensnared by them. 37 They even sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. 38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters, who they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was defiled by their blood. 39 So were they defiled by what they did [or ‘works’]; and prostituted themselves by their actions [‘works’].
40 So Yehovah burned with anger against His people. He abhorred His legacy. 41 He handed them over to the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them and forced them to submit to their 'power'. 43 He rescued them many times, but they were determined to rebel, and they were brought down by their sin. 44 But He saw their distress when He heard their cries. 45 He considered His covenant with them, and out of His great love He relented. 46 He even caused those who held them captive to show them mercy.
47 Save us, Yehovah our Elohim, gather us from among the nations so we can give thanks to Your 'special' name and triumph in Your praise!
48 Praise Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! May all the people say, “Aw-main'.” Praise Yah!
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a deserted habitat. They didn’t find a city to live in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their lives are slipping away. 6 Then they’ll cry to Yehovah in their distress, and He’ll rescues them from their desperate circumstances. [1] 7 He’ll lead them on a direct route to a city to live in. 8 They’ll praise Yehovah for His faithful love, and His miracles for Adam’s descendants. 9 Then He’ll satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.
10 Some are sitting in darkness on the 'brink' of death, prisoners suffering in iron chains, 11 because they’re rebelling against the Word of Elohim and rejecting the counsel of Highest One. 12 He’ll break their pride with hard labor; they’ll stumble, and there will be no one to help. 13 Then they’ll cry out to Yehovah in their trouble, and He’ll saved them from their distress. 14 He’ll lead them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and break their chains. 15 They’ll praise Yehovah for His faithful love, and His miracles for Adam’s descendants! 16 He has broken down the bronze gates and cut thru the iron bars.
17 Some will be foolish and disobey, and suffer for their sins. 18 They’ll loathe the thought of food, and approach the gates of death. 19 They’ll cry to Yehovah in their trouble, and He’ll rescue them from their desperate circumstances. 20 He’ll send His Word to heal them, and rescue them from their graves. 21 They’ll praise Yehovah for His faithful love and His miracles for Adam’s descendants! 22 They’ll offer the zebakim [sacrifices] of thanksgiving, and recount what He has done with singing.
23 Others will go out to sea in ships for commerce on the high seas; 24 They’ve seen what Yehovah can do, and His miracles in the deep oceans. 25 He speaks and hurricane winds blow that stir up tidal waves. 26 They rise to the sky and plunge to the depths. The 'sailors’ courage' melts away in terror. 27 'Sailors' reel and stagger like drunkards. Their navigational skills are of no use. 28 Then they’ll cry to Yehovah in their dangerous predicament, and He’ll save them from their distress. 29 He’ll calm the hurricane and silence the surging waves. 30 Then they’ll celebrate because the sea is calm as He guides them safely to their haven. 31 They’ll praise Yehovah for His faithful love, and for His miracles for Adam’s descendants! 32 They’ll praise Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the 'council' of the elders.
33 He’ll turn rivers into wilderness, and flowing springs into thirsty ground, 34 fertile land into salty wastelands due to the wickedness of the people who live there. 35 He’ll turn deserts into a pools of water, and dry ground into 'lush' springs, 36 where He’ll 'settle' the hungry, so they can establish a city to live in. 37 They’ll sow fields and plant their vineyards, and harvest abundant crops. 38 He’ll bless them and their numbers will increase greatly. He won’t allow their herds to diminish.
39 When they decrease in number, when they’re crushed by oppression, trouble and grief, 40 He’ll pour contempt on their leaders and cause them to wander in trackless wastelands. 41 Yet He’ll lift the needy from their suffering, and increase their families like flocks of sheep. 42 Virtuous people will see it and celebrate, while the wicked keep their mouths shut. 43 The wise will consider these things and discern Yehovah’s faithful love.
[1] Tenses in Hebrew don’t work the same way as in English. This Psalm doesn’t match any past event for Israel. Commentaries don’t pin it to anything specific. What for example verse 3 does match is Luke 13:29—a future event, or even Ezekiel 20. Of these 27 translations only the Literal Translation and Young’s Literal Translation can transcend the past and become a present day warning, beginning in verse 6. This Psalm is about The time After Jacob’s Trouble! I literally allow for this fulfillment in our future.6 Save me by Your 'power' and answer me so that the people You love can be rescued. 7 Elohim has spoken from His 'Cherished' Place. I’ll celebrate as I parcel out Shechem and measure off the valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is Mine. Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim is My helmet. Judah is My scepter. 9 But Moab is My washbowl. I’ll shout in triumph over Philistia!”
10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Have You rejected us, O Elohim? You don’t go out with our armies. 12 Give us help against the enemies, because human help is worthless. 13 With Elohim we’ll triumph, and He will trample down our enemies.
6 Make sure an evil person judges him; have an accuser stand by his right 'side'. 7 When he is tried, have him be found guilty. Consider his prayer a sin. 8 Make his days few; have someone else take over his position. 9 May his children be orphans and his wife a widow! 10 Make his children wander around begging and searching for food far from their demolished homes. 11 Have a creditor seize everything that he has; have strangers loot everything he’s worked for. 12 Don’t let anyone extend kindness to him, or show pity to his orphaned children. 13 Kill his descendants and have their names blotted out in the next generation. 14 Yehovah remember the wickedness of his ancestors, and never allow his mother’s sins to be erased. 15 Yehovah, always remember their sins. Blot out every memory of them from the world. 16 Since he never thought to show kindness, but ruthlessly persecuted the poor, the needy and the despairing in order to kill them. 17 He loved to put curses on others, so have them fall on him. He didn’t bless others, have them be far from him. 18 He wore cursing like he would clothing; have it enter his stomach like water and into his bones like olive oil. 19 Make it like the clothing that he covers himself with, like the garment he always wears.
20 This should be the reward of my accusers from Yehovah, and anyone who speaks evil against me. 21 But deal with me kindly, Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”], for Your name’s sake. Because Your faithful love is good, protect me, 22 since I’m poor and needy and very sad. 23 I’m fading like a shadow at dusk; I’m shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak from fasting. My body is thin and lean. 25 My enemies scorn me. When they see me, they just shake their heads.
26 Help me, Yehovah, my Elohim. Save me because of Your unfailing love. 27 Have them see that this is Your 'doing', that You have done it, Yehovah. 28 Let them curse, but You bless. When they get up, they’ll be ashamed, but I, Your servant will celebrate! 29 Have my accusers be clothed with dishonor. Have them cover themselves with their own shame like a coat. 30 I’ll give great 'audible' thanks to Yehovah; among a great crowd I’ll praise Him. 31 Because He’ll stand right 'next to' the needy to save them from any who would condemn 'them'.
2 Yehovah will extend the scepter of Your strength far beyond Zion; You’ll rule over Your enemies. 3 Your people willingly volunteer on the day of your 'battle', in 'special' grandeur, from the womb of the dawn, the dew of Your youth belongs to You.
4 Yehovah has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever in the order [2] Melchizedek [meaning King of Righteousness].” 5 The Sovereign is at Your [Yeshua’s] right hand [3]. He’ll crush kings on the day of His wrath. 6 He’ll execute judgment among the nations. He’ll fill their lands with corpses. He’ll crush the rulers of the whole earth. 7 He’ll drink from the brook by the road, then hold His head up high.
[1] Footstool: The imagery of the footstool (literally a stool for your feet) is no doubt taken from the custom mentioned in Yehoshua (Joshua) 10:24-25—Ellicott’s Commentary. [2] Jewish Publication Society: “after the manner of Melchizedek.” Compare with anyone’s Hebrews 7:15. [3] Verse 1: the Word is on the right. Verse 5: Yehovah is on the right! Compare to Hebrews 1:3,5,13 among others. Riddle: Who’s on the right?
1 Praise Yah! I’ll give thanks to Yehovah with 'complete resolve' in the company of the virtuous and in the assembly. 2 Yehovah’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them. 3 Everything He does is splendid and majestic, and His righteousness stands forever. 4 He causes His miracles to be remembered. Yehovah is merciful and compassionate. 5 He gives food to those who revere Him. He always remembers His covenant. 6 He has revealed to His people the power of His works by giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 His handiwork is truth and justice. All of His mandates are sure. 8 They will continue forever and ever, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. 9 He has 'paid' the ransom for His people. He has guaranteed His covenant forever. His name is 'special' and wonderful! 10 The reverence of Yehovah is the beginning of wisdom. Everyone who obeys His Commandments has adequate understanding. His praise endures forever!
1 Praise Yah! Blessed are those who revere Yehovah, who adore His Commandments. 2 Their 'descendants' will be powerful in the land. The children of the virtuous will be blessed. 3 Their houses will be full of wealth and riches, their righteousness endures forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the virtuous. They ares merciful, compassionate and fair. 5 Good will comes to those who are generous and lend willingly, those who conduct their business fairly. 6 They’ll never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered for eternity. 7 They won’t be afraid of bad news. They remain steadfast, confidently trusting Yehovah. 8 They are confident and fearless; in the end they will look in triumph at their enemies. 9 They have given freely to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. Their horn [reputation] will be lifted high in honor. 10 The wicked will see this and be grieved and angered. They’ll gnash their teeth and melt away. The desires of the wicked will perish with them.
1 Praise Yah! Praise Yehovah, you His servants. Praise Yehovah by name. 2 Praise Yehovah’s name now and forever. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place the sun sets, Yehovah’s name is to be praised. 4 Yehovah is high above all nations, His splendor is higher than the skies!
5 Who could be compared with Yehovah, our Elohim, who is enthroned in 'heaven'? 6 Who stoops down to see heaven and earth? 7 He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. 8 He seats them among nobles, even with the nobles of His people. 9 He gives barren women a home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!
1 When the Israelites escaped from Egypt—when the House of Jacob left the people with a foreign language, 2 Judah became His 'Cherished' Place and Israel His dominion. 3 The Red Sea saw it and fled. The Jordan River was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. 5 What’s wrong, Red Sea, that you fled? Jordan River, 'why did' you turn back? 6 Mountains, why did you skip like rams? Why, hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble earth, before Yehovah, before the Elohim of Jacob. 8 He turned a rock into a pool of water, and flint into a spring of water.
1 It doesn’t belong to us, Yehovah, the splendor belongs to Your name because of Your faithful love and Your truth. 2 Why should the nations ask, “Where is their Elohim?” 3 Our Elohim is in the heavens. He does whatever He wants. 4 Their idols are made of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. 6 They have ears, but they can’t hear. They have noses, but they can’t smell. 7 They have hands, but they can’t feel. They have feet, but they can’t walk. They can’t even make noises from their throats! 8 People who make 'idols' will end up like them, as does everyone who trusts them.
9 Israel, trust in Yehovah! He is your help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in Yehovah! He is your help and shield. 11 You who revere Yehovah, trust Yehovah! He is their help and shield.
12 Yehovah remembers us and will bless us. He’ll bless the House of Israel. He’ll bless the House of Aaron. 13 He’ll bless those who revere Yehovah—from the smallest to the greatest.
14 May Yehovah give you and your children 'success'. 15 May you be blessed by Yehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The heavens are Yehovah’s heavens, but He gave the earth to Adam’s descendants. 17 The dead don’t praise Praise Yah, including those descending into silence. 18 But we’ll praise Yah from now thru eternity. Praise Yah!
1 I love Yehovah because He hears my 'prayers' for mercy. 2 Because He 'listens' to me, I’ll call to Him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the terrors of sheol took hold of me. I found distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called on Yehovah by name, “Yehovah, I’m pleading to You, save my 'life'.” 5 Yehovah is merciful and righteous; our Elohim is merciful. 6 Yehovah protects the unwary; when I was helpless, He saved me. 7 'I tell myself' that I can be at peace, because Yehovah has been generous with me. 8 You’ve rescued 'me' from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling, 9 I’ll walk with Yehovah in the land of the living. 10 I remained faithful when I said “I am deeply troubled.” 11 I said in my distress, “Everyone is a liar.” 12 What can I offer to Yehovah for all ot the good things He has done for me? 13 I’ll lift up the cup of salvation and call on Yehovah by name. 14 I’ll pay my vows to Yehovah in front of all His people.
15 Precious in Yehovah’s sight is the death of His loved ones. 16 Yehovah, I’m truly Your servant. I’m Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. You’ve freed me from my chains. 17 I’ll offer to You a thanksgiving offering, and call on Yehovah by name. 18 I’ll keep my vows to Yehovah in front of all His people, 19 in the courts of Yehovah’s 'Temple', in the center of Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
1 Every nation praise Yehovah! Praise Him, all you people of the earth! 2 His faithful love toward us is great. Yehovah’s truth endures forever. Praise Yah!
1 Give thanks to Yehovah because He is good. His faithful love endures forever. 2 Israel should say, “His faithful love endures forever.” 3 The house of Aaron should say “His faithful love endures forever.” 4 Those who revere Yehovah should say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
5 In my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me and brought me into a spacious place. 6 Yehovah is for me. I won’t be afraid. What can people do to me? 7 Yehovah is on my side among those who help me. So I’ll see those who hate me 'defeated'. 8 It’s better to take refuge in Yehovah than to trust people. 9 It’s better to take refuge in Yehovah than to even trust humanitarians.
10 All the nations surrounded me, but I cut them down in the name of Yehovah. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but I cut them down in Yehovah’s name. 12 They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like burning thorns. In Yehovah’s name I cut them down. 13 You pushed me so hard I nearly collapsed, but Yehovah helped me. 14 Yah gives me strength and defense. He has given me victory. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound from the tents of the righteous. Yehovah’s right hand of valiance. 16 Yehovah’s right hand is lifted high! Yehovah’s right hand is victorious! 17 I won’t die, but live, and recount what Yah has done. 18 Yah has punished me severely, but He hasn’t let me die.
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me. Then I’ll come in and give thanks to Yah. 20 This is Yehovah’s gate, the righteous will enter thru it. 21 I’ll give thanks to You because You’ve answered me, You gave me victory.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the uppermost cornerstone. [Commentary] 23 Yehovah brought this about, and it’s astounding to 'see'. 24 This is the day that Yehovah made it happen. We’ll rejoice and celebrate 'today'! [Commentary] 25 Save us now, we pray, Yehovah! Yehovah, please send prosperity now. 26 Blessed is the person who comes in the name of Yehovah! We have blessed you from Yehovah’s Temple. 27 Yehovah is Elohim, and He has given us light. Bind the festival zebakim [sacrifices] with cords to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my Elohim, and I’ll give thanks to You. You are my Elohim, I’ll praise Your greatness.
29 O give thanks to Yehovah because He is good. His faithful love endures forever.
1 Blessed are those whose 'lives' are blameless, who 'live' according to Yehovah’s Torah. 2 Blessed are those who obey His unchanging tenets, who seek Him with total 'resolve'. 3 They do nothing wrong. They 'live' in His ways. 4 You’ve commanded that Your mandates be fully obeyed. 5 O that I would more consistently reflect Your decrees! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I 'consider' all of Your Commandments. 7 I’ll give thanks to You in 'complete innocence' when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I’ll obey Your unchanging tenets. Don’t abandon me.
5 How horrible it is to live as a foreigner in Meshech, to live among the tents of Kedar! 6 'I' have lived too long with people who hate peace. 7 I’m for peace, but when I speak up, they want war.
3 He won’t allow your foot to 'slip'. He who watches over you won’t fall asleep. 4 'Certainly' the Guardian of Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
5 Yehovah watches over you! Yehovah is your shade right by your 'side'. 6 The sun won’t 'pound' you during the day, or the moon at night.
7 Yehovah will guard you from all evil. He’ll preserve your life. 8 Yehovah will 'guard' your going out and your coming in, both now and forever.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love You will prosper. 7 May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. 8 For the sake of my 'family' and my friends, I will now say, “May you have peace” 9 For the sake of the 'Temple' of Yehovah our Elohim, I’ll seek your good.
6 Praise Yehovah, who didn’t let them chew us up. 7 We have escaped like a bird from a fowler’s snare. The snares were broken, and we escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of Yehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth.
4 Return us from captivity, Yehovah, like [You will return] the streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will harvest in joy. 6 Those who go out crying with seeds to sow will certainly return with joy, carrying their sheaves.
3 Children are a gift from Yehovah. They are a reward from Him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in the hands of a warrior. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they confront their enemies at the city gates.
5 May Yehovah bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you live to see your grandchildren. May there be peace in Israel!
5 Everyone who hates Zion should be driven back in shame. 6 May they be like grass on a roof top that withers before it grows up, 7 so a harvester can’t get a handful, or a person binding sheaves 'an armful'. 8 May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of Yehovah be on you; we bless you in Yehovah’s name.”
3 Yah, if You kept a record of sins, Sovereign, who could stand? 4 But with You there is forgiveness, that’s why You are revered.
5 I wait for Yehovah. My whole being waits, I put my hope in His word. 6 'I' long for my Sovereign more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in Yehovah, because with Yehovah there is faithful love. With Him is unlimited redemption. 8 He’ll redeem Israel from all their sins.
3 Israel, hope in Yehovah, both now and forever.
6 We heard of it in Ephrathah! We found it [the Ark] in a field in Jaar. 7 Let’s enter His dwelling places. [1] Let’s worship at His footstool. 8 Get up, Yehovah, and come to Your resting place, You and the Ark [Targum: Ark that contains Your Torah] of strength. 9 May Your priests be clothed with righteousness; may Your 'special' ones sing for joy!” 10 For Your servant David’s sake, don’t 'reject' Your anointed one. 11 Yehovah has sworn to David a truth that He will never revoke: “I’ll set 'one of your descendants' on your throne. 12 If your descendants will guard My covenant and the unchanging rulings that I’ll teach them, then their descendants will also sit on Your throne forever.”
13 Because Yehovah has chosen Zion. He wants it for His home. 14 “This is My resting place forever.” I’ll live here because I really want to. 15 I’ll bless her with abundant provisions. I’ll satisfy her poor with food. 16 I’ll clothe her priests with deliverance. Her 'special' ones will sing for joy. 17 There I’ll increase the 'power' of David. I have appointed a lamp [dynasty] for My anointed. 18 I’ll clothe his enemies with shame, but his crown will be radiant.”
[1] It’s plural, just like “Jerusalem” is always plural in Hebrew—because there are two of them!3 May Yehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.
1 Praise Yah! Praise Yehovah by name! Praise Him, you servants of Yehovah, 2 you who stand in Yehovah’s 'Temple', in the courts of Elohim’s house.
3 Praise Yah, Yehovah is good. Sing praises to His name because it is delightful. 4 Yah has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His treasured possession.
5 For I know that Yehovah is great, that our Sovereign is above all elohim. 6 Yehovah does whatever pleases Him in heaven and on earth, in all the seas and 'oceans'. 7 'He' causes the clouds to rise to the farthest horizons of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings the wind from His treasuries.
8 'He' struck the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast, 9 'He' sent miraculous signs and wonders into central Egypt, 'against' Pharaoh and all his servants. 10 'He' struck many nations and killed mighty kings— 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 12 He gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to His people Israel.
13 Yehovah, Your name endures forever; Yehovah, Your renown will increase thruout every generation. 14 Yehovah will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.
15 The idols of the nations are made of silver and gold, made by human hands. 16 They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. 17 They have ears, but they can’t hear, and mouths but can’t breathe. 18 Those who make them will be like them, as is everyone who trusts in them. 19 House of Israel, praise Yehovah! House of Aaron, praise Yehovah! 20 House of Levi, praise Yehovah! You who revere Yehovah, praise Yehovah! 21 Blessed be Yehovah from Zion, Who lives in Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
1 Give thanks to Yehovah because He is good, because His faithful love is everlasting. 2 Give thanks to the Elohim of all elohim, because His faithful love is everlasting. 3 Give thanks to the Sovereign of masters, because His faithful love is everlasting.
4 To the One who alone does great wonders, because His faithful love is everlasting. 5 To the One who by brilliance made the heavens, because His faithful love is everlasting. 6 To the One who spread the 'continents' above the water, because His faithful love is everlasting. 7 To the One who made the great lights, because His faithful love is everlasting. 8 The sun to rule the day, because His faithful love is everlasting. 9 The moon and stars to rule the night, because His faithful love is everlasting.
10 To the One who killed the firstborn of Egypt, because His faithful love is everlasting. 11 'He' brought Israel out from among them, because His faithful love is everlasting. 12 With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, because His faithful love is everlasting. 13 To the One who divided the Red Sea, because His faithful love is everlasting. 14 'He' made Israel pass thru the middle of it, because His faithful love is everlasting. 15 'He' hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, because His faithful love is everlasting. 16 To the One who led His people thru the wilderness, because His faithful love is everlasting.
17 To the One who struck great kings, because His faithful love is everlasting. 18 And killed 'powerful' kings, because His faithful love is everlasting. 19 Sihon, the Amorite king, because His faithful love is everlasting. 20 Og, king of Bashan, because His faithful love is everlasting. 21 'He' gave their land as an inheritance, because His faithful love is everlasting, 22 as an inheritance to His servant Israel, because His faithful love is everlasting.
23 'He' remembered us in our weakness, because His faithful love is everlasting. 24 And rescued us from our enemies, because His faithful love is everlasting. 25 Who gives food to every living creature, because His faithful love is everlasting. 26 Give thanks to the Elohim of heaven, because His faithful love is everlasting.
1 We sat down and cried by the rivers in Babylon as we thought about Jerusalem. 2 We hung up our harps in the willows trees there. 3 There our captors demanded that we sing. Our tormentors insisted on songs of joy. They said, “Sing to us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 But how can we sing Yehovah’s songs in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to work. 6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I forget you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.
7 Yehovah, remember what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. They said, “Tear it down, tear it down to its foundations!” 8 Daughter of Babylon, you will be destroyed. Blessed are the 'people' who pay you back for what you’ve done to us. 9 They’ll be happy to seize your babies and smashes them against the rocks!
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, Yehovah, because they’ve heard Your 'words'. 5 They’ll sing of the ways of Yehovah, because great is Yehovah’s splendor! 6 Tho Yehovah is exalted, He cares for the humble, but He remains distant from the arrogant.
7 Tho I walk thru trouble, You’ll revive me. You’ll reach out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me. 8 Yehovah will accomplish His purpose for me; Your faithful love, Yehovah, endures forever. Don’t abandon the work of Your own hands.
7 Where could I go to escape Your spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in sheol, You are there! 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn and settle in the remotest part of the sea, 10 even there 'You' will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me. 11 If I say, “The darkness will certainly overwhelm me, the light around me will be night.” 12 even the darkness doesn’t hide from You. The night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to You.
13 You formed my inner being. You protected me in my mother’s womb. 14 I thank You because I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I have a great sense of self awareness. 15 My frame wasn’t hidden from You when I was made, hidden away, skillfully woven together here below on earth. 16 You saw my body developing. The days of my life were pre-recorded in Your book before any of them had taken place. [abortion?]
17 Your thoughts are precious to me, Elohim! How vast is their sum! 18 If I could count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I wake up, I’m still with You.
19 O that You would destroy the wicked, O Elohim! Get away from me, you bloodthirsty people. 20 They say wicked things about You. Your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Yehovah, I hate those who hate You? I loathe those who rebel against You? 22 I hate them with extreme hatred; they have become my enemies.
23 Examine me, Elohim, and know my mind. Test me, and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there are any wicked 'behaviors' in me, and lead me on the path to everlasting life.
4 Yehovah, protect me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent people who are determined to 'trip me'. 5 The arrogant have set a snare for me; they’ve spread a net by the path. They’ve set traps for me. Selah.
6 I said to the Sovereign, “You are my Elohim.” Yehovah, listen to my cries for mercy! 7 Yehovah, my Sovereign, the strength of my deliverance, You’ve covered my head on the day of battle. 8 Yehovah, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t allow their evil plans to succeed, or they’ll elevate themselves. Selah.
9 As for the 'leaders' of those who surround me, may the trouble they talk about overwhelm them. 10 May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into fire, into the abyss, never to rise again. 11 May slanderers never be established in the land; may disaster quickly hunt down violent people.
12 I know that Yehovah will defend the rights of those who are afflicted, and give justice to the poor. 13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name. The righteous will live in Your presence.
3 Yehovah, set a guard over my mouth. Guard the doorway of 'what I say'. 4 Remove my inclination to do anything evil, so that I don’t participate in acts of wickedness along with those who 'do'. Don’t let me sample their delicacies.
5 May the righteous punish me in kindness and correction. It’s like oil on my head. Don’t allow 'me' to refuse it.
I constantly pray against their wicked deeds. 6 Their leaders will be thrown over cliffs. They’ll realize that my words were true. 7 As someone harrows [1] and scratches the 'ground', our bones are scattered at the mouth of sheol [the grave].
8 I 'look' to You, Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”]. I take refuge in You, . Don’t leave me defenseless. 9 Protect me from the traps that they’ve set for me, and from the snakes of the wicked. 10 May the wicked fall together into their own nets, while I pass by 'safely'.
[1] “A primitive root; to scratch”: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Ancient “plowing” resembled modern no-till more than mold board plowing: “One early type of plow used in the United States was little more than a crooked stick with an iron point attached, sometimes with rawhide, which simply scratched the ground.” Beating a sword into a plowshare would only require curving it! Harrowing is more like what was really happening.7 Yehovah answer me quickly. My spirit is failing. Don’t 'turn away' from me or I’ll be like those going down to the pit! 8 Tell me all about Your faithful love in the morning, because I trust in You. Teach me the way in that I should 'go', because I trust You with my 'life'. 9 Yehovah, rescue me from my enemies. I flee to You for refuge. 10 Teach me to do what you want, because You are my Elohim. May Your good spirit lead me on level ground. 11 Yehovah, safeguard me for Your name’s sake. In Your righteousness lead 'me' out of trouble. 12 In Your faithful love silence all my enemies and destroy everyone who’s attacking 'me', because I’m Your servant.
1b Praise Yehovah, my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. 2 He is my faithful love, my fortress, my high tower, my savior, my shield, and the One I take refuge in, the one who brings people under my authority.
3 Yehovah, what are 'human beings' that you care about them, or 'mortals' that you think about them? 4 People are like a mere breath. Their days are like a passing shadow.
5 Yehovah, part Your heavens and come down. Touch the mountains so they smoke. 6 Fling lightning and scatter them. Send out Your arrows and rout them. 7 Reach out Your hand from high above; rescue me, save me from deep water, from the grasp of foreigners, 8 from their mouths full of lies, whose 'strong' hands are deceitful.
9 Elohim, I’ll sing a new song to You on a ten-stringed harp, I’ll sing praises to You. 10 You are the One who gives victory to kings, who rescues Your servant David from deadly swords. 11 Rescue me, and deliver me from the hands of foreigners who 'tell' lies, whose right hands are right hands of falsehood.
12 May our sons be like well-nurtured plants, our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. 13 May our barns be full, filled with all kinds of crops. May our sheep increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; 14 May our bulls pull heavy loads. May there be no breaches in the walls, no cries of distress in our streets. 15 Blessed are the people who live like this! Blessed are the people whose Elohim is Yehovah.
4 Each generation will commend Your works to the next, and proclaim the powerful things You’ve done. 5 They’ll talk about the splendor of Your majesty, and I’ll meditate on Your miracles. 6 People will talk about the might of Your awesome power. I’ll proclaim Your greatness. 7 They’ll exuberantly celebrate the memory of Your abundant goodness, and shout joyfully about Your righteousness.
8 Yehovah is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with faithful love. 9 Yehovah is good to everyone and has compassion for His entire creation. 10 Yehovah, everything that You have made will thank You. Your 'special' ones will praise You. 11 They’ll speak of the splendor of Your Kingdom, and talk about Your power. 12 They’ll reveal to 'humanity' His mighty acts, the splendor of the majesty of His Kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom. Your dominion endures thruout every generation. [Aramaic: Yehovah is faithful in all His words, and loving in everything He does—Clarke’s Commentary] 14 Yehovah supports everyone who falls, and raises up all those who are bent over under burdens. 15 Everyone 'looks' to You. You give them their food right on time. 16 You open Your hand, and satisfy the desire of all living things. 17 Yehovah is righteous in everything He does, and faithful in everything He does. 18 Yehovah is close to everyone who calls on Him, to everyone who calls on Him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who revere Him. He listens to their cries for help and rescues them. 20 Yehovah protects everyone who loves Him, but He’ll destroy all the wicked.
21 'I' will proclaim Yehovah’s praises. And every creature will bless His 'special' name forever and ever.
1 Praise Yah!
Praise Yehovah! May my entire being praise Yehovah. 2 While I live, I’ll praise Yehovah. I’ll sing praises to my Elohim as long as I live.
3 Don’t trust leaders; there is no salvation by 'humans'. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground. That very day their thoughts end. 5 How fortunate is the person who has the Elohim of Jacob to help them, whose hope is in Yehovah, his Elohim, 6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds justice for the exploited, and gives food to the hungry. Yehovah sets the prisoners free. 8 Yehovah opens the eyes of the blind. Yehovah lifts up those who are bowed down. Yehovah loves the righteous. 9 Yehovah watches over the foreigners and supports orphans and widows, but He thwarts the way of the wicked.
10 Yehovah will reign forever. Your Elohim, O Zion, thruout every generation. Praise Yah!
1 Praise Yah!
It’s good to sing praises to our Elohim, since it’s pleasant and fitting to praise Him. 2 Yehovah rebuilds Jerusalem. He gathers up Israel’s exiled people. 3 He heals the grief-stricken, and bandages their wounds. 4 He quantifies the number of stars and names each one. 5 Yehovah is great and vastly powerful. His understanding is limitless. 6 Yehovah supports the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing praises to Yehovah. Sing praises to our Elohim with a lyre. 8 'He' covers the skies with clouds, 'He' provides rain for the land, 'He' makes grass grow on the mountains. 9 He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they cry. 10 He isn’t impressed by the strength of a horse; He doesn’t take pleasure in the 'speed' of a 'runner'. 11 But Yehovah treasures the people who revere Him, those who who put their hope in His faithful love.
12 Praise Yehovah, Jerusalem! Praise your Elohim, Zion! 13 He secures the bars on your gates, He blesses the children within your walls. 14 He makes peace within your borders. He satisfies you with the 'finest' wheat. 15 He sends out His commands to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. 16 He spreads snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down His hail like bread crumbs. Who can endure His cold? 18 He sends out His word, and melts it. He sends His wind, and the water flows. 19 He gave His word to Jacob, His unchanging rulings and His regulations to Israel. 20 He hasn’t done this for any other nation. They don’t know His regulations. Praise Yah!
1 Praise Yah!
Praise Yehovah from the heavens! Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His messengers! Praise Him, all His army! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise Him, highest heaven, and the water above the heavens! 5 May they praise Yehovah by name, since He commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever. He made a decree that will never be revoked.
7 Praise Yehovah from the earth, you great sea dragons *, and all the oceans! 8 Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind fulfilling His 'commands', 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all livestock, creeping creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all people, leaders and all judges of the world, 12 young men and women, old men and children.
13 May they praise Yehovah by name, because His name alone is exalted. His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 14 He has empowered the horn [Targum: splendor] of His people, the praise of all His 'special' ones, to the Israelites, the people who are close to Him.
Praise Yah!
1 Praise Yah!
Praise Yehovah! Sing a new song to Yehovah, and His praise in the assembly of the 'special' ones.
2 May Israel celebrate his Maker. May the children of Zion rejoice in their King. 3 They should praise His name in dance! They should sing praises to Him with tambourines and harps, 4 because Yehovah takes pleasure in His people. He crowns the oppressed with victory. 5 May the 'special' ones celebrate in honor. May they sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the high praises of Elohim be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands 7 to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the people, 8 binding their kings in chains and their officials with iron fetters, 9 to execute the judgment written against them. All of His 'special' ones Praise Yah!
1 Praise Yah!
Praise Elohim in His 'Cherished' Place! Praise Him in His heavens for His powerful acts! 2 Praise Him for His mighty feats! Praise Him for His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him by sounding a shofar! Praise Him with harps and lyres! 4 Praise Him with tambourines and dancing! Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals! Praise Him with resounding cymbals! 6 May everything that has breath praise Yah!
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 The proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding, 3 to receive instruction in wisdom, in righteousness, justice and equity, 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 A wise person will listen and continue to learn, and a discerning person will acquire guidance 6 to understand proverbs and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
7 The reverence of Yehovah is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, listen to your father’s instructions and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They’ll be a crown to favor your head and a chain around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. 11 If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s ambush some innocent people. 12 Let’s swallow them alive and intact like sheol, like those who go down into the pit. 13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable stuff. We’ll fill our houses with spoils. 14 You can throw in your lot with us. We’ll all share 'the loot'.”
15 My son, don’t go along with them! Don’t set foot on their path 16 since their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. 17 It’s useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! 18 They’re lying in wait for their own 'death'. They’re ambushing themselves. 19 Such is the fate of anyone who is greedy for gain; it robs them of life.
20 Wisdom shouts in the street. She raises her voice in the public squares. 21 She calls at the corners of noisy streets to those gathered in front of the city gate: 22 “How long will you gullible ones love simplicity? How long will skeptics find joy in skepticism and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn to Me when I warn you. I’ll pour out My spirit on you. I’ll reveal My 'thoughts' to you.
24 “I called and you refused, I reached out My hand to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You’ve ignored all My counsel and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I’ll laugh when disaster strikes you; I’ll make fun of you when terror strikes you, 27 when terror overtakes you like a storm, when disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overcome you.
28 “Then they’ll call on me, but I won’t answer. They’ll seek me diligently, but they won’t find me, 29 because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the reverence of Yehovah. 30 They rejected My counsel. They despised all My warnings. 31 So they’ll eat the fruit of their own lifestyle and be gorged on their own schemes. 32 The waywardness of the naïve will kill them, the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33 But those who obey me will live in safety and be free from the dread of disaster.”
1 My son, if you accept my words and treasure my commandments, 2 and are 'attentive' to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 if you call out for discernment, and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like a hidden treasure, 5 then you’ll understand what it means to revere Yehovah and secure a knowledge of Elohim. 6 Yehovah provides wisdom, 'knowledge' and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the virtuous. He is a shield to those who 'live' with integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice, and preserving the way of His 'special' ones.
9 Then you’ll understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good course. 10 Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will bring you pleasure. 11 Discretion will protect you, understanding will guard you,
12 saving you from the ways of the wicked, from people who say twisted things, 13 abandoning the right paths to walk down paths of darkness. 14 They delight in doing evil, and celebrate perversion, 15 their paths are crooked. They get lost along the way.
16 Wisdom will rescue you from 'adulterous' women, from seductresses with their flattering words. 17 These women left the companions of their youth, and ignored the covenant they 'made with' Elohim. 18 Their houses descend to death and their paths to the realm of the deceased. 19 None of those who go to her will return; they don’t reach the paths of life.
20 So you must walk along the paths of good people, and remain on the paths of the righteous. 21 The righteous will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain there. 22 But the wicked will be 'expunged' from the land, and treacherous people will be uprooted from it.
1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, and keep in heart my Commandments. 2 They will add days and years to your life and bring you peace. 3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Tie them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you’ll find favor and high regard in the sight of Elohim and humanity.
5 Trust in Yehovah with your every 'thought' and don’t 'rely' on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways submit to Him [Romans 2:3], and He’ll keep you on the right path.
7 Don’t 'consider' yourself wise. Revere Yehovah, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your 'body', and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor Yehovah with your substance, with the firstfruits of all your increase, 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, don’t despise Yehovah’s discipline or resent His correction. 12 Anyone Yehovah loves He corrects, just like a father corrects a child he delights in.
13 Blessed are 'those' who find wisdom and 'those' who gain understanding. 14 Her profit is better than silver, and her gains are better than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies. Nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand is wealth and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her. Blessed are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom Yehovah laid the foundation of the earth. By understanding, He 'created' the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the watery depths were broken up, and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, don’t allow them to depart from your 'view'. Keep sound wisdom and discretion. 22 They will be your life and an ornament on your neck. 23 Then you’ll go safely on your way, and your foot won’t stumble. 24 When you lie down, you won’t be afraid. As you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don’t be afraid of sudden terror or the devastation that comes to the wicked. 26 Yehovah will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Don’t withhold good from anyone who deserves it, when you have the power to help. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you,” when you already have it with you.
29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor who lives securely beside you. 30 Don’t quarrel with 'someone' for no reason if they haven’t harmed you. 31 Don’t envy violent people or embrace any of their ways. 32 Devious people are an abomination to Yehovah, but His private counsel is with the virtuous.
33 Yehovah curses the houses of wicked people, but He blesses the homes of the righteous.
34 He scoffs at nitwits, but He shows favor to humble people.
35 Wise people will inherit honor, but fools have a 'legacy' of shame.
1 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and gain understanding, 2 because I give you 'sound' guidance. Don’t abandon my instruction. 3 I, too, was once my father’s son, an only child cherished by my mother.
4 He taught me, “Take my words 'seriously'. Obey my Commandments and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget or swerve from 'my' words. 6 Don’t forsake her, and she’ll protect you. Love her, and she’ll guard you. 7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And by all means get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she’ll make you great. She’ll bring you to honor when you embrace her. 9 She’ll place a lovely garland on your head. She’ll present you with a beautiful crown.
10 Listen, my son, and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I’ve taught you the way of wisdom. I’ve led you on the 'right' paths. 12 When you walk, your steps won’t be hindered. When you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, never let go. Guard 'wisdom'; don’t walk on the path of evil 'people'. 14 Don’t enter the path of the wicked, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, and don’t go near it. Turn away from it and keep going. 16 They can’t sleep until they’ve done. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until high noon. 19 The way of wicked people is like pure darkness. They have no clue what they’re stumbling over.
20 My son, pay attention to my words. 'Listen carefully' to my words. 21 Never lose sight of them. Keep them centered in your mind. 22 They are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence, because it’s the wellspring of life.
24 Avoid all dishonest 'talk'. 'Steer clear' of corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead. Fix your 'gaze' on what lies before you. 26 Keep your feet on the path, and all of your ways will be secure. 27 Don’t deviate to the right hand or to the left. 'Walk' away from evil.
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. 'Listen' carefully to my insight, 2 so that you act with foresight and speak with discernment. 3 The lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to sheol. 6 She gives no thought to her way of life, her 'steps' wander but she doesn’t know it.
7 So my sons, listen to me. Never stray from 'what I say'. 8 Stay far away from her. Don’t go near the entrance to her house, 9 or you’ll give your splendor to others, and your years to someone cruel. 10 Otherwise strangers will feast at your expense, and your hard-earned goods will end up in a foreigner’s house. 11 You’ll groan when your end comes, when your 'physical' body is consumed, 12 and you’ll say, “Oh how I hated instruction! How I despised correction! 13 I didn’t listen to what my teachers 'said' or 'pay attention' to my instructors! 14 I’ve come to the brink of utter ruin amid the gathered assembly.”
15 Drink water from your own cistern—running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the streets? 17 Keep them for yourself alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain be blessed, take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 19 As a loving doe and a pleasant deer, may her breasts satisfy you at all times. Always be captivated with her love. 20 My son, why would you be infatuated with an adulteress and fondle the breasts of a stranger?
21 Yehovah clearly sees the way men are, and He considers every path they take. 22 A wicked man’s own actions trap him. His sins tie him down like ropes. 23 He’ll die for lack of guidance, and be lost because of his great stupidity.
1 My son, if you’ve put up security for your neighbor, if you’ve 'shaken' your hands in a pledge with an immigrant, 2 been snared by your own words, ensnared by your own mouth, 3 then do this, my son, and save yourself, since you’ve come under the 'control' of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself and plead with your neighbor. 4 Don’t allow yourself to sleep, don’t even shut your eyes. 5 Free yourself like a gazelle from the grasp of a hunter, like a bird from the 'snare' of a fowler.
6 'Consider' the ants, you slacker. Observe their ways and be wise! 7 Tho they have no overseer, officer or ruler, 8 they labor hard all summer gathering food for the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, you slacker? When will you wake up? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will overtake you like a highwayman and scarcity will attack you like an armed 'robber'.
12 Worthless and depraved people go around telling lies, 13 winking with their eyes, nudging with their feet and gesturing with their fingers. 14 Their twisted minds are constantly plotting evil and stirring up trouble. 15 So a disaster will strike them suddenly. They’ll be broken instantly beyond recovery.
16 There are six things that Yehovah hates, seven things are an abomination Him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a mind that plots wicked schemes, feet that swiftly run toward evil, 19 a lying witness who gives false testimony and a person who spreads discord among family members.
20 My son, obey your father’s Commandments, and don’t reject your mother’s Torah. 21 Keep them in mind constantly; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk around, they will lead you. When you sleep, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will advise you, 23 because the Commandments are a lamp and the Torah is light; and the warnings from discipline are like a highway leading to life 24 to protect you from immoral women, from the flattery of a wayward wife’s tongue. 25 Don’t 'secretly' lust for her beauty; don’t allow her to captivate you with her 'flirting eyes', 26 because a prostitute costs a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts for a man’s precious life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without burning his clothes? 28 Can someone walk on hot coals without scorching their feet? 29 So is the guy who has sex with his neighbor’s wife. No one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People don’t despise a thief who steals when they are starving. 31 But if they are caught, they must repay seven times as much; even if they have to forfeit everything in their house. 32 The man who commits adultery with a woman is out of his mind. He’s destroying his own life. 33 He’ll find 'disease' and dishonor, his shame will never be erased. 34 Jealousy enrages a husband. He’ll show no mercy on the day when he takes revenge. 35 He won’t accept compensation, he won’t be satisfied with a bribe regardless of the size.
1 My son, guard my words and treasure my commands within you. 2 Obey My Commandments and you’ll live! Protect my instruction like the pupil of your eye. 3 Tie them to your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your mind.
4 Say to wisdom, “You’re my sister,” and call understanding “my family” 5 in order to protect yourself from an immoral woman, from a wayward woman with her seductive words.
6 From a window in my house I looked thru the lattice 7 and I saw some naive young men, and I noticed that one in particular was really simpleminded. 8 He was crossing the street near her corner, he was strolling toward her house. 9 In the twilight, as the day was fading toward darkness 10 a woman approached him, dressed like a whore, and with indecent intent! 11 She was brash and defiant, always straying from her home. 12 One moment out on the street, then at the square, soliciting on every corner. 13 She grabbed him and kissed him, and with a brazen expression she said, 14 “I just made a peace offering and paid my vows. 15 That’s why I came out to meet you; I was looking for you and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with beautiful sheets, they’re colored linens from Egypt. 17 I’ve sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come on, let’s drink our fill of loving until morning. Let’s enjoy making love, 19 My husband isn’t home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He took a bag of silver with him. He won’t be home till full moon.”
21 With her seductive words she led him astray. With her flattering lips she seduced him. 22 He followed her immediately like a bull going to the slaughter, like a stag [Aramaic] stepping into a trap, 23 until an arrow pierces his liver. Like a bird rushing into a snare, unaware that it will cost his life.
24 So sons, listen to me. Pay attention to my 'words'. 25 Don’t 'even consider' turning toward her. Don’t stray into her path, 26 because she’s brought down many victims, she’s killed an entire army. 27 Her house is the road to sheol, descending to the 'bedroom' of death.
1 Isn’t wisdom crying out. Isn’t understanding raising her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the high ground along the road where the paths meet. 3 Near the gates at the entrance of the city, at the very entry doors, she cries aloud. 4 “I’m calling to all of you. I raise my voice to all 'humanity'. 5 You gullible people, learn to be prudent. You fools, show some wisdom. 6 Listen, because what I’m saying is urgent. Everything I’m saying is true. 7 I’m uttering truths. I detest every abomination. 8 Everything I 'say' is righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. 9 They are all straightforward to anyone with understands, and right to those who have gained knowledge. 10 Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11 Wisdom is better than jewels. Nothing you desire is comparable to it.
12 “I, wisdom, live with prudence. I accompany knowledge and discretion. 13 The reverence of Yehovah is hatred of evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the way of evil and twisted speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine. I am insight and power. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. 16 By me leaders and nobles rule—everyone who governs on earth.
17 “I love everyone who loves me. Anyone who diligently seeks me will find me. 18 Wealth and honor accompany me, as do lasting wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, my yield exceeds pure silver. 20 I 'live' the righteousness way, along the paths of justice, 21 endowing those who love me with wealth. I fill their treasuries.
22 Yehovah held me from the beginning of His work, before He created anything else. 23 I was set apart from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. 24 I was born before the oceans were 'created', when there were no springs flowing with water. 25 I was born before the mountains had been shaped, before there were hills, 26 before He made the earth or the fields or the first dust of the world. 27 I was there before He established the heavens, when he marked out the horizon on the surface of the oceans. 28 I was there when he established the skies above, when He established the currents in the ocean. 29 I was there when He set the boundaries of the seas, so that the water wouldn’t violate His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 I was the architect by His side, 'constantly' delighting and rejoicing in His presence. 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, and delighting in the human race.
32 “So my 'children', listen to me: blessed are those who obey my ways. 33 Heed instruction and be wise. Don’t neglect it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting by my doors. 35 Those who find me find life and obtain favor from Yehovah. 36 Those who sin against me wrong themselves. Those who hate me love death.”
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine and set her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places in the city. 4 “Whoever is naive should turn in here!” To anyone who lacks good judgment, she says, 5 “Come, eat some of my bread and drink some of the wine that I’ve mixed! 6 Abandon your simplistic ways and live. Begin traveling the road of insight.”
7 Anyone who corrects a cynic invites abuse. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. 8 Don’t try correcting a nitwit or they will hate you. Warn a wise person, and they will love you. 9 'Instruct' a wise person and they will be even wiser. Teach a righteous person and they will learn more.
10 The reverence of Yehovah is the beginning of wisdom. And knowledge of the 'special' Ones [yes, it’s plural] is understanding. 11 Thru me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; but if you’re a nitwit, you alone will pay the penalty.
13 A foolish woman is loud, undisciplined and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the doorway of her house on the heights 'overlooking' the city, 15 calling to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, 16 “Whoever is naive should come in here.” As for those who are ignorant, she says, 17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is best.” 18 But he doesn’t know that the spirits of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of sheol.
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise 'child' brings joy to a father; but a foolish 'child' brings grief to a mother. 2 Treasures gained by wickedness profit no one, but righteousness rescues from death. 3 Yehovah won’t allow a righteous person to starve, but He refuses to satisfy the craving of a wicked person. 4 Lazy 'people' are soon poor; but diligent hands bring wealth. 5 A wise youth harvests in the summer. Whoever sleeps at harvest time brings shame. 6 Blessings 'crown' the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of a righteous person is blessed, but a wicked person’s name will rot. 8 Those who are truly wise accept commands, but babbling fools will be brought down. 9 Whoever 'lives' with integrity 'lives' securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. 10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will fall down. 11 The 'words' of a righteous person are a fountain of life, but what the wicked 'say' conceals violence. 12 Hate stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but there is a rod for the back of the senseless. 14 The wise accumulate knowledge, but the 'babbling' of a fool invites disaster. 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; their strong city, but the destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 A righteous person’s reward is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin. 17 People who accept discipline are on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will go astray. 18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, but anyone who spreads slander is a fool. 19 Sin is unavoidable when there is too much talk, but those who restrain their lips are wise. 20 The 'words' of the righteous are like pure silver; but the minds of the wicked are worthless. 21 The words of the righteous encourage many, but fools die for lack of understanding. 22 Yehovah’s blessing brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it. 23 Being evil brings joy to a fool, as wisdom does to a sensible person. 24 What the wicked fear will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the storm has passed, the wicked are gone, but the righteous have an everlasting foundation. 26 Like vinegar on the teeth, and smoke in the eyes, are slackers to those who send them to work. 27 The reverence of Yehovah prolongs 'life', but the years of the wicked will be lessened. 28 The prospects of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked die off. 29 The way of Yehovah is a stronghold to the virtuous, but ruinous to of those who practice evil. 30 The righteous will never be removed [from the earth], but the wicked won’t remain on earth. 31 The 'words' of the righteous flow with wisdom, but a perverted tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous speak helpful words, but the 'words' of the wicked are perverted.
1 Rigged scales are an abomination to Yehovah, but accurate weights are pleasing to Him.
2 Pride leads to dishonor, but humility accompanies wisdom.
3 The integrity of the righteous will guide them, but the dishonesty of the treacherous will destroy them.
4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but righteousness saves you from death.
5 The righteousness of innocent people will smooth their way, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the innocent clears the path, but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.
7 When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them, and their expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 A righteous person is rescued from trouble, and 'someone' wicked takes their place.
9 Profane people destroy their neighbors with their mouths, but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, a city celebrates. When wicked people die there are shouts of joy.
11 By the blessing of the virtuous, a city is exalted, but by the 'words' of wicked people it is torn down.
12 A person who despises a neighbor lacks sense, but a person of understanding remains silent.
13 A person who 'spreads' gossip reveals secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 Where there is no guidance the people will fall, but victory comes thru many counselors.
15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering, but someone who refuses being a guarantor is secure.
16 A loving woman obtains honor, but ruthless people gain riches.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but cruel people bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages, but someone who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 Righteousness leads to life, but anyone who ardently pursues evil pursues their own death.
20 Devious people are an abomination to Yehovah, but He delights in those with integrity.
21 Most certainly an evil person won’t go unpunished, but the 'descendants' of righteous people will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in a in a swine’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desires of the righteous are only good, while the wicked can expect only judgment.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.
25 A generous person will prosper; and someone who gives a drink of water will receive water.
26 People curse someone who hoards grain, but they bless someone who sells in time of need.
27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you hope to find evil, it will actually come to you!
28 Whoever trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will be as vigorous as a new leaf on a tree.
28 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The foolish will be a servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a wise person saves lives.
31 If righteous people are rewarded on earth, how much more the wicked and sinners?
1 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 A good 'person' will obtain favor from Yehovah, but He condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 No one is established by wickedness, but the righteous are permanent, they won’t be removed.
4 A worthy wife is the crown of her husband, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are fair, but advice from the wicked is deceptive.
6 The words of wicked people lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the righteous rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and cease to exist, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A person will be commended in proportion to their wisdom, but someone with a warped mind will be despised.
9 Better to be unimportant and have a servant, than to pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 A righteous person respects the soul [nephesh] [1] of his animals, but even the compassion of wicked people is cruelty.
11 Whoever works their land will have plenty of food, but those who chase worthless fantasies have no sense.
12 A wicked person desires the 'plunder' of evil men, but the roots of righteous people bear their own fruit.
13 Evil 'people' are trapped by their sinful talk, but the righteous will escape from trouble.
14 'People' will be satisfied with good by the fruit of their 'words', and the work of their hands returns them a harvest.
15 Fools think their own way is right, but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 Fools show their annoyance immediately, but a sensible person overlooks an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness lies.
18 Reckless remarks pierce like swords, but 'words' from the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful 'words' endure forever, but liars are only momentary.
20 Deceit is in the 'minds' of those who plan evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous, the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yehovah, but He delights in those who tell the truth.
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge, but foolish minds broadcast stupidity.
24 Hard 'workers' will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 A person’s anxiety will weigh 'them' down, but a kind word cheers 'them' up.
26 The righteous offer guidance to their neighbors, but the 'lifestyle' of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy 'hunter' doesn’t roast any game, but diligent 'people' gain wealth.
28 The way of the righteous leads to life, that path leads to immortality.
[1] Souls die! (Ezekiel 18:4 & 20) They are all mortal! Any sect that defends that particular simple truth is considered a cult (actually a very interesting word) by the establishment churches. There are safe havens for at least that particular truth. Most or all of them probably have well designed exposes on the topic. It just so happens that this is the best one I’ve found so far, so much so that anyone not preprogrammed should see it right away. As for some of the other teachings from those sources, well it’s much more challenging to validate errors.1 A wise child listens to his father’s instruction, but a moron doesn’t listen to reprimands.
2 Wise words bring good things, but treacherous people crave violence.
3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; speaking rashly can ruin everything.
4 A slacker’s appetite is never filled, and has nothing, but the desires of the diligent will be fully satisfied.
5 A righteous 'person' hates lies, but the wicked cause stench and shame.
6 Righteousness guards the path of the righteous, but wickedness undermines sinners.
7 There are some who pretend to be rich yet have nothing. Others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor won’t even be threatened.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked burns out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but those who take advice gain wisdom.
11 Dishonest wealth dwindles away, but those who gather little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred causes 'stress', but imminent fulfillment is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but those who respect a command will succeed.
14 The Torah of the wise is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor, but the path of treacherous people is permanent destruction.
16 Every sensible person acts from knowledge, but fools display their stupidity.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy courier brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to those who refuse discipline, but those who heed correction will be honored.
19 A fulfilled desire makes life sweet, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Whoever keeps company with the wise becomes wise, but the companions of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 Good people leave their grandchildren an inheritance, but the wealth of the wicked is reserved for the righteous.
23 Poor people’s fields might produce an abundance of food, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Those who withhold the rod hate their 'children', but those who love them are diligent with discipline.
25 Righteous people eat until they are satisfied, but the wicked have empty stomachs.
1 Wise women build their houses, but a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2 Those who 'live' with integrity revere Yehovah, but those who are devious in their ways despise Him.
3 The 'words' of a fool brings a rod against his back, but the words of the wise will protect them.
4 Where there are no bulls, the stable is clean, but the strength of bulls produces abundant harvests.
5 A trustworthy witness won’t lie, but a false witness spews lies.
6 A nitwit seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7 Stay away from fools, because you won’t find any discernment 'there'.
8 The wisdom of prudent people guides their pathways, but fools are self deceived.
9 Fools make fun of atonement for sins, but the righteous enjoy acceptance.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy, and no outsider shares in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the virtuous will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a 'person', but in the end it’s a road to death.
13 Even in laughter there can be 'mental' turmoil, and joy can end in grief.
14 The rebellious will pay for their behavior, and good 'people' will be 'compensated' for their ways.
15 Fools believe anything, but sensible 'people' carefully consider 'where they are going'.
16 A wise person is cautious and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 Short-tempered people do foolish things, and the plots of schemers are hated.
18 Gullible people fall heir to stupidity, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow down before the good, but the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are hated even by their neighbors, but the rich have many “friends.”
21 Whoever despises their neighbor sins; but blessed are those who help the poor.
22 If you stray into evil, you will be lost; while those who are kind and true plan to do good.
23 In all hard work there is profit, but mere 'talk' leads to poverty!
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the stupidity of fools leads to more stupidity.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness utters lies.
26 Those who revere Yehovah have a secure fortress, and his children will have a refuge.
27 The revere of Yehovah is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a dwindling population is a ruler’s ruin.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but being quick temper promotes stupidity.
30 A tranquil mind brings life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor anger their Maker, while those who are kind to the poor honor Him.
32 The wicked are overthrown by their own wickedness, but righteous people have a refuge in death.
33 Wisdom rests in the mind of those who have understanding, but it’s unknown in the minds of fools. [Aramaic]
34 Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin condemns any people.
35 The king favors an insightful servant, but his anger falls on anyone who acts shamefully.
1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words stir up anger.
2 The wise 'speak' factually, but fools 'babble' stupidity.
3 Yehovah’s eyes are everywhere, watching the wicked and the good. [1]
4 A gentle 'statement' is a tree of life, but dishonesty crushes the spirit.
5 A fool 'rejects' his father’s discipline, but those who heed correction are prudent.
6 Great treasure is in the house of the righteous, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
7 The 'statements' of wise people broadcast knowledge, unlike the 'thoughts' of fools.
8 The Zebakim [sacrifice] of the wicked is an abomination to Yehovah, but a prayer by the virtuous is His delight.
9 The conduct of the wicked is an abomination to Yehovah, but He loves people who pursue righteousness.
10 Severe punishment awaits anyone who forsakes the way; those who hate correction will die.
11 Sheol and destruction lie open before Yehovah, how much more then the human 'condition'!
12 A nitwit hates to be corrected, they avoid the wise.
13 'Happiness' makes a cheerful face, but 'sorrow' crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but a cheerful 'person' enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the revere of Yehovah, than great treasure with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened bull with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered 'person' stirs up conflict, but patient people calm a dispute.
19 The way of a slacker is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the virtuous is like a highway.
20 Wise children bring joy to their father; but foolish children despise their mother.
21 Foolishness brings joy to the senseless, but those with understanding a straight path.
22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 People find joy in giving an appropriate reply, and how delightful is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep them from going down to sheol.
25 Yehovah will demolish the house of the arrogant, but He maintains a widow’s boundaries.
26 Yehovah detests the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.
27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain trouble their own households, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before answering, but the wicked babble evil.
29 Yehovah is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous.
30 A gleam in the eyes brings delight, and good news 'brings health to' the bones.
31 A person who considers 'constructive' criticism will be at home among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but those who consider correction grow in understanding.
33 The reverence of Yehovah is the 'basis' of wisdom, and humility precedes honor.
[1] Compare to Zechariah 4:10 and Revelation 5:61 People make their own plans, but Yehovah 'has the' right answer.
2 All a person’s ways seem right in their own view, but Yehovah weighs the motives.
3 Entrust your activities to Yehovah, and your plans will succeed.
4 Yehovah has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for the for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is arrogant is an abomination to Yehovah. Most certainly they will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth wickedness is atoned for. By the reverence of Yehovah 'people' avoid evil.
7 When a 'person’s' ways are pleasing to Yehovah, He causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 A person may plan their own course, but Yehovah directs their steps.
10 When inspired judgments are on the lips of a king, one can’t go against his 'words'.
11 Yehovah 'demands' accurate scales and balances; He sets the 'standards'.
12 It’s an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, because a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Kings take pleasure in 'honesty'; they value those who speak the truth.
14 The king’s anger is like a messenger of death, but the wise will pacify him.
15 When a king is 'pleased' there is life, His favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.
16 Acquiring wisdom is much better than gold! Gaining understanding is preferable to silver!
17 The highway of the virtuous turns away from evil. Those who guard their ways save their lives.
18 Pride precedes destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 It’s better to live humbly with the needy than to divvy plunder with the arrogant.
20 Those who heed the Word find prosperity; those who trust Yehovah are blessed.
21 A 'truly' wise person will be called understanding, and speaking sweetly increases persuasiveness.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but disciplining fools is pointless.
23 A wise person’s mind governs their mouth, and adds persuasiveness to their 'speech'.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the 'spirit' and healing to the 'body'.
25 There’s a way that seems to be right, but eventually it ends in death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them, because their hunger urges them on.
27 A worthless person devises evil, and their 'words' are like a scorching fire.
28 A devious 'person' stirs up conflict, and a slanderer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor, and leads them down a 'dangerous' path.
30 Someone who winks with their eye is plotting something crooked; and someone who purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 Better to be patient than powerful; and someone with self-control than someone who conquers a city.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but Yehovah determines how they fall.
1 Better is a dry crust with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share the inheritance as a 'family member'.
3 A crucible is for refining silver and a smelter for gold, but Yehovah assays 'minds'.
4 A criminal pays attention to wicked 'words', and a liar listens to malicious talk.
5 Anyone who makes fun of a poor person insults their Maker; anyone happy to see someone’s distress will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and children are the pride of their parents.
7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; how much worse are lies for a ruler.
8 A bribe is a magical stone in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Whoever covers an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.
10 A reprimand 'impresses' someone with discernment more than a hundred lashes impresses a fool.
11 A rebel seeks only evil, so a cruel messenger will be sent to punish him.
12 It’s safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than confront a fool 'practicing' stupidity.
13 Evil will never leave the home of someone who repays evil for good.
14 Starting a quarrel is like releasing a flood, so stop before a dispute escalates.
15 Exonerating the wicked and condemning the righteous are both highly detestable to Yehovah.
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, since they are so mindless?
17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18 A person with poor judgment guarantees another person’s debt in the presence of a neighbor.
19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who builds a high gateway invites destruction.
20 A twisted mind never prospers, a person with a perverted mind will fall into ruin.
21 The father of a fool suffers grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 Being cheerful keeps you healthy, but a broken spirit dries out the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in 'secret' to subvert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is in the presence of a person with understanding, but a fool’s eyes wander to the farthest horizons of the earth.
25 Foolish 'children' bring grief to their father, and bitter grief to his 'mother'.
26 It isn’t good to fine the righteous or to beat a noble for their integrity.
27 Those with knowledge restrain their words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought to be wise when they remain silent; they are considered intelligent by just keeping their 'mouths' shut.
1 Unfriendly people only care about themselves; they oppose all sound reasoning.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to express their own opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with dishonor comes scorn.
4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling stream.
5 It isn’t right to show partiality to the wicked or deny justice to the innocent.
6 A fool’s lips bring strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and their mouths invite a beating.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels, they go down into a person’s innermost being.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to the master of destruction.
10 Yehovah’s name is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Pride comes before a downfall, but humility comes before honor.
13 Anyone who gives an answer before listening is foolish and shameful.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Discerning minds acquire knowledge, the wise 'listen' to learn.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The first to state their case seems right, until his neighbor begins to cross-examines him.
18 Casting lots settles disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 'People are satiated by words of wisdom, they’re satisfied by what they say'.
21 'Words can bring death and life; those who love to talk will face the consequences'.
22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing, and receives favor from Yehovah.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man with too many friends will be destroyed, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 Better to be poor and 'live' in integrity than to be some fool 'telling' lies.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, or rush into 'things' and loose your footing.
3 People ruin their 'lives' by their own foolishness, and then 'they' rage against Yehovah.
4 Wealth adds many “friends”, but the poor 'loose' their friends.
5 A lying witness won’t go unpunished, and liars won’t escape.
6 Many curry favor from a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of the poor hate them, how much more will their friends avoid them! They pursue them with pleas, but they 'vanish'.
8 Those who acquire wisdom love themselves. Those who safeguard understanding will find success.
9 A false witness won’t go unpunished, and those who utter lies will die.
10 Luxury isn’t appropriate for a fool, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 A person with discretion is patient; they earn respect by overlooking an offense.
12 A king’s rage is the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constantly dripping water.
14 Houses and wealth are an inheritance from parents, but a sensible wife is from Yehovah.
15 Laziness hurls 'people' into a deep sleep, and slackers will go hungry.
16 Those who keep the Commandments save their lives, but the despicable will die.
17 Whoever has pity on the poor lends to Yehovah, and He’ll reward them for their good deeds.
18 Discipline your children while there is hope; don’t be responsible for their deaths.
19 Hot-tempered 'people' will pay for it, and if you rescue them once, you’ll have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline. In the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 People have many plans in mind, but it’s Yehovah’s purpose that prevails.
22 Loyalty is admirable in a person, and it’s better to be poor than dishonest.
23 The reverence of Yehovah leads to life, and such people will rest easy, untouched by trouble.
24 Slackers bury their hands in a dish, but don’t so much as bring it to their mouths.
25 Flog a nitwit, and the simple may learn from it, reprimand someone who has understanding, and they’ll gain wisdom.
26 A son who assaults his father and drives away his mother is shameful and disrespectful.
27 If a 'child' stops listening to instruction, they will stray from the 'principles' of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness scorns justice, and a wicked mouth gulps down evil.
29 Penalties are made for nitwits, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.
1 Wine is bogus, and liquor leads to brawls. Anyone 'intoxicated' by them lacks wisdom.
2 The terror of a king is like a growling lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits their lives.
3 It’s honorable to avoid a quarrel, but every fool is quarrelsome.
4 A slacker doesn’t harrow in the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
5 A person’s intentions are like deep water, a discerning person will draw it out.
6 Many people claim they are loyal friends, but who can find someone trustworthy?
7 A righteous 'person lives' with integrity. Blessed are their children who come after them.
8 A king who sits on the throne of justice sifts out evil whenever he 'sees it'.
9 Who can say, “My intentions are pure; I’m clean and without sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures are both an abomination to Yehovah.
11 Even small children are distinguished by their conduct, when their conduct is pure and right.
12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees—Yehovah made them both.
13 If you love sleep, you’ll end up poor. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
14 A buyer says, “It’s worthless, it’s worthless,” then goes off and brags about the bargain.
15 There is gold and plenty of jewels, but 'wise speech' is more precious.
16 Take the garment of a person who puts up collateral for an immigrant, get collateral if it is for foreigners.
17 Stolen bread is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Finalize plans with counsel, and if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19 A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so avoid anyone who is 'always chattering'.
20 Those who curse their father and mother will have their lamp snuffed out 'as darkness approaches'.
21 An inheritance gained too early in life won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I’ll even the score with you!” Wait for Yehovah, and He’ll save you.
23 'Crooked' weights are an abomination to Yehovah, and a rigged scale is a balance of deceit.
24 A person’s steps are determined by Yehovah, so how could anyone understand their own way?
25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash offering, and then later reconsider the vow.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked, and then runs a threshing wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is Yehovah’s lamp. It searches the innermost parts of their being.
28 Covenantal loyalty and faithfulness protect a king, and his throne is sustained thru covenantal loyalty.
29 The splendor of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Blows and wounds purge away evil. Such beatings cleanse the 'innermost being'.
1 The king’s 'thoughts' are like a stream of water in Yehovah’s hand. He turns it anyway He wants.
2 People 'view' everything they do as right, but Yehovah weighs their 'motives'.
3 Doing what is right and fair is more desirable to Yehovah than zebakim [sacrifices].
4 A condescending 'look', an arrogant attitude and the lamp [superficiality?] of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to prosperity, just as impatience hastens poverty.
6 Acquiring treasures by 'deceit' is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The conduct of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is virtuous.
9 It’s better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
10 A wicked person craves evil; from their perspective other people aren’t even a consideration!
11 When a nitwit is punished, a simpleton gains wisdom; but the wise learn by being instructed.
12 The Righteous One acts wisely toward the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift given in secret assuages anger, and a covert payment appeases fierce anger.
15 When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to wicked troublemakers.
16 Anyone who wanders from the path of wisdom will rest in the realm of the dead.
17 Pleasure lovers will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil certainly won’t get rich.
18 The wicked are 'punished instead of' the righteous, and the treacherous for the virtuous.
19 It’s better to live in a wilderness than with a argumentative and nagging wife.
20 There is precious treasure and olive oil in the home of the wise, but a foolish person guzzles theirs.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.
22 A wise man scales a city of 'warriors', and brings down the fortress they trust in.
23 Those who guard their mouths and tongues stay out of trouble.
24 An arrogant and conceited person is called a 'nitwit'. He behaves with arrogant pride.
25 A slacker’s cravings will kill them since their hands refuse to work.
26 All day long they continue to crave, while the righteous give without holding back.
27 The zebak [sacrifice] of the wicked is an abomination—how much more when it is accompanied by wicked motives!
28 A lying witness will perish, but a careful listener will speak forever.
29 A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the virtuous consider their ways.
30 There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel that can prevail against Yehovah.
31 A horse can be prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from Yehovah.
1 A good name is more desirable than great wealth, and respect is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yehovah made them all.
3 A sensible person foresees trouble and hides from it, but nitwits keep going and suffer the consequences.
4 The result of humility and the reverence of Yehovah is wealth, honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie in the path of the crooked; those who guard their lives avoid them.
6 Train a child in the way they should go, and even when they grow old they won’t turn from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor, and a borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Those who sow injustice will harvest trouble, and the rod of their fury will come to an end.
9 A 'generous person' will be blessed because they share their food with the poor.
10 Drive out a skeptic, and conflict goes too, then quarrels and insults stop.
11 Those who love pure thoughts and loving speech will have the king as his friend.
12 Yehovah 'watches over' and preserves knowledge, but He overthrows the words of treacherous people.
13 A slacker says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit, someone who is under Yehovah’s curse will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is tangled up in the mind of a child, a rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16 Both oppressing the poor for profit and giving to the rich both will lead to poverty.
17 'Listen' to the words of the wise; apply your mind to my instruction.
18 It is pleasing when you keep them in mind and are prepared to 'repeat them'.
19 So that your trust will be in Yehovah, I’ve taught you today, specially you.
20 Haven’t I written to you excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 in order to teach you reliable words to give accurate answers to those who sent you?
22 Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor, or crush the needy in court,
23 because Yehovah will plead their case, and take the life of those who rob them.
24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered person. Don’t even associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you’ll learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
26 Don’t be someone who strikes hands in pledges or puts up collateral for debts.
27 If you don’t have the means to pay, why should someone snatch your bed out from under you?
28 Don’t move the ancient boundary stones that your ancestors set in place.
29 Do you see a person skilled in their work? They’ll serve kings. They won’t serve unknown people.
1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you’re a glutton. 3 Don’t crave his delicacies since it’s deceptive food.
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to forget about it. 5 When your eyes light on it, it’s gone, since it sprouts wings and flies away like an eagle.
6 Don’t eat eat the food of a begrudging 'host', and don’t crave their delicacies, 7 because they’re just thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink!” they say, but their 'sentiments' are against you. 8 You’ll vomit the little bit you ate, and will have wasted your compliments.
9 Don’t talk within earshot of a fool, because he’ll despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Don’t move an ancient boundary marker. Don’t encroach on the fields of orphans. 11 Their Defender is strong. He’ll plead their case against you.
12 Commit 'yourself' to discipline; and 'listen' carefully to words of 'wisdom'.
13 Don’t hesitate to discipline a child. If you spank them, it won’t kill them. 14 Spank them with a rod, and rescue them from sheol.
15 My child, if you 'become' wise, then I’ll have peace of mind! 16 My inner being will celebrate when you 'speak' what is right.
17 Never envy sinners. Instead, continue to revere Yehovah. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope won’t be cut short.
19 Listen, my child, and be wise! Keep your mind on the right course. 20 Don’t hang out with winos or gluttonous meat eaters, 21 because winos and gluttons will become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t fail to respect your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and don’t sell it—wisdom, discipline and insight. 24 A righteous person’s father has cause for joy. The father of a wise child delights in him. 25 May your father and your mother rejoice! May the one who gave birth to you be joyful!
26 My son, give me your 'attention', and may your eyes delight in my ways. 27 A prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulterous woman is like falling into a narrow well. 28 She lies in wait like a robber, increasing the ranks of unfaithful men.
29 Who is suffering? Who has sorrow? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who 'linger' in 'bars', those who 'sample' mixed drinks. 31 Don’t gaze at red wine as it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a cockatrice 33 You’ll see hallucinations, and you’ll say absurd things. 34 You’ll be like someone lying down in the 'high' sea, or like someone lying on top of a mast. 35 “They hit me, but I felt no pain. They beat me but I was unaware of it! When will I wake up so I can do it again?”
1 Don’t envy evil 'people' or desire to be with them, 2 since their minds plot violence and they 'advocate' trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it’s established. 4 Thru knowledge the rooms are filled with all kinds of rare and beautiful treasures.
5 The wise are strong, but a person with knowledge is stronger. 6 With wise guidance you wage your war; victory depends on many advisers.
7 Wisdom is 'beyond the grasp' of a fool. He 'says' nothing at the city gate.
8 Someone who plots evil will be known as a schemer. 9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; and everyone hates a phony.
10 If you faint in a crisis, your strength is too small.
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death, and 'spare' those stumbling toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “Look, we didn’t know this.” Doesn’t the One who weighs our thoughts know it? He who guards your life, doesn’t He know it? Won’t He repay everyone according to what they’ve done?
13 My son, eat honey, because it’s good, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom is like that for you. If you find it, you’ll have a future, and your hope won’t be cut off.
15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the righteous. Don’t destroy their resting place. 16 The righteous may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked stumble in a disaster.
17 Don’t celebrate when your enemy falls. Don’t indulge in gleeful thoughts when they are overthrown, 18 otherwise Yehovah will see it and He’ll be displeased and turn His wrath from them.
19 Don’t worry about evil people or be envious of the wicked, 20 since there will be no reward for evil people; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, revere Yehovah and the king, and don’t associate with rebels, 22 since their terror will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from them both?
23 Here are more sayings of the wise: Showing partiality as a judge is wrong. 24 A 'judge' who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” will be cursed by many people and condemned by nations. 25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a great blessing will come to them.
26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27 First do your outside work, and prepare your field, then build your house.
28 Don’t testify against your neighbor without a reason, and don’t 'say' anything deceptive. 29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they did to me; I’ll repay them for what they did.”
30 I went by the field of a slacker, by the vineyard of someone without judgment. 31 It was completely overgrown with thorns! Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was falling down. 32 Then, as I looked and thought about it; I saw it and learned a lesson. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the 'arms' to rest, 34 and your poverty will come like a robber, your deprivation like an armed man.
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon transcribed by the servants of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 It’s the 'prerogative' of Elohim to conceal phenomena, but the 'honour' of kings is to discover them.
3 Just like the heavens are high and earth is deep, so the heart of a king is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from silver, and material for a silversmith comes out. 5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t brag about yourself in the presence of a king, or claim the 'fame' of great men. 7 It’s better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be demoted within view of a prince.
8 Don’t rush to bring charges in court. What will you do later when your neighbor shames you? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray another person’s secret, 10 otherwise someone who hears it will vilify you, and charge against you will never go away.
11 Words precisely spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Constructive criticism to a receptive ear is like a gold earring or a pure gold ornament.
13 Reliable messengers are like cold snow on a harvest day to those who send them; they revive the 'lives' of their master.
14 A person who promises a gift that they never give is like clouds and wind that don’t produce rain.
15 A ruler can be persuaded by patience, and a gentle 'word' can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need or you’ll eat too much and vomit.
17 Don’t set foot in your neighbor’s house too often, or they’ll get 'sick' of you and hate you.
18 Someone who testifies falsely against their neighbor is like a club, a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like a broken tooth or a lame foot.
20 Singing songs to someone who is 'depressed' is like taking someone’s coat on a cold weather, or like vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemies are starving, give them food to eat, and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You’ll heap coals of fire on their heads, and Yehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 It’s better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
25 Cold water to a thirsty person is like good news from a distant country.
26 A righteous person who gives in to a wicked person is like a muddied spring and a polluted well.
27 It’s not good to eat too much honey, or to seek honors for yourself.
28 A person without self-control is like a city that’s broken down and left without walls.
1 Honor is no more correlated with fools than snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle is for a donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.
4 Don’t answer a fool 'seriously', or you’ll be like they are.
5 Answer a fool as their stupidity deserves, or they’ll consider themselves wise.
6 Anyone who uses a fool to send a message is cutting off their own feet and drinking 'poison'.
7 A parable in the mouth of fools is like a lame persons paralyzed legs.
8 Someone who honors a fool is like a person who ties a stone to their sling.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk.
10 Someone who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who 'shoots' everyone.
11 A fool repeating their stupidity is like a dog returning to its vomit.
12 There’s more hope for a fool than for someone who thinks they’re wise.
13 A slacker says, “There’s a lion on the road, a fierce lion in the 'public' square!”
14 A door swings on its hinges, and a slacker on his bed.
15 Slackers bury their hands in a bowl, but are too lazy to bring it back to their mouth.
16 Slackers are wiser in heir own eyes than seven people who answer sensibly.
17 A person who is passing by and meddles in another person’s fight is like someone yanking a dog’s ears.
18 Like a maniac throwing fiery darts and deadly arrows 19 is someone who lies to their neighbor by saying, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossips, conflicts die down.
21 Charcoal is to hot coals like wood is to fire; so are quarrelsome people for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the 'innermost being'.
23 Fervent 'words' with an evil 'intent' are like a clay pot overlaid with silver dross.
24 Hateful people disguise themselves with their 'speech', keeping their deception inside.
25 Tho their speech is charming, don’t believe them, because seven highly detestable things fill their minds.
26 While their hatred may be hidden by deception, their wickedness will be revealed to the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Anyone rolling a boulder will have it roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes destruction.
1 Don’t brag about tomorrow, because you don’t know what another day will bring.
2 Praise should come from someone else—an outsider, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but a fool’s provocation outweighs them both.
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can help, but the kisses from an enemy can’t be trusted.
7 A person who is full loathes a honeycomb, but to someone who’s famished, anything bitter seems sweet.
8 A husband who strays from home is like a bird wandering from its nest.
9 Perfume and incense bring 'encouragement', and the sweetness of 'friends' comes from their advice.
10 Never abandon a friend or your father’s friend, and don’t go to a relative’s house when disaster strikes. A neighbor nearby is better than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my child, and bring me joy, then I can answer my critics.
12 Sensible people foresee trouble and take refuge, but nitwits keep going and suffer the consequences.
13 Hold on to the garment of someone who puts up collateral for a stranger. Get a deposit if they do it for an adulterous woman!
14 Loud and cheerful praise early in the morning will be considered a curse!
15 A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as a leaky 'roof' on a rainy day.
16 Restraining her is like restraining the wind, or grabbing oil with your right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron, and a person sharpens a friend.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit. Someone who cares for their master will be honored.
19 As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
20 Sheol and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.
21 A crucible is for silver, and a furnace is for gold, but a person is refined by being praised.
22 Even if you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, their stupidity still remains. 23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds, 24 because wealth doesn’t last forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears, and the vegetation from the hills is gathered in, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats will pay for a field. 27 There will be enough goat milk for you to feed your family and to sustain your servant girls.
1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the righteous are as bold as lions.
2 A country has multiple rulers during a 'civil war', but a 'leader' with understanding and knowledge ensures order.
3 A 'destitute leader' who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that destroys all the 'crops'.
4 'People' who forsake the Torah praise the wicked, but 'people' who obey the Torah oppose them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who seek Yehovah understand everything.
6 Better to be a poor person with integrity than someone who is 'crooked' and rich.
7 Intelligent children obey the Torah, but those who befriend gluttons humiliate their parents.
8 Those who become wealthy from usury amass it for someone who has pity on the poor.
9 Even the prayers of someone who 'rejects' the Torah are an abomination!
10 Whoever causes 'good people' to follow a wayward path will stumble into their own pitfall, but the innocent will inherit good things.
11 The rich are wise in their own eyes, but a poor person with vision sees right thru them.
12 When the righteous succeed there is great elation. When the wicked rise to power people hide.
13 People who conceal their sins never prosper. People who confess and forsake them find mercy.
14 People who always fear to do wrong are blessed, but the hard 'headed' fall into hardship.
15 A wicked ruler is like a roaring lion or a charging bear to the poor.
16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but those who hate corruption will prolong their days.
17 A person burdened with the guilt of bloodshed will be a fugitive until death. No one should help them.
18 The blameless will be kept safe, but the crooked will fall suddenly.
19 Someone who works their land will have plenty of food, but someone who chase fantasies will have plenty of nothing.
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed, but someone eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 Showing partiality is never good, yet a person will sin for a piece of bread.
22 'Misers' are in a hurry to get rich, unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 Honest criticism will eventually curry more favor than someone who 'depends on' flattery.
24 Anyone who steals from their father and mother and says, “It’s not a crime,” is 'comparable' to a vandal.
25 An arrogant person stirs up dissension, but those who trust in Yehovah will prosper.
26 Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools, but those who live wisely will be kept safe.
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous thrive.
1 Someone who remains stiff-necked after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond recovery.
2 When the righteous are thriving, the people celebrate, but when the wicked are ruling everybody groans.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 A king brings stability to his country with justice, but someone who demands bribes tears it down.
5 A person who flatters their neighbor is spreading a net for their own 'feet'.
6 Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous shout for joy and rejoice.
7 The righteous care about the rights of the poor, but the wicked have no such concerns.
8 Skeptics stir up a city, but the wise will turn away anger.
9 When a wise person takes a fool to court, 'the fool' rants and raves, but there is no peace.
10 Bloodthirsty people hate the innocent, but the virtuous want to save their lives.
11 Fools express all their emotions, but the wise quietly hold them back.
12 When a ruler begins listening to liars, all his advisers become wicked.
13 The poor and their oppressors have this in common: Yehovah enlightened the eyes of both.
14 When a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be secure forever.
15 A 'spanking' and a reprimand impart wisdom, but an undisciplined child brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked 'gain ground', sin advances, but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they’ll give you peace of mind and bring delight to your life.
18 When there’s no prophetic vision, the people are unrestrained, but those who guard the Torah are blessed.
19 Servants aren’t disciplined by words; even if they understand, they won’t respond.
20 Have you met someone who is quick to answer? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
21 A servant pampered from childhood will be arrogant [?] later on.
22 An angry 'person' stirs up conflict, and a 'hothead' commits many sins.
23 Pride ends in humiliation, but a humble spirit gains honor.
24 The accomplices of thieves hate their own lives; when put under oath they don’t dare testify.
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but those who put their trust in Yehovah are kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but justice for humanity comes from Yehovah.
27 A dishonest person is highly detestable to the righteous, and a person with righteous pursuits is highly detestable to the wicked.
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation [not oracle]. The man declares, I am weary, O Elohim; I am weary, O Elohim, and worn out. 2 I’m too stupid to be human. I don’t even have human understanding. 3 I haven’t mastered wisdom. I don’t have the knowledge of the 'cherished'ones' [yes, it’s plural page 13].
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? [John 3:13] Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has gathered water in His clothing? Who has established all the boundaries of the earth? WHAT IS HIS NAME AND WHAT IS HIS SON’S NAME? Surely you know!
5 Every word of Elohim is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Don’t add to His words of He’ll reprimand you, and you’ll be exposed as a liar.
7 Two things I ask of You; let me have them before I die. 8 Keep deception and lies far from me. Don’t give me either poverty or riches. Give me just enough to satisfy my 'needs'. 9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, and ask, “Who is Yehovah?” Or I could become poor and steal, and dishonor the name of my Elohim.
10 Don’t slander a servant to his master. The servant will curse you and you’ll pay for it.
11 There is a certain kind of person who curses their father and doesn’t thank their mother. 12 A certain kind of person are 'special' in their own eyes, yet they haven’t washed off their own feces. 13 A certain kind of person has that arrogant 'look'; how they raise their 'eyebrows'. 14 A certain kind of person has teeth like swords, with jaws 'full of' knives. They devour the oppressed from the earth and the poor from humanity.
15 A leach has two daughters: Give and give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that don’t say enough: 16 Sheol, a childless womb, ground that isn’t satisfied with water, and fire that doesn’t say, “Enough.”
17 An eye that ridicules a father and scorns a mother will be plucked out by the ravens of the valley, and young vultures will eat it.
18 There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I don’t understand, 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way a snake slithers on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
21 Three things cause the earth to tremble, no, four it can’t endure: 22 a slave who becomes a king and fools when they’re well fed, 23 an unloved woman when she finds a husband, and a servant girl who replaces her mistress.
24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: 25 Ants aren’t a strong 'species', but they store up their food in the summer. 26 The shephanim are a feeble 'species', yet they make their home in the rocks. 27 Locusts have no king, yet they swarm in formation. 28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it’s found in kings’ palaces.
29 There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that are stately as they walk, 30 a lion, the mightiest of beasts who retreats before nothing, 31 a strutting rooster, a buck goat, a king at the head of his army.
32 If you’ve been a proud fool, or if you’ve plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.
33 As churning milk produces butter, and striking a nose causes bleeding, so churning wrath produces strife.
1 The words of King Lemuel, the revelation [not oracle] that his mother taught him.
2 Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my 'prayers'! 3 Don’t waste your strength on women, or your 'efforts' on those who ruin kings.
4 O Lemuel, Kings should never guzzle wine, and rulers shouldn’t crave liquor, 5 or they’ll drink and forget the decrees and pervert justice for all the oppressed. 6 Give strong drink to those who are dying, and wine to those in bitter 'distress'. 7 They should drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak out for those who can’t speak; ensure justice for the destitute. 9 Speak out and judge 'fairly'; defend the rights of the oppressed and needy.
10 Who can find a valiant woman? She’s worth far more than jewels. 11 The husband counts on her, he lacks nothing of value. 12 She does him good and never harms him all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing 'hands'. 14 She’s like the merchant ships bringing her food from far away. 15 She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her household, and schedules assignment for her servant girls.
16 She evaluates a field and buys it; from the profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She clothes herself with strength, showing that her arms are strong. 18 She knows that her merchandise is valuable; her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She lays a hand on her distaff, and her other hand holds a spindle. 20 She reaches out to the poor and opens her 'hands' to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; because everyone in her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes her own quilts. Her clothes are made of linen and purple cloth. 23 Her husband is respected in the city gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen clothing and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she’s 'undaunted' by the future. 26 She 'speaks' with wisdom and her instruction is thoughtful. 27 She keeps a close eye on everything in her household, and never eats the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand and praise her. Her husband also praises her by saying, 29 “There are many virtuous women, but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yehovah deserves to be praised. 31 Reward her for all she has 'done'. May her achievements praise her at the city gates!
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
1 There was a man in the land of Uz named Job. That man was blameless and virtuous, someone who feared Elohim and turned away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of bulls, five hundred female donkeys and very many servants. Job was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 His sons used to hold 'parties' in their homes on their birthday [1], and they would send messengers to invite their three sisters to 'celebrate' with them. 5 When they finished having their parties, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for 'each' of them. Job thought, “Maybe my sons have sinned or 'silently' renounced Elohim.” Job did this regularly.
6 One day Elohim’s sons came to present themselves before Yehovah, and Satan also came among them. 7 Yehovah asked Satan, “Where did you come from?”
Then Satan answered Yehovah, “I’ve been 'roaming' thruout the earth and walking around on it.”
8 Yehovah asked Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? There’s no one like him on earth, a blameless and an righteous man, one who reveres Elohim, and turns away from evil.
9 Then Satan answered Yehovah, “Does Job revere Elohim for nothing? 10 Haven’t you put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has on every side? You’ve blessed everything he puts his hands on and his livestock has increased in the land. 11 But reach out Your hand and touch everything that he has, and he’ll curse You to Your face.”
12 Yehovah told Satan, “'All right', everything that he has is in your power, just don’t lay a hand on him!” So Satan left Yehovah’s presence.
13 One day as his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “'Your' bulls were harrowing [2] and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans raided and took them away. They killed the servants with swords. I’m the only one who escaped to tell you.”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “A fire from Elohim fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants and incinerated them, and I alone have escaped to tell you. 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and killed the servants with swords, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
18 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and 'suddenly' a powerful storm 'swirled' across the desert and struck all four corners of the house. It fell on the young men and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
20 Then Job stood up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said,
“I left my mother’s womb naked, and naked I will return there. Yehovah gave, and Yehovah has taken away. Yehovah’s name is blessed..
22 Thru all this, Job didn’t sin or blame Elohim.
[1] Birthday parties never end well in the Bible. Also see Genesis 40:20; and Matthew 14:6-8. [2] See the Psalm 141 footnote.1 Again there was a day when Elohim’s sons came to present themselves to Yehovah, and Satan accompanied them to present himself to Yehovah. 2 Yehovah asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan replied to Yehovah, “I’ve been 'roaming' thruout the world and walking around on it.”
3 Yehovah asked Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? There’s no one like him on earth, a blameless and an righteous man, one who reveres Elohim, and turns away from evil. He has maintained his integrity, even tho you urged Me to harm him for no reason.”
4 Satan answered Yehovah, “Skin for skin. 'People' will give up anything they have to stay alive. 5 But stretch out Your hand and touch their bones and flesh, and they’ll curse You to Your face.”
6 Yehovah told Satan, “He’s in your hands. Just spare his life.’ 7 So Satan left Yehovah’s presence and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.
8 'Job' took a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself with as he sat in the ashes.
9 Then his wife asked him, “Are you still attempting to maintain your integrity? Curse Elohim and die!”
10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we only accept good at the hand of Elohim, and not accept adversity?” In all this Job never sinned 'by anything he said'.
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard about all the tragedies that happened to him, they traveled from their own homes—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, and agreed to meet together and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they 'saw him' from a distance, they didn’t recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw that his grief was very great.
1 After this, Job finally spoke, and cursed the day he was born. 2 Job said,
3 “May the day I was born be 'erased', and the night when it was announced, ‘A boy has been conceived!’ 4 “May that day be turned to darkness. May Eloah above not care for it, and may no light shine on it. 5 May gloom and utter darkness claim it. May a cloud descend on it. May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 May darkness seize that night. May it be deleted from the days of the year; may it not be included in any of the months. 7 May that night be barren! May no joyful cry enter it. 8 May the diviners who curse the day curse it, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. 9 May the stars of that twilight be darkened. May it hope for light, but have none. May it not see the 'breaking dawn', 10 because 'that night' failed to shut my mother’s womb, or hide trouble from my eyes.
11 “Why wasn’t I born dead, or die while I was being born? 12 Why was there a 'lap' to welcome me? Why were there breasts for me to nurse? 13 I could have been lying down by now and in peace. I should be asleep. I should be at rest 14 with the kings and counselors of the world who built for themselves what are now ruins, 15 or with leaders who 'amassed' gold, who were filling their houses with silver. 16 I should have been discarded like a stillborn baby, like an infant that never saw the light of day. 17 There the wicked stop making trouble, and there the weary are at rest. 18 The captives are 'completely' at ease. They don’t hear the voice of a taskmaster. 19 Both small and great are there, and slaves are freed from their masters.
20 “Why is light given to someone in misery, and life to those whose 'existence' is bitter, 21 who long for death that never comes, tho they 'search' for it more than for buried treasure, 22 they’re ecstatic when they find the grave. 23 Why is life given to those whose paths have been hidden, who Eloah [singular] has hedged in? 24 My sighing comes before I eat, and my groans pour out like water. 25 What I fear most overtakes me, what I’m afraid of comes 'true'. 26 I have no peace and quiet. I have no rest, but trouble keeps coming!” [1] [1] During the Great Tribulation there will be many people who will lose everything that they have like Job did, but if they survive the end time events they will live into a wonderful age of peace and restoration. A lifetime of council and criticism from their trusted religious leaders and friends will be understood to have been rubbish.
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
2 “If someone tries to speak with you, will you be annoyed? Yet who can keep from speaking?
3 Certainly you have admonished many people, and you’ve strengthened feeble hands. 4 Your words have supported those who were falling, and strengthened buckling knees. 5 But now trouble came to you, and you’re impatient; it 'affected' you, and you’ve panicked. 6 Doesn’t your piety give you confidence? Doesn’t your integrity give you hope?
7 “Think, who ever perished being innocent? When have the righteous been destroyed? 8 According to what I’ve seen, those who plow wickedness and sow trouble harvest it. 9 They are destroyed by the breath of Elohim. By the blast of His anger they are annihilated. 10 They may roar and growl like alpha lions, yet the teeth of those lions are shattered. 11 The old lions die for lack of prey, and the cubs of lionesses are scattered.
12 A message was given to me in confidence, as if whispered in my ear. 13 Amid disturbing dreams at night, when deep sleep descends on everyone, 14 fear and trembling seized me, and all my bones shook. 15 A spirit glided past 'me'. It made my hair stand 'on end'. 16 It stood still, but I couldn’t tell what it was. A vague form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice: 17 ‘Can humanity be more righteous than Elohim? Can a man be more righteous than his Maker?’
18 “If He doesn’t trust His own servants, and He blames His own Messengers for mistakes, 19 how much 'less' does He trust people 'made' of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed quicker than a moth! 20 Between dawn and dusk they are destroyed. They’re gone forever and no one notices! 21 Their tent cords have been ripped out 'from under' them, and they die in ignorance.
1 “Cry out! Is there anyone to answer you? To which of the 'special' ones will you turn to? 2 Resentment kills fools, and jealousy kills nitwits. 3 I’ve seen the foolish taking root, and I immediately cursed their haunt. 4 Their children are far from safety. They’re crushed at the city gate with no one to defend them. 5 The hungry devour their harvest, stealing it despite thorn hedges, while the thirsty covet their wealth. 6 Certainly suffering doesn’t 'grow' out of the soil, distress doesn’t sprout from the ground. 7 But People are born for trouble as surely as sparks fly 'skyward'.
8 “But if I were you, I’d appeal to Elohim. I would commit my case to Elohim, 9 He does great things that can’t be fathomed, miraculous things without number. 10 He sends rain to the earth and sends water on the fields, 11 He raises high the lowly, and lifts mourners to safety. 12 He thwarts the plans of schemers so that their plots never succeed. 13 He traps the wise in their own guile so their cunning schemes are quickly thwarted. 14 They encounter darkness in the daytime and grope at noon as if it were night. 15 He rescues the needy from their 'destruction words', and rescues the poor from the 'clutches' of the mighty. 16 So the helpless have hope and injustice 'are silenced'.
17 “Consider how blessed a person is if Elohim corrects them; so don’t reject the discipline of the Conqueror! 18 He inflicts pain and brings 'relief'. He strikes, but His hands also heal. 19 He’ll save you from six troubles, and in the seventh no evil will touch you. 20 In famine He’ll redeem you from death, and in war from the 'slash' of a sword. 21 You’ll be protected from a scourge of 'words', and have no fear when violence comes. 22 You’ll laugh at devastation and famine, and you won’t be afraid of 'wild beasts'. 23 You’ll be allied with the 'minerals' 1n the soil, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. 24 You’ll know that your tent is secure. You’ll check out your property and find nothing missing. 25 You’ll know that your children will be many, and your descendants like blades of grass on the earth. 26 You’ll go to your grave at a ripe old age, like sheaves of grain harvested in season.
27 We’ve investigated this, and it is true! Listen and find out for yourself.
1 Then Job answered,
2 If only my grief could be weighed and my weighed on a scales scales! 3 It would outweigh the sand in the seas, that’s why I spoke so rashly. 4 The arrows of the Conqueror are in me, my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of Elohim are arrayed against me. 5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or does a bull bellow if it has fodder? 6 Tasteless food isn’t eaten without salt. Is there any flavor in the white of an egg? 7 I refuse to touch them. Foods like that disgust me.
8 “If only my request would be granted and Elohim would grant what I hope for, 9 that Elohim were willing to crush me, that He would 'reach out' and kill me! 10 At least I have this consolation: Despite the pain I haven’t 'rejected' the words of the 'special' One. 11 Do I have the strength to endure? What result should I prolong my life for? 12 Do I have the strength of a stone? Do I have flesh of bronze? 13 Aren’t I completely helpless, now that my resources have been 'taken' from me?
14 “Someone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Conqueror. 15 My brothers are as unreliable as a seasonal stream that overflows its banks in the spring, 16 when darkened by thawing ice hidden by the snow. 17 When they dry up, they disappear. When it’s hot they 'evaporate' from their channels. 18 Travelers alter their routes; they go into a 'wasteland' and die. 19 The caravans from Tema looked for water. Traders from Sheba hoped to find it. 20 They were distressed because they relied on them; they arrived there only to be disillusioned. 21 You have become as unreliable as they are; you see something dreadful and are afraid. 22 Did I ever say, ‘Give me something?’ Or, ‘Offer me a bribe, you have the 'means'.’ 23 or, ‘Rescue me from my adversary’s grasp?’ or, ‘Rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?
24 Teach me and I’ll remain silent. Show me what I’ve done wrong. 25 The 'truth' can be painful! But what do your arguments prove? 26 Do you intend to correct what I say, when the words of someone in despair 'are just' wind? 27 You would even cast lots for orphans or barter away your friend.
28 So be willing to face me. Would I lie to your face? 29 Quit assuming my guilt. My integrity is 'at stake'. 30 Have I said anything without 'merit'? Can’t I 'discern deception'?
1 Aren’t people forced to labor on earth? Aren’t his days like the days of a hired 'hand'? 2 Like a slave longing for shade, like a hired 'hand' eagerly waiting to be paid, 3 I, too, have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. 4 When I lie down, I ask, “When will I wake up, but the night drags on and I keep tossing until dawn. 5 My 'skin' is covered with maggots and 'scabs'. My skin is crusted and oozing. 6 My days 'fly' faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They are spent without hope. 7 Remember that my life is only a breath; 'I' will never again see anything good. 8 The eyes that see me now will see me no more. Your eyes will look for me, but I won’t exist. 9 As a cloud fades away and vanishes, people go down to sheol, and never come back again. 10 They will never come back home again; their 'household' will forget them. 11 “So I won’t restrain my 'speech'. I’ll speak from my distressed spirit, I’ll complain about the bitterness of my 'life'. 12 Am I the sea or a dragon * that you must place me under guard 13 I may think, ‘My bed will comfort me. My couch will ease my misery,’ 14 but then you torture me with dreams and terrify me with visions. 15 So I would rather be strangled—death rather than this 'tortured life'. 16 I hate my life. I don’t want to live forever. Leave me alone for my few remaining days.
17 “What is humanity that You think so highly of us, that You are concerned about us? 18 Why examine us every morning and test us every moment? 19 Will You ever look away from me, or leave me alone long enough to swallow my spit? 20 Have I sinned? What have I done to You, You observer of humanity? Why have You made me Your target? I’ve become a burden to myself! 21 Why don’t You pardon my disobedience and forgive my sins? Soon I’ll lie down in the dust. Then you’ll look for me and I’ll be gone.”
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied,
2 “How long will you say these things? You sound like a 'blasting' wind. 3 Does Elohim corrupt justice? Or does the Conqueror distort righteousness? 4 If your children sinned against Him, then He 'allowed' them to pay the penalty for their sins. 5 If you would earnestly seek Elohim, and plead with the Conqueror for mercy, 6 and if you are pure and virtuous, even now He will rise up on your behalf and rebuild your righteous estate. 7 Your beginnings will seem insignificant 'compared with' the prosperity of your latter 'years'.
8 “Just ask the previous generation. Consider what their ancestors discovered. 9 We have only been around since yesterday and we know nothing. Our 'time' on earth is but a shadow. 10 Won’t they teach you, and speak from their 'understanding'? 11 Can papyrus grow without a marsh? Can rushes grow without water? 12 Even while the shoots are intact, they can wither faster than any other plant. 13 The same 'eventuality' comes to anyone who forgets Elohim. The hopes of the profane will 'evaporate'. 14 Their confidence is as fragile as a spider’s web. 15 If they lean on their houses, they collapse. They hold on to them, but they don’t last. 16 They’re lush in the sunlight, their shoots spread over their gardens. 17 Their roots are entangled in rock piles. They seek entrenchment amid stones. 18 If they are uprooted from their places, the ground denies them, saying, ‘I’ve never seen you.’ 19 That’s the only joy on their 'journey', and out of the ground other 'plants will grow.
20 “Certainly, Elohim wouldn’t reject an innocent person or strengthen the 'grasp' of the wicked. 21 He’ll still fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 22 Those who hate you will be 'covered' with shame, and the tents of the wicked will cease to exist.”
1 Then Job replied,
2 I know for certain that it’s true, but how can a human be right with Elohim? 3 If someone wanted to argue with Him, he couldn’t answer one question in a thousand. 4 Elohim is wise and His power is vast. Who could defy Him and survive?
5 “He removes mountains without their knowing it, and topples them in His anger. 6 He shakes the earth from its 'orbit', and its 'supports' tremble. 7 He commands the sun not to shine. 8 He stretches out the heavens by Himself and treads on the waves of the sea. 9 He created the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations in the south. 10 He does great unfathomable things, He performs countless miracles.
11 “If He were to pass by me, I couldn’t see Him. Were He to pass by, I wouldn’t even notice. 12 Were He to grab 'something', who could stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, “What are you doing?’
13 Elohim doesn’t restrain His anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cower beneath Him.
14 So how can I answer Him, and choose my words to argue with Him? 15 Even if I were right, I couldn’t answer Him; I could only plead for mercy from My Judge. 16 Even if I cried out and He replied, I’m not sure He would listen to me. 17 He would crush me with a storm and repeatedly wound me for no reason. 18 He won’t let me catch my breath, but douses me with bitterness. 19 If it’s a matter of strength, He has infinite power! If it’s a matter of justice, who could challenge Him? 20 Tho I’m right, my own mouth will condemn me. Tho I have integrity, He will declare me guilty.
21 “I’m innocent, but I no longer care about myself; I loathe my life. 22 It’s all the same, that’s why I say, ‘He destroys the innocent along with the guilty.’ 23 If a disaster brings sudden death, He laughs at the despair of the innocent.
24 The planet is in the hands of the wicked. He blindfolds its judges. If He isn’t the one, then who is?
25 “My days pass swifter than a runner; they flee away without a glimpse of good. 26 They slip away like reed boats, like eagles swooping down on their prey. 27 If I were to say, “I’ll forget my complaint, I’ll 'hide' my sad face and smile, 28 I still dread all my suffering, I know You won’t find me innocent.
29 I’m already condemned, so what’s the use of trying? 30 If I wash myself with melted snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, 31 You’d still toss me in a pit. My own clothes would abhor me.
32 He’s not human like me, so I can’t tell Him that we should 'settle this' in court. 33 There is no mediator between us who could lay hands on both of us. 34 He should remove His rod from me, so that His terror would cease to frighten me. 35 Then I would speak and not revere Him. But I can’t do that in my own strength.
1 I loathe my own life; I’ll freely express my complaint. I’ll divulge the bitterness of my 'life'. 2 I’ll say to Elohim: “Don’t condemn me. Tell me why You’re accusing me. 3 Is it right for You to oppress, to despise the work of Your hands, and 'favor' the plans of the wicked? 4 Do You have eyes of flesh; do you see like a human? 5 Is Your 'lifespan' like that of a human? Are Your years like a human’s years? 6 Why are You examining me for wickedness and searching me for sin? 7 You know that I’m not guilty and that no one can rescue me from Your 'reach'.
8 “You formed me with Your hands and made me 'from scratch', so why would You destroy me? 9 Remember that You molded me like clay. Are You going to turn me back into dust? 10 Didn’t You pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? 11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and wove me together with bones and tendons. 12 You gave me life and showed me Your faithful love, and Your care has preserved my spirit.
13 Yet You concealed Your 'real motive'—I know this was Your plan. 14 If I sin, You notice. You wouldn’t forgive my guilt. 15 If I’m guilty, too bad for me; If I’m righteous, I still can’t lift my head. I’m filled with shame and aware of my misery. 16 If I were to lift up my head, You would hunt me down like a lion! You’d perform Your miracles against me. 17 You renew Your witnesses against me with ever increasing anger. Hardship after hardship is against me.
18 ‘So why did You deliver me from my mother’s womb? I wish I had breathed my last breath before 'anyone' had ever seen me. 19 If only I had never existed, or had been carried from the womb to the tomb!
20 I only have a few days left, so leave me alone. 'Give' me a little 'reprieve' 21 before I go, never to return, to a land of dark shadows, 22 to the land of gloom, darkness and obscurity where darkness shines.
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Shouldn’t someone answer this myriads of words? Should anyone be vindicated by a lot of talking?
4 You claim, ‘My beliefs are sound’, and, ‘As you can 'see', I’m innocent.’ 5 If only Elohim would speak up and 'say something' against you, 6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom. True wisdom 'considers' both sides. Realize that Elohim isn’t even taking into consideration all of your wickedness!
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of Elohim? Do you realize the complexity of the Conqueror? 8 These things are higher than the heavens, and what can you do? They’re deeper than sheol. How much could you know? 9 It measures longer than the earth and broader than the sea. 10 If He comes along and imprisons someone or convenes a 'court', who could stop Him? 11 He knows the deceivers. When He sees wickedness, doesn’t He take note? 12 An idiot won’t become intelligent until a wild ass is born a man.
13 “If you redirect your 'thoughts' and reach out your hands toward Him, 14 if you toss out the wickedness in your hands and don’t allow wickedness to reside in your tents, 15 then you’ll be able to 'show' your face without being ashamed. Then you’ll be steadfast and fearless. 16 You’ll forget your misery. You’ll remember it like water that flowed away. 17 Your lifespan will be brighter than the noonday sun; darkness will be like morning. 18 You’ll feel confident because there’s hope. You’ll look around and rest securely. 19 You’ll lie down and nothing will frighten you, and many will try to gain your favor. 20 But the eyesight of the wicked will fail. They’ll have nowhere to escape. Their only hope is to breath their last.”
1 In response Job replied:
2 “No doubt you are the only wise people, and wisdom will die with you! 3 But like you I have a mind, I’m not inferior to you. Who doesn’t know these things?
4 I’m a laughingstock to my friends, someone who called on Elohim and He answered. The righteous man has become a laughingstock. 5 A carefree person has no appreciation for misfortune, considering it the expectation of people who 'slip up'. 6 The tents of outlaws are undisturbed. Those who provoke Elohim are secure, tho they carry their gods in their hands.
7 “But ask the beasts and they’ll teach you, the birds in the sky will tell you. 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. Let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these doesn’t know that Yehovah’s hands have done this? 10 His hand is the life of every living 'creature', along with the breath of every human being? 11 Don’t our ears test words, and our palates taste food? 12 Wisdom is 'found among' the aged. Understanding comes with longevity.
13 “Elohim has wisdom and power. He 'grants' counsel and understanding. 14 If He tears something down, it can’t be rebuilt. If He imprisons someone they won’t be released! 15 When He withholds water everything dries up! When He releases it, it inundates the earth. 16 He embodies strength and sound wisdom. The misled and the misleader belong to Him.
17 He leads counselors away naked, and makes fools of judges. 18 He’ll strip kings of sovereignty. He’ll wrap their waist with a rope leash. 19 He leads priests away naked, and overthrows entrenched 'despots'.
20 He keeps trusted advisors from speaking, and removes the insight of the elders. 21 He pours contempt on royalty and 'disarms' the strong.
22 “He reveals mysteries from the darkness, and brings the deepest darkness to light. 23 He makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations and He leads them captive. 24 He takes away the intelligence of the world’s leaders, and leaves them wandering uncharted wilderness. 25 They grope in the dark without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.
1 “I’ve seen it all! I understand everything I’ve heard. 2 I know what you know; I’m not inferior to you. 3 But I’d rather be speaking to the Conqueror. I’d like to argue with Elohim. 4 You’re smearing me with lies. As physicians, you’re all quacks. 5 I wish you’d all just shut up. For you that would be wisdom. 6 Listen to my argument. Pay attention to my 'defense'.
7 “Why speak unfairly on Elohim’s behalf, saying deceitful things for Him? 8 Are you showing partiality in His favor? Are you contending for Elohim? 9 Would it turn out well if He cross-examined you? Could you deceive Him the way you might deceive a human being? 10 He would definitely call you into account if you showed 'partiality' in secret. 11 Doesn’t His majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your reverence of Him fill you with panic. 12 Your recollections are as worthless as ashes; your defenses are as fragile as clay pots.
13 “Don’t talk to me! It’s my turn to talk; then let come to me what may. 14 Why should I 'bite' my own flesh, and take my life in my own hands? 15 He might kill me, but I have no other hope. At least I’ll defend my behavior to His face. 16 But this is what should save me, a profane person can’t stand in His presence.
17 “Pay attention to what I’m about to say. I’d like for my remarks to ring in your ears. 18 I’ve prepared my case; I know that I’m innocent. 19 Who could possibly prove me guilty? If they do, I’ll be silent and die.
20 “Only grant me these two things, then I won’t hide from 'You'. 21 Remove your heavy 'hand' from me, and don’t terrorize me. 22 Then call and I’ll answer, but let me speak before You reply to me. 23 How many crimes and sins have You counted? Reveal to me my offenses and my sins. 24 Why are You hiding Your face and treating me like Your enemy? 25 Would You harass a fluttering leaf? Would You chase dry chaff?
26 “You write bitter accusations against me; You’ve caused me to suffer for the sins of my youth. 27 You put my feet in stocks. You watch my every 'step'. You limit where my feet can traipse.
28 So I’m decaying like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
1 “Human beings born to women are short of days and full of trouble. 2 We blossom like flowers and then wither away. Like fleeting shadows we quickly disappear. 3 You keep an eye on say, me, and then You bring me into judgment? 4 Who could produce something clean from something unclean? No one! 5 You’ve determined the length of our lives. You limit our number our months. You’ve set the limit and we can’t exceed it. 6 Don’t continually watch us so we can rest, so that we can appreciate our days like a hired hand.
7 “There’s hope for the trees. If they’re cut down they can sprout again, and their tender branches can continue to 'grow'. 8 Tho their roots grow old in the ground, and their stumps die to the ground, 9 at the scent of water they’ll sprout and grow branches like a seedling.
10 “But people die and just lie there. They breathe their last and then where are they? [1] 11 As the water evaporates from the seas and rivers are diminished and dry up, 12 so people lie down and don’t rise UNTIL THE HEAVENS ARE NO MORE [2], they won’t wake up or be roused from their sleep.
13 “Oh that you would hide me in sheol, that you would keep me secret until Your wrath is past, and that You would set a time to remember me! 14 If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my appointed service I will wait until my CHANGE comes. 15 You will call, and I will answer You. You will long for the work of Your hands. 16 Now You count my steps. But then You won’t be watching my sins. 17 My sins will be sealed in a bag; You’ll cover up my wickedness.
18 “In the meanwhile mountains fall and crumble away and rocks are dislodged from their place; 19 water wears away stones and floods wash away topsoil—as You’re destroying people’s hope. 20 You always overpower us and we pass on. You disfigure our appearance and send us away. 21 If our children achieve distinction, we don’t know it; and if they’re inconsequential, we don’t realize it. 22 We feel no pain but our own, and we only mourn for ourselves.”
[1] An acknowledgment of general ignorance. [2] Isaiah 65:17-25 portrays this exact time.1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
2 Should wise people respond with hollow words or fill their belly with the east wind? 3 Should they argue with useless words, or with speeches that don’t benefit anyone? 4 Yet you undermine 'reverence', and hinder reflection toward Elohim. 5 Because your own 'speech' condemns you; 6 Your own 'verbiage' witnesses against you. You’ve adopted the 'language' of deception.
7 “Were you the first person to be born? Were you born before the hills? 8 Were you listening to Elohim’s secret counsel? Have you limited wisdom to yourself? 9 What do you know that we don’t know? What do you understand that isn’t obvious to us? 10 Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, much older than your father.
11 Is Elohim’s encouragement inconsequential to you, words spoken gently to you? 12 Why have your 'emotions' misled you? And why are you winking 13 as you turn against Elohim; allowing such words to leave your mouth? 14 Why should a mortal be considered pure? Does being born of a woman mean someone is righteous? 15 He doesn’t even trust His 'special' ones! Even the heavens aren’t pure in His sight, 16 how much less someone who is highly detestable and corrupt, someone who drinks wickedness like water!
17 “Listen to me and I’ll relate what I’ve seen, 18 which is what wise people have explained, hiding nothing received from their ancestors, 19 from those the land was given to, when no foreigners were passing thru their land.
20 “The wicked writhe in pain all their days. Only a few years have been reserved for the ruthless. 21 The sound of terror rings in their ears. In a time of prosperity the destroyer attacks them. 22 They don’t believe that they’ll return from the darkness; they’re destined to be killed with a sword. 23 They wander around, asking, “Where is it?” They know that a time of darkness is 'approaching'. 24 That dark days terrify them; they overwhelm them like a king preparing to attack. 25 They raise their 'fist' against Elohim, and they defy the Conqueror. 26 They run 'headlong' at Him with reinforced bucklers. 27 “Their faces are bloated with fat and their waists are grossly overweight. 28 They’ve lived in devastated cities, in abandoned houses soon to be piles of rubble. 29 They won’t get rich, and their wealth won’t last. Their possessions will no longer reach the horizon.
30 They won’t escape the darkness. Flames will dry up their branches. And by the breath of His mouth they’ll be 'blown' away 31 They shouldn’t trust in worthless things and deceive themselves, because worthless things will be their reward. 32 They’ll be cut down before their time, their branches will 'cease' being green. 33 They’ll be like grape vines dropping their unripe grapes; like olive trees losing their blossoms. 34 There will be no descendants for profane people, and fire incinerates the tents of those who offer bribes. 35 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their 'minds' formulate deception.
1 Then Job answered,
2 I’ve heard many things like that. You’re all miserable comforters! 3 Will your long-winded speeches never end? What is bothering you that you keep on bickering? 4 I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could cobble together speeches against you and shake my head at you. 5 But I could also 'encourage' you. My words of comfort could lessen your pain. 6 Yet if I speak, my pain is not eased, and if I don’t speak, is anything 'alleviated'?
7 But now, Elohim has exhausted me; 'He’s' destroyed my entire family. 8 'He’s' shriveled me up. This is a witness against me, my frailty rises up against me to bear witness against me. 9 His anger has torn me in cherished animosity. He grates His teeth toward me. My adversary sharpens his 'gaze' at me. 10 People gaped at me with mouths wide open; They struck my cheek in contempt. A mob has gathered against me. 11 Elohim hands me over to criminals and hurls me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but He grabbed me by the neck and shook me to pieces; He set me up as His target. 13 His archers surround me. Without mercy He split my kidneys open and poured my gall on the ground. 14 He breaks thru my defenses again and again. He lunges at me like a warrior. 15 I’ve sewn sackcloth over my skin and buried my 'strength' in the dust. 16 My face is reddened with tears, and dark shadows circle my eyes, 17 but there’s no violence in my hands and my prayers are pure.
18 “Earth, don’t cover my blood; may my outcry never cease. 19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is high above! 20 My friends scorn me. My eyes pour out tears to Elohim. 21 O that someone would arbitrate with Elohim, like someone does for their neighbor!
22 Because in only a few years I’ll walk the path of no return.
1 “My spirit is broken, my days are over. The cemetery is waiting for me. 2 Certainly skeptics surround me. I’m 'quite focused' on their hostility.
3 “Now offer me a guarantee. Who else could be my guarantor? 4 You have closed their minds to understanding. You won’t let them to triumph. 5 They betray their friends for a cut of their property, and the eyes of their children will fail.
6 But 'You' have made me a public euphemism. Now they spit in my face. 7 My eyes are weak from grief. I’m a shadow of my 'former self'. 8 Virtuous people are shocked by this, and the innocent rise up against the profane. 9 Yet righteous people will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
10 “But as for all of you, 'try' again, and I still won’t find a wise person among you. 11 My days are over, my plans are shattered. My 'dreams' are crushed. 12 They say that night is day; they claim that light is becoming dark. 13 If I 'foresee' sheol as my home and make my bed in the darkness, 14 if I call out to the Pit, ‘You’re my father,’ and to worms, ‘my mother and my sister’, 15 then where is my hope? Who thinks I have hope? 16 Will it go down with me to the gates of sheol, or descend together into the dust?”
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
2 “How long will you prolong your monolog? Be sensible and then we’ll talk. 3 Why are we considered animals. Are we stupid in your sight? 4 You who tear yourself in your anger, will the earth be abandoned for you? Or will a rock be removed out of its place?
5 “The lamp of the wicked will definitely be snuffed out. The flame of his fire stops burning. 6 The light in his tent grows dark, and his overhead lamp goes out. 7 His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes bring him down. 8 His own feet become entangled in a snare. He walked right into the net! 9 A snare grabs him by the heel; a noose seizes him. 10 A rope lies hidden for him on the ground, a trap for him on the path.
11 “Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase his every step. 12 Hunger undermines his strength. Disaster lies ready beside him. 13 His skin is devoured by disease; death’s firstborn devours his limbs. 14 He is dragged from the security of his tent and led away to the king of terrors. 15 Nothing he had remains in his tent. Burning sulfur is scattered on his home. 16 Below his roots dry up and his branches wither above. 17 The memory of him perishes from the earth. Even 'locally' he has no name recognition. 18 They drive him from the light into darkness and chase him from the civilized world. 19 He has no children or posterity among his people or any survivor where he used to live. 20 Those who come after him will be appalled by what happened to him, as those who went before him will tremble in horror [1]. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of wicked people, and this is the place of the person who doesn’t know Elohim.”
[1] Most modern versions in lockstep with the commentator Schultens, substitute “east” and “west” for “after” and “before”, so as to rule out Judgment Day! See it literally here.
1 Then Job answered,
2 “How long will you torture me and 'depress' me with words? 3 You’ve insulted me ten times. You aren’t ashamed of mistreating me. 4 Even if I have sinned, my error only concerns me. 5 If you’re trying to make yourselves look better than me and use my humiliation against me, 6 then realize that Elohim has wronged me and surrounded me with His net.
7 “I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but no one answers me. I call for help, but there’s no justice. 8 He 'blocked' my path so that I couldn’t go on, and He darkened my path. 9 He’s stripped me of my honor and taken the crown from my head. 10 He beats me down on every side and I’m finished. He has uprooted my hopes like a tree. 11 His anger burns against me, and He considers me an adversary. 12 His troops gather together and build their siege ramps against me and camp around my tent.
13 “He has removed my brothers far from me. My acquaintances are completely estranged from me. 14 My family is gone, and my closest friends have forgotten me. 15 My guests and my maids consider me a stranger. I’m like a foreigner in their sight. 16 When I call my servant, he doesn’t answer; I have to beg him! 17 My breath is 'offensive' to my wife. I’ve been rejected by my own 'family'. 18 Even young children despise me. When I get up they ridicule me. 19 My best friends and loved ones have have turned against me. 20 My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh. I’ve escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 Have mercy on me, have mercy on me my friends, because the hand of Elohim has struck me. 22 Why do you persecute me like Elohim does, 'Why' aren’t you satisfied with my flesh?
23 “O that my words were written! O that they were inscribed on a scroll 24 or chiseled in stone forever by an iron stylus and lead!
25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. And that in the end He’ll stand on the earth. 26 Even after my skin has been destroyed, I will see Elohim in my flesh, 27 I’ll see Him in person. I’ll see Him with my own eyes, not some advocate. I 'long' for that moment'.
28 If you ask, ‘How should we persecute him!’ ‘How can we fake a case against him?’ 29 Be afraid of swords, because wrath brings the punishment by swords. You should know there will be judgment.”
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied,
2 “My troubled thoughts compel me to answer because I’m quite disturbed. 3 I’ve heard criticism that insults me, and my understanding prompts me to reply.
4 “Don’t you know that since antiquity, from the time Adam was placed on earth, 5 that the joy of the wicked is short, and the happiness of the lawless is momentary? 6 Tho their arrogance reaches the sky, and their heads touch the clouds, 7 they’ll perish forever like their own excrement; those who used to see them will ask, ‘Where are they?’ 8 They’ll fly away like a dream, never to be found, chased away as in a nightmare. 9 'Those who' saw them will see them no more, they’ll never be seen where they 'used to be seen'. 10 Their children will ask the poor for help; they’ll have to hand over their wealth. 11 The youthful vigor that fills their bones will lie down with them in the dust.
12 “Tho wickedness tastes sweet in their mouths and they hide it under their tongues, 13 tho they savor it, and won’t let go of it, and it lingers in their mouths, 14 the food in their stomachs is turning into cobras’ venom within them. 15 The wealth they devoured they vomit up. Elohim will expel them from his stomach. 16 They suck the venom of cobras; and a viper’s ‘fangs’ slays them 17 They won’t 'enjoy'; the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. 18 They must return what they worked for without 'tasting' the benefits. They won’t enjoy the profits of their trading. 19 They have oppressed and forsaken the poor. They foreclosed on homes they didn’t build. 20 Because there was no 'contentment' within them, they couldn’t keep anything they treasured. 21 There was nothing left for them to devour, so their prosperity won’t last.
22 In the midst of plenty, they are hard-pressed. Everyone in misery will attack them. 23 When they fill their belly, Elohim will unleash His wrath on them. It will rain on them while they are eating. 24 They may escape from an iron weapon, but a bronze arrow will strike them thru. 25 They pull it out of their back, the point glistening with gall, as terror overcomes them. 26 Total darkness awaits in hiding for them. A SELF IGNITING FIRE WILL INCINERATE THEM [on Judgment Day] and devour whatever is left in their tent. 27 Heaven will reveal their depravity, and the earth will rise up against them. 28 A flood will wash away their house. Their property will be washed away in the Day of His wrath [again Judgment Day]. 29 This is the wicked person’s fate from Elohim, it is the inheritance decreed for them by Elohim.”
1 Then Job answered,
2 “Listen carefully to what I say. That’s one consolation you can give me. 3 Bear with me and let me speak. After I’ve spoken, malign on.
4 “Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why shouldn’t I be impatient? 5 Look at me and be appalled, and put your hand over your mouth. 6 When I think about this, I’m terrified, and I begin trembling in horror.
7 Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, and increase in power? 8 Their descendants are established with them in their presence, their offspring within 'sight'. 9 Their houses are safe and free from fear, and no rod from Elohim strikes them. 10 Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows give birth to calves and never miscarry. 11 They allow their toddlers to run around like a flock of lambs, and their children dance around. 12 They sing with tambourines and harps, and celebrate to the sound of a flute. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, and then quickly go down to sheol. 14 They say to Elohim, “Leave us alone. We have no desire to understand Your ways. 15 Who is the Conqueror that we should serve Him? What would we gain by praying to Him?” 16 Their prosperity isn’t in their own hands. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does disaster happen to them? Does He deal out destruction in His anger? 18 Are they ever like straw in the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?
19 People say, ‘Elohim stores up a person’s punishment for his children.’ Elohim should repay people, so that they are aware of it. 20 They should see their own destruction. They should drink the wrath of the Conqueror. 21 What does he care about his family after he’s dead, when the number of his months are finished?
22 Can anyone teach Elohim 'a lesson'? Can anyone judge the Most Supreme? 23 One person dies in their prime, altogether comfortable and content. 24 Their 'body' is well fed and their bone marrow is healthy. 25 Another dies with a bitter spirit, never having tasted prosperity. 26 They both lie down in the dust and worms cover them.
27 “I am well aware of what you’re thinking, and the schemes you plot against me. 28 You ask, ‘Where is the nobleman’s house, and the tents where the wicked people lived?’ 29 Haven’t you ever questioned travelers? Don’t you accept their accounts? 30 (Tho the wicked are reserved for the Day of Destruction [Gill’s], to be brought out on the Day of Wrath [Judgment Day].) 31 Who would denounce their behavior to their face? Who repays them for what they’ve done? 32 They’re carried to their graves and someone guards their tombs. 33 Dirt clods on the grave cover them. Countless people precede them paying respects.
34 “So how can you comfort me? Your answers are full of falsehood?”
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 “Can a wise person be of use to Elohim? Can wise people even benefit themselves? 3 Is there any pleasure to the Conqueror if you are righteous? Does He gain when you perfect your behavior? 4 Is it because of your piety that He accuses you and brings grievances against you? 5 Isn’t your wickedness vast? Is there a limit to your sins.
6 “You’ve taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped people naked. 7 You haven’t even given water to the 'thirsty', and you’ve withheld food from the hungry. 8 The land belongs to a powerful man, and an influential man inhabits it. 9 You’ve sent widows away empty handed, and the arms of orphans have been broken. 10 That’s why you’re surrounded by snares, and sudden terror plagues you. 11 That’s why darkness surrounds you, and a flood of water covers you.
12 “Isn’t Elohim in the heights of heaven? Consider how far away the stars are, how 'distant' they are. 13 You say, “What does Elohim know? Can He 'navigate' thru 'pitch' darkness? 14 Thick clouds are His covering, so He can’t see. He walks the 'orbits' of the heavens.’
15 “Will you continue on the 'traditional' path that wicked people have walked? 16 They were caught away before their time, their foundations washed out by a flood. 17 They said to Elohim, ‘Leave us alone! What could the Conqueror do to us?’ 18 Yet He filled their houses with good things, but the plans of the wicked are alien to me.
19 “The righteous see and rejoice; and the innocent ridicule them. 20 “They say, ‘Our enemies have been 'wiped out'. The rest of them have been incinerated in a fire.’
21 “Submit to Him now and be at peace; then prosperity will come to you. 22 Accept the instructions He 'expressed', and keep His words in mind. 23 If you return to the Conqueror, you’ll be restored. If you remove wickedness far from your tent. 24 Lay your 'gold' in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones in a streambed, 25 the Conqueror will become your 'gold' and your refined silver.
26 “Then you’ll take delight in the Conqueror and turn your face toward Elohim. 27 You’ll pray to Him, and He’ll hear you, and you’ll fulfill your vows. 28 You’ll make a decision and it will stand, and light will shine on your path. 29 When they cast you down, you will speak with confidence, and He’ll rescue the humble. 30 He’ll even rescue sinners, they’ll be rescued because your hands are pure.”
1 Then Job replied:
2 “I’m still complaining bitterly, His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. 3 If only I knew where I could find Him, so I could go to His 'throne'. 4 I would present my case to Him, and have a mouthful of arguments. 5 I know how He would answer me, and I understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He overwhelm me His great power? No, He would certainly hear me out. 7 That’s where the righteous could reason with Him, and I could escape from my Judge forever. 8 If I go east, He isn’t there, if west, I can’t find Him, 9 If He’s working in the north, I don’t see Him. He turns south, I still don’t see Him.
“10 But He knows the way I take. Once He has tried me, I’ll come out like gold. 11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I’ve stayed on His pathway without turning aside. 12 I haven’t deviated from His commands. I’ve treasured His words more than 'daily' food. 13 But He is unique and who can oppose Him? He does whatever He wants to do. 14 He carries out His plans against me, and He has many similar plans. 15 That’s why I’m horrified in His presence. Whenever I think about it, I’m terrified of Him. 16 Elohim has caused me to faint; the Conqueror has terrified me. 17 But I’m not silenced by the darkness, or by the thick darkness dimming my 'vision'.
1 “Why doesn’t the Conqueror establish times for punishment? Why don’t those who know Him see His days of judgment? 2 They remove landmarks. They seize flocks, and put them in their own pastures. 3 They drive away an orphan’s donkey, and they take a widow’s bull as security for a loan. 4 They shove needy people off the road. And the poor of the land go into hiding. 5 Like wild asses in the desert, the poor work diligently foraging food. The wilderness provides food for their children. 6 They harvest their fodder in fields. They glean the vineyards of the wicked. 7 All night they lie naked without any covers in the cold. 8 They’re drenched by the mountain rains and huddle on rocks for lack of a shelter.
9 Others snatch an orphan from the her breast, taking a baby as security for a loan. 10 Lacking clothing, they are forced to wander around naked. They carry sheaves but go hungry. 11 They press olives for oil between the millstones; they tread wine presses, yet they’re thirsty. 12 Dying people groan in the city, and the terminally ill scream, yet Elohim pays no attention.
13 “'Others' rebel against the light. They don’t want to know its ways or stay in its paths. 14 Murderers get up at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and at night they becomes thieves. 15 Adulterers wait for twilight, saying, ‘No one is watching us,’ as they cover their faces. 16 In the dark they dig into houses. They shut themselves in during the day. They have no use for the light. 17 The morning to them is like deep darkness, because they are familiar with the terrors of deep darkness.
18 “They’re like scum on the water’s surface. Their inheritance is cursed. People never enter their vineyards. 19 Drought and heat evaporate the melted snow, as sheol does with sinners. 20 Their 'mother' will forget them. Worms feast on them and they are no longer remembered. Wickedness is broken like a branch. 21 They abuse childless women and refuse to help widows. 22 Yet He drags off the valiant by His power. They prosper, but they have no assurance of life. 23 He gives them security, and they are at ease, but He keeps an eye on their ways. 24 They’re lauded for a little while, and then they’re gone. They’re brought down low and disappear like everything else. They’re cut off like heads of grain. 25 If this isn’t so, then who can prove me a liar and show that my words are worthless?”
1 Then the Shuhite answered, 2 “Dominion and awe belong to Him. He establishes peace in the heights of heaven. 3 Can His armies be numbered? Who does His light not shine on? 4 How then can humanity be justified with Elohim? Or how can someone born of a woman be pure? 5 If even the moon isn’t bright and the stars aren’t pure in His sight, 6 how much less is humanity, who is only a maggot; a human son who is only a worm!”
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 “What a help you are to the powerless! How you have 'saved' the weak! 3 You have enlightened my stupidity! What helpful insight you have so abundantly offered! 4 Who helped you articulate these words? Whose spirit spoke thru you?
5 “Giants, apostate spirits overwhelmed in the flood 'float' under the water, and those that accompany them. [1] 6 Sheol is naked in Elohim’s presence, and Abaddon [2] has no covering. 7 He stretches out the north over empty space, and hangs the earth on nothing. 8 He contains water in His thick clouds, and the clouds don’t burst under the weight. 9 He obscures the view of His throne by spreading His cloud over it. 10 He has marked out the 'horizon' on the surface of the water as the boundary between day and night. 11 The foundations of heaven tremble; and are stunned by His 'thunder'. 12 By His power the sea was calmed [Mark 4:39], and by His understanding He crushed Rahab [the sea monster]. 13 By His spirit [feminine] He beautified the heavens. His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 14 These are just the outer fringes of His work, merely a whisper of His power. So who can comprehend the thunder of His power?”
[1] Compare to Revelation 9:14-15 [2] Compare to Revelation 9:111 Job continuing his diatribe said:
2 “As Elohim lives, who has taken away my right, the Conqueror who has made my life bitter. 3 For as long as life is in me, and the breath of Elohim remains in my nostrils, 4 my lips won’t speak unrighteousness, and my tongue won’t utter deceit. 5 Far be it from me to justify you. Until I die I won’t deny my integrity. 6 I’ll cling to my righteousness without letting it go. My conscience won’t accuse me as long as I live.
7 “May my enemies be punished like the wicked. May those who rise up against me be condemned like unrighteous people. 8 What hope does a lawless person have when they are cut off, when Elohim takes away their life? 9 Will Elohim hear their cry when trouble comes to them? 10 Will they find delight in the Conqueror? Will they call on Elohim continually? 11 I’ll teach you about Elohim’s 'power'. I won’t hide what the Conqueror has planned. 12 You have all seen this, so why keep up this meaningless talk?
13 “This is what Elohim has destined for wicked people, the inheritance that tyrants will receive from the Conqueror. 14 Even if he has many children, they are destined for the sword, and his descendants won’t have enough food. 15 Those who survive him are buried by the plague, yet their widows won’t cry for them.
16 “Tho he hoards silver like dust, and stores up clothing like piles of clay, 17 righteous people will wear what he piles up, and the innocent will divide up his silver. 18 The house he built is fragile like a moth’s cocoon or like a hut made by a watchman. 19 He may go to bed rich, but never again. When he opens his eyes, it’s all gone. 20 Terrors overwhelm him like a flood; a windstorm sweeps him away in the night. 21 An east wind carries him off, and he’s gone. It sweeps him out of his place. 22 It hurls itself against him mercilessly as he struggles to flee from its 'grasp'. 23 'Men' will clap their hands at him and hiss him out of his place.
1 “There are silver mines and gold refineries. 2 Iron is taken from the ground and copper is smelted from ore. 3 People put an end to darkness; they explore the deepest recesses for ore in total darkness. 4 They cut shafts far from human habitation where no one has ever set foot; far from other people they dangle and swing. 5 Food grows above ground, but deep underneath it churns like fire. 6 Its rocks are a source of lapis lazuli [“sapphire”], and its dust contains flakes of gold. 7 No bird of prey knows that pathway; no falcon has ever eyed it. 8 Proud beasts have never set foot on it; lions have never prowled there. 9 People lay hands on the flinty rocks, and overturn the 'foot' of the mountains. 10 They cut channels in the rocks. They see everything of value. 11 They dam the streams and stop the 'flow' to bring hidden things to light.
12 “But where can wisdom be found? Where can understanding be located? 13 People don’t comprehend it’s value. It can’t be found in the land of the living. 14 The ocean depths say, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’ 15 It can’t be bought with pure gold, it has no silver equivalent. 16 It can’t be valued in the gold from Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. 17 Gold and crystal don’t compare with it, and it’s unrivaled by articles of gold. 18 Coral and crystal aren’t worth mentioning. The acquisition of wisdom is beyond rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia doesn’t compare with it, and it can’t be equated with pure gold.
20 “So where then does wisdom originate? Where is understanding located? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all the living, concealed even from the birds in the sky. 22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We’ve heard a rumor about it.
23 “Elohim understands the way to it. He knows its location. 24 He can see the remotest points of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. 25 When he gave the wind its force and measured the water in the seas, 26 when He established a 'limit' for the rain and a path for the thunderbolts, 27 then He saw it and evaluated it; He established it and reviewed it.
28 He said to humanity, ‘The reverence of Yehovah is wisdom, and avoiding evil is understanding.’”
1 Job continued his lecture:
2 “If only it could be as in times past, as in the days when Elohim watched over me, 3 when His lamp shone over my head and I walked thru the dark in His light. 4 As I was in the autumn of my 'life', when Elohim’s friendship was over my tent, 5 when the Conqueror was still with me and my children were around me, 6 when my steps were bathed in butter and the rock poured out streams of olive oil for me!
7 “When I went out to the gate of the city and took my seat in the town square 8 the young men would see me and withdraw, while older men would rise to their feet. 9 Leaders would refrain from talking, and cover their mouths with their hands. 10 The voices of the officials were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths.
11 “When they 'heard' me, they blessed me, and when they 'saw' me, they commended me 12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and orphans who had no one to support them. 13 I received a blessings from those who were about to die, and I caused widows to sing for joy. 14 I wore righteousness as my clothing, and my justice was like a robe and a turban. 15 I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy and I investigated the cases of strangers. 17 I broke the jaws of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.
18 “Then I thought, ‘I’ll die in my own nest, my days as numerous as grains of sand on the shore. 19 My roots will reach to the water and dew will lie on my branches all night. 20 My strength will be constantly refreshed, and my bow will be renewed in my hand.’
21 “People listened to me and quietly awaited my advice. 22 After I spoke they had no more to say; my words fell gently on them. 23 They awaited my words like the rain, and opened their mouths as if for spring showers. 24 I smiled at them and they couldn’t believe it. My 'approving countenance was precious to them'. 25 I chose their direction and sat as chief. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.
1 “But now those who are younger than I am insult me, whose fathers I would have hated to entrust with my sheep dogs. 2 What use was the strength of their hands to me, since their strength is gone? 3 Shriveled up from poverty and famine, they gnaw at the dry ground at night in waste and desolation. 4 They collect 'cattails' amid the brush, and eat the roots of salt-wort. 5 They are driven from the assembly, and people shout at them as if they were thieves. 6 They have to live in dangerous ravines, in holes in the ground and among rocks. 7 They howl amid bushes and gather together around nettles. 8 They’re nameless fools, expelled from the land.
9 “Now I’ve become their taunt. I’m a euphemism to them! 10 They despise me and keep their distance from me, but they don’t hesitate to spit in my face. 11 He has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they’re unrestrained in my presence. 12 On my right punks attack. They trip 'me' and besiege me with various means of destruction. 13 They tear up my path, profiting from my destruction, with no one to restrain them. 14 They advance as if thru a wide breach; amid the 'rubble' they roll on. 15 I’m overcome with terror. They blow away my honor like the wind. My prosperity vanishes like a passing cloud
16 “And now my life ebbs away; days of misery have seized me. 17 At night 'He' pierces my bones and my gnawing pain never rests. 18 With great force He mangles my clothing. He seizes me by the collar of my robe. 19 He tossed me into a swamp. I’m reduced to dust and ashes.
20 “I cry to You for help, and You don’t answer me. I stand up, but You just look at me. 21 You’re cruel to me, with the might of Your hand You persecute me. 22 You toss me up and let the wind carry me. You fling me into a storm. 23 I know that You’re about to kill me, to the destination assigned to everyone living.
24 “Surely no one lays a hand on someone in a heap of ruins when they cry for help in their tragedy. 25 Didn’t I cry for people having a difficult day? Didn’t I grieve for the needy? 26 When I expected good, evil came, and when I waited for light, darkness came. 27 My mind is troubled and restless; the 'time' of affliction has confronted me. 28 I walk in the dark in the warm sunlight; I stand in the assembly and cry for help. 29 I’m a brother to dragons and a companion of ostriches. 30 My skin turns black, and my bones are scorched by the heat. 31 My lyre is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of wailing.
1 “I made a covenant with my eyes, so how could I leer at a young woman? 2 And what is our allotment from Elohim above, and the Conqueror’s heritage from high above? 3 Isn’t it disaster for the wicked, and misfortune for everyone who sins? 4 Doesn’t He see my way of life and count my every step?
5 “If I’ve 'lived' a lie, or my feet have rushed to deceit, 6 He should weigh me on accurate scales. Then he would recognize my integrity. 7 If my steps have wandered from the way, and my 'thoughts' have followed my eyes, or 'filth' has stuck to my hands, 8 then someone else should eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.
9 “If I have been seduced by another woman, or lurked at my neighbor’s door, 10 then may my wife grind another man’s grain for another, and may others 'sleep' with her. 11 “That would be a heinous crime; it would be wickedness deserving punishment. 12 It’s a fire that incinerates to Abaddon. It would uproot my entire harvest.
13 “If I’ve been unfair to my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me, 14 then what will I do when Elohim 'confronts me'? What will I answer when He judges me? 15 Didn’t the One who made me in the womb make them;? Didn’t He create us both in the womb.
16 “Have I denied the needs of the poor, or caused the 'hopes' of a widow to dim? 17 Have I eaten my food alone, without 'sharing any' with orphans? 18 No, from my youth I’ve cared for orphans like a father, and from my 'birth' I’ve helped widows. 19 I’ve never seen anyone dying for lack of clothes, or the needy with nothing to wear. 20 They’ve thanked me for providing wool clothing from my sheep.
21 “I have never 'cast a vote' against an orphan, because I saw that I had support in the city gate. 22 If I have, then may my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and may my forearm be broken at the elbow! 23 Disaster from Elohim terrifies me, and because of His majesty I can do nothing.
24 “I’ve never placed my trust in gold, or called pure gold my confidence, 25 I’ve never relished in my great wealth, or bragged about securing so much, 26 I’ve never considered worshiping the blazing sun, or the moon moving in splendor, 27 or been secretly enticed to throw kisses at them. 28 That too would have been a crime deserving punishment, because I would have denied the Elohim above.
29 “Did I rejoice at the destruction of my enemies. Was I delighted when disaster overtook them? 30 No, I never sinned by cursing anyone by asking for their life with a curse.
31 “Was there anyone in my tent who didn’t say, ‘Who is there who hasn’t been filled with his food?’ 32 No foreigner has camped in the street since I’ve opened my doors to travelers.
33 “I haven’t covered my sins like others by keeping my sin to 'myself'. 34 I never feared the crowd, of dreaded the contempt of the clans, so that I stayed quiet, and didn’t venture outside.
35 “If only I had someone to listen to me! Here is my signature! May the Conqueror answer me. May my accuser write my indictment! 36 Certainly I would carry it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. 37 I would give Him an account of my steps, and approach Him like a leader.
38 “If my land cries out against me, and its terraces weep together, 39 or if I’ve devoured its yield without payment in silver, or caused its owners to lose their lives, 40 then may briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Job’s commentary has ended.
1 So these three men finished answering Job because he was so self-righteous.
2 Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram was ignited against Job, because he considered himself more righteous than Elohim. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends because they hadn’t found a way to refute him and still condemned him. 4 Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing 'more to say', his anger burned. 6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
‘I’m much younger 'than you', so I held back, reluctant to express my opinion. 7 I thought, ‘Age should speak and advanced years should 'increase' wisdom.’ 8 But there is a spirit in mortal humanity [1], and the breath of the Conqueror gives them consciousness. 9 Advanced years may not assure wisdom, elders may not fathom justice. 10 So I say, “Listen to me, I’ll express my opinion.”
11 “I waited while you spoke, listening carefully to your arguments, while you fumbled for words!’ 12 I listened carefully to what you said, but not one of you have refuted Job; none of you have answered his arguments. 13 So don’t say, ’We’ve found wisdom. Elohim will deal with him, not a man,’ 14 He was arguing with you, not me, so I won’t reply to him with your arguments. 15 They are amazed and have nothing more to say; words have failed them. 16 Should I wait, now that they’re silent? They’re standing there with nothing to say. 17 No, I’ll say my piece, I’ll express my opinion. 18 I have so 'much to say' and the spirit within me compels me. 19 My belly is like unvented wine, like new wineskins ready to burst! 20 But I must speak to find relief. I simply must respond. 21 I won’t show partiality to anyone or flatter anyone. 22 If I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would remove me in an instant.
[1] There should be a simple and short definition to differentiate the human spirit from the conscience. I suggest that the human spirit is simply for the purpose of self preservation. This would include concern for offspring, but with little difference from the animals other than some bells and whistles, while Heart or conscience includes various degrees of concern for others: ‘others preservation”, as manifested by the last six Commandments.1 “However, Job, please pay attention to my words and listen to everything I say. 2 I’m ready to 'speak'! I won’t hold my tongue. 3 I’m speaking with virtue, sincerity and truth. 4 The spirit of Elohim [feminine] made me, and the breath of the Conqueror gives me Life. 5 Refute me if you can. Come before me and take a stand. 6 I belong to Elohim just like you do! I too was 'formed' from clay. 7 I won’t frighten you or terrify you. I won’t exert heavy pressure on you.
8 “Surely you’ve spoken in my hearing, I’ve listened to your words. 9 ‘I’m pure, without transgression; I’m innocent, free of guilt. 10 But He finds excuses to oppose me. He considers me His enemy. 11 He puts my feet in stocks. He surveils all of my paths.’
12 “But I tell you, you’re wrong about this since Elohim is greater than any mortal. 13 Why do you complain about Him. He doesn’t have to account for what He does. 14 Elohim will speak once or twice, yet no one pays attention. 15 In a dream, in a vision during the night when people fall into deep sleep, while they’re sleeping in their beds. 16 That’s when He opens people’s 'minds', and confirms their suspicions, 17 in order to turn people from their behavior and suppress their pride. 18 He keeps people out of the Pit, and their lives from being ending by a sword.
19 “They’re disciplined with pain in their beds, with endless aching in their bones 20 so that they abhor bread, and they loathe their favorite food. 21 Their flesh wastes away to nearly vanishing, and their bones, once unseen, now stick out. 22 They approach the pit, and their lives near the realm of the dead.
23 “But if a Messenger is mediating for them, one in a thousand, to remind a person what is right for them, 24 to show them favor and to plead, ‘Spare them from going down to the pit, I’ve found a ransom.’ 25 Then their flesh will be rejuvenated like a child’s. They’ll return to the days of their youthful vigor. 26 And when they pray to Elohim, and He finds favor with them, they’ll see His face and shout for joy. Then the person’s righteous reputation will be restored. 27 They will sing in front of other people, ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I didn’t get what I deserved. 28 He has redeemed me from going to the Pit. I’ll continue to see the light.’
29 “Elohim does all of this two or three times with people 30 to turn them back from the pit, so that they can be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be quiet, and let me speak. 32 Then if you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, because I want to exonerate you. 33 Otherwise, listen to me; remain quiet, and I’ll teach you wisdom.”
1 Elihu continued: 2 “'Listen' to me, you wise men. Those of you who have insight, listen to me. 3 ‘An ear tests words like a palate tastes food.’ 4 Let’s choose what is right. Let’s determine for ourselves what’s good; 5 For Job has said, ‘I’m innocent, but Elohim has deprived me of justice. 6 Tho I am right I’m considered a liar. My wound is incurable, tho I am without sin.’
7 “Is there anyone else like Job, who drinks insults like water, 8 who keeps company with criminals and associates with the wicked? 9 He says, ‘There is nothing to gain by trying to please Elohim.’
10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding, far be it from Elohim to do evil. The Conqueror can never do wrong. 11 He repays everyone for what they have done. He gives us what we deserve. 12 Elohim most certainly won’t do wrong, and the Conqueror will never pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him authority over the earth? Who put Him in charge of the entire world? 14 If He wanted to, He could withdraw His spirit and His breath, 15 every living thing would die together, and 'humanity' would return to the dust.
16 “But if you are wise, hear this and consider what I 'have to say'. 17 Could someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the righteous Mighty One? 18 He says to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked.’ 19 He shows no partiality to princes and doesn’t favor the rich over the poor, since they are all His handiwork. 20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night people shake as they pass away, and powerful people are taken away without human 'effort'.
21 “He keeps an eye on our ways; He sees their every step. 22 There is no deep dark place, dim enough for the wicked to hide themselves. 23 He doesn’t need an appointment before bringing them into judgment [Commentaries]! 24 He destroys courageous men without an investigation and replaces them with others. 25 He’s aware of their works, and He overthrows them at night, and they’re crushed. 26 He strikes them down because they’re so wicked everyone can see it. 27 They abandoned Him and had no regard for any of His ways. 28 They cause the poor to cry out to Him, and He hears the cry of the afflicted. 29 If He remains quiet, who can condemn Him? If He hides 'Himself', who can see Him? Yet He watches over individuals and nations alike, 30 to prevent profane men from reigning any longer [1] and ensnaring the people. 31 “Why don’t people say to Elohim, ‘I’m guilty, but I won’t sin any more. 32 'Show' me what I don’t see. If I’ve sinned, I won’t do it again..’
33 “Should He compensate on your terms, because you have rejected His? You must decide, not I! Tell me what you think.
34 Reasonable people will concede to me, along with the wise people who hear me that 35 Job is speaking out of ignorance, what he says doesn’t make sense!’ 36 Job should be tried to the limit for answering like a wicked man! 37 He adds rebellion to his list of sins. He 'insults' us 'openly' and magnifies his 'allegations' against Elohim.”
[1] Tho national sins enable the rise of vicious leadership to begin with.1 Then Elihu continued speaking:
2 “Do you think it is right to insist, ‘I’m more righteousness than Elohim’? 3 Yet you ask, ‘How does it benefit me? What good will it do me if I don’t sin?’?
4 “I’ll answer you, and all your friends, too. 5 Look up into the sky and contemplate the clouds high above you. 6 If you’ve sinned, what effect do you have on Him? And if you sin repeatedly, what have you done to Him? 7 If you are righteous, how does that benefit Him? What 'advantage' is that to Him? 8 Your wickedness affects others like you, and your righteousness affects other people.
9 “People cry out under heavy oppression; they plead for relief from the 'fist' of the mighty. 10 But no one asks, “Where are the Elohim my Makers [it’s plural], who give songs in the night. 11 Who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds in the air?’ 12 And when they cry out He doesn’t answer because of the arrogance of the wicked. 13 Elohim certainly doesn’t respond to deceitful cries, and the Conqueror pays no attention to them. 14 How much less when you say you don’t see Him, your case is awaiting Him, and you’re waiting for Him! 15 But now because He hasn’t visited in anger and isn’t punishing anyone and He isn’t even paying attention to wickedness, 16 Job keeps opening his mouth talking nonsense, piling up ignorant statements.”
1 Then Elihu continued:
2 “Bear with me a little, and I’ll show you, because I still have something to say on Elohim’s behalf. 3 I’ll retrieve knowledge from afar, and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 Be assured that my words are not false, and the One who has perfect knowledge is with you.
5 “Elohim is mighty, but He doesn’t despise anyone; He is mighty in strength and mind. 6 He doesn’t keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the afflicted. 7 He doesn’t take His eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. 8 And if people are bound in chains and held by cords of affliction, 9 then He tells them what they’ve done, their transgressions, and that they’ve been arrogant. 10 He also opens their 'minds' to instruction, and commands that they repent of their evil.
11 If they listen and serve Him, they will spend their days in prosperity and their years will be pleasant. 12 But if they don’t listen, they’ll die a violent death, they will die in ignorance. 13 “But the profane hoard anger. They refuse to cry out to Him for help even when He 'afflicts' them. 14 They die young. They perish among the unclean. 15 He rescues the oppressed by their affliction, and opens their 'minds' thru oppression.
16 “He lured you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and unconfined place, and your table was covered with choice foods. 17 But you are overly concerned with the judgment due the wicked. Judgment will be served. 18 Don’t let wealth entice you to fury; don’t let a large bribe lead you astray. 19 Will your wealth protect you when you’re in distress, or the full force of your fortitude? 20 Don’t long for night, when people 'disappear' from their 'homes'. 21 Be careful not to turn to evil, because you’ve preferred it to affliction.
22 “Look, Elohim is all-powerful. Is there another teacher like Him? 23 Who can tell Him where to go? Or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? 24 Remember that you should esteem His work that people have praised in song. 25 All humanity has seen it. People have looked at it from a distance.
26 “Elohim is so great that He is beyond our comprehension. The number of His years is unfathomable. 27 He cases water to evaporate, then it turns into raindrops 28 that the clouds pour down. And abundant showers fall on humanity. 29 Can anyone understand how the clouds spread or the thunder blasts from His sukkah [temporary shelter]? 30 He spreads His lightning around Him, and it covers [pierces] the depths of the sea! 31 He judges the nations with these and He provides food in abundance. 32 He completely covers His hands with lightning bolts and commands each to strike its mark. 33 His thunder announces what’s coming. Even the livestock reveal the storm’s/ approach.
1 “At this my heart pounds and jumps out of place. 2 Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling leaving His mouth. 3 He unleashes His lightning across the entire sky to the ends of the 'horizon'. 4 Then comes the sound of majestic thunder, the voice of His majesty. When His voice resounds, He holds nothing back. 5 Elohim’s voice thunders extraordinarily. He does amazing things that we can’t even comprehend.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the land,’ and He says to the rain, ‘Be a heavy rainstorm.’ 7 He 'stops' the 'activities' of everyone, so that everyone will know His work. 8 Then the beasts take cover in their lairs and remain in their dens. 9 The windstorm comes from its chamber, with cold from the north. 10 Ice is formed by Elohim’s breath, and wide expanses of water are frozen. 11 He loads the clouds with moisture and scatters His lightning thru them. 12 He coordinates the circuit of the clouds over the entire earth. 13 Whether these things are for correction or to benefit His world, He makes it happen.
14 “Listen to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonders of Elohim. 15 Do you know how Elohim controls the clouds, and causes the lightning from His cloud to flash? 16 Do you comprehend the strata of the clouds, the miracles of the One who knows everything, 17 You whose garments are torrid when the land seems stationary under the south wind. 18 Can you help Him stretch out the sky, so that it’s as strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 “Tell us what we should say to Him; because we can’t prepare our case due to darkness. 20 Should He be told that I want to speak—would anyone say they want to be destroyed? 21 “People can’t look at the 'sun', bright as it is in the skies, after the wind clears away the clouds. 22 gold splendor comes out of the north [1]. Elohim is surrounded by dazzling splendor. 23 We can’t reach the Conqueror. His power is immense. He never oppresses justice and abundant righteousness, 24 That’s why people revere Him. He has no 'use' for anyone who thinks they’re wise.”
[1] “Elihu means to say that a bright, dazzling light was [will be] seen in the northern sky like burnished gold, which was a fit symbol of the approaching Deity. This idea is hinted at in the Septuagint, but it has not seemed to occur to expositors.” HEAVEN IN THE NORTH, Psalm 48:1-2, Ezekiel 1:1,4-5.1 Then Yehovah answered Job out of a whirlwind:
2 “Who is this 'suppressing' 'reason' with ignorant chatter? 3 'Brace' yourself like a man, because I’ll question you and you will respond to Me!
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you know. 5 Who determined its dimensions? Surely you know. Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all of Elohim’s sons shouted for joy?
8 “Who closed the flood gates as the sea burst from the womb, 9 when I clothed it with clouds and made dense clouds it’s diapers? 10 I decreed boundaries for the sea, and placed its doors and bars. 11 I said, ‘You can come this far, but no farther. Your proud waves will stop here!’
12 “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning to appear, causing the dawn to know its 'course' 13 so that it could grab the 'remotest parts' of the earth and shake the wicked out of it? 14 It’s changed like clay pressed under the seal, and its features stand out like folds of a garment. 15 Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered the nautical channels? Or have you walked in the recesses of the 'ocean'? 17 Have you seen the gates of death? Or have you seen the gateways of the shadow of death? 18 Have you 'surveyed' the dimensions of the earth? Tell me if you understand all these things.
19 “What is the pathway to the source of light? And where does darkness go? 20 Can you return them to their territory, do you know the paths to their homes? 21 Surely you know because you were 'alive' then. You have lived so many 'years'!
22 “Have you been in the snow’s storehouses, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail 23 that I’ve reserved for the time of trouble, for 'times' of war and battle? 24 Where is lightning dispersed from, and the source of the east wind that blows over the land?
25 “Who cuts channels for the torrential rain, or pathways for the thunderbolts 26 bringing rain on uninhabited lands, and deserts where no one lives, 27 to saturate the desolate wastelands and cause grass to sprout?
28 Does the rain have a father? And who fathers the dewdrops? 29 From whose womb does ice come from? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? 30 Water becomes hard as stone when the surface of the 'ocean' is frozen.
31 “Can you link the chains of the Pleiades or loosen Orion’s belt? 32 Can you guide the constellations thru the seasons or lead the Bear with her cubs? 33 Do you understand the laws of the universe? Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you 'command' the clouds and have a flood of water cover you? 35 Can you send out lightning bolts and have them come and say to you, ‘Here we are?’ 36 Who put wisdom in the innermost being or gave understanding to the mind? 37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds or tip over the water jars of the heavens 38 so that when the dust solidifies the clods of dirt fuse?
39 “Can you hunt prey for a lioness or satisfy the appetites of young lions 40 as they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in their lairs? 41 Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry to Elohim, and wander around without food?
1 “Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you seen a doe bearing her fawns? 2 Can you count the months till they bear? Do you know when they give birth? 3 They crouch down and give birth to their young; ending their labor pains. 4 Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open fields, then they leave and never return.
5 “Who sets the wild donkeys free? And who untied the bonds of the swift donkeys? 6 I gave them the wilderness for a home and the salt flats as their habitat. 7 They scorn the commotion of the city and never hear the shouting of a driver. 8 They roam the mountains for pasture, searching for anything green.
9 “Will a monoclonius [?] be content to serve you? Would it spend the night by your feeding trough? 10 Can you hold a monoclonius on a terrace with its harness? Or will it harrow the valley behind you? 11 Would you trust it because of it’s great strength? Would you leave it to do your heavy work? 12 Can you trust it to haul your grain and take it to your threshing floor?
13 “The wings of an ostrich flap joyfully, but they don’t compare to the wings and feathers of a stork. 14 She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them be warmed in the sand, 15 and forget that a foot could crush them or that a wild animal could trample them. 16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers, with no concern that her labor could be in vain, 17 because Elohim hasn’t endowed her with wisdom or given her a share of understanding. 18 When she gets up to flee, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
19 “Can you give strength to a horse? Have you clothed its neck with a 'flowing' mane? 20 Can you make it leap like a locust. Its proud snorting strikes terror. 21 It paws in the valley, and finds joy in its power; it charges into an armed conflict. 22 It laughs at fear, and is afraid of nothing; it is undeterred by swords. 23 A quiver rattles against it, as well as a flashing spear and a javelin. 24 With shaking and rage it charges over the ground, it never stands still at the sound of a trumpet. 25 Whenever a trumpet sounds it snorts, “Aha!’ It smells the battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the war cries.
26 “Is it by your understanding that a hawk soars, and spreads its wings toward the south? 27 Is it at your 'command' that an eagle soars, and builds its nest so high? 28 It lives on a cliff, lodged on a rocky crag, an inaccessible stronghold. 29 From there it searches for game. It eyes it from afar. 30 Its young ones feast on blood. It’s found wherever there are dead bodies.”
1 Yehovah answered Job,
2 “Will a faultfinder contend with the Conqueror? The person who argues with Elohim should answer Him.”
3 Then Job answered Yehovah, 4 “I’m so insignificant. How could I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. 5 I’ve spoken once, but I can’t answer; twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then Yehovah responded to Job out of the whirlwind,
7 “Now brace yourself like a man. I’ll question you and you instruct Me.
8 Would you really challenge My judgment? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself? 9 Do you have an arm like Elohim’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His? 10 Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, and clothe yourself with honor and splendor. 11 Unleash your raging anger; look at everyone who is proud and bring them down. 12 Look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble them. Trample the wicked where they stand. 13 Hide them all in the dust together and cover their faces in the 'grave'. 14 Then I’ll admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 “Look at the Brachiosaurus * [Behemoth] that I made as well as you. It eats grass like a bull. 16 Look at its powerful thighs, and the power in his stomach muscles. 17 It sways his tail like a cedar. The tendons of his thighs are intertwined. 18 His bones are bronze tubes; his limbs are like iron bars. 19 It is the foremost of Elohim’s works. Only his Maker can approach it with a sword. 20 The mountains yield food for it, while all the wild animals play nearby. 21 It lies under the lotus plants, lurking among the reeds in the marsh. 22 The lotus plants conceal it in their shade; the willows by the brook surround it. 23 If a river overflows, it is not alarmed. It is confident, even when the Jordan River surges up to his mouth. 24 Can anyone capture it while it looks on, or pierce thru his nose with barbs?
1 “Can you catch Leviathan [plesiosaurus?] * with a fishhook or tie his tongue down with a rope? 2 Can you put a rope thru his nose or pierce his jaw thru with a hook? 3 Will he repeatedly beg you for mercy or speak to you with tender words? 4 Will he make an alliance with you? Will you capture him as a permanent slave? 5 Will you play with him like a bird? Or will you 'leash' him for your girls? 6 Will traders barter for him or divide him up among the merchants? 7 Can you pepper his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears or 8 lay a hand on him. Remember the battle, and you’ll never do it again! 9 Any such expectations will fail. You might be overwhelmed at just the sight of him! 10 “No one is gallant enough to provoke him. So who then is able to stand against Me? [1] 11 Who has first given to Me, that I must reimburse? Everything under heaven belongs to Me.
12 “I won’t fail to mention his limbs, his power and his sleek form. 13 Who can skin his hide? Who can penetrate his double layer of 'armor'? 14 Who can open his 'jaws', ringed with terrifying teeth. 15 He’s proud of his rows of shields [scales] closely interlaced. 16 Each is so close to the next that there is no air space between them. 17 Each is joined to the other. They’re so closely connected that they can’t be separated.
18 When he sneezes there is a flash of light. His eyes [lit: eyelids] are like the rays of dawn. 19 Flaming torches shoot from his mouth. Sparks of fire go flying. 20 Smoke streams from his nostrils like a boiling pot over burning rushes. 21 His breath ignites coals, and flames shoot from his mouth.
22 Strength resides in his neck, and terror dances before him. 23 The folds of his flesh are joined together firmly and immovable. 24 His 'chest' is as hard as a rock, as solid as a lower millstone. 25 When he rises, the mighty are terrified; they flee because of his thrashing. 26 Any sword that reaches him is ineffective, as is a spear, a dart or a javelin. 27 To him iron is like straw, and bronze like rotten wood. 28 Arrows can’t make him flee; sling stones are like chaff to him. 29 He considers clubs like straws. He laughs at the rattling of a javelin. 30 His underside is like shards of broken pottery, leaving a path in the mud like a threshing sledge.
31 He makes deep water boil like a caldron. He makes the sea foam like a pot of ointment. 32 He leaves a glistening wake behind him so that the sea appears to have gray hair. 33 There is nothing like him on earth—a creature without fear. 34 He looks down on everything that is high. He is king of everyone who is arrogant.”
[1] There is no weapon on earth that can destroy Leviathan; but what is he? The last two verses of this chapter hold the critical answer. But there is Someone who can destroy him: Psalm 74:12-14. The weapon and timing: Isaiah 27:1. See “Will Satan Die?”1 Then Job answered Yehovah,
2 I know that You can do anything, and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, “Who is this ignoramus challenging My judgment?’ I’ve certainly spoken rashly about things I didn’t understand, wonders beyond my comprehension. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I’ll speak, I’ll question you, and you will answer Me.’ 5 I had heard of You by hearsay, but now I’ve seen You with my own eyes. 6 So I abhor myself and I repent in dust and ashes.
7 So after Yehovah had finished speaking to Job, Yehovah told Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you haven’t spoken the truth about Me the way My servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering, and My servant Job will pray for you, because I’ll accept him, so as not to treat you according to your foolishness. Because you haven’t spoken the truth about Me the way My servant Job has. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what Yehovah commanded them, and Yehovah accepted Job.
10 Yehovah restored Job’s prosperity when he prayed for his friends. Yehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers, sisters and former acquaintances came to him, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him and consoled him concerning all the adversities that Yehovah had brought on him, and each of them gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
12 So Yehovah blessed the latter part of Job’s life even more than the first part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of bulls and a thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren Happuch. 15 No women in all the land were as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
16 After this Job lived 140 years. He saw his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died, an old man who had lived many years.
1 Solomon’s Song of Songs.
The Bride
2 May he kiss me 'on the' mouth, because your loves [plural for intensity] are 'more delightful' than wine. 3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is like essential oil poured out, so the virgins love you. 4 Take me with you. Let’s run away together. The king has brought me into his bedroom.
We will be glad and delight in you. We will praise your love more than wine! They are right to love you.
5 I’m dark but lovely, you maidens of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like Solomon’s curtains. 6 Don’t stare at me because I’m so dark, because the sun has tanned me. My own 'brothers' were angry with me, but I haven’t taken care of my own vineyard.
7 Tell me, my love, where do you graze your flock, where do you rest them at noon? Why should I wander like a veiled 'prostitute wandering' among your friends and their flocks?
Solomon her Lover
8 If you don’t know, most beautiful of women, follow the trail of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.
9 I’ve compared you, my love, to my mare among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. 10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels. 11 We’ll make gold jewelry for you with silver beads.
The Bride
12 While the king was lying on his couch, my perfume diffused its fragrance. 13 My lover is like a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts. 14 My beloved is 'like' a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.
The Bridegroom
15 How beautiful you are, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
The Bride
16 How handsome you are, my love, and so pleasing. The verdant grass is our bed. 17 The beams of our houses are cedar; our rafters are cypress.
1 I’m a rose from Sharon, a lily from the valley.
The Bridegroom
2 My love is like a lily among thorns among the maidens.
The Bride
3 Like an apple tree among the trees in the forest is my lover among the 'young men'. I took great delight sitting in his shade, and tasting his delicious fruit.4 He escorted me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me was love. 5 Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, because I’m weak from love. 6 His left 'arm' is under my head, his right hand embraces me.
The Bridegroom
7 Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem by the gazelles or by the does in the fields, that you won’t stir up or awaken my love until the 'right time'.
8 I hear the voice of my lover! Look, here he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9, My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing thru the windows, glancing thru the lattice.
10 My lover said to me, “Get up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away with me. 11 The winter is past. The rain is over and gone. 12 Flowers are appearing thruout the land, the time has arrived for pruning. The cooing of mourning doves is heard in our land. 13 Fig trees are putting out early figs. The grapevines have blossomed, giving off their fragrance. Get up, darling, my beautiful one, come with me.
The Bridegroom
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hidden places among the steep pathways, let me see your form. Let me hear your voice, because your voice is sweet, and your form is lovely.
The Chorus
15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.The Bride
16 My lover is mine, and I’m his. He grazes his flock among the lilies. 17 Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, turn around, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged hills.
1 Night after night on my bed I looked for the one I love. I 'watched' for him, but he didn’t come. 2 I’ll get up now and roam around the city. I’ll search the streets and plazas for the one I love. So I searched for him, but I didn’t find him. 3 The watchmen who patrol the city found me, and I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?” 4 I had just left them when I found the one I love. I held him and wouldn’t let him go until I brought him into my mother’s house, into the room of the one who conceived me.
The Bridegroom
5 I adjure you maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does in the fields, that you not arouse or awaken my love 'until the right time'.
6 Who is this coming up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense made from all the fragrant spices from the merchants? 7 Look, it’s Solomon’s carriage, with sixty elite Israelite soldiers surrounding it. 8 All of them are skilled swordsmen, experienced in combat. Each wears a sword on his thigh, guarding against the terrors of the night. 9 King Solomon made his carriage with wood imported from Lebanon. 10 He made it with silver posts, its back of gold, its seat of purple fabric, with its interior lovingly inlaid by the maidens of Jerusalem. 11 Come out, young maidens of Zion and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown that his mother crowned him with on his wedding day, his day of 'joyful delight.
The Bridegroom
1 How beautiful you are, my darling. You are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats descending down Mount Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes coming up from being washed, every one with twins, not one has lost her young. 3 Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon. Your mouth is lovely. Behind your veil, your 'cheeks' are like a slices of pomegranate. 4 Your neck is like David’s tower, built with rows of stones. A thousand round shields are hung there, all of them shields of warriors. 5 Your breasts are like two fawns, like twins of a gazelle grazing among the lilies. 6 Until the dawn breezes blow and the shadows flee away, I’ll make my way to the mountains of myrrh, to the hills of frankincense. 7 You are absolutely beautiful, my darling; there’s not a blemish on you.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride. Descend from the crest of Amana, from the peaks of Mount Senir and Mount Hermon, from the dens of lions, from the mountain lairs of leopards.
9 You’ve made my heart beat faster, my [half] sister [Genesis 20:12], my bride. You’ve made my heart beat faster with a single glance from your eyes, with a single strand of your necklace. 10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and your fragrant oils than any spice! 11 Your lips drip honey, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
12 My bride, my sister is a 'private' garden, an enclosed spring, a sealed fountain. 13 Your weapons are a paradise of pomegranates with luscious fruit, henna with nard, 14 nard and saffron, calamus and Ceylon cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, myrrh and aloes, and all the finest spices. 15 You’re a garden spring, a well of living water streaming down from Lebanon’s mountains.
The Bride
16 Awake, north wind, and come south wind! Blow on my garden and 'diffuse' the fragrance of its spices. My lover should come into his garden and eat its precious fruits.
1 I’ve come into my garden, my [half] sister, my bride. I’ve gathered my myrrh and my spices, I’ve eaten my honeycomb with my honey, I’ve drunk my wine and my milk.
The Young Women
Eat, friends! Drink and become intoxicated with love!
The Bride
2 I was asleep but my mind was awake. A sound! My love is knocking! “Open to me, my [half] sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with droplets of the night.”
3 She replied “I’ve taken off my clothes—must I put them on again? I’ve washed my feet—why should I get them dirty?
4 My lover put his hand thru a door opening, and my 'feelings' were stirred for him. 5 I got up to open for my lover. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers dripped with liquid myrrh as I pulled back the handles of the bolt. 6 I opened to my lover, but my love had already turned and gone away. I kept thinking of what he had said. I looked for him, but I couldn’t find him. I called to him, but he didn’t answer. 7 The watchmen who 'patrol' the city found me and beat me. They bruised me. Those guardsmen of the walls stripped off my veil.
8 Maidens of Jerusalem, swear to me, if you find my lover, you must tell him that I’m lovesick.
The Young Women
9 How is your lover better than others, you fairest among women? How is your lover better than others? 'Why should we' swear this?
The Bride
10 My lover is radiant and ruddy; he stands out among ten thousand! 11 His head is like the purest gold. His hair is wavy, black as a raven. 12 His eyes are like doves beside streams of water, washed with milk, mounted like jewels. 13 His cheeks are like beds of spices giving off perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh. 14 His hands are like gold rings set with beryl. His body is like ivory work overlaid with lapis lazuli [“sapphire”]. 15 His legs are alabaster columns set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars. 16 His mouth is sweetness; he is altogether desirable. This is my lover, and this is my friend, maidens of Jerusalem.
The Young Women
1 Where did your lover go, most beautiful of women? Which way did your lover turn, so we can help you find him?
The Bride
2 My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to graze his flock in the gardens and gather lilies. 3 I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He grazes his flock among the lilies,
4 You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my love, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as the 'glistening' ones. 5 Look away from me, because they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of ewes coming up from being washed, and every one with twins, not one has lost her young. 7 Your 'cheeks' are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.
8 There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and maidens without number, 9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique. She is her mother’s only daughter. She is the favorite 'child' of the one who gave birth to her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed. Queens and concubines saw her and praised her. 10 Who is this shining like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, clear as the sun, as majestic as the 'glistening' ones.
11 I went down to the walnut grove to see the blossoms in the valley, to see if the grapevines had budded and if the pomegranates were in bloom.
12 Without realizing it, my desire set me among the royal chariots of my noble people.
The Young Women
13 Come back! Come back, Shulammite! Come back! Come back, so that we can gaze at you.
The Bridegroom
Why are you gazing at the Shulammite, as if watching line dancers?
1 Your feet are beautiful in sandals, prince’s daughter! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, like the work of an artist’s hands. 2 Your navel is like a round goble that never lacks spiced wine. Your belly is like a shock of wheat surrounded by lilies. 3 Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. 4 Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon beside the gate of Bathrabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus. 5 Your head is crowned like Mount Carmel, and your flowing hair is like royal purple cloth. The king is captivated by your tresses. 6 How beautiful you are and how delightful, my love, with your exquisite delights. 7 Your stature is like a palm tree, your breasts like its clusters. 8 I said, “I’ll climb the palm tree. I’ll cling to its fruit. May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine, and the fragrance of your breath like apples.
9 Your 'kisses' are like the best wine!Bride
May 'the wine' flow down smoothly for my lover, flowing gently thru lips and teeth. 10 I belong to my lover and his desire is for me. 11 Come, my love, let’s go out into the countryside. Let’s spend the night among the henna blossoms. 12 Let’s get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the grapevines have budded, and their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom. There I’ll give you my love. 13 The mandrakes have given off their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I’ve saved for you, my lover.
1 O that you were thought of as my brother, who nursed at my mother’s breasts. Then if I found you in 'public' and kissed you, no one would look down on me. 2 I would bring you to my 'childhood' home, where my mother used to teach me. There I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice from my pomegranates. 3 May 'your' left hand be under my head and 'your' right hand embrace me.
4 Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, that you won’t arouse or awaken my love until the time is right.
The Young Women
5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her lover?
The Bride
Beneath the apple tree I awakened you, where your mother conceived you. There she went into labor and gave birth to you!
6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, because love is as strong as death, passion is as cruel as sheol. 'Love' flashes like fire, the very flame of Yehovah. 7 Great quantities of water can’t quench love, rivers can’t drown it. If someone were to give all their family’s wealth for love, it would be utterly despised.
The Young Woman’s Brothers
8 We have a little [half] sister, and she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister if someone asks to 'marry' her? 9 If she’s a virgin, like a wall, we’ll protect her with a silver 'shield'. But if she’s a door, we’ll barricade her with cedar planks.
The Bride
10 I am a virgin, like a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Just looking at me brings him peace.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to tennants. Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
To Solomon
12 My vineyard is mine 'alone'. The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, with two hundred for those who tend the fruit.
The Bridegroom
13 'Young woman' lingering in the gardens, my friends are listening for your voice. I want to hear it too!
The Bride
14 Hurry, my lover! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
1 In the days when the judges were governing, there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah went to stay in the country of Moab for a while with his wife and his two sons. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went to the land of Moab and lived there.
3 Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women. One son married a woman named Orpah and the other a woman named Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was left without her two children and her husband.
6 So she 'prepared to leave' the country of Moab with her daughters-in-law because she had heard in the country of Moab how Yehovah had come to the aid of His people by providing them food. 7 She left the place where she had been living, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, and traveled along the road leading back to the land of Judah.
8 But Naomi told her two daughters-in-law, “You should both go back to her mother’s house. May Yehovah deal kindly with you just as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 May Yehovah give you 'security', each of you in the house of her husband!.” Then she kissed them, and they began to cry out loud.
10 They told her, “No, we’ll return with you to your people.” 11 Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters. Go on, because I’m too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons, 13 would you wait until they were grown? Would you remain unmarried? No, my daughters. My bitterness is much worse than yours, because Yehovah’s 'fist' has turned against me.”
14 At this they wept aloud again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Then she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Follow your sister-in-law.”
16 Ruth said, “Don’t encourage me to leave you or turn back from following you, because wherever you go, I’ll go, and wherever you live, I’ll live, your people will be my people, and your Elohim my Elohim. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Yehovah do to me, and worse, if anything but death separates you and me. 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said nothing more to her.
19 So both of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was excited about them, and the women asked, “Is this Naomi?”
20 She told them, “Don’t call me Naomi [Sweet]. Call me Mara [Bitter], because the Conqueror has made my life very bitter. 21 I left here full, but Yehovah has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since Yehovah has witnessed against me and the Conqueror has afflicted me?”
22 So Naomi returned with Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the territory of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a prominent man from the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go into the field and glean ears of grain behind anyone who will be kind to me.
She said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she went and gleaned in the field behind the reapers. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family.
4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the reapers. “May Yehovah be with you!” he said.
They replied, “May Yehovah bless you.”
5 Then Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”
6 The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the land of Moab. 7 She said, “Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued working from dawn until now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go glean in another field, and don’t go anywhere else, but stay here close to my women servants. 9 Keep an eye on which field they’re harvesting, and follow them. I’ve ordered the young men not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants drew.”
10 Then she bowed facedown to the ground, and replied to him, “ Why have I found favor in your sight that you even notice me, since I’m a foreigner?”
11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told about everything you’ve done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I’ve heard how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and came to live here among complete strangers. 12 May Yehovah reward your work, and may you be richly rewarded by Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, under whose wings you’ve come for refuge.
13 Then she said, “I’ve found favor in your sight, my master, because you’ve comforted me, and because you’ve spoken kindly to your maidservant, tho I’m not 'even' one of your maidservants.
14 At meal time Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Eat some bread and dip your bread in the wine vinegar. She sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over.
15 When she got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her glean among the sheaves, and don’t humiliate her. 16 Even pull some out of the bundles for her to glean, and don’t give her a hard time!”
17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah [1] of barley. 18 She picked it up and went back into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. 'Ruth' took out what she had left over and gave it to her after she had eaten her meal.
19 Her mother-in-law asked to her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? May the man who took notice of you be blessed.”
So she told her mother-in-law who she had worked with and said, “The man’s name that I worked with today is Boaz.”
20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May Yehovah bless him. He hasn’t stopped being kind to the living and to the dead. Then Naomi told her, “The man is a 'relative' of ours, one of our family redeemers.”
21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me that I should stay close to my servants until they’ve finished the entire harvest.
22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter that you go with the women who work for him. In any other field you might be harmed.”
23 So she stayed close to the women in Boaz’s fields gleaning until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
[1] About 26 quarts or 22 liters1 Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I seek 'security' for you so that you’ll be better off? 2 Now isn’t Boaz our relative, and haven’t you been working with his maids? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 So wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed and go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you’re there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, you should notice the place where he is lying, then go and uncover his feet and lie down, then he’ll tell you what to do.
5 Ruth told her, “I’ll do whatever you say.”
6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did exactly as her mother-in-law had instructed her.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good 'spirits', he went to lie down at the end of the stack of grain; and she came quietly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled him. When he turned over, there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 He asked, “Who are you?” She answered,
“I’m Ruth your maid. So spread your garment over your maid, for you are a family redeemer.”
10 He said, “May you be blessed by Yehovah, my daughter. You’ve shown your last kindness better than the first by not pursuing younger men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you whatever you say, since all the people in town know that you are a woman of fortitude. 12 Now it’s true that I’m a redeemer of our family, but there is someone who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here tonight. In the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good, let him redeem you. But if he doesn’t want to redeem you, as Yehovah lives, I will. Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning but got up before anyone could recognize another; and he said [to those nearby], “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Then 'Boaz' told 'Ruth', “Bring the shawl you’re wearing and hold it out.” She held it, and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her, and he [most Heb. mss] went back into town.
16 When 'Ruth' returned to her mother-in-law, 'Naomi' asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Ruth told her everything that 'Boaz' had done for her. 17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens, because he won’t rest until he has settled this matter today.”
1 Then Boaz went up to the city gate and sat down. Soon the family redeemer Boaz had mentioned came by, and he asked him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” So he came over and sat down. 2 Then 'Boaz' took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here. So they sat down. 3 Then 'Boaz' said to the family redeemer, “Naomi has returned from the country of Moab, and is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our 'relative' Elimelech. 4 So I thought I should bring the matter to your attention. Buy it in the presence of these men sitting here and before the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, redeem it, but if not, then let me know. There is no one to redeem it other than you, and I’m next in line after you.”
He said, “I’ll redeem it.”
5 Then Boaz added, “When you buy the field from Naomi, you must marry Ruth, the Moabite widow of the deceased, in order to maintain the name of the deceased with his property.”
6 Then the redeemer replied, “I can’t redeem it for myself, because I would endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself, because I can’t redeem it.”
7 This was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of property to finalize any matter: a man took off his sandal and gave to the other party. This was the method of validating transactions in Israel. 8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he took off his sandal.
9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I’ve bought 'from' Naomi everything that had belonged to Elimelech, and everything that had belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. 10 I am also taking Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to perpetuate the deceased man’s name on his property, so that his family name won’t be lost from his relatives or from the 'court' of his birth place. You are witnesses today.”
11 All the people at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May Yehovah make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, the two who built the 'nation' of Israel. May you achieve success in Ephrathah and be honorably mentioned in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, who Tamar gave birth to for Judah, thru the 'offspring' that Yehovah will give you by this young woman.
13 So Boaz took Ruth home, and she became his wife. He was intimate with her, and Yehovah enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women told Naomi, “Blessed be Yehovah, who hasn’t left you today without a family redeemer, and may 'the child’s' name be famous in Israel. 15 He’ll renew your life and support you in your old age, because your daughter-in-law who loves you and is better for you than seven sons has given him birth.”
16 Naomi took the child, and laid him on her lap, and took care of him. 17 The women in the neighborhood said, “A son has been born to Naomi.” And they named him Obed. He became Jesse’s father and David’s grandfather.
18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez, Perez was the father of Hezron. 19 Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab. 20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 21 Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed. 22 Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.
1 'Jerusalem', once so full of people now lies deserted! She who was once great among the nations has become like a widow! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave.
2 She sobs bitterly thru the night with tears running down her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All of her friends have betrayed her and they have become her enemies.
3 Judah has gone into captivity under affliction, and under 'harsh' servitude. She exists among the nations, but finds no resting place. All her pursuers have chased her down amid narrow 'passes'.
4 The roads to Zion are in mourning because no one comes to the appointed feasts. All of her gates are 'deserted'; her priests are groaning. Her virgins are suffering, and she is in bitter anguish.
5 Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper, because Yehovah has punished Jerusalem for her many sins. Her children have gone into exile as captive before the adversary.
6 All the majesty has left the maiden Zion, her leaders have become like deer that can’t find pasture. They have fled exhausted ahead of the hunters.
7 During the days of her affliction and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all the good things from the old days. But her people fell into the grasp of the adversary, and there is no one to help her. The adversaries saw her and laughed at her downfall.
8 Jerusalem has sinned so much that she has become an unclean thing. Everyone who used to honor her despises her, because they’ve seen her nakedness. Even she herself groans and turns away.
9 Her uncleanness 'stained' her skirts and gave no thought to her future. Her fall was astonishing. She has no one to comfort her. “Yehovah see my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed.”
10 The adversary laid his hands on all her precious treasures. 'Jerusalem' has seen the nations enter her 'Cherished' Place—those You had forbidden to enter Your assembly.
11 All her people groan as they search for bread; they barter their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. “O Yehovah, look and see how despised I am!”
12 Doesn’t this affect everyone who passes by? Look around and see if there is any suffering like mine that Yehovah caused me on the day of His fierce anger.
13 “From high above He sent fire into my bones. He made it descend; He has turned me back. He left me devastated, sick all day long.
14 “My transgressions were bound into a yoke. They were woven together. They were tied around my neck. He has made my strength to fail. Yehovah has handed me over to people I’m unable to withstand.
15 “Yehovah has rejected all the warriors with me. He set an appointment to crush my young men. Yehovah has trampled the virgin maiden of Judah in a wine press.
16 “I’m crying because of all these things, and my eyes are overflowing with tears. There is no one nearby to comfort me. My children are devastated because the enemy has prevailed.”
17 Zion reaches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. Yehovah has said in regard to Jacob that his neighbors should be his adversaries. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.
18 “Yehovah is right, but I’ve rebelled against His word. Please listen everyone, and see my suffering, my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity.
19 “'Jerusalem' called to her lovers, but they betrayed me. My priests and my elders 'starved' to death in the city as they searched for food to save themselves.
20 “Yehovah, see how distressed I am! My 'spirit' is troubled. My 'head' is 'spinning' because I’ve been so rebellious. Swords are killing outside; inside the houses there is only death.
21 “They’ve heard that I sigh. There is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my disaster. They are happy that You did it. O that You would bring about the day that You announced, so 'my adversaries' will become like me.
22 “May all their wickedness come before You. Do to them what you’ve done to me because transgressions are many. I am constantly groaning—I’ve lost all 'hope'!”
1 How Yehovah has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He has hurled the splendor of Israel from heaven to the 'ground'. He hasn’t remembered His footstool in the day of His anger.
2 Yehovah has swallowed up all the homes of Jacob without pity. In His wrath He has thrown down the strongholds of the daughter of Judah. He has brought them down to the ground. He has debased the kingdom and its princes.
3 In fierce anger He has cut off anger every horn [power] of Israel. He has withdrawn His right hand in the presence of the enemy. He has burned against Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything.
4 He has bent His bow like an enemy. He has stood with His right hand like an adversary, and has killed all who were pleasant to the eye. In the tent of the maiden Zion He has poured out His wrath like fire.
5 Yehovah has become like an enemy, He has swallowed up Israel, He has swallowed up all its 'palaces', He has destroyed its strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Maiden Judah.
6 He has violently broken down His 'Temple' like a garden booth. He has destroyed His place of assembly, Yehovah has caused the solemn assemblies and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion. He has despised kings and priests in His fierce anger.
7 Yehovah has rejected His altar, He has abandoned His 'Cherished' Place. He has handed the enemy the walls of her palaces. They’ve made a noise in the house of Yehovah as tho it were an appointed Feast.
8 Yehovah determined to destroy the wall of the maiden Zion. He stretched out the line, He hasn’t withdrawn His hand from destroying, He caused the ramparts and the walls to lament; together they wasted away.
9 'Zion’s' gates have sunk into the ground. He has destroyed and broken her bars. Her king and her leaders are exiled among the nations; the Torah is no longer taught. Her prophets receive no visions from Yehovah.
10 The elders of the maiden Zion sit on the ground in silence. They’ve thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The virgins of Jerusalem bow their heads to the ground.
11 My eyes are worn out from crying, my heart is troubled, my bile is gushing out on the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. The young children and the infants are fainting in the streets of the city.
12 They’re asking their mothers for some bread and wine as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives ebb away in their mothers’ 'arms'.
13 What can I say on your behalf? What can I compare you to, maiden Jerusalem? What could I equate you with as I comfort you, virgin maiden Zion? Because your breach is as wide as the sea. Who can heal you?
14 The visions your prophets have seen were false and foolish. They haven’t exposed your guilt to prevent your captivity. They presented to you false revelations [not oracles] and deceptions.
15 Everyone who passes by claps their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head at the maiden Jerusalem: “Is this the city that men called ‘The perfection of beauty, the joy of the entire earth’?’
16 All your enemies have opened their mouths wide against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, they say, “We have swallowed her up. Surely this is the day we waited for! We have reached it, we have seen it.”
17 Yehovah has done what He planned. He has fulfilled the decree that He announced long ago. He has demolished without pity. He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you, He has exalted the 'power' of your enemies.
18 Cry aloud before Yehovah, O wall of the maiden Zion, may tears flow like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief and your eyes no rest.
19 Get up, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your hearts like water before the face of Yehovah. Lift your hands toward Him for the lives of your young children who are fainting from hunger on every street corner.
20 Yehovah look and see to who You’ve done this to! Should women eat their own children, the children they have cared for? Should priests and prophets be killed in the 'appointed' place of Yehovah?
21 Both young and old lie on the ground in the streets. My virgins and my young men are cut down by swords. You killed them in the day of Your anger, slaughtering without compassion.
22 You invited terrorists as tho it were an appointed feast day, and no one escaped or survived on the Day of Yehovah’s anger. “My enemy has annihilated those I nurtured and reared.”
1 I’m the man who has been afflicted by the rod of His wrath. 2 He has driven me away and forced me to walk in darkness rather than light. 3 He continuously turns His hand against me all day long.
4 He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away and broken my bones. 5 He has laid siege against me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. 6 He’s made me live in darkness like those long dead.
7 He’s walled me in so that I can’t get out. He’s weighed me down with chains. 8 Even when I cry out and call for help, He rejects my prayer. 9 He’s blocked my ways with cut stone. He’s made my roads crooked.
10 He’s like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding. 11 He forced me off the road and tore me to pieces and left me helpless. 12 He has drawn His bow and made me a target for His arrows.
13 He pierced my kidneys with arrows from His quiver. 14 I’ve become the laughingstock of all my people, mocked by their songs thruout the day. 15 He has filled me with bitterness and made me drunk with wormwood.
16 He has broken my teeth with gravel. He’s trampled me in the dust. 17 I’ve been deprived of peace, and I’ve forgotten what happiness is. 18 So I said, “my strength has perished, and so has my hope from Yehovah.”
19 Remember my oppression and my 'wandering', the wormwood and the gall. 20 I still remember these things, and am 'so discouraged'. 21 Yet this I recall, so I have hope:
22 It’s because of Yehovah’s faithful love that we’re not consumed, since His compassion never fails. 23 It is new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “Yehovah is my inheritance”, so I have hope in Him.
25 Yehovah is good to those who wait in confidence for Him, to the person who seeks him. 26 It’s good to wait quietly for Yehovah to save us. 27 It’s good for people to endure burdens in their youth.
28 They should sit alone and remain silent since He has laid it on them. 29 They should 'lie facedown' in the dust—perhaps there is still hope. 30 They should turn their cheeks to the person striking them, and allow them to be filled with shame.
31 Yehovah won’t reject us forever. 32 Even if He causes suffering, He’ll have compassion in keeping with His faithful love. 33 He doesn’t willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
34 To crush under foot any of the prisoners on the earth, 35 denying justice to anyone in the presence of the Most Supreme, 36 or deprive people of justice in court. Yehovah doesn’t 'approve of these things'.
37 Who can say something and it comes to pass unless Yehovah has commanded it? 38 Doesn’t both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most Supreme? 39 Why should any living person complain about being punished for their sin?
40 Let’s examine and test our ways, and turn back to Yehovah. 41 Let’s raise our hearts and hands to Elohim in the heavens. 42 “We’ve sinned and rebelled and You haven’t haven’t forgiven.
43 “You’ve covered Yourself in anger and pursued us. You have killed without pity. 44 You’ve covered Yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get thru. 45 You’ve made us scum and refuse among the nations.
46 “All of our enemies gape at us. 47 We’ve suffered panic and pitfalls, devastation and destruction. 48 Streams of tears flow from my eyes due to the destruction of the daughter of my people [Jerusalem].
49 “My eyes flow endlessly without relief, 50 until Yehovah looks down from heaven and sees. 51 My eyes bring me grief because of the fate of all the 'young' women in my city.
52 “My enemies hunted me down like a bird for no reason. 53 They tried to permanently silence me in a pit and threw rocks at me. 54 Water flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die!
55 “I called on Your name, Yehovah, from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea. ‘Don’t close your ears when I cry out for relief.’ 57 You came near when I called on You, and You said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’
58 “Yehovah, You’ve pleaded my cause, You’ve saved my life. 59 Yehovah, You’ve seen the wrong done to me. Judge my case. 60 You’ve seen all their vengeance, all their plots against me.
61 Yehovah You’ve heard their insults, all their plots against me. 62 The slander and whispering of my enemies are against me all day long. 63 Watch. Whether they’re sitting down or rising up, I’m being taunted by their songs.
64 ;You’ll compensate them, Yehovah, relative to what they have done. 65 You’ll harden their 'resolve'. May Your curse be on them! 66 You’ll pursue them in anger and destroy them from under Yehovah’s heavens.
1 See how the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gemstones of the 'Temple' lie scattered at the corner of every street.
2 Zion’s precious children once worth their weight in pure gold are now regarded as cheap clay pots, the work of a potter’s hands!
3 Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the women of My people have become as cruel as ostriches in the wilderness.
4 The tongues of nursing infants clings to the roofs of their mouths due to thirst. The children ask for bread, but no one breaks off any for them.
5 Those who used to eat delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those who were brought up in royal purple now huddle in 'garbage' heaps.
6 The punishment of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.
7 Her 'Nazarites' were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies were more ruddy than coral. They were as polished as lapis lazuli [“sapphire”].
8 But now they are blacker than soot. No one on the streets recognizes them. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as wood.
9 Those who are killed with a sword are better off than those who are die of hunger, who waste away, stricken with pain since there is nothing in the fields to eat.
10 The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children. They were their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people [during the siege].
11 Yehovah started a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations.
12 The kings of the earth and no one else living on earth believed that an adversary or invader could get thru the gates of Jerusalem.
13 But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests who spilled the blood of righteous people there.
14 They wandered around blind in the streets. They were so defiled with bloodstains that no one could touch their clothes.
15 “Get away! Unclean!” people shouted at them. “'Go' away! Don’t touch us!” So they fled and wandered. People of the other nations said, “They can’t stay here any longer.”
16 The presence of Yehovah has scattered divided them; He no longer watches over them. They no longer respected the priests, and the elders fell from favor.
17 Yet our eyes failed as we looked in vain for assistance; we watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.
18 People stalked us at every step, so we couldn’t walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered. Our end had come.
19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.
20 Yehovah’s anointed king, our very breath of 'life' was caught in their pits. We had thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations.
21 Celebrate and be glad, daughter of Edom, who lives in the land of Uz. But the cup will be passed to you as well. You’ll get drunk and take off all your clothes.
22 Maiden Zion, your punishment is complete; He won’t let you remain in exile, but He will punish your iniquity and expose your sins.
1 Yehovah remember what has happened to us. Have a look at our shame! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, and our houses to foreigners. 3 We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows. 4 We have to pay for the water we drink; our wood comes at a price. 5 Our enemies are 'breathing down' our necks. We are worn out and find no rest. 6 We made a 'deal' with the Egyptians and the Assyrians to get enough food. 7 Our ancestors sinned, and now they’re gone, but we suffer their punishment.
8 Slaves rule over us; and there is no one to rescue us from their grasp. 9 We risk our lives getting food, because of the swordsmen in the wilderness. 10 Our skin is scorched as if from an oven from the burning heat of famine. 11 Women were being raped in Zion, and virgins in the towns of Judah. 12 Princes were hung up by their hands. Elders were shown no respect. 13 Young men 'worked' at the grinding mills, as boys staggered under loads of wood. 14 The elders have left the city gates, and the young men no longer play their music. 15 Joy has fled from our hearts; our dancing has turned into mourning. 16 The crown has fallen from our head. 'It’s been disastrous' since we sinned!
17 Our 'resolve' is weak. Because of these things our eyes grow dim. 18 Mount Zion lies in ruins with foxes prowling in it.
19 You, Yehovah, reign forever! Your throne endures from generation to generation. 20 Why have you 'completely' forgotten us? Why have You abandoned us so long? 21 Bring us back to You again, Yehovah, and we’ll be restored. Renew our days as in ancient times, 22 unless You have completely rejected us and remain very angry with us.
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 “Absolutely meaningless,” says the Teacher. “Absolutely meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
3 What benefit do people gain from all their labor done under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth is here forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises again. 6 The wind blows toward the south and turns toward the north. The wind continues swirling along, ever returning in a full circle. 7 All rivers flow into the sea, but the sea is never filled. The rivers keep flowing to the same place. 8 All of these sayings are wearisome, more than anyone can express. Eyes are never satisfied with seeing, and ears are never get their fill of hearing.
9 Whatever has been done will happen again, and whatever has been done before will be repeated. So there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there any instance where we can say, “Look, this is new”? It already existed ages before us. 11 No one remembers the previous things, and no one who comes along later will remember the things that are yet to come.
12 “I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom everything that is done under the heavens. It’s a burdensome job that Elohim has given to mortals to 'evaluate' them. 14 I’ve seen everything that is done under the sun. All of it is meaningless [to us] like chasing the wind.
15 What is crooked can’t be straightened, and anything missing can’t be counted.
16 I 'thought to myself', “I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who have ruled over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has been overwhelmed with a wealth of wisdom and knowledge!” 17 I applied my mind to 'acquiring' wisdom, and to understanding madness and foolishness. I realized that this is also like trying to chase the wind.
18 Because with increased wisdom there is increased sorrow; and the greater your knowledge, the greater your pain.
1 I 'thought to myself', “Now I’ll test myself with pleasure and enjoy myself.” and I saw that this was also meaningless. 2 I said of laughter, “It’s madnessness,” and of pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” 3 I explored with my heart how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to take control of foolishness—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few 'years' of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built myself houses and planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made myself gardens and orchards and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also owned larger herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I hoarded silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and the delights of men—many concubines.[1]
9 I became greater by far than anyone who preceded me in Jerusalem. In all this I retained my wisdom. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired. I allowed myself to have any pleasure I wanted. I was pleased with all of my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 11 When I considered all of the activities I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be meaningless, like chasing the wind, and that there was nothing of value under the sun.
12 I turned my thoughts to wisdom, madness and foolishness. What more can the king’s successor do? Only what has already been done. 13 And I realized that wisdom trumps foolishness, just as light trumps darkness. 14 The wise have eyes in their heads, but fools walk in the dark. But I came to realize that the same fate awaits them both. 15 Then I thought to myself, “What happens to a fool will also happen to me. So what do I have to gain by being wise?” And I thought to myself, “This too is meaningless.” 16 For, just like a fool, there is no lasting remembrance of a wise person, since both will be forgotten in the days to come. Like a fool, the wise must die too!
17 So I hated life, because the work that was done under the sun only caused me sorrow. All of it is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
18 So I hated all the things I had worked for under the sun, because I must leave them to the man who will succeed me. 19 And who knows whether he’ll be a wise man or a fool? Yet he’ll have control of all the fruits of my labor that I have labored for by acting wisely under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So I fell into despair over everything that I had worked so hard for under the sun.
21 When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and they must leave it all to a person who has not worked for it, this too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all their hard work and effort that they labor for under the sun? 23 For all their days their work is painful and sorrowful; even at night their minds don’t rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat, drink and find satisfaction in their own work. I have seen that even this is from the hand of Elohim. 25 Who can eat or enjoy themselves more than I? 26 For to a person who is pleasing in His sight, He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to sinners He gives the task of gathering and collecting, so that they can give to someone who is pleasing in Elohim’s sight. This too is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
[1] Solomon’s experiments in ‘wisdom’ cost him his eternity!1 There is an specified time for everything, and a season for every delightful event under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot what was planted, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down, and a time to build up. 4 a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance, 5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to stop embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up as lost, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear apart and a time to mend, a time to remain silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their labor? 10 I’ve seen the task that Elohim has people to keep them occupied. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. But people still can’t fathom the work that Elohim has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be cheerful, and to do good as long as they live. 13 It is also the gift of Elohim that everyone who eats and drinks benefits from all their labor.
14 I know that anything that Elohim does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. Elohim does this so that people will revere Him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and whatever will be already is. Elohim will call the past to account. [?]
16 I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17 I said to myself, “Elohim will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”
18 I said to myself, “As for 'humanity', Elohim tests them, so that they can see that they are like animals. 19 Humans and animals have the same destiny. The same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place. All come from the dust and all return to the dust. 21 Who knows if the human spirit ascends upward and the spirit of the animal descends down into the 'ground'? 22 I have seen that there’s nothing better for a person to do than to enjoy their work, because that is their compensation. Who can bring them to see what will happen after they die?
1 Again I observed all the oppression being committed under the sun, and I saw the tears of those who were oppressed, and that they had no one to comfort them. Power is on the side of those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them. 2 So I commended the dead who have already died, more than the living who are still living. 3 But better off than either of them is someone who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activities that is done under the sun.
4 I saw that every labor and skill is the result of rivalry between a person and their neighbor. This too is as futile as chasing the wind.
5 A fool folds his 'arms' and wastes away. 6 A handful of rest is better than two fists full of labor and chasing the wind.
7 I looked again and saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There are people who have no companions, not even a son or brother, yet there is no end to all their hard work. Their eyes are not satisfied with wealth and they never ask, “Who am I working for and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is a meaningless and miserable task. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a better return on their labor. 10 If one falls, the other will lift his companion up, but woe to the one who is alone when they fall and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm; but how can a lone person stay warm? 12 And tho someone can overpower a lone person, two can resist them. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
13 A poor but wise youth is better off than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to accept an admonition. 14 Using wisdom he was released from prison to become king, even tho he was born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I have seen all the living under the sun following a second youth, the king’s successor. 16 There is no limit to all the people who were before them, and even those who come along later won’t be pleased with him. This too is as meaningless as chasing the wind.
1 Guard your steps as you go to Elohim’s house. Better to draw near and listen than to offer the zebakim of fools, because they don’t know that they’re doing wrong. 2 Don’t be quick to 'speak' or impulsively bring up a thought before Elohim, because Elohim is in heaven and you’re on earth. So let your words be few.
3 Dreams are the result of great effort, and fools say too much
4 When you make a vow to Elohim, don’t put off paying it, because He derives no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It’s better not to make a vow than to make a vow and not keep it. 6 Don’t let your speech cause you to sin. Don’t protest before the messenger [priest] that this was a mistake. Why should Elohim be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
7 Many dreams are as meaningless as many words. So revere Elohim.
8 If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t be surprised by the situation, because one official looks out for another official, and higher officials look out for them. 9 The profits from the land are shared by all; so a king also profits from the fields.
10 Whoever loves silver never has enough silver. Anyone who loves wealth is never satisfied with more income. 11 When good things increase, the ones who consume them increase. So what advantage do their owners have except to look at them?
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but the 'abundance' of the rich prevents them from sleeping.
13 There is a lamentable tragedy that I’ve seen under the sun, wealth being hoarded by its owner to their harm. 14 When that wealth is lost thru bad investments, and they have children, they have nothing to 'support' them. 15 They came into the world naked from their mother’s womb, and they’ll return as empty-handed as they came. They can’t take anything for their efforts.
16 This is also a severe tragedy: people leave exactly as they came. So what advantage do they gain by laboring for the wind? 17 All their days they eat in darkness with frustration, sickness and anger.
18 Here is what I have seen as good and appropriate: to eat, drink and find satisfaction in all our hard work under the sun during the few days of life Elohim has given us. That is our compensation. 19 Also, Elohim has given people wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them and accept their lot, and rejoice in their labor; this is their gift from Elohim. 20 They seldom consider the days of their life, because Elohim keeps them occupied with joyful 'thoughts'.
1 There is a tragedy that I’ve seen under the sun, and it’s common among us. 2 Elohim gives some people riches, possessions and honor so that they lack nothing whatsoever that they want for themselves, but Elohim doesn’t allow them to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger enjoys them. This is meaningless, a great tragedy.
3 If someone has a hundred children, and lives many years. No matter how long they live, if they aren’t satisfied by the good things and don’t even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than they are. 4 It arrives without meaning, and departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is obscured. 5 It has never seen the sun or known anything; yet it has more rest and is better off than they are. 6 They might live for two thousand years and never experience happiness—still everyone goes to the same place.
7 Everyone works 'to fill' their mouth, but their appetites are never satisfied. 8 What advantage do the wise have over fools? What advantage do poor people have who know how to conduct themselves before the living?
9 It’s better to 'see' what you have than to have insatiable desire. This too is as meaningless as chasing the wind.
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and it’s known what humanity is. But they can’t argue with the One stronger than they are.
11 Excessive wordiness increases futility. How does that benefit anyone?
12 Who knows what is good for humanity during this life, during the few days of their meaningless lives that are spent like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after we’re gone?
1 A good name is better than costly perfume, and the day of death is better than the day of birth. 2 It’s better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the fate of everyone; and the living should bear this in heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad countenance may 'benefit' your 'awareness'. 4 The minds of the wise are in the houses of mourning, but the minds of fools are in the houses of pleasure.
5 It’s better to listen to the reprimand of the wise than to listen to the songs of fools. 6 The 'crackling' of thorn bushes under a pot is like the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.
7 Oppression can turn the wise into fools, and bribes corrupt their 'understanding'.
8 The completion of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
9 Don’t be quick to become outraged, because outrage resides in the 'minds' of fools.
10 Don’t ask, “Why were the old days better than these?” It isn’t wise of you to ask this.
11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is advantageous to everyone who sees the sun. 12 Wisdom is a 'defense', just like silver is a defense, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves those who have it.
13 Consider the work of Elohim, who could straighten out what He has bent? 14 In a 'time' of prosperity be happy. But in a 'time' of adversity consider that Elohim has made the one as well as the other. No one can predict anything that will come after them.
15 I have seen everything during my meaningless 'life': The righteous can die in spite of being righteous and the wicked can go on living in spite of being wicked. 16 Don’t be 'self' righteous, and don’t exaggerate your wisdom. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Don’t bolster wickedness, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18 It’s good to grasp the one [righteousness] and not let go of the other [wisdom], since someone who fears Elohim will end up with both of them.
19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers in a city.
20 Surely there isn’t anyone on earth who is always righteous, no one who is always good and never sins.
21 Don’t 'pay attention' to everything you hear, or you might hear your servant cursing you. 22 You know that you yourself have cursed others many times.
23 All this I tested by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but this was beyond me. 24 What has existed is out of reach and very deep. Who can 'grasp' it? 25 I turned my thoughts to knowing and investigating and to seeking wisdom and causes, and to understanding the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of foolishness.
26 I find more bitter than death a woman who is a trap, whose thoughts are like snares and nets. Someone who please Elohim will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.
27 “I have discovered this,” says the Teacher, “Adding one thing to another to find an explanation, 28 that I’m still seeking but haven’t found. I have found one [virtuous] man among a thousand, but not one [virtuous] woman among them all. 29 This is what I found, that Elohim made people uncorrupted, but they 'crave' many 'forms of corruption'!”
1 Who is like the wise and who knows the interpretation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their countenance and changes their stern appearance.
2 I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of 'your' oath to Elohim. 3 Don’t be in a hurry to leave his presence. Don’t participate in something evil, since he will do whatever he wants. 4 Since a king’s word is final, who can ask him what he is doing. 5 Whoever obeys a royal command won’t experience anything harmful, because the wise know the right time and procedure. 6 There is a right time and procedure for every situation, tho a person may be weighed down by misery.
7 Since no one knows the future, who can tell them what will happen? 8 No one has mastery over their spirit to restrain it from leaving, and no one can prevent the day of their death. There is no doubt about that war, and wickedness won’t allow those who practice it to escape.
9 I’ve seen all of this, applying my mind to all the work that is done under the sun. There is a time when a man has authority over others to their detriment. 10 So I saw the wicked buried with honor. They used to go in and out of the 'Cherished' Place, and were praised in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless. 11 When the sentence against wicked behavior isn’t executed swiftly, the psyche becomes fully committed to wickedness. 12 Even if a sinner commits a hundred crimes, and still survives, I am certain that it will be better for those who revere Elohim, who revere Him openly. 13 But it won’t go well for the wicked. Their days won’t lengthen like a shadow, since they don’t revere Elohim.
14 There is something else meaningless taking place on earth, that is, there are righteous people who happen to get what the wicked deserve, and wicked people who happen to get what the righteous deserve. I say that this too is meaningless.
15 So I recommend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and enjoy themselves. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life that Elohim has given him under the sun.
16 When I considered understanding wisdom, and observing the activity that is done on the earth—people getting no sleep day or night— 17 I saw everything that Elohim had done. No one is able to grasp the work that is done under the sun, because no matter how much they labor to discover it, they can’t grasp it. Even if the wise claim they know, they aren’t able to grasp it.
1 After taking all of this into consideration, I concluded that the righteous and the wise and everything they do are in Elohim’s hands. People don’t generally know whether love or hate awaits then. Anything might await them. 2 One event happens to everyone—to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and clean and the unclean; to the person who presents zebakim [sacrifices] and to the those who don’t present zebakim. Whether good or sinners; those who take oaths, and those who are afraid to take them.
3 There is a tragedy that affects everyone under the sun, a common event for everyone. Human 'minds' are full of evil. Madness affects their minds thruout their lives, and afterward they join the dead. 4 Anyone still among the living has hope. “It’s better to be a living dog than a dead lion!”
5 The living know that they’ll die, but the dead don’t know anything. They have no further compensation, and even memories of them will fade away. 6 Their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished. They will no longer have a stake in anything done under the sun. 7 Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with merry thoughts, because Elohim has already approved of what you’ve done. 8 Always keep your clothes white, and always anoint your head with oil.
9 Live happily with the wife you love all the days of your 'fleeting' [vapor] life that He has given you under the sun all the days of your “fleeting” life, because she is your reward in life, and your assignment under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, because there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in sheol where you’re going.
11 I have seen something else under the sun: that the race doesn’t always go the swift, and the battle doesn’t always go to the strong or bread to the wise or wealth to men of understanding or favor to men of skill. Time and chance happen to them all.
12 No one knows when their time will come. Like fish caught in a cruel net and birds trapped in a snare, people are trapped in an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.
13 I’ve also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a small city with few men in it, and a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built large siegeworks against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But a poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words aren’t heeded.
17 The calm words of the wise are heeded more than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but a single sinner can destroy much good.
1 Dead flies cause a perfumer’s oil to stink, so a little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise person’s heart leans to the right, but a fool’s mind leans to the left.
3 Even when a fool is walking along the road, their lack of sense demonstrates to everyone how foolish they are.
4 If the ruler’s 'temper' rises against you, don’t abandon your position; calmness can put great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil I’ve seen under the sun, like an error that comes from the ruler. 6 Fools are given many high positions, while the rich remain in lowly positions. 7 I’ve seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8 Anyone who digs a pit might fall into it, and anyone who breaks thru a wall could be bitten by a snake. 9 Whoever quarries stones can be injured by them. Whoever splits logs could be endangered as well.
10 If an ax is dull, and no one sharpens the edge, more strength is needed, but the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
11 If a snake bites before it’s charmed, then is there any profit for the charmer?
12 The words from a wise person are courteous, but fools are swallowed by their own lips.
13 From the beginning their words are stupid; and they end up as wicked madness. 14 Yet a fool has 'never ending' words, tho no one knows what will happen, who can tell someone what will happen after they’re gone?
15 The labor of fools so wearies them that they don’t even know the way to town.
16 How horrible it will be for any country when their king is a boy, and their princes feast in the morning. 17 A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when their princes feast at the proper time—to gain strength and not to get drunk!
18 Thru laziness the rafters sag and thru negligence a house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine is served to make life happy, and silver is the answer for everything.
20 Don’t curse the king even in your thoughts, and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a winged creature might report the matter.
1 Throw your bread out on the water, because you’ll find it after many days [Commentary].
2 Diversify your 'assets' into seven or even eight investments, because you don’t know what kind of disaster could 'strike' the land.
3 When the clouds are saturated, they pour rain over the land; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it will 'lie'.
4 Someone watching the wind won’t sow, and someone watching the clouds won’t harvest.
5 You don’t know the path of the wind or how bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman. In the same way, you don’t understand the work of Elohim, the Maker of all things.
6 Sow your seed in the morning, and in the evening don’t allow your hands to be idle, because you don’t know which field will succeed, whether the 'morning or evening' sowing will flourish, or whether both will do equally well.
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasing for the eyes to see the 'dawn'.
8 Even if someone lives many years, they should celebrate them all. But they should remember the days of darkness, since there will be so many. Everything that is coming is meaningless.
9 Young people, rejoice during your childhood and enjoy life while you are young. Follow your 'dreams' and the 'passions' you 'envision'. But realize that Elohim will judge you whatever you do. 10 So banish anxiety from your 'thoughts', and remove pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
1 Also remember your Creators [plural] in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”— 2 before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars turn dark, and clouds return after the rain; 3 on the day when the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, and the women at the mill stop grinding because they are few, and those who look thru the windows see dimly, 4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound from the grinding mill fades; when people are startled at the sound of a bird, since their songs are becoming 'rare'.
5 They’ll be afraid of heights, and terrors in the streets, as when almond blossoms fade, and grasshoppers drag themselves along, and caperberries no longer stimulate desire, because people go to their long duration home [the grave: Targum] [1], while mourners walk in the streets.
6 Remember Him before the silver cord is removed, and the gold bowl is broken, the pitcher by the spring is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed, 7 and the dust returns to the ground where it had been, and a human spirit returns to Elohim who gave it.
8 “Absolutely meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!”
9 In addition to being a wise man, the Teacher also taught the people what he knew. He pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find the most appropriate words to express the truth accurately.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and masters of these collections are like firmly driven nails. They come from one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the publication of new books is endless, and too much study wearies the body.
13 When everything has been heard, the conclusion is to revere Elohim and obey His Commandments, since this is the duty of all humanity. 14 Elohim will judge everything we do, every secret thing, whether good or bad.
[1] “Long home—literally, “eternal (see Ecclesiastes 1:4 note) house;” man’s place in the next world. Without attributing to the author of Ecclesiastes that deep insight into the future life which is shown by the writer of the Epistles to the Corinthians, we may observe that He by whom both writers were inspired sanctions in both books (see 2 Corinthians 5:1-6) the use of the same expression “eternal house.” I[f] 2 Corinthians means that spiritual body which shall be hereafter; and it is placed, as it is here (see Ecclesiastes 12:3), in contrast with that earthly dissolving house which clothes the spirit of man in this world.”5 After these 'events' were over, the king held a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the youngest to the greatest in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were curtains of fine white and violet linen fastened with cords of fine purple linen to silver rings and marble columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other precious stones.
7 Drinks were served in an array of gold utensils, with a plentiful supply of royal wine conforming to the king’s 'generosity'. 8 The drinking was done according to the law, no one was forced to drink. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve each person as much as they wanted.
9 Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women in the palace of King Ahasuerus.
10 On the seventh day, when the king was tipsy from wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, since she was very beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come as the king had commanded thru the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his anger burned within him.
13 Then the king consulted with the wise men who understood the times, since it was the custom of the king to speak with the experts in law and justice. 14 Those closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven leaders of Persia and Media who had access to the king’s presence and were ranked highest in the kingdom.
15 “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she didn’t obey the command of King Ahasuerus that was conveyed by the eunuchs?”
16 Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king but all the officials and all the people who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces. 17 The queen’s conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look down on their husbands by saying, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she wouldn’t come.’ 18 Today the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard what the queen did will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.
19 If it pleases the king, he should issue a written decree in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, never to be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus, and the king should give her royal position to another woman who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s decree is heard thruout his kingdom, then all women will honor their husbands, from the youngest to the greatest.”
21 This 'advice' pleased the king and the officials, so the king did what Memucan proposed. 22 He sent letters into all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnicity in its own language, proclaiming that every man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.
1 Later, when King Ahasuerus’s rage had subsided, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then the king’s attendants who served him said, “We should search for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 The king could appoint scouts in all the provinces of his kingdom, so that they could gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women, and provide beauty treatments for them. 4 Then the young woman who pleases the king would become queen instead of Vashti.” This advice pleased the king, and he followed it.
5 There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa named Mordecai, He was the son of Jair, the grandson of Shimei, and the great-grandson of Kish, a Benjamite 6 who had been taken captive from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, who Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, because she had no father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.
8 So the king’s order and decree was proclaimed, and many young women were brought to Susa the capital of Susa under the care of Hegai. Esther was taken to the king’s 'palace' in the custody of Hegai, the guardian of the women. 9 The young woman pleased him and gained his affection. So he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and special food, and seven maidens were selected to be given to her from the king’s palace and they moved her and her servants to the harem’s best quarters.
10 Esther hadn’t revealed her nationality or her ethnic background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to. 11 Every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem, to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus, the harem regulation required her to receive twelve months of beautification treatments: oil of myrrh for six months and then perfumes and cosmetics for another six months. 13 When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she wanted to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the 'custody' of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She never went to the king again unless the king wanted her and summoned her by name.
15 When Esther’s turn came to go to the king, (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem advised. Esther won approval in the sight of everyone who saw her.
16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal palace in the tenth month, the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained favor and approval with him more than all the virgins, so he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king held an extravagant banquet for Esther. He invited all his officials and staff. He proclaimed a holiday thruout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal generosity.
19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate. 20 Esther still had not revealed her nationality or her ethnic background just as Mordecai had instructed. She continued do what Mordecai told her as she had under his care.
21 At that time while Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance became angry and 'conspired' to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 22 When Mordecai learned of the plot, he informed Queen Esther, and she told the king, giving the credit to Mordecai. 23 When the report was investigated and found to be true, both men were hanged on a 'gallows'. This event was recorded in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.
1 Later, King Ahasuerus honored Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite. He promoted him in rank and gave him a higher position than all the officials who were with him. 2 All the royal officials at the King’s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, since the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him homage.
3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disregarding the king’s command?” 4 When they had warned him day after day and he still wouldn’t listen to them, they told Haman about it to see if Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai wasn’t bowing down or paying him homage, he was furious. 6 And when he learned of Mordecai’s ethnicity, Haman decided not to 'eliminate' Mordecai alone. He planned to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, thruout the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7 In the first month, the month of Nisan, [aviv] in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur (that is, a lot) was cast before Haman for each day in each month, and it fell on the twelfth month, the month Adar.
8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain ethnicity scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws differ from those of all other nationalities. They don’t obey the king’s laws. It isn’t in the king’s interest to let them remain. 9 If the king approves, write a decree for their elimination. I’ll donate ten thousand talents of silver [750,000 pounds!] to the king’s administrators to put into the king’s treasuries.
10 Then the king removed his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 The king said to Haman, “The silver is your, and the people also, to do with them whatever you want.”
12 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written exactly as Haman had ordered the king’s satraps, the governors who were over each province and the officials of each people, each province in its own script and to the people in each province in their own language; being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day—the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar, and to seize their belongings as plunder.
14 A copy of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and published to every ethnicity, so they would be prepared for that day. 15 The couriers hurried out as the king had commanded, while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink while the city of Susa was in an uproar.
1 When Mordecai learned about everything that had been planned, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went into the center of the city and cried loudly and bitterly. 2 He only went as far as the King’s Gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed to enter the King’s Gate. 3 In every province where the king’s decree and edict had reached there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s female servants and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen writhed in great distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take off his sackcloth, but he refused to accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to serve her. She ordered him to go to Mordecai to find out what was happening and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in city square in front of the King’s Gate.
7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him as well as the exact amount of silver Haman had promised to donate to the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict issued in Susa for their destruction to show it to Esther and inform her and urge her to plead with him for [the lives of] her people. 9 Hathach returned and told Esther what Mordecai had said.
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard without being summoned has but one law: that they be put to death, unless the king holds out to them the gold scepter and spares their lives. And I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last thirty days.” 12 So they told Mordecai what Esther had said.
13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Don’t imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you’ll escape the fate of all the other Jews. 14 If you remain silent now, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. And who knows, whether you have attained royalty for a time like this!”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my maids also will fast in the same way. After that, I’ll go to the king, even if it is against the law; and if I die, I die.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did precisely what Esther had commanded him.
1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing his 'rooms', and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the 'throne room' facing the entrance. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his favor. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 The king asked her. “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? What would you like? As much as half the kingdom will be given to you.”
4 Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come to the banquet that I have prepared for him today.”
5 The king said, “Hurry, and get Haman so we can do whatever Esther asks.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “What is your request? It will be granted to you. What would you like? As much as half the kingdom will be given to you.”
7 Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do as I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked [by answering his question].”
9 Then Haman left full of joy and in 'high spirits'. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King’s Gate, and Mordecai didn’t stand up or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with hatred toward Mordecai. 10 Yet Haman controlled himself and went home and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth and his many sons, and every instance where the king had honored him and promoted him over the other officials and servants of the king.
12 “What’s more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther allowed no one except me to come with the king to the banquet that she had prepared. And she has invited me along with the king again tomorrow. 13 Yet, none of this satisfies me because I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s Gate every time.”
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have them build a 'gallows' fifty cubits high, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it in the morning; then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the 'gallows' made.
1 During that night the king couldn’t sleep so he ordered the book of daily events, the chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. 2 They found the account where Mordecai had informed him that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, had planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus.
3 The king asked, “What honor or distinction has been given Mordecai for this?”
Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing was done for him.”
4 So the king asked, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the 'gallows' that he had set up for him.
5 The kings attendants told him, “Haman is standing in the courtyard.”
The king said, “Bring him in.”
6 So Haman came in and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?” Now Haman thought 'to himself',
“Who would the king want to honor more than me?” 7 Haman told the king, “For the man the king wants to honor, 8 he should be presented with a royal robe that the king has worn and a horse that the king has ridden, one that has a royal crest on its head. 9 Entrust the garment and the horse to one of the king’s most noble officials. Have him array the man the king wants to honor, and lead him on horseback thru the city square, and announce before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.’”
10 The king told Haman, “Hurry, and do just as you said. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew who is sitting at the King’s Gate. Don’t leave out anything you recommended.”
11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and led him on horseback thru the city square, and announced before him, ”This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.” 12 Then Mordecai returned to the King’s Gate, but Haman, in grief, hurried home with his head covered.
13 Haman began to relate to his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh told him, “Since Mordecai is Jewish, and you have begun to fall before him, you cannot stand against him—your downfall is certain.”
14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
1 So the king and Haman came to the banquet with Queen Esther, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be granted to you. What is your request? Even if up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
3 Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, my king, and if it pleases the king, spare my life—that is my petition. And spare my people—that is my request. 4 We have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. But if we had been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, but the compensation our adversary offers can’t even be compared with the loss the king would suffer.”
5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is the man who would 'think' of doing this?”
6 Esther answered, “Our adversary and enemy is the evil Haman.” Haman stood terrified before the king and queen. 7 Furious because of this, the king got up from where they were drinking wine and went into the palace garden.
Haman stayed to beg Queen Esther for his life, because he realized the king was planning his demise. 8 Just when the king was returning from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was lying. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually rape the queen while I’m in the 'palace'?”
As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
9 Harbona, one of the royal eunuchs, said: “There is a 'gallows' fifty cubits high at Haman’s house that he made for Mordecai, whose warning saved the king.”
The king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the 'gallows' that he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s fury diminished.
1 That very day King, King Ahasuerus gave Haman’s house, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Mordecai came to the king because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. 2 The king removed the signet ring that he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther gave him Haman’s estate.
3 Esther again pleaded with the king and fell at his feet crying. She begged him to revoke the evil plot that Haman the Agagite had concocted against the Jews. 4 The king held out his gold scepter to Esther, and Esther got up and stood before the king.
5 She said, “If it pleases the king, and I have found approval with you, if it appears right to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, then have a royal edict written that revokes the orders that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite devised to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how could I bear to see the tragedy that would come on my people? How could I endure the destruction of my relatives?”
7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Haman’s estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the 'gallows' because he 'attacked' the Jews. 8 You can write in the king’s name whatever you want in favor of the Jews, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. A decree written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be reversed.”
9 Immediately on the twenty-third day the third month, the month of Sivan, the king’s scribes were summoned. What Mordecai had ordered was written to the Jews and to the satraps, governors and officers of the 127 provinces from India to Cush. The edict was written for each province in its own script since each ethnic group had its own language, including the Jews in their own script and their own language. 10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horses, riding on the royal relay horses, the offspring of racing mares.
11 The king’s edict gave the Jews in every city the right to assemble, to defend themselves, destroy, kill and annihilate any nationality or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to seize their goods as spoils of war. 12 This would take place in a single day thruout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
13 A copy of the text issued as law in every province was distributed to every ethnicity, so that the Jews would be prepared to avenge themselves against their enemies on that day. 14 So the couriers rode quickly on the royal relay horses, urged on by the king’s command; and the edict was issued at the citadel in Susa.
15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing blue and white royal garments, a large olden crown and a fine linen purple robe. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, 16 For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor. 17 In every province and every city, wherever the king’s command his law arrived, joy and rejoicing took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. And many of the ethnic groups of the land embraced Judaism because fear of the Jews had seized them.
1 The king’s command edict was to go into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. On the very day when the Jews’ enemies had hoped to 'slaughter' them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. 2 The Jews gathered together in their towns thruout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who wanted to harm them. No one could stand up against them, because all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews because they were terrified of Mordecai. 4 Mordecai was greatly respected in the king’s palace, and his fame spread thruout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
5 The Jews struck all their enemies with swords, killing and destroying them. They did whatever they wanted to those who hated them. 6 At the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, 7 including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew’s enemy, but they didn’t seize any of the plunder.
11 The number of people killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Anything else you like will be done for you. Any further requests will be granted.”
13 Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, allow the Jews in Susa to carry out today’s law tomorrow as well, and have the bodies of Haman’s ten sons hanged on the 'gallows'.”
14 So the king commanded that this be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. 15 The Jews in Susa gathered again on the fourteenth day of the month Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa, but they didn’t seize any of their possessions.
16 The remainder of the in the king’s provinces gathered together, defended their lives, ridded themselves of their enemies, and killed 75,000 people who hated them, but they didn’t seize any of their possessions. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth day they rested and it became a day of feasting and joy. 18 But the Jews in Susa gathered on the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the month, and on the fifteenth day of that month, they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. 19 So the Jews of the villages who live in the unwalled towns make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.
20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews thruout all of King Ahasuerus’s provinces, near and far. 21 He established the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as days they should celebrate annually, 22 because during those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies. It was the month when their sorrow was turned to joy and from mourning into a great day. They were to be days of feasting, rejoicing and sending gifts to one another and gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them to do, 24 because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast a pur (that is, a lot) [to determine the best time] to crush and destroy them. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he commanded in writing that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the 'gallows'. 26 So they called these days “Purim”, from the word pur.
So because of the instructions in the letter as well as what they had witnessed and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established a tradition for themselves and their descendants, and for anyone who would ally themselves with them that they would never fail to celebrate these two days according to the written instructions, and at the specified time annually. 28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated thruout every generation, every family, every province and every city. These days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews, and their significance must never be forgotten by their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim. 30 He sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus in wording of peace and truth, 31 in order to designate these days of Purim as venerated appointments just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established themselves and their descendants with instructions for their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 The command of Esther established these 'customs' for Purim, and it was written in the archives.
1 King Ahasuerus imposed a tribute on the land on the coastlands of the sea. 2 All his accomplishments of his authority and the full account of the greatness of Mordeci who the king had promoted are recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of the Medes and Persians. 3 Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews. He continued to seek good for his people and spoke for the welfare of his fellow Jews.
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 In the third year of the reign of King Yehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and set up a blockade. 2 Yehovah handed King Yehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the articles of Elohim’s 'Temple', and he carried them to the land of Shinar to the house of his god, and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch [official] to bring in some of the Israelites, including some from the royal family and the nobility. 4 They were to be young men without any physical defects, handsome, well informed, intelligent, quick learners and qualified to serve in the king’s 'palace'. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 The king appointed them daily provisions of the king’s unclean meat, and the same wine he drank. They were to receive three years training, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those from the House of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief eunuch renamed them, Daniel he renamed Belteshazzar, Hananiah 'became' Shadrach, Mishael 'became' Meshach, and Azariah 'became' Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved that he wouldn’t defile himself with the king’s unclean meat, or with the wine that he drank, so he asked the leader of the eunuchs for permission not to defile himself. 9 Now Elohim granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief eunuch. 10 The chief eunuch told Daniel, “I fear my master the king, who has prearranged your food and your drink. What if he should see you looking worse than the other young men your age? Then you’d make me forfeit my head to the king.”
11 Then Daniel said to the guard who the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 Please test your servants for ten days, and have them give us some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance in comparison to the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s unclean meat, and deal with your servants as you see fit.” 14 So he approved their request and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and 'healthier' than all the youths who ate the king’s unclean provisions. 16 So the guard took away their unclean meat, and the wine that they were to drink, and kept giving them [vegetables].
17 As for these four young men, Elohim gave them knowledge and skill in every kind of 'literature' and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind.
18 At the end of the days that the king had specified for bringing them into his service, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king spoke with them all, and none of them compared to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom or understanding that the king discussed with them, he found them ten times better than all the astrologers and mediums in his entire kingdom.
21 So Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
1 In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him, and sleep escaped him. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers and the Chaldean wise men to tell 'him' what he had dreamed. So they came in and stood before the king, 3 and 'he' told them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to remember the dream.”
4 So the Chaldeans responded to the king in Aramaic, “King Darius, live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we’ll reveal the interpretation.”
5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The 'dream' escapes me, but if you don’t reveal the dream to me and its interpretation, you’ll be torn limb from limb, and your houses will become outhouses. 6 But if you reveal the dream and its interpretation, you’ll receive gifts and rewards and great honor from me. So reveal the dream for me and its interpretation.”
7 They replied again, “If the king tells his servants the dream, we’ll interpret it.”
8 The king answered, “I know for certain that you are just buying time, since you can see that my decision is final. 9 But if you don’t reveal the dream to me, there is only one 'sentence' for you, since you’ve conspired to give me misinformation and a 'contrived interpretation' until the situation changes. So tell me the dream and I’ll know that you can reveal its interpretation.
10 The Chaldeans answered the king immediately, “There isn’t a man on earth who can reveal what the king asks, and no king or ruler has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter or Chaldean. 11 It’s such an unusual request that the king demands, and there is no one else who can reveal it to the king, except the gods who don’t live with 'humans'.”
12 Because of this the king became so furiously enraged that he gave the orders to eradicate all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the edict went out that all the wise men were to be killed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends to kill them too.
14 Daniel responded to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard with discretion and discernment, since he had already left to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He asked Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel. 16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could interpret the dream for him.
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and explained the situation to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah 18 so that they too would plead for mercy from the Elohim of heaven regarding this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the Elohim of heaven. 20 Daniel answered,
“Praised be Elohim’s name forever and ever, since wisdom and power are His. 21 He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those of understanding. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things. He knows what 'lurks' in the darkness; light lives with him! 23 I thank you and praise You, Elohim of my ancestors because you’ve given me wisdom and power, and have just revealed to me what we asked You about—You’ve revealed to us the king’s 'mystery'.”
24 So Daniel went in to Arioch, who the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I’ll interpret his dream for him.”
25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel into the king’s presence and told him, “I’ve found a man among the exiles of Judah who can interpret the king’s dream.”
26 The king asked Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me what I dreamed and interpret it?”
27 Daniel replied to the king: “No wise man, enchanter, magician or astrologer can reveal the king’s secret, 28 but there is an Elohim in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen during at the end of days. This was your dream and the visions you 'saw' while you were lying in bed:
29 My king, while you were lying in bed your thoughts turned to what is going to happen; and the One who reveals mysteries has revealed to you what will happen. 30 But as for me, this mystery wasn’t revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone else alive, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, so you can understand the thoughts of your mind.
31 My king, as you were watching an enormous statue appeared. The statue was huge and extraordinary radiant; it was standing in front of you. It was a frightening sight. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and its arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, its feet were partly iron and partly ceramic clay. 34 As you were watching, a Stone was cut out without human hands. It struck the image on its iron and ceramic clay feet and broke them to pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold was broken in pieces together and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The wind blew it all away so that no trace of it was found. But the Stone that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole region [1].
36 This was the dream, now we’ll provide the interpretation for the king. 37 My king, you are a king of kings. The Elohim of heaven has given you the kingdom, the power, the strength and the splendor. 38 Wherever 'people', wild animals and birds from the air live, He has handed you dominion over them all. You are the head of gold!
39 After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom of bronze will have dominion over the entire region [1]. 40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, as strong as iron. Iron shatters and crushes everything; so like crushing iron, it will shatter and crush all 'the others'. 41 The feet and toes you saw that were partly ceramic clay and partly iron 'represent' a divided kingdom. Like the iron mixed with ceramic clay that you saw, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 Like the toes of the feet that were partly iron and partly ceramic clay, so some of the kingdom will be strong and some of it brittle. 43 Just like you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay, the nations will 'intermix', but they won’t remain united, just like iron doesn’t mix with clay.
44 During the days of these kings [Barne’s], the Elohim of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed. [2] It’s sovereignty will never be given to other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it will be established forever. 45 This is the stone you saw cut from the mountain without human hands. It crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver and gold. The great Elohim has revealed to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation certain.”
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown and paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your Elohim is the Elohim of elohim, the Sovereign of kings, and the Revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery!”
48 Then the king promoted Daniel, and gave him many wonderful gifts, and made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be the administrators of the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained in the royal court.
[1] As usual, the Aramaic word ‘ara’, the exact counterpart to the Hebrew ‘eretz’, seldom means earth or world. Similarly, in verse 38, Nebuchadnezzar’s “dominion” was “Wherever 'people', wild animals and birds from the air live”. But in this context, that dominion was “the entire province of Babylon” (verse 48). Old Neb never ruled much of the earth’s surface. Whole continents full of critters were hiding from him. But in lockstep, none of these translations broke with the traditional “whole earth”. Surely they know better. [2] Babylon is destroyed by the Antimessiah’s kingdom, mentioned here, before the final “gentile” kingdom is replaced by the Everlasting Kingdom!1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar summoned the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the chief officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges the magistrates and all the chief officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then the herald proclaimed, “People of every nation and language, you are commanded: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Anyone who doesn’t fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”
7 So when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the people of every nation and language fell down and worshiped the gold statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 Some Chaldeans took the opportunity to come forward and bring accusations against the Jews. 9 They exclaimed to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 You as king have made a decree that anyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, bagpipe and all kinds of music, must fall down and worship the gold statue, 11 and that whoever doesn’t fall down and worship will be throw into a furnace of blazing fire. 12 But there are some Jews who you’ve appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These men have ignored you; they don’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in a furious rage gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are you deliberately not serving my gods or worshiping the gold statue that I’ve set up? 15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, bagpipe and all kinds of music, fall down and worship the statue that I’ve made. Good. But if you don’t worship, you’ll immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace, and what god is there who can deliver you from my 'grasp'?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to answer you on this question. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing fire, the Elohim we serve is able to rescue us from it, and He’ll rescue us from Your 'grasp'. 18 But even if He doesn’t, you should know, my king, we’ll never serve your gods or worship the gold statue that you’ve set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He commanded that they heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual. 20 He commanded his elite guard to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 Then these men were tied up in their pants, coats, turbans and their other clothing, and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 So because the king’s commandment was so urgent, and the furnace was so blazing hot, the flames of the fire killed the 'soldiers' who carried Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell down into the blazing furnace still tied up.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished, and got up quickly and asked his counselors, “Didn’t we throw three men who were tied up into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, my king.”
25 He said, “I see four men untied and unharmed, walking around in the fire, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods [plural in the Peshitta]!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing furnace, and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most Supreme Elohim, come out and come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire. 27 The satraps, the deputies, the governors and the king’s advisers gathered around them and saw that the fire had no effect on their bodies, and that not a hair on their head was singed, their clothes were not affected, and they had no scent of fire.
28 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed is the Elohim of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who has sent His Messenger and rescued His servants who trusted in Him! They defied the king’s command, and were willing to risk their lives, rather than serve or worship any god other than their own Elohim. 29 So I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the Elohim of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego will be torn limb from limb, and their houses made a dunghill, because there is no other god who can save like this.”
30 Then the king made Shadrach Meshach and Abednego 'great and famous' within the province of Babylon.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar, to the people of all nations and 'languages' who live in the 'region' [or ‘earth”].
“May you have great peace!
2 I’m pleased to tell you about the signs and wonders that the Most Supreme Elohim has done for me.
3 His signs are great, His miracles are powerful! His kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my home and flourishing in my 'palace'. 5 I saw things in a dream that frightened me. As I was lying in bed these nightmares and visions in my heart kept terrifying me. 6 I commanded all of the wise men in Babylon to be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldean astrologers and the diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they couldn’t interpret it for me. 8 But finally Daniel appeared before me, (I call him Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and a spirit of the holy gods is in him), and I told him my dream:
9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery mystifies you, explain to me the things I saw in my dream, and what the dream means.
10 These are the visions that passed thru my heart while lying in bed: I saw a tree of enormous height in the middle of the land. 11 The tree grew larger and stronger, and its height touched the sky. It could be seen to the farthest reaches of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and it was food for all. The wild animals found shelter under it, and the birds from the air lived in its branches, and every 'living creature' was fed from it.
13 While I was lying in bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a 'special' one, descending from heaven. 14 He shouted out: “Cut down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. 'Chase' the animals from under it, and the birds from its branches. 15 But leave the stump and its roots in the ground, girded with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field. Have him be drenched with dew from the sky, and graze with the animals on the grass of the land. 16 His mind will be changed from that of a man, and an animal’s mind will be given to him, until seven time periods [1] pass by for him. 17 This edict is a directive of the watchers [Aramaic], and the decision is a command of the 'special' ones, so that the living will know that the Most Supreme is ruler over the realm of humanity, and He gives it [power] to anyone He wants, even the lowliest of men.
18 This is the dream that I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, since none of the advisers in my kingdom can reveal the interpretation to me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
19 Then Daniel, (also known as Belteshazzar), was stunned for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning terrify you.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its interpretation to your adversaries! 20 The tree that you saw, that grew so large and strong, whose top reached to the sky and was visible to the entire 'region', 21 with beautiful leaves, abundant fruit, food for all, shelter for the wild animals beneath it, and in its branches the birds from the air had nests— 22 it’s you, my lord, who have grown and become strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion stretches to the furthermost parts of the earth.
23 The king saw a watcher, a 'special' one coming down from the sky, and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it, but leave the stump and its roots in the earth, girded with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field, it must be drenched with the dew of heaven, and allow him to graze with the wild animals until seven time perids pass over him.’
24 This is the interpretation, my lord; it’s the decree that the Most Supreme has 'pronounced' against my lord the king: 25 You’ll be driven away from people, and you’ll live among the wild animals in the meadows, and you’ll feed on grass like a bull, and be drenched with the dew of heaven until seven time periods have passed by—until you realize that the Most Supreme rules in the kingdoms of men, and gives 'power' to anyone He chooses. 26 Since the command was to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be restored to you after you realize that heaven rules.
27 “‘So, my lord, if my advice seems good to you: Stop your sinning by doing what is right, and your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be extended.’
28 This all happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal 'palace' of Babylon, 30 the king 'thought' to himself, “Isn’t Babylon great? I’ve built my royal 'palace' here by my own might and power in honor of my majesty.”
31 As the king was still 'voicing' these words, a voice 'resounding' from heaven said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, your sovereignty has been taken.” 32 You’ll be driven away from people, and you’ll live among the wild animals in the meadows, and you’ll feed on grass like a bull until seven time periods have passed by—until you realize that the Most Supreme rules in the kingdoms of men, and gives 'power' to anyone he chooses.’
33 Immediately the decree was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from people and began eating grass. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had become like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 Once the days were finished, I Nebuchadnezzar 'looked' up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me, and I blessed the Most Supreme. I praised and honored the One who lives forever: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom remains from generation to generation. 35 No one living on earth is anything compared to Him. He does whatever He wants with the army of heaven and anyone on earth. No one can restrain His 'power', or ask Him, “What have You done?”
36 At the same time my that my sanity returned to me, my majesty and splendor were restored for the 'benefit' of my kingdom. My honor and splendor returned to me, and my counselors and nobles began seeking me out. So I was reestablished as sovereign, with even greater honor than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, because everything He does is 'right', and His ways are just. He is able to humble anyone 'full of' pride.”
[1] Most commentators believe that the seven time periods are seven years, but there is disagreement. Rendel Harris’s ‘Biblical Monuments,’ p. 73, points out that, “Summer and winter are the only seasons counted in Babylonia [and by Hebrews];” if so, seven ‘iddaneen’ would be [3 1/2] years.
1 King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and personally drank wine with the thousand. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave the order to bring in the gold and silver chalices that his father Nebuchadnezzar had stolen from the 'Temple' in Jerusalem, so the king and his nobles, his wives and his mistresses could drink from them. 3 Then they brought in the gold chalices that were stolen from the 'Temple' treasury of Elohim, that had been in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his mistresses drank from them. 4 They drank their wine, and cheered the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.
5 Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster opposite the lampstand in the royal 'palace'. The king watched the part of the hand that did the writing. 6 Then the king’s face turned pale, and his thoughts so terrified him that his legs became weak and his knees began knocking.
7 The king loudly summoned the occultists, the Chaldean astrologers and the diviners. 'He' announced to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed with purple and have a gold necklace around his neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.”
8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they couldn’t read its inscription or tell the king what it meant. 9 King Belshazzar became even more terrified; his face became paler, and his nobles were mystified.
10 Because of the commotion of the king and his nobles, the queen entered the banquet hall and said, “King Darius, live forever. Don’t allow your thoughts to terrify you or your face to become pale. 11 There is a man in your kingdom who is imbued with a spirit of the holy gods, and in the time of your father he was found to have illumination, understanding and wisdom like 'that' of the gods, and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—appointed him chief of the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans astrologers and the diviners. 12 It was because Daniel was found to have an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, the ability to interpret dreams, clarify quandaries, and solve complex problems. The king called him Belteshazzar. So call Daniel in, and he’ll tell you what the writing means.”
13 So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked Daniel, “Are you that Daniel, one of the Judean exiles that my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I’ve heard that you have the spirit of the gods in you, and that you possess illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom. 15 Now the wise men and the mediums have been brought in before me to read the writing and explain to me what it means, but they couldn’t explain it. 16 But I’ve personally heard that you can provide interpretations and explain quandaries. If you can read the writing, and explain to me what it means, you’ll be clothed in purple, and wear a gold chain around your neck, and hold the third highest position in the kingdom.”
17 Then Daniel replied the king, “You can keep your gifts and give your rewards to someone else. Yet I’ll read the inscription for the king and tell him what it means. 18 His majesty, the Most Supreme Elohim granted sovereignty, grandeur, splendor and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. 19 Because of the grandeur that He gave him, all people, nations and languages revered and feared him. Whoever he wanted he executed; whoever he wanted he kept alive; whoever he wanted he promoted and whoever he wanted he humbled. 20 But when his 'self worth' was inflated, and his spirit was hardened into arrogance, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his splendor was taken from him. 21 He was driven from 'humanity' and given the mind of an animal. He lived with the wild donkeys, he fed on grass like a bull, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he realized that the Most Supreme Elohim rules in the kingdom of men, and that He sets anyone He wants over it.
22 But you, Belshazzar, his son, haven’t humbled yourself, even tho you knew all of this. 23 Instead you’ve exalted yourself against the Sovereign of heaven. You had the chalets stolen from His 'Temple' brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your mistresses drank wine from them. You cheered the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone that can’t see or hear or understand. But you didn’t honor the Elohim who holds your life-breath in His hand all your days. 24 Then He sent a 'hand', and this inscription was written:
25 “This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN [plural]. 26 This is the interpretation of each word:
MENE: Elohim has numbered the days of your kingdom, and ended it. 27 TEKEL: You’ve been weighed on a balance scale—and you don’t measure up. 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians [Iran].”
29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation about him, that he would hold the third highest position in the kingdom.
30 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was killed, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, to rule thruout the realm. 2 Over them were three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps were made accountable to them, so the king would experience no losses. 3 Daniel distinguished himself among all the administrators and the satraps, because he had an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire realm.
4 So the administrators and the satraps tried to find a reason to bring charges against Daniel regarding kingdom affairs, but they couldn’t find a plausible excuse for an accusation or any evidence of corruption because he was entirely ethical, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 Then these men said, “We won’t find any basis for an accusation against Daniel unless we find something against him regarding the Torah of his Elohim.”
6 Then the administrators and satraps went together to the king and told him, “King Darius, live forever. 7 All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, advisers and governors are in agreement that the king should establish and enforce an edict that anyone who petitions of any god or man for thirty days, except for you, my lord, must be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, the O king, issue a decree and sign the document as a law of the Medes and Persians; that can’t be altered or revoked.” 9 King Darius signed the document, that is, the decree.
10 When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and he got down on his knees and prayed three times a day, giving thanks to his Elohim, as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and asking for Elohim’s help. 12 So they approached the king and asked about the king’s decree: “Didn’t you sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or person within thirty days, except you, my lord, will be throw into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians that can’t be revoked.”
13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, pays no attention to you, O king or the decree so that you’ve signed. He’s still praying three times a day.”
14 As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed, and began contemplating how to save Daniel, and made every effort to save Daniel before sundown.
15 Then these men went together to the king, and told the king, “Recognize, O king, that it’s a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or permanent rule that the king establishes can be revoked.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel in and threw him into the lions’ den. The king told Daniel, “Your Elohim who you serve constantly will rescue you Himself!”
17 A stone was brought, and laid over the 'opening' of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
18 Then the king went to his 'palace' and spent the night fasting and without musical entertainment being brought to him, and he couldn’t sleep.
19 Then the king got up very early, at day break, and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 As he approached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. The king said, “Daniel, servant of the living Elohim, was your Elohim who you serve constantly able to rescue you from the lions?
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “Forever live the King! 22 My Elohim has sent his Messenger, and shut the lions’ mouths, and they haven’t hurt me since I’m innocent in His sight, and O king, I haven’t done any wrong against you.”
23 Then the king was greatly pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and absolutely no harm had been done to him, because he had trusted in his Elohim.
24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had wanted Daniel to be eaten, and they threw them, their children and their wives into the lions den; and before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overwhelmed them and crushed all their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote to every people, nation and language living thruout the land:
“May you prosper greatly!
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom everyone must revere the Elohim of Daniel, because He is the living Elohim and He endures forever; His dominion is the one that will never be destroyed, and his dominion will exist forever. 27 He rescues and saves and performs signs and miracles in heaven and on earth. He rescued Daniel from the 'claws' of the lions.”
28 Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
1 In the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed thru his mind as he was lying in his bed. He recorded the dream, and this is how the account begins.
2 Daniel said, “In my vision one night, I saw four spirits [or winds] from heaven stirring up the 'Mediterranean' Sea. 3 Four huge wild beasts came out of the sea, each different from the others. [1]
4 The first was like a lion, but it had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were torn off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and it was given a human mind.
5 Then I saw a second wild beast that looked like a bear! It had reared up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, “Get up and gorge yourself on flesh.”
6 While I was watching, another beast appeared! It resembled a leopard with four birds’ wings on its back. It had four heads and was given the authority to rule.
7 After that in my vision that night I saw a fourth wild beast! [2] It was dreadful, terrifying and extremely strong. It has huge iron teeth. It was crushing and devouring things, and trampling underfoot anything that was left. It was different than any of the beasts in its presence, and it had ten horns.
8 While I was contemplating the horns, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were ripped out by the roots right in front of it. This horn’s eyes appeared to be human and it was mouthing arrogant claims!
9 I watched until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair on His head was like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, and its wheels were like blazing fire. 10 A river of fire flowed out from before Him. Millions served Him, and one hundred million stood before Him. The court 'convened', and the books were opened.
11 I kept watching due to the boastful voice that the horn [Antimessiah] spoke with—I watched until the wild beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and 'thrown' into the blazing fire. 12 As for the other wild beasts, their sovereignty was taken away, but their lives were prolonged [3] for a period of time.
13 In my vision that night I saw what looked like a Human Son [man] [4] coming with the clouds of the sky [or of heaven], and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence. 14 He was given dominion, splendor and a Kingdom, so that people of every nation and language would serve Him. His Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom that will never pass away, and His Kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15 I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions in my mind terrified me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the exact meaning of all this. His explanation gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 These four huge wild beasts represent four 'dynasties' that will rise to power from the earth. 18 But the 'chosen' ones [saints] of the Most Supreme will receive the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom forever, for all ages to come.”
19 Then I wanted to know the significance of the fourth wild beast, since it was different from the rest of them, so very terrifying. It crushed and devoured its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws before trampling what was left with its feet. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up before the three that fell down, namely, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that boasted so arrogantly, and that seemed larger than the others. 21 As I watched the little horn was waging war against the 'chosen' ones, and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days [the Father] came and pronounced judgment in favor of the 'chosen' ones of the Most Supreme, and the specified time came for the faithful to take possession of the Kingdom.
23 Then he explained: “The fourth wild beast will be a fourth royal super power in the 'region' [5]. It will be different than any other kingdom. It will devour the entire 'region', trampling and crushing it. 24 As for the ten horns, ten kings will come from this kingdom, then another will rise to power after them. He’ll be different than the previous ones, and he’ll subdue three kings. 25 He [the Beast] will speak against the Most Supreme, and wear down by constant harassment the cherished [holy] ones of the Most Supreme, and his plan will be to make alterations to time, and the cherished ones will be handed over to him [the Beast] for a time, times and half a time. 26 “But the court will sit for judgment, and they’ll take away his dominion, to exterminate and destroy it forever. 27 The kingdom and the sovereignty, and the majesty of every kingdom under every sky will be given to the chosen ones, the people of the Most Supreme. His kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and every king will serve, hear and obey Him.’ 28 This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts alarmed me greatly, and my 'face turned pale', but I kept the matter to myself.
[1] This prophecy doesn’t really match any past event. Of these 27 translations only the Literal Standard Version and Young’s Literal Translation transcend the past and become a present day warning. [2] I really like this Geo-political assessment of end-time events relative to Daniel 7! [3] These beasts are alive and kicking (not ancient history) when Yeshua meets up with the Ancient of Days in the very next verse! [4] Messiah in the form of a human being: See all the commentaries on this page. [5] Obviously there have been other superpowers on the planet, but not in that region—despite how “every” other translation chooses to state it.
1 1 In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that appeared to me earlier. 2 In the vision, as I was watching, I was in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam, and I saw myself in the vision beside the Ulai canal.
3 Then I 'looked up' and saw a ram with two horns standing in front of the canal! The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer came [or grew] up last. 4 I watched the ram charging to the west, the north and the south, and no other wild beasts could stand against him, and no one could escape from his 'power', but he did as he pleased and became very strong.
5 As I was watching, a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground. The goat had a prominent horn between his eyes! 6 He approached the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the canal and charged him in a powerful rage. 7 I saw him charge the ram, enraged with anger against him, as he struck the ram, and shattered his two horns, and the ram was powerless to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled him. There was no one who could rescue the ram from his 'power'.
8 The male goat became very powerful, but once he was strong, the large horn was broken. In it’s place four notable horns grew toward the four winds of the sky.”
9 Out of one of them came a little horn [aka the Antichrist] that grew exceeding great toward the south, the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew so great that it even reached the army of heaven, and caused some of the army and the stars to fall to the ground, and it trampled them. 11 It became arrogant and powerful, and even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army, and it took away from him the continual burnt zebakim [sacrifices], and the 'Cherished' Place was overthrown. 12 Because of the rebellion, the army [of the 'chosen' ones: saints] were given over to it, along with the daily burnt offerings, and it threw truth to the ground, and 'the horn' did whatever it wanted to and prospered.”
13 Then I heard a 'special' one speaking, and another 'special' one asked the one who was speaking, “How long is the prophecy [vision] about the continual burnt offerings and the desolating transgression [ravaging of the city] going to last—the surrender of the 'Cherished' Place [Temple] and its forces to be trampled?”
14 He told me, ‘'It will take' 2,300 evenings and mornings, then the 'Cherished' Place will be properly restored.” [1]
15 After I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I was trying to understand it. Then someone who looked like a man stood in front of me!
16 I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, as he called out, “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.”
17 So he approached where I was standing, and when he came, I was frightened and fell facedown, but he told me, “Understand, human son, because the vision is about the time of the end.”
18 As he spoke to me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground, but he touched me and made me stand up.
19 He said, “I’ll explain to you what will happen during the final period of the indignation, because it 'is about' the specified time of the end!
20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia [Iran].
21 The shaggy male goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king.
22 As for the broken horn, and the four that replaced it, four kingdoms will arise out of his nation, but not with his power.
23 “Toward the latter part of their reign, when their defiant conduct is about to be finished, a bold faced king who understands dark obscure utterances will step up.
24 He’ll become very strong, but not by his own power, and he’ll cause astonishing destruction and succeed in everything he does. He’ll destroy powerful men and the 'chosen' [holy] people.
25 And thru his cunning He’ll cause deception to succeed by his influence. He’ll become arrogant, and destroy many while they are off guard. He’ll even oppose the Commander of commanders, but he’ll be broken without human intervention.
26 “The vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings that was explained to you is true. Seal up the vision, because it won’t occur until the end time.’
27 I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up, and resumed taking care of the king’s affairs. I was astonished by the vision, and there was no one to explain it. 1 It was the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent. He had been appointed king over the Chaldean empire.
2 In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the 'Scriptures' (according to the Word of Yehovah given to the prophet Jeremiah) that Jerusalem was to lie in ruins for seventy years.
3 So I turned my attention to Yehovah Elohim in prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
4 I prayed to Yehovah my Elohim and confessed:
“Oh Yehovah, You are the great and awesome Elohim who honors His covenant of faithful love with those who love Him and preserve His Commandments.
5 But we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled by turning away from Your commandments and regulations.
6 We haven’t listened to Your servants the prophets who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors and all the people of the land.
7 “Yehovah, righteousness belongs to You, but to us 'open shame'—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both nearby and far away, in all the countries where You’ve driven them, because of the unfaithfulness that they’ve committed against You.
8 Yehovah, 'open shame' belongs to us, to our kings, to our princes and our ancestors because we’ve sinned against You.
9 To the Sovereign our Elohim belongs mercy and forgiveness, even tho we have rebelled against Him.
10 We haven’t obeyed the voice of Yehovah our Elohim, to 'live' by His Torah that He set before us thru His servants the prophets.
11 All of Israel has transgressed your Torah, and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice!
So the curses and oaths written in the Torah of Moses the servant of Elohim have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.
12 He has carried out His promise that He made concerning us, and against our rulers who ruled us by bringing on us great disaster. Nowhere under the entire heaven has anything ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 As it’s written in the Torah of Moses, this entire disaster has come on us, yet we haven’t even asked for the favor of Yehovah our Elohim, by turning from our sins and acknowledging Your truth.
14 So Yehovah kept the disaster in mind and brought it about, because Yehovah our Elohim is righteous in everything He has done, but we haven’t obeyed what He said.
15 “And now, Yehovah our Elohim who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand and made a name [reputation] for Yourself that remains today—we’ve sinned. We’ve acted wickedly.
16 Yehovah, according to all Your righteousness, please allow Your anger and Your wrath to be turned away from Your city Jerusalem and Your 'special' mountain, because our sins and the sins of our ancestors, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to everyone around us.
17 “So now, our Elohim, listen to the prayer of Your servant, and his requests, and for Your own sake Sovereign, 'look with favor' on Your desolate 'Temple'.
18 “My Elohim, 'lean down' and listen! Open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We aren’t making requests because of any merits of our own, but because of Your great compassion.
19 “Sovereign, listen! Sovereign, forgive! Sovereign, take note and take action! For Your own sake, my Elohim, don’t delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
20 While I continued to pray, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and presenting my request before Yehovah my Elohim on behalf of the 'special' mountain of my Elohim,
21 and while I was still praying, the man Gabriel, who I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me breathless from swift flight, and touched me about the time of the evening ze’bak [sacrifice].
22 He gave me this explanation: ‘Daniel, I’ve come here to give you insight and understanding.
23 As soon as you began praying, a command was issued. I’ve come to convey it to you, because you are so precious. So consider the message and understand the vision.
24 “Seventy septad time periods [“weeks”] have been assigned for your people and your 'special' city to end the rebellion, to put a stop to sin, to reconcile injustices, to usher in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the prophet’s vision and anoint the Most 'Special' One.
25 So know and understand that from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem [Ezra 7], until Messiah the Prince [Anointed One], there will be seven 'sevens', and sixty-two 'sevens'. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat in distressful times. [1]
26 “After the sixty-two 'sevens' [of the 490 'sevens' (with 7 'sevens' remaining today)] the Anointed One [Messiah] will be cut off [2], and will have nothing [3], and the 'cohorts' of the coming [evil] prince [4] will destroy the city and the 'Cherished' Place [70 AD] and its end will be with a flood, and all the way to the end there will be war; desolation is determined.
27 Then he [the desolator] will force a strong 'contract' on many for one septad time period. Then in the middle of the period of seven [Shemitah cycle] he [the desolator] will stop the zebakim [sacrifices] and the offerings: [Daniel 12:11] And the winged one of abomination will cause desolation, until the predetermined destruction is poured out on the desolator.” [During the Jubilee year: Isaiah 34:1-8] [1] The prophecy in this chapter is the key to understanding the chronology of a vast portion of end time events. I highly advise wading thru the large amount of text devoted to it in Benson’s Commentary and Barne’s CommentaryThe Beast
DANIEL 9
The Messiah’s Coming
The Seventy Sevens
1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war, but he understood the words he heard and understood the vision.
2 At that 'time' I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I ate no sumptuous food; no meat or wine passed my 'lips'; and I didn’t use any 'lotions' at all until three weeks were over.
4 On the twentieth-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, and his face 'shone' like lightning, and his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet gleamed like polished bronze, and the sound of his words were like the raging sea.
7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, because the men who were with me simply couldn’t see it. But they were overcome with trembling, and they ran away and hid. 8 So I was left alone as I witnessed this great vision; I was drained of strength, my face was distorted, and I became weak. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and when I heard the sound of his words I fell facedown into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground.
10 Suddenly a hand touched me, that caused me to tremble on my hands and knees. 11 He told me, “Daniel, you are greatly loved. Carefully consider what I’m about to tell you. Stand up, because I have been sent to you. When he told me this, I stood trembling.
12 Then he told me, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel, because from the first day that you dedicated yourself to understanding, and humbled yourself before your Elohim, your words were heard, and I’ve come as a result of your 'prayers'. 13 But the commander of the kingdom of Persia [Iran] stood against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the leading commanders came to help me, since I had been left there with the kings of Persia! 14 Now I’ve come to help you understand what will happen to your people during the latter days, because the vision pertains to the time yet to come.’
15 When he finished 'giving' me this message, I faced the ground again and was speechless. 16 Suddenly something that looked like a man’s hand touched my lips, then I opened my mouth and told the one standing in front of me, “My lord, I’m overwhelmed with anguish by this vision, and I’ve lost my strength. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you lord? Now I have no strength and I can hardly breathe.”
18 Then again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 He said, “Greatly esteemed man, don’t be afraid, be at peace and be strong.”
Then as soon as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Talk to me lord, since you’ve strengthened me.”
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? Soon I’ll return to fight against the commander of Persia [Iran]. And when I leave, the commander of Greece will come! 21 But I’ll tell you what is mentioned in the Book of Pure Truth, and there is no one standing with me, in opposition to these except for Michael, your commander.
1 In the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, I [Gabriel] took my stand to encourage and protect him.
2 “Now I’ll reveal to you the truth. Three more kings are going to arise in Persia [Iran]. Then there will be a fourth who will become far richer than all the others. Once he has gained strength thru his wealth, he’ll stir the entire empire against the realm of Javan [now in Japan?].
3 “A powerful king will emerge who will rule with amazing force and do whatever he wants. 4 But once he’s established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his descendants, and it won’t have the power he had, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.
5 “The King of the South will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger, and he’ll rule a vast empire.
6 After a number of years they’ll form an alliance, and the daughter of the Kingdom of the South will come to the Kingdom of the North to smooth things out, but she won’t retain her power, and he won’t retain his power, but she’ll be given up, as will those who supported her, as well as her father, and the one who empowered her at the time. 7 But one of the descendants of her line will arise to take her place. He’ll come against their army and enter the fortress of the King of the North, fight against them and be victorious. 8 He’ll seize their gods, their cast metal images, and their precious silver and gold items and carry them off to Egypt, and he’ll refrain from waging war against the King of the North for a number of years.
9 He’ll invade the realm of the King of the South, but then return to his own country. 10 His sons will mobilize for war, assembling an army of considerable force; and one of them will advance, rushing thru like a flood, waging war again as far as his fortress.
11 The King of the South will be enraged and fight against the King of the North. He’ll raise a large 'army', but that 'army' will be handed over to his enemy. 12 When the 'army' is captured, he’ll become overconfident and slaughter tens of thousands, yet he won’t prevail.
13 The King of the North will return and raise a larger army than before, and after several years he’ll advance with a huge army, vastly supplied with armaments. 14 During those years, many will oppose the King of the South. The more violent of your people will rebel in order to fulfill this vision, but they won’t succeed. 15 Then the King of the North will come and raise siege works and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand. Not even his 'special forces' [1] will have the strength to stand.
16 But he [the king of the North] who comes against him will do whatever he wants to, and no one will oppose him. He’ll establish himself in the beautiful land with total destruction within his 'reach'. 17 He’ll 'be determined' to come with the might of his entire kingdom, and propose equitable conditions and terms of peace. He’ll give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow 'the kingdom', but she won’t stand with him or support him.
18 After this he’ll turn his 'attention' to the distant lands beyond the oceans, and capture many! But a commander will put an end to his aggression; in fact, he’ll repay him for his insolence and turn his taunts against him. 19 Then he’ll turn his 'attention' toward the fortresses in his own territory, but he’ll stumble, fall and not be seen again.
20 “Then in his place someone will arise who will 'unleash' a tax extractor thru the Jewel of his kingdom [Probably Jerusalem]; but within a few days he’ll be destroyed, tho not in anger or battle.” [2]
21 A contemptible person will emerge in his place, who won’t have been given a title of royalty. He’ll come in a time of peace, and seize the kingdom via conspiracy. 22 A flood of overwhelming forces will be swept away before him and shattered, including a covenant leader. 23 After an alliance is made with him, he’ll act deceitfully, and he’ll rise to power with only a small force of people. 24 In a time of peace he’ll enter the richest parts of the province, and he’ll do things his predecessors had never done; he’ll distribute plunder, loot and goods to them, and he’ll plot the overthrow of fortifications, tho only for a time.
25 He’ll summon up his strength and 'courage' against the King of the South with a large army, and the King of the South will mobilize an extremely large and powerful army, but he won’t succeed because of the plots devised against him. 26 Those he fed will undermine him, and his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. 27 As for both of these kings, their 'intentions' will be evil, and they’ll conspire at the same table, but it won’t succeed, since the end will still come at the specified time [or appointed festival].
28 Then he [Antiochus] will turn back toward his homeland with a lot of plunder, but then he’ll decide to take action against the 'cherished' covenant, and he’ll do that before returning 'home'.
29 “At the specified time he’ll return, and invade the south, but this time it won’t turn out the way it did before. 30 Ships from Kittim will come against him; he’ll be discouraged and turn back, venting his anger against the 'cherished' covenant and take action. He’ll even return and collaborate with those who abandon the 'cherished' covenant.
31 Armed forces will rise up and defile the 'Temple' refuge and put a stop to the daily burnt zebakim [sacrifices], and they’ll set up an appalling detestable idol [KJV, abomination of desolation]. 32 With slick talk he [Antiochus] will corrupt [win over] the wicked who violate the covenant [“with many”]. But the people who know their Elohim will be strong and take action.
33 Their wise people will share their understanding with many, yet they’ll be defeated by swords and flames. They’ll be captured and plundered for many days. 34 When they fall, they’ll be given a little help, but many who become allies with them will not be sincere. 35 Some of the wise will fall away to refine them and to purify them and make them white all the way to the end time, but it will still happen at the appointed time.
36 ““The king [Antimessiah] will do whatever he wants to, he’ll exalt himself and claim to be superior to every god, and say astonishing things against the El [God] of elim [elohim], and he’ll succeed until the wrath is finished, because what has been determined must be done. [Which king do you think he is?] 37 He will show no regard for the god of his ancestors, or a god favored by women, or regard any god at all, because he’ll exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of these he’ll honor the god of fortresses, and he’ll honor a god that his ancestors never knew, honoring him with gold, silver, precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He’ll deal with the most defensive fortresses with the help of an alien god [3], greatly honoring those who acknowledge him. He’ll have them rule over many people, and distribute land for 'a price'.”
40 “At the time of the end the King of the South will wage war with him, and the King of the North [Antimessiah] will storm against him with chariots, cavalry, and many ships, and he’ll invade many countries, and overwhelm them like a flood and pass thru their land. 41 [The Antimessiah] will also invade the Beautiful Land [Israel], and many countries will be overthrown, but these will be spared from his grasp: Edom, Moab and most of the descendants of AMMON [4]. [home of Petra!] 42 He’ll 'conquer many' countries. The land of Egypt won’t escape. 43 He’ll take control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Nubians will also be in submission.
44 But then news from the EAST and the NORTH will quickly alarm him, and he [Antimessiah] will leave in a great rage to destroy and completely exterminate many.
45 He’ll pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the beautiful 'special' mountain, yet he’ll come to his end, and no one will help him.[1] The KJV’s only reference to “chosen people”, using this exact popular phrase applies to Israel’s enemy, the King of the North. However the Masoretic text uses the term in Isaiah 43:20 for Israel. [2] The Septuagint, the source reference of several modern translations, differs greatly from the Masoretic. [3] Apparently the god the antichrist credits is beneath him. Of course he would never admit that the alien or foreign god is Satan. Since the ‘War Of the Worlds” radio broadcast in 1938, Hollywood has been pushing science-fiction movies of aliens or gods coming to earth. Of late the fiction part is eliminated. I think the antichrist will find many welcoming groupies for a gods from space ‘re-education”. ‘Fortification” will be necessary for protection. [4] See Zephaniah 2:8-10 and Ezekiel 25
1 “AT THAT TIME, Michael will take a stand, the great commander who stands for your people, and there will be a time of trouble [the Great Tribulation: worse than 536 A.D, The Worst Year In History], such as there has never been since the first nation up until that time, AND AT THAT TIME [during the “time of the end!”] your people will escape, everyone whose names are still found {niphal} recorded in the Book [of Life]. 2 Multitudes of people sleeping in the dust of the earth will wake up, some of them to everlasting life, and the others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
4 But Daniel, keep this message a secret, and put a seal on the book until the time of the end. Many will travel around quickly, and knowledge will greatly increase”.
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there were two others standing there. One was on the bank of the river on this side, and one on the opposite bank of the river.”
7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river, when he raised his right and left hands toward heaven, and swore by the One who lives forever that it will be for a time, [a year], times [2 years], and half a time [1/2 a year], and when they’ve made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the 'chosen' people, all of these things will be finished.”
8 I heard, but I didn’t understand, so I asked, “Master, what will be the end result of these extraordinary things?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the matter is secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will purify and refine themselves, but the wicked will continue to be wicked, and none of the wicked will understand, but the wise [3] will understand.
11 “From the time that the continuous burnt zebakim [sacrifices] are removed and the abomination that causes desolation is defeated [U] [not “set up”] there will be 1,290 days. [4] 12 Blessed are those who 'persevere' and attain the 1,335 days [5].
13 “But go your way until the end, because you will remain resting, and arise to your compensation at the end of the 1,335 days.
[1] The timing of Daniel 12:1-3 is pinpointed with even more specificity in conjunction with the resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 11:15—mistakenly known as the rapture. Serious confusion occurs since sites like this do not realize that the end time is divided into 3 segments—two 3.5 year long parts totaling 7 years (a Shemitah), followed by the Day of the Lord Yehovah (Isaiah 34:8)—the Jubilee year!
[2] I was astonished (in 2017) to find this decades old analysis of end time prophecy by Ernest Martin. But I was surprised that he did not specify the end date, the Jubilee (as I had). I’ve linked to him for years.
[3] “Strong’s Hebrew 7919: 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper 2) (Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)”
[4] The Book of Daniel does not end with the abomination being “set up”! The 75 day period after the Great tribulation may apply to the time period that Yeshua described immediately following His Olivet prophecy. During the Jubilee year (Matthew 25), the last year of this age when certain people are being “blessed”, could also apply to survivors who thought that they were Christians, being told “I never knew you”.
[5] Second Passover: The 1,335 days extends 75 days beyond the end of Satan’s 7 year long free rein. And 75 days after Aviv 1 is always a Second Passover (counting from an actually sighted new moon, not the Jewish calendar now in use)! So this falls early in the Jubilee year! “Blessed are those who 'persevere' and attain the 1,335 days!” On the surface “arise to your compensation at the end of the days” appears to mean that Daniel would arise at the end of the 1,335 days. But that flatly contradicts Matthew 24. It doesn’t mean that. (Interestingly, the other place usually translated as “the end of the days” refers to the end of the three and a half year period when Nebuchadnezzar lived as a wild beast, Daniel 4:34.) Actually, the phrase “the end of the days” used in this context means the same thing that all eight instances of the “last days” refer to in the Tanak, and all eleven references to the “latter days” means “the end of the age”.
1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia [Iran], in order to fulfill the Word of Yehovah as spoken by Jeremiah, Yehovah stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia [Iran], so that he made a proclamation thruout his kingdom and put it in writing:
2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:
“Yehovah, the Elohim of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms on earth, and has appointed me to build Him a 'Temple' in Jerusalem, in Judah. 3 Any of you who are His people may go to Jerusalem, in Judah and rebuild the 'Temple' of Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel who lives in Jerusalem. And may your Elohim be with you. 4 The men of the region, wherever survivors happen to live should support them with silver, gold, goods, and with animals, besides a voluntary offering for the 'Temple' of Elohim that is in Jerusalem.”
5 So the family 'leaders' of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites—everyone whose spirit Elohim had stirred arose to go up and rebuild Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors 'encouraged' them with articles of silver and gold, supplies, livestock and valuables, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of Yehovah’s 'Temple' that Nebuchadnezzar had stolen from Jerusalem and had placed in the 'shrine' of his gods. 8 King Cyrus of Persia had them brought out by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the leader of Judah. 9 This was the inventory:
30 gold dishes
1,000 silver dishes
29 duplicates [?]
10 30 gold bowls
410 various silver bowls
1,000 other items.
11 The total of the gold and silver articles totaled 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought them all up with the exiles who left Babylon to go to Jerusalem.
1 These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, who King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon. They all returned to Jerusalem and Judah to their own towns. 2 They came with Zerubbabel, Yeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah. This is the number of the men of the House of Israel returning from captivity.
3 The descendants of Parosh, 2,172
4 The 'descendants' of Shephatiah, 372;
5 The descendants of Arah, 775;
6 The descendants of Pahathmoab, of the descendants of Yeshua and Joab, 2,812;
7 The descendants of Elam, 1,254;
8 The descendants of Zattu, 945;
9 The descendants of Zaccai, 760;
10 The descendants of Bani, 642;
11 The descendants of Bebai, 623;
12 The descendants of Azgad, 1,222;
13 The descendants of Adonikam, 666;
14 The descendants of Bigvai, 2,056;
15 The descendants of Adin, 454;
16 The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98;
17 The descendants of Bezai, 323;
18 The descendants of Jorah, 112;
19 The descendants of Hashum, 223;
20 The descendants of Gibbar, 95;
21 The descendants of Bethlehem, 123;
22 Netophah’s men, 56;
23 Anathoth’s men, 128;
24 The descendants of Azmaveth, 42;
25 The descendants of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
26 The descendants of Ramah and Geba, 621;
27 Michmas’s men, 122;
28 Bethel’s and Ai’s, 223;
29 The descendants of Nebo, 52;
30 The descendants of Magbish, 156;
31 The descendants of the other Elam, 1,254;
32 The descendants of Harim, 320;
33 The descendants of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;
34 The descendants of Jericho, 345;
35 The descendants of Senaah, 3,630.
36 The priests, the descendants of Jedaiah, of the house of Yeshua, 973;
37 The descendants of Immer, 1,052;
38 The descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;
39 The descendants of Harim, 1,017.
40 The Levites, the descendants of Yeshua and Kadmiel, of the descendants of Hodaviah, 74.
41 The singers, the descendants of Asaph, 128.
42 The descendants of the porters, the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, the descendants of Shobai, in all 139.
43 The Nethinim, the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,
44 the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Siaha, the descendants of Padon,
45 the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Akkub,
46 the descendants of Hagab, the descendants of Shamlai, the descendants of Hanan,
47 the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar, the descendants of Reaiah,
48 the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, the descendants of Gazzam,
49 the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah, the descendants of Besai,
50 the descendants of Asnah, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephisim,
51 the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur,
52 the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha,
53 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,
54 the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha.
55 The descendants of Solomon’s servants:
the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Hassophereth, the descendants of Peruda, 56 the descendants of Jaalah, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, 57 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the descendants of Ami.
58 All the Nethinim, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants, were 392.
59 The following people came from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan and Immer, but they couldn’t provide evidence that their families were descended from Israel: 60 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, the descendants of Nekoda, 652.
61 Of the descendants of the priests, the descendants of Habaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and took that family name). 62 They searched for their family records, but they couldn’t find any, so they were disqualified from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor told them not to eat the very 'special' things until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim.
64 The whole assembly together numbered 42,360, 65 in addition to their male servants and female servants who numbered 7,337, and their 200 male and female singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings to help rebuild the 'Temple' of Elohim on its original foundation. 69 Based on their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 gold drachmas and 5,000 silver minas and 100 robes for the priests.
70 So the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers and the 'Temple' servants settled in their towns, and the rest of Israel settled in their towns.
1 When the seventh month came and the people of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered together 'in unity in' Jerusalem. 2 Then Yeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers got up and built the altar of the Elohim of Israel to offer burnt offerings on, as instructed in the Torah of Moses, the man of Elohim. 3 So they set up the altar on its old foundation despite their fear of the people around them. They offered burnt offerings on it to Yehovah morning and evening.
4 They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as directed, and offered the fixed number the daily burnt offerings, according to the regulation as each day required. 5 After that they presented the continual burnt offerings, the offerings for the New Moons and all the specified times of Yehovah that were set apart, as well as the freewill offerings everyone brought to Yehovah. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to Yehovah, but the foundation of the 'Temple' of Yehovah wasn’t laid yet.
7 They also gave silver to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and olive oil, to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to import cedar logs by sea from Lebanon to Joppa as authorized by King Cyrus of Persia.
8 Now in the second year of their coming to the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Yeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and everyone who returned from the captivity to Jerusalem began the work. They began by appointing Levites, from twenty years of age and older to supervise the work on Yehovah’s 'Temple'. 9 Then Yeshua stood with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, and the sons of Henadad with their sons and brothers the Levites, to oversee the workmen in the 'Temple' of Elohim.
10 Once the builders laid the foundation of Yehovah’s 'Temple', the priests stood in their clothing with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yehovah as directed by King David of Israel. 11 They sang with praise and thanksgiving to Yehovah:
“He is good, because His faithful love for Israel endures forever.”
All the people shouted with a great shout when they praised Yehovah, because the foundation of Yehovah’s 'Temple' was laid.
12 But many of the priests, Levites and 'family leaders', the old men who had seen the first 'Temple' wept aloud when the foundation of this 'Temple' was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the crying of the people, for the people shouted very loudly, and the sound was heard far away.
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles who had returned from captivity were building a 'Temple' to Yehovah, Elohim of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel, and the heads of the families and told them, “Let us help you build, because we 'worship' your Elohim just as you do, and we have been offering zebakim to Him since the reign of King Esarhaddon of Assyria, who brought us up here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Yeshua, and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel, told them, “You will have nothing to do with our building a house for our Elohim, because we alone will build it for Yehovah, Elohim of Israel as King Cyrus, king of Persia has commanded us.”
4 Then the locals discouraged the people of Judah to keep them from their work. 5 They hired agents to work against them and frustrate their plans 'during the entire reign' of King Cyrus of Persia, until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
6 At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, they made an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persiaa. The letter was written in Aramaic [characters] and translated from Aramaic.
8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows: 9 This letter is from Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the other nationalities that the great and honorable Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the region 'west' of the Euphrates River. 11 This is a copy of the letter they sent 'to Artaxerxes':
“To King Artaxerxes, Your servants, the men beyond the Euphrates River:
12 You should know that the Jews who came to us from you have arrived in Jerusalem; they are rebuilding this rebellious and wicked city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 You should realize that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they won’t pay taxes, tribute or duty, and in the end it will damage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we are 'in the service' of the palace, and it’s not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, we have sent this letter to inform the king, 15 requesting that a search be made in the record books of his predecessors. You’ll discover in the records that this city is a rebellious city, a threat to kings and provinces, and that they’ve already incited sedition here in the past. That’s why this city was destroyed. 16 So we’re informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, the result will be that you’ll lose possession of the property beyond the Euphrates River.
17 Then the king sent this reply:
To Rehum the commander, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces 'west' of the Euphrates River:
18 The letter you sent to us has been 'translated' and read before me. 19 I issued a decree and a search was made. I discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and that there’s been a history of rebellion and sedition there, 20 and that powerful kings have 'ruled' over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that taxes, customs and tolls were paid to them. 21 So issue a decree now to make these men stop, so that this city is not rebuilt until I issue another decree. 22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why should this threat continue to grow, to the detriment of the kings?”
23 As soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they hurried to Jerusalem to the Jews and forcibly stopped them.
24 Then the work on the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem was suspended until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.
1 When the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the Elohim of Israel who was over them, 2 Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Yeshua [Compare to Yehoshua 6:11] the son of Jozadak, began to rebuild the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem, and Elohim’s prophets were there helping them.
3 At the same time, Governor Tattenai from the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shetharbozenai and their colleagues came to them and asked, “Who issued you a decree to rebuild this 'Temple' and finish this structure?” 4 So we told them the names of the men were who were reconstructing this building. 5 But Elohim was 'watching over' the Jewish elders, and they didn’t stop them until Darius received a report and sent a reply to it.
6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor of the province 'west' of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his associates, the officials who were 'west' of the Euphrates River sent to King Darius. 7 They sent him a report that read as follows:
“To King Darius: all peace.
8 “The king should know that we went to the province of Judah, to the 'Temple' of the great Elohim. It is being rebuilt with huge stones and timbers set in the walls. This work is being handled diligently and succeeding.
9 “We asked the elders, ‘Who gave you permission to rebuild this 'Temple' and to finish this walls?’ 10 We also asked them for their names so that we could tell you who the leaders were.
11 “This was their answer: ‘We are the servants of the Elohim of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the 'Temple' that was built many years ago. A great king of Israel built it and finished it. 12 But after our ancestors made the Elohim of heaven angry, He handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this 'Temple' and deported the people to Babylon. 13 However, in the first year of the reign of King Cyrus of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild Elohim’s Temple. 14 He also removed from the 'Temple' in Babylon the gold and silver utensils 'stolen' from the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. King Cyrus took them from the 'Temple' of Babylon and entrusted them to a man named Sheshbazzar, the governor King Cyrus had appointed. 15 He told him, “Take these utensils, and put them back in the 'Temple' in Jerusalem, and rebuild the 'Temple' of Elohim on its original site.” 16 So this same Sheshbazzar came, and laid the foundations of the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem. It has been under construction from that time until now, and it still isn’t finished.’
17 “So if it seems good to King Darius, have a search made in the royal treasure house of Babylon to see whether King Cyrus ever issued a decree to rebuild this 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem, and have the king send us his decision in this matter.”
1 Then King Darius issued a decree, and they searched the archives where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 But a scroll was found at the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media that said: “Memorandum:
3 “In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, King Cyrus issued a decree:
“Concerning the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem.
The 'Temple' should be rebuilt as a place to offer zebakim [sacrifices], utilizing its original foundations. Its height is to be 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits, 4 with three courses of large stones, and one course of timber. The cost is to be subsidized from the royal treasury. 5 Also the gold and silver utensils from the 'Temple' of Elohim that Nebuchadnezzar took from the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon are to be returned to the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and put back in place. You must return them to Elohim’s Temple!”
6 So Tattenai, governor of the province beyond the Euphrates River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites who live beyond the River must stay far from there. 7 Don’t disturb the work of this 'Temple' of Elohim. Allow the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews to rebuild the 'Temple' of Elohim on its original site.
8 “I hereby decree what you’ll do regarding these elders of the Jews in the reconstruction of this 'Temple' of Elohim: The full cost is to be paid to these men from the royal treasury from the taxes collected from the provinces beyond the Euphrates River so that the work won’t stop.
9 “Whatever is needed, both young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the Elohim of heaven, as well as wheat, salt, wine and oil—any requests of the priests in Jerusalem should be given to them daily without fail, 10 so that they can offer acceptable zebakim to the Elohim of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
11 “And I issued a decree concerning any man who alters this decree: a beam will be pulled from his house, and he must be crucified on it, and his house turned into an outhouse for this. 12 May the Elohim who has caused His name to live there overthrow any king or people who lift a hand to alter this, to destroy the 'Temple' of Elohim in Jerusalem.
“I Darius have issued this decree. It should be carried out with diligence.
13 “Then Tattenai, the governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, Shetharbozenai, and their associates did exactly what King Darius had decreed. 14 So the Jewish elders were successful in rebuilding thru the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they finished rebuilding according to the command of the Elohim of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 The 'Temple' was finished on the third day of the month Adar, during the sixth year of the reign of king Darius.
16 The Israelites, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity joyfully celebrated the dedication of the 'Temple' of Elohim. 17 During the dedication of the 'Temple' of Elohim they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all the people of Israel, twelve male goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 They appointed the priests into their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of Elohim in Jerusalem, as the Writings say in the book of Moses.
19 The descendants of the captivity celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month [March 12, 515 BC]. 20 The priests and the Levites had purified themselves together, all of them were clean, and they killed the Passover for all the descendants of the captivity, and for their brothers the priests and for themselves. 21 The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, along with everyone who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land in order to 'worship' Yehovah, Elohim of Israel. 22 And they celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because Yehovah had made them joyful, and had changed the mind of the King of Assyria toward them to 'encourage' them in the work of the 'Temple' of Elohim, the Elohim of Israel.
1 After this, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was well versed in the Torah of Moses that Yehovah, Elohim of Israel had given, and the king granted him everything he requested, because Yehovah his Elohim 'was with' him. 7 Some of the Israelites and some of the priests, and Levites, and singers, and gatekeepers and Nethinim went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes reign.
8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. 9 He had arranged to leave Babylon and on the first day of the first month, [Aviv 1, 457 BC], and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, because his Elohim was 'with' him. [1] 10 Ezra was determined to seek the Torah of Yehovah, and to practice it, and to teach the unchanging rulings and regulations in Israel.
11 This is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, a scribe with a thoro knowledge in matters of the Commandments of Yehovah and His unchanging rulings for Israel:
12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the Torah teacher of the Elohim of heaven, perfect peace.
13 “Now I’ve issued a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom and their priests and the Levites who want to go to Jerusalem can accompany you. 14 You are authorized by the king and his seven advisers to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Torah of your Elohim that is under your 'control', 15 and to bring the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have willingly offered to the Elohim of Israel who lives in Jerusalem,
16 along with all the silver and gold that you find thruout the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill contributions of the people and the priests who willingly contributed for the 'Temple' of their Elohim in Jerusalem. 17 You should use this silver specifically to buy bulls, rams and lambs, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the 'Temple' of your Elohim in Jerusalem. 18 Do whatever you and your colleagues deem appropriate to with the rest of the silver and gold in accord with the will of your Elohim.
19 “As for the utensils that are given to you for the service of the 'Temple' of your Elohim, present them all to the Elohim of Jerusalem. 20 If you need anything else for your Elohim’s 'Temple', provide for it from the royal treasury.
21 “I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the provinces 'west of' the Euphrates River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the Torah teacher of the Elohim of heaven asks of you must be provided promptly, 22 up to 100 talents of silver, 100 kors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and an unlimited supply of salt. 23 Whatever is commanded by the Elohim of heaven must be carried out in detail for the 'Temple' of the Elohim of heaven, so that wrath will not fall on the realm of the king and his sons. 24 Furthermore, we are notifying you that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or tolls on any of the priests and Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants and other servants of this 'Temple' of Elohim.
25 “And you, Ezra, using the wisdom your Elohim has 'given' you are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people 'west of' the Euphrates River, everyone who knows the decrees of your Elohim, and teach them to anyone who does not know them. 26 Whoever refuses to obey the decrees of your Elohim and the decrees of the king must be punished immediately, either by death, banishment, confiscation of goods or imprisonment.”
27 Blessed be Yehovah, the Elohim of our ancestors, who has put this in the king’s mind, to beautify Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem, 28 and has extended faithful love to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened 'by' Yehovah my Elohim, and I gathered together chief men from Israel to go up with me.
[1] Isaac Newton based the year of Yeshua’s crucifixion from Artaxerxes’ 457 BC Edict, then he “adjusted” the year to a year when Passover was on a Friday, a Catholic tradition rather than a Wednesday (also see this). He also assumed 360 day-long years were somehow happening?1 These are the 'family leaders' and the genealogical registry of those who left Babylon with me during the reign of King Artaxerxes:
2 of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the descendants of David, Hattush. 3 Of the descendants of Shecaniah, of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah and with him 150 'men' who were registered by genealogy; 4 of the descendants of Pahathmoab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred 'men'. 5 Of the descendants of Shecaniah, the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred 'men'. 6 Of the descendants of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty 'men'. 7 Of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy 'men'. 8 Of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him eighty 'men'. 9 Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen 'men'. 10 Of the descendants of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah, and with him one hundred sixty 'men'. 11 Of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight 'men'. 12 Of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred ten 'men'. 13 Of the descendants of Adonikam, who were the last, and these are their names, Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah, and with them sixty 'men'. 14 Of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud, and with them seventy 'men'.
15 I gathered them together at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I searched the people and the priests, and I didn’t find any Levites there. 16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan. 17 I sent them to Iddo the leader at Casiphia, telling them what to say Iddo and his brothers, the 'Temple' servants in Casiphia, that is, to bring us ministers for the 'Temple' of our Elohim.
18 According to the 'guiding' hand of our Elohim on us they brought us an insightful man of the descendants of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his descendants and his brothers, eighteen men; 19 and Hashabiah, and Jeshaiah a descendant of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men; 20 as well as 220 of the 'Temple' servants who David had appointed and the leaders to assist the Levites. All of them identified by name.
21 I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we could humble ourselves before our Elohim and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our 'children', and all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort with cavalry to protect us from the enemy along the way, because we had told the king: “The hand of our Elohim is favorable toward all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger opposes anyone who abandons Him.” 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our Elohim about this, and He heard our plea.
24 Then I selected 12 of the leading priests, namely, Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their relatives, 25 and I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, the utensils, and the offering for the 'Temple' of our Elohim that the king and his counselors and all the Israelites who were present had offered. 26 I weighed to 'them' 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth 100 talents, and 100 gold talents, 27 20 gold bowls worth 1,000 darics, and two utensils of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold.
28 Then I told them, “You are 'cherished' to Yehovah, and the utensils are 'special' and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors. 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them before the leading priests and the Levites and the leaders of the 'ancestral' households of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of Yehovah’s Temple. 30 So the priests and the Levites took charge of the silver, the gold and the utensils, to bring them to Jerusalem to the 'Temple' of our Elohim.
31 Then we set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The 'power' of our Elohim was 'protecting' us, and He rescued us from the 'reach' of our enemies and from ambushes along the way. 32 So we arrived in Jerusalem where we remained for three days.
33 On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the utensils were weighed out in the 'Temple' of our Elohim into the hands of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him, as were the Levites, Yeshua’s son Jozabad and Binnui’s son Noadiah. 34 Everything was counted and weighed, and the total weight was recorded at that time.
35 The exiles who had come from the captivity offered burnt zebakim [sacrifices] to the Elohim of Israel: twelve bulls for all the people of Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and 12 male goats as a sin offering, all this was a burnt offerings to Yehovah. 36 And they delivered the king’s edicts to the king’s satraps and to the governors 'west' of the Euphrates River, and they assisted the people and the 'Temple' of Elohim.
1 Once these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The House of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the neighboring lands and their highly detestable things like those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. 2 They’ve taken their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the 'cherished' race has intermingled with the people of the neighboring lands. The leaders and the officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”
3 When I heard about this, I tore my clothes, pulled some hair from my head and my beard, and sat down devastated. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the Elohim of Israel due to the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me while I sat devastated until the evening zebakim.
5 But at the evening zebakim I got up from my humiliation, with my torn clothing, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to Yehovah my Elohim, 6 and I said,
“O my Elohim, I’m ashamed and embarrassed to 'face' to You, my Elohim, because our sins have piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens. 7 Since the days of our ancestors we have been exceedingly guilty, and because of our sins we, our kings and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the surrounding lands, to swords, captivity, plundering and open shame as it is today.
8 “But now for a brief moment, Yehovah our Elohim has mercifully allowed a remnant to escape, and give us a peg in His 'Cherished' Place. Our Elohim has made our eyes light up and granted us a little relief from our slavery. 9 Tho we are slaves, our Elohim hasn’t abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended kindness to us in the presence of the Persian kings. He has revived us to restore the 'Temple' of our Elohim, and to restore its ruins, and given us a protective wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10 “Now, our Elohim, what can we say after this since we have forsaken the Commandments 11 that You commanded by Your servants the prophets when You said: ‘The land you are entering to take possession of is an unclean land due to the impurities of the people of the lands. Their highly detestable things have filled it from one end to the other with their impurity.
12 So never allow your daughters to marry their sons or your sons to marry their daughters. Never seek their peace or prosperity. This is so you will remain strong and eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’
13 “And after everything that has come to us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, since You our Elohim have punished us less than our sins deserve, and have given us a remnant like this, 14 should we continue breaking Your Commandments, and intermarry with the people who commit these highly detestable things? Wouldn’t You be so angry with us that You could destroy us, and Yehovah, leave no survivors? 15 Elohim of Israel You are righteous, for we have been left as survivors today. Here we are before You in our guilt, tho no one can stand in Your presence because of this.”
1 While Ezra was praying, confessing these sins, crying and prostrating himself before the 'Temple' of Elohim, a very large assembly of Israelite men, women and children gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. 2 Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra, “We’ve been unfaithful to our Elohim and have married foreign women from the surrounding lands; but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 So we should make a covenant with our Elohim to send away all the foreign wives and their children, in accord with the council of our master [Ezra] and the others who tremble at the commandments of our Elohim; and it should be done according to the Torah. 4 Get up! For this matter is your 'responsibility'. We’re with you, so be strong and act.
5 Then Ezra got up and made the leading priests, the Levites, and the rest of Israel take an oath that they would act on the proposal; so they took the oath. 6 Then Ezra got up from before the 'Temple' of Elohim, and went into the chamber of Yehohanan the son of Eliashib. While there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.
7 They made a proclamation thruout Judah and Jerusalem to all the former exiles that they were all to gather in Jerusalem, 8 and that whoever didn’t appear within three days, by order of the counsel of the leaders and the elders, would forfeit all his property, and himself be excluded from the assembly of the exiles.
9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square in front of the 'Temple' of Elohim, trembling because of the matter and because of the heavy rain. 10 Ezra the priest stood up said to them, “You’ve been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. 11 So confess to Yehovah the Elohim of your ancestors and do His will, and separate yourselves from the nations around you and from your foreign wives.”
12 The whole assembly responded with a loud 'reply': “You are right! We will do as you say.” 13 But there are many people, and it’s the rainy season. We don’t have the stamina to stand outside. This isn’t something that can be taken care of in a day or two because we have sinned greatly in this matter. 14 Have our leaders represent the entire assembly. Then have everyone in our towns who has married foreign women meet at specified times with the elders and judges of each town until the burning anger of our Elohim has turned away from us.
15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah were opposed to this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them.
16 The former exiles did as was proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were 'family leaders', all of them by name to represent their 'ancestral' households. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. 17 By the first day of the first month, they were finished investigating all the men who had married foreign women.
18 Among the descendants of the priests, the following were married to foreign women: of the descendants of Yeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers—Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They vowed to send away their pagan wives, and for their guilt they each offered a ram from the flock for their offense.
20 Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.
21 Of the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22 Of the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah.
23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer.
24 Of the singers: Eliashib.
Of the porters: Shallum, Telem and Uri. 25 Of Israel, of the descendants of Parosh:
Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah and Benaiah.
26 Of the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth and Elijah.
27 Of the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad and Aziza.
28 Of the descendants of Bebai: Yehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai and Athlai.
29 Of the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal and Jeremoth.
30 Of the descendants of Pahathmoab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh.
31 of the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch and Shemariah.
33 Of the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh and Shimei.
34 Of the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu,
38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah and Joseph.
43 Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo, Joel and Benaiah.
44 All of them had taken foreign wives, and some of the wives had given birth to children.
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Originally part of the same book that included Ezra.
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in the capitol of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity.
3 They told me, “The survivors of the captivity in the province are in serious trouble and humiliation. The wall of Jerusalem has been broken down, and its gates have been 'destroyed' by fire.”
4 When I heard 'this', I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the Elohim of heaven. 5 I said:
“Yehovah, the Elohim of heaven, the great and awesome Elohim who preserves the covenant and faithful love with those who love him and obey His Commandments, 6 'please be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant that I am praying before You now, day and night on behalf of the Israelites Your servants confessing the sins of the Israelites that we committed against You, as well as the sins that my 'relatives' and I have committed. 7 We have acted very wickedly against You and haven’t obeyed the Commandments, or the unchanging rulings or the regulations that You 'gave' Your servant Moses.
8 “Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful, I’ll scatter you among the nations. 9 but if you return to Me, and uphold My Commandments and obey them, tho your outcasts may be scattered to the most distant points on the horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I’ve chosen to have My name remain.’
10 “They are Your servants and Your people. You rescued them by Your great power and Your strong hand. 11 Yehovah may Your ears be attentive now to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name, and make Your servant successful today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man [the king].”
At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.
1 In the month of Nisan [Aviv], during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, after some wine was brought for him, I took the wine to the king. Now I hadn’t previously been sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why do you appear so sad when you aren’t sick? You must be deeply troubled.
Then I was really afraid.” 3 I replied to the king, “Long live the king! Why shouldn’t I look sad when the city, the place of my ancestors graves is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4 Then the king asked me, “What would help you?”
So I prayed to the Elohim of heaven. 5 I replied to the king, “If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I can rebuild it.”
6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will your venture be, and when will you return?” So I gave him a specific date and he was amenable to letting me go.
7 I also asked the king: “If it pleases the king, have letters be given to me addressed to the governors beyond the River, so that they will grant me safe passage on my way to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress by the 'Temple' and for the walls of the city, and for a house for myself.” The king granted these requests because the good hand of my Elohim was on me.
9 I went to the governors of the provinces 'west' of the Euphrates River and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard this, they were very upset that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
11 So I arrived in Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I got up at night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my Elohim was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one I was riding. 13 So I went out at night by the Valley Gate toward the Dragon’s * Well and to the Refuse Gate and inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there wasn’t enough room for my animal to get thru. 15 So I went up at night by the Kidron Valley and examined the wall. Then heading back, I reentered thru the Valley Gate.
16 The officials didn’t know where I had gone or what I had done. I hadn’t yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the other officials or any others who would be doing the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the terrible situation we’re in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we won’t be humiliated any longer.” 18 Then I told them that the hand of my Elohim had been favorable to me and about the words that the king had spoken to me.
Then they said, “Let’s begin rebuilding.” So they 'began' this good work.
19 “But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked us, and ridiculed us. They asked, “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
20 So I answered them “The Elohim of heaven will give us success. We, His servants are going to rebuild, but you have no property, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests started rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and hung its doors, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred. Then they dedicated the 'wall' as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and next to 'them' Zaccur the son of Imri built.
3 The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 4 Next to them Meremoth, Uriah’s son, the grandson of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to them Berechiah’s son, the grandson of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them Baana’s son Zadok also made repairs. 5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles didn’t 'support' the work of their supervisors.
6 Joiada, Paseah’s son, and Meshullam, Besodeiah’s son repaired the Old Gate. They laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars. 7 Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah also made repairs for the official seat of the governor from the province 'west' of the Euphrates River. 8 Next to them Uzziel, Harhaiah’s son, a goldsmith, made repairs. Next to him Hananiah, a perfumer, made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9 Next to them Rephaiah, Hur’s son, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 Next to them Jedaiah, Harumaph’s son, made repairs across from his house. Next to them Hattush, Hashabneiah’s son, made repairs. 11 Malchiah, Harim’s son, and Hasshub, Pahath Moab’s son, made repairs on a section that included the Tower of the Furnaces. 12 Next to them Shallum, Hallohesh’s son, the official of half the district of Jerusalem made repairs with his daughters.
13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it and hung its doors with bolts and bars, and a thousand cubits of the wall as far as Dung Gate.
14 Malchiah, Rechab’s son, the official in charge of the district of Beth Hakkerem repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and hung its doors with bolts and bars.
15 Shallun, Col Hozeh’s son, the official in charge of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, covered it and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars, and the wall of the Pool of Shelah at the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. 16 After him Nehemiah, Azbuk’s son, the official in charge of half the district of Beth Zur made repairs as far as a point across from the tombs of David, and as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.
17 After him the Levites, including Rehum (Bani’s son) made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, the official of half the district of Keilah made repairs for his district. 18 After him their relatives made repairs under Bavvai, Henadad’s son, the official of the other half-district of Keilah.
19 Next to him Ezer, Yeshua’s son, the official of Mizpah, repaired a section in front of the ascent to the Armory at the Angle. 20 After him Baruch, Zabbai’s son, zealously repaired another section from the Angle to the entrance of the house of the chief priest Eliashib. 21 After him Meremoth, son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz repaired another section from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of his own house.
22 After him the priests who lived in the lower Jordan valley made repairs. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house. After them Azariah, son of Maaseiah and grandson of Ananiah made repairs next to his own house. 24 After him Binnui, Henadad’s son repaired another section from Azariah’s home to the Angle and the corner. 25 Palal, Uzai’s son made repairs in front of the Angle and the upper tower projecting from the king’s 'palace' to the guards’ courtyard. After him Pedaiah, Parosh’s son made repairs. 26 The 'Temple' servants living on Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. 27 After 'them' the Tekoites made repairs to a section in front of the great projecting tower and as far as the Wall of Ophel.
28 Above the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each one in front of his own house. 29 After them Zadok, Immer’s son made repairs in front of his house. After him Shemaiah, Shecaniah’s son, the guard of East Gate made repairs. 30 After him Hananiah, Shelemiah’s son and Hanun, Zalaph’s sixth son, repaired another section. After him Meshullam, Berechiah’s son repaired another section in front of his own quarters. 31 After him Malchiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the 'Temple' servants and the merchants, in front of the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner, 32 and between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was enraged, completely furious, and he ridiculed the Jews. 2 He said in the presence of his brothers and the powerful men of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer zebakim [sacrifices]? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dust heaps, even the burned ones?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, stated, “Even a fox climbing on what they are building would break down their stone wall.”
4 Listen, our Elohim, how we’re despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. May they be plundered in a land of captivity. 5 Don’t forgive their sins or allow their sin to be erased from Your sight, because they’ve offended the builders.
6 So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was rebuilt to half its original height, because the people were determined to keep working.
7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was continuing and that the gaps were being closed, they were very furious. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and create chaos. 9 But we prayed to our Elohim, and stationed guards to protect against them day and night.
10 Meanwhile, the Judeans said, “The strength of the laborers is failing because there is so much rubble. We’ll never be able to rebuild the wall.
11 Our enemies said, “Before they know it or see what is happening, until we’re among them. We’ll kill them and put a stop to the work.”
12 When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they told us ten times over, “They’ll attack us from everywhere we turn,” 13 So I stationed people behind the lowest points of the wall, the exposed places. I stationed the people by families with their swords, spears and bows.
14 When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember Yehovah who is great and awe-inspiring, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
15 When our enemies heard that we knew about their plots and that Elohim had foiled their scheme, then all of us returned to the wall, each to our own job. 16 From that day on, half of my men continued working, while the other half wielded spears, shields, bows and breastplates. The officers stationed themselves behind the whole House of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and the laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other. 18 Each of the builders wore his sword strapped to his side while he was building, while the 'sentry' who would sound a shofar stayed with me.
19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are spread thinly along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the shofar sound, gather to us there. Our Elohim will fight for us!”
21 So we continued working with half of the men holding spears from dawn until the stars came out. 22 At that time I told the people, “Have everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards during the night and work during the day.” 23 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards 'assigned' to me never took off our clothes. We all carried our weapons, even when 'washing'.
1 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives complaining about their fellow Jews. 2 Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. If we are going to survive we need some grain to eat.”
3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to buy grain because of the famine.”
4 Others were saying, “We’ve borrowed silver to pay the king’s taxes on our fields and vineyards. 5 Even tho we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and tho our children are as good as theirs, we are forcing our sons and our daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved. But we can’t do anything because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
6 I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and their 'complaints'. 7 After serious consideration, I confronted the nobles and the leaders. I said to them, “You’re charging your own countrymen interest!” So I called a large assembly against them.
8 I said to them, “We’ve done everything possible to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you’re selling your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back?” They were speechless! They couldn’t find a word to say.
9 Then I continued, “What you’re doing is wrong. Shouldn’t you 'live' in the reverence of our Elohim to avoid the ridicule of our foreign enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my servants are lending them silver and grain. But please stop charging them interest! 11 Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves and their houses immediately, along with the one percent of their silver, grain, new wine and olive oil that you’ve been charging them.”
12 They responded: “We’ll return these things and require nothing more from them. We’ll do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do what they promised.
13 I also shook out the chest pockets of my robe and said, “May Elohim likewise shake from His house and property everyone who doesn’t abide by this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing like this!”
The whole assembly said, “Aw-main'”, and praised Yehovah. Then the people did as they had promised. And the people did as they had promised.
14 From the day that King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, for 12 years—I and my kinsmen have never eaten any of the governor’s food allowance. 15 The governors who preceded me had severely burdened the people, taking their food and wine, as well as forty shekels of silver. The governors assistants also took advantage of the people, but I didn’t do that, because I feared Elohim.
16 I also devoted myself to the work on this wall; we didn’t buy any land, and all my men gathered there for the work. 17 There were one hundred and fifty Jews and officials at my table, as well as guests from the surrounding nations. 18 Each day, one bull, six choice sheep, and some poultry were prepared for me. Once every ten days an assortment of wines was ordered. But I didn’t demand the governor’s food allowance, because the demands on the people were so burdensome.
19 Remember me favorably, my Elohim, for all I have done for these people.
1 When it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that there were no remaining gaps in it—tho up to that time I not yet hung the doors in the gates, 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Let’s meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.”
But they were planning to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, “I’m working on an important project and can’t come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
4 They sent messages to me four times, and each time I responded the same way. 5 Then Sanballat sent his aide to me in the same manner a fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 This is what it said:
It’s reported among the nations, and Gashmu confirms that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That’s why you’re rebuilding the wall. And according to these reports you are about to become their king. 7 You’ve appointed prophets to make this announcement in Jerusalem:
’There’s a king in Judah!’
Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let’s talk it over.”
8 I sent him this reply: “The things you are saying are not happening; you are just dreaming them up in your own mind.”
9 They were trying to frighten us, 'thinking', “'They' will become discouraged with the work and it will never be finished.” But now, O Elohim, strengthen my hands.
10 One day I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel who was confined at home, he said, “Let’s meet in the house of Elohim, inside the 'Temple'. We should shut the 'Temple' doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight!
11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the 'Temple' to save his life? I won’t go.” 12 Then I realized that Elohim hadn’t sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired to intimidate me into doing what he said so that I would commit a sin. Then they would ruin my reputation and discredit me.
14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my Elohim, for what they have done; also remember the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.
15 The wall was finished in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul. 16 When all of our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their 'self-confidence', because they realized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our Elohim.
17 In those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters were coming to them. 18 Many in Judah were under oath to support Tobiah since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, Arah’s son. In addition, Tobiah’s son Yehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, Berechiah’s son. 19 Also they kept mentioning his good deeds in my presence and reporting to him what I said. Then Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
1 Once the wall was rebuilt and I had hung the doors, the gatekeepers, musicians and Levites were appointed. 2 Then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress in charge of Jerusalem, because he was a faithful man who feared Elohim more than most. 3 I told them, “The gates of Jerusalem must not be opened until the sun is hot, and while the watchmen are still standing guard, have them shut and bolt the doors. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own homes.”
4 The city was large and spread out, but there were few people in it, and no houses were being rebuilt. 5 Then my Elohim put it into my mind to gather the nobles, the officials and the people to be registered by genealogy. Then I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return, and I found the following record:
6 These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles who King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken captive. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Yeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah.
The list of the men of the House of Israel:
8 The descendants of Parosh, 2,172; 9 The descendants of Shephatiah, 372; 10 The descendants of Arah, 652; 11 The descendants of Pahath-Moab, of the descendants of Yeshua and Joab, 2,818; 12 The descendants of Elam, 1,254; 13 The descendants of Zattu, 845; 14 The descendants of Zaccai, 760; 15 The descendants of Binnui, 648; 16 The descendants of Bebai, 628; 17 The descendants of Azgad, 2,322 18 The descendants of Adonikam, 667; 19 The descendants of Bigvai, 2,067; 20 The descendants of Adin, 655; 21 The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98; 22 The descendants of Hashum, 328; 23 The descendants of Bezai, 324; 24 The descendants of Hariph, 112; 25 The descendants of Gibeon, 95; 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; 27 The men of Anathoth, 128; 28 The men of Beth Azmaveth, 42; 29 The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, 743; 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621; 31 The men of Michmas, 122; 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123; 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52; 34 The descendants of the other Elam, 1,254; 35 The descendants of Harim, 320; 36 The descendants of Jericho, 345; 37 The descendants of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 721; 38 The descendants of Senaah, 3,930.
39 The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah, of the house of Yeshua,973; 40 The descendants of Immer, 1,052;
41 The descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;
42 The descendants of Harim, 1,017.
43 The Levites, the descendants of Yeshua, of Kadmiel, of the descendants of Hodevah, 74.
44 “The musicians, the descendants of Asaph, 148.
45 “The porters, the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, the descendants of Shobai, 138.
46 The 'Temple' servants: Ziha’s descendants, Hasupha’s descendants, Tabbaoth’s descendants,
47 Keros’s descendants, Sia’s descendants, Padon’s descendants,
48 Lebanah’s descendants, Hagabah’s descendants, Shalmai’s descendants,
49 the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar,
50 the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda,
51 the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah.
52 The descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim,
53 the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur,
54 the descendants of Bazlith, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha,
55 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,
56 the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha.
57 “The descendants of Solomon’s servants:
The descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida, 58 the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, 59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the descendants of Amon.
60 All the Nethinim, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants, were 392.
61 The following came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they couldn’t prove that their ancestral houses or their descendants were from Israel: 62 The descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, the descendants of Nekoda, 642.
63 Of the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, the descendants of Barzillai, who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was named after them. 64 These men searched for their ancestral records, but they couldn’t find them and so they were considered unclean and disqualified from the priesthood. 65 The governor told them not to eat the most 'cherished' things until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim.
66 The entire assembly totaled 42,360, 67 not including their 7,337 male and female servants, and their 245 male and female musicians. 68 They had 736 horses and 245 mules, 69 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
70 Some of the heads of the 'families' contributed to the project. The governor gave the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 basins, 530 garments for the priests. 71 Some of the heads of the 'families' contributed to the treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. 72 The rest of the people contributed 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,000 silver minas and 67 garments for the priests.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the 'Temple' musicians, some of the people, 'Temple' servants, and all the people of Israel settled in their towns. When the seventh month arrived the Israelites had settled into their towns.
1 All the people gathered 'in unity' into the broad square in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Torah of Moses, that Yehovah had commanded Israel to obey.
2 On the first day of the seventh month [The Day of Trumpets], Ezra the priest brought the Torah before the entire assembly, the men and women, and any descendants who could understand what was said. 3 He read in the square in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and descendants who could understand. All the people ‘listened’ attentively to the Book of the Torah.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that was made for this occasion. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book within view of all the people since he was standing above them, and when he opened it, the people all stood up.
6 Ezra praised Yehovah, the great Elohim. All the people answered, “Aw-main', Aw-main'!” while lifting up their hands; Then they bowed down and worshiped Yehovah with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Yeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the Torah to the people while they remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Torah of Elohim, and then translating it, so that they could understand what was read.
9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, told 'them', “Today is 'special' to Yehovah your Elohim, don’t mourn or cry. Because all the people were crying as they heard the reading of the Torah.
10 Then he said to them, “Go and eat the 'rich food', drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is 'cherished' by Yehovah. Don’t be worried, because the joy of Yehovah is your strength.
11 The Levites calmed all the people by saying, “Be still, for this is a 'cherished' day, don’t be worried. 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send selections of food and to celebrate a great 'festival', because they understood the words that were explained to them.
13 On the second day, the 'family leaders', the priests and the Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Torah. 14 They found written in the Torah, how Yehovah had commanded thru Moses, that the Israelites were to live in tabernacles [aka sukkot or tabernacles] during the Feast [of Tabernacles] of the seventh month, 15 So they proclaimed and circulated an announcement thruout all their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the highlands and bring back olive branches and wild olive branches [?], myrtle, palm branches and other wide leaf branches to make tabernacles, as it is written.
16 So the people went out and brought back branches made tabernacles on their roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of Elohim’s 'Temple' and in the open square of the Water Gate and the one by Ephraim’s Gate. 17 The entire assembly that had returned from the captivity built tabernacles and lived in 'them'. From the days of Yeshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And there was tremendous joy.
18 He read from the book of the Torah of Elohim daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the Feast all seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the regulation.
1 On the twenty-fourth day of this month the Israelites assembled. They fasted, wore sackcloth and threw dirt on their heads. 2 The 'descendants' of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the Torah of Yehovah their Elohim for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day confessing and worshiping Yehovah their Elohim. 4 Then Yeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani stood up on the Levites’ platform and cried out loud to Yehovah their Elohim.
5 Then the Levites, Yeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah said:
“Stand up and bless Yehovah your Elohim: From everlasting to everlasting, may Your splendid name be lifted high above all blessing and praise.
6 You alone are Yehovah, You created the heavens, the highest heavens with its entire army, the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to all of them, and the army of heaven worships You.
7 You are Yehovah, the Elohim who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, and 'changed' his name to Abraham. 8 You found his heart to be faithful to You, and You made a covenant with him to give him the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites and the Girgashites. You kept Your promise because You are righteous.
9 “You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; “You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; 10 Then You performed signs and miracles against Pharaoh, against all his servants and all the people of his land, since You knew how arrogantly they treated 'our ancestors', and You made a name for Yourself that remains today. 11 You divided the sea before them, so that they passed thru the sea on dry ground, and You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into churning water. 12 By day you led them with a columnar cloud [Type 2], and with a column of fire by night to light up way they were to take.
13 You came down to Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just regulations and the Torah of truth, good unchanging rulings and Commandments. 14 You revealed to them Your 'cherished' Sabbath, and gave them Commandments, unchanging rulings and the Torah thru Your servant Moses.
15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger; You brought them water from a rock for their thirst. You told them to take possession of the land that You swore to give them.
16 But our ancestors were arrogant. They stiffened their necks and wouldn’t obey Your Commandments. 17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles You performed among them. So they stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to slavery in Egypt. But You are an Elohim of forgiveness, compassion, mercy, patience, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love; so You didn’t abandon them, 18 even when they made themselves an image of a calf and said, ’This is your Elohim, who brought you out of Egypt,’ and committed terrible blasphemies.
19 You didn’t abandon them in the wilderness due to Your great compassion. During the day the columnar cloud never failed to guide them on their journey. And during the night the columnar fire never failed to light the way they should go. 20 You gave Your good spirit to instruct them, You didn’t withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. 21 You provided for them in the wilderness for forty years, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t swell.
22 “You gave them kingdoms and nations, assigning their boundaries. They took possession of the land of Sihon the king of Heshbon and the land of Og the king of Bashan. 23 You made their descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven, and You brought them into the land that You told their ancestors to enter and possess.
24 So their descendants went in and took possession of the land. You subdued the Canaanites who inhabited the land before them and handed their kings and the occupants of the land over to them, to do with them as they pleased. 25 They captured fortified towns and a fertile land. They took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves and an abundance of fruit trees. So they ate became 'prosperous', and delighted in Your great goodness.
26 “But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, flung Your Torah behind their backs, and killed Your prophets who warned them to return to You; their behavior was extremely contemptuous. 27 So You handed them over to their enemies who crushed them. In their time of distress, they cried out to You, and You heard from heaven. In Your bountiful compassion You gave them rescuers who recovered them from the grasp of their enemies.
28 But as soon as they had relief, they did evil again in Your sight. So You handed them back to their enemies who dominated them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven and rescued them repeatedly because of Your compassion.
29 You warned them to return to Your Torah, but they became arrogant and disobeyed Your commands. They sinned against Your regulations that if people would live by, they would find life. Stubbornly they turned their backs on You, stiffened their necks and refused to listen. 30 For many years You put up with them. By your Spirit You warned them thru Your prophets. But they refused to listen, so You handed them over to the people of the surrounding nations. 31 But in Your abundant compassion, You didn’t destroy them or abandon them since You are a merciful and compassionate Elohim.
32 So now, our Elohim, the great, mighty and awesome Elohim, who keeps His covenant and faithful love—don’t view lightly all the hardships that have afflicted us, our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors and all Your people from the days of the kings of Assyria until now. 33 You are righteous in regard to everything that has happened to us, because You have remained faithful, while we have acted wickedly. 34 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors didn’t obey your Torah, or pay attention to Your Commandments or the solemn admonitions that You gave them. 35 Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying the incredible good things that You gave them, in the large and fertile land that You put in front of them, they didn’t turn from their wicked behavior.
36 Look at us now. We’re slaves in the very land You gave our ancestors, so that they could enjoy its fruit and to enjoy its bounty. But now we’re slaves! 37 Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You’ve placed over us due to our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We’re in great distress. 38 Because of all this we are making a binding agreement in writing, and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests.”
1 The following people sealed the document: Governor Nehemiah (son of Hacaliah), Zedekiah, 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchiah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. these were the priests.
9 The Levites, namely, Yeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, 10 and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.
14 The leaders of the people were: Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai, 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26 and Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim and Baanah.
28 The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the musicians, the Nethinim, and everyone who had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the Torah of Elohim, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding 29 joined their relatives, the nobles, swearing a curse on themselves if they fail to obey Elohim’s Torah given by Moses the servant of Elohim, and to follow all the Commandments of Yehovah our Sovereign, and His regulations and His unchanging tenets.
30 We won’t allow our daughters to 'marry' the inhabitants of the land or allow their daughters to 'marry' our sons.
31 When the surrounding nations bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we won’t buy from them on the Sabbath or a 'special' Day. We will also leave the land untended during the Sabbath Year [Shemitah] [1] and cancel every debt.
32 Also we obligate ourselves to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the 'Temple' of our Elohim 33 for the Bread of the Presence [showbread], the continual grain offering, the continual burnt zebakim [sacrifices], the Sabbaths, the New Moons, the specified times, the 'cherished' things, the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel and for all the work of the 'Temple' of our Elohim.
34 And we will bring the firstfruits of our land from every fruit tree to the 'Temple' of our Elohim annually.
35 We’ll bring the firstfruits of our land the firstfruits of every fruit tree to Yehovah’s 'Temple' annually. 36 We will also bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks as it is written in the Torah, for the priests who are serving in Elohim’s 'Temple'. 37 We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the olive oil to the priests at the chambers of Elohim’s 'Temple', and the tithe of our land to the Levites, since the Levites are the ones who collect the tithes in all the rural towns.
38 A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tithes, and the Levites are to bring one tenth of the tithes up to the 'Temple' of our Elohim, to the chambers of the storehouse. 39 The Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, the new wine and the oil to the storerooms where the articles of the 'Cherished' Place are kept and where the priests serve and where the gatekeepers and musicians are. We won’t neglect Elohim’s 'Temple'.
[1] I was given “The Mystery of the Shemitah” in 2015 and had similar thoughts to those of this link. I also strongly believe in Biblical years beginning in the spring and that Luke 4 provides the seemingly “mysterious” answer. But I don’t know (and won’t pay to find out) how the link’s writer came up with the next Sabbath Year not being in 2026, followed by the 120th Jubilee in 2027, and the end of this age. (But kudos for the comment on the letter to the Corinthians! as I explain here.)1 The leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the 'cherished' city, while nine-tenths remained in the their own towns. 2 The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
3 These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (while some Israelites, priests, Levites, 'Temple' servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants settled in the towns of Judah. They lived on their own property in their own towns,
4 while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem):
Judah’s descendants:
Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of Perez’s descendants; 5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6 The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem totaled 468 outstanding men.
7 These are the descendants of Benjamin:
Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah, 8 and after him Gabbai and Sallai: 928. 9 Joel the son of Zichri was their officer, and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second in command of the city.
10 From the priests:
Jedaiah; the son of Joiarib; Jakin; 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the 'Temple' of Elohim, 12 and their relatives who did the work in the 'Temple': 822. Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah 13 and his relatives, the leaders of families: 242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 and their relatives, valiant warriors, 128. And their officer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
15 From the Levites:
Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside of the 'Temple' of Elohim, 17 Mattaniah the son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who began the thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his relatives; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18 The Levites in the 'cherished' city totaled 284.
19 The gatekeepers:
Akkub, Talmon and their relatives who guarded the gates: 172.
20 The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites were in all the villages of Judah, each on their ancestral property.
21 The 'Temple' servants lived on Ophel; Ziha and Gishpa supervised the 'Temple' servants. 22 The leader of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika. Uzzi was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the musicians for the service of the 'Temple' of Elohim. 23 The musicians were under orders from the king that regulated their daily activities.
24 Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah the son of Judah was the king’s agent in all matters concerning the people.
25 As for the villages with their fields, some of Judah’s descendants lived in Kiriath-arba and its surrounding villages, Dibon and its villages, and Jekabzeel and its villages; 26 and in Yeshua, and in Moladah, Beth Pelet, 27 in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its villages, 28 in Ziklag and Meconah and its villages; 29 in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam and their villages; in Lachish and its fields and in Azekah and its villages. So they settled from Beersheba as far as the Valley of Hinnom.
31 Benjamin’s descendants: from Geba, Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, 32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the Valley of Craftsmen. 36 Some of the divisions of the Levites in Judah were assigned to Benjamin.
1 Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Yeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, 5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah and Jedaiah.
These were the leaders of the priests and their relatives in the days of Yeshua.
8 The Levites were Yeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah—he and his relatives were in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni and their relatives stood opposite their divisions of service.
10 Yeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, 11 Joiada was the father of Jonathan. Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.
12 In the days of Joiakim, the leaders of the priestly families were:
Meraiah of Seraiah, Hananiah of Jeremiah, 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Yehohanan; 14 of Malluchi, Jonathan, of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of Harim, Adna, of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah, of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri, of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua, of Shemaiah, Yehonathan; 19 and of Joiarib, Mattenai, of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of Sallai, Kallai, of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah, of Jedaiah, Nethanel. 22 As for the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the leaders of the families of the Levites and priests were registered; as were the priests during the reign of Darius the Persian.
23 Levi’s descendants, the leaders of the families, were recorded in the Book of Chronicles until the 'time' of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
24 The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Yeshua son of Kadmiel, and their relatives, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving, one division responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of Elohim. 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates. 26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Yeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived to bring them to Jerusalem to joyfully celebrate the dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 So the musicians came together from the region around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, because the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall.
31 Then I had the leaders of Judah climb up to the top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One went to the right on the wall, toward the Dung Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah, 35 and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets, and Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah [Who is like Yah?], the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 as well as his relatives—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David, the man Elohim. Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At the Fountain Gate they climbed the steps of the City of David on the ascent of the wall above above David’s 'palace' to the Water Gate on the east.
38 The second choir went to the 'left', and I followed them with half of the people along the top of the wall, beyond the Tower of Furnaces to the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Ephraim Gate, by the Old Gate, by the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped at the Guard’s Gate.
40 Then the two choirs took their stand in the 'Temple' of Elohim. So did I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Yehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the musicians 'sang', with Jezrahiah as their leader,
43 That day they offered many zebakim [sacrifices] and rejoiced because Elohim had given them great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
44 On that day men were appointed as supervisors over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits and the tithes. The portions required by the Torah for the priests and the Levites were gathered into them from the fields of the towns because Judah was grateful to the priests and Levites who served. 45 They were doing what Elohim required, and the service of purification, along with the musicians and gatekeepers, as David had commanded his son Solomon. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the musicians, songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to Elohim. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and then Nehemiah, all the people of Israel contributed to the daily allowance for the singers and the gatekeepers, and set aside the 'special' allowance for the Levites, and the Levites set aside the 'special' allowance for Aaron’s descendants.
1 That day the Book of Moses was read publicly 'to' the people. 'They' discovered the 'passage' that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of Elohim, 2 because they didn’t meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam to oppose and curse them, but our Elohim turned the curse into a blessing. 3 So when they heard the Torah, they excluded all foreigners from Israel.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest had been appointed over the chambers of the 'Temple' of our Elohim, being 'related' to Tobiah, 5 had prepared a large room for him, where previously they had stored grain offerings, frankincense, utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, the musicians and the gatekeepers, and the 'contributions' for the priests.
6 But during all this time I wasn’t in in Jerusalem. In the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes’ of Babylon I had gone to the king. Some time later I asked for a leave of absence 7 and I came back to Jerusalem and discovered the evil thing that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by providing him a room in the courts of the 'Temple' of Elohim. 8 I was so livid I threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. 9 Then I gave orders to purify the rooms, and I had the utensils of the 'Temple' of Elohim returned, with the grain offerings and the frankincense.
10 I also learned that the provisions of the Levites hadn’t been given to them, so the Levites and the musicians responsible for the Temple service had returned to their own fields. 11 So I scolded the officials and asked them, “Why is the 'Temple' of Elohim neglected? So I brought the 'Levites' back together and reassigned them to their posts. 12 All Judah brought the tithe of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storehouses.
13 I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan, son of Zaccur and grandson of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were regarded as trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their kinsmen.
14 Remember me, my Elohim, and don’t blot out the loyal deeds I have done for the 'Temple' of my Elohim and its services.
15 In those days I saw 'people' in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys, along with wine, grapes and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them about selling food on that day. 16 'People' from Tyre who lived there were bringing in fish and all kinds of goods and selling them on the Sabbath to the 'people' of Judah, even in Jerusalem.
17 I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and asked them, “What is this wicked thing you’re doing—profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Didn’t your ancestors do the same, so that our Elohim brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you’re adding to the wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
19 As it began to get dark at the gates of Jerusalem just before Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not to be reopened until after the Sabbath. Then I stationed some of my men at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the dealers and merchants of all kinds of merchandise camped outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them, “Why are you camping out by the wall? If you do it again, I’ll 'forcibly expel' you.” After that they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and serve as gatekeepers in order to 'cherish' the Sabbath day .
Remember me, my Elohim, in this also, and spare me in keeping with Your great love.
23 In those days I also saw Jews who had 'married' women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. 24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other nations, but couldn’t speak 'Hebrew'. 25 So I contended with them and cursed them and struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear in Elohim’s name, “We will never allow our daughters to 'marry' their sons, and we won’t allow their daughters to 'marry' our sons or ourselves.”
26 Didn’t King Solomon of Israel sin in this regard? Yet there wasn’t a king like him among the many nations. He was loved by his Elohim and Elohim made him king over all the people of Israel, yet foreign women caused even him to sin. 27 Why then should we be hearing about you committing such terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our Elohim by 'marrying' foreign women?”
28 Even one of Joiada’s sons, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, so I chased him away from me.
29 Remember them, my Elohim, because they defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
30 So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned duties to every one of the priests and Levites. 31 I also scheduled deliveries of wood for the firstfruits. Remember me favorably, my Elohim.
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29.
1st and 2nd Chronicless were originally one book.
1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4 The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.
6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath [comment] and Togarmah.
7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim.
8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan.
9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. 10 Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became the first tyranical warrior on earth.
11 Mizraim was the 'ancestor' of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, 12 Pathrusites, Casluhites, and the Caphtorites. (The Philistines came from the Casluhites.)
13 Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, then Heth, 14 and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, the Girgashites, 15 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 16 the Arvadites, the Zemarites and the Hamathites.
17 The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.
18 Arpachshad was the father of Shelah.
Shelah was the father of Eber.
19 Two sons were born to Eber, one was named Peleg, because in his days the landmasses were divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan.
20 Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22 Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, 23 Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were Joktan’s sons.
24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27 Abram (that is, Abraham).
28 Abraham’s sons were Isaac and Ishmael. 29 These are their genealogies:
The firstborn of Ishmael was Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah; these were the sons of Ishmael.
32 The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan’s sons were Sheba and Dedan.
33 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.
34 Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.
35 The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
36 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek.
37 The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.
38 The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan.
39 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40 The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi and Onam.
And the sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah.
41 The son of Anah was Dishon.
And the sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran.
42 The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan and Jaakan.
The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.
43 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites:
Bela was the son of Beor, and his city was named Dinhabah.
44 After Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah succeeded him as king.
45 After Jobab died, Husham trom the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. 46 After Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, succeeded him as king; and his city was named Avith. 47 After Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king. 48 After Samlah died, Shaul of Rehoboth by the River succeeded him as king. 49 After Shaul died, Baal Hanan the son of Achbor succeeded him as king. 50 After Baal Hanan died, Hadad succeeded him as king; and his city was named Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Mezahab. 51 Then Hadad died.
The leaders of Edom were: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52 leaders Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53 leaders Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 54 leaders Magdiel and Iram. These were the leaders of Edom.
1 These were Israel’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gawd and Asher.
3 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan and Shelah; the three were born to him by Bathshua the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yehovah’s sight, so He put him to death. 4 Tamar his daughter-in-law gave birth to Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
5 The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
6 The sons of Zerah were Zimri [comment], Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara; five in all.
7 The son of Carmi was Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban.
8 The son of Ethan was Azariah.
9 The sons of Hezron, who were born to him were Jerahmeel, Ram and Chelubai.
10 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, the leader of the descendants of Judah. 11 Nahshon was the father of Salma, and Salma was the father of Boaz. 12 Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse.
13 Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh,
16 and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel. 17 Abigail gave birth to Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
18 Hezron’s son was Caleb had sons by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon. 19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who gave birth to Hur. 20 Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri was the father of Bezalel.
21 Later, when Hezron was sixty years old, he 'married' the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. She gave birth to Segub. 22 Segub was the father of Jair, who had twenty-three towns in the land of Gilead. 23 But Geshur and Aram captured Jair’s towns, with Kenath and its villages, sixty towns in all. All of these were the sons of Machir, the 'founder' of Gilead.
24 After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Hezron’s wife Abijah gave birth to Ashhur, the 'founder' of Tekoa.
25 The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn, then Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, who was the mother of Onam.
27 The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz, Jamin and Eker.
28 Onam’s sons were Shammai and Jada. Shammai’ sons were Nadab and Abishur.
29 Abishur’s wife was named Abihail. She gave birth to Ahban and Molid.
30 Nadab’s sons were Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children. 31 Appaim’s son was Ishi. Ishi’s son was Sheshan, and Sheshan’s son was Ahlai.
32 The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai were Jether and Jonathan, and Jether died without children. 33 The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.
34 Now Sheshan had no sons, he had daughters. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. 35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant in marriage. She gave birth to Attai.
36 Attai was the father of Nathan. Nathan was the father of Zabad. 37 Zabad was the father of Ephlal. Ephlal was the father of Obed. 38 Obed was the father of Jehu. Jehu was the father of Azariah. 39 Azariah was the father of Helez. Helez was the father of Eleasah. 40 Eleasah was the father of Sismai. Sismai was the father of Shallum. 41 Shallum was the father of Jekamiah. Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.
42 The sons of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and his son was Mareshah, the 'founder' of Hebron.
43 Hebron’s sons were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. 44 Shema was the father of Raham, the 'founder' of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai. 45 Shammai’s son was Maon, the 'founder' of Bethzur.
46 Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.
47 Jahdai’s sons were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph.
48 Caleb’s concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 She was also the mother of Shaaph, the 'founder' of Madmannah, and of Sheva, who was the 'founder' of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Achsah.
50 These were Caleb’s descendants.
The sons of Hur, Ephrathah’s firstborn: Shobal who was the 'founder' of Kiriath Jearim, 51 Salma was the 'founder' of Bethlehem and Hareph was the 'founder' of Beth Gader.
52 Shobal the 'founder' of Kiriath Jearim had these descendants: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites, 53 the families of Kiriath Jearim, the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
54 The descendants of Salma, who first settled Bethlehem, were the Netophathites, Atroth, the 'founder' of Beth Joab, half of the Manahathites, the Zorites, 55 The families of scribes who lived in Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites and the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, they 'founded' the house of Rechab.
1 These were David’s sons who were born to him in Hebron:
His firstborn was Amnon, born to Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second was Daniel, born to Abigail from Carmel. 2 The third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; 3 the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth was Ithream, by his wife Eglah.
4 Six sons were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.
He reigned in Jerusalem for 33 years. 5 These sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four by Bathshua [Bathsheba] daughter of Ammiel, 6 and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 8 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet, nine sons.
9 These were all David’s sons, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Yehoshaphat his son, 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Yehoash his son, 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.
15 Josiah’s firstborn son was Johanan, the second was Yehoiakim, the third was Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.
16 Yehoiakim’s descendants were Jeconiah, whose son was Zedekiah.
17 The descendants of Yehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18 and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah.
19 Pedaiah’s sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei.
Zerubbabel’s sons were Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister; 20 and Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab Hesed, five in all.
21 Hananiah’s descendants were Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah and Shecaniah.
22 The descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah, and the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat, six in all.
23 Neariah’s three sons were Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam.
24 Elioenai’s seven sons were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani.
1 Judah’s descendants were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur and Shobal.
2 Reaiah, son of Shobal, was the father of Jahath. Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.
3 These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. Their sister’s name was Hazelelponi. 4 Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the 'founder' of Bethlehem.
5 Ashhur, the 'founder' of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 6 Naarah gave birth to Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were Naarah’s sons. 7 Helah’s sons were Zereth, Izohar and Ethnan. 8 Koz was the father of Anub and Zobebah, and he was the ancestor of the clans of Aharhel, son of Harum.
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; but his mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez called on the Elohim of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory. May Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And Elohim granted his request.
11 Shuhah’s brother Chelub was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the founder of Beth Rapha. He was the father of Paseah and Tehinnah, who 'founded' of the city of Nahash. These were the men of Recah.
13 Kenaz’s sons were Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel’s sons were Hathath and Meonothai. 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah was the father of Joab the 'founder' the Valley of Craftsmen, since they were craftsmen.
15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah and Naam; and the son of Elah was Kenaz.
16 Jehallelel’s sons were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17 Ezrah’s sons were Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. His wife gave birth to Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah who 'founded' Eshtemoa. 18 His Jewish wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber who 'founded' Soco, and Jekuthiel who 'founded' Zanoah.
19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham, 'founded' Keilah of the Garmites and Eshtemoa of the Maacathites.
20 Shimon’s sons were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon.
Ishi’s sons were Zoheth and Ben Zoheth.
21 The descendants of Shelah, son of Judah, were Er, who 'founded' Lecah, Laadah, who 'founded' Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea, 22 Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Yehoash, Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubi Lehem, 'according to' the ancient records. 23 They were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there and worked for the king.
24 Simeon’s sons were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah and Shaul.
25 Shaul’s son was Shallum. Shallum’s son was Mibsam. Mibsam’s son was Mishma.
26 Mishma’s son was Hammuel. Hammuel’s son was Zaccur. Zaccur’s son was Shimei.
27 Now Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn’t have many children, so their entire clan didn’t become as numerous as the descendants of Judah.
28 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar Shual, 29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri and Shaaraim. These were their towns until the reign of David. 32 Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen and Ashan—five towns, 33 and all their villages around these towns as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record.
34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah.
38 These mentioned by name were were leaders in their families. Their 'ancestral' households increased greatly. 39 They went to the outskirts of Gedor on the east side of the valley to find pasture for their flocks. 40 They found rich and 'fertile' pasture, and the vast land was quiet and peaceful because the Hamites used to live there.
41 These who were recorded by name came in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah. They attacked the Meunites they found there and destroyed their tents and set them apart for destruction, as is 'evident' today. Then they settled in their place because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 From them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men went to Mount Seir, with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders. 43 They destroyed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped, and they still live there today.
1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Tho he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to Joseph’s sons, the son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed, he couldn’t be listed in the genealogical record according to his birthright, 2 Tho Judah was more prominent than his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright was Joseph’s.
3 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Shimei’s son was Micah. Micah’s son was Reaiah. Reaiah’s son was Baal. 6 His son Beerah, who King Tiglath Pilneser of Assyria took into exile; he was leader of the tribe of Reuben.
7 His relatives by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah 8 and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel.
They 'settled' in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal Meon. 9 To the east they settled as far as the edge of the wilderness from the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead.
10 During Saul’s reign they fought against the Hagrites, who were 'defeated'; so they occupied their tents thruout the entire region east of Gilead.
11 The sons of Gawd lived next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah 12 Joel was the chief and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan.
13 Their relatives according to their 'ancestral' households were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber—seven in all. 14 These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their 'ancestral' households.
16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon, as far as their borders. 17 All of them were recorded in genealogical records during the 'reigns' of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel.
18 The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 valiant men who could handle shields, swords and bows, and who were skilled in battle. 19 They went to war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20 They were given help against them, and the Hagrites and all their 'allies' were handed over to them because they cried out to Elohim in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. 21 They seized the Hagrites’ livestock—50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys and 100,000 people. 22 Many were killed because this was Elohim’s battle. And they lived there in their place until the exile.
23 Half of the people of the large tribe of Manasseh settled in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon.
24 These were the heads of their 'ancestral' households: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel. They were warriors of valor, distinguished men, and heads of their 'ancestral' households.
25 But they were unfaithful to the Elohim of their ancestors and prostituted themselves with the gods of the 'native' people who Elohim had destroyed before them. 26 So the Elohim of Israel put it into the mind of King Pul of Assyria (King Tiglath Pilneser of Assyria) to take the Reubenites, Gadites and half of the tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the Gozan River, where they are to this day.
1 Levi’s sons were Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
2 Kohath’s sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
3 Amram’s children were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.
Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar was the father of Phinehas. Phinehas was the father of Abishua. 5 Abishua was the father of Bukki. Bukki was the father of Uzzi. 6 Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth, 7 Meraioth was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub. 8 Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz. 9 Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah. Azariah was the father of Johanan. 10 Johanan was the father of Azariah (who served as priest in the 'Temple' Solomon built in Jerusalem.) 11 Azarir of Seraiah. Seraiah was the father of Yehozadak. 12 and Ahitub was the father of Zadok, and Zadok was the father of Shallum, 13 and Shallum was the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah was the father of Azariah, 14 and Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak [Yehovah righted]; 15 Yehozadak was taken captive when Yehovah sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by handing him over to Nebuchadnezzar.
16 Levi’s sons were Gershom, Kohath and Merari.
17 These are the names of Gershom’s sons: Libni and Shimei.
18 Kohath’s sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
19 Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their ancestral descent:
20 Gershom’s son was Libni. Libni’s son was Jahath. Jahath’s son was Zimmah. 21 Zimmah’s son was Joah. Joah’s son was Iddo. Iddo’s son was Zerah. Zerah’s son was Jeatherai.
22 The descendants of Kohath were Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Assir’s son was Elkanah. Elkanah’s son was Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph’s son was Assir. 24 Assir’s son was Tahath. Tahath’s son was Uriel. Uriel’s son was Uzziah. Uzziah’s son was Shaul.
25 Elkanah’s sons were Amasai and Ahimoth. 26 Ahimoth’s son was Elkanah. Elkanah’s son was Zophai. Zophai’s son was Nahath. 27 Nahath’s son was Eliab. Eliab’s son was Jeroham. Jeroham’s son was Elkanah.
28 Samuel’s sons were Joel, who was his firstborn, and Abijah, who was the second.
29 Merari’s sons was Mahli. Mahli’s son was Libni. Libni’s son was Shimei. Shimei’s son was Uzzah. 30 Uzzah’s son was Shimea. Shimea’s son was Haggiah. Haggiah’s son was Asaiah.
31 These are the men David put in charge of the music in Yehovah’s 'Temple', after the Ark [of the covenant] rested there. 32 They ministered with music before the Tabernacle, the Meeting Tabernacle, until Solomon built Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations they were given. 33 These are the 'men' who 'served' with their sons:
From the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, 34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39 Heman’s 'associate' was Asaph, who 'served' at his right: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, 40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, 41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, 42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, 43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi,
44 and from their 'associates', the Merarites, at his left: Ethan son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluk, 45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, 46 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, 47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48 Their 'kinsmen' the Levites were assigned to all the duties of the tabernacle of 'Temple' of Elohim.
49 But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the most 'Cherished' Place, making atonement for Israel in accord with everything that Moses the servant of Elohim had commanded.
50 These were Aaron’s descendants: His son was Eleazar. Eleazar’s son was Phinehas. Phinehas’ son was Abishua. 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
54 These are their settlements according to their camps within their borders. To the sons of Aaron of the families of the Kohathites, because the first lot was for them. 55 They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and the surrounding pasture land, 56 but the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 Aaron’s descendants were given Hebron, a city of refuge, Libnah and its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasture land, 58 Hilen [Joshua 21:15, Holon] and its pasturelands, Debir and its pasturelands, 59 Ashan [Joshua 21:16, Ain] and its pasturelands and Beth Shemesh and its pasturelands. 60 From the tribe of Benjamin they were given Geba and its pasturelands, Alemeth and its pasturelands, and Anathoth and its pasturelands. There was a total of thirteen towns for their families.
61 The rest of Kohath’s descendants were given ten towns chosen by lot from the families of half of the tribe of Manasseh.
62 The descendants of Gershon, according to their clans, were assigned thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Naphtali, and the part of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
63 The Merarites were assigned twelve towns chosen by lot according to their families, from the tribes of Reuben, Gawd and Zebulun.
64 So the Israelites gave these towns and their pasturelands to the Levites. 65 They assigned by lot the towns mentioned here from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.
66 Some of the families of the Kohathites were allotted towns from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory: 67 They were given these cities of refuge: Shechem and its pasturelands in the highlands of Ephraim, Gezer and its pasturelands, 68 Jokmeam with its pasture land, Beth Horon and its pasturelands, 69 Aijalon and its pasturelands and Gath Rimmon and its pasturelands. 70 From half of the tribe of Manasseh, Aner and its pasturelands, and Bileam and its pasturelands were given to the rest of the families of the Kohathites.
71 The Gershomites were given Golan in Bashan and its pasturelands, and Ashtaroth and its pasturelands from the families of half of the tribe of Manasseh. 72 From the tribe of Issachar, they received Kedesh with its pasture land, Daberath and its pasturelands, 73 and Ramoth and its pasturelands, Anem and its pasturelands. 74 From the tribe of Asher they received Mashal and its pasturelands, Abdon and its pasturelands, 75 Hukok and its pasturelands and Rehob and its pasturelands. 76 From the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon and Kiriathaim with their pasturelands.
77 The rest of the Merarites were given from the tribe of Zebulun Rimmono and its pasturelands and Tabor and its pasturelands. 78 From the tribe of Reuben on the east side of the Jordan River at Jericho, to the east of the Jordan, they received Bezer in the desert and its pasturelands, Jahzah and its pasturelands, 79 Kedemoth and its pasturelands and Mephaath and its pasturelands; 80 and from the tribe of Gawd: Ramoth in Gilead and its pasturelands, Mahanaim and its pasturelands, 81 Heshbon and its pasturelands and Jazer and its pasturelands.
1 Issachar’s four sons were Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.
2 Tola’s sons were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Shemuel, the heads of their 'ancestral' households. During David’s reign, 22,600 descendants of Tola were listed as courageous warriors in their genealogy.
3 The five descendants of Uzzi were Izrahiah and Izrahiah’s sons Michael, Obadiah, Joel and Isshiah; all five of them were chief men. 4 Along with them, they had 36,000 battle ready troops according to the genealogical records of their 'ancestral' households, since they had many wives and children.
5 Their 'relatives' among all the clans of Issachar were courageous warriors, enrolled by genealogy, 87,000 in all.
6 Benjamin’s three sons were Bela, Becher and Jediael.
7 Bela’s five sons were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri. They were courageous warriors and heads of their 'ancestral' households. 22,034 were listed in their genealogical records.
8 Becher’s sons were Zemirah, Yehoash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth and Alemeth. All of them were Becher’s sons. 9 Their genealogical record listed 20,200 courageous warriors as heads of their 'ancestral' households.
10 Jediael’s son was Bilhan. Bilhan’s sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish and Ahishahar. 11 All of these men were Jediael’s descendants. They were heads of families that produced 17,200 battle ready courageous warriors.
12 Shuppim and Huppim were Ir’s descendants, and the Hushites were the descendants of Aher.
13 Naphtali’s sons were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shallum, Bilhah’s grandsons.
14 Manasseh’s sons by his Aramean concubine were Asriel and Machir. Machir was the founder of Gilead. 15 Machir took wives from Huppim and Shuppim. His sister’s name was Maakah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad. Zelophehad had only daughters.
16 Maacah, Machir’s wife, had a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother’s name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 Ulam’s son was Bedan. These were the 'people' of Gilead, descendants of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18 Bedan’s sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer [In Numbers 26:30, Iezer] and Mahlah.
19 Shemida’s sons were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi and Aniam.
20 Ephraim’s son was Shuthelah. Shuthelah’s son was Bered. Bered’s son was Tahath. Tahath’s son was Eleadah. Eleadah’s son was Tahath. 21 Tahath’s son was Zabad. Zabad’s son was Shuthelah. Ephraim’s sons Ezer and Elead were killed by natives of Gath when they came down to raid their livestock. 22 Their father Ephraim mourned a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 He slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Beriah [misfortune], because there had been misfortune in his family. 24 Beriah’s daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen Sheerah,
25 Beriah’s son was Rephah. Rephah’s son was Resheph. Resheph’s son was Telah. Telah’s son was Tahan. 26 Tahan’s son was Ladan. Ladan’s son was Ammihud. Ammihud’s son was Elishama. 27 Elishama’s son was Nun. Nun’s son was Yehoshua [Yehovah saved].
28 Their lands and settlements included Bethel and its surrounding villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer with its villages to the west, Shechem and its villages and as far as Gaza and its villages. 29 Next to Manasseh were Beth Shean and its villages, Taanach and its villages, Armageddon and its villages, Dor and its villages. The descendants of Joseph, sons of Israel lived in these towns.
30 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah, and their sister Serah.
31 Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malchiel, who founded Birzaith.
32 Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer and Hotham and of their sister Shua.
33 Japhlet’s sons were Pasach, Bimhal and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons.
34 The sons of his brother Shomer were Rohgah, Jehubbah and Aram.
35 His brother Helem’s sons were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal.
36 Zophah’s sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilsha, Ithran and Beera.
38 Jether’s sons were Jephunneh, Pispa and Ara.
39 Ulla’s sons were Arah, Hanniel and Rizia.
40 All of these were Asher’s sons. They were the heads of their 'ancestral' households, select warriors and distinguished leaders. The number of battle ready men listed in their genealogies was 26,000.
1 Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3 Bela’s sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
5 Gera, Shephuphan and Huram.
6 These were Ehud’s sons who were heads of the 'ancestral' households of the inhabitants of Geba, who were taken as captives to Manahath:
7 Naaman, Ahijah and Gera, who carried them away as captives. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8 Shaharaim had sons in the plains of Moab after he had 'divorced' his wives Hushim and Baara. 9 His sons by his wife Hodesh were Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
10 and Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, leaders of the 'ancestral' households. 11 By Hushim he had Abitub and Elpaal.
12 Elpaal’s sons were Eber, Misham and Shemed who built Ono and Lod with its villages,
13 Beriah and Shema were the heads of the 'ancestral' households who lived in Aijalon, who drove out the residents of Gath;
14 and Ahio, Shashak and Jeremoth. 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16 Michael, Ishpah and Joha were the sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18 Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab were Elpaal’s sons.
19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were Shimei’s [v.13, Shema] sons. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel were Shashak’s sons. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zichri were Jeroham’s sons.
28 These were heads of the 'ancestral' households according to their genealogies, chief men who lived in Jerusalem.
29 Jeiel, who founded Gibeon, lived in Gibeon, and his wife’s name was Maacah.
30 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31 Gedor, Ahio and Zecher [9:37, Zechariah]
32 and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah [9:38, Shimeam]. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.
33 Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal.
34 Jonathan’s son was Meribbaal, and Meribbaal was the father of Micah.
35 Micah’s sons were Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz.
36 Ahaz was the father of Yehoaddah [Yehovah has adorned]. Yehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.
37 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea’s son was Raphah. Raphah’s [9:43, Rephaiah] son was Eleasah. Eleasah’s son was Azel.
38 Azel had six sons. Their names were Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. They were all Azel’s sons.
39 His brother Eshek’s sons were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second and Eliphelet the third.
40 Ulam’s sons were courageous warriors and archers who had many sons and grandsons, one hundred fifty in all. All these were among Benjamin’s descendants.
1 The entirety of Israel was registered in the genealogies that are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah [Commentary] was carried away as captives to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 The first to resettle in their towns on their own property were Israelites, priests, Levites and 'Temple' servants. 3 Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh settled in Jerusalem:
4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, from the sons of Perez the son of Judah.
5 From the Shilonites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.
6 From the 'descendants' of Zerah were Jeuel and their relatives, 690 in all.
7 From the descendants of Benjamin were Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, 8 and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
9 and their 956 relatives according to their genealogical records. All these men were heads of their 'ancestral' households.
10 From the priests were Jedaiah, Yehoiarib [Yehovah will contend], Jachin, 11 and Azariah [In Neh 11:11, Seraiah], the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official of the 'Temple' of Elohim,
12 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13 and their relatives, heads of their fathers’ households, 1,760 capable men for the work of the service of the 'Temple' of Elohim.
14 Of the Levites were Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 and Bakbakkar, Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri [in Neh 11:17, Zabdi], the son of Asaph, 16 and Obadiah [in Neh 11:17, Abda] the son of Shemaiah [in Neh 11:17, Shammua], the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
17 The gatekeepers were Shallum [comment], Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their relatives, Shallum their chief 18 who until now were stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites. 19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph [In Ex 6:24, Abiasaph], the son of Korah, and his relatives from his 'ancestral' households, the Korahites, were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the tabernacle; and their ancestors had been assigned to Yehovah’s camp as guardians of the entrance. 20 Phinehas the son of Eleazar was previously the official in charge, and Yehovah was with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the Tabernacle of Meeting.
22 The total number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to these trusted positions. 23 So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of Yehovah’s 'Temple' that is, assemblyal Tabernacle, as guards. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. 25 Their relatives in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for a period of seven days.
26 The four chief Levite gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility for the chambers and treasures in the 'Temple' of Elohim. 27 They spent the night 'patrolling' the 'Temple' of Elohim, because they were the guards and they were responsible for opening it every morning.
28 Some of them were in charge of the utensils used in temple service, because they were to count them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. 29 Others were given charge of the furnishings and all the utensils of the 'Cherished' Place and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices. 30 Some of the priests’ sons took care of mixing the spices. 31 Mattithiah, one of the Levites who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with the things baked in pans. 32 Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the Bread of the Presence [showbread] every Sabbath.
33 Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the Temple chambers and were free from other duties because they were on duty day and night. 34 Those who were leaders of the families of the Levites, thruout their generations, chief men, these lived at Jerusalem.
35 Jeiel, the 'founder' of Gibeon, lived in Gibeon, and his wife’s name was Maacah. 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth. 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem, opposite their other relatives.
39 Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 40 Jonathan’s son was Meribbaal, and Meribbaal was the father of Micah. 41 Micah’s sons were Pithon, Melech and Tarea and Ahaz [MT omits and Ahaz; 1 Chronicles 8:35.] 42 Ahaz was the father of Jarah. Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. 43 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea’s son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah’s son was Eleasah. Eleasah’s son was Azel.
44 Azel had six sons. They were Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.
1 The Philistines fought against Israel, and as the Israelites fled from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines chased Saul and his sons and killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua. 3 As the battle intensified against Saul, the archers located him and mortally wounded him.
4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and run it thru me, otherwise these uncircumcised men will come and abuse me.”
But his armor bearer wouldn’t do it because he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When the armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on the sword and died. 6 So Saul and his three sons died—his entire 'royal lineage' died together.
7 When all the Israelites in the valley saw that 'the army' had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines came and settled in them.
8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa. 9 They stripped 'Saul', took his head and his armor, and sent men thruout the land of the Philistines to announce the good news to their idols and their people. 10 They put his armor in the 'shrine' of their gods, and hung his head in the 'shrine' of Dagon.
11 When all the people of Jabesh Gilead heard about the things the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men came and removed the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the oak tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13 Saul died for his disloyalty toward Yehovah, because he didn’t obey of the Word of Yehovah, and because he asked a medium for guidance. 14 He didn’t consult Yehovah, so He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David, Jesse’s son.
1 All the people of Israel surrounded David at Hebron and said, “We are your own 'flesh and blood'. 2 Even in the past when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel in and out of battle. Yehovah your Elohim said to you, “You will shepherd My people Israel, and you’ll be the leader of my people Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yehovah, and they anointed David king over Israel in accord with the Word of Yehovah thru Samuel.
4 Then David and all the people of Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land were there. 5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never come in here.” Yet David captured the fortress of Zion, that is, the City of David.
6 David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will be made chief commander.” Zeruiah’s son Joab went up first, so he became chief.
7 David chose to live in the fortress, so it was called the City of David. 8 He fortified the city around it from the citadel to the surrounding wall, and Joab revived the rest of the city. 9 David continued to grow more powerful because Commander Yehovah was with him.
10 These were the commanders of David’s courageous men who, together with all the people of Israel strongly supported him in his kingdom to make him king, according to the Word of Yehovah concerning Israel. 11 This is the list of David’s courageous men: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the leader of the thirty; he used his spear against three hundred and killed them in one encounter.
12 After him, Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite was one of the Three courageous men. 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered together for battle at a barley field; and the people fled from the Philistines. 14 They stood in the middle of the field and defended it. They killed the Philistines, and Yehovah rescued them by a great victory.
15 Three of the thirty leading men went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam, while the Philistine army was camping in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 David was in the fortification, while a Philistine garrison was in Bethlehem. 17 David was extremely 'thirsty' and said, “Oh, that someone could give me a drink of water from the well by the city gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke into the Philistine camp and drew water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem, and took it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to Yehovah, 19 and he said, “Far be it from me before my Elohim that I would do such a thing! Should I drink the blood of the men who put who risked their lives? Since they risked their lives to bring it back, David wouldn’t drink it.
These are the kinds of things the Three courageous men did.
20 Joab’s brother Abishai was the leader of the thirty. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation as well as the Three. 21 Of the Three, he was more distinguished than the two, and became their commander, tho he was’t one of the Three.
22 Benaiah the son of Yehoiada was the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. 23 He killed an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Tho the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club. He grabbed the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 These were the 'exploits' of Benaiah son of Yehoiada, who had a 'reputation' among the Three courageous men. 25 He was honored among the Thirty, but he didn’t become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguards.
26 The distinguished courageous men were:
Joab’s brother Asahel, Elhanan (the son of Dodo) from Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the Benjamites, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a leader of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
1 These were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was in hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the courageous men who helped him in battle. 2 They were archers who could use both their right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows from a bow. They were Saul’s relatives from the tribe of Benjamin. 3 Ahiezer was their leader, then Yehoash, the sons of Shemaah of Gibeah; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, and Jehu from Anathoth, 4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a courageous man among the thirty, and over the thirty. Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, 7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
8 Some Gadites defected to David at his fortified camp in the desert. They were courageous men of valor, battle ready and able to handle shields and spears. Their faces were like the faces of lions and as swift as gazelles on the mountains. 9 Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth and Machbannai the eleventh.
14 These Gadites were army officers; the least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest was equal to a thousand. 15 These are the 'men' who crossed the Jordan River in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks. They drove out all the people in the valleys to the east and the west.
16 Other Benjamites and men from Judah came to David at the stronghold. 17 David went out to meet them and told them, “If you’ve come in peace to help me, then I’m ready to join you, but if you’ve come to betray me to my enemies, even tho my hands have done nothing wrong, may the Elohim of our ancestors look on it and judge.”
18 Then the spirit came on Amasai, leader of the Thirty, and he said:
“We are yours, David. We are with you, son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to those who help you, for your Elohim helps you.
So David welcomed them and made them leaders of his troops.
19 Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But they didn’t help the Philistines because the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts us and joins his master Saul.”
20 When 'David' went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders a thousand each who belonged to Manasseh. 21 They helped David against the raiding parties, for they were all courageous men of valor, and were captains in 'his' army. 22 From day to day men came to David to help him, until he had a great army, like the army of Elohim.
23 These are the numbers of the 'divisions' equipped for war who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, according to the Word of Yehovah.
24 From the 'descendants' of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears.
25 Of the descendants of Simeon, there were 7,100 men of valor.
26 From Levi’s descendants there were 4,600. 27 Yehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were 3,700, 28 and Zadok, a courageous young man of valor, and 22 captains from his 'ancestral' households.
29 From Benjamin’s descendants, Saul’s relatives: 3,000, tho most of them had remained loyal to Saul’s house until then;
30 From Ephraim’s descendants there were 20,800 courageous men of valor. They were famous men in their 'ancestral' households.
31 From half of the tribe of Manasseh there were 18,000 who were designated by name to come and make David king.
32 From Issachar’s descendants there were 200 leading men who understood the seriousness of the times and knew what Israel should do, and their relatives were under their command.
33 From Zebulun there were 50,000 experienced soldiers trained with every type of weapon, with the single purpose to helping David.
34 From Naphtali there were 1,000 commanders accompanied by 37,000 men carrying shields and spears
35 From Dan there were 28,600 battle-ready troops.
36 From Asher there were 40,000 battle-ready troops.
37 From the east side of the Jordan River, from Reuben, Gawd, and half the tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 men armed with every type of weapon for the battle.
38 All these fighting men lined up in battle formation in Hebron with the single purpose making David king over all the people of Israel. All the rest of Israel were also single minded in making David king. 39 The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, because their relatives had prepared for them. 40 Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came and brought food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were huge supplies of flour, cakes of figs, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, since there was great joy in Israel.
1 David consulted each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 Then David said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it’s from Yehovah our Elohim, let’s send word everywhere to the rest of our people thruout the territories of Israel, and to the priests and Levites with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Then let’s bring back the Ark of our Elohim, since we ignored it during the 'reign' of Saul.”
4 The entire assembly agreed to do this because the people 'viewed' it as the right thing to do. 5 So David gathered all the people of Israel from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring Elohim’s Ark from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all the people of Israel went to Baalah of Judah that is Kiriath Jearim, to retake the Ark of Elohim that bears the name Yehovah, who sits enthroned above the cherubim. 7 They 'carried' the Ark of Elohim on a new cart from Abinadab’s home, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before Elohim with all their might with songs and lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark because the bulls nearly overturned it. 10 Then Yehovah’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he put his 'hand' on the ark, and he died there in the presence of Elohim.
11 David was angry because of Yehovah’s outburst against Uzza; and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12 David was afraid of Elohim that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of Elohim home to me?” 13 So David didn’t take the Ark with him to the City of David. He 'rerouted' it to the home of Obed Edom the Gittite. 14 The Ark of Elohim remained with the family of Obed Edom in his home for three months, and Yehovah blessed the family of Obed Edom and everything he had.
1 King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, with cedar logs, masons and carpenters to build a 'palace' for him. 2 And David realized that Yehovah had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.
3 David 'married' more wives in Jerusalem, and he became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all the people of Israel, all the Philistines came to 'attack' David; and David heard of it and went out against them. 9 The Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David asked Elohim, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?”
Yehovah replied, “Go, and I’ll hand them over to you.”
11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated the them there. Then David said, “Like a 'tidal wave', Elohim has used me to overwhelm my enemies.” So they named that place Baal Perazim. 12 The Philistines abandoned their gods there, and David ordered that they be set on fire.
13 The Philistines raided the valley again. 14 Once more David inquired of Elohim. Elohim answered him, “Don’t go after them. Circle around behind them, and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 15 Then when you hear the sounds of people advancing in the tops of the balsam trees, advancing out to battle, because Elohim will have advanced out ahead of you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did just as Elohim commanded him, and they struck down the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 Then David’s fame spread thruout all the lands, and Yehovah caused all nations to fear him.
1 After David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the Ark of Elohim and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one is to carry the Ark of Elohim but the Levites, because Yehovah has chosen them to carry the Ark of Elohim, and to serve Him forever.”
3 David gathered all the people of Israel in Jerusalem to bring Yehovah’s Ark to the place He had prepared for it. 4 David called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:
5 from the descendants of Kohath, Uriel the leader and 120 of his of his relatives;
6 from the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader and 220 of his relatives;
7 from the descendants of Gershon, Joel the leader and 130 of his relatives;
8 from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the leader and 200 of his relatives;
9 from the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader and 80 of his relatives;
10 from the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab the leader and 112 of his relatives.
11 Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the 'ancestral' households of the Levites. You and your relatives must purify yourselves so that you can bring Yehovah’s Ark, Elohim of Israel to the place that I’ve prepared for it. 13 Since you didn’t bring it up the first time, Yehovah our Elohim broke out in anger against us. We didn’t inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 14 So the priests and the Levites purified themselves to 'move' Yehovah’s Ark, the Elohim of Israel. 15 The descendants of the Levites carried the Ark of Elohim on their shoulders as Moses had commanded, in accordance with the word of Yehovah.
16 Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers, with musical instruments—harps, lyres and 'loud' cymbals, to produce sounds of joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel, and from his relatives, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and from the sons of Merari their relatives, Ethan the son of Kushaiah, 18 and with them their relatives of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
19 The musicians Heman, Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 and Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres tuned to alamoth; 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to lead with lyres tuned to the sheminith. 22 Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites in music, was to direct the music because he was skillful at it.
23 Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the Ark of Elohim. Obed Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
25 David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah from Obed Edom’s house. 26 And because Elohim was helping the Levites who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah,they zebaked [sacrificed] of seven bulls and seven rams.
27 Now David was wearing a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah, the choir leader. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 So all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah with shouting, sounding shofars, trumpets, 'loud' cymbals, harps and lyres.
29 As the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out of a window, and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him.
1 They brought Elohim’s Ark and placed it inside the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship zebakim in Elohim’s presence. 2 Once David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the fellowship zebakim, he blessed the people in Yehovah’s name. 3 Then he distributed to every Israelite—both men and women—a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a raisin cake.
4 David appointed some of the Levites to be ministers before Yehovah’s ark, and to celebrate, thank and praise Yehovah, Elohim of Israel. 5 Asaph was the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals, 6 and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the Covenant of Elohim.
7 Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to Yehovah:
8 Give thanks to Yehovah. Call on His name; proclaim what He has done among the nations. 9 Sing to Him; sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works! 10 Honor His 'cherished' name. May the hearts of those who seek Yehovah rejoice. 11 Seek Yehovah and His strength. Always seek His 'presence'. 12 Remember the marvelous things He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has spoken, 13 you Israelites His servant, you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones. 14 He is Yehovah our Elohim. His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember His covenant forever, the words that He commanded to a THOUSAND GENERATIONS [1], 16 the covenant that He made with Abraham, His oath to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it with Jacob as a permanent rule, and to Israel as a never ending covenant, 18 saying, “I’ll give you the land of Canaan, the territory of your inheritance.”
19 When you were few in number, very few, and foreigners in 'the land', 20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. 21 He didn’t allow anyone to oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: 22 Don’t touch My anointed ones! Do My prophets no harm!” 23 Sing to Yehovah, all the earth! Proclaim the good news of His deliverance from day to day. 24 Declare His presence among the nations, and His miracles among all people. 25 Yehovah is great, and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods, 26 because all the gods of the nations are idols, but Yehovah made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are in His presence. Strength and joy are in His special Place.
28 Ascribe to Yehovah, you families of the nations. Ascribe to Yehovah splendor and strength! 29 Ascribe to Yehovah the splendor due to His name. Bring an offering and come before Him. Worship Yehovah in the splendor of 'supremacy'. 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world is firmly established, it won’t be moved.
31 May the heavens be glad, and the earth celebrate! May they say among the nations, “Yehovah reigns!” 32 May the sea roar, and everything in it; may the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy in the presence of Yehovah, because He is coming to judge the world.
34 Give thanks to Yehovah, because He is good; His faithful love is everlasting. 35 Then say, “Save us, O Elohim of our deliverance! Gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we can give thanks to Your 'cherished' name, to triumph in Your praise.
36 Blessed be Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said, “Aw-main',” and praised Yehovah.
37 So he left Asaph and his relatives there before the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah to minister before the Ark continually, as every day’s work required. 38 He left Obed Edom and his 68 relatives to serve with them. Obed Edom (son of Jeduthun) and Hosah as gatekeepers.
39 He left Zadok the priest and his relatives the priests, before the Tabernacle of Yehovah in the high place that was in Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt zebakim [sacrifices] to Yehovah on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, in accord with everything that is written in the Torah of Yehovah that He commanded Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to Yehovah, because His faithful love endures forever. 42 And with them were Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those who were to sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of Elohim. Jeduthun’s sons were stationed at the gate.
43 Then all the people went home, and David returned home to bless his household.
[1] Surely if Yehovah had provided more details about the Covenant He had sworn (Hebrews 6:13-16) to a THOUSAND GENERATIONS, rather than just repeating that the Covenant was a sure thing (Psalm 105:8-11 & Deuteronomy 7:9) people would believe He wasn’t kidding, right?1 After David was settled in his 'palace', he said to Nathan the prophet, “I’m, living in a house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah is under tent curtains!”
2 Then Nathan told David, “Do everything you have in mind, because Elohim is with you.”
3 But that same night, the word of Elohim came to Nathan:
4 “Go and tell David My servant, ‘This is what Yehovah says: You must not build a 'Temple' for Me to live in, 5 because I haven’t lived in a 'Temple' since the day I brought Israel out of Egypt to this day. I’ve 'moved' from tent site to tent site, and from one tabernacle to another. 6 Wherever I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges who I commanded to shepherd My people, “Why haven’t you built Me a cedar house?”’
7 “Now then, tell My servant David, ‘This is what Commander Yehovah says: I took you from a pasture, from following sheep, so that you could be leader of My people Israel. 8 I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and destroyed all your enemies 'for' you. Now I’ll make your name like the names of the greatest people on earth. 9 I’ll establish a place for My people Israel and plant them, so that they can stay there without being disturbed again. The wicked won’t continue to persecute them as they used to do 10 since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.
I declare to you that Yehovah will build you a 'Temple'. 11 When your days are over and you must go to be with your ancestors [in death], I’ll set up one of your descendant after you, one of your sons, and I’ll establish His kingdom. 12 He’ll build a 'Temple' for Me, and I’ll establish His throne forever. 13 I’ll be His father, and He’ll be My Son. I’ll never take My love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I’ll place Him in My 'Temple' and in My kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.’”
15 Nathan told David 'everything' this entire vision.
16 Then King David went in, sat in Yehovah’s presence and said,
“Who am I, Yehovah Elohim, and what is my 'family', that You’ve brought me this far? 17 This was a small thing in Your eyes, Elohim, but You’ve spoken about Your servant’s 'family' in the distant future, and have regarded me as an exceptional man, Yehovah Elohim.
18 “What more could David say to You for honoring Your servant? You know Your servant. 19 Yehovah, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own 'desire', You’ve brought about this great thing and revealed these great 'promises'.
20 “Yehovah, there is no one like You, and there is no Elohim but You, according to everything that we have heard with our own ears. 21 And what other nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whose Elohim went out to redeem a people for himself, to make a name for Yourself thru great and awesome and 'wonders', by driving out nations ahead Your people who You redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made Your people Israel Your own people forever, and You Yehovah, became their Elohim.
23 “Now, Yehovah, may the word that You’ve spoken concerning Your servant, and concerning his household, be established forever, and bring about what You’ve said. 24 May Your name be established and magnified forever, in the saying, ‘Commander Yehovah is the Elohim of Israel.’ The 'dynasty' of David Your servant is established before You.
25 “Since You, my Elohim, have revealed to Your servant that You’ll build him a 'Temple'. So Your servant has found courage to pray to You. 26 Now, Yehovah, You are Elohim, and have 'promised' this good thing to Your servant. 27 So now You were pleased to bless the household of Your servant, so that it can continue forever before You, because You, Yehovah, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”
1 After this David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the grasp of the Philistines. 2 He defeated the Moabites, and they became David’s subjects and brought tribute.
3 David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath as he went to establish his 'control' along the Euphrates River. 4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 cavalry and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, and David hamstrung all but 100 of the chariot horses.
5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed 22,000 Aramean men. 6 Then David placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. Yehovah gave David victory wherever he went.
7 David took the gold shields that Hadadezer’s officers carried and brought them to Jerusalem, 8 along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s towns of Tebah, that Solomon later made the bronze sea, the pillars, and the bronze utensils from.
9 When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah’s entire army, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, since Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of gold, silver and bronze items.
11 King David also dedicated these to Yehovah, along with the silver and gold he had carried away from all these nations: from Edom and Moab, from the descendants of Ammon, the Philistines and from Amalek.
12 Zeruiah’s son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. Yehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.
14 So David reigned over all the people of Israel, and he supervised justice and righteousness for all his people.
15 Zeruiah’s son Joab was in charge of the army. Ahilud’s son Yehoshaphat was the court historian. 16 Ahitub’s son Zadok and Abiathar’s son Abimelech were priests. Shavsha was the court secretary. 17 Yehoiada’s son Benaiah was in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were the chief officials at the king’s side.
1 Later King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. 2 Then David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”
So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy concerning his father. But when David’s envoys arrived in Ammonite territory to comfort Hanun, 3 the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Do you think that David is honoring your father just because he sent people to console you? Haven’t his envoys come to you to explore and to overthrow and spy out the land?” 4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, cut off their beards, cut their clothes off at the buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When David was told what happened to the men, he sent messengers to meet them since they were deeply humiliated. So the king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have regrown, and then return.”
6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become offensive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents [about 38 tons] of silver to hire chariots and cavalry from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah. 7 So they hired 32,000 chariots, and the king of Maacah with his 'army' came and camped near Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came for the battle. 8 When David heard about it, he sent Joab and the entire army of courageous men. 9 The Ammonites came out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.
10 When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and behind him, he chose some of the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans. 11 He placed the rest of the troops under the command his brother Abishai, and they lined up to engage the Ammonites. 12 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I’ll help you. 13 Be strong. Let’s prove ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our people, and for the towns of our Elohim. May Yehovah do what is good in His sight.”
14 So Joab and the people who were with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they ran away from him. 15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were retreating, they too retreated from Joab’s brother Abishai and entered their city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.
16 When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were across the Euphrates River, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.
17 When David was told about this, he gathered Israel’s army, crossed the Jordan River, and lined up in battle formation against them, and they fought against him. 18 The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army. 19 When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.
1 Then at the end of the year [near Aviv], at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led the army and devastated the Ammonites’ land, and came and blockaded Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.
2 Then David took the crown from the head of their king and put it on David’s head, and found that it weighed a talent of gold [75 pounds] and that there was a precious stone in it. David also took away a large quantity of plunder from the city. 3 He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws, iron picks and axes [commentary]. David did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the 'troops' returned to Jerusalem.
4 In the course of time, a war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. That’s when Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated.
5 In another battle with the Philistines, Jair’s son Elhanan killed Lahmi, Goliath the Gittite’s brother, who had a spear with a shaft 'the size of' a weaver’s beam.
6 In another battle at Gath, there was a man of huge stature who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He too was descended from the giants Rephaim.
7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8 These were descended from the giants Raphaim in Gath, and they fell by the hands of David and his men.
1 Satan took a stand against Israel by inciting David to count the 'population of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the leaders of the people, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the results so that I’ll know it.”
3 Joab replied, “May Yehovah multiply the number of His people a hundred times over! But, my master the king, aren’t they all my master’s servants? Why does my master want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
4 Yet the king’s order overruled Joab. So Joab left and traveled thruout Israel and then returned to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the total of the census of the people to David. In all of Israel there were 1,100,000 swordsmen, and in Judah were 470,000 swordsmen. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them because the king’s order was abhorrent to Joab.
7 Elohim was displeased with this, so He struck Israel. 8 David said to Elohim, “I’ve sinned greatly in doing this. Now, please remove Your servant’s guilt, because I’ve been very foolish.”
9 Yehovah spoke to Gawd, David’s seer: 10 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what Yehovah says: I’m offering you three choices. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”
11 So Gawd came to David, and told him, “This is what Yehovah says: ‘Take your choice: 12 either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your enemies with the swords of your enemies overtaking you, or else three days of the sword of Yehovah—a plague in the land, and the Messenger of Yehovah destroying thruout all the territory of Israel. So decide how I should answer the One who sent me.”
13 David said to Gawd, “I’m in great distress; please let me fall into hands of Yehovah, because His mercy is very great. But don’t let me fall into human hands.”
14 So Yehovah sent a plague on Israel, and 70,000 Israelite men died. 15 Elohim sent His Messenger to Jerusalem to destroy it; but as He was about to destroy it, Yehovah looked, relented concerning the destruction, and told the Messenger who was destroying, “Enough, withdraw Your hand now!” The Messenger of Yehovah was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 When David looked up, he saw the Messenger of Yehovah standing between land and the sky with a drawn sword in His hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders clothed in sackcloth fell down with their faces to the ground. 17 David said to Elohim, “Wasn’t I the one who gave the order to count the people? I’m the one who has sinned and acted so wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? O Yehovah my Elohim, please let Your hand be against me and my 'ancestral' households, but don’t let the plague be against Your people.”
18 Then the Messenger of Yehovah commanded Gawd to tell David to go up and raise an altar to Yehovah on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 So David went up at Gawd’s command, spoken in Yehovah’s name. 20 Now Ornan was threshing wheat, and he turned around and saw the Messenger; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21 As David approached Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, “Let me have this threshing floor property so that I can build an altar to Yehovah on it. Give it to me for the full price, so the plague on the people can be stopped.”
23 Ornan said to David, “Take it! My master the king should do whatever he sees fit. Look, I’ll give the bulls for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the grain offering. I’ll give you everything.”
24 But King David told Ornan, “No, I insist on paying full price. I won’t take what is yours for Yehovah, or offer a burnt offering that cost me nothing.” 25 So David weighed out 600 shekels of gold to Ornan for the site.
26 Then David built an altar to Yehovah there, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship zebakim, and called on Yehovah, and He answered him 'by sending' fire from heaven on the altar for the burnt offering. 27 So Yehovah spoke to the Messenger, and He put His sword back into its sheath.
28 At that time, when David saw that Yehovah had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered zebakim [sacrifices] there. 29 The Tabernacle of Yehovah that Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of Elohim, because he was terrified by the sword of the Messenger of Yehovah.
1 Then David said, “This is where Yehovah Elohim’s 'Temple' will be, and this is the place of the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2 So David 'gave orders' to gather the foreigners residing in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonecutters to cut finished stones for building Elohim’s 'Temple'. 3 David set aside a large quantity of iron 'to make' the nails and fittings for the doors of the gates, and an immeasurable quantity of bronze, 4 and cedar timbers beyond number since the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David.
5 David thought, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the 'Temple' that will be built for Yehovah will be of great magnificence, famous and splendid thruout all lands. So I’ll be making preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before he died.
6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and instructed him to build a 'Temple' for Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. 7 David told his son Solomon, “I had 'intended' to build a 'Temple' for the name of Yehovah my Elohim. 8 But the Word of Yehovah came to me. He said: “You have shed a lot of blood, and have waged great wars. You are not to build a 'Temple' for My name, because you’ve shed so much blood on the ground before Me. 9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, [peaceful] and I will grant peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He’ll build a 'Temple' for My name, and he’ll be My son, and I’ll be his father, and I’ll establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
11 “Now, my son, may Yehovah be with you to ensure that you are successful. You will build the 'Temple' of Yehovah your Elohim, as He said you would. 12 May Yehovah give you discretion and understanding as He puts you in charge of Israel, so that you will obey the Torah of Yehovah your Elohim. 13 Then you’ll succeed if you carefully obey the unchanging rulings and regulations that Yehovah gave Moses for Israel. Be strong, and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.
14 “I’ve taken great pains to provide for Yehovah’s 'Temple' 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed, also timber and stone I have prepared. I’ve also provided timber and stone, and you can add more to them. 15 You also have a large workforce: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, and people skilled in every kind of work 16 in gold, silver, bronze and iron—without limits. Now begin the work, and may Yehovah be with you.
17 David also ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. 18 Yehovah your Elohim is with you, isn’t He? And hasn’t He given you rest on every side? He has handed the inhabitants of the land over to you, and the land has been conquered before Yehovah and His people. 19 Now devote your 'resolve' and your life to serving Yehovah your Elohim. 'Get started' building the 'Temple' of Yehovah Elohim, so that you can bring the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah, and the special utensils of Elohim into the 'Temple' that is to be built for the name of Yehovah.
1 When David 'reached old age', he made his son Solomon king over Israel. 2 He gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites. 3 The Levites from thirty years old and upward were counted, and their number 'in the census' was 38,000. 4 Of these, 24,000 were appointed to supervise the work on Yehovah’s 'Temple", 6,000 were administrators and judges. 5 Another 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising Yehovah with the instruments that I made for giving praise.
6 David organized the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
7 Of the Gershonites there were Ladan and Shimei. 8 Ladan had three sons: Jehiel was the first, then Zetham, and Joel. 9 Shimei had three sons: Shelomith, Haziel and Haran. They were the heads of Ladan’s families. 10 Shimei’s sons were Jahath, Ziza, Jeush and Beriah. They were Shimei’s four sons. 11 Jahath was the first, and Ziza was the second. Jeush and Beriah didn’t have many sons, so they were counted as one 'ancestral' households and received a single assignment.
12 Kohath had four sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
13 Amram’s sons were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his sons were designated to dedicate the most 'cherished' things, he and his sons, forever, to smoke incense in the presence of Yehovah, to serve Him, and to bless in His name forever.
14 But as for Moses the man of Elohim, his sons were counted as part of the tribe of Levi. 15 Moses’ sons were Gershom and Eliezer. 16 Gershom’s only son was Shebuel was chief. 17 Eliezer’s only son was Rehabiah. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had numerous sons.
18 Izhar’s only son was Shelomith the chief.
19 Hebron’s first son was Jeriah; his second was Amariah; his third was Jahaziel; his fourth was Jekameam.
20 Uzziel’s first son was Micah; his second was Isshiah.
21 Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi.
Mahli’s sons were Eleazar and Kish. 22 Eleazar died without having any sons, only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.
23 Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth.
24 These were Levi’s descendants who were registered by their families. Everyone who served in Yehovah’ 'Temple' from twenty years old and upward was counted individually. 25 David had said, “Yehovah Elohim of Israel has given rest to His people. He came to live in Jerusalem forever. 26 The Levites will no longer have to carry the Tabernacle or any the equipment for its service.” 27 David’s final instructions were to count the Levites who were at least 20 years old.
28 Their duty will be to assist Aaron’s descendants with the service of Yehovah’s 'Temple' in the courts, and in the chambers, the purification of all the 'dedicated' things, including the service work in Elohim’s 'Temple', 29 as well as the Bread of the Presence [showbread] [1], and also [by contrast] for the fine flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking, the mixing and all measurements of volume and size. 30 They are appointed to stand every morning and give thanks and praise to Yehovah, and likewise in the evening, 31 and to offer all burnt offerings to Yehovah, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons and on the appointed Festivals by the number prescribed for them continually before Yehovah.
32 So they are to carry out their responsibilities for the Tabernacle of Meeting, the duty of the 'Cherished' Place, and helping their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, in the service of Yehovah’s Temple.
[1] Of the 18 chapters in the Hebrew Scriptures where the Bread of the Presence is used, only one of them also contains the word “unleavened”, and this reference distinguishes the Bread of the Presence [showbread] from “unleavened wafers.” Contrary to numerous commentaries, the Tanak never says that showbread (aka the Bread of the Presence) is leavened. The Scriptures call it “lechem”—ordinary bread. The word for “unleavened bread” is “matzah.” Matzah is never used to describe showbread (aka the Bread of the Presence)!
1 The divisions of the descendants of Aaron were as follows: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3 With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into groupss for their service. 4 Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than Ithamar’s, they were divided so that Eleazar’s descendants had sixteen 'ancestral' households and Ithamar’s descendants had eight 'ancestral' households.
5 So they were divided impartially by lots, since there were leaders of the 'Cherished' Place and leaders of Elohim among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. 6 Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king, the officers, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, the heads of families of the priests and the Levites. One 'ancestral' household was taken for Eleazar, and then one taken for Ithamar.
7 The first lot fell to Yehoiarib, the second for Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Yeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered Yehovah’s 'Temple' according to the regulation they received from their ancestor Aaron, as Yehovah Elohim of Israel had commanded him.
20 As for the rest of the descendants of Levi:
From Amram’s sons: Shubael; from Shubael’s sons: Jehdeiah. 21 From Rehabiah, from Rehabiah’s sons: Isshiah was the first. 22 From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from Shelomoth’s sons: Jahath. 23 Hebron’s sons: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 24 From Uzziel’s sons: Micah; from Micah’s sons: Shamir. 25 Micah’s brother: Isshiah; from Isshiah’s sons: Zechariah. 26 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi; Jaaziah’s sons: Beno. 27 Merari’s sons by his son Jaaziah: Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri. 28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 From Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel.
30 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These were the sons of the Levites according to their 'ancestral' households. 31 They also cast lots just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech and the heads of the family households of the priests and of the Levites. The family leaders of the oldest brother were treated the same as the youngest brother.
1 David and the army commanders selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun to serve as prophets with lyres, harps and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2 From Asaph’s sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
3 From the sons of Jeduthun, there were Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, prophesying with [or, to the accompaniment of] lyres, giving thanks and praise to Yehovah.
4 From Heman: Heman’s sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 All of them were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, since Elohim honored Heman with fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 The music in Yehovah’s 'Temple' for all of these men was under the 'supervision' of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman, being under the 'direction' of the king. 'They used' cymbals, stringed instruments and harps for the service of the 'Temple' of Elohim, 7 They numbered 288 including all of their relatives who were trained and skillful in music for Yehovah.
8 They all cast lots for their duties, the youngest as well as the oldest, the teachers as well as the pupils.
9 The first lot drawn fell to Joseph, the son of Asaph. The second fell to Gedaliah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 10 The third to Zaccur, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 11 The fourth to Izri, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 12 The fifth to Nethaniah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 13 The sixth to Bukkiah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 14 The seventh to Jesharelah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 16 The ninth to Mattaniah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 17 The tenth to Shimei, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 18 The eleventh to Azarel, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 20 For the thirteenth, Shubael, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 21 For the fourteenth, Mattithiah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 22 For the fifteenth to Jeremoth, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 23 For the sixteenth to Hananiah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 24 For the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 25 For the eighteenth to Hanani, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 26 For the nineteenth to Mallothi, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 27 For the twentieth to Eliathah, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 28 For the twenty-first to Hothir, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 29 For the twenty-second; to Giddalti, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 30 For the twenty-third; to Mahazioth, and twelve of his sons and relatives. 31 For twenty-fourth; to Romamti-Ezer, and twelve of his sons and relatives.
1 The following were the divisions of the gatekeepers:
From the Korahites: Meshelemiah, the son of Kore, from the descendants of Asaph. 2 Meshelemiah’s sons were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Yehohanan [Yehovah favored] the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Yehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth; because Elohim blessed him.
6 Also, to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their 'ancestral' households because they were courageous men of valor. 7 Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers, Elihu and Semachiah were valiant men.
8 All of these were among the sons of Obed Edom with their sons and 'relatives' were capable men with strength for the service—62 from Obed Edom.
9 Meshelemiah’s sons and relatives numbered 18 valiant men.
10 Also Hosah, one of Merari’s descendants had sons: Shimri the first (tho he was not the firstborn, his father made him first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah numbered 13.
12 These divisions of gatekeepers under their leading men were assigned duties for ministering in Yehovah’s Temple, just like their relatives did. 13 They cast lots for each gate in accordance with their 'ancestral' households, young and old alike.
14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. They also cast lots for his son Zechariah, an insightful counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed Edom, and the lot for the storehouse went to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guards stationed beside guards: 17 There were six Levites daily on the east, four daily on the north, four daily on the south and two pairs at the storehouse. 18 As for the court to the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the descendants of Korah and Merari.
20 From the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the 'Temple' of Elohim, and the treasures of the dedicated gifts. 21 The descendants of Ladan, descended from Gershon thru Ladan, the Jehielites, were the heads of the 'ancestral' households, belonging to Ladan the Gershonite. 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of Yehovah’s Temple.
23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24 Shebuel, a descendant of Moses’ son Gershom, was the supervisor over the treasuries. 25 His relatives thru Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith his son.
26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasures of the dedicated gifts that King David and the heads of the 'ancestral' households, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the army commanders, had dedicated. 27 They dedicated 'some' of the spoil won in battles for the repair of Yehovah’s Temple. 28 Everything dedicated by Samuel the seer [prophet] and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, everyone who had dedicated anything was under the supervision of Shelomith and his relatives.
29 From the Izrahites: Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to outside duties as administrators and judges over Israel.
30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 were appointed to serve Israel west of the Jordan River for all the work of Yehovah and the service of the king.
31 Jeriah was the leader of Hebron’s descendants. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, Hebron’s descendants were examined according to their genealogies and 'ancestral' households, and men of outstanding capability were found among them at Jazer in Gilead. 32 There were 2,700 capable men among the 'ancestral' households of Jeriah. King David appointed them to be overseers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh for every matter involving Elohim, and for the affairs of the king.
1 This is the list of the Israelites, the heads 'ancestral' households, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all the affairs of the divisions that were on rotated military duty each month thruout the year. There were 24,000 in each division:
2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month. There were 24,000 men in his division. 3 He was a descendant of Perez, and he was head of all the commanders of the army for the first month.
4 Dodai the Ahohite and his division had charge of the division for the second month; Mikloth was the leading officer. There were 24,000 men in his division.
5 The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Yehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. 6 This was the Benaiah who was the most courageous man of the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.
7 The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was his 'successor'. There were 24,000 men in his division.
8 The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.
16 The leaders of the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 over Levi: Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over Aaron: Zadok; 18 over Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali: Jerimoth the son of Azriel; 20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21 over half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin: Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22 over Dan: Azarel the son of Jeroham.
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23 David didn’t count the men aged 20 or under, since Yehovah had promised He would make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun a census, but did not finish; and because of this, wrath came on Israel, and the number was not included in the chronicles of King David.
25 Azmaveth the son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses.
Yehonathan [or ‘Jonathan’: Yehovah has given] the son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the countryside, the towns, the villages and the towers.
26 Ezri the son of Chelub was in charge of the 'farmhands' who worked the land.
27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.
Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the 'produce' of the vineyards for the wine cellars.
28 Baal Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the low lands.
Yehoash was in charge of the stores of olive oil.
29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.
Shaphat the son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.
30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.
Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.
31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks.
All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.
32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was an insightful man and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni tutored the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king’s adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant. 34 Yehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar 'succeeded' Yehoiada. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
1 David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions who served of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, along with the officials, the warriors and all the valiant men. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had 'intended' to build a 'permanent' home for the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah, as the footstool of our Elohim, and I prepared materials for the building. 3 But Elohim told me, ‘You are not to build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
4 However Yehovah, Elohim of Israel selected me out of all of my father’s household to be king over Israel forever. He has chosen the tribe of Judah to lead, and from the House of Judah, He chose my father’s household, and of my father’s sons were pleased to make me king over all the people of Israel. 5 Of all my sons—for Yehovah has given me many sons—He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of Yehovah’s kingdom over Israel. 6 He told me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who will build My 'Temple' and My courts, because I’ve chosen him to be My son and I will be his father. 7 I’ll establish his kingdom forever if he perseveres in obeying My Commandments and My regulations, as he is doing today.’
8 “So now, in the sight of all the people of Israel, and Yehovah’s assembly, and with Elohim listening, 'carefully' obey all the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim, so that you can possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever.
9 “And you, my son Solomon, get to know the Elohim of your father, and serve Him with complete resolution and with a willing mind, because Yehovah searches all minds and understands every motivation. If you search for Him, you’ll find Him, but if you reject Him, He’ll find you to be odious forever. 10 Carefully consider that Yehovah has chosen you to build the 'Temple' as a 'Cherished' Place. Be courageous and do it.”
11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the 'Temple', its buildings, its storehouses, its upper chambers, its inner rooms and the room for the mercy seat, 12 and the plans of everything he had in heart for the courts of Yehovah’s 'Temple' for all the surrounding rooms, for the storehouses of the 'Temple' of Elohim, and for the treasuries of the 'dedicated' things, 13 also the plans for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and for all the utensils for service in Yehovah’s 'Temple'
14 for the gold utensils, the weight of gold for all utensils for every kind of service; for the silver utensils, the weight of silver for all the utensils in every kind of service; 15 and the weight of the gold menorahs and their lamps, including the weight of each menorah and its lamps; the weight of each silver menorah and its lamps, according to the use of each menorah; 16 and the gold by weight for the tables of the Bread of the Presence [showbread], for each table, and silver for the silver tables;
17 the pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the pitchers with the weight of each gold bowl; the weight of each silver bowl; 18 and the refined gold for the incense altar; and gold for the plans for the chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah. 19 David said, “I’ve been enabled to understand everything that was written by the hand of Yehovah, all the details of the plan.”
20 Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because Yehovah Elohim, my Elohim, is with you. He won’t fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of Yehovah’s 'Temple' is finished. 21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of Elohim’s 'Temple', and every willing person in any craft will be with you in all the kinds of work for any kind of service. The officials and all the people will be entirely at your command.”
1 Then King David said to the entire assembly, “My son Solomon, who alone Elohim has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great, because the palace isn’t for a man, but for Yehovah Elohim. 2 To the best of my ability I’ve provided for the 'Temple' of my Elohim—the gold for the objects of gold, and the silver for the objects of silver, and the bronze for the objects of bronze, the iron for the objects of iron, wood for the objects of wood, as well as onyx stones, stones for mounting, antimony stones and stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones and an abundance of alabaster.
3 Also, I delight in the 'Temple' of my Elohim. I’m giving my personal treasure of gold and silver for the 'Temple' of my Elohim, over and above all that I’ve provided for the 'Crerished' 'Temple'. 4 I’m donating 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings 5 of gold for the objects of gold and of silver for the objects of silver, that is, for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to dedicate himself today to Yehovah?”
6 Then the leaders of the 'ancestral' households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave generously. 7 They gave toward the work on the 'Temple' of Elohim 5,000 talents of gold and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of brass and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of Yehovah’s 'Temple' in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people were overjoyed because they gave so willingly and completely to Yehovah. King David was also overjoyed.
10 So David blessed Yehovah before the entire assembly, and David said:
“You are blessed, Yehovah, the Elohim of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. 11 Greatness, power, splendor, victory and majesty are Yours, Yehovah, because everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours! The kingdom is Yours, Yehovah, and You are exalted as head over everything. 12 Wealth and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Strength and power are within Your 'grasp'; and it lies in Your 'power' to make anyone great and strong.
13 So our Elohim, we thank You, and praise Your wonderful name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people that we are enabled to offer as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have only returned Your own things. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in Your sight, just like our ancestors were. Our days on earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.
16 Yehovah our Elohim, all this wealth that we’ve gathered for building You a 'Temple' for Your 'cherished' name comes from Your hand, it’s all Yours. 17 I know, my Elohim, that you test 'character', and are pleased with integrity. I have offered all of these things willingly and with honest intent. I’ve been overjoyed to see Your people joyfully giving to You.
18 Yehovah, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our ancestors, preserve this forever in the 'imaginations' and 'sentiments' of Your people, and direct their 'minds' toward You. 19 Give my son Solomon the 'commitment' to obey Your commandments, Your declarations and Your unchanging tenets—to obey them all, and to build the 'Temple' that I’ve made provisions for.
20 Then David said to the entire assembly, “Praise Yehovah your Elohim!” And the entire assembly blessed Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, and bowed down and paid homage to Yehovah and the king.
21 The next day they offered zebakim [sacrifices] to Yehovah, and fellowship zebakim to Yehovah, one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and zebakim in abundance for all the people of Israel. 22 They ate and drank before Yehovah that day with great joy.
For the second time they made David’s son Solomon king, anointing him as Yehovah’s ruler and Zadok as priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on Yehovah’s throne as king instead of his father David. He prospered and all the people of Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officials and courageous soldiers and all of King David’s sons pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25 Yehovah highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all the people of Israel, and gave him greater royal splendor than any king before him in Israel.
26 David, son of Jesse, reigned over all the people of Israel. 27 He reigned over Israel for forty years. He reigned seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a very 'old' age, having enjoyed 'long life', wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.
29 The events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the chronicles of Gawd the seer, 30 along with all his reign, his power, and the circumstances affecting him, Israel and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.
1st and 2nd Chronicles are actually one book.
Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
1 Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, and Yehovah his Elohim was with him and made him extremely powerful.
2 Then Solomon spoke to all the people of Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, to every leader thruout Israel and the heads of the 'ancestral' households. 3 Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place in Gibeon, because Elohim’s tent of meeting was there, that Yehovah’s servant Moses had made in the wilderness.
4 But David had brought the Ark of Elohim from Kiriath Jearim to the place that he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur had made was in Gibeon in front of the Tabernacle of Yehovah; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before Yehovah at the Tabernacle of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt zebakim [sacrifices] on it.
7 That night Elohim appeared to Solomon and said to him: “Ask Me. What can I give you?”
8 Solomon said to Elohim, “You’ve shown great kindness to my father David, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Yehovah Elohim, Your 'promise' to my father David is confirmed, because You’ve made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I can lead these people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
11 Elohim said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and didn’t ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the 'death' of your 'enemies', and since you haven’t asked for a long life, but for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people who I have made you king over, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I’ll give you riches and wealth and honor like no king before you or any to come after you.”
13 So Solomon came from the high place in Gibeon, from the Tabernacle of Meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon acquired chariots and cavalry. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 cavalry, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as fig trees in the lowland. 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s traders bought them from Kue for the typical price. 17 They 'imported' chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and horses for 150 apiece; the same way they exported horses to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Arameans.
1 Now Solomon decided to build a 'Temple' for the name of Yehovah, and a royal palace for himself, 2 So Solomon conscripted 70,000 men to carry loads and 80,000 men to quarry stone in the mountains and 3,600 to supervise them.
3 Solomon sent this message to King Huram of Tyre:
“Do for me what you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in. 4 I’m about to build a 'Temple' for the name of Yehovah my Elohim in order to dedicate it to Him for smoking fragrant incense before Him and to continually set out the Bread of the Presence [showbread], and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on Sabbaths and New Moons and on the appointed Festivals of Yehovah our Elohim, this being required forever in Israel.
5 “The 'Temple' that I’m going to build will be great, because our Elohim is grater than all the other gods. 6 But who is able to build a 'Temple' for Him, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain Him? Who am I to build Him a 'Temple', except as a place to smoke incense before Him?
7 “So send me a master craftsman skilled in engraving gold, silver, bronze, iron, and with purple, crimson and blue fabrics, and who knows how to make engravings, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with the skilled workers who my father David provided.
8 “Also, send me cedar, cypress and algum timbers from Lebanon, because I know that your servants are skilled Lebanese loggers. My servants will work with your servants 9 to prepare timber in abundance for me, because the 'Temple' that I am about to build will be great and wonderful. 10 I will give your servants, the loggers, 100,000 kors of wheat flour, 100,000 kors of barley, 110,000 baths of wine and 110,000 baths of olive oil!”
11 Then King Huram of Tyre replied in a letter to Solomon:
“Because Yehovah loves His people, He has made you their king. 12 Huram added, “Praise Yehovah, Elohim of Israel who made heaven and earth and has given King David a wise son endowed with discretion and understanding, who will build a 'Temple' for Yehovah and a royal palace for himself.
13 “And now, I’m sending you Huram-Abi, a man of great skill, 14 the son of a woman from the tribe of Dan and a Tyrian father. He knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, purple, violet and crimson fabrics. He’s able to create any kind of engraving and follow any plans that are given to him. He will work with your skilled men and those of my lord David, your father.
15 “Now, may my master send the wheat, barley, olive oil and wine to his servants as promised. 16 We’ll cut all the lumber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you on rafts by sea to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.”
17 Solomon counted all the aliens in the land of Israel, like the census that his father David had taken; and the total was 153,600. 18 He assigned 70,000 of them to carry loads and 80,000 to quarry stone in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors to make the people work.
1 Then Solomon began to build Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yehovah had appeared to his father David, in the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2 He began to build on the second day of the second month of the fourth year of his reign.
3 Now these are the foundations that Solomon laid for building of the 'Temple' of Elohim. The length in cubits was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide using the old standard. 4 The porch in front of the 'Temple' was as long as the width of the 'Temple', twenty cubits, and the height was 120 cubits. He overlaid the inner surface with pure gold.
5 He paneled the 'Temple' with cypress wood and overlaid it with gold, and decorated it with palm tree and chain motifs. 6 And he adorned the 'Temple' with precious stones. And the gold he used was gold from Parvaim. 7 He also overlaid the 'Temple', the beams, the thresholds, its walls and doors with gold and carved cherubim on the walls.
8 He built the Most 'Cherished' Place in the 'Temple', its length corresponding to the width of the 'Temple'—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. He overlaid the inside with six hundred talents [45,000 pounds] of gold. 9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold.
10 And in the Most 'Cherished' Place he made two sculptured cherubim and overlaid them with gold. 11 The total wingspan of the cherubim was twenty cubits: the wing of one cherub was five cubits long, reaching to the wall of the 'Temple', and its other wing was five cubits long, touching the other cherub’s wing. 12 The wing of the other cherub was five cubits long, and touched the other 'Temple' wall, and its other wing was five cubits long, touching the wing of the first cherub. 13 The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing the main room.
14 He made the veil of blue, purple, crimson and fine linen, and 'worked' into it.
15 He also made two pillars for the front of the 'Temple', thirty-five cubits 'high', and the capital on the top of each of them was five cubits. 16 He made chainwork for the inner 'Cherished' Place and put them on the tops of the pillars. He made 100 pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork. 17 He set up the pillars in front of the 'Temple', one on the right and one on the left, and named the one on the right Jachin and the one on the left Boaz.
1 Then he made a bronze altar, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits in high.
2 He also made the cast metal Sea, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, circular in form, five cubits high and with a circumference of thirty cubits. 3 Under it and entirely encircling the sea were figurines of bulls, ten to a cubit. The bulls were in two rows, cast in one piece.
4 It stood on twelve bulls, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east; and the Sea was on top of them, and their hindquarters turned inward. 5 It was a handbreadth thick; its brim was made like the rim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held 3,000 baths.
6 He also made ten basins for washing, and he put five on the right and five on the left. They would rinse things for the burnt offering in them, but the sea was used by the priests for washing.
7 Then he made the ten gold menorahs according to the specifications for them, and put them in the 'Temple'; five on the right hand, and five on the left.
8 He also made ten tables and put them in the 'Temple', five on the right side and five on the left side. And he made a hundred gold bowls.
9 He also made the courtyard of the priests, and the great courtyard and doors for the courtyard, and overlaid the doors with bronze. 10 He put the sea on the right side, toward the southeast.
11 And Huram also made the ash pails, the shovels, and the bowls.
So Huram finished the work he had been doing for King Solomon in the 'Temple' of Elohim: 12 the two pillars, the bowls, the capitals on top of the two pillars and the two filigree to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on top of the pillars, 13 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of filigree, two rows of pomegranates for each filigree to cover the two bowls of the capitals on top of the pillars. 14 He also made the stands and the basins on the stands, 15 the sea and the twelve bulls under it, 16 the pails, the shovels, and the meat-forks, and all their utensils.
Huram-abi made of polished bronze for King Solomon for Yehovah’s 'Temple'. 17 The king had them cast in the clay ground in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zeredah. 18 So Solomon made all these utensils in great quantities so that the weight of the bronze couldn’t be determined.
19 Solomon also made all the articles that were in the 'Temple' of Elohim:
the gold altar and the tables for the bread of the Presence 20 and the menorahs with their pure gold lamps to burn in front of the 'Cherished' Place [not oracle], 21 the flowers, the lamps and the tongs of gold, pure gold; 22 and the snuffers, the basins, the dishes and the pure gold firepans; and for the entrance of the 'Temple', the inner doors for the most 'Cherished' Place, and the pure gold doors of the main hall of the 'Temple'.
1 So all the work that Solomon did for Yehovah’s 'Temple' was finished. Solomon brought in the things that his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and all the utensils, and put them in the treasuries of the 'Temple' of Elohim.
2 Then Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, all the leaders of the tribes and the leaders of the 'ancestral' households of the Israelites to Jerusalem, to bring the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah from Zion, the City of David. 3 And all the men of Israel gathered before the king at the Feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month.
4 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites picked up the ark. 5 They brought the ark, the Tabernacle of Meeting and all the special utensils that were in the Tabernacle. The Levitical priests brought them up. 6 King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel who had gathered around him in front of the Ark were zebaking [sacrificing] so many sheep and bulls that they couldn’t be counted or numbered.
7 The priests brought the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah to its place in the inner 'Cherished' Place [not oracle], the most 'Cherished' Place under the wings of the cherubim. 8 The cherubim spread their wings over the place where the Ark rested so that the cherubim formed a covering over the Ark and its carrying poles. 9 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles of the Ark could be seen in front of the inner 'Cherished' Place, but they couldn’t be seen from the outside; and they’re still there today. 10 There was nothing in the Ark except for the two tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, where Yehovah made a covenant with the Israelites after they left Egypt.
11 When all the priests who were present came out of the 'Cherished' Place, and had dedicated themselves, without regard to divisions, 12 and all the Levitical musicians, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives, wearing fine white linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests blowing trumpets.) 13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to be heard praising and thanking Yehovah, and when they raised their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, and praised Yehovah, and sang,
“He is good. His steadfast love endures forever,”
Then the 'Temple', Yehovah’s 'Temple', was filled with a cloud. 14 The priests couldn’t remain standing to minister because of the cloud; for the splendor of Yehovah filled the 'Temple' of Elohim.
1 Then Solomon said, “Yehovah has said that He would live in the thick cloud. 2 I’ve built you a magnificent 'Temple', a place for You to reside forever.
3 Then the king turned around and blessed the assembly of Israel while 'they' were all standing. 4 He said, “Blessed be Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel who spoke 'directly' to David my father, and personally handled its fulfillment: 5 ’Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I haven’t chosen a city from any of the tribes of Israel to build a 'Temple' for my Name to be there, and I didn’t choose any man to be a leader over My people Israel. 6 But I’ve chosen Jerusalem as the place for My name, and I’ve chosen David to rule over My people Israel.”
7 “My father David had 'really wanted' to build a 'Temple' for the name of Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. 8 But Yehovah said to my father David, ’Because you 'really wanted' to build a 'Temple' for My name, your intention was admirable, 9 But, you aren’t the one to build the 'Temple', but your son, yet to be born, will build the 'Temple' for My name.”
10 “Yehovah has kept the 'promise' He made. I’ve succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel just as Yehovah promised, and I’ve built the 'Temple' for the Name of Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. 11 I’ve placed the Ark that contains the covenant Yehovah made with the Israelites there.”
12 Then 'Solomon' stood before the altar of Yehovah in front of the entire assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits square and three cubits high, and put it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down in front of the entire assembly of Israel, and reached out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said,
“Yehovah, Elohim of Israel, there is no elohim like You in heaven or on earth, keeping His covenant with faithful love with His servants who live in Your presence passionately. 15 'You' have kept Your promise to my father David, Your servant, just as You told him. You spoke to him 'personally'. You promised to handle it and You fulfilled it, as it is today.
16 “So Yehovah, Elohim of Israel, keep with Your servant David, my father the promises You made to him when You said, ‘You will never fail to have an heir sitting before Me on the throne of Israel if only Your descendants are careful in all they do, to 'live' before Me according to My Torah, as You have done.’ 17 So now, Yehovah, Elohim of Israel, confirm the promise that You 'made' to Your servant David.
18 “But will Elohim really live on earth with humans? Look, if heaven and the ‘highest’ heaven can’t contain You, then how much less would this 'Temple' I’ve built! 19 But consider Your servant’s prayer and my plea for mercy. Yehovah my Elohim, hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant prays in Your presence. 20 May Your 'watch over' this 'Temple' day and night, this place where You said You would put Your name. May You answer the prayer Your servant prays toward this place. 21 Listen to the requests of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear ‘all the way’ from heaven where You live. May You hear and forgive.
22 “If someone sins against their neighbor and is required to take an oath, and comes to swear an oath before Your altar in this 'Temple', 23 then hear from heaven, and take action. Judge Your servants and condemn the wicked by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicate the innocent by treating them commensurate with their innocence.
24 “If Your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and praise Your name, pray, and plead for mercy with You in this 'Temple', 25 then hear them in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land You gave to them and their ancestors.
26 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and praise Your name, and turn from their sin when You punish them; 27 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and Your people Israel. Teach them the right way to 'live', and send rain on the land You gave Your people as a legacy.
28 “When there is famine in the land or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or if their enemies surround them in the land of their cities, whatever the plague, whatever the disaster or disease is, 29 then whatever prayer or request is made by any of Your people Israel, anyone aware of their afflictions and pains who reaches out their hands toward this 'Temple'— 30 then hear from heaven, Your home, forgive, and deal with everyone commensurate with whatever they do, since You understand their minds (because You alone understand the human minds), 31 so that they will revere You and 'live' in obedience to You as long as they live in the land You gave our ancestors.
32 “As for the foreigners who aren’t descended from Your people Israel, but have immigrated from a distant land because of Your great name and Your awesome 'power' and Your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this 'Temple', 33 then hear from heaven, Your home. Do whatever the foreigner asks You to do, so that everyone on earth will know Your name and revere You, as Your own people Israel do, and understand that this 'Temple' I have built bears Your Name.
34 “When Your people go to war against their enemies, whichever way You send them, when they pray to You toward this city that You have chosen and the 'Temple' I have built for Your Name, 35 then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven and uphold their cause. 36 “When they sin against You (since there is no one who doesn’t sin) and You are angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who deports them as captives to a land far away or near, 37 if they come to their senses in the land where they are taken captive, and repent and pray to You in the land of their captivity, and say, “We have sinned, we have done wrong and have acted wickedly’; 38 if they turn back to You with their whole mind and being in the land of their captivity, and if they pray toward the land You gave their ancestors, and the city You have chosen, and the 'Temple' I have built for Your name, 39 then hear from heaven, Your home, their prayer and their pleas, and vindicate them, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.
40 “Now, my Elohim, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
41 “Now arise, Yehovah Elohim, and come to Your resting place, You and the Ark of Your strength. May Your priests, Yehovah Elohim, be clothed with deliverance, and may Your 'chosen' ones 'embrace' goodness. 42 Yehovah Elohim, don’t 'reject' Your anointed one. Remember Your faithful love for Your servant David.”
1 When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the zebakim [sacrifices], and the splendor of Yehovah filled the 'Temple'. 2 The priests couldn’t enter Yehovah’s 'Temple' because Yehovah’s splendor had filled Yehovah’s Temple. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the splendor of Yehovah on the 'Temple', they knelt on the pavement facedown and worshiped, and gave thanks to Yehovah, saying,
“Truly He is good, truly His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Then the king and all the people offered zebakim [the “im” pluralizes zebak] before Yehovah. 5 King Solomon offered a zebak of 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep. In this way the king and all the people dedicated Elohim’s 'Temple'. 6 The priests and the Levites were standing at their posts. The Levites had Yehovah’s musical instruments that King David had made to praise Yehovah—“for His faithful love endures forever”—whenever he offered praise 'with them'. The priests were opposite the Levites blowing the trumpets and all the people of Israel were standing.
7 Solomon designated the middle of the courtyard that was in front of Yehovah’s 'Temple' as a 'Cherished' Place, because there he offered the burnt offerings, and the fat of the fellowship zebakim, because the bronze altar that Solomon had couldn’t hold the burnt offering, and the grain offering and the fat.
8 So Solomon celebrated the Feast at that time for seven days, and all the people of Israel with him, a very large assembly had come from the entrance of Hamath to the River of Egypt. 9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly [celebration], for the dedication of the altar lasted seven days and the Feast for another seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people back to their tents, joyful and grateful for the 'blessings' that Yehovah had given to David and Solomon, and to His people Israel.
11 So Solomon finished Yehovah’s 'Temple' and the king’s palace, and successfully completed everything he had in mind to do in Yehovah’s 'Temple' and his own palace. 12 Yehovah appeared to Solomon one night, and told him,
“I’ve answered your prayer, and I’ve chosen this place for Myself as a 'Temple' for zebakim. 13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or if I send a pandemic on My people, 14 and if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My ‘presence’, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins, and heal their land. 15 My eyes will be open, and My ears will be attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and dedicated this 'Temple' so that My name can be there forever; and My eyes and My 'sentiments' will always be there.
17 “As for you Solomon, if you 'serve' Me as your father David 'served', and do everything I’ve commanded, and obey My unchanging rulings and My regulations, 18 then I’ll establish your 'dynasty', as I promised your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a 'successor' ruling Israel.’
19 “But if you or your descendants turn away and abandon My unchanging rulings and My commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other elohim and worship them, 20 then I’ll yank them up by the roots from the land that I’ve given them. I’ll hurl this 'Temple' that I’ve 'dedicated' for My name out of My sight, and make it the epitome of ridicule among all nations. 21 As for this 'Temple' that was so exalted, everyone passing by it will be appalled and ask, ‘Why has Yehovah done this to this land this 'Temple'?’
22 “Then 'others' will answer, ‘They abandoned Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They adopted other elohim, worshiped them and served them. That’s why He has brought this complete disaster on them.
1 At the end of the twenty years that Solomon had spent building Yehovah’s 'Temple' and his own palace, 2 he rebuilt the cities Huram had given him, and he had Israelites settle them.
3 Then Solomon went to Hamath Zobah and seized it. 4 He rebuilt Tadmor in the wilderness and all his storage cities in Hamath. 5 He also rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon into fortified cities with walls, gates and bars, 6 and Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for the chariots and cities for the cavalry, and everything that Solomon wanted to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, thruout all the territory he ruled.
7All of the survivors who remained living in the land but who were not Israelites, including the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, 8 but were descendants of those who were left in the land, those the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted as forced laborers, as it is to this day. 9 But Solomon didn’t make slaves of the Israelites for his 'projects'; they were soldiers, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and his cavalry. 10 They were King Solomon’s chief officials—two hundred and fifty officials supervising the men.
11 Then Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places Yehovah’s Ark has entered are special.
12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yehovah on the altar of Yehovah that he had built in front of the portico. 13 He followed the daily rule for offerings commanded of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons and the three annual Feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles [Sukkot].
14 In accord with the regulations of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests following the daily requirement, and of the gatekeepers by their divisions regarding each gate, because this is what David, the man of Elohim, had commanded. 15 They didn’t deviate from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites in any matter or in regard to the storehouses.
16 So all of Solomon’s work was carried out from the day the foundation was laid for Yehovah’s 'Temple' until it was finished. So Yehovah’s 'Temple' was completed.
17 Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the shore of the Red] Sea in the land of Edom. 18 Huram sent his own servants and his experienced seamen with ships to Solomon, and they went with Solomon’s servants to Ophir, and brought back four hundred and fifty talents [17 tons] of gold that they delivered to King Solomon.
1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. She was accompanied by a very large entourage, with camels carrying spices, (balsam oil) and large quantities of gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she talked to him about everything she had on her mind. 2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too elusive for Solomon to answer. 3 When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s wisdom, and the palace he built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway [1] up to Yehovah’s 'Temple', it took her breath away.
5 She told the king, “The accounts I heard in my own country about your words and your wisdom are true! 6 But I didn’t believe what they told me until I came and saw with my own eyes. In fact I wasn't told half of the greatness of your wisdom! You far exceed the accounts I heard. 7 How blessed your men are! How blessed your officials are who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Blessed is Yehovah your Elohim who is delighted with you and placed you on His throne as king for Yehovah your Elohim, because your Elohim loved Israel, establishing them forever, so he made you king over them to maintain justice and righteousness.”
9 “She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a huge amount of spices, and precious stones. There has never been such a large accumulation of spices collected as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10 Huram’s servants and Solomon’s servants who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones. 11 The king used the algum wood to make steps for Yehovah’s 'Temple' and the king’s palace, and lyres and harps for the musicians. Things like these had never been seen in the land of Judah.
12 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba anything she wanted, whatever she asked for, exceeding what she had brought the king. Then she returned to her own land with her servants.
13 The weight of gold that Solomon received annually was six hundred and sixty-six talents [25 tons], 14 not including the gold brought in by traders and merchants. In addition, the Arabian kings and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15 King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, using six hundred shekels of hammered gold on each large shield. 16 And he made three hundred smaller shields of hammered gold, using three hundred shekels of gold on each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
17 The king also made a large ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. 18 The throne had six steps and a gold footstool was attached to the throne, and armrests on both sides of the seat, with two lions standing beside the armrests. 19 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at each end. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.
20 All of King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Silver had little value in Solomon’s time.
21 The king’s ships traveled to Tarshish with Huram’s sailors. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive carrying gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks.
22 King Solomon surpassed all the kings in the world in wealth and wisdom. 23 All the kings in the [known] world wanted an invitation from Solomon to listen to the wisdom that Elohim had given him. 24 Each of them would bring his own gift—articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses and mules—as tribute year after year.
25 Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 cavalry. He stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 26 He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River all the way to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt. 27 The king made silver in Jerusalem as common as stones, and cedar as plentiful as the sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 28 They were importing horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all other countries.
29 The rest of the events of Solomon’s reign, from beginning to end are written in the Records of Nathan the Prophet, the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the Visions of Iddo the Seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat. 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all the people of Israel for forty years. 31 Solomon rested [in death] with his ancestors and was buried in the city of his father David. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.
[1] Or the burnt offering he offered1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, because all the people of Israel had gone there to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it (because he was in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon), Jeroboam returned from Egypt. 3 So Israel sent a message to Jeroboam, inviting him back. When Jeroboam and all the people of Israel came, they told him, 4 “Your father made our yoke burdensome, so lighten your father’s harsh labor and the heavy workload he put on us, and we’ll serve you.”
5 He replied, “Come back to me again in three days.” So the people left.
6 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, “How would you advise me to respond to these people?”
7 They replied, “If you are kind to these people and please them by giving them a favorable answer, then they will be your servants forever.”
8 But he ignored the counsel of the elders who had advised him, and he consulted with the young men who grew up with him, the ones who served him. 9 So he asked them, “What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me, ’Lighten the workload your father put on us’?”
10 The young men who grew up with him told him, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! 11 My father burdened you with a heavy yoke; and I will add even more. My father punished you with whips; but I’ll punish you with scorpions.’”
12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had directed when he said, “Come back to me in three days.” 13 The king answered them harshly, rejecting the counsel of the elders. 14 He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, “My father burdened you with a heavy workload; and I will add even more. My father punished you with whips; but I’ll punish you with scorpions.’”
15 The king refused to listen to the people because it was a turn of events from Elohim, so that Yehovah could carry out the promise He had spoken thru Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 When all the people of Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king,
“What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Now look after your own house, David.”
So all the Israelites went home. 17 But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam hurriedly mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the House of David to this day.
1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he summoned the House of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 select warriors to fight against [the other 10 tribes of] Israel and restore the reign to Rehoboam.
2 But the Word of Yehovah came to Shemaiah the man of Elohim, and said, 3 “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin: 4 ‘This is what Yehovah says: Don’t advance and fight against your relatives! Everyone return home because this situation has come from Me.’” So they listened to what Yehovah said, and retreated against Jeroboam.
5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built fortified cities in Judah. 6 He rebuilt Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron. These are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. 11 He strengthened the fortifications and put officers in them with supplies of food, olive oil and wine. 12 He stored shields and spears in every city, and made them very secure. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
13 The priests and Levites thruout Israel in every district sided with Rehoboam. 14 The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and properties and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had prevented them from serving as priests of Yehovah. 15 He appointed his own priests for the high places, for the satyrs and the calf idols he had made. 16 'People' from every tribe of Israel who were determined to seek Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel followed them to Jerusalem to zebak [sacrifice] to Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, because they 'lived' the way that David and Solomon did for three years.
18 Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of Jerimoth. the son of David, and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab. 19 She gave birth to his sons: Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham.
20 After marrying Mahalath, Absalom’s granddaughter. She gave birth to Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. He had 18 wives and 60 concubines, 28 sons and 60 daughters.
22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah as the chief leader among his brothers, intending to make him king. 23 He wisely placed his sons thruout the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them abundant provisions and found many wives for them.
1 Once Rehoboam established his sovereignty and 'authority', he and all the Israelites abandoned the Torah of Yehovah. 2 Because they had been unfaithful to Yehovah, Shishak king of Egypt advanced on Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam 3 with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 cavalrymen, and countless Libyans, Sukkites, and Ethiopians. 4 He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
5 Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what Yehovah says: ‘You have abandoned Me; so, I have abandoned you into the hands of Shishak.’”
6 The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “Yehovah is righteous.”
7 When Yehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the Word of Yehovah came to Shemaiah and said: “They have humbled themselves. I won’t destroy them, but I’ll grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak. 8 But they’ll become his slaves in order to learn the difference between serving Me and serving the kings of 'foreign' countries.”
9 So King Shishak of Egypt advanced against Jerusalem and took the treasures of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and the treasures of the king’s 'palace'. He took everything, including the gold shields that Solomon had made. 10 So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and committed them to the care of the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the king’s palace. 11 Whenever the king entered Yehovah’s 'Temple', the guards came and carried the shields and then brought them back into the armory. 12 After 'Rehoboam' humbled himself, Yehovah’s anger turned away from him, and he was not totally destroyed, and conditions improved in Judah.
13 So King Rehoboam strengthened his position in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yehovah had chosen from all the tribes of Israel as the place to honor His name. His mother’s name was Naamah from Ammon. 14 He did evil because he wasn’t seriously 'determined' to serve Yehovah.
15 The events of Rehoboam’s reign from beginning to end are recorded in the genealogical records of Shemaiah the Prophet and of Iddo the Seer. There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. 16 Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David, and His son Abijah succeeded him as king.
1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah [Yah is my father] became king of Judah. 2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.
There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3 Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 select men. Jeroboam went into battle formation against him with 800,000 select men who were valiant warriors.
4 Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the highlands of Ephraim and said, “Jeroboam and all of Israel, listen to me! 5 Don’t you know that Yehovah, Elohim of Israel, gave rulership over Israel to David and his descendants that they would rule Israel forever by a covenant of salt? 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of David’s son Solomon, rose up and rebelled against his lord, 7 and worthless men, scoundrels, gathered around him who proved too strong for Solomon’s son Rehoboam, when 'Rehoboam' was too young and inexperienced to oppose them.
8 “And now you intend to assert yourselves against the Kingdom of Aloha that’s been placed in the hands of David’s descendants. You are a vast crowd and you have the gold calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods. 9 You banished Yehovah’s priests, the descendants of Aaron and the Levites, and made your own priests like they do in other countries? Anyone with a young bull and seven rams can call himself a priest of your nonexistent gods.
10 “But as for us, Yehovah is our Elohim. We haven’t abandoned Him; the priests ministering to Yehovah are descendants of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. 11 Every morning and evening they 'present' burnt offerings, and fragrant incense. The Bread of Presence [showbread] is set on the clean table, and the gold menorah with its lamps ready to burn every evening, because we’re following the instructions of Yehovah our Elohim, but you have forsaken Him. 12 Elohim is with us as our leader. His priests with their ancient trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. Israelites, don’t fight against Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, because you won’t succeed.”
13 But Jeroboam had set an ambush to attack from the rear, so that while Israel was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them. 14 When Judah’s soldiers turned around, they were attacked from both front and rear. They cried out to Yehovah, and the priests blew the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah raised a war cry. When they shouted, Elohim routed Jeroboam and all the Israelites before Abijah and Judah.
16 So the Israelites fled before Judah [1], and Elohim handed 'Israel' over to them. 17 Abijah and his troops defeated them with heavy losses, so that 500,000 select men of Israel were killed. 18 So the Israelites were defeated at that time, and the descendants of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. 19 Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured several of his cities: Bethel and its villages, Jeshanah and its villages, and Ephron [Ephraim] and its villages.
20 Jeroboam regained his power during the time of Abijah, and Yehovah struck him down and he died. 21 But Abijah became powerful. He married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
22 The other events of Abijah’s reign—what he did and what he said—are written in the Writing commentary [Hebrew: mid-rawsh] of the Prophet Iddo.
[1] It’s amazing how many Christians believe that all Israelites are (or were) Jews!1 Abijah rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Asa succeeded him as king. The land was at peace for ten years during his 'reign'. 2 Asa did good and right in the sight of Yehovah his Elohim. 3 He got rid of the pagan altars and the high places, tore down the 'obelisks', and cut down the Asherah poles, 4 and commanded Judah to seek Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, and to obey the Torah and the Commandments. 5 Also he got rid of all the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. 6 Since the land was at peace, he built fortified cities in Judah. There was no war during those years because Yehovah had given him rest.
7 So 'Asa' said to Judah, “Let’s build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we’ve dedicated ourselves to Yehovah our Elohim, we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and succeeded.
8 Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah who carried large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, armed with small shields and wielding bows, all valiant warriors.
9 Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. They came as far as Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 Asa called out to Yehovah his Elohim. He said, “Yehovah, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and the weak; so help us, Yehovah our Elohim, because we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this large army. Yehovah, You are our Elohim. Don’t let anyone hinder You.
12 So Yehovah struck down the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians 'died' that no survivors could be found. They were crushed before Yehovah, and before His army. And they carried off a huge amount of goods.
14 They destroyed all the villages around Gerar, because the dread of Yehovah had fallen on them, and they plundered all the villages, since there was much plunder there. 15 They also attacked the camps of the herdsmen and captured many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
1 Elohim’s spirit came on Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out 'to meet' Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Yehovah is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you abandon Him, He’ll abandon you. 3 Now for a long time Israel [will be] [tense debated thruout] without the true Elohim, and without a teaching priest, and without the Torah. 4 But in their distress they turned to Yehovah, Elohim of Israel. They looked for Him, He let them find Him.
5 “In those times no one could come and go in peace, because of the many conflicts affecting everyone living in the lands. 6 Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, because Elohim punished them with every kind of distress. 7 But you must remain strong. Don’t be discouraged because your work will be rewarded.
8 “When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy that Azariah the son of [Gill’s] Oded the prophet spoke, he was encouraged to remove the highly detestable idols from the entire land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the towns that he had captured in the highlands of Ephraim. Then he renewed Yehovah’s altar that was in front of the portico of Yehovah’s Temple.
9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, since many had defected to him from Israel when they saw that Yehovah his Elohim was with him. 10 So they gathered in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.
11 That day they zebaked [sacrificed] to Yehovah 700 head of cattle and 7,000 sheep from the spoil that they had brought back. 12 They entered into the covenant to seek Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors with all their 'sentiments' and with all their 'being'. 13 Whoever would not seek Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. 14 They swore to Yehovah with a loud 'affirmation', with shouting, and with trumpets and with shofars. 15 All of Judah was overjoyed over the oath, because they had sworn with all their 'sentiments', and had sought Him 'earnestly', and He let them find Him. So Yehovah gave them rest on every side.
16 'King Asa' also removed Maacah, King Asa’s mother, from her position of queen mother, because she had made an 'obscene' image of Asherah. Asa cut down her 'obscene' image, crushed it and burned it in the Kidron 'Valley'. 17 But the high places were not removed from Israel, tho Asa’s 'sentiments' remained blameless all his days. 18 He brought the things that his father had dedicated and his own dedicated things into the 'Temple' of Elohim—silver, gold and utensils.
19 There was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.
1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of King Asa of Judah.
2 Then Asa removed all the silver and gold in the treasuries of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and the king’s palace, and sent them to Damascus to Aram’s King Benhadad.
3 “There’s a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. I’m sending you silver and gold. Go break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he’ll leave me alone!”
4 Benhadad 'agreed' with King Asa, and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they 'conquered' Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim and all the storage facilities in the cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah, and abandoned his work on it. 6 Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they removed the stones and lumber from Ramah that Baasha had been building with, and he fortified Geba and Mizpah with it.
7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Aram and didn’t rely on Yehovah your Elohim, the army of the king of Aram has escaped your grasp. 8 Weren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army with a huge number of chariots and cavalry? Yet, because you relied on Yehovah, He handed them over to you. 9 Yehovah’s eyes surveil the entire earth, to strengthen those whose 'sentiments' are completely His. You have been foolish in this. So you will have wars from now on.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in 'prison', because he was enraged with him for this. And at the same time Asa mistreated some of the people.
11 The events of Asa’s reign, from the first to the last are written in The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa developed a foot disease, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even with his illness he didn’t seek Yehovah, but relied on the physicians. 13 So Asa died in the forty-first year of his reign and rested with his ancestors. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier full of spices and various blended perfumes, and they set a huge fire in his honor.
1 His son Yehoshaphat succeeded Asa as king and strengthened his position over Israel. 2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and placed garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
3 Yehovah was with Yehoshaphat because he 'lived' the way of his ancestor David did. Instead of 'consulting' the Baals, 4 he was dedicated to the Elohim of his ancestor, and 'obeyed' His Commandments, rather than the practices of Israel. 5 So Yehovah established the kingdom under his 'control', and all the people of Judah brought tribute to Yehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor. 6 He had confidence in Yehovah’s ways, and again removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.
7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 With them were the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Yehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Yehoram, the priests. 9 They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Torah of Yehovah with them, and they went thruout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10 All the kingdoms in the lands surrounding Judah were terrified of Yehovah, so they didn't wage war against Yehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Yehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
12 Yehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and storage facilities in the cities of Judah. 13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and stationed an army of experienced warriors in Jerusalem. 14 These were their numbers listed by their 'ancestral' households.
For Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah was the commander and 300,000 valiant warriors with him; 15 and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah, Zichri’s son, who volunteered to serve Yehovah, and with him 200,000 valiant warriors;
17 and from Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200,000 archers armed with bows and shields; 18 and next, Yehozabad, with 180,000 men armed for battle.
19 These were the 'men' who served the king, in addition to those he stationed in the fortified cities thruout Judah.
1 Now Yehoshaphat had great wealth and honor; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab. 2 A few years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and bulls for him and for the people who were with him. Then he persuaded him to attack Ramoth Gilead.
3 King Ahab of Israel asked King Yehoshaphat of Judah, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth in Gilead?”
He replied, “I’m like you are, and my people are like your people. We’ll join you in the battle.” 4 But Yehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First seek the word of Yehovah.
5 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, 400 men and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?”
They replied, “Advance, and Elohim will hand it over to the king.”
6 But Yehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yehovah here who we could ask?”
7 The king of Israel told Yehoshaphat, “There is still one man we could use to inquire of Yehovah, but I hate him because never prophesies good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.
But Yehoshaphat said, “The king shouldn’t say that.”
8 Then the king of Israel called for an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”
9 Now the king of Israel and King Yehoshaphat of Judah, clothed in royal robes, were both sitting on their thrones. They were sitting on the threshing floor by the entrance to the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them. 10 Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made iron horns for himself; and said, “This is what Yehovah says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are destroyed.’”
11 All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Attack Ramoth Gilead and succeed, because Yehovah will hand it over to the king.”
12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah told him, “Listen, the prophets are unanimously predicting success for the king. So just agree with them. Predict success.”
13 But Micaiah answered, “As Yehovah lives, I will only say whatever my Elohim says.”
14 When he came to the king, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?”
He replied, “Go up and succeed, for they will be handed over to you.”
15 The king asked him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in Yehovah’s name?”
16 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all of Israel’s soldiers scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and Yehovah said, ‘These people have no master. Each of them should go home in peace.’”
17 The king of Israel said to Yehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”
18 Micaiah continued, “So hear the Word of Yehovah. I saw Yehovah sitting on his throne, and the entire army [old English: host] of heaven was standing on His right and his left 19 And Yehovah asked, “Who will entice King Ahab of Israel to advance against Ramoth Gilead and fall dead?”
And one said this and another said that. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yehovah and said, ‘I will entice him.’ And Yehovah asked him, ‘How?’
21 “So he said, ‘I will go and be a lying spirit from the mouth of all his prophets.’
“Then He said, ‘You will succeed in enticing him. Go and do it.’
22 So you see, Yehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of your prophets, and Yehovah has proclaimed disaster against you.”
23 “Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came up and punched Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the spirit from Yehovah leave me to talk to you?”
24 Micaiah answered, “You’ll see on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”
25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Yehoash, the king’s son, 26 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this guy in prison and feed him just enough bread and water to survive until I come back safely.’”
27 But Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, then Yehovah wasn’t speaking thru me. And he added, “Listen, everyone.”
28 “So Ahab the king of Israel and Yehoshaphat the king of Judah went up against Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel told Yehoshaphat, “I’ll disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself and they went into battle.
30 Now the king of Aram had given orders to his chariot commanders, “Don’t fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 31 So when the chariot commanders saw Yehoshaphat, they said, “There’s the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Yehoshaphat called out, and Yehovah helped him, and Elohim drew them away from him. 32 When the chariot commanders realized that it wasn’t the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.
33 But someone drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scales of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Turn around, and get me out of the 'fighting', because I’ve been seriously wounded.”
34 The battle raged thruout the day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening, and at sunset he died.
1 Yehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his 'palace' in Jerusalem. 2 Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Yehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate Yehovah, and in so doing bring wrath from Yehovah on yourself? 3 But there is some good in you, since you’ve removed the Asherah poles from the land and you are 'determined' to seek Elohim.”
4 While Yehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, he went out regularly among the people from Beersheba to the highlands of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in the land, in all of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told the judges, “Consider what you’re doing, since you are’t judging for people, but for Yehovah who is with you whenever you render judgment. 7 So may you have the reverence of Yehovah among you. Judge carefully, for with Yehovah our Elohim there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes.
8 In Jerusalem Yehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the 'ancestral' households of Israel, to render the judgment of Yehovah and to 'settle' disputes among the residents of Jerusalem. 9 Then the king commanded them, “Do this in the reverence of Yehovah, faithfully and 'tenaciously'. 10 Whenever any dispute comes to you from your 'relatives' who live in the cities, involving bloodshed or other concerns of the Torah, commandments, or between unchanging rulings and judgments—you are to warn them so that they aren’t guilty before Yehovah; otherwise wrath will come on you and your 'relatives'. Do this, and you won’t be guilty.
11 “Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to Yehovah, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the House of Judah, in any matter concerning the king; and the Levites will serve you as officers. Be courageous, and may Yehovah be with those who are good.”
1 Later the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to fight against Yehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told Yehoshaphat, “A huge army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Dead Sea, out of Edom. It’s already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, Engedi)!
3 Yehoshaphat was alarmed, and resolved to seek to Yehovah. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 So the people of Judah gathered together to seek help from Yehovah. They came from every city in Judah to seek Yehovah.
5 Yehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in Yehovah’s 'Temple' in front of the new courtyard 6 and he said, “Yehovah, the Elohim of our ancestors, aren’t You Elohim in the heavens? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hands, and no one can take a stand against You. 7 Didn’t you, our Elohim, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 They lived in it, and have built You a 'Cherished' Place in it for Your name. They said, 9 ‘If evil comes on us, or a sword of judgment, or an epidemic or a famine, we will stand in front of this 'Temple', and in front of You, (since Your name is in this 'Temple'), and we will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save us.’
10 But now the Ammonites, Moabites and the people of Mount Seir, whose territory You wouldn’t allow Israel to invade when they came from the land of Egypt (they turned away from them and didn’t destroy them), 11 here they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our Elohim, won’t You judge them? We are helpless against this vast army that is coming for us. We don’t know what to do, but we’re looking to You.”
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and babies, stood there in front of Yehovah. 14 Then 'Yehovah’s' spirit came to Yahaziel [Yah sees] the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph amid the assembly,
15 and he said, “Listen, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Yehoshaphat. This is what Yehovah says, “Don’t be afraid or terrified by this large mob, because the battle isn’t yours, but Elohim’s. 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You’ll see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you’ll find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel! 17 You won’t have to fight this battle; take your positions, stand and witness how Yehovah who is with you will save you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, because Yehovah is with you.
18 Yehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before Yehovah, worshiping Yehovah. 19 The Levites, descendants of Kohath and Korah, stood up to praise Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel with a very loud voice.
20 So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Yehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem. Believe and trust in Yehovah your Elohim and you will be established. Believe His prophets and you will succeed.”
21 After consulting the people, 'Yehoshaphat' appointed men to sing to Yehovah, and give praise in special attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to Yehovah, because His faithful love endures forever.”
22 As they began singing and praising, Yehovah set ambushes against the Ammonites, the Moabites and the people of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were 'defeated'. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites [thinking they’d been double crossed] turned against the people of Mount Seir, completely destroying them. Once they finished killing the people of Seir, they helped destroy each other. 24 When the people of Judah went to the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked toward the vast army, but they only saw dead bodies lying on the ground; none of them had escaped.
25 When Yehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoils, they found an abundance of goods among the 'bodies', including goods, garments and valuable items that they took for themselves, more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the spoils because there was so much. 26 Then on the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Beracah, because there they blessed Yehovah, so that place is still called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
27 Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem joyfully turned back with Yehoshaphat their leader, because Yehovah made it possible for them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem to Yehovah’s 'Temple' with lyres, harps and trumpets.
29 The reverence of Elohim overcame all the 'surrounding' kingdoms when they heard that Yehovah had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So Yehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, because his Elohim gave him rest on every side.
31 Yehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32 He lived the way of Asa his father did, and didn’t stray from it, doing right in the sight of Yehovah. 33 But the pagan high places were not 'torn down', the people still hadn’t 'dedicated' themselves to the Elohim of their ancestors.
34 The other events of Yehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, 'specifically', the Book of the Kings of Israel.
35 After this Yehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, a very wicked thing to do. 36 'Yehoshaphat' agreed with him to build ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Yehoshaphat. He said, “Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, Yehovah has destroyed what you built.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to 'set sail' to Tarshish.
1 Yehoshaphat rested with his ancestors, and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David, and Yehoram his son succeeded him as king.
2 He had brothers, the sons of Yehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael and Shephatiah, all of these were the sons of Yehoshaphat, king of Israel. 3 Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold and other valuables, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Yehoram because he was the firstborn. 4 Once Yehoram had 'taken over' his father’s kingdom, and strengthened his position, he killed all his brothers with swords, and some of the leaders of Israel as well.
5 Yehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. 6 He 'lived like' the other kings of Israel, and like the house of Ahab, because his wife was Ahab’s daughter. He did evil in the sight of Yehovah. 7 But Yehovah wouldn’t 'kill off' the 'dynasty' of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and because He had promised to 'perpetuate' a lamp for him and his descendants forever.
8 During Yehoram’s time Edom rebelled against Judah and appointed their own king. 9 So Yehoram crossed into Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. And he got up at night, and struck down the Edomites who were surrounding him along with the chariot commanders. 10 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah. Then at the same time Libnah revolted against Yehoram’s rule, because he had abandoned Yehovah, the Elohim of his ancestors. 11 He had also built high places in the mountains of Judah, and compelled the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves [religiously] and led Judah astray.
12 Then a letter came to him from the prophet Elijah. It read:
“This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestor David says: You haven’t followed in the paths of Yehoshaphat your father and King Asa of Judah, 13 but have followed the paths of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and you killed your brothers, your own family, who were better than you. 14 Yehovah will strike your people, your sons, your wives and all your possessions with a ‘horrible’ affliction. 15 You will personally suffer from a chronic intestinal disease that will get worse every day until your bowels fall out.”
16 Yehovah stirred up the 'aggression' of the Philistines against Yehoram as well as the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians; 17 So they went to war against Judah and invaded it and carried off everything found in the king’s 'palace', as well as his sons and his wives; so there was not a son left to him except Yehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
18 So after all this Yehovah afflicted his intestines with an incurable disease. 19 After about two years his intestines fell out due to his sickness, and he died in agony. His people didn’t set a funeral fire in his honor, like they had for his ancestors.
20 He was thirty-two years old was he when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years, and he died to no one’s regret, and they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
1 The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the raiders who came with the Arabs to the camp had killed all the older sons. So Yehoram’s son Ahaziah became king of Judah.
2 Ahaziah was twenty-two [Aramaic, Arabic, LXX: twenty-two] years old [Ellicott’s] when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. 3 He also 'followed' in the ways of the house of Ahab, because his mother counseled him to act wickedly. 4 He did evil in the sight of Yehovah, like the house of Ahab had done, because they were his advisers after the death of his father, causing his destruction.
5 He also followed their counsel when he went with Ahab’s son King Yoram of Israel to fight against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth Gilead, and the Arameans wounded Yoram [aka Yehoram]. But the 'Arameans' wounded Yoram. 6 So he returned to recover from the wounds Jezreel had inflicted on him at Ramah, when he fought against King Hazael of Aram. Then Yehoram’s son Ahaziah went to Jezreel to see Ahab’s son Joram, since he had been wounded.
7 But Ahaziah’s downfall came from Elohim, in that he went to Yoram (Yehoram). For when he arrived there he went out with Yehoram against Jehu the grandson of Nimshi, who Yehovah had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.
8 So when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the leaders of Judah and Ahaziah’s nephews who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them. 9 So he went searching for Ahaziah, and his men captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and killed him and buried him. They reasoned, “He is a grandson of Yehoshaphat who had done all he could to serve Yehovah.” So there was no one left in the house of Ahaziah who was able to rule the kingdom.
10 When Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead, she began to destroy the entire royal family of the house of Judah. 11 But Yehoshabeath [Yehovah has sworn], the king’s daughter, took Ahaziah’s baby son Yehoash, and rescued him from among the king’s sons who were being killed, and placed him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Yehoshabeath, the daughter of Judah’s King Yehoram and wife of Yehoiada the priest, because she was also Ahaziah’s sister, hid Yehoash from his grandmother Athaliah so that she wouldn’t murder him. 12 'Yehoash' was hidden with 'the priests' in the 'Temple' of Elohim for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
1 Then, in the seventh year, Yehoiada resolutely made an agreement with the commanders of hundreds: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Yehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah and Elishaphat son of Zikri. 2 They went thruout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the 'ancestral' households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 The whole assembly made an agreement with the child king in the 'Temple' of Elohim.
And Yehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! He must reign, just as Yehovah has said in regard to David’s descendants. 4 This is what you must do: A third of you priests and Levites coming on duty on the sabbath will guard the doors. 5 Another third are to be at the king’s palace, and another third are to be at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courtyards of Yehovah’s Temple. 6 But no one is to come into Yehovah’s 'Temple' except the priests and the Levites who are on duty with them. They can enter, because they are special, but all the people are to follow Yehovah’s instructions. 7 The Levites must completely surround the king, each with his weapon in his hand. Whoever enters the 'Temple' [rushing past the guards] must be killed. Stay with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”
8 So the Levites and all the Judeans did what Yehoiada the priest commanded. Each of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath. Yehoiada the priest didn’t dismiss any of the divisions. 9 Yehoiada the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears, bucklers and shields that had been King David’s that were in the 'Temple' of Elohim. 10 Then he stationed all the 'troops' with their weapons in hand surrounding the king, from the right side of the 'Temple' to the left 'side' of the 'Temple', by the altar and by the 'Temple'.
11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony [a copy of the Torah], and made him king, and Yehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king!”
12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into Yehovah’s 'Temple' where the people were. 13 She looked, and there was the young king, standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the commanders and the trumpeters were by his side. And all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while musicians with their instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”
14 Yehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the troops and told them, “Bring her out between the ranks and kill anyone who follows her with your swords.” The priest had said, “Don’t kill her in Yehovah’s Temple. 15 So they arrested 'Athaliah', and when she reached at the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king’s 'palace', they killed her there.
16 Then Yehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they would be Yehovah’s people. 17 Then all the people went to the 'shrine' of Baal and tore it down, and they smashed its altars and images to pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
18 Then Yehoiada appointed the officers of Yehovah’s 'Temple' under the 'authority' of the Levitical priests who David had appointed over Yehovah’s 'Temple' to offer the burnt offerings of Yehovah, as it bis written in the Torah of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as David had ordered. 19 He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of Yehovah’s 'Temple' so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean.
20 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land brought the king down from Yehovah’s 'Temple'. They entered the king’s palace thru the Upper Gate, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom. 21 So all the people of the land celebrated, and the city was quiet, because they had killed Athaliah with a sword.
1 Yehoash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba. 2 Yehoash did right in the sight of Yehovah as long as Yehoiada the priest lived. 3 Yehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.
4 Some time later Yehoash decided to restore Yehovah’s Temple. 5 He gathered the priests and the Levites and told them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect silver from all the Israelites to repair the house of your Elohim from year to year; and do it quickly.” But the Levites didn’t do it immediately.
6 So the king called for Yehoiada the high priest and asked him, “Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax authorized by Moses the servant of Yehovah on the assembly of Israel for the Tabernacle of the Testimony?
7 The sons of the wicked Athaliah had broken into the 'Temple' of Elohim and used the special things of Yehovah’s 'Temple' for the Baals.
8 So at the king’s command they made a chest and set it outside the gate of Yehovah’s Temple. 9 They made a proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem, to bring to Yehovah the tax that Moses the servant of Elohim required of Israel in the wilderness. 10 All the leaders and all the people celebrated, and brought in their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished.
11 Whenever the chest was full, the Levites would bring it to the king’s accountants. The royal secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and collected a large amount of silver. 12 The king and Yehoiada gave it to those who were working on Yehovah’s 'Temple'; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore Yehovah’s 'Temple', as well as skilled iron and bronze workers to renew Yehovah’s 'Temple'.
13 So the workmen did their work, and thru them the repairs progressed. They restored Elohim’s 'Temple' to its specifications and reinforced it. 14 Once they were finished, they brought the rest of the silver to the king and Yehoiada; and it was melted down and made into utensils for the 'Temple' of Yehovah, utensils for ministering and for burnt offerings, and bowls and utensils of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the 'Temple' of Yehovah continually thruout Yehoiada’s life.
15 Yehoiada died when he was old and full of years; he was one hundred and thirty years old at his death. 16 They buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward Elohim and His 'Temple'.
17 After Yehoiada died, the officials of Judah came and bowed down to King Yehoash, and the king listened to them. 18 They abandoned Yehovah’s 'Temple', the Elohim of their ancestors, and served the Asherah poles and the idols; so wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for their guilt. 19 Yet He sent prophets to them to bring them back to Yehovah; and tho they testified against them, they wouldn’t listen.
20 'Elohim’s spirit' came on Zechariah the son of Yehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and told them, “This is what Elohim says, “Why are you breaking Yehovah’s Commandments? You’re preventing prosperity. Yehovah has abandoned you because you have abandoned Him.”
21 But they conspired against him, and they stoned him to death by order of the king in the courtyard of Yehovah’s Temple. 22 King Yehoash didn’t 'hold dear' the kindness that Zechariah’s father, Yehoiada had extended to him, Instead, he killed Yehoiada’s son. As Zechariah died, he said, “May Yehovah see this and avenge!”
23 At the end of the year [spring: 2 Samuel 11:1], Aram’s army advanced against Yehoash; invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king of Damascus. 24 Altho the Aramean army came with only a few men, Yehovah handed over a very large army to 'them', because they had abandoned Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. So they carried out judgment on Yehoash.
25 When 'the Arameans' withdrew, they left him severely wounded, his own servants conspired against him for murdering the son of Yehoiada the priest, and murdered him on his bed. So he died and they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 26 The 'people' who conspired against him were Zabad, the son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Yehozabad, the son of Shimrith a Moabite woman.
27 Concerning his sons, the many prophecies against him and the rebuilding of the 'Temple' of Elohim are recorded in the footnotes of the Book of Kings. Then his son Amaziah succeeded him as king!
1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Yehoaddan of Jerusalem. 2 He did what was right in Yehovah’s sight, but he wasn’t entirely 'faithful'.
3 As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his 'grasp', he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king. 4 But he didn’t execute their children. He acted in accord with what is written in the Torah, the book of Moses, where Yehovah commanded, “Fathers must never be put to death for the crimes of their children, and children must never be put to death for the crimes of their fathers; each must die for their own sin.”
5 Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them according to 'ancestral' households under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds thruout Judah and Benjamin. He then mustered those twenty years old or more and found that there were three hundred thousand select men who could handle a spear and a shield. 6 He also hired 100,000 valiant warriors from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
7 But a man of Elohim came to him and said, “O king, don’t have Israel’s army go with you, because Yehovah isn’t with Israel—not with any of the men of Ephraim. 8 But if you do go, take action, fight courageously, but Elohim will bring you down before the enemy, because Elohim has the power to help or to help or to overthrow.”
9 Amaziah asked the man of Elohim, “What should I do about the hundred talents of silver that I gave to the army of Israel?”
The man of Elohim answered, “Yehovah can give you much more than that.” 10 So Amaziah dismissed the hired troops and sent them back to Ephraim. They were furious with Judah and they returned 'home' in fierce anger.
11 Amaziah courageously led his 'men' to the Valley of Salt where he killed 10,000 'men' of Seir. 12 The Jews also captured 10,000 alive. They took them to the top of a cliff and threw them down from the top of the cliff so that they were all smashed to pieces.
13 Meanwhile the troops that Amaziah had sent home without going with him into battle raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon. They killed 3,000 people and carried off great quantities of plunder.
14 After Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the Seirites and set them up as his gods. He bowed down before them and burned incense to them. 15 So the anger of Yehovah burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him who asked him, “Why are you 'serving' the gods of the people who couldn’t save their own people from 'you'?”
16 While he was still speaking to him, the king asked, “Have we made you the king’s counselor? Stop, why should you lose your life?”
So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that Elohim intends to destroy you, because you did this and haven’t listened to my council.”
17 After taking advice from his advisers, King Amaziah of Judah sent messengers to King Yehoash the son of Yehoahaz and grandson of Jehu of Israel and said “Come on, let’s face off against each other in battle.”
18 King Yehoash of Israel sent this message to King Amaziah of Judah: “A thorny weed in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon. It said, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But a wild animal from Lebanon came along and trampled the thorny weed.
19 You say that you’ve defeated Edom, and now you’ve become arrogant and proud. Stay home! Why should you court disaster and your own demise and take Judah with you?”
20 But Amaziah refused to listen since Elohim made this happen because he wanted to hand over the Judeans to Yehoash for wanting help from the gods of Edom. 21 So King Yehoash of Israel advanced, and King Amaziah of Judah faced off at Beth Shemesh in Judah. 22 Judah was defeated 'by' Israel, and each fled to his own tent. 23 King Yehoash of Israel captured King Amaziah, son of Yehoash and grandson of Ahaziah of Judah at Beth Shemesh and brought him to Jerusalem, and tore down 400 cubits of the wall around Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to Corner Gate. 24 He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils found in the 'Temple' of Elohim that had been in the care of Obed Edom, along with the 'palace' treasures and the hostages and returned to Samaria.
25 Yehoash’s son King Amaziah of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Yehoahaz’s son King Yehoash of Israel. 26 Every other significant event of Amaziah’s reign, from beginning to end, is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
27 From the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yehovah, they conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish, and killed him there. 28 They brought him back by horse and buried with his ancestors in the City of Judah.
1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 2 He rebuilt Eloth, and returned it to Judah, after King Amaziah rested with his ancestors.
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in Yehovah’s sight as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He continued to seek Elohim in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding thru the vision [or fear] of Elohim; and as long as he 'remained dedicated' to Yehovah, Elohim prospered him.
6 'Uzziah' went out to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath and the walls of Jabneh and the walls of Ashdod. Then he built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines. 7 Elohim helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunites. 8 The Ammonites brought tribute silver to Uzziah. His fame spread to the border of Egypt because he had become very powerful.
9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate and at the Angle and fortified them. 10 He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, since he had a lot of livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains. He also had farmers and vinedressers both on the hillsides and in the fertile valleys because he loved 'farming'.
11 Uzziah had a well trained army ready for battle, based on the numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king’s officers. 12 The total number of the heads of the 'ancestral' households of valiant warriors was 2,600. 13 Under their 'command' was an elite army of 307,500 soldiers equipped for combat, a powerful force to help the king against his enemies.
14 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army. 15 In Jerusalem he made skillfully designed war machines for use on the towers and on the corner defenses to shoot arrows and hurl large stones from. His fame spread quite far because he had strong support until he became powerful.
16 But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his corruption. He acted unfaithfully against Yehovah his Elohim by entering the 'Temple' of Yehovah to smoke incense on the incense altar. 17 Azariah the priest went in after him with him eighty priests of Yehovah who were valiant men. 18 They opposed King Uzziah, and told him, “Uzziah, it is not your responsibility to smoke incense to Yehovah—'only' the priests, the descendants of Aaron have been authorized to smoke incense. Get out of the 'Cherished' Place because you’ve been unfaithful. Yehovah Elohim will never honor you for this.
19 But Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand for smoking incense was enraged. But while he was raging against the priests, a serious skin disease broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of Yehovah in front of the incense altar. 20 When the chief priest Azariah and all the priests turned toward him, they saw that he had a skin disease on his forehead. They rushed him away, and Uzziah also urgently wanted to get out because Yehovah had afflicted him. 21 King Uzziah had the skin disease until the day he died. He lived in 'quarantine' with the serious skin disease and was excluded from access to Yehovah’s 'Temple'. His son Jotham took charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
22 The rest of Uzziah’s accomplishments, from first to last, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 23 So Uzziah rested with his ancestors, and was buried 'near' his ancestors in a cemetery owned by the 'royal family', because people said, “He had an [unclean] skin disease.” And his son Jotham succeeded him as king.
1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
2 He did right in the sight of Yehovah, just as his father Uzziah had done. He never entered the 'Temple' of Yehovah. But the people continued their corrupt practices.
3 'Jotham' rebuilt the Upper Gate of Yehovah’s 'Temple', and did extensive work on the wall of Ophel. 4 He also built cities in the highlands of Judah and built forts and defensive towers in the forests. 5 He also fought with the king of the Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites gave him a hundred silver talents and ten thousand kors of both wheat and of barley. The Ammonites also paid him the same amount in the second and third years.
6 So Jotham grew powerful because he didn’t waver in obeyings Yehovah his Elohim.
7 The other accomplishments o Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and other activities are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9 Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Ahaz succeeded him as king.
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do right in Yehovah’s sight like his ancestor David, 2 He 'lived' like the other kings of Israel and made cast images of the Baals. 3 He burnt incense in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and 'sacrificed' his children in fire, mimicking the highly detestable things of the nations that Yehovah had driven out before the Israelites. 4 He sacrificed and burned incense on pagan high places on the hills and under every green tree.
5 So Yehovah his Elohim handed 'Ahaz' over to the king of Aram. The Arameans 'defeated' him and took many of his people as prisoners and brought them to Damascus. He was also handed over to the king of Israel who inflicted heavy casualties on him. 6 Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 in Judah in one day, all valiant men, because they had abandoned Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. 7 Zikri, a warrior from Ephrai killed Maaseiah the king’s son and Azrikam, who was in charge of the palace, and Elkanah, second to the king. 8 The Israelites captured 200,000 women, boys and girls from their relatives the Jews, and they also took a great deal of spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
9 But a prophet of Yehovah named Oded was there, who went out to meet the army that came to Samaria. He told them, “Because Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors was angry with Judah, he handed them over to you. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that has reached heaven! 10 And now you intend to subjugate the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But aren’t you also guilty of sins against Yehovah your Elohim? 11 Now listen to me! Send back the prisoners that you’ve captured from your brothers, because Yehovah’s fierce anger is against you.
12 Then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites—Azariah the son of Yehohanan, Berekiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and the Amasa son of Hadlai—confronted those who were returning from the battle. 13 They told them, “Don’t bring the prisoners here, because your plan is to add to our sins and our guilt against Yehovah. Our guilt is so great that His burning anger is against Israel.”
14 So the army left the prisoners and the spoils in front of the leaders and the whole assembly. 15 The men designated by name took the prisoners, and they clothed all their naked 'relatives' from the spoils. They clothed them, gave them sandals, food and drink, dressed their wounds, and provided donkeys for all the feeble, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
16 At that time King Ahaz sent a message to the king of Assyria asking for help. 17 The Edomites came and attacked Judah again and took captives. 18 The Philistines had raided the cities of the low country and of the Negev of Judah and captured Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth and Soco and their villages, and also Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages, and they settled there. 19 Yehovah humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Israel. Ahaz had allowed unrestrained behavior in Judah and had been very unfaithful to Yehovah.
20 King Tillegath Pilneser of Assyria attacked Ahaz rather than supporting him. 21 Ahaz took some of the things from Yehovah’s 'Temple' and the royal palace and from the leaders, and gave it to the King of Assyria, but that didn’t help him.
22 In his time of distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to Yehovah. 23 He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him, and he said, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I’ll sacrifice to them so they’ll help me.” But they were his 'downfall' and the downfall of all of Israel.
24 Then Ahaz took various utensils from the 'Temple' of Elohim, cut them up, and closed the doors of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and set up altars on every street corner in Jerusalem. 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked Yehovah, the Elohim of his ancestors.
26 Every other significant event of his reign, from beginning to end, is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 27 Ahaz rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of Jerusalem, but they didn’t 'bury' him among the tombs of the kings of Israel. And his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.
1 Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old; and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2 He did what was right in Yehovah’s sight, the way his ancestor David had done.
3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he reopened the doors of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and repaired them. 4 He brought the priests and Levites together in the square on the east side. 5 Then he told them, “Levites, listen to me! Dedicate yourselves, and dedicate the 'Temple' of Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, and get rid of the filth in the 'Cherished' Place. 6 Our ancestors were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of Yehovah our Elohim. They abandoned Him and have turned from facing the 'home' of Yehovah—they turned their backs. 7 They also closed the doors of the temple portico and extinguished the lamps. They didn’t burn incense or offer burnt offerings in the 'Cherished' Place to the Elohim of Israel.
8 So the wrath of Yehovah 'has fallen' on Judah and Jerusalem. He has made them an object of dread, horror and ridicule, as you can see with your own eyes. 9 Our ancestors have been killed with swords and our sons, daughters and wives are in captivity because of this. 10 Now it’s my 'intent' to make a covenant with Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, so that His fierce anger will turn away from us. 11 Don’t be negligent, my sons, because Yehovah has chosen you to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be His ministers and burn incense.”
12 So the Levites 'got started':
Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel, the son of Azariah, from the descendants of the Kohathites; and from Merari’s descendants were Kish, the son of Abdi, and Azariah, the son of Jehallelel. From Gershon’s descendants were Joah, the son of Zimmah, and Eden, the son of Joah. 13 from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; and from the descendants of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; 14 and from the descendants of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and from the descendants of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 They gathered their 'relatives', and 'dedicated' themselves [ceremonially], and went in according to the command of the king following the words of Yehovah, to cleanse Yehovah’s Temple. 16 The priests went into the inner part of Yehovah’s 'Temple' to cleanse it. They carried every unclean thing that they found in Yehovah’s 'Temple' into the courtyard. The Levites took it and hauled it out to the Kidron 'Valley'.
17 They began the 'cleansing' on the first day of the first month, and by the eighth day of the month they reached the portico of Yehovah’s 'Temple', and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.
18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have entirely cleansed Yehovah’s 'Temple', the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the table the Bread of the Presence [showbread] with all its utensils. 19 We’ve recovered and cleansed all the articles that King Ahaz discarded during his reign in his unfaithfulness. They’re now in front of Yehovah’s altar.
20 King Hezekiah got up early, gathered the city officials together, and went to Yehovah’s Temple. 21 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven male lambs and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the 'Cherished' Place and for Judah. The king ordered the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of Yehovah.
22 So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. They also slaughtered the rams and sprinkled the blood on the altar. Then they slaughtered the lambs and sprinkled the blood on the altar. 23 Then they brought the male goats of the sin offering before the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them. 24 The priests slaughtered them and cleansed the altar with their blood to atone for 'everyone' in Israel, because the king ordered that the burnt offering and the sin offering be made for all the people of Israel.
25 Then he stationed the Levites in Yehovah’s 'Temple' with cymbals, harps and lyres, as prescribed by David and Gawd the king’s seer and Nathan the prophet; This command came from Yehovah thru His prophets. 26 The Levites stood with David’s musical instruments, and the priests with their trumpets.
27 Then Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. When the burnt offerings began, the songs of praise to Yehovah also began, the trumpets 'sounded', along with the instruments of David, king of Israel. 28 While the whole assembly worshiped, the singers began to sing and the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 When the burnt offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him bowed down and worshiped. 30 Then King Hezekiah and the officials arranged for the Levites to sing praises to Yehovah in the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped.
31 Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you’ve dedicated yourselves to Yehovah, come and bring zebakim [sacrifices] and thank offerings into Yehovah’s Temple. So the assembly brought zebakim and thank offerings, and everyone who was willing brought burnt offerings. 32 The number of the zebakim that the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs. All of them for burnt offerings to Yehovah. 33 Six hundred bulls and 3,000 sheep were dedicated as zebakim.
34 But there were too few priests and they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; so until the other priests could 'dedicate' themselves, their relatives the Levites, helped them until the work was finished. The Levites were more 'conscientious' in dedicating themselves than the priests. 35 There were burnt offerings in abundance in addition to the fat of the fellowship zebakim and the 'wine' offerings that accompanied the burnt offerings.
So Levitical service in Yehovah’s 'Temple' was reestablished. 36 Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what Elohim had done for the people, because it happened so quickly.
1 Hezekiah sent a message to all the people of Israel and Judah, and wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, 'inviting' them to come to Yehovah’s 'Temple' in Jerusalem, and celebrate the Passover to Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. 2 The king and his officials and the entire assembly in Jerusalem opted to celebrate the Passover in the second month [using the special situation rule]. 3 They couldn’t celebrate it at the normal time since not enough priests had been purified by then, and the people hadn’t gathered in Jerusalem.
4 The plan pleased both the king and the entire assembly. 5 So they decided to circulate an announcement thruout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the 'people' were to come and celebrate the Passover to Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. They hadn’t been celebrating it in large numbers as required [by the Torah].
6 So the messengers traversed Israel and Judah with the letters handed over from the king and his leaders that said:
“House of Israel, return to Yehovah, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, so that He will return to those of you remaining, who escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria. 7 Don’t be like your ancestors and your relatives who were unfaithful to Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, who made them the desolation you see. 8 Don’t be stiff-necked like your ancestors were, but yield to Yehovah and come to His 'Cherished' Place that He has made 'chosen' forever, and serve Yehovah your Elohim so that He’ll turn His burning anger away from you,
9 “If you return to Yehovah, your relatives and your descendants will find compassion from those who captured them and return to this land. Yehovah your Elohim is merciful and compassionate; He won’t turn His 'back' on you, if you return to Him.”
10 So the messengers went from city to city in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but they laughed at them and ridiculed them. 11 But some of the men from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
12 The hand of Elohim was on Judah to give them unity of mind, to obey the command of the king and his officials commanded by the Word of Yehovah. 13 Many people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very large assembly. 14 They hauled off the pagan altars in Jerusalem, and got rid of the incense altars and dumped them in the Kidron Valley.
15 They slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed of themselves, and they purified themselves, and brought burnt offerings to Yehovah’s 'Temple'. 16 They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Torah of Moses the man of Elohim. The priests sprinkled the blood they were handed by the Levites.
17 Many in the assembly hadn’t purified themselves, so the Levites were in charge of killing the Passover lambs for everyone who was unclean, to dedicate their lambs to Yehovah. 18 The majority of the people, mostly from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun hadn’t purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to the Writings. But Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May Yehovah, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who is mentally prepared to seek their Elohim—Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, even if they aren’t clean according to the purification rules of the 'Cherished' Place. 20 Yehovah heard Hezekiah, and healed the people.
21 “The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised Yehovah day after day, accompanied by Yehovah’s loud instruments. 22 Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good understanding in the service of Yehovah. So they feasted for seven days, zebaking [sacrificing] peace offering, and giving thanks to Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors.
23 The entire assembly then agreed to celebrate for another seven days, so they joyfully celebrated for another seven days. 24 King Hezekiah of Judah gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings. The leaders provided 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep for the assembly, and a large number of priests purified themselves.
25 The entire assembly of Judah celebrated, including the priests and the Levites, both those who came from the land of Israel and those who lived in Judah. 26 There was great joy in Jerusalem, because there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem since the time of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel. 27 Then the priests and the Levites got up and 'blessed' the people. Their voices were heard as their prayers arrived in His 'cherished' home [1] in heaven.
[1] The root word of 'cherished' home” (“dwell together”) is “from an unused root, a feminine noun, apparently meaning to ‘live together’ and ‘cohabitation.’
1 When this was over, all the Israelites who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and smashed the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and the altars thruout Judah and Benjamin, as well as Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned, every man to his own city, to his own property.
2 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites based on the service he performed, both the priests and the Levites, for the burnt offerings and fellowship zebakim, to serve, give thanks, and to praise in the gates of Yehovah’s camp. 3 He also contributed some of what he owned for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and for the New Moons and for the Annual Feasts, as prescribed in Yehovah’s Torah. 4 He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the contributions to the priests and Levites that they were due so they could devote themselves to the Torah of Yehovah.
5 As soon as the word spread, the Israelites gave in abundance the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and every crop from the fields; and they brought in an abundance, a tithe of everything. 6 The Israelites and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of bulls and sheep, and the tithe of 'special' things that were dedicated to Yehovah their Elohim, and they piled them in heaps. 7 In the third month they began building the heaps, and they finished them in the seventh month. 8 When Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yehovah and His people Israel.
9 Hezekiah asked the priests and the Levites about the heaps.
10 Azariah the high priest of the house of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into Yehovah’s 'Temple', we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, because Yehovah has blessed His people, and we have all of this left over.”
11 Hezekiah gave orders to prepare chambers in Yehovah’s 'Temple' and they prepared them. 12 They faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes and the dedicated things. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was next in rank. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath and Benaiah were supervisors assisting Conaniah and Shimei his brother by the appointment of King Hezekiah, and Azariah was the chief officer of Elohim’s 'Temple'.
14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given of Elohim, to distribute the offerings of Yehovah, and the most dedicated things. 15 Under his 'authority' were Eden, Miniamin, Yeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests. They were to distribute the offerings faithfully to all their relatives by divisions, whether large or small, 16 without regard to their genealogical registration, to the males from 'thirty' years old and upward—everyone who entered Yehovah’s 'Temple' for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions. 17 They distributed to those recorded by genealogy of the priests by their ancestral tribes and the Levites twenty years old and upward, by their responsibilities in their divisions. 18 The genealogical registration included all their little children, their wives, their sons and their daughters, for the whole assembly, because they had all been faithful in purifying themselves. 19 As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, in the assembly fields of their cities, or in each and every city, there were men who were registered by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to every Levite recorded by genealogy.
20 This is what Hezekiah did thruout Judah. He did what was good, right and true before Yehovah his Elohim. 21 Everything that he undertook in the service of Elohim’s 'Temple' was in accord with the Torah and the Commandments, seeking his Elohim, he did with complete 'loyalty', and he prospered.
1 After these things and this faithfulness, King Sennacherib of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to break into them. 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to wage war on Jerusalem, 3 he consulted with his officials and military staff about shutting off the water supply from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. 4 A large crowd gathered as they stopped all the springs, and the stream that flowed thru the region; they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?”
5 Then he worked hard rebuilding all the walls and building towers on it. He built another wall outside the city wall, and reinforced the citadel in the City of David and made large numbers of weapons and shields. 6 He appointed military officers over the people and gathered them in the square at the city gate, and spoke these words of encouragement: 7 “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be frightened or terrified by the king of Assyria or the vast horde with him; because the One with us is greater than the one with him. 8 With him there is only an arm of flesh, but with us is Yehovah our Elohim to help us, and to fight our battles.” And the people were encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.
9 After this, while King Sennacherib of Assyria and all his royal forces were attacking Lachish, he sent his officers to Jerusalem, to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who were in Jerusalem to say:
10 “This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: ‘What are you relying on as you remain in Jerusalem under siege? 11 Isn’t Hezekiah misleading you and abandoning you to die of hunger and thirst when he says, “Yehovah our Elohim will save us from the grasp of the King of Assyria? 12 Isn’t this the same Hezekiah who got rid 'Baal’s' high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, “You must worship before one altar, and on it you must burn 'incense'”?
13 “Don’t you know what I and my predecessors have done to all the people of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land from my hand? 14 Which of the gods of these nations that my predecessors completely destroyed was able to rescue his people from my 'grasp'? How then could your Elohim rescue you from my 'grasp'? 15 So don’t allow Hezekiah to deceive you or mislead you like this. Don’t believe him since no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to save his people from my 'grasp', or from the grasp of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my 'grasp'”
16 'Sennacherib’s' officers said more against Yehovah Elohim, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He also wrote letters ridiculing Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, and to speak against Him, they said, “Just like the gods of the people in other lands didn’t save their people from my 'grasp', Hezekiah’s god won’t save his people from my 'grasp'.” 18 They shouted it loudly in Judah’s language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall to frighten and demoralize them, in order to capture the city. 19 They spoke about the Elohim of Jerusalem as they did the gods of the nations of the earth that are made by the hands of men.
20 But King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz prayed about this and called to heaven. 21 Yehovah sent a Messenger [1] who destroyed every brave warrior, commander and officer in the Assyrian king’s camp. So he retreated to his own land in shame. And when he entered the pagan 'shrine' of his god, some of his own children killed him with a sword.
22 So Yehovah saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the 'grasp' of King Sennacherib of Assyria, and from 'everyone' else, and gave them rest on every side. 23 Many people were bringing gifts to Yehovah in Jerusalem and expensive presents to King Hezekiah of Judah. From then on he was highly regarded in the sight of all the nations.
24 In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill; and he prayed to Yehovah, and Yehovah spoke to him, and gave him a miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah was conceited and did nothing in return for the kindness shown him. So there was wrath against him, Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem humbled themselves so that Yehovah’s wrath didn’t come on them during Hezekiah’s time.
27 Hezekiah had immense wealth and honor, and he made himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable possessions, 28 and also storehouses for the harvest of grain, new wine, and olive oil and stalls for all kinds of animals, and sheepfolds for the flocks. 29 He built cities and acquired an abundance of flocks and herds, because Elohim had given him a great deal of property. 30 Hezekiah was the one who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water directly thru tunnels to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah was successful in everything he did.
31 But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had taken place in the land, Elohim left him alone, to test him in order determine his 'character'.
32 The rest of the events of Hezekiah’s reign and his acts of devotion are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 33 Hezekiah rested with his ancestors, and they buried him in the upper section of the tombs of the descendants of David. Everyone in Judah and the residents of Jerusalem honored him at his death. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king.
[1] The Targum, the oldest Bible says, “The Word Yehovah sent Gabriel to do the execution, and that it was done with lightning on the Passover night, the same night that the firstborn in Egypt were slain, killing the mighty men, and the leaders and captains and a vast number of common soldiers.1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2 He did evil in the sight of Yehovah, imitating the highly detestable things of the nations that Yehovah had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down; and he set up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. He worshiped the entire heavenly host and served them.
4 He built pagan altars in Yehovah’s 'Temple' where Yehovah had said, “My name will be in Jerusalem forever.” 5 He built altars for the entire heavenly host in the two courtyards of Yehovah’s 'Temple'. 6 He passed his sons thru fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a great deal of evil in Yehovah’s sight, provoking His anger.
7 He even took a carved idol he had made and set it up in Elohim’s 'Temple', the very place where Elohim had told David and Solomon his son, “I have chosen this 'Temple' and Jerusalem from all the tribes of Israel, and My name will be in Jerusalem forever. 8 I will never again remove Israel’s foothold from the land that I gave to their ancestors, provided they carefully obey everything I commanded them—the entire Torah, the unchanging rulings and the regulations given thru Moses.” 9 But Manasseh misled Judah and the people of Jerusalem into doing more evil than the nations that Yehovah had destroyed before the Israelites.
10 Yehovah spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So Yehovah brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with a hook, bound him with bronze shackles and brought him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of Yehovah his Elohim and seriously humbled himself before the Elohim of his ancestors. 13 When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his request and 'granted' his request, and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized that Yehovah was Elohim!
14 After this he rebuilt an outer wall for the City of David from the west side of Gihon Spring in the river valley, to the entrance of the Fish Gate. He encircled the Ophel with it and made it much higher. Then he stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah. 15 He also removed the foreign gods and the idol from Yehovah’s 'Temple' and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and in Jerusalem and hauled them out of the city. 16 He restored the altar of Yehovah, and offered fellowship zebakim [sacrifices] of thanksgiving, and insisted that Judah serve Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel. 17 But the people still sacrificed at the high places, tho only to Yehovah their Elohim. [Commentary on syncretism]
18 The other events of Manasseh’s reign, along with his prayer to Elohim and the words that the seers spoke to him in Yehovah’s name, the Elohim of Israel, are written in the Records of Israel’s Kings. 19 His prayer and how Elohim was moved by him, and all his sins and unfaithfulness and the places where he built high places and set up the Asherah poles and the carved images before he humbled himself are written in the Records of Hozai. 20 So Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace. His son Amon succeeded him as king.
21 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned for two years in Jerusalem. 22 He did evil in the sight of Yehovah, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved images that his father Manasseh had made, and he served them. 23 But he didn’t humble himself before Yehovah the way his father Manasseh had 'done'; instead, Amon intensified his shame.
24 Finally his officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace. 25 But the 'local' people executed everyone who conspired against King Amon and made his son Josiah king in his place.
1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 He did what was right in Yehovah’s sight, and 'lived' in the ways of his ancestor David, never deviating to the right or to the left.
3 In the eighth year of his reign while he was still a boy, Josiah began to seek the Elohim of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles and the carved and cast images. 4 They tore down the altars of the Baals under his 'direction'; he chopped up the incense altars that were above them. He also smashed the Asherah poles, the idols and the cast images to pieces. He ground them into powder and scattered the powder over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 Then 'Josiah' burned the bones of the pagan priests on their altars and purged Judah and Jerusalem.
6 In the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and as far as Naphtali and in the ruins around them, 7 he tore down the pagan altars and smashed the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and demolished all the incense altars thruout the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.
8 In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land the 'Temple', he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city and Joah the son of Joahaz the court historian to repair the 'Temple' of Yehovah his Elohim. 9 When they came to Hilkiah the high priest, and gave him the silver brought into Elohim’s 'Temple' that the Levites who were the gatekeepers had collected from the people of Manasseh, Ephraim and all of the surviving Israelites, as well as from all Judah, Benjamin and the citizens of Jerusalem
10 put it into the hands of the 'supervisors' in charge of Yehovah’s 'Temple', who in turn paid the workmen restoring and repairing the 'Temple'. 11 They in turn gave it to the carpenters and builders and also used it to purchase quarried stone and timbers for joists and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah let fall into ruin.
12 The men did the work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites descended from Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam, the descendants of Kohath, and the Levites—all the skilled musicians. 13 They also supervised the 'men' carrying supplies, and supervised all the workmen doing the work, task by task. Some of the Levites served as secretaries, officers and gatekeepers.
14 When they brought out the silver that had been brought into Yehovah’s 'Temple', Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Torah of Yehovah 'written' by Moses. 15 Hilkiah told Shaphan the scribe, “I’ve found the Book of the Torah in Yehovah’s Temple.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.
16 Shaphan brought the book to the king, and also reported to the king, “Your servants are doing everything they were 'entrusted' to do. 17 They have turned over the silver that was 'contributed' in Yehovah’s 'Temple' and handed it over to the supervisors and the workmen.” 18 Then Shaphan the court secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book,” and Shaphan read it 'aloud' to the king.
19 When the king heard the words of the Torah, he tore his clothes. 20 Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king. He said, 21 “Go. Ask Yehovah for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is Yehovah’s wrath that has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of Yehovah, doing everything written in this book.”
22 So Hilkiah and the king’s confidants went to the prophetess Huldah, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, and grandson of Hasrah, the curator of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter. They spoke to her about this.
23 She told them, “This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel says: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 This is what Yehovah says: I’m about to bring a disaster on this place and its residents, fulfilling all the curses written in the book that was read 'aloud' to the king of Judah, 25 because they have abandoned Me and burned incense to other gods in order to provoke Me to anger with everything they have done. So My wrath will be poured out on this place and it won't be quenched.’
26 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yehovah: ‘This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel says about the words that you’ve heard: 27 You repented and humbled yourself before Elohim, when you heard His words against this place, and against its citizens, and have humbled yourself before Me, and tore your clothes, and cried before Me. I have truly heard you, declares Yehovah. 28 So I will 'let you die and be buried' in peace. You will never 'witness' the disaster I’m going to bring to this place and to those who live here.’”
So They reported this to the king.
29 Then the king sent messengers and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 The king went up to Yehovah’s 'Temple' and all the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, both great and small, and he read it 'out loud' so they could hear all of the words from the Book of the Covenant that was found in Yehovah’s Temple. 31 The king stood in his place and renewed the covenant in the presence of Yehovah, to 'follow' Yehovah and to obey His Commandments and His declarations and His unchanging rulings with all his 'sentiments' and with all his 'being', to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. 32 Then he had everyone present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand with him. So the citizens of Jerusalem lived in accord with Elohim’s covenant, the Elohim of their ancestors.
33 Josiah removed all the highly detestable things from all the 'territory' belonging to the descendants of Israel, and made everyone present in Israel serve Yehovah their Elohim. Thruout his 'lifetime' they didn’t fail to follow Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors.
1 Josiah 'celebrated' the Passover to Yehovah in Jerusalem, and they killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them to serve responsibly in Yehovah’s Temple. 3 To the Levites who instructed all the people of Israel and were dedicated to Yehovah he said, “Put the dedicated Ark in the 'Temple' that Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it must never be a burden carried on your shoulders any longer. Now serve Yehovah your Elohim and His people Israel. 4 Prepare yourselves by your ancestral household divisions according to the written instructions of King David of Israel, and the records of his son Solomon.
5 “Stand in the 'Cherished' Place according to the ancestral household divisions of your relatives, the Israelite people, accompanied by a division of Levites with each ancestral household. 6 Slaughter the Passover lambs and purify yourselves, and prepare them for your relatives, according to the Word of Yehovah thru Moses.”
7 Josiah contributed flocks of lambs and young goats numbering 30,000 to everyone present for the Passover offerings, and 3,000 bulls—these were the king’s property. 8 His officers also contributed a freewill offering to the people, the priests and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, Jehiel, the officials of the 'Temple' of Elohim gave the priests offerings 2,600 lambs, and 300 bulls for the Passover offerings. 9 Also, Conaniah, and Shemaiah and Nethanel his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites contributed 5,000 lambs and young goats and 500 bulls to the Levites for the Passover offerings.
10 “So when the service was ready, the priests stood in their place and the Levites in their divisions as the king had commanded. 11 They slaughtered the Passover lambs, and the priests sprinkled the blood they were handed, and the Levites skinned them. 12 They removed the burnt offerings so they could present them to the divisions of the 'ancestral' households of the rest of the people, to offer to Yehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses. They also did this with the bulls. 13 They roasted the Passover lambs over the fire according to the regulation, and they boiled the 'special' offerings in pots, in kettles and in pans, and carried them quickly to the rest of the people.
14 Afterward they prepared Passover offerings for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy offering the burnt offerings and the fat portions until nightfall. So the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests the descendants of Aaron.
15 The musicians, the descendants of Asaph, were in the places prescribed by David, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the gatekeepers at each gate didn’t need to leave their posts, because their Levite relatives made preparations for them.
16 So at that time the entire service of Yehovah was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offering of burnt offerings on Yehovah’s altar, as King Josiah had ordered. 17 So the Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover at that time as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. 18 No Passover had been celebrated like this in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated a Passover like Josiah did and the priests, the Levites and all the people of Judah and Israel who were present, with the people of Jerusalem. 19 This Passover was celebrated in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign.
20 After all this, when Josiah had repaired the 'Temple', King Neco of Egypt came to fight at Carchemish at the Euphrates River, and Josiah went out to confront him. 21 But 'Neco' sent messengers to 'Josiah', to ask:
“What is the issue between you and me, king of Judah? I’m not attacking you. I’m fighting another 'dynasty', and Elohim has ordered me to hurry; so stop opposing Elohim, who is with me, so that He won’t destroy you.”
22 Yet Josiah wouldn’t turn 'away' from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He wouldn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of Elohim, but went to the Valley of Armageddon to fight. 23 The archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, because I’m badly wounded.”
24 So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in his other chariot to Jerusalem where he died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, and everyone in Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 25 Jeremiah sang a song for Josiah, and all the male and female singers have commemorated Josiah in their laments to this very day. These became a tradition in Israel and are recorded in the Laments.
26 The other significant events of Josiah’s reign, including his acts of devotion as written in the Torah of Yehovah, 27 all the events, from beginning to end, are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah!
1 Then the people of 'Judah' took Yehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in place of his father in Jerusalem.
2 Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 3 Then the king of Egypt deposed him in Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4 The king of Egypt made Yehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king of Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim’s name to Yehoiakim. But Neco took his brother Yehoahaz and brought him to Egypt.
5 Yehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of Yehovah his Elohim. 6 King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Yehoiakim and put him in bronze shackles to take him to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar also brought some of the articles from Yehovah’s 'Temple' to Babylon and put them in his 'temple' in Babylon.
8 The other events of Yehoiakim’s reign, the highly detestable things he committed and everything found against, are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. And Yehoiachin his son succeeded him as king.
9 Yehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for three months and ten days in Jerusalem, and He did evil in Yehovah’s sight. 10 At the 'beginning' of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and brought him to Babylon with the valuable articles of Yehovah’s 'Temple' and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 He did evil in the sight of Yehovah his Elohim and didn’t humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah who spoke for Yehovah. 13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by Elohim. He stiffened his neck and hardened his resolve against returning to Yehovah, Elohim of Israel.
14 All the officials, the priests, and the people became increasingly unfaithful, imitating all the highly detestable things of the nations, and they polluted Yehovah’s 'Temple' that He had dedicated in Jerusalem.
15 Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, repeatedly sent messages to them by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place, 16 but they kept ridiculing Elohim’s messengers and despising His words, and insulted His prophets, until the wrath of Yehovah was stirred up against His people beyond remedy.
17 So He brought the king of the Chaldeans against them, who killed their young men with swords in the 'courts of the Temple', and had no compassion on young men or virgins, the elderly or the feeble. He handed them all over to him. 18 He took everything to Babylon—all the articles of Elohim’s 'Temple', large and small, the treasures of Yehovah’s 'Temple', and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They burned Elohim’s 'Temple' and tore down the walls of Jerusalem, burned all its 'palaces' and destroyed everything of value. 20 He deported to Babylon anyone who survived the 'slaughter', and they became slaves to 'the king' and his sons until the rise of the Persian Empire.
21 This fulfilled Yehovah’s message spoken thru Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. During the time it was desolate. It experienced seventy complete Sabbath years.
22 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of Yehovah 'spoken thru' Jeremiah, Yehovah 'inspired' King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation thruout his entire kingdom and also to put it in writing:
23 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says:
“Yehovah, the Elohim of heaven, has given all the kingdoms on earth to me, and He has also chosen me to build a 'Temple' for Him in Jerusalem, in Judah. Any of His people among you 'is free' to go up, and may Yehovah your Elohim be with you.”
The terminology in all of my books utilizes this Glossary. Most of these terms are a response to the names of pagan gods, and concepts relative to them that have been adopted by Christianity in a process called syncretism (serving two masters) that tarnishes the name and reputation of the Creator—something He strongly frowns on. In fact the first three of the Ten Commandments are centered on respect for His name, and His hatred of false gods, the impostors! Yehovah condemns these gods 215 times using the word “gods”; in addition to the numerous times where a single “god” is condemned by name! It’s not as tho they don’t exist, they’re called demons! When Elohim said “Be careful to do everything that I’ve told you, and never mention the names of other elohim (gods), or let them be heard from your lips”, (Exodus 23:12) He obviously didn’t mean that we couldn’t mention their many names in a condemnatory manner as we read them aloud in the Scriptures. We simply must never use their names in a positive manner. If He meant “never” under any circumstances, many of us would even have to change our names! Martin means “Mars god of war.” Daniel’s pal Abednego, “servant of Nebo”, also comes to mind, as does Apollos, “given by Apollo”, and others. It isn’t the time to purify the names of people and places, or days of the week and months of the year, but it has never been the right time to provoke Elohim’s wrath: “You must never use the name of Yehovah your Elohim irreverently [in vain], because Yehovah won’t let anyone go unpunished who misuses His name!” (Commandment #3: Exodus 20:7)
Elohim: I occasionally use the word “Elohim” (Aramaic for ‘O Father’), where others would use “God.” It’s a fairly well known word that shouldn’t offend or confuse anyone like Aloha [God] or Yehovah could. The word “God” came from paganism, as even this “so what” link explains, as did so many of our common terms of worship, such as amen, church, holy, sacred, sanctuary, and even sacrifice. The articles that I have found explaining this virtually all substitute the Samaritan name Yahweh, that I find to be no better. (See Yehovah below.) Rather than chance offending anyone, particularly Elohim, I’m adding Elohim to my vocabulary. Elohim can refer to either Yeshua’ (Jesus’s) Father or even Yeshua Himself: Isaiah 9:6.
Aloha: The existing Aramaic and the Old Syriac manuscripts use the word “Aloha” (equivalent to the Hebrew Eloah), as transliterated in the 1849 Etheridge version for “God.” “Sacred name” Versions, aware of the word Aloha, generally substitute the Hebrew word “Elohim”, pronounced very much like Aloha, where the Aramaic now has Aloha. Yet Aloha is not a name, it is a generic title meaning “Sovereign” or “gods??. That should not have bothered the Jews, who wanted sole rights to possession and suppression of His actual name. In the later generation versions (altered) of the Testimony of Yeshua, for example, it refers to the Kingdom of Aloha, an Aramaic title, or the Kingdom of Theos, the Greek title, yet the (Hebrew) Scriptures occasionally refer to the Kingdom of Yehovah by name: (1 Chronicles 28:5; 2 Chronicles 13:8; Obadiah 1:21).
However, there was a great controversy among the Jews as to what to do when they found a copy of the Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) (the New Testament). They were concerned because the Tetragrammaton—YHVH (Yehovah), in Paleo Hebrew form was inserted into all of the original copies of the Testimony of Yeshua in the Aramaic, Greek and even Latin copies. Some of the Jews wanted to burn them intact, while others insisted on removing each instance of the Tetragrammaton prior to burning the Testimony. That the actual Name Yehovah was present in the original copies of the “Testimony of Yeshua” is apparent from the debates in the Jewish Babylonian Talmud. The true name was soon replaced by Aloha or Maryah in the Aramaic, and Theos and Kurios in the Greek, (“God” and “Lord” in most English Bibles).
In the Scriptures, YHVH appears about 6,519 times, while Elohim appears far less often, about 2,346 times. I feel certain, judging from the context in each usage, that the Testimony of Yeshua also made far more use of the name than any titles. But when the early Christians replaced His actual name with generic terms the distinction was lost. So far as anyone knows, we can only guess which places would have been Aloha and which places actually inserted the ancient Paleo form of YHVH into the text, as was originally done, until a very old copy in any language is found. The Messianic Faithful of the first century would never have stood for this, but “gentile” Christians did anything possible to distance themselves from the enemies of the Roman State—the Jews, and their “Old Testament” Yehovah. So unless it is obvious that His personal name was not meant, the Gabriel defaults to YHVH rather than to Aloha. Consequently, the places that the Gabriel uses the generic term “Aloha” is where the personal name of Yehovah would make no sense—such as where Etheridge used the word “God”, as in Matthew 22:32. Also see “Yehovah” below. (Incidentally, there are an astonishing number of variations of the generic Aloha/Elohim scattered all over the world! I do have differences with this link’s vowel points concerning YHVH.
Aw-main' replaces Amen, the name of the chief Egyptian pagan god during the time of the exodus.
Assembly replaces “church” in the Gabriel Tanakay. William Tyndale was right! He was murdered by the “church”, partly because the word “church” was not in his translation, except in reference to a pagan temple! “Tyndale’s [version] was the first English translation to draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts, and the first to take advantage of the new medium of print, which allowed for its wide distribution. In 1535, Tyndale was arrested, jailed in the castle of Vilvoorde outside Brussels for over a year, tried for heresy and burned at the stake. Much of Tyndale’s work eventually found its way into the King James Version (or ‘Authorized Version’) of the Bible, published in 1611. It was the work of 54 independent scholars revising the existing English versions who drew significantly [about 80%] on Tyndale’s translations”, [as has virtually every other translation].—Wikipedia John Wycliffe’s handwritten 1380’s version did not use the word ‘church’ either. The Pope was so infuriated by his teachings and his translation of the Bible into English, that 44 years after Wycliffe died, he ordered his bones to be dug-up, crushed, and scattered in a river!
Bible: The word “Bible” is derived from the Latin word, “biblia”, plural form of “biblian.” The Romans fashioned their word from the Greek word “biblos.” The Greek word biblos refers to the ancient Egyptian papyrus, literally a book that could be rolled up—a scroll. “Egyptian papyrus reed came from Egypt and was imported thru the hoenician seaport Gebal, which the Greeks called Byblos or Byblus. This seaport Byblos was the home of the Phoenician Sun-deity, according to S.H. Langdon, Mythology of All Races, vol. V. p. 351. This seaport or city was also known to be a city which was founded by Baal Chronos, as well as the real seat of Adonis, where a large temple of Adonis once stood. The Isis and Osiris cult, both Sun-deities, also became popular in this city later on. Further evidence was found when we read that, "The Sun-god is associated with the 'Lady of Byblos' in a letter from Tell el-Amarna (116:65, Kn.). W.H. Roscher in his Ausfuhrliches Lexikon der Griechischen und Romishen Mythologie, vol. 1, pp. 839-840, states that this ancient city Byblos in Phoenicia, as well as the city Byblis, in Egypt, was named after the female deity BYBLIS, also called BYBLE, also called BIBLIS! This female deity was the grand-daughter of Apollo, the well-known Greek Sun-deity!”The oldest “Word of Elohim”, the (Hebrew) Scriptures, is preserved on lamb skins and rolled into a “codex.” “A codex (Latin for block of wood, book; plural codices) is a book in the format used for modern books, with separate pages normally bound together and given a cover. It was a Roman invention that replaced the scroll, which was the first form of book in all Eurasian cultures.” The Tanak and the Testimony of Yeshua is actually a collection of “little books” [bibliaridion], written over a period of about 1,600 years, from the earliest Hebrew scroll to the last “little book” of the Testimony of Yeshua: Revelation. Yehovah’s inspired writings are divided into four parts: the Torah, the Writings, the Prophets and the Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus). You could call it four books. It was originally subdivided into 49 “little books” (7X7), but Jerome divided it into 66 sections (double trouble). Tanakay would be an alternative to the word Bible, due to its strange origin.
change of heart: Repentance is virtually always used in other versions, instead of “a change of heart”, or “amend your ways”, for repent. Yet the actual meaning is very little understood, even by the “churched.” Repentance is not a one time “acceptance of Jesus”, it is a total change in the direction and purpose of your life—accompanied by good works. “Faith alone, without works, is dead.” (James 2:17)
Christian: The Aramaic Texts use the Greek word ‘Christianos’ (Christians) rather than the Aramaic ‘Mishikaye’ (Messianics), because the Aramaic speaking faithful were not calling themselves Christians, nor for that matter were the Greek speaking faithful calling themselves Christianos. Christian is the name given in contempt first in Antioch (Acts 11:26, 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16), the only three references to the term. At first the faithful didn’t even have a name, but simply called themselves ‘brethren,’ (Acts 6:3), meaning fellow believers; ‘disciples,’ (Acts 6:1); ‘those of the way,’ (Acts 9:2); and ‘'chosen ones'’ (saints), (Romans 1:7). ‘Nazarenes’ was the term of contempt used “against” Messianic believers. In Antioch, where the first pagan people were converted and widespread heralding of the Good News began, the believers quickly evolved away from their Nazarene contemporaries, so the world began to call them ‘Christians.’ Along with the acceptance of the name Christian, a great falling away from original truth was underway. The Hebrew roots of the movement was largely phased out by Constantine.
Compassion or “faithful love” or “favor” or “good will” is usually translated as “grace” in other versions. It’s a word that is usually assigned to the religious realm, but is little understood. It’s about Aloha [God] doing good for us—being kind in ways we don’t deserve. When we are shown Aloha’s “compassion”, He has pardoned us from the death sentence that we deserve for sinning against Him. It alludes to our inheritance of eternal life! But there are conditions to be met to obtain an inheritance. It’s like a child who has a vast fortune as an inheritance, but is not given full access to it until reaching maturity. Other conditions stipulated in the will could be that the youngster must not be considered to be a troublemaker by the court. While a few “strings” are attached to the inheritance, the fortune (in our case eternal Life) is still not in any way earned. This “compassion” is afforded to us by the death of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.
Conqueror / Mighty Conqueror: the Conqueror is the term that no one can define, but all the experts line up to give their opinion as to which pagan origin they want to apply to the term. There is no doubt about El. It is usually translated as “god”, but more literally it means “mighty.” Shaddai is usually translated as “Almighty”, but most translators admit that they can’t be sure of the meaning. When in doubt, the first thing to consider is the root word: Shaddad means: “violently destroy, devastate, despoil, and assail”! Those are all things that a Mighty Conqueror has to do. While this may seem to be a harsh rendering, it could be a little too soft! I have had people tell me that Yehovah couldn’t be the “Sacred name” because it contains the Hebrew word “hovah”, that means “ruin” and “disaster.” I could easily provide a long list of Scriptures. If you hear Yehovah from any distance, all you hear is hovah. But all of the prophecies deal with a world so out of control that a massive interventional conquest is necessary: “If it weren’t for those days being curtailed, no one would survive! But for the sake of the select those days will be curtailed (Matthew 24:22).” skeptics, there will soon be a demonstration.
“Deacon”: The KJV and others, variously translate “diakonos” as “minister”, “deacon”, or “servant.” The KJV even created “the office of a deacon” (1 Timothy 3:10,13) from the verb form of the word, because King James ordered his translators to force words to appear hierarchical whenever possible, in an effort to bolster the “doctrine” of hierarchy in the Church of England. By leaving the word “diakonos” essentially untranslated—“deacon”, they arrived at the illusion of an office. In the Gabriel Tanakay, “diakonos” is occasionally translated as “deacon”, in quotation marks, to debunk the church office mythology. Yet it is the common word for a domestic or public servant in Greek. It usually has to do with preparing and serving food. “Diakonos” applies to Yeshua (Jesus) (Romans 15:8), the “apostles” (2 Corinthians 3:6), “slaves” (Matthew 22:13), servants (John 2:9), demons (2 Corinthians 11:15), and even women (Romans 16:1). No one would have gotten a swollen head being called a “diakonos.” Still, even a servant doing the least of tasks for the Assembly was stringently selected, since some would view them as “representatives” by outsiders. The word “minister” means “one who serves”, but for all practical purposes it has come to mean someone who demands that you serve them!
Elohim is the Hebrew equivalent of Aloha. It is what most people refer to as “God”, only it is not a word derived from paganism, tho pagans did later adopt it.
Envoy is usually translated “apostle.” “Apostolos” is a word taken directly out of the Greek translations from the Aramaic. But “apostle” gives the impression that it is an “office” or title rather than a common word that applied to secular messengers of the day (as in Philipptians 2:25), and at least later to Jewish envoys. The Murdock version actually uses the word “Legate” (“a member of the clergy representing the Pope”). But Yeshua (Jesus) applied it as a descriptive term rather than as a title. So far as I know, there are essentially no strictly “theological” terms among Yehovah’s Writings—just the commonly used words of ancient Hebrew and Aramaic society! The word Apostle has taken on baggage, and is usually viewed as the unquestioned ruler of an authoritarian hierarchy now, rather than a team player. Since apostle is a description of a service, rather than a title, you won’t find, “the apostle John”, for example, or “the apostle Peter” in any translation of the Testimony of Yeshua.
Eternal Life/rescue/deliverance: “Sozo” literally means “rescued from destruction.” Aramaic and Hebrew don’t really have a word for “spiritual eternal Life”, and it is only read into the Greek. “Life” is what Yeshua (Jesus) and His disciples really said. “Salvaging” physical life (from death) happens every day. Just like the common Hebrew word for “deliverance” or “life” is Yeshua. The Aramaic word for “life” alone does not really imply anything eternal. That is contextually discerned except when “eternal” is actually stated. “Entering Life” in the spirit realm will have to wait for the resurrection. Ultimately being “rescued” or “born again” is a future occurrence. Sozo + (5701) indicates eternal life (deliverance) in the future tense. “The [Greek] future tense corresponds to the English future, and indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event which has not yet occurred”—OBGL. Other examples of our future “eternal Life” (as in “shall be saved”) are found in Psalms 80:3, Proverbs 28:18, Matthew 10:22, Mark 16:16, John 10:9, Acts 2:21 and Acts 15:11. Only the context in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek indicate whether or not it is in a physical sense—here and now, or if the permanent condition is implied—eternal Life.
Friends: The Quakers had the right idea about calling their “brethren” their Friends, because the Greek word in no way excludes the “sisteren.” The plural Greek word “adelphoi” (usually translated as “brothers”) primarily refers to siblings in a family. In the Testimony of Yeshua, depending on the context, adelphoi can either refer to men, or to both male and female siblings (brothers and sisters) in the faith.
God was originally the name of a pagan god named “God”, as even this “so what” link so completely explains, as have so many of the common terms of worship, such as amen, church, holy, sacred, sanctuary, and even sacrifice. The articles that I have found explaining these words virtually all substitute the Samaritan name Yahweh for the other substitute title: LORD. I find it to be no better. (See Yehovah below.)
Good News: The original English form of the Greek word “euaggelizo” generally translated as “gospel”, is “Evangel.” But it is a generic Greek term with various good news Biblical applications. So “Good News” is only capitalized in the Gabriel Tanakay to denote Yeshua’s (Jesus’) Good News message.
“Human Son” or Son of Man: How is it best to translate the meaning of this somewhat enigmatic phrase? Was Yeshua (Jesus) the Son of a man? No. Was He the Son of Humanity? Yes, but not as much so as any of us, since He only had one human parent. It would appear that His humanity here is the bottom line. “Son of man” (or “Human Son”) occurs 93 times in reference to Ezekiel of the 106 times it’s used in the entire Tanak. Human Son is seemingly a term of endearment, but Yeshua used it as a means of “cloaking His identity” from skeptics.
Immerse: The word “baptism” is traditionally left essentially untranslated. Since about 1700 AD, many people have questioned what this essentially Greek word means. “Baptizo”, when actually translated into English means “immerse.” Sprinkling and pouring are bogus.
Invited/Called: The word “called” is virtually always substituted for “invited” in other versions, but there are other less specific words that mean “called.” Every time that kletos is used, the context states a specific invitation from Father! Kaleo generally implies to be “called by name.” Proskaleomai essentially means “to call someone aside”, but it can be for a spiritual reason, or any other reason. Lego is often translated as “called”, but it usually just means “say” or “saying.”
Life Giver: Just as Aramaic doesn’t refer to being “saved”, but refers to “life”, so Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of being a “Life Giver”, where the Greek has substituted “Savior.”
Lord is a substitute name for Yehovah that I prefer never to use. Hosea prophesied that the name of Yehovah would be replaced by “LORD”:
Hosea 2:13-16 I’ll come and punish her for the times when she burned incense to the Baals, when she adorned herself with her rings and jewelry, and chased her lovers, and forgot Me”, says Yehovah ... 16 Yehovah says, “When that day comes, you’ll call Me Husband [Ishi] and you’ll never again call Me ‘Lord’ [Baali].
Jeremiah 23:26-27 How long will this continue in the minds of the prophets prophesying lies? They are prophesying the delusions of their own minds. 27 They intend to cause My people to forget My name by the dreams they tell one another, just like their ancestors forgot My name due to Baal [Lord] worship. [Lord] worship.
Yeshua’s (Jesus’) bride will never refer to her husband as Lord—after she is punished for idolatry.
The name Yehovah in Paleo Hebrew was in the oldest copies of the Testimony of Yeshua whether in Aramaic, Greek or Latin:
Matthew 23:39 I assure you, you won’t see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of YHVH.”
Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of YHVH will live!”
Nations or ethnicities is almost always translated as “Gentiles”, a very derogatory term. “Heathen” is occasionally a good synonym for nations, and that often described the behavior of Israel. Interestingly, “goyim”, thought to be the Hebrew equivalent of “Gentiles” is very often applied to Israel, as happens in the Greek when gentile/ethnos is applied to Israel; but the translators “fix” all of those places. See Did You Know That All Israelites Are Also Gentiles?
Offerings or zebakim is used rather than the word “sacrifices”, because sacrifice, like so many other theological terms is rooted in paganism. Incidentally, “theology” originally meant “the study of pagan gods.” How much has that really changed? “The first to use the term ‘theology’ in the context of Christianity was Origen. He was responsible for developing theology as an ordered, philosophical pursuit within Christian circles. Origen was already influenced by Stoicism and Platonism, philosophies which in turn molded how he would understand explain Christianity.”
Psyche: Usually translated as soul or life, but soul is totally misunderstood—it is far from immortal—in fact it “defines” mortal! The Greek word psuche (psoo-khay’) is the exact equivalent of the Hebrew word nephesh (neh’-fesh). Both literally mean “someone/thing breathing”, in essence someone/thing that is (or was) alive. The first usage of “psuche” is in Matthew 2:20, “Get up and take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because the people who were trying to take [destroy] his life [psuche] are dead.” The first usage of “nephesh” is Genesis 2:7, “Yehovah Elohim formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being [‘soul’].” However there is a usage of the word that transcends breathing, but falls short of immortality, that I would call “the inner self” or “the essence of life.” We have an essence of spirit in our breathing/mortal form without being a spirit—Job 32:8. But there is a spirit in mortal humanity, and the breath of the Conqueror gives them cognizance. Our inner self, sort of our backup copy, goes back to Aloha when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7), to be utilized when we are resurrected. (There was no goddess Psuche until after the Testimony of Yeshua was written.)
Scriptures: Actually, the term “Hebrew Scripture” is a bit redundant since “all Scripture” is in Hebrew. All 51 references to “Scriptures” in the “New Testament” refer to the Scriptures extant when Yeshua (Jesus) was here. The inspired Writings pertaining to Yeshua are really called “The Testimony of Yeshua”. See The Word of Elohim. The Scriptures are the Torah, the Writings and the Prophets—the Writings that Timothy had from his “childhood.” The “NT” was not even a concept as most of it was being written. The writers thought that the end time had arrived. Same goes for “the Word of God” (Elohim). No reference to “the Word of God” includes the Testimony of Yeshua, a separate book. Look them up! “ ... and that from your childhood, you were taught from the 'Cherished' Writings, ‘things’ that can give you the wisdom to obtain eternal Life, thru faith in Yeshua Messiah. All Scripture [writing] that was written by the spirit is profitable for doctrine for proving convictions, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 so that a person of Aloha can become ‘very adept’ and leader accomplished in every good work.”—2nd Timothy 3:15-17. It is apparent that these Scriptures leading to eternal Life are referring to the Tanak, contemptuously dubbed the “Old Testament”, since all 50 other references to Scripture/s in the Testimony of Yeshua (NT) refer to it, including a twisted interpretation of 2 Peter 3:16. These Scriptures were not nailed to the cross, they are your ticket to eternal life!
Servant: Doulos (doo’-los) literally means a slave. There are other words for servant. Yet the metaphoric meaning, “one who gives himself up to another’s will, those whose service is used by [Messiah] in extending and advancing his cause among men” and “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests”, is a perfect fit to someone who willingly serves Yehovah, and wouldn’t have it any other way, with absolutely no desire to escape. Both Murdock and Etheridge used the word “servant” rather than “slave”, in the spiritual applications, as is common in many Greek translations. Roman slaves of the first century had the right to be professionals and have families, and other rights. We don’t exactly have a word for that in English. Sundoulos, a related word, means “fellow slave.”
Sheol/Hades/Hell: We can thank the people who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into the (Greek) Septuagint (or their successors) for introducing Hades, the pagan “god of the underworld” into the Biblical realm, rather than transliterating it as sheol (see verse 23), the Hebrew and Aramaic word, since there is no Greek equivalent (nor English, for that matter). What exactly Hell is can be read about here. Once the pagan Greek concept was introduced into the “Old Testament”, it paved the way a couple centuries later for Christian translators of the Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) (NT), when translating from the original Aramaic into Greek, to pass along some pagan Greek thought as well.
Spirit Messenger is translated as “angel” in almost every other version. Angelos is a word taken directly out of the Greek. One reason that spirit messenger is used in the Gabriel Tanakay is because “angel” has strictly come to mean a spirit composed female being with wings, in our society—a concept taken right out of paganism. The literal translation of angelos is “a messenger, envoy, one who is sent.” In Greek, it can mean anyone, such as the human representatives of the seven “churches” of Revelation 2-3. “Angel” in Aramaic and Hebrew also means messenger. Messenger is capitalized in the GV when a spirit Messenger is referenced. The references to demons as “angels” has been retained because I like the distinction. See What are Angels?
Splendor is usually translated as “glory.” In pre-Christian [pagan] old English, the third month of the year was called the ‘month of Hreða’ (‘glory-goddess’). The next month of the pre-Christian calendar was called the ‘month of the Eostre [Easter]’, the goddess of the radiant dawn. Both of these goddesses were readily adopted by Christianity. While “glory” may not exactly be the name of the god, I prefer not to use the term in connection with the true Elohim.
TaNaK is an acronym that stands for Torah (the 5 books of Moses) + Neviim (the Prophets) + Ketuvim (the Writings). Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 220 AD) renamed the Scriptures/Tanak, the “Old Testament”, because he considered it obsolete.
Tanakay’: TaNaK+Ay (Bible) is a continuation of the acronym TaNaK above. While Tanak means Torah + Neviim + Ketuvim; Tanakay adds Ay-dooth’, the common Hebrew word for Testimony (The Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) is the proper name for the “New Testament”), to finish what Christians call the Bible. “Egyptian papyrus reed came from Egypt and was imported thru the hoenician seaport Gebal, which the Greeks called Byblos or Byblus. This seaport Byblos was the home of the Phoenician Sun-deity, according to S.H. Langdon, Mythology of All Races, vol. V. p. 351. This seaport or city was also known to be a city which was founded by Baal Chronos, as well as the real seat of Adonis, where a large temple of Adonis once stood. The Isis and Osiris cult, both Sun-deities, also became popular in this city later on. Further evidence was found when we read that, "The Sun-god is associated with the 'Lady of Byblos' in a letter from Tell el-Amarna (116:65, Kn.). W.H. Roscher in his Ausfuhrliches Lexikon der Griechischen und Romishen Mythologie, vol. 1, pp. 839-840, states that this ancient city Byblos in Phoenicia, as well as the city Byblis, in Egypt, was named after the female deity BYBLIS, also called BYBLE, also called BIBLIS! This female deity was the grand-daughter of Apollo, the well-known Greek Sun-deity!” Tanakay is my suggested alternative, for “Messianic” minded people who are generally more concerned with word etymology. See why the word “Scriptures” does NOT apply to the equally inspired Testimony of Yeshua. Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the Torah AND to the Testimony! If people don’t speak in agreement with these Words, it’s because it [the truth] hasn’t dawned on them!”
Thru and tho: These words appear frequently on my website, on anything I’ve written. Since childhood I have been an advocate of spelling reform. English should be completely logical and phonetic. If you can pronounce something you should automatically be able to spell it. Go here to read about the bleak history, and future, of spelling reform.
Torah: The generic Aramaic and Greek words for “Law” represent any kind of law, but in the Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus), almost every one of the 197 references to nomos means the Torah: the very specific “Law of Moses” (actually the “Torah of Elohim”). In reality, the usual rendering, “law” is an improper translation, intending somewhat of a negative connotation; it really means direction or instruction! So for clarity, to a modern audience, the word “Torah” is used wherever Torah is meant in the Gabriel Bible, rather than solely relying on the context.
Torah teachers is a reference to the “scribes” who in reality were putting their sectarian viewpoints from their rabbis way above the Torah (Scriptures). Similarly, most of today’s religious teachers have entirely replaced the Torah with their own sectarian and antinomian [anti Torah] teachings, over Yeshua’s (Jesus’) strong objection. Matthew 5:18-19.
[U] is a “Unique” symbol that I use when there appears to be wording hiding in the Hebrew or Aramaic, (illustrated by live lexicon links) that is rarely if ever found in any of the translations I’ve seen, other than sometimes the Young’s translation.
“Under the law” and “works of the law”: In every instance where these phrases are used, the definite article has been added to the Greek, in defiance of John’s warning at the close of Revelation. The word “law” (nomos), that in the vast majority of cases means the Torah, is differentiated from ordinary laws by the use of the word “THE”, as in “THE Law.” I looked up all 197 instances of nomos, or law, in an interlinear and this clarification was quite consistent: “The law” means Torah every time! Law without the identifying “the” usually means some other law, but there are a few exceptions. If Torah “law” has already been established in the context, then the “the” may not be re-specified. Then very infrequently the context is so clear that nomos is used without the “the” being necessitated. In The Gabriel Bible “works of the law” is worded “obeying sectarian law.” “Under the law” is worded “under sectarian law.” Commentary in the literature found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, long before Paul, used these terms in reference to their own sectarian restrictions. This link explains how the Essenes used these phrases. The same claims are made for the Pharisees by Avi Ben Mordechai.
The Word of Aloha (Elohim) is what the Jews call the Tanak, and Christians call the “Old Testament”, in every place that it is used in the Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) except for when it refers to the pre-incarnate Yeshua Himself. See The Word of Elohim
Yahweh is the name of the God of Samaria (keyword: stele). Yeshua (Jesus) told the Samaritan woman: “You Samaritans don’t understand what you worship, but we worship what we understand, because [eternal] Life comes from the Jews” (John 4:22). This pronunciation was preserved by the Greeks. Beware of Greeks bearing names! This article does a very good job debunking Yahweh as being the name of the Creator, however in the conclusion, their alternative names of choice are quite convoluted. See Yehovah below.
Yehovah (YHVH): The earliest “Testimony of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah” (New testament) references to “the LORD” inserted Paleo Hebrew lettering into the text. The generic Greek “Kyrios” (Lord), is a substitute for the original Paleo YHVH (Yehovah) used in the original copies of the Testimony in Aramaic, the LXX Greek (pictured), and Latin. Origen wrote: “in the more accurate exemplars [of the LXX], the [special] name is written in Hebrew characters; not however in the current script [modern Hebrew], but in the most ancient.”—Migue, pg.12 For strong evidence that the Tetragrammaton was and is pronounced Ye-ho-vah’, see Do You Know Father’s Name? For the purpose of the Gabriel Bible, most of the places where the Etheridge used the generic word Aloha, the personal name YHVH is used, as well as the instances where Etheridge used “Lord”—but not in reference to our Teacher, Yeshua. Aloha is retained where it seems likely that His personal name would not have been used. For example, John 12:38 is a quote from Isaiah 53:1 where the name “Yehovah” is translated as “Lord” in both instances in almost every version. Yet a check of the Hebrew shows that it is His personal name, YHVH, being used. The oldest complete Tanak (Hebrew Bible) in existence, the Leningrad Codex, is complete with vowel points for every word—except for the Tetragrammaton, where they deliberately left out the middle vowel, leaving Yeh_vah. However in about 50 instances they accidentally [?] forgot to leave out the “o”! In those instances we see Yehovah! An example of Elohim’s actual name can be seen on the NASB interlinear, and even tho they write in Yahweh under the Name, the complete spelling is there for anyone who reads Hebrew! However, in their “fine print” the NAS Exhaustive Concordance does give the correct phonetic pronunciation here!
Commander Yehovah is usually translated as: LORD of hosts, LORD Almighty, LORD of heaven’s Armies or LORD of Armies. Host is an archaic word meaning army. This term is two Hebrew words “Yehovah” and “Armies.” But who or what is “Yehovah Armies”? The common clarifying word “of” helps personify it: “Yehovah of Armies”, but it’s still quite vague. The online Hebrew Lexicon lists: “that which goes forth (to war), army, war, warfare and host? as the possible renderings for “tsaba”, plus a very few misc applications. So we have Yehovah plus warfare personified. A leader “of” warfare is called a Commander. Interestingly, the second in command, “the Commander of Yehovah’s Army” (Yeshua (Jesus) is mentioned in Yehoshua 5:14-15, and there is no ambiguity at all in that term! Also see Jude 1:14-15.
Yehovih (Yeh-ho-vee’) is a deliberate misspelling/mispronunciation of Yehovah used next to Adonai (Ad-o-noy’), and pronounced by the Jews as Elohim, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound (Adonai Adonai), since elsewhere they pronounce Yehovah as Adonai, and they refrain from just saying His name: Deuteronomy 32:3, Psalm 20:7, Psalm 72:17, 96:2, 102:21, 105:1 Isaiah 47:4, 48:2, 54:5, 56:6, Jeremiah 23:6, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, 22:16, Romans 10:13.
Yeshua is usually translated as “Jesus”, but He was really named Yeshua (Jesus); that is what His family, friends and followers called Him. While not in any way an eternal life issue, if you claim to love Him, shouldn’t you at least know His real name? For evidence of this click. His name is most certainly not YAHshua, as this link explains. As always, I apply my standard disclaimer to this site.
The *asterisks* used in the Word of Elohim, Gabriel Bible (GV) means that the text is utilizing the oldest known Scriptures*, the Aramaic Targums for clarity where the meaning of the Hebrew text is unclear. In some instances, such as “the Word”, I simply accept that it is the original meaning.
External links
