# verses

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<pb/>“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “<i>that</i> My fury will show in My face.


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For <f>[32†]</f>in My jealousy <f>[33†]</f><i>and</i> in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: <f>[34†]</f>‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,


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so that <f>[35†]</f>the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who <i>are</i> on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. <f>[36†]</f>The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’


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I will <f>[37†]</f>call for <f>[38†]</f>a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. <f>[39†]</f>“Every man’s sword will be against his brother.


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And I will <f>[40†]</f>bring him to judgment with <f>[41†]</f>pestilence and bloodshed; <f>[42†]</f>I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who <i>are</i> with him, flooding rain, <f>[43†]</f>great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.


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Thus I will magnify Myself and <f>[44†]</f>sanctify Myself, <f>[45†]</f>and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.” ’


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<pb/>“And <f>[1†]</f>you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal;


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and I will <f>[2†]</f>turn you around and lead you on, <f>[3†]</f>bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.


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Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand.


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<f>[4†]</f>You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who <i>are</i> with you; <f>[5†]</f>I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and <i>to</i> the beasts of the field to be devoured.


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<f>[6†]</f>“And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in <f>[7†]</f>the coastlands. Then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.


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<f>[8†]</f>So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not <i>let</i> <i>them</i> <f>[9†]</f>profane My holy name anymore. <f>[10†]</f>Then the nations shall know that <i>I</i> <i>am</i> the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.


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<f>[11†]</f>Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord GOD. “This <i>is</i> the day <f>[12†]</f>of which I have spoken.


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<pb/>“Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years.


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They will not take wood from the field nor cut down <i>any</i> from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; <f>[13†]</f>and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them,” says the Lord GOD.


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<pb/>“It will come to pass in that day <i>that</i> I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call <i>it</i> the Valley of Hamon Gog.


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For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, <f>[14†]</f>in order to cleanse the land.


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Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain <f>[15†]</f>renown for it on the day that <f>[16†]</f>I am glorified,” says the Lord GOD.


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“They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order <f>[17†]</f>to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search.


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The search party will pass through the land; and <i>when</i> <i>anyone</i> sees a man’s bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog.


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<i>The</i> name of <i>the</i> city <i>will</i> also <i>be</i> Hamonah. Thus they shall <f>[18†]</f>cleanse the land.” ’


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<pb/>“And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, <f>[19†]</f>‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: <pb/><t> <f>[20†]</f>“Assemble yourselves and come; </t><t>Gather together from all sides to My <f>[21†]</f>sacrificial meal </t><t>Which I am sacrificing for you, </t><t>A great sacrificial meal <f>[22†]</f>on the mountains of Israel, </t><t>That you may eat flesh and drink blood.</t>


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<t> <f>[23†]</f>You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, </t><t>Drink the blood of the princes of the earth, </t><t>Of rams and lambs, </t><t>Of goats and bulls, </t><t>All of them <f>[24†]</f>fatlings of Bashan.</t>


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<t>You shall eat fat till you are full, </t><t>And drink blood till you are drunk, </t><t>At My sacrificial meal </t><t>Which I am sacrificing for you.</t>


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<t> <f>[25†]</f>You shall be filled at My table </t><t>With horses and riders, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>With mighty men </t><t>And with all the men of war,” says the Lord GOD.</t>


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<pb/> <f>[27†]</f>“I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and <f>[28†]</f>My hand which I have laid on them.


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<f>[29†]</f>So the house of Israel shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD their God from that day forward.


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<f>[30†]</f>The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore <f>[31†]</f>I hid My face from them. I <f>[32†]</f>gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.


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<f>[33†]</f>According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.” ’


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<pb/>“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[34†]</f>‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the <f>[35†]</f>whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name—


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<f>[36†]</f>after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they <f>[37†]</f>dwelt safely in their <i>own</i> land and no one made <i>them</i> afraid.


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<f>[38†]</f>When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I <f>[39†]</f>am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations,


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<f>[40†]</f>then they shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.


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<f>[41†]</f>And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have <f>[42†]</f>poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”


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<pb/>In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, in the fourteenth year after <f>[1†]</f>the city was captured, on the very same day <f>[2†]</f>the hand of the LORD was upon me; and He took me there.


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<f>[3†]</f>In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and <f>[4†]</f>set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south <i>was</i> something like the structure of a city.


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He took me there, and behold, <i>there</i> <i>was</i> a man whose appearance <i>was</i> <f>[5†]</f>like the appearance of bronze. <f>[6†]</f>He had a line of flax <f>[7†]</f>and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.


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<pb/>And the man said to me, <f>[8†]</f>“Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you <i>were</i> brought here so that I might show <i>them</i> to you. <f>[9†]</f>Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.”


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Now there was <f>[10†]</f>a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man’s hand was a measuring rod six cubits <i>long, each being a</i> cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod.


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<pb/>Then he went to the gateway which faced <f>[11†]</f>east; and he went up its stairs and measured the threshold of the gateway, <i>which</i> <i>was</i> one rod wide, and the other threshold <i>was</i> one rod wide.


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Each gate chamber <i>was</i> one rod long and one rod wide; between the gate chambers <i>was</i> <i>a</i> <i>space</i> <i>of</i> five cubits; and the threshold of the gateway by the vestibule of the inside gate <i>was</i> one rod.


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Then he measured the vestibule of the gateway, eight cubits; and the gateposts, two cubits. The vestibule of the gate <i>was</i> on the inside.


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In the eastern gateway <i>were</i> three gate chambers on one side and three on the other; the three <i>were</i> all the same size; also the gateposts were of the same size on this side and that side.


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<pb/>He measured the width of the entrance to the gateway, ten cubits; <i>and</i> the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.


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<i>There</i> <i>was</i> a space in front of the gate chambers, one cubit <i>on</i> <i>this</i> <i>side</i> and one cubit on that side; the gate chambers <i>were</i> six cubits on this side and six cubits on that side.


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Then he measured the gateway from the roof of <i>one</i> gate chamber to the roof of the other; the width <i>was</i> twenty-five cubits, as door faces door.


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He measured the gateposts, sixty cubits high, and the court all around the gateway <i>extended</i> to the gatepost.


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<i>From</i> the front of the entrance gate to the front of the vestibule of the inner gate <i>was</i> fifty cubits.


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<i>There</i> <i>were</i> <f>[12†]</f>beveled window <i>frames</i> in the gate chambers and in their intervening archways on the inside of the gateway all around, and likewise in the vestibules. <i>There</i> <i>were</i> windows all around on the inside. And on each gatepost <i>were</i> <f>[13†]</f>palm trees.


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<pb/>Then he brought me into <f>[14†]</f>the outer court; and <i>there</i> <i>were</i> <f>[15†]</f>chambers and a pavement made all around the court; <f>[16†]</f>thirty chambers faced the pavement.


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The pavement was by the side of the gateways, corresponding to the length of the gateways; <i>this</i> <i>was</i> the lower pavement.


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Then he measured the width from the front of the lower gateway to the front of the inner court exterior, one hundred cubits toward the east and the north.


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Its gate chambers, three on this side and three on that side, its gateposts and its archways, had the same measurements as the first gate; its length <i>was</i> fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits.


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Its windows and those of its archways, and also its palm trees, <i>had</i> the same measurements as the gateway facing east; it was ascended by seven steps, and its archway <i>was</i> in front of it.


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A gate of the inner court was opposite the northern gateway, just as the eastern <i>gateway;</i> and he measured from gateway to gateway, one hundred cubits.


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<pb/>After that he brought me toward the south, and there a gateway was facing south; and he measured its gateposts and archways according to these same measurements.


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<i>There</i> <i>were</i> windows in it and in its archways all around like those windows; its length <i>was</i> fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits.


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Seven steps led up to it, and its archway <i>was</i> in front of them; and it had palm trees on its gateposts, one on this side and one on that side.


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<i>There</i> <i>was</i> also a gateway on the inner court, facing south; and he measured from gateway to gateway toward the south, one hundred cubits.


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<pb/>Then he brought me to the inner court through the southern gateway; he measured the southern gateway according to these same measurements.


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Also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways <i>were</i> according to these same measurements; <i>there</i> <i>were</i> windows in it and in its archways all around; <i>it</i> <i>was</i> fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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<i>There</i> <i>were</i> archways all around, <f>[17†]</f>twenty-five cubits long and five cubits wide.


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Its archways faced the outer court, palm trees <i>were</i> on its gateposts, and going up to it <i>were</i> eight steps.


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<pb/>And he brought me into the inner court facing east; he measured the gateway according to these same measurements.


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Also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways <i>were</i> according to these same measurements; and <i>there</i> <i>were</i> windows in it and in its archways all around; <i>it</i> <i>was</i> fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.


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Its archways faced the outer court, and palm trees <i>were</i> on its gateposts on this side and on that side; and going up to it <i>were</i> eight steps.


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<pb/>Then he brought me to the north gateway and measured <i>it</i> according to these same measurements—


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also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways. It had windows all around; its length <i>was</i> fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits.


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Its gateposts faced the outer court, palm trees <i>were</i> on its gateposts on this side and on that side, and going up to it <i>were</i> eight steps.


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<pb/><i>There</i> <i>was</i> a chamber and its entrance by the gateposts of the gateway, where they <f>[18†]</f>washed the burnt offering.


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In the vestibule of the gateway <i>were</i> two tables on this side and two tables on that side, on which to slay the burnt offering, <f>[19†]</f>the sin offering, and <f>[20†]</f>the trespass offering.


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At the outer side of the <i>vestibule</i>, as one goes up to the entrance of the northern gateway, <i>were</i> two tables; and on the other side of the vestibule of the gateway <i>were</i> two tables.


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Four tables <i>were</i> on this side and four tables on that side, by the side of the gateway, eight tables on which they slaughtered <i>the</i> <i>sacrifices.</i>


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<i>There</i> <i>were</i> also four tables of hewn stone for the burnt offering, one cubit and a half long, one cubit and a half wide, and one cubit high; on these they laid the instruments with which they slaughtered the burnt offering and the sacrifice.


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Inside <i>were</i> hooks, a handbreadth wide, fastened all around; and the flesh of the sacrifices <i>was</i> on the tables.


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<pb/>Outside the inner gate <i>were</i> the chambers for <f>[21†]</f>the singers in the inner court, one facing south at the side of the northern gateway, and the other facing north at the side of the southern gateway.


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Then he said to me, “This chamber which faces south <i>is</i> for <f>[22†]</f>the priests who have charge of the temple.


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The chamber which faces north <i>is</i> for the priests <f>[23†]</f>who have charge of the altar; these <i>are</i> the sons of <f>[24†]</f>Zadok, from the sons of Levi, who come near the LORD to minister to Him.”


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<pb/>And he measured the court, one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, foursquare. The altar <i>was</i> in front of the temple.


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Then he brought me to the <f>[25†]</f>vestibule of the temple and measured the doorposts of the vestibule, five cubits on this side and five cubits on that side; and the width of the gateway was three cubits on this side and three cubits on that side.


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<f>[26†]</f>The length of the vestibule <i>was</i> twenty cubits, and the width eleven cubits; and by the steps which led up to it <i>there</i> <i>were</i> <f>[27†]</f>pillars by the doorposts, one on this side and another on that side.


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<pb/>Then he <f>[1†]</f>brought me into the sanctuary and measured the doorposts, six cubits wide on one side and six cubits wide on the other side—the width of the tabernacle.


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The width of the entryway <i>was</i> ten cubits, and the side walls of the entrance <i>were</i> five cubits on this side and five cubits on the other side; and he measured its length, forty cubits, and its width, twenty cubits.


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<pb/>Also he went inside and measured the doorposts, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits <i>high;</i> and the width of the entrance, seven cubits.


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<f>[2†]</f>He measured the length, twenty cubits; and the width, twenty cubits, beyond the sanctuary; and he said to me, “This <i>is</i> the Most Holy <i>Place.</i>”


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<pb/>Next, he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits. The width of each side chamber all around the temple <i>was</i> four cubits on every side.


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<f>[3†]</f>The side chambers <i>were</i> in three stories, one above the other, thirty chambers in each story; they rested on ledges which <i>were</i> for the side chambers all around, that they might be supported, but <f>[4†]</f>not fastened to the wall of the temple.


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As one went up from story to story, the side chambers <f>[5†]</f>became wider all around, because their supporting ledges in the wall of the temple ascended like steps; therefore the width of the structure increased as one went up <i>from</i> the lowest <i>story</i> to the highest by way of the middle one.


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I also saw an elevation all around the temple; it was the foundation of the side chambers, <f>[6†]</f>a full rod, <i>that</i> <i>is,</i> six cubits <i>high.</i>


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The thickness of the outer wall of the side chambers <i>was</i> five cubits, and so also the remaining terrace by the place of the side chambers of the temple.


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And between <i>it</i> <i>and</i> the <i>wall</i> chambers was a width of twenty cubits all around the temple on every side.


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The doors of the side chambers opened on the terrace, one door toward the north and another toward the south; and the width of the terrace <i>was</i> five cubits all around.


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<pb/>The building that faced the separating courtyard at its western end <i>was</i> seventy cubits wide; the wall of the building <i>was</i> five cubits thick all around, and its length ninety cubits.


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<pb/>So he measured the temple, one <f>[7†]</f>hundred cubits long; and the separating courtyard with the building and its walls <i>was</i> one hundred cubits long;


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also the width of the eastern face of the temple, including the separating courtyard, <i>was</i> one hundred cubits.


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He measured the length of the building behind it, facing the separating courtyard, with its <f>[8†]</f>galleries on the one side and on the other side, one hundred cubits, as well as the inner temple and the porches of the court,


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their doorposts and <f>[9†]</f>the beveled window frames. And the galleries all around their three stories opposite the threshold were paneled with <f>[10†]</f>wood from the ground to the windows—the windows were covered—


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from the space above the door, even to the inner room, as well as outside, and on every wall all around, inside and outside, by measure.


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<pb/>And <i>it</i> <i>was</i> made <f>[11†]</f>with cherubim and <f>[12†]</f>palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. <i>Each</i> cherub had two faces,


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<f>[13†]</f>so that the face of a man <i>was</i> toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion toward a palm tree on the other side; thus <i>it</i> <i>was</i> made throughout the temple all around.


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From the floor to the space above the door, and on the wall of the sanctuary, cherubim and palm trees <i>were</i> carved.


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<pb/>The <f>[14†]</f>doorposts of the temple <i>were</i> square, <i>as</i> <i>was</i> the front of the sanctuary; their appearance was similar.


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<f>[15†]</f>The altar <i>was</i> of wood, three cubits high, and its length two cubits. Its corners, its length, and its sides <i>were</i> of wood; and he said to me, “This <i>is</i> <f>[16†]</f>the table that <i>is</i> <f>[17†]</f>before the LORD.”


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The doors had two <f>[19†]</f>panels <i>apiece,</i> two folding panels: two <i>panels</i> for one door and two panels for the other <i>door.</i>


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Cherubim and palm trees <i>were</i> carved on the doors of the temple just as they <i>were</i> carved on the walls. A wooden canopy <i>was</i> on the front of the vestibule outside.


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<i>There</i> <i>were</i> <f>[20†]</f>beveled window <i>frames</i> and palm trees on one side and on the other, on the sides of the vestibule—also on the side chambers of the temple and on the canopies.


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<pb/>Then he <f>[1†]</f>brought me out into the outer court, by the way toward the <f>[2†]</f>north; and he brought me into <f>[3†]</f>the chamber which <i>was</i> opposite the separating courtyard, and which <i>was</i> opposite the building toward the north.


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Facing the length, <i>which</i> <i>was</i> one hundred cubits (the width was fifty cubits), was the north door.


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Opposite the inner court of twenty <i>cubits,</i> and opposite the <f>[4†]</f>pavement of the outer court, <i>was</i> <f>[5†]</f>gallery against gallery in three <i>stories.</i>


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In front of the chambers, toward the inside, <i>was</i> a walk ten cubits wide, at a distance of one cubit; and their doors faced north.


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Now the upper chambers <i>were</i> shorter, because the galleries took away <i>space</i> from them more than from the lower and middle stories of the building.


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For they <i>were</i> in three <i>stories</i> and did not have pillars like the pillars of the courts; therefore <i>the</i> <i>upper</i> <i>level</i> was shortened more than the lower and middle levels from the ground up.


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And a wall which <i>was</i> outside ran parallel to the chambers, at the front of the chambers, toward the outer court; its length <i>was</i> fifty cubits.


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The length of the chambers toward the outer court <i>was</i> fifty cubits, whereas that facing the temple <i>was</i> one <f>[6†]</f>hundred cubits.


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At the lower chambers <i>was</i> the entrance on the east side, as one goes into them from the outer court.


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<pb/>Also <i>there</i> <i>were</i> chambers in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, opposite the separating courtyard and opposite the building.


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<f>[7†]</f><i>There</i> <i>was</i> a walk in front of them also, and their appearance <i>was</i> like the chambers which <i>were</i> toward the north; they <i>were</i> as long and as wide as the others, and all their exits and entrances <i>were</i> according to plan.


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And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that <i>were</i> facing south, as one enters them, <i>there</i> <i>was</i> a door in front of the walk, the way directly in front of the wall toward the east.


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<pb/>Then he said to me, “The north chambers <i>and</i> the south chambers, which <i>are</i> opposite the separating courtyard, <i>are</i> the holy chambers where the priests who approach the LORD <f>[8†]</f>shall eat the most holy offerings. There they shall lay the most holy offerings— <f>[9†]</f>the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering—for the place <i>is</i> holy.


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<f>[10†]</f>When the priests enter them, they shall not go out of the holy <i>chamber</i> into the outer court; but there they shall leave their garments in which they minister, for they <i>are</i> holy. They shall put on other garments; then they may approach <i>that</i> which <i>is</i> for the people.”


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<pb/>Now when he had finished measuring the inner temple, he brought me out through the gateway that faces toward the <f>[11†]</f>east, and measured it all around.


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He measured the east side with the measuring rod, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.


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He measured it on the four sides; <f>[12†]</f>it had a wall all around, <f>[13†]</f>five hundred <i>cubits</i> long and five hundred wide, to separate the holy areas from the common.


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<f>[2†]</f>And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. <f>[3†]</f>His voice <i>was</i> like the sound of many waters; <f>[4†]</f>and the earth shone with His glory.


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<i>It</i> <i>was</i> <f>[5†]</f>like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came <f>[6†]</f>to destroy the city. The visions <i>were</i> like the vision which I saw <f>[7†]</f>by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.


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<f>[8†]</f>And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east.


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<f>[9†]</f>The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, <f>[10†]</f>the glory of the LORD filled the temple.


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<pb/>Then I heard <i>Him</i> speaking to me from the temple, while <f>[11†]</f>a man stood beside me.


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And He said to me, “Son of man, <i>this</i> <i>is</i> <f>[12†]</f>the place of My throne and <f>[13†]</f>the place of the soles of My feet, <f>[14†]</f>where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. <f>[15†]</f>No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with <f>[16†]</f>the carcasses of their kings on their high places.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>When they set their threshold by My threshold, and their doorpost by My doorpost, with a wall between them and Me, they defiled My holy name by the abominations which they committed; therefore I have consumed them in My anger.


text:
Now let them put their harlotry and the carcasses of their kings far away from Me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.


text:
<pb/>“Son of man, <f>[18†]</f>describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.


text:
And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple and its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, its entire design and all its <f>[19†]</f>ordinances, all its forms and all its laws. Write <i>it</i> down in their sight, so that they may keep its whole design and all its ordinances, and <f>[20†]</f>perform them.


text:
This <i>is</i> the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding <f>[21†]</f>the mountaintop <i>is</i> most holy. Behold, this <i>is</i> the law of the temple.


text:
<pb/>“These are the measurements of the <f>[22†]</f>altar in cubits <f>[23†]</f>(the cubit <i>is</i> one cubit and a handbreadth): the base one cubit high and one cubit wide, with a rim all around its edge of one span. This <i>is</i> the height of the altar:


text:
from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits; the width of the ledge, one cubit; from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits; and the width of the ledge, <i>one</i> cubit.


text:
The altar hearth <i>is</i> four cubits high, with four <f>[24†]</f>horns extending upward from the hearth.


text:
The altar hearth <i>is</i> twelve <i>cubits</i> long, twelve wide, <f>[25†]</f>square at its four corners;


text:
the ledge, fourteen <i>cubits</i> long and fourteen wide on its four sides, with a rim of half a cubit around it; its base, one cubit all around; and <f>[26†]</f>its steps face toward the east.”


text:
<pb/>And He said to me, “Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: ‘These <i>are</i> the ordinances for the altar on the day when it is made, for sacrificing <f>[27†]</f>burnt offerings on it, and for <f>[28†]</f>sprinkling blood on it.


text:
You shall give <f>[29†]</f>a young bull for a sin offering to <f>[30†]</f>the priests, the Levites, who are of the seed of <f>[31†]</f>Zadok, who approach Me to minister to Me,’ says the Lord GOD.


text:
‘You shall take some of its blood and put <i>it</i> on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim around it; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.


text:
Then you shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and <f>[32†]</f>burn it in the appointed place of the temple, <f>[33†]</f>outside the sanctuary.


text:
On the second day you shall offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed <i>it</i> with the bull.


text:
When you have finished cleansing <i>it,</i> you shall offer a young bull without blemish, and a ram from the flock without blemish.


text:
When you offer them before the LORD, <f>[34†]</f>the priests shall throw salt on them, and they will offer them up <i>as</i> a burnt offering to the LORD.


text:
Every day for <f>[35†]</f>seven days you shall prepare a goat <i>for</i> a sin offering; they shall also prepare a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without blemish.


text:
<f>[36†]</f>When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will <f>[37†]</f>accept you,’ says the Lord GOD.”


text:
<pb/>Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary <f>[1†]</f>which faces toward the east, but it <i>was</i> shut.


text:
And the LORD said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, <f>[2†]</f>because the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.


text:
<i>As</i> <i>for</i> the <f>[3†]</f>prince, <i>because</i> he <i>is</i> the prince, he may sit in it to <f>[4†]</f>eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.”


text:
<pb/>Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and <f>[5†]</f>behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD; <f>[6†]</f>and I fell on my face.


text:
And the LORD said to me, <f>[7†]</f>“Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the <f>[8†]</f>ordinances of the house of the LORD and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.


text:
<pb/>“Now say to the <f>[9†]</f>rebellious, to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “O house of Israel, <f>[10†]</f>let Us have no more of all your abominations.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>When you brought in <f>[12†]</f>foreigners, <f>[13†]</f>uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it—My house—and when you offered <f>[14†]</f>My food, <f>[15†]</f>the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations.


text:
And you have not <f>[16†]</f>kept charge of My holy things, but you have set <i>others</i> to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.”


text:
Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[17†]</f>“No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who <i>is</i> among the children of Israel.


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>“And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.


text:
Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, <f>[19†]</f><i>as</i> gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; <f>[20†]</f>they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and <f>[21†]</f>they shall stand before them to minister to them.


text:
Because they ministered to them before their idols and <f>[22†]</f>caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have <f>[23†]</f>raised My hand in an oath against them,” says the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear their iniquity.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy <i>Place;</i> but they shall <f>[25†]</f>bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.


text:
Nevertheless I will make them <f>[26†]</f>keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.


text:
<pb/> <f>[27†]</f>“But the priests, the Levites, <f>[28†]</f>the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary <f>[29†]</f>when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they <f>[30†]</f>shall stand before Me to offer to Me the <f>[31†]</f>fat and the blood,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
“They shall <f>[32†]</f>enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near <f>[33†]</f>My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.


text:
And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that <f>[34†]</f>they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house.


text:
<f>[35†]</f>They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with <i>anything</i> <i>that</i> <i>causes</i> sweat.


text:
When they go out to the outer court, to the outer court to the people, <f>[36†]</f>they shall take off their garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and put on other garments; and in their holy garments they shall <f>[37†]</f>not sanctify the people.


text:
<pb/> <f>[38†]</f>“They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow <f>[39†]</f>long, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.


text:
They shall not take as wife a <f>[41†]</f>widow or a divorced woman, but take virgins of the descendants of the house of Israel, or widows of priests.


text:
<pb/>“And <f>[42†]</f>they shall teach My people <i>the</i> <i>difference</i> between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to <f>[43†]</f>discern between the unclean and the clean.


text:
<f>[44†]</f>In controversy they shall stand as judges, <i>and</i> judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, <f>[45†]</f>and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.


text:
<pb/>“They shall not defile <i>themselves</i> by coming near a dead person. Only for father or mother, for son or daughter, for brother or unmarried sister may they defile themselves.


text:
And on the day that he goes to the sanctuary to minister in the sanctuary, <f>[47†]</f>he must offer his sin offering <f>[48†]</f>in the inner court,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, <i>that</i> I <f>[49†]</f><i>am</i> their inheritance. You shall give them no <f>[50†]</f>possession in Israel, for I <i>am</i> their possession.


text:
<f>[51†]</f>They shall eat the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering; <f>[52†]</f>every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.


text:
The <f>[53†]</f>best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s; also you <f>[54†]</f>shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, <f>[55†]</f>to cause a blessing to rest on your house.


text:
The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that <f>[56†]</f>died naturally or was torn <i>by</i> <i>wild</i> <i>beasts.</i>


text:
<pb/>“Moreover, when you <f>[1†]</f>divide the land by lot into inheritance, you shall <f>[2†]</f>set apart a district for the LORD, a holy section of the land; its length <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> twenty-five thousand <i>cubits,</i> and the width ten thousand. It <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> holy throughout its territory all around.


text:
Of this there shall be a square plot for the sanctuary, <f>[3†]</f>five hundred by five hundred <i>rods,</i> with fifty cubits around it for an open space.


text:
So this is the district you shall measure: twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> long and ten thousand wide; <f>[4†]</f>in it shall be the sanctuary, the Most Holy <i>Place.</i>


text:
It shall be <f>[5†]</f>a holy <i>section</i> of the land, belonging to the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, who come near to minister to the LORD; it shall be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary.


text:
<f>[6†]</f><i>An</i> <i>area</i> twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> long and ten thousand wide shall belong to the Levites, the ministers of the temple; they shall have <f>[7†]</f>twenty chambers as a possession.


text:
<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>“You shall appoint as the property of the city <i>an</i> <i>area</i> five thousand <i>cubits</i> wide and twenty-five thousand long, adjacent to the district of the holy <i>section;</i> it shall belong to the whole house of Israel.


text:
<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>“The prince shall have <i>a</i> <i>section</i> on one side and the other of the holy district and the city’s property; and bordering on the holy district and the city’s property, extending westward on the west side and eastward on the east side, the length <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> side by side with one of the <i>tribal</i> portions, from the west border to the east border.


text:
The land shall be his possession in Israel; and <f>[10†]</f>My princes shall no more oppress My people, but they shall give <i>the</i> <i>rest</i> <i>of</i> the land to the house of Israel, according to their tribes.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: <f>[11†]</f>“Enough, O princes of Israel! <f>[12†]</f>Remove violence and plundering, execute justice and righteousness, and stop dispossessing My people,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
The ephah and the bath shall be of the same measure, so that the bath contains one-tenth of a homer, and the ephah one-tenth of a homer; their measure shall be according to the homer.


text:
The <f>[14†]</f>shekel <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> twenty gerahs; twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels, <i>and</i> fifteen shekels shall be your mina.


text:
<pb/>“This <i>is</i> the offering which you shall offer: you shall give one-sixth of an ephah from a homer of wheat, and one-sixth of an ephah from a homer of barley.


text:
The ordinance concerning oil, the bath of oil, <i>is</i> one-tenth of a bath from a kor. A <i>kor</i> <i>is</i> a homer or ten baths, for ten baths <i>are</i> a homer.


text:
And one lamb shall be given from a flock of two hundred, from the rich pastures of Israel. These shall be for grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, <f>[15†]</f>to make atonement for them,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
Then it shall be the <f>[16†]</f>prince’s part <i>to</i> <i>give</i> burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “In the first <i>month,</i> on the first <i>day</i> of the month, you shall take a young bull without blemish and <f>[17†]</f>cleanse the sanctuary.


text:
<f>[18†]</f>The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering and put <i>it</i> on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the gate of the inner court.


text:
And so you shall do on the seventh <i>day</i> of the month <f>[19†]</f>for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>“In the first <i>month,</i> on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall observe the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.


text:
And on that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land <f>[21†]</f>a bull <i>for</i> a sin offering.


text:
On the <f>[22†]</f>seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams without blemish, daily for seven days, <f>[23†]</f>and a kid of the goats daily <i>for</i> a sin offering.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>And he shall prepare a grain offering of one ephah for each bull and one ephah for each ram, together with a hin of oil for each ephah.


text:
<pb/>“In the seventh <i>month,</i> on the fifteenth day of the month, at the <f>[25†]</f>feast, he shall do likewise for seven days, according to the sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the oil.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six <f>[1†]</f>working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>The prince shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway from the outside, and stand by the gatepost. The priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings. He shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening.


text:
Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the entrance to this gateway before the LORD on the Sabbaths and the New Moons.


text:
The burnt offering that <f>[3†]</f>the prince offers to the LORD on the <f>[4†]</f>Sabbath day <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish;


text:
<f>[5†]</f>and the grain offering <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> <i>one</i> ephah for a ram, and the grain offering for the lambs, as much as he wants to give, as well as a hin of oil with every ephah.


text:
On the day of the New Moon <i>it</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a young bull without blemish, six lambs, and a ram; they shall be without blemish.


text:
He shall prepare a grain offering of an ephah for a bull, an ephah for a ram, as much as he wants to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil with every ephah.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.


text:
<pb/>“But when the people of the land <f>[7†]</f>come before the LORD on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north <f>[8†]</f>gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.


text:
The prince shall then be in their midst. When they go in, he shall go in; and when they go out, he shall go out.


text:
At the festivals and the appointed feast days <f>[9†]</f>the grain offering shall be an ephah for a bull, an ephah for a ram, as much as he wants to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil with every ephah.


text:
<pb/>“Now when the prince makes a voluntary burnt offering or voluntary peace offering to the LORD, the gate that faces toward the east <f>[10†]</f>shall then be opened for him; and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings as he did on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he goes out the gate shall be shut.


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>“You shall daily make a burnt offering to the LORD <i>of</i> a lamb of the first year without blemish; you shall prepare it every morning.


text:
And you shall prepare a grain offering with it every morning, a sixth of an ephah, and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the fine flour. This grain offering is a perpetual ordinance, to be made regularly to the LORD.


text:
Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil, <i>as</i> a <f>[12†]</f>regular burnt offering every morning.”


text:
<pb/>‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “If the prince gives a gift <i>of</i> <i>some</i> of his inheritance to any of his sons, it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance.


text:
But if he gives a gift of some of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until <f>[13†]</f>the year of liberty, after which it shall return to the prince. But his inheritance shall belong to his sons; it shall become theirs.


text:
Moreover <f>[14†]</f>the prince shall not take any of the people’s inheritance by evicting them from their property; he shall provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people may be scattered from his property.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>Now he brought me through the entrance, which <i>was</i> at the side of the gate, into the holy <f>[15†]</f>chambers of the priests which face toward the north; and there a place <i>was</i> situated at their extreme western end.


text:
And he said to me, “This <i>is</i> the place where the priests shall <f>[16†]</f>boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, <i>and</i> where they shall <f>[17†]</f>bake the grain offering, so that they do not bring <i>them</i> out into the outer court <f>[18†]</f>to sanctify the people.”


text:
<pb/>Then he brought me out into the outer court and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and in fact, in every corner of the court <i>there</i> <i>was</i> <i>another</i> court.


text:
In the four corners of the court <i>were</i> enclosed courts, forty <i>cubits</i> long and thirty wide; all four corners <i>were</i> the same size.


text:
<i>There</i> <i>was</i> a row <i>of</i> <i>building</i> <i>stones</i> all around in them, all around the four of them; and cooking hearths were made under the rows of stones all around.


text:
And he said to me, “These <i>are</i> the kitchens where the ministers of the temple shall <f>[19†]</f>boil the sacrifices of the people.”


text:
<pb/>Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was <f>[1†]</f>water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.


text:
He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces <f>[2†]</f>east; and there was water, running out on the right side.


text:
<pb/>And when <f>[3†]</f>the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water <i>came</i> <i>up</i> <i>to</i> <i>my</i> ankles.


text:
Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water <i>came</i> <i>up</i> <i>to</i> <i>my</i> knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water <i>came</i> <i>up</i> <i>to</i> <i>my</i> waist.


text:
Again he measured one thousand, <i>and</i> <i>it</i> <i>was</i> a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.


text:
He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen <i>this?</i>” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.


text:
<pb/>When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, <i>were</i> very many <f>[4†]</f>trees on one side and the other.


text:
Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. <i>When</i> <i>it</i> reaches the sea, <i>its</i> waters are healed.


text:
And it shall be <i>that</i> every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.


text:
It shall be <i>that</i> fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be <i>places</i> for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish <f>[5†]</f>of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all <i>kinds</i> <i>of</i> trees used for food; <f>[7†]</f>their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for <f>[8†]</f>medicine.”


text:
<pb/>Thus says the Lord GOD: “These <i>are</i> the <f>[9†]</f>borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. <f>[10†]</f>Joseph <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> <i>two</i> portions.


text:
You shall inherit it equally with one another; for I <f>[11†]</f>raised My hand in an oath to give it to your fathers, and this land shall <f>[12†]</f>fall to you as your inheritance.


text:
<pb/>“This <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> the border of the land on the north: from the Great Sea, <i>by</i> <f>[13†]</f>the road to Hethlon, as one goes to <f>[14†]</f>Zedad,


text:
<f>[15†]</f>Hamath, <f>[16†]</f>Berothah, Sibraim (which <i>is</i> between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazar Hatticon (which <i>is</i> on the border of Hauran).


text:
Thus the boundary shall be from the Sea to <f>[17†]</f>Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus; and as for the north, northward, it is the border of Hamath. <i>This</i> <i>is</i> the north side.


text:
<pb/>“On the east side you shall mark out the border from between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead and the land of Israel, along the Jordan, and along the eastern side of the sea. <i>This</i> <i>is</i> the east side.


text:
<pb/>“The south side, toward the South, <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> from Tamar to <f>[18†]</f>the waters of Meribah by Kadesh, along the brook to the Great Sea. <i>This</i> <i>is</i> the south side, toward the South.


text:
<pb/>“The west side <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> the Great Sea, from the <i>southern</i> boundary until one comes to a point opposite Hamath. This <i>is</i> the west side.


text:
<pb/>“Thus you shall <f>[19†]</f>divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.


text:
It shall be that you will divide it by <f>[20†]</f>lot as an inheritance for yourselves, <f>[21†]</f>and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. <f>[22†]</f>They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.


text:
And it shall be <i>that</i> in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give <i>him</i> his inheritance,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“Now these <i>are</i> the names of the tribes: <f>[1†]</f>From the northern border along the road to Hethlon at the entrance of Hamath, to Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus northward, in the direction of Hamath, <i>there</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[2†]</f>Dan from its east to its west side;


text:
by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[3†]</f>Asher;


text:
by the border of Asher, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[4†]</f>Naphtali;


text:
by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[5†]</f>Manasseh;


text:
by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[6†]</f>Ephraim;


text:
by the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[7†]</f>Reuben;


text:
by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west, one <i>section</i> <i>for</i> <f>[8†]</f>Judah;


text:
by the border of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be <f>[9†]</f>the district which you shall set apart, twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> in width, and <i>in</i> length the same as one of the <i>other</i> portions, from the east side to the west, with the <f>[10†]</f>sanctuary in the center.


text:
<pb/>“The district that you shall set apart for the LORD <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> in length and ten thousand in width.


text:
To these—to the priests—the holy district shall belong: on the north twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> <i>in</i> <i>length,</i> on the west ten thousand in width, on the east ten thousand in width, and on the south twenty-five thousand in length. The sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the center.


text:
<f>[11†]</f><i>It</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> for the priests of the sons of Zadok, who are sanctified, who have kept My charge, who did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray, <f>[12†]</f>as the Levites went astray.


text:
And <i>this</i> district of land that is set apart shall be to them a thing most <f>[13†]</f>holy by the border of the Levites.


text:
<pb/>“Opposite the border of the priests, the <f>[14†]</f>Levites <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> <i>an</i> <i>area</i> twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> in length and ten thousand in width; its entire length <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> twenty-five thousand and its width ten thousand.


text:
<f>[15†]</f>And they shall not sell or exchange any of it; they may not alienate this best <i>part</i> of the land, for <i>it</i> <i>is</i> holy to the LORD.


text:
<pb/> <f>[16†]</f>“The five thousand <i>cubits</i> in width that remain, along the edge of the twenty-five thousand, shall be <f>[17†]</f>for general use by the city, for dwellings and common-land; and the city shall be in the center.


text:
These <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred <i>cubits,</i> the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred.


text:
The common-land of the city shall be: to the north two hundred and fifty <i>cubits,</i> to the south two hundred and fifty, to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the west two hundred and fifty.


text:
The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy <i>section, shall be</i> ten thousand <i>cubits</i> to the east and ten thousand to the west. It shall be adjacent to the district of the holy <i>section,</i> and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.


text:
The entire district <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> by twenty-five thousand <i>cubits,</i> foursquare. You shall set apart the holy district with the property of the city.


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>“The rest <i>shall</i> <i>belong</i> to the prince, on one side and on the other of the holy district and of the city’s property, next to the twenty-five thousand <i>cubits</i> of the <i>holy</i> district as far as the eastern border, and westward next to the twenty-five thousand as far as the western border, adjacent to the <i>tribal</i> portions; <i>it</i> <i>shall</i> <i>belong</i> to the prince. It shall be the holy district, <f>[20†]</f>and the sanctuary of the temple <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> in the center.


text:
Moreover, apart from the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city <i>which</i> <i>are</i> in the midst of what <i>belongs</i> to the prince, <i>the</i> <i>area</i> between the border of Judah and the border of <f>[21†]</f>Benjamin shall belong to the prince.


text:
<pb/>“As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west, Benjamin <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> one <i>section;</i>


text:
by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west, <f>[22†]</f>Simeon <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> one <i>section;</i>


text:
by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west, <f>[23†]</f>Issachar <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> one <i>section;</i>


text:
by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west, <f>[24†]</f>Zebulun <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> one <i>section;</i>


text:
by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west, <f>[25†]</f>Gad <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> one <i>section;</i>


text:
by the border of Gad, on the south side, toward the South, the border shall be from Tamar <i>to</i> <f>[26†]</f>the waters of Meribah <i>by</i> Kadesh, along the brook to the <f>[27†]</f>Great Sea.


text:
<f>[28†]</f>This <i>is</i> the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these <i>are</i> their portions,” says the Lord GOD.


text:
<pb/>“These <i>are</i> the exits of the city. On the north side, measuring four thousand five hundred <i>cubits</i>


text:
<f>[29†]</f>(the gates of the city <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;


text:
on the east side, four thousand five hundred <i>cubits,</i> three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan;


text:
on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred <i>cubits,</i> three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun;


text:
on the west side, four thousand five hundred <i>cubits</i> with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali.


text:
All the way around <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> eighteen thousand <i>cubits;</i> <f>[30†]</f>and the name of the city from <i>that</i> day <i>shall</i> <i>be:</i> <f>[31†]</f>THE LORD <i>IS</i> THERE.”


text:
<pb/>In the third year of the reign of <f>[1†]</f>Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.


text:
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with <f>[2†]</f>some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried <f>[3†]</f>into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; <f>[4†]</f>and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.


text:
<pb/>Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring <f>[5†]</f>some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,


text:
young men <f>[6†]</f>in whom <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who <i>had</i> ability to serve in the king’s palace, and <f>[7†]</f>whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.


text:
And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of <i>that</i> <i>time</i> they might <f>[8†]</f>serve before the king.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: <f>[10†]</f>he gave Daniel <i>the</i> <i>name</i> Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.


text:
<pb/>But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself <f>[11†]</f>with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.


text:
And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who <i>are</i> your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”


text:
<pb/>So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,


text:
Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, <i>so</i> deal with your servants.”


text:
<pb/>And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.


text:
Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.


text:
<pb/>As for these four young men, <f>[13†]</f>God gave them <f>[14†]</f>knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had <f>[15†]</f>understanding in all visions and dreams.


text:
<pb/>Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.


text:
Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore <f>[16†]</f>they served before the king.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>And in all matters of wisdom <i>and</i> understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians <i>and</i> astrologers who <i>were</i> in all his realm.


text:
<pb/>Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; <f>[1†]</f>and his spirit was <i>so</i> troubled that <f>[2†]</f>his sleep left him.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.


text:
<pb/>Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, <f>[4†]</f>“O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be <f>[5†]</f>cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:


text:
if you do not make known the dream to me, <i>there</i> <i>is</i> <i>only</i> one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has <i>ever</i> asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.


text:
<i>It</i> <i>is</i> a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king <f>[7†]</f>except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”


text:
<pb/>For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon.


text:
So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise <i>men;</i> and they sought <f>[8†]</f>Daniel and his companions, to kill <i>them.</i>


text:
<pb/>Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon;


text:
he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.


text:
<pb/>So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.


text:
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions,


text:
<f>[9†]</f>that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon.


text:
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel <f>[10†]</f>in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.


text:
<pb/>Daniel answered and said: <pb/><t> <f>[11†]</f>“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>For wisdom and might are His.</t>


text:
<t>And He changes <f>[13†]</f>the times and the seasons; </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>He removes kings and raises up kings; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>He gives wisdom to the wise </t><t>And knowledge to those who have understanding.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>He reveals deep and secret things; </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>He knows what <i>is</i> in the darkness, </t><t>And <f>[18†]</f>light dwells with Him.</t>


text:
<t>“I thank You and praise You, </t><t>O God of my fathers; </t><t>You have given me wisdom and might, </t><t>And have now made known to me what we <f>[19†]</f>asked of You, </t><t>For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, “I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name <i>was</i> Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”


text:
<pb/>Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise <i>men,</i> the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar <f>[21†]</f>what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:


text:
As for you, O king, thoughts came <i>to</i> your <i>mind</i> <i>while</i> on your bed, <i>about</i> what would come to pass after this; <f>[22†]</f>and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for <i>our</i> sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, <f>[24†]</f>and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.


text:
<pb/>“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor <i>was</i> excellent, stood before you; and its form <i>was</i> awesome.


text:
<f>[25†]</f>This image’s head <i>was</i> of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,


text:
You watched while a stone was cut out <f>[26†]</f>without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.


text:
<f>[27†]</f>Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became <f>[28†]</f>like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that <f>[29†]</f>no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image <f>[30†]</f>became a great mountain <f>[31†]</f>and filled the whole earth.


text:
<f>[32†]</f>You, O king, <i>are</i> a king of kings. <f>[33†]</f>For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;


text:
<f>[34†]</f>and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given <i>them</i> into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all— <f>[35†]</f>you <i>are</i> this head of gold.


text:
But after you shall arise <f>[36†]</f>another kingdom <f>[37†]</f>inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.


text:
And <f>[38†]</f>the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, <i>that</i> <i>kingdom</i> will break in pieces and crush all the others.


text:
Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay.


text:
And <i>as</i> the toes of the feet <i>were</i> partly of iron and partly of clay, <f>[39†]</f><i>so</i> the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.


text:
As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.


text:
And in the days of these kings <f>[40†]</f>the God of heaven will set up a kingdom <f>[41†]</f>which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; <f>[42†]</f>it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.


text:
<f>[43†]</f>Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[44†]</f>Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering <f>[45†]</f>and incense to him.


text:
The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly <f>[46†]</f>your God <i>is</i> the God of <f>[47†]</f>gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”


text:
<f>[48†]</f>Then the king promoted Daniel <f>[49†]</f>and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and <f>[50†]</f>chief administrator over all the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon.


text:
Also Daniel petitioned the king, <f>[51†]</f>and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel <f>[52†]</f><i>sat</i> in the gate of the king.


text:
<pb/>Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height <i>was</i> sixty cubits <i>and</i> its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.


text:
And King Nebuchadnezzar sent <i>word</i> to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


text:
So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


text:
<i>that</i> at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, <i>and</i> psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;


text:
and whoever does not fall down and worship shall <f>[2†]</f>be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”


text:
<pb/>So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, <i>and</i> lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down <i>and</i> worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


text:
You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, <i>and</i> psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image;


text:
<f>[5†]</f>There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have <f>[6†]</f>not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”


text:
<pb/>Then Nebuchadnezzar, in <f>[7†]</f>rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.


text:
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “<i>Is</i> <i>it</i> true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, <i>that</i> you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?


text:
Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, <i>and</i> psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, <f>[8†]</f><i>good!</i> But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. <f>[9†]</f>And who <i>is</i> the god who will deliver you from my hands?”


text:
<pb/>Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, <f>[10†]</f>we have no need to answer you in this matter.


text:
If that <i>is</i> <i>the</i> <i>case,</i> our <f>[11†]</f>God whom we serve is able to <f>[12†]</f>deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver <i>us</i> from your hand, O king.


text:
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we <f>[13†]</f>worship the gold image which you have set up.”


text:
<pb/>Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.


text:
And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who <i>were</i> in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, <i>and</i> cast <i>them</i> into the burning fiery furnace.


text:
Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their <i>other</i> garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.


text:
Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.


text:
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.


text:
<pb/>Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste <i>and</i> spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” <pb/>They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”


text:
<pb/>“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, <f>[14†]</f>walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like <f>[15†]</f>the Son of God.”


text:
<pb/>Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace <i>and</i> spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the <f>[16†]</f>Most High God, come out, and come <i>here.</i>” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.


text:
And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men <f>[17†]</f>on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.


text:
<pb/>Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His <f>[18†]</f>Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!


text:
<f>[19†]</f>Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the <f>[20†]</f>God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be <f>[21†]</f>cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; <f>[22†]</f>because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”


text:
<pb/>Nebuchadnezzar the king, <pb/> <f>[1†]</f>To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: <pb/>Peace be multiplied to you.


text:
<pb/>I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders <f>[2†]</f>that the Most High God has worked for me.


text:
<pb/><t> <f>[3†]</f>How great <i>are</i> His signs, </t><t>And how mighty His wonders! </t><t>His kingdom <i>is</i> <f>[4†]</f>an everlasting kingdom, </t><t>And His dominion <i>is</i> from generation to generation.</t>


text:
I saw a dream which made me afraid, <f>[5†]</f>and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head <f>[6†]</f>troubled me.


text:
Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.


text:
But at last Daniel came before me <f>[8†]</f>(his name <i>is</i> Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; <f>[9†]</f>in him <i>is</i> the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, <i>saying:</i>


text:
“Belteshazzar, <f>[10†]</f>chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God <i>is</i> in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.


text:
<pb/>“These <i>were</i> the visions of my head <i>while</i> on my bed: <pb/><t>I was looking, and behold, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>A tree in the midst of the earth, </t><t>And its height was great.</t>


text:
<t>The tree grew and became strong; </t><t>Its height reached to the heavens, </t><t>And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.</t>


text:
<t>Its leaves <i>were</i> lovely, </t><t>Its fruit abundant, </t><t>And in it <i>was</i> food for all. </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>The beasts of the field found shade under it, </t><t>The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, </t><t>And all flesh was fed from it.</t>


text:
<pb/>“I saw in the visions of my head <i>while</i> on my bed, and there was <f>[13†]</f>a watcher, <f>[14†]</f>a holy one, coming down from heaven.


text:
He cried aloud and said thus: <pb/><t> <f>[15†]</f>‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, </t><t>Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Let the beasts get out from under it, </t><t>And the birds from its branches.</t>


text:
<t>Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, </t><t><i>Bound</i> with a band of iron and bronze, </t><t>In the tender grass of the field. </t><t>Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, </t><t>And <i>let</i> him graze with the beasts </t><t>On the grass of the earth.</t>


text:
<t>Let his heart be changed from <i>that</i> <i>of</i> a man, </t><t>Let him be given the heart of a beast, </t><t>And let seven <f>[17†]</f>times pass over him.</t>


text:
<t>‘This decision <i>is</i> by the decree of the watchers, </t><t>And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, </t><t>In order <f>[18†]</f>that the living may know </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Gives it to whomever He will, </t><t>And sets over it the <f>[21†]</f>lowest of men.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, <f>[22†]</f>since all the wise <i>men</i> of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you <i>are</i> able, <f>[23†]</f>for the Spirit of the Holy God <i>is</i> in you.”


text:
<pb/>Then Daniel, <f>[24†]</f>whose name <i>was</i> Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts <f>[25†]</f>troubled him. <i>So</i> the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, <i>may</i> <f>[26†]</f>the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!


text:
<pb/> <f>[27†]</f>“The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which <i>could</i> <i>be</i> seen by all the earth,


text:
whose leaves <i>were</i> lovely and its fruit abundant, in which <i>was</i> food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—


text:
<f>[28†]</f>it <i>is</i> you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, <f>[29†]</f>and your dominion to the end of the earth.


text:
<pb/> <f>[30†]</f>“And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, <i>bound</i> with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, <f>[31†]</f>and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’;


text:
this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:


text:
They shall <f>[32†]</f>drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you <f>[33†]</f>eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, <f>[34†]</f>till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and <f>[35†]</f>gives it to whomever He chooses.


text:
<pb/>“And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump <i>and</i> roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that <f>[36†]</f>Heaven rules.


text:
Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; <f>[37†]</f>break off your sins by <i>being</i> righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to <i>the</i> poor. <f>[38†]</f>Perhaps there may be <f>[39†]</f>a lengthening of your prosperity.”


text:
The king <f>[40†]</f>spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”


text:
<pb/> <f>[41†]</f>While the word <i>was</i> <i>still</i> in the king’s mouth, <f>[42†]</f>a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!


text:
And <f>[43†]</f>they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”


text:
<pb/>That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ <i>feathers</i> and his nails like birds’ <i>claws.</i>


text:
<pb/>And <f>[44†]</f>at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him <f>[45†]</f>who lives forever: <pb/><t>For His dominion <i>is</i> <f>[46†]</f>an everlasting dominion, </t><t>And His kingdom <i>is</i> from generation to generation.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[47†]</f>All the inhabitants of the earth <i>are</i> reputed as nothing; </t><t> <f>[48†]</f>He does according to His will in the army of heaven </t><t>And <i>among</i> the inhabitants of the earth. </t><t> <f>[49†]</f>No one can restrain His hand </t><t>Or say to Him, <f>[50†]</f>“What have You done?”</t>


text:
<pb/>At the same time my reason returned to me, <f>[51†]</f>and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was <f>[52†]</f>restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was <f>[53†]</f>added to me.


text:
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, <f>[54†]</f>praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, <f>[55†]</f>all of whose works <i>are</i> truth, and His ways justice. <f>[56†]</f>And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.


text:
<pb/>Belshazzar the king <f>[1†]</f>made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand.


text:
While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels <f>[2†]</f>which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which <i>had</i> <i>been</i> in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.


text:
Then they brought the gold <f>[3†]</f>vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which <i>had</i> <i>been</i> in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.


text:
They drank wine, <f>[4†]</f>and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.


text:
<pb/> <f>[5†]</f>In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.


text:
Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his <f>[6†]</f>knees knocked against each other.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>The king cried aloud to bring in <f>[8†]</f>the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise <i>men</i> of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and <i>have</i> a chain of gold around his neck; <f>[9†]</f>and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”


text:
Now all the king’s wise <i>men</i> came, <f>[10†]</f>but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.


text:
Then King Belshazzar was greatly <f>[11†]</f>troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.


text:
<pb/>The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>There is a man in your kingdom in whom <i>is</i> the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, <i>and</i> soothsayers.


text:
Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, <f>[13†]</f>whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”


text:
<pb/>Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “<i>Are</i> you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?


text:
I have heard of you, that <f>[14†]</f>the Spirit of God <i>is</i> in you, and <i>that</i> light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.


text:
Now <f>[15†]</f>the wise <i>men,</i> the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.


text:
And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. <f>[16†]</f>Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and <i>have</i> a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”


text:
<pb/>Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.


text:
O king, <f>[17†]</f>the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor.


text:
And because of the majesty that He gave him, <f>[18†]</f>all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he <f>[19†]</f>executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.


text:
Then he was <f>[21†]</f>driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling <i>was</i> with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, <f>[22†]</f>till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.


text:
<pb/>“But you his son, Belshazzar, <f>[23†]</f>have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the <f>[25†]</f>vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, <f>[26†]</f>which do not see or hear or know; and the God who <i>holds</i> your breath in His hand <f>[27†]</f>and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.


text:
<pb/>This <i>is</i> the interpretation of <i>each</i> word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;


text:
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and <i>put</i> a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him <f>[31†]</f>that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.


text:
<pb/>It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;


text:
and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel <i>was</i> one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.


text:
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, <f>[1†]</f>because an excellent spirit <i>was</i> in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>So the governors and satraps sought to find <i>some</i> charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he <i>was</i> faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.


text:
Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find <i>it</i> against him concerning the law of his God.”


text:
<pb/>So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: <f>[3†]</f>“King Darius, live forever!


text:
All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have <f>[4†]</f>consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.


text:
Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the <f>[5†]</f>law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”


text:
<pb/>Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open <f>[6†]</f>toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees <f>[7†]</f>three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.


text:
<f>[8†]</f>And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” <pb/>The king answered and said, “The thing <i>is</i> true, <f>[9†]</f>according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”


text:
<pb/>So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, <f>[10†]</f>who is one of the captives from Judah, <f>[11†]</f>does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”


text:
<pb/>And the king, when he heard <i>these</i> words, <f>[12†]</f>was greatly displeased with himself, and set <i>his</i> heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.


text:
Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that <i>it</i> <i>is</i> <f>[13†]</f>the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”


text:
<pb/>So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast <i>him</i> into the den of lions. <i>But</i> the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”


text:
<f>[14†]</f>Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, <f>[15†]</f>and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.


text:
<pb/>Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. <f>[16†]</f>Also his sleep went from him.


text:
And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, <f>[18†]</f>has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”


text:
<f>[20†]</f>My God sent His angel and <f>[21†]</f>shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”


text:
<pb/>Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, <f>[22†]</f>because he believed in his God.


text:
<pb/>And the king gave the command, <f>[23†]</f>and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast <i>them</i> into the den of lions—them, <f>[24†]</f>their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.


text:
<pb/> <f>[25†]</f>Then King Darius wrote: <pb/>To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: <pb/>Peace be multiplied to you.


text:
<pb/> <f>[26†]</f>I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom <i>men</i> <i>must</i> <f>[27†]</f>tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. <pb/><t> <f>[28†]</f>For He <i>is</i> the living God, </t><t>And steadfast forever; </t><t>His kingdom <i>is</i> <i>the</i> <i>one</i> which shall not be <f>[29†]</f>destroyed, </t><t>And His dominion <i>shall</i> <i>endure</i> to the end.</t>


text:
<t>He delivers and rescues, </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>And He works signs and wonders </t><t>In heaven and on earth, </t><t>Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.</t>


text:
<pb/>So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius <f>[31†]</f>and in the reign of <f>[32†]</f>Cyrus the Persian.


text:
<pb/>In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, <f>[1†]</f>Daniel had a dream and <f>[2†]</f>visions of his head <i>while</i> on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.


text:
<pb/>Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.


text:
The first <i>was</i> <f>[4†]</f>like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a <f>[5†]</f>man’s heart was given to it.


text:
<pb/> <f>[6†]</f>“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and <i>had</i> three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’


text:
<pb/>“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had <f>[7†]</f>four heads, and dominion was given to it.


text:
<pb/>“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, <f>[8†]</f>a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It <i>was</i> different from all the beasts that <i>were</i> before it, <f>[9†]</f>and it had ten horns.


text:
I was considering the horns, and <f>[10†]</f>there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, <i>were</i> eyes like the eyes <f>[11†]</f>of a man, <f>[12†]</f>and a mouth speaking pompous words.


text:
<pb/><t>“I <f>[13†]</f> watched till thrones were put in place, </t><t>And <f>[14†]</f>the Ancient of Days was seated; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>His garment <i>was</i> white as snow, </t><t>And the hair of His head <i>was</i> like pure wool. </t><t>His throne <i>was</i> a fiery flame, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Its wheels a burning fire;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>A fiery stream issued </t><t>And came forth from before Him. </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>A thousand thousands ministered to Him; </t><t>Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>The court was seated, </t><t>And the books were opened.</t>


text:
<pb/>“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; <f>[20†]</f>I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.


text:
As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.


text:
<pb/><t>“I was watching in the night visions, </t><t>And behold, <f>[21†]</f><i>One</i> like the Son of Man, </t><t>Coming with the clouds of heaven! </t><t>He came to the Ancient of Days, </t><t>And they brought Him near before Him.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, </t><t>That all <f>[23†]</f>peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. </t><t>His dominion <i>is</i> <f>[24†]</f>an everlasting dominion, </t><t>Which shall not pass away, </t><t>And His kingdom <i>the</i> <i>one</i> </t><t>Which shall not be destroyed.</t>


text:
<pb/>“I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within <i>my</i> body, and the visions of my head troubled me.


text:
I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:


text:
But <f>[25†]</f>the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’


text:
<pb/>“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, <i>with</i> its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, <i>which</i> devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;


text:
and the ten horns that <i>were</i> on its head, and the other <i>horn</i> which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance <i>was</i> greater than his fellows.


text:
<pb/>“I was watching; <f>[26†]</f>and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,


text:
until the Ancient of Days came, <f>[27†]</f>and a judgment was made <i>in</i> <i>favor</i> of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.


text:
<pb/>“Thus he said: <pb/><t>‘The fourth beast shall be </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>A fourth kingdom on earth, </t><t>Which shall be different from all <i>other</i> kingdoms, </t><t>And shall devour the whole earth, </t><t>Trample it and break it in pieces.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[29†]</f>The ten horns <i>are</i> ten kings </t><t><i>Who</i> shall arise from this kingdom. </t><t>And another shall rise after them; </t><t>He shall be different from the first <i>ones,</i> </t><t>And shall subdue three kings.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[30†]</f>He shall speak <i>pompous</i> words against the Most High, </t><t>Shall <f>[31†]</f>persecute the saints of the Most High, </t><t>And shall <f>[32†]</f>intend to change times and law. </t><t>Then <f>[33†]</f><i>the</i> <i>saints</i> shall be given into his hand </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>For a time and times and half a time.</t>


text:
<t>‘But <f>[35†]</f> the court shall be seated, </t><t>And they shall <f>[36†]</f>take away his dominion, </t><t>To consume and destroy <i>it</i> forever.</t>


text:
<t>Then the <f>[37†]</f>kingdom and dominion, </t><t>And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, </t><t>Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>His kingdom <i>is</i> an everlasting kingdom, </t><t> <f>[39†]</f>And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“This <i>is</i> the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, <f>[40†]</f>my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I <f>[41†]</f>kept the matter in my heart.”


text:
<pb/>In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared <i>to</i> me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me <f>[1†]</f>the first time.


text:
I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I <i>was</i> in <f>[2†]</f>Shushan, the citadel, which <i>is</i> in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai.


text:
Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns <i>were</i> high; but one <i>was</i> <f>[3†]</f>higher than the other, and the higher <i>one</i> came up last.


text:
I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor <i>was</i> <i>there</i> <i>any</i> that could deliver from his hand, <f>[4†]</f>but he did according to his will and became great.


text:
<pb/>And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat <i>had</i> a notable <f>[5†]</f>horn between his eyes.


text:
Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.


text:
And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand.


text:
<pb/>Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it <f>[6†]</f>four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.


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<f>[7†]</f>And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, <f>[8†]</f>toward the east, and toward the <f>[9†]</f>Glorious <i>Land.</i>


text:
<f>[10†]</f>And it grew up to <f>[11†]</f>the host of heaven; and <f>[12†]</f>it cast down <i>some</i> of the host and <i>some</i> of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>He even exalted <i>himself</i> as high as <f>[14†]</f>the Prince of the host; <f>[15†]</f>and by him <f>[16†]</f>the daily <i>sacrifices</i> were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.


text:
Because of transgression, <f>[17†]</f>an army was given over <i>to</i> <i>the</i> <i>horn</i> to oppose the daily <i>sacrifices;</i> and he cast <f>[18†]</f>truth down to the ground. He <f>[19†]</f>did <i>all</i> <i>this</i> and prospered.


text:
<pb/>Then I heard <f>[20†]</f>a holy one speaking; and <i>another</i> holy one said to that certain <i>one</i> who was speaking, “How long <i>will</i> the vision <i>be, concerning</i> the daily <i>sacrifices</i> and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”


text:
<pb/>And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”


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<pb/>Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and <f>[21†]</f>was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me <f>[22†]</f>one having the appearance of a man.


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And I heard a man’s voice <f>[23†]</f>between <i>the</i> <i>banks</i> <i>of</i> the Ulai, who called, and said, <f>[24†]</f>“Gabriel, make this <i>man</i> understand the vision.”


text:
So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and <f>[25†]</f>fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision <i>refers</i> to the time of the end.”


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<pb/> <f>[26†]</f>Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; <f>[27†]</f>but he touched me, and stood me upright.


text:
And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; <f>[28†]</f>for at the appointed time the end <i>shall</i> <i>be.</i>


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And the male goat <i>is</i> the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that <i>is</i> between its eyes <f>[29†]</f><i>is</i> the first king.


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<f>[30†]</f>As for the broken <i>horn</i> and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.


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<pb/><t>“And in the latter time of their kingdom, </t><t>When the transgressors have reached their fullness, </t><t>A king shall arise, </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>Having fierce features, </t><t>Who understands sinister schemes.</t>


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<t>His power shall be mighty, <f>[32†]</f>but not by his own power; </t><t>He shall destroy fearfully, </t><t> <f>[33†]</f>And shall prosper and thrive; </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>He shall destroy the mighty, and <i>also</i> the holy people.</t>


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<t>“Through <f>[35†]</f> his cunning </t><t>He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; </t><t> <f>[36†]</f>And he shall exalt <i>himself</i> in his heart. </t><t>He shall destroy many in <i>their</i> prosperity. </t><t> <f>[37†]</f>He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; </t><t>But he shall be <f>[38†]</f>broken without <i>human</i> means.</t>


text:
<t>“And the vision of the evenings and mornings </t><t>Which was told is true; </t><t> <f>[39†]</f>Therefore seal up the vision, </t><t>For <i>it</i> <i>refers</i> to many days <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>future.</i>”</t>


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<pb/> <f>[40†]</f>And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.


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<pb/>In the first year <f>[1†]</f>of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—


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in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years <i>specified</i> by the word of the LORD through <f>[2†]</f>Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.


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<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.


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And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O <f>[4†]</f>Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,


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<f>[5†]</f>we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.


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<f>[6†]</f>Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.


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O Lord, <f>[7†]</f>righteousness <i>belongs</i> to You, but to us shame of face, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.


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<pb/>“O Lord, to us <i>belongs</i> shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.


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<f>[8†]</f>To the Lord our God <i>belong</i> mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.


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We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.


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Yes, <f>[9†]</f>all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the <f>[10†]</f>Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.


text:
And He has <f>[11†]</f>confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; <f>[12†]</f>for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f>“As <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; <f>[14†]</f>yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.


text:
Therefore the LORD has <f>[15†]</f>kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for <f>[16†]</f>the LORD our God <i>is</i> righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.


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And now, O Lord our God, <f>[17†]</f>who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself <f>[18†]</f>a name, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly!


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<pb/>“O Lord, <f>[19†]</f>according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, <f>[20†]</f>Your holy mountain; because for our sins, <f>[21†]</f>and for the iniquities of our fathers, <f>[22†]</f>Jerusalem and Your people <f>[23†]</f><i>are</i> a reproach to all <i>those</i> around us.


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Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, <f>[24†]</f>and <f>[25†]</f>for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, <f>[26†]</f>which is desolate.


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<f>[27†]</f>O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes <f>[28†]</f>and see our desolations, and the city <f>[29†]</f>which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.


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O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”


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<pb/>Now while I <i>was</i> speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,


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yes, while I <i>was</i> speaking in prayer, the man <f>[30†]</f>Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.


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And he informed <i>me,</i> and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.


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At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell <i>you,</i> for you <i>are</i> greatly <f>[31†]</f>beloved; therefore <f>[32†]</f>consider the matter, and understand the vision:


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<pb/><t>“Seventy weeks are determined </t><t>For your people and for your holy city, </t><t>To finish the transgression, </t><t>To make an end of sins, </t><t> <f>[33†]</f>To make reconciliation for iniquity, </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>To bring in everlasting righteousness, </t><t>To seal up vision and prophecy, </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>And to anoint the Most Holy.</t>


text:
<t>“Know therefore and understand, </t><t><i>That</i> from the going forth of the command </t><t>To restore and build Jerusalem </t><t>Until <f>[36†]</f>Messiah <f>[37†]</f>the Prince, </t><t><i>There</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; </t><t>The street shall be built again, and the wall, </t><t>Even in troublesome times.</t>


text:
<t>“And after the sixty-two weeks </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>Messiah shall be cut off, <f>[39†]</f>but not for Himself; </t><t>And <f>[40†]</f>the people of the prince who is to come </t><t> <f>[41†]</f>Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. </t><t>The end of it <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> with a flood, </t><t>And till the end of the war desolations are determined.</t>


text:
<t>Then he shall confirm <f>[42†]</f>a covenant with <f>[43†]</f>many for one week; </t><t>But in the middle of the week </t><t>He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. </t><t>And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, </t><t> <f>[44†]</f>Even until the consummation, which is determined, </t><t>Is poured out on the desolate.”</t>


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<pb/>In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose <f>[1†]</f>name was called Belteshazzar. The message <i>was</i> true, but the appointed time <i>was</i> long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.


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I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.


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<pb/>Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that <i>is,</i> the Tigris,


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I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in <f>[2†]</f>linen, whose waist <i>was</i> <f>[3†]</f>girded with gold of Uphaz!


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His body <i>was</i> like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, <f>[4†]</f>and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.


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<pb/>And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.


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Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.


text:
Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.


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<pb/> <f>[5†]</f>Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and <i>on</i> the palms of my hands.


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And he said to me, “O Daniel, <f>[6†]</f>man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.


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<pb/>Then he said to me, <f>[7†]</f>“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, <f>[8†]</f>your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, <f>[10†]</f>Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.


text:
Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people <f>[11†]</f>in the latter days, <f>[12†]</f>for the vision <i>refers</i> to <i>many</i> days yet <i>to</i> <i>come.</i>”


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<pb/>When he had spoken such words to me, <f>[13†]</f>I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.


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And suddenly, <f>[14†]</f><i>one</i> having the likeness of the sons of men <f>[15†]</f>touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision <f>[16†]</f>my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.


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For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”


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<f>[17†]</f>And he said, “O man greatly beloved, <f>[18†]</f>fear not! Peace <i>be</i> to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” <pb/>So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”


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<pb/>Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight <f>[19†]</f>with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.


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But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, <f>[20†]</f>except Michael your prince.


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<pb/>“Also <f>[1†]</f>in the first year of <f>[2†]</f>Darius the Mede, I, <i>even</i> I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)


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And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than <i>them</i> all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.


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Then <f>[3†]</f>a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and <f>[4†]</f>do according to his will.


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And when he has arisen, <f>[5†]</f>his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity <f>[6†]</f>nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.


text:
<pb/>“Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as <i>one</i> of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a great dominion.


text:
And at the end of <i>some</i> years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in <i>those</i> times.


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But from a branch of her roots <i>one</i> shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail.


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And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes <i>and</i> their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue <i>more</i> years than the king of the North.


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<pb/>“Also <i>the</i> <i>king</i> <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>North</i> shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.


text:
However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and <i>one</i> shall certainly come <f>[7†]</f>and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return <f>[8†]</f>to his fortress and stir up strife.


text:
<pb/>“And the king of the South shall be <f>[9†]</f>moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the <f>[10†]</f>multitude shall be given into the hand of his <i>enemy.</i>


text:
When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.


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For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.


text:
<pb/>“Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall <f>[11†]</f>fall.


text:
So the king of the North shall come and <f>[12†]</f>build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not withstand <i>him.</i> Even his choice troops <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> no strength to resist.


text:
But he who comes against him <f>[13†]</f>shall do according to his own will, and <f>[14†]</f>no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power.


text:
<pb/>“He shall also <f>[15†]</f>set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand <i>with</i> <i>him,</i> <f>[16†]</f>or be for him.


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After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him.


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Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall <f>[17†]</f>stumble and fall, <f>[18†]</f>and not be found.


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<pb/>“There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes <i>on</i> the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.


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And in his place <f>[19†]</f>shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.


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With the force of a <f>[20†]</f>flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, <f>[21†]</f>and also the prince of the covenant.


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And after the league <i>is</i> <i>made</i> with him <f>[22†]</f>he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small <i>number</i> <i>of</i> people.


text:
He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do <i>what</i> his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but <i>only</i> for a time.


text:
<pb/>“He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.


text:
Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.


text:
Both these kings’ hearts <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end <i>will</i> still <i>be</i> at the <f>[23†]</f>appointed time.


text:
While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be <i>moved</i> against the holy covenant; so he shall do <i>damage</i> and return to his own land.


text:
<pb/>“At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do <i>damage.</i> <pb/>“So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.


text:
And forces shall be mustered by him, <f>[25†]</f>and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily <i>sacrifices,</i> and place <i>there</i> the abomination of desolation.


text:
Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out <i>great</i> <i>exploits.</i>


text:
And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet <i>for</i> <i>many</i> days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.


text:
Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.


text:
And <i>some</i> of those of understanding shall fall, <f>[26†]</f>to refine them, purify <i>them,</i> and make <i>them</i> white, <i>until</i> the time of the end; because <i>it</i> <i>is</i> still for the appointed time.


text:
<pb/>“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall <f>[27†]</f>exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.


text:
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, <f>[28†]</f>nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above <i>them</i> all.


text:
But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.


text:
Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, <i>and</i> advance <i>its</i> glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.


text:
<pb/>“At the <f>[29†]</f>time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him <f>[30†]</f>like a whirlwind, with chariots, <f>[31†]</f>horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm <i>them,</i> and pass through.


text:
He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many <i>countries</i> shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: <f>[32†]</f>Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.


text:
He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of <f>[33†]</f>Egypt shall not escape.


text:
He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians <i>shall</i> <i>follow</i> <f>[34†]</f>at his heels.


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But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.


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And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and <f>[35†]</f>the glorious holy mountain; <f>[36†]</f>yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.


text:
<pb/><t>“At that time Michael shall stand up, </t><t>The great prince who stands <i>watch</i> over the sons of your people; </t><t> <f>[1†]</f>And there shall be a time of trouble, </t><t>Such as never was since there was a nation, </t><t><i>Even</i> to that time. </t><t>And at that time your people <f>[2†]</f>shall be delivered, </t><t>Every one who is found <f>[3†]</f>written in the book.</t>


text:
<t>And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Some to everlasting life, </t><t>Some to shame <f>[5†]</f><i>and</i> everlasting contempt.</t>


text:
<t>Those who are wise shall <f>[6†]</f>shine </t><t>Like the brightness of the firmament, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>And those who turn many to righteousness </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Like the stars forever and ever.</t>


text:
<pb/>“But you, Daniel, <f>[9†]</f>shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall <f>[10†]</f>run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”


text:
<pb/>Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that <f>[11†]</f>riverbank.


text:
And <i>one</i> said to the man clothed in <f>[12†]</f>linen, who <i>was</i> above the waters of the river, <f>[13†]</f>“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders <i>be?</i>”


text:
<pb/>Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who <i>was</i> above the waters of the river, when he <f>[14†]</f>held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him <f>[15†]</f>who lives forever, <f>[16†]</f>that <i>it</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> for a time, times, and half <i>a</i> <i>time;</i> <f>[17†]</f>and when the power of <f>[18†]</f>the holy people has been completely shattered, all these <i>things</i> shall be finished.


text:
<pb/>Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> the end of these <i>things?</i>”


text:
<pb/>And he said, “Go <i>your</i> <i>way,</i> Daniel, for the words <i>are</i> closed up and sealed till the time of the end.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, <f>[20†]</f>but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but <f>[21†]</f>the wise shall understand.


text:
<pb/>“And from the time <i>that</i> the daily <i>sacrifice</i> is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, <i>there</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> one thousand two hundred and ninety days.


text:
<pb/>“But you, go <i>your</i> <i>way</i> till the end; <f>[22†]</f>for you shall rest, <f>[23†]</f>and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”


text:
<pb/>The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of <f>[1†]</f>Uzziah, <f>[2†]</f>Jotham, <f>[3†]</f>Ahaz, <i>and</i> <f>[4†]</f>Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of <f>[5†]</f>Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.


text:
<pb/>When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: <pb/><t> <f>[6†]</f>“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry </t><t>And children of harlotry, </t><t>For <f>[7†]</f>the land has committed great harlotry </t><t><i>By</i> <i>departing</i> from the LORD.”</t>


text:
Then the LORD said to him: <pb/><t>“Call his name Jezreel, </t><t>For in a little <i>while</i> </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>It shall come to pass in that day </t><t>That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”</t>


text:
<pb/>And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then <i>God</i> said to him: <pb/><t>“Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, </t><t>But I will utterly take them away.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, </t><t>Will save them by the LORD their God, </t><t>And <f>[13†]</f>will not save them by bow, </t><t>Nor by sword or battle, </t><t>By horses or horsemen.”</t>


text:
Then <i>God</i> said: <pb/><t>“Call his name Lo-Ammi, </t><t>For you <i>are</i> not My people, </t><t>And I will not be your <i>God.</i></t>


text:
<t>“Yet <f>[14†]</f>the number of the children of Israel </t><t>Shall be as the sand of the sea, </t><t>Which cannot be measured or numbered. </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>And it shall come to pass </t><t>In the place where it was said to them, </t><t>‘You <i>are</i> not My <f>[16†]</f>people,’ </t><t><i>There</i> it shall be said to them, </t><t>‘<i>You</i> <i>are</i> <f>[17†]</f>sons of the living God.’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel </t><t>Shall be gathered together, </t><t>And appoint for themselves one head; </t><t>And they shall come up out of the land, </t><t>For great <i>will</i> <i>be</i> the day of Jezreel!</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Say to your brethren, ‘My people,’ </t><t>And to your sisters, ‘Mercy <i>is</i> <i>shown.</i>’</t>


text:
<t>“Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; </t><t>For <f>[1†]</f>she <i>is</i> not My wife, nor <i>am</i> I her Husband! </t><t>Let her put away her <f>[2†]</f>harlotries from her sight, </t><t>And her adulteries from between her breasts;</t>


text:
<t>Lest <f>[3†]</f>I strip her naked </t><t>And expose her, as in the day she was <f>[4†]</f>born, </t><t>And make her like a wilderness, </t><t>And set her like a dry land, </t><t>And slay her with <f>[5†]</f>thirst.</t>


text:
<t>“I will not have mercy on her children, </t><t>For they <i>are</i> the <f>[6†]</f>children of harlotry.</t>


text:
<t>For their mother has played the harlot; </t><t>She who conceived them has behaved shamefully. </t><t>For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Who give <i>me</i> my bread and my water, </t><t>My wool and my linen, </t><t>My oil and my drink.’</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore, behold, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>I will hedge up your way with thorns, </t><t>And wall her in, </t><t>So that she cannot find her paths.</t>


text:
<t>She will chase her lovers, </t><t>But not overtake them; </t><t>Yes, she will seek them, but not find <i>them.</i> </t><t>Then she will say, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>‘I will go and return to my <f>[10†]</f>first husband, </t><t>For then <i>it</i> <i>was</i> better for me than now.’</t>


text:
<t>For she did not <f>[11†]</f>know </t><t>That I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, </t><t>And multiplied her silver and gold— </t><t><i>Which</i> they prepared for Baal.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore I will return and take away </t><t>My grain in its time </t><t>And My new wine in its season, </t><t>And will take back My wool and My linen, </t><t><i>Given</i> to cover her nakedness.</t>


text:
<t>Now <f>[12†]</f>I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, </t><t>And no one shall deliver her from My hand.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>I will also cause all her mirth to cease, </t><t>Her feast days, </t><t>Her New Moons, </t><t>Her Sabbaths— </t><t>All her appointed feasts.</t>


text:
<t>“And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, </t><t>Of which she has said, </t><t>‘These <i>are</i> my wages that my lovers have given me.’ </t><t>So I will make them a forest, </t><t>And the beasts of the field shall eat them.</t>


text:
<t>I will punish her </t><t>For the days of the Baals to which she burned incense. </t><t>She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry, </t><t>And went after her lovers; </t><t>But Me she forgot,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, </t><t>Will bring her into the wilderness, </t><t>And speak comfort to her.</t>


text:
<t>I will give her her vineyards from there, </t><t>And <f>[14†]</f>the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; </t><t>She shall sing there, </t><t>As in <f>[15†]</f>the days of her youth, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>“And it shall be, in that day,” </t><t>Says the LORD, </t><t>“<i>That</i> you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ </t><t>And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[17†]</f>I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, </t><t>And they shall be remembered by their name no more.</t>


text:
<t>In that day I will make a <f>[18†]</f>covenant for them </t><t>With the beasts of the field, </t><t>With the birds of the air, </t><t>And <i>with</i> the creeping things of the ground. </t><t>Bow and sword of battle <f>[19†]</f>I will shatter from the earth, </t><t>To make them <f>[20†]</f>lie down safely.</t>


text:
<t>“I will betroth you to Me forever; </t><t>Yes, I will betroth you to Me </t><t>In righteousness and justice, </t><t>In lovingkindness and mercy;</t>


text:
<t>“It shall come to pass in that day </t><t><i>That</i> <f>[22†]</f>I will answer,” says the LORD; </t><t>“I will answer the heavens, </t><t>And they shall answer the earth.</t>


text:
<t>The earth shall answer </t><t>With grain, </t><t>With new wine, </t><t>And with oil; </t><t>They shall answer Jezreel.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[23†]</f>I will sow her for Myself in the earth, </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>And I will have mercy on <i>her</i> <i>who</i> <i>had</i> not obtained mercy; </t><t>Then <f>[25†]</f>I will say to <i>those</i> <i>who</i> <i>were</i> not My people, </t><t>‘You <i>are</i> My people!’ </t><t>And they shall say, <i>‘You are</i> my God!’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman <i>who</i> <i>is</i> loved by a <f>[1†]</f>lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love <i>the</i> raisin cakes <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>pagans.</i>”


text:
<pb/>So I bought her for myself for fifteen <i>shekels</i> of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.


text:
And I said to her, “You shall <f>[2†]</f>stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man—so, too, <i>will</i> I <i>be</i> toward you.”


text:
<pb/>For the children of Israel shall abide many days <f>[3†]</f>without king or prince, without sacrifice or <i>sacred</i> pillar, without <f>[4†]</f>ephod or <f>[5†]</f>teraphim.


text:
Afterward the children of Israel shall return and <f>[6†]</f>seek the LORD their God and <f>[7†]</f>David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the <f>[8†]</f>latter days.


text:
<pb/><t>Hear the word of the LORD, </t><t>You children of Israel, </t><t>For the LORD <i>brings</i> a <f>[1†]</f>charge against the inhabitants of the land: </t><t>“There is no truth or mercy </t><t>Or <f>[2†]</f>knowledge of God in the land.</t>


text:
<t><i>By</i> swearing and lying, </t><t>Killing and stealing and committing adultery, </t><t>They break all restraint, </t><t>With bloodshed upon bloodshed.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[3†]</f>the land will mourn; </t><t>And <f>[4†]</f>everyone who dwells there will waste away </t><t>With the beasts of the field </t><t>And the birds of the air; </t><t>Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.</t>


text:
<t>“Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; </t><t>For your people <i>are</i> like those <f>[5†]</f>who contend with the priest.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore you shall stumble <f>[6†]</f>in the day; </t><t>The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; </t><t>And I will destroy your mother.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. </t><t>Because you have rejected knowledge, </t><t>I also will reject you from being priest for Me; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Because you have forgotten the law of your God, </t><t>I also will forget your children.</t>


text:
<t>“The more they increased, </t><t>The more they sinned against Me; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>I will change their glory into shame.</t>


text:
<t>And it shall be: <f>[10†]</f>like people, like priest. </t><t>So I will punish them for their ways, </t><t>And reward them for their deeds.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[11†]</f>they shall eat, but not have enough; </t><t>They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; </t><t>Because they have ceased obeying the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>My people ask counsel from their <f>[13†]</f>wooden <i>idols,</i> </t><t>And their staff informs them. </t><t>For <f>[14†]</f>the spirit of harlotry has caused <i>them</i> to stray, </t><t>And they have played the harlot against their God.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, </t><t>And burn incense on the hills, </t><t>Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, </t><t>Because their shade <i>is</i> good. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, </t><t>And your brides commit adultery.</t>


text:
<t>“I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, </t><t>Nor your brides when they commit adultery; </t><t>For <i>the</i> <i>men</i> themselves go apart with harlots, </t><t>And offer sacrifices with a <f>[17†]</f>ritual harlot. </t><t>Therefore people <i>who</i> do not understand will be trampled.</t>


text:
<t>“Though you, Israel, play the harlot, </t><t>Let not Judah offend. </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Do not come up to Gilgal, </t><t>Nor go up to <f>[19†]</f>Beth Aven, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Nor swear an oath, <i>saying,</i> ‘As the LORD lives’—</t>


text:
<t>“For Israel <f>[21†]</f>is stubborn </t><t>Like a stubborn calf; </t><t>Now the LORD will let them forage </t><t>Like a lamb in open country.</t>


text:
<t>Their drink is rebellion, </t><t>They commit harlotry continually. </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>Her rulers dearly love dishonor.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>The wind has wrapped her up in its wings, </t><t>And <f>[25†]</f>they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“Hear this, O priests! </t><t>Take heed, O house of Israel! </t><t>Give ear, O house of the king! </t><t>For yours <i>is</i> the judgment, </t><t>Because <f>[1†]</f>you have been a snare to Mizpah </t><t>And a net spread on Tabor.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>I know Ephraim, </t><t>And Israel is not hidden from Me; </t><t>For now, O Ephraim, <f>[4†]</f>you commit harlotry; </t><t>Israel is defiled.</t>


text:
<t>“They do not direct their deeds </t><t>Toward turning to their God, </t><t>For <f>[5†]</f>the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, </t><t>And they do not know the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[6†]</f>pride of Israel testifies to his face; </t><t>Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; </t><t>Judah also stumbles with them.</t>


text:
<t>“With their flocks and herds </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>They shall go to seek the LORD, </t><t>But they will not find <i>Him;</i> </t><t>He has withdrawn Himself from them.</t>


text:
<t>They have <f>[8†]</f>dealt treacherously with the LORD, </t><t>For they have begotten pagan children. </t><t>Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.</t>


text:
<t>“Blow <f>[9†]</f> the ram’s horn in Gibeah, </t><t>The trumpet in Ramah! </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Cry aloud <i>at</i> <f>[11†]</f>Beth Aven, </t><t>‘<i>Look</i> behind you, O Benjamin!’</t>


text:
<t>Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; </t><t>Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.</t>


text:
<t>“The princes of Judah are like those who <f>[12†]</f>remove a landmark; </t><t>I will pour out My wrath on them like water.</t>


text:
<t>Ephraim is <f>[13†]</f>oppressed <i>and</i> broken in judgment, </t><t>Because he willingly walked by <f>[14†]</f><i>human</i> precept.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I <i>will</i> <i>be</i> to Ephraim like a moth, </t><t>And to the house of Judah <f>[15†]</f>like rottenness.</t>


text:
<t>“When Ephraim saw his sickness, </t><t>And Judah <i>saw</i> his <f>[16†]</f>wound, </t><t>Then Ephraim went <f>[17†]</f>to Assyria </t><t>And sent to King Jareb; </t><t>Yet he cannot cure you, </t><t>Nor heal you of your wound.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[18†]</f>I <i>will</i> <i>be</i> like a lion to Ephraim, </t><t>And like a young lion to the house of Judah. </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>I, <i>even</i> I, will tear <i>them</i> and go away; </t><t>I will take <i>them</i> away, and no one shall rescue.</t>


text:
<t>I will return again to My place </t><t>Till they acknowledge their offense. </t><t>Then they will seek My face; </t><t>In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Come, <f>[1†]</f> and let us return to the LORD; </t><t>For <f>[2†]</f>He has torn, but <f>[3†]</f>He will heal us; </t><t>He has stricken, but He will bind us up.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>After two days He will revive us; </t><t>On the third day He will raise us up, </t><t>That we may live in His sight.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>Let us know, </t><t>Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. </t><t>His going forth is established <f>[6†]</f>as the morning; </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>He will come to us <f>[8†]</f>like the rain, </t><t>Like the latter <i>and</i> former rain to the earth.</t>


text:
<t>“O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? </t><t>O Judah, what shall I do to you? </t><t>For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, </t><t>And like the early dew it goes away.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I have hewn <i>them</i> by the prophets, </t><t>I have slain them by <f>[9†]</f>the words of My mouth; </t><t>And your judgments <i>are</i> <i>like</i> light <i>that</i> goes forth.</t>


text:
<t>For I desire <f>[10†]</f>mercy and <f>[11†]</f>not sacrifice, </t><t>And the <f>[12†]</f>knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.</t>


text:
<t>As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, </t><t><i>So</i> the company of <f>[14†]</f>priests <f>[15†]</f>murder on the way to Shechem; </t><t>Surely they commit <f>[16†]</f>lewdness.</t>


text:
<t>I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: </t><t>There <i>is</i> the harlotry of Ephraim; </t><t>Israel is defiled.</t>


text:
<t>Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, </t><t>When I return the captives of My people.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“When I would have healed Israel, </t><t>Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, </t><t>And the wickedness of Samaria. </t><t>For <f>[1†]</f>they have committed fraud; </t><t>A thief comes in; </t><t>A band of robbers takes spoil outside.</t>


text:
<t>They do not consider in their hearts </t><t><i>That</i> <f>[2†]</f>I remember all their wickedness; </t><t>Now their own deeds have surrounded them; </t><t>They are before My face.</t>


text:
<t>They make a <f>[3†]</f>king glad with their wickedness, </t><t>And princes <f>[4†]</f>with their lies.</t>


text:
<t>“They <f>[5†]</f> <i>are</i> all adulterers. </t><t>Like an oven heated by a baker— </t><t>He ceases stirring <i>the</i> <i>fire</i> after kneading the dough, </t><t>Until it is leavened.</t>


text:
<t>In the day of our king </t><t>Princes have made <i>him</i> sick, inflamed with <f>[6†]</f>wine; </t><t>He stretched out his hand with scoffers.</t>


text:
<t>They prepare their heart like an oven, </t><t>While they lie in wait; </t><t>Their baker sleeps all night; </t><t>In the morning it burns like a flaming fire.</t>


text:
<t>They are all hot, like an oven, </t><t>And have devoured their judges; </t><t>All their kings have fallen. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>None among them calls upon Me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Aliens have devoured his strength, </t><t>But he does not know <i>it;</i> </t><t>Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, </t><t>Yet he does not know <i>it.</i></t>


text:
<t>And the <f>[10†]</f>pride of Israel testifies to his face, </t><t>But <f>[11†]</f>they do not return to the LORD their God, </t><t>Nor seek Him for all this.</t>


text:
<t>“Ephraim <f>[12†]</f> also is like a silly dove, without sense— </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>They call to Egypt, </t><t>They go to <f>[14†]</f>Assyria.</t>


text:
<t>Wherever they go, I will <f>[15†]</f>spread My net on them; </t><t>I will bring them down like birds of the air; </t><t>I will chastise them </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>According to what their congregation has heard.</t>


text:
<t>“Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! </t><t>Destruction to them, </t><t>Because they have transgressed against Me! </t><t>Though <f>[17†]</f>I redeemed them, </t><t>Yet they have spoken lies against Me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>They did not cry out to Me with their heart </t><t>When they wailed upon their beds. </t><t>“They assemble together for grain and new <f>[19†]</f>wine, </t><t>They rebel against Me;</t>


text:
<t>Though I disciplined <i>and</i> strengthened their arms, </t><t>Yet they devise evil against Me;</t>


text:
<t>They return, <i>but</i> not to the Most High; </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>They are like a treacherous bow. </t><t>Their princes shall fall by the sword </t><t>For the <f>[21†]</f>cursings of their tongue. </t><t>This <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> their derision <f>[22†]</f>in the land of Egypt.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“<i>Set</i> the trumpet to your mouth! </t><t><i>He</i> <i>shall</i> <i>come</i> <f>[1†]</f>like an eagle against the house of the LORD, </t><t>Because they have transgressed My covenant </t><t>And rebelled against My law.</t>


text:
<t>“They <f>[4†]</f> set up kings, but not by Me; </t><t>They made princes, but I did not acknowledge <i>them.</i> </t><t>From their silver and gold </t><t>They made idols for themselves— </t><t>That they might be cut off.</t>


text:
<t>Your calf is rejected, O Samaria! </t><t>My anger is aroused against them— </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>How long until they attain to innocence?</t>


text:
<t>For from Israel <i>is</i> even this: </t><t>A <f>[6†]</f>workman made it, and it <i>is</i> not God; </t><t>But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.</t>


text:
<t>“They <f>[7†]</f> sow the wind, </t><t>And reap the whirlwind. </t><t>The stalk has no bud; </t><t>It shall never produce meal. </t><t>If it should produce, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Aliens would swallow it up.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Israel is swallowed up; </t><t>Now they are among the Gentiles </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Like a vessel in which <i>is</i> no pleasure.</t>


text:
<t>For they have gone up to Assyria, </t><t><i>Like</i> <f>[11†]</f>a wild donkey alone by itself; </t><t>Ephraim <f>[12†]</f>has hired lovers.</t>


text:
<t>Yes, though they have hired among the nations, </t><t>Now <f>[13†]</f>I will gather them; </t><t>And they shall sorrow a little, </t><t>Because of the burden of <f>[14†]</f>the king of princes.</t>


text:
<t>“Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin, </t><t>They have become for him altars for sinning.</t>


text:
<t>I have written for him <f>[15†]</f>the great things of My law, </t><t><i>But</i> they were considered a strange thing.</t>


text:
<t><i>For</i> the sacrifices of My offerings <f>[16†]</f>they sacrifice flesh and eat <i>it,</i> </t><t> <f>[17†]</f><i>But</i> the LORD does not accept them. </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. </t><t>They shall return to Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[19†]</f> Israel has forgotten <f>[20†]</f>his Maker, </t><t>And has built temples; </t><t>Judah also has multiplied <f>[21†]</f>fortified cities; </t><t>But <f>[22†]</f>I will send fire upon his cities, </t><t>And it shall devour his palaces.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Do <f>[1†]</f> not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like <i>other</i> peoples, </t><t>For you have played the harlot against your God. </t><t>You have made love <i>for</i> <f>[2†]</f>hire on every threshing floor.</t>


text:
<t>The threshing floor and the winepress </t><t>Shall not feed them, </t><t>And the new wine shall fail in her.</t>


text:
<t>They shall not dwell in <f>[3†]</f>the LORD’s land, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>But Ephraim shall return to Egypt, </t><t>And <f>[5†]</f>shall eat unclean <i>things</i> in Assyria.</t>


text:
<t>They shall not offer wine <i>offerings</i> to the LORD, </t><t>Nor <f>[6†]</f>shall their <f>[7†]</f>sacrifices be pleasing to Him. </t><t><i>It</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> like bread of mourners to them; </t><t>All who eat it shall be defiled. </t><t>For their bread <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> for their <i>own</i> life; </t><t>It shall not come into the house of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>For indeed they are gone because of destruction. </t><t>Egypt shall gather them up; </t><t>Memphis shall bury them. </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver; </t><t>Thorns <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> in their tents.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[9†]</f>days of punishment have come; </t><t>The days of recompense have come. </t><t>Israel knows! </t><t>The prophet <i>is</i> a <f>[10†]</f>fool, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>The spiritual man <i>is</i> insane, </t><t>Because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[12†]</f>watchman of Ephraim <i>is</i> with my God; </t><t>But the prophet <i>is</i> a fowler’s snare in all his ways— </t><t>Enmity in the house of his God.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>They are deeply corrupted, </t><t>As in the days of <f>[14†]</f>Gibeah. </t><t>He will remember their iniquity; </t><t>He will punish their sins.</t>


text:
<t>“I found Israel </t><t>Like grapes in the <f>[15†]</f>wilderness; </t><t>I saw your fathers </t><t>As the <f>[16†]</f>firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. </t><t><i>But</i> they went to <f>[17†]</f>Baal Peor, </t><t>And separated themselves <i>to</i> <i>that</i> shame; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>They became an abomination like the thing they loved.</t>


text:
<t><i>As</i> <i>for</i> Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird— </t><t>No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception!</t>


text:
<t>Though they bring up their children, </t><t>Yet I will bereave them to the last man. </t><t>Yes, <f>[19†]</f>woe to them when I depart from them!</t>


text:
<t>Just <f>[20†]</f>as I saw Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place, </t><t>So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.”</t>


text:
<t>Give them, O LORD— </t><t>What will You give? </t><t>Give them <f>[21†]</f>a miscarrying womb </t><t>And dry breasts!</t>


text:
<t>“All their wickedness <i>is</i> in <f>[22†]</f>Gilgal, </t><t>For there I hated them. </t><t>Because of the evil of their deeds </t><t>I will drive them from My house; </t><t>I will love them no more. </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>All their princes <i>are</i> rebellious.</t>


text:
<t>Ephraim is <f>[24†]</f>stricken, </t><t>Their root is dried up; </t><t>They shall bear no fruit. </t><t>Yes, were they to bear children, </t><t>I would kill the darlings of their womb.”</t>


text:
<t>My God will <f>[25†]</f>cast them away, </t><t>Because they did not obey Him; </t><t>And they shall be <f>[26†]</f>wanderers among the nations.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Israel <f>[1†]</f>empties <i>his</i> vine; </t><t>He brings forth fruit for himself. </t><t>According to the multitude of his fruit </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>He has increased the altars; </t><t>According to the bounty of his land </t><t>They have embellished <i>his</i> <i>sacred</i> pillars.</t>


text:
<t>Their heart is <f>[3†]</f>divided; </t><t>Now they are held guilty. </t><t>He will break down their altars; </t><t>He will ruin their <i>sacred</i> pillars.</t>


text:
<t>For now they say, </t><t>“We have no king, </t><t>Because we did not fear the LORD. </t><t>And as for a king, what would he do for us?”</t>


text:
<t>They have spoken words, </t><t>Swearing falsely in making a covenant. </t><t>Thus judgment springs up <f>[4†]</f>like hemlock in the furrows of the field.</t>


text:
<t>The inhabitants of Samaria fear </t><t>Because of the <f>[5†]</f>calf of Beth Aven. </t><t>For its people mourn for it, </t><t>And its priests shriek for it— </t><t>Because its <f>[6†]</f>glory has departed from it.</t>


text:
<t><i>The</i> <i>idol</i> also shall be carried to Assyria </t><t><i>As</i> a present for King <f>[7†]</f>Jareb. </t><t>Ephraim shall receive shame, </t><t>And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.</t>


text:
<t>Also the <f>[8†]</f>high places of Aven, <f>[9†]</f>the sin of Israel, </t><t>Shall be destroyed. </t><t>The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!” </t><t>And to the hills, “Fall on us!”</t>


text:
<t>“O Israel, you have sinned from the days of <f>[11†]</f>Gibeah; </t><t>There they stood. </t><t>The <f>[12†]</f>battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity </t><t>Did not overtake them.</t>


text:
<t>When <i>it</i> <i>is</i> My desire, I will chasten them. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>Peoples shall be gathered against them </t><t>When I bind them for their two transgressions.</t>


text:
<t>Ephraim <i>is</i> <f>[14†]</f>a trained heifer </t><t>That loves to thresh <i>grain;</i> </t><t>But I harnessed her fair neck, </t><t>I will make Ephraim pull <i>a</i> <i>plow.</i> </t><t>Judah shall plow; </t><t>Jacob shall break his clods.”</t>


text:
<t>Sow for yourselves righteousness; </t><t>Reap in mercy; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Break up your fallow ground, </t><t>For <i>it</i> <i>is</i> time to seek the LORD, </t><t>Till He <f>[16†]</f>comes and rains righteousness on you.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>You have plowed wickedness; </t><t>You have reaped iniquity. </t><t>You have eaten the fruit of lies, </t><t>Because you trusted in your own way, </t><t>In the multitude of your mighty men.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore tumult shall arise among your people, </t><t>And all your fortresses shall be plundered </t><t>As Shalman plundered Beth Arbel in the day of battle— </t><t>A mother dashed in pieces upon <i>her</i> children.</t>


text:
<t>Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, </t><t>Because of your great wickedness. </t><t>At dawn the king of Israel </t><t>Shall be cut off utterly.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“When Israel <i>was</i> a child, I loved him, </t><t>And out of Egypt <f>[1†]</f>I called My <f>[2†]</f>son.</t>


text:
<t><i>As</i> they called them, </t><t>So they <f>[3†]</f>went from them; </t><t>They sacrificed to the Baals, </t><t>And burned incense to carved images.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[4†]</f> taught Ephraim to walk, </t><t>Taking them by their arms; </t><t>But they did not know that <f>[5†]</f>I healed them.</t>


text:
<t>I drew them with gentle cords, </t><t>With bands of love, </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>I stooped <i>and</i> fed them.</t>


text:
<t>“He shall not return to the land of Egypt; </t><t>But the Assyrian shall be his king, </t><t>Because they refused to repent.</t>


text:
<t>And the sword shall slash in his cities, </t><t>Devour his districts, </t><t>And consume <i>them,</i> </t><t>Because of their own counsels.</t>


text:
<t>My people are bent on <f>[8†]</f>backsliding from Me. </t><t>Though they call to the Most High, </t><t>None at all exalt <i>Him.</i></t>


text:
<t>“How <f>[9†]</f> can I give you up, Ephraim? </t><t><i>How</i> can I hand you over, Israel? </t><t>How can I make you like <f>[10†]</f>Admah? </t><t><i>How</i> can I set you like Zeboiim? </t><t>My heart churns within Me; </t><t>My sympathy is stirred.</t>


text:
<t>I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; </t><t>I will not again destroy Ephraim. </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>For I <i>am</i> God, and not man, </t><t>The Holy One in your midst; </t><t>And I will not come with terror.</t>


text:
<t>“They shall walk after the LORD. </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>He will roar like a lion. </t><t>When He roars, </t><t>Then <i>His</i> sons shall come trembling from the west;</t>


text:
<t>They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>Like a dove from the land of Assyria. </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>And I will let them dwell in their houses,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, </t><t>And the house of Israel with deceit; </t><t>But Judah still walks with God, </t><t>Even with the Holy One <i>who</i> <i>is</i> faithful.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“Ephraim <f>[1†]</f>feeds on the wind, </t><t>And pursues the east wind; </t><t>He daily increases lies and desolation. </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>oil is carried to Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>“The <f>[4†]</f> LORD also <i>brings</i> a charge against Judah, </t><t>And will punish Jacob according to his ways; </t><t>According to his deeds He will recompense him.</t>


text:
<t>He took his brother <f>[5†]</f>by the heel in the womb, </t><t>And in his strength he <f>[6†]</f>struggled with God.</t>


text:
<t>Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; </t><t>He wept, and sought favor from Him. </t><t>He found Him <i>in</i> <f>[7†]</f>Bethel, </t><t>And there He spoke to us—</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>So you, by <i>the</i> <i>help</i> <i>of</i> your God, return; </t><t>Observe mercy and justice, </t><t>And wait on your God continually.</t>


text:
<t>“A cunning Canaanite! </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Deceitful scales <i>are</i> in his hand; </t><t>He loves to oppress.</t>


text:
<t>And Ephraim said, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>‘Surely I have become rich, </t><t>I have found wealth for myself; </t><t><i>In</i> all my labors </t><t>They shall find in me no iniquity that <i>is</i> sin.’</t>


text:
<t>“But I <i>am</i> the LORD your God, </t><t>Ever since the land of Egypt; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>I will again make you dwell in tents, </t><t>As in the days of the appointed feast.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>I have also spoken by the prophets, </t><t>And have multiplied visions; </t><t>I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.”</t>


text:
<t>Though <f>[14†]</f>Gilead <i>has</i> idols— </t><t>Surely they are vanity— </t><t>Though they sacrifice bulls in <f>[15†]</f>Gilgal, </t><t>Indeed their altars <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> heaps in the furrows of the field.</t>


text:
<t>Jacob <f>[16†]</f>fled to the country of Syria; </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Israel served for a spouse, </t><t>And for a wife he tended <i>sheep.</i></t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, </t><t>And by a prophet he was preserved.</t>


text:
<t>Ephraim <f>[19†]</f>provoked <i>Him</i> to anger most bitterly; </t><t>Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>And return his reproach upon him.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>When Ephraim spoke, trembling, </t><t>He exalted <i>himself</i> in Israel; </t><t>But when he offended through Baal <i>worship</i>, he died.</t>


text:
<t>Now they sin more and more, </t><t>And have made for themselves molded images, </t><t>Idols of their silver, according to their skill; </t><t>All of it <i>is</i> the work of craftsmen. </t><t>They say of them, </t><t>“Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud </t><t>And like the early dew that passes away, </t><t> <f>[1†]</f>Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor </t><t>And like smoke from a chimney.</t>


text:
<t>“Yet <f>[2†]</f>I <i>am</i> the LORD your God </t><t>Ever since the land of Egypt, </t><t>And you shall know no God but Me; </t><t>For <f>[3†]</f><i>there</i> <i>is</i> no savior besides Me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>When they had pasture, they were filled; </t><t>They were filled and their heart was exalted; </t><t>Therefore they forgot Me.</t>


text:
<t>“So <f>[7†]</f>I will be to them like a lion; </t><t>Like <f>[8†]</f>a leopard by the road I will lurk;</t>


text:
<t>I will meet them <f>[9†]</f>like a bear deprived <i>of</i> <i>her</i> <i>cubs;</i> </t><t>I will tear open their rib cage, </t><t>And there I will devour them like a lion. </t><t>The wild beast shall tear them.</t>


text:
<t>I will be your King; </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Where <i>is</i> <i>any</i> <i>other,</i> </t><t>That he may save you in all your cities? </t><t>And your judges to whom <f>[11†]</f>you said, </t><t>‘Give me a king and princes’?</t>


text:
<t>“The <f>[13†]</f> iniquity of Ephraim <i>is</i> bound up; </t><t>His sin <i>is</i> stored up.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. </t><t>He <i>is</i> an unwise son, </t><t>For he should not stay long where children are born.</t>


text:
<t>“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; </t><t>I will redeem them from death. </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>O Death, I will be your plagues! </t><t>O Grave, I will be your destruction! </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Pity is hidden from My eyes.”</t>


text:
<t>Though he is fruitful among <i>his</i> brethren, </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>An east wind shall come; </t><t>The wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness. </t><t>Then his spring shall become dry, </t><t>And his fountain shall be dried up. </t><t>He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.</t>


text:
<t>Samaria is held guilty, </t><t>For she has <f>[18†]</f>rebelled against her God. </t><t>They shall fall by the sword, </t><t>Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, </t><t>And their women with child <f>[19†]</f>ripped open.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>O Israel, <f>[1†]</f>return to the LORD your God, </t><t>For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;</t>


text:
<t>Take words with you, </t><t>And return to the LORD. </t><t>Say to Him, </t><t>“Take away all iniquity; </t><t>Receive <i>us</i> graciously, </t><t>For we will offer the <f>[2†]</f>sacrifices of our lips.</t>


text:
<t>Assyria shall <f>[3†]</f>not save us, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>We will not ride on horses, </t><t>Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘<i>You</i> <i>are</i> our gods.’ </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”</t>


text:
<t>“I will heal their <f>[6†]</f>backsliding, </t><t>I will <f>[7†]</f>love them freely, </t><t>For My anger has turned away from him.</t>


text:
<t>I will be like the <f>[8†]</f>dew to Israel; </t><t>He shall grow like the lily, </t><t>And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.</t>


text:
<t>His branches shall spread; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>His beauty shall be like an olive tree, </t><t>And <f>[10†]</f>his fragrance like Lebanon.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; </t><t>They shall be revived <i>like</i> grain, </t><t>And grow like a vine. </t><t>Their scent <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> like the wine of Lebanon.</t>


text:
<t>“Ephraim <i>shall</i> <i>say,</i> ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ </t><t>I have heard and observed him. </t><t>I <i>am</i> like a green cypress tree; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Your fruit is found in Me.”</t>


text:
<t>Who <i>is</i> wise? </t><t>Let him understand these things. </t><t><i>Who</i> <i>is</i> prudent? </t><t>Let him know them. </t><t>For <f>[13†]</f>the ways of the LORD <i>are</i> right; </t><t>The righteous walk in them, </t><t>But transgressors stumble in them.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Hear this, you elders, </t><t>And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>Has <i>anything</i> <i>like</i> this happened in your days, </t><t>Or even in the days of your fathers?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>Tell your children about it, </t><t><i>Let</i> your children <i>tell</i> their children, </t><t>And their children another generation.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>What the chewing locust left, the <f>[5†]</f>swarming locust has eaten; </t><t>What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; </t><t>And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.</t>


text:
<t>Awake, you <f>[6†]</f>drunkards, and weep; </t><t>And wail, all you drinkers of wine, </t><t>Because of the new wine, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>For it has been cut off from your mouth.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[8†]</f>a nation has come up against My land, </t><t>Strong, and without number; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>His teeth <i>are</i> the teeth of a lion, </t><t>And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.</t>


text:
<t>He has <f>[10†]</f>laid waste My vine, </t><t>And ruined My fig tree; </t><t>He has stripped it bare and thrown <i>it</i> away; </t><t>Its branches are made white.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth </t><t>For <f>[12†]</f>the husband of her youth.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>The grain offering and the drink offering </t><t>Have been cut off from the house of the LORD; </t><t>The priests <f>[14†]</f>mourn, who minister to the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>The field is wasted, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>The land mourns; </t><t>For the grain is ruined, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>The new wine is dried up, </t><t>The oil fails.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>Be ashamed, you farmers, </t><t>Wail, you vinedressers, </t><t>For the wheat and the barley; </t><t>Because the harvest of the field has perished.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>The vine has dried up, </t><t>And the fig tree has withered; </t><t>The pomegranate tree, </t><t>The palm tree also, </t><t>And the apple tree— </t><t>All the trees of the field are withered; </t><t>Surely <f>[19†]</f>joy has withered away from the sons of men.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[20†]</f>Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; </t><t>Wail, you who minister before the altar; </t><t>Come, lie all night in sackcloth, </t><t>You who minister to my God; </t><t>For the grain offering and the drink offering </t><t>Are withheld from the house of your God.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>Consecrate a fast, </t><t>Call <f>[22†]</f>a sacred assembly; </t><t>Gather the elders </t><t><i>And</i> <f>[23†]</f>all the inhabitants of the land </t><t><i>Into</i> the house of the LORD your God, </t><t>And cry out to the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>Alas for the day! </t><t>For <f>[25†]</f>the day of the LORD <i>is</i> at hand; </t><t>It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.</t>


text:
<t>Is not the food <f>[26†]</f>cut off before our eyes, </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Joy and gladness from the house of our God?</t>


text:
<t>The seed shrivels under the clods, </t><t>Storehouses are in shambles; </t><t>Barns are broken down, </t><t>For the grain has withered.</t>


text:
<t>How <f>[28†]</f>the animals groan! </t><t>The herds of cattle are restless, </t><t>Because they have no pasture; </t><t>Even the flocks of sheep suffer punishment.</t>


text:
<t>O LORD, <f>[29†]</f>to You I cry out; </t><t>For <f>[30†]</f>fire has devoured the open pastures, </t><t>And a flame has burned all the trees of the field.</t>


text:
<t>The beasts of the field also <f>[31†]</f>cry out to You, </t><t>For <f>[32†]</f>the water brooks are dried up, </t><t>And fire has devoured the open pastures.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Blow <f>[1†]</f>the trumpet in Zion, </t><t>And <f>[2†]</f>sound an alarm in My holy mountain! </t><t>Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; </t><t>For <f>[3†]</f>the day of the LORD is coming, </t><t>For it is at hand:</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>A day of darkness and gloominess, </t><t>A day of clouds and thick darkness, </t><t>Like the morning <i>clouds</i> spread over the mountains. </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>A people <i>come,</i> great and strong, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>The like of whom has never been; </t><t>Nor will there ever be any <i>such</i> after them, </t><t>Even for many successive generations.</t>


text:
<t>A fire devours before them, </t><t>And behind them a flame burns; </t><t>The land <i>is</i> like <f>[7†]</f>the Garden of Eden before them, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>And behind them a desolate wilderness; </t><t>Surely nothing shall escape them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; </t><t>And like swift steeds, so they run.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>With a noise like chariots </t><t>Over mountaintops they leap, </t><t>Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, </t><t>Like a strong people set in battle array.</t>


text:
<t>They run like mighty men, </t><t>They climb the wall like men of war; </t><t>Every one marches in formation, </t><t>And they do not break <f>[12†]</f>ranks.</t>


text:
<t>They do not push one another; </t><t>Every one marches in his own column. </t><t>Though they lunge between the weapons, </t><t>They are not cut down.</t>


text:
<t>They run to and fro in the city, </t><t>They run on the wall; </t><t>They climb into the houses, </t><t>They <f>[13†]</f>enter at the windows <f>[14†]</f>like a thief.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>The earth quakes before them, </t><t>The heavens tremble; </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>The sun and moon grow dark, </t><t>And the stars diminish their brightness.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>The LORD gives voice before His army, </t><t>For His camp is very great; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>For strong <i>is</i> <i>the</i> <i>One</i> who executes His word. </t><t>For the <f>[19†]</f>day of the LORD <i>is</i> great and very terrible; </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Who can endure it?</t>


text:
<t>“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>“Turn to Me with all your heart, </t><t>With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”</t>


text:
<t>So <f>[22†]</f>rend your heart, and not <f>[23†]</f>your garments; </t><t>Return to the LORD your God, </t><t>For He <i>is</i> <f>[24†]</f>gracious and merciful, </t><t>Slow to anger, and of great kindness; </t><t>And He relents from doing harm.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>Who knows <i>if</i> He will turn and relent, </t><t>And leave <f>[26†]</f>a blessing behind Him— </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>A grain offering and a drink offering </t><t>For the LORD your God?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>Blow the trumpet in Zion, </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>Consecrate a fast, </t><t>Call a sacred assembly;</t>


text:
<t>Gather the people, </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>Sanctify the congregation, </t><t>Assemble the elders, </t><t>Gather the children and nursing babes; </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, </t><t>And the bride from her dressing room.</t>


text:
<t>Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, </t><t>Weep <f>[32†]</f>between the porch and the altar; </t><t>Let them say, <f>[33†]</f>“Spare Your people, O LORD, </t><t>And do not give Your heritage to reproach, </t><t>That the nations should rule over them. </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>Why should they say among the peoples, </t><t>‘Where <i>is</i> their God?’ ”</t>


text:
<t>The LORD will answer and say to His people, </t><t>“Behold, I will send you <f>[36†]</f>grain and new wine and oil, </t><t>And you will be satisfied by them; </t><t>I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.</t>


text:
<t>“But <f>[37†]</f>I will remove far from you <f>[38†]</f>the northern <i>army,</i> </t><t>And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, </t><t>With his face toward the eastern sea </t><t>And his back <f>[39†]</f>toward the western sea; </t><t>His stench will come up, </t><t>And his foul odor will rise, </t><t>Because he has done monstrous things.”</t>


text:
<t>Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; </t><t>For <f>[40†]</f>the open pastures are springing up, </t><t>And the tree bears its fruit; </t><t>The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.</t>


text:
<t>Be glad then, you children of Zion, </t><t>And <f>[41†]</f>rejoice in the LORD your God; </t><t>For He has given you the former rain faithfully, </t><t>And He <f>[42†]</f>will cause the rain to come down for you— </t><t>The former rain, </t><t>And the latter rain in the first <i>month.</i></t>


text:
<t>The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, </t><t>And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.</t>


text:
<t>“So I will restore to you the years <f>[43†]</f>that the swarming locust has eaten, </t><t>The crawling locust, </t><t>The consuming locust, </t><t>And the chewing locust, </t><t>My great army which I sent among you.</t>


text:
<t>You shall <f>[44†]</f>eat in plenty and be satisfied, </t><t>And praise the name of the LORD your God, </t><t>Who has dealt wondrously with you; </t><t>And My people shall never be put to <f>[45†]</f>shame.</t>


text:
<t>Then you shall know that I <i>am</i> <f>[46†]</f>in the midst of Israel: </t><t> <f>[47†]</f>I <i>am</i> the LORD your God </t><t>And there is no other. </t><t>My people shall never be put to shame.</t>


text:
<t>“And <f>[48†]</f> it shall come to pass afterward </t><t>That <f>[49†]</f>I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; </t><t> <f>[50†]</f>Your sons and your <f>[51†]</f>daughters shall prophesy, </t><t>Your old men shall dream dreams, </t><t>Your young men shall see visions.</t>


text:
<t>And also on <i>My</i> <f>[52†]</f>menservants and on <i>My</i> maidservants </t><t>I will pour out My Spirit in those days.</t>


text:
<t>“And <f>[53†]</f>I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: </t><t>Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[54†]</f>The sun shall be turned into darkness, </t><t>And the moon into blood, </t><t> <f>[55†]</f>Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>And it shall come to pass </t><t><i>That</i> <f>[56†]</f>whoever calls on the name of the LORD </t><t>Shall be saved. </t><t>For <f>[57†]</f>in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, </t><t>As the LORD has said, </t><t>Among <f>[58†]</f>the remnant whom the LORD calls.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“For behold, <f>[1†]</f>in those days and at that time, </t><t>When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,</t>


text:
<t> <f>[2†]</f>I will also gather all nations, </t><t>And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; </t><t>And I <f>[3†]</f>will enter into judgment with them there </t><t>On account of My people, My heritage Israel, </t><t>Whom they have scattered among the nations; </t><t>They have also divided up My land.</t>


text:
<t>They have <f>[4†]</f>cast lots for My people, </t><t>Have given a boy <i>as</i> <i>payment</i> for a harlot, </t><t>And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.</t>


text:
<t>“Indeed, what have you to do with Me, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? </t><t>Will you retaliate against Me? </t><t>But if you retaliate against Me, </t><t>Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head;</t>


text:
<t>Because you have taken My silver and My gold, </t><t>And have carried into your temples My prized possessions.</t>


text:
<t>Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem </t><t>You have sold to the Greeks, </t><t>That you may remove them far from their borders.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[6†]</f>I will raise them </t><t>Out of the place to which you have sold them, </t><t>And will return your retaliation upon your own head.</t>


text:
<t>I will sell your sons and your daughters </t><t>Into the hand of the people of Judah, </t><t>And they will sell them to the <f>[7†]</f>Sabeans, </t><t>To a people <f>[8†]</f>far off; </t><t>For the LORD has spoken.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Proclaim this among the nations: </t><t>“Prepare for war! </t><t>Wake up the mighty men, </t><t>Let all the men of war draw near, </t><t>Let them come up.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>Beat your plowshares into swords </t><t>And your pruning hooks into spears; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Let the weak say, ‘I <i>am</i> strong.’ ”</t>


text:
<t>Assemble and come, all you nations, </t><t>And gather together all around. </t><t>Cause <f>[12†]</f>Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; </t><t>For there I will sit to <f>[13†]</f>judge all the surrounding nations.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>Put in the sickle, for <f>[15†]</f>the harvest is ripe. </t><t>Come, go down; </t><t>For the <f>[16†]</f>winepress is full, </t><t>The vats overflow— </t><t>For their wickedness <i>is</i> great.”</t>


text:
<t>Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! </t><t>For <f>[17†]</f>the day of the LORD <i>is</i> near in the valley of decision.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD also will roar from Zion, </t><t>And utter His voice from Jerusalem; </t><t>The heavens and earth will shake; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, </t><t>And the strength of the children of Israel.</t>


text:
<t>“So you shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD your God, </t><t>Dwelling in Zion My <f>[19†]</f>holy mountain. </t><t>Then Jerusalem shall be holy, </t><t>And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”</t>


text:
<t>And it will come to pass in that day </t><t><i>That</i> the mountains shall drip with new wine, </t><t>The hills shall flow with milk, </t><t>And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; </t><t>A <f>[20†]</f>fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD </t><t>And water the Valley of Acacias.</t>


text:
<t>“Egypt shall be a desolation, </t><t>And Edom a desolate wilderness, </t><t>Because of violence <i>against</i> the people of Judah, </t><t>For they have shed innocent blood in their land.</t>


text:
<t>For I will <f>[21†]</f>acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; </t><t>For the LORD dwells in Zion.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The words of Amos, who was among the <f>[1†]</f>sheepbreeders of <f>[2†]</f>Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of <f>[3†]</f>Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of <f>[4†]</f>Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the <f>[5†]</f>earthquake.


text:
<pb/>And he said: <pb/><t>“The LORD <f>[6†]</f>roars from Zion, </t><t>And utters His voice from Jerusalem; </t><t>The pastures of the shepherds mourn, </t><t>And the top of <f>[7†]</f>Carmel withers.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[8†]</f>Damascus, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because they have <f>[9†]</f>threshed Gilead with implements of iron.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, </t><t>Which shall devour the palaces of <f>[11†]</f>Ben-Hadad.</t>


text:
<t>I will also break the <i>gate</i> <f>[12†]</f>bar of Damascus, </t><t>And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, </t><t>And the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. </t><t>The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[13†]</f>Gaza, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because they took captive the whole captivity </t><t>To deliver <i>them</i> up to Edom.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, </t><t>Which shall devour its palaces.</t>


text:
<t>I will cut off the inhabitant <f>[15†]</f>from Ashdod, </t><t>And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; </t><t>I will <f>[16†]</f>turn My hand against Ekron, </t><t>And <f>[17†]</f>the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[18†]</f>Tyre, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, </t><t>And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[19†]</f>Edom, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because he pursued his <f>[20†]</f>brother with the sword, </t><t>And cast off all pity; </t><t>His anger tore perpetually, </t><t>And he kept his wrath forever.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[21†]</f>I will send a fire upon Teman, </t><t>Which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[22†]</f>the people of Ammon, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, </t><t>That they might enlarge their territory.</t>


text:
<t>But I will kindle a fire in the wall of <f>[23†]</f>Rabbah, </t><t>And it shall devour its palaces, </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>Amid shouting in the day of battle, </t><t>And a tempest in the day of the whirlwind.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>Their king shall go into captivity, </t><t>He and his princes together,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[1†]</f>“For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because he <f>[2†]</f>burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.</t>


text:
<t>But I will send a fire upon Moab, </t><t>And it shall devour the palaces of <f>[3†]</f>Kerioth; </t><t>Moab shall die with tumult, </t><t>With shouting <i>and</i> trumpet sound.</t>


text:
<t>And I will cut off <f>[4†]</f>the judge from its midst, </t><t>And slay all its princes with him,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[5†]</f>Judah, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Because they have despised the law of the LORD, </t><t>And have not kept His commandments. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Their lies lead them astray, </t><t><i>Lies</i> <f>[8†]</f>which their fathers followed.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>But I will send a fire upon Judah, </t><t>And it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“For three transgressions of <f>[10†]</f>Israel, and for four, </t><t>I will not turn away its <i>punishment,</i> </t><t>Because <f>[11†]</f>they sell the righteous for silver, </t><t>And the <f>[12†]</f>poor for a pair of sandals.</t>


text:
<t>They pant after the dust of the earth <i>which</i> <i>is</i> on the head of the poor, </t><t>And <f>[13†]</f>pervert the way of the humble. </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>A man and his father go in to the <i>same</i> girl, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>To defile My holy name.</t>


text:
<t>They lie down <f>[16†]</f>by every altar on clothes <f>[17†]</f>taken in pledge, </t><t>And drink the wine of the condemned <i>in</i> the house of their god.</t>


text:
<t>“Yet <i>it</i> <i>was</i> I <i>who</i> destroyed the <f>[18†]</f>Amorite before them, </t><t>Whose height <i>was</i> like the <f>[19†]</f>height of the cedars, </t><t>And he <i>was</i> <i>as</i> strong as the oaks; </t><t>Yet I <f>[20†]</f>destroyed his fruit above </t><t>And his roots beneath.</t>


text:
<t>Also <i>it</i> <i>was</i> <f>[21†]</f>I <i>who</i> brought you up from the land of Egypt, </t><t>And <f>[22†]</f>led you forty years through the wilderness, </t><t>To possess the land of the Amorite.</t>


text:
<t>I raised up some of your sons as <f>[23†]</f>prophets, </t><t>And some of your young men as <f>[24†]</f>Nazirites. </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not so, O you children of Israel?” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, </t><t>And commanded the prophets <f>[25†]</f>saying, </t><t>‘Do not prophesy!’</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[26†]</f> I am weighed down by you, </t><t>As a cart full of sheaves is weighed down.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, </t><t>The strong shall not strengthen his power, </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>Nor shall the mighty deliver himself;</t>


text:
<t>He shall not stand who handles the bow, </t><t>The swift of foot shall not escape, </t><t>Nor shall he who rides a horse deliver himself.</t>


text:
<pb/>Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying:


text:
<pb/><t>“You <f>[1†]</f> only have I known of all the families of the earth; </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”</t>


text:
<t>Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? </t><t>Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?</t>


text:
<t>Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? </t><t>Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?</t>


text:
<t>If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done <i>it?</i></t>


text:
<t>Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, </t><t>Unless <f>[4†]</f>He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.</t>


text:
<t>A lion has roared! </t><t>Who will not fear? </t><t>The Lord GOD has spoken! </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>Who can but prophesy?</t>


text:
<t>“Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, </t><t>And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say: </t><t>‘Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; </t><t>See great tumults in her midst, </t><t>And the oppressed within her.</t>


text:
<t>For they <f>[6†]</f>do not know to do right,’ </t><t>Says the LORD, </t><t>‘Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“An adversary <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> all around the land; </t><t>He shall sap your strength from you, </t><t>And your palaces shall be plundered.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion </t><t>Two legs or a piece of an ear, </t><t>So shall the children of Israel be taken out </t><t>Who dwell in Samaria— </t><t>In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!</t>


text:
<t>“That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, </t><t>I will also visit <i>destruction</i> on the altars of <f>[7†]</f>Bethel; </t><t>And the horns of the altar shall be cut off </t><t>And fall to the ground.</t>


text:
<t>I will destroy <f>[8†]</f>the winter house along with <f>[9†]</f>the summer house; </t><t>The <f>[10†]</f>houses of ivory shall perish, </t><t>And the great houses shall have an end,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Hear this word, you <f>[1†]</f>cows of Bashan, who <i>are</i> on the mountain of Samaria, </t><t>Who oppress the <f>[2†]</f>poor, </t><t>Who crush the needy, </t><t>Who say to your husbands, “Bring <i>wine,</i> let us <f>[3†]</f>drink!”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: </t><t>“Behold, the days shall come upon you </t><t>When He will take you away <f>[5†]</f>with fishhooks, </t><t>And your posterity with fishhooks.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>You will go out <i>through</i> broken <i>walls,</i> </t><t>Each one straight ahead of her, </t><t>And you will be cast into Harmon,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Come <f>[7†]</f> to Bethel and transgress, </t><t>At <f>[8†]</f>Gilgal multiply transgression; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Bring your sacrifices every morning, </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>Your tithes every three days.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, </t><t>Proclaim <i>and</i> announce <f>[12†]</f>the freewill offerings; </t><t>For this you love, </t><t><i>You</i> children of Israel!” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<t>“Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, </t><t>And lack of bread in all your places; </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>Yet you have not returned to Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I also withheld rain from you, </t><t>When <i>there</i> <i>were</i> still three months to the harvest. </t><t>I made it rain on one city, </t><t>I withheld rain from another city. </t><t>One part was rained upon, </t><t>And where it did not rain the part withered.</t>


text:
<t>So two <i>or</i> three cities wandered to another city to drink water, </t><t>But they were not satisfied; </t><t>Yet you have not returned to Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[14†]</f> blasted you with blight and mildew. </t><t>When your gardens increased, </t><t>Your vineyards, </t><t>Your fig trees, </t><t>And your olive trees, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>The locust devoured <i>them;</i> </t><t>Yet you have not returned to Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I sent among you a plague <f>[16†]</f>after the manner of Egypt; </t><t>Your young men I killed with a sword, </t><t>Along with your captive horses; </t><t>I made the stench of your camps come up into your nostrils; </t><t>Yet you have not returned to Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I overthrew <i>some</i> of you, </t><t>As God overthrew <f>[17†]</f>Sodom and Gomorrah, </t><t>And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; </t><t>Yet you have not returned to Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; </t><t>Because I will do this to you, </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”</t>


text:
<t>For behold, </t><t>He who forms mountains, </t><t>And creates the wind, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Who declares to man what his thought <i>is,</i> </t><t>And makes the morning darkness, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Who treads the high places of the earth— </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>The LORD God of hosts <i>is</i> His name.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>The virgin of Israel has fallen; </t><t>She will rise no more. </t><t>She lies forsaken on her land; </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> no one to raise her up.</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the Lord GOD: <pb/><t>“The city that goes out by a thousand </t><t>Shall have a hundred left, </t><t>And that which goes out by a hundred </t><t>Shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”</t>


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: <pb/><t> <f>[2†]</f>“Seek Me <f>[3†]</f>and live;</t>


text:
<t>But do not seek <f>[4†]</f>Bethel, </t><t>Nor enter Gilgal, </t><t>Nor pass over to <f>[5†]</f>Beersheba; </t><t>For Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>Bethel shall come to nothing.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>Seek the LORD and live, </t><t>Lest He break out like fire <i>in</i> the house of Joseph, </t><t>And devour <i>it,</i> </t><t>With no one to quench <i>it</i> in Bethel—</t>


text:
<t>You who <f>[8†]</f>turn justice to wormwood, </t><t>And lay righteousness to rest in the earth!”</t>


text:
<t>He made the <f>[9†]</f>Pleiades and Orion; </t><t>He turns the shadow of death into morning </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>And makes the day dark as night; </t><t>He <f>[11†]</f>calls for the waters of the sea </t><t>And pours them out on the face of the earth; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>The LORD <i>is</i> His name.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, </t><t>And they <f>[14†]</f>abhor the one who speaks uprightly.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>Therefore, because you tread down the poor </t><t>And take grain taxes from him, </t><t>Though <f>[16†]</f>you have built houses of hewn stone, </t><t>Yet you shall not dwell in them; </t><t>You have planted pleasant vineyards, </t><t>But you shall not drink wine from them.</t>


text:
<t>For I <f>[17†]</f>know your manifold transgressions </t><t>And your mighty sins: </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Afflicting the just <i>and</i> taking bribes; </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Diverting the poor <i>from</i> <i>justice</i> at the gate.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[20†]</f>the prudent keep silent at that time, </t><t>For it <i>is</i> an evil time.</t>


text:
<t>Seek good and not evil, </t><t>That you may live; </t><t>So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>As you have spoken.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>Hate evil, love good; </t><t>Establish justice in the gate. </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>It may be that the LORD God of hosts </t><t>Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore the LORD God of hosts, the Lord, says this: <pb/><t>“<i>There</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> wailing in all streets, </t><t>And they shall say in all the highways, </t><t>‘Alas! Alas!’ </t><t>They shall call the farmer to mourning, </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>And skillful lamenters to wailing.</t>


text:
<t>In all vineyards <i>there</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> wailing, </t><t>For <f>[25†]</f>I will pass through you,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[26†]</f>Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! </t><t>For what good <i>is</i> <f>[27†]</f>the day of the LORD to you? </t><t>It <i>will</i> <i>be</i> darkness, and not light.</t>


text:
<t>It <i>will</i> <i>be</i> <f>[28†]</f>as though a man fled from a lion, </t><t>And a bear met him! </t><t>Or <i>as</i> <i>though</i> he went into the house, </t><t>Leaned his hand on the wall, </t><t>And a serpent bit him!</t>


text:
<t><i>Is</i> not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> <i>not</i> very dark, with no brightness in it?</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[29†]</f> hate, I despise your feast days, </t><t>And <f>[30†]</f>I do not savor your sacred assemblies.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[31†]</f>Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, </t><t>I will not accept <i>them,</i> </t><t>Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.</t>


text:
<t>Take away from Me the noise of your songs, </t><t>For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[32†]</f>But let justice run down like water, </t><t>And righteousness like a mighty stream.</t>


text:
<t>“Did <f>[33†]</f> you offer Me sacrifices and offerings </t><t>In the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?</t>


text:
<t>You also carried Sikkuth <f>[34†]</f>your king </t><t>And Chiun, your idols, </t><t>The star of your gods, </t><t>Which you made for yourselves.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I will send you into captivity <f>[35†]</f>beyond Damascus,” </t><t>Says the LORD, <f>[36†]</f>whose name <i>is</i> the God of hosts.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Woe <f>[1†]</f>to you <i>who</i> <i>are</i> at <f>[2†]</f>ease in Zion, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>trust in Mount Samaria, </t><t>Notable persons in the <f>[4†]</f>chief nation, </t><t>To whom the house of Israel comes!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>Go over to <f>[6†]</f>Calneh and see; </t><t>And from there go to <f>[7†]</f>Hamath the great; </t><t>Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. </t><t> <f>[8†]</f><i>Are</i> <i>you</i> better than these kingdoms? </t><t>Or is their territory greater than your territory?</t>


text:
<t><i>Woe</i> <i>to</i> you who <f>[9†]</f>put far off the day of <f>[10†]</f>doom, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Who cause <f>[12†]</f>the seat of violence to come near;</t>


text:
<t>Who lie on beds of ivory, </t><t>Stretch out on your couches, </t><t>Eat lambs from the flock </t><t>And calves from the midst of the stall;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, </t><t><i>And</i> invent for yourselves <f>[14†]</f>musical instruments <f>[15†]</f>like David;</t>


text:
<t>Who <f>[16†]</f>drink wine from bowls, </t><t>And anoint yourselves with the best ointments, </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore they shall now go <f>[18†]</f>captive as the first of the captives, </t><t>And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[19†]</f>The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself, </t><t>The LORD God of hosts says: </t><t>“I abhor <f>[20†]</f>the pride of Jacob, </t><t>And hate his palaces; </t><t>Therefore I will deliver up <i>the</i> city </t><t>And all that is in it.”</t>


text:
And when a relative <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>dead,</i> with one who will burn <i>the</i> <i>bodies,</i> picks up the bodies to take them out of the house, he will say to one inside the house, “<i>Are</i> <i>there</i> any more with you?” <pb/>Then someone will say, “None.” <pb/>And he will say, <f>[21†]</f>“Hold your tongue! <f>[22†]</f>For we dare not mention the name of the LORD.”


text:
<pb/><t>For behold, <f>[23†]</f>the LORD gives a command: </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>He will break the great house into bits, </t><t>And the little house into pieces.</t>


text:
<t>Do horses run on rocks? </t><t>Does <i>one</i> plow <i>there</i> with oxen? </t><t>Yet <f>[25†]</f>you have turned justice into gall, </t><t>And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,</t>


text:
<t>You who rejoice over Lo Debar, </t><t>Who say, “Have we not taken Karnaim for ourselves </t><t>By our own strength?”</t>


text:
<t>“But, behold, <f>[26†]</f>I will raise up a nation against you, </t><t>O house of Israel,” </t><t>Says the LORD God of hosts; </t><t>“And they will afflict you from the <f>[27†]</f>entrance of Hamath </t><t>To the Valley of the Arabah.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed <i>it</i> <i>was</i> the late crop after the king’s mowings.


text:
And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: <pb/><t>“O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! </t><t> <f>[1†]</f>Oh, that Jacob may stand, </t><t>For he <i>is</i> small!”</t>


text:
<t><i>So</i> <f>[2†]</f>the LORD relented concerning this. </t><t>“It shall not be,” said the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.


text:
Then I said: <pb/><t>“O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Oh, that Jacob may stand, </t><t>For he <i>is</i> small!”</t>


text:
<t><i>So</i> the LORD relented concerning this. </t><t>“This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall <i>made</i> with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.


text:
And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” <pb/>And I said, “A plumb line.” <pb/>Then the Lord said: <pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[4†]</f>I am setting a plumb line </t><t>In the midst of My people Israel; </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>I will not pass by them anymore.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, </t><t>And the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Amaziah the <f>[8†]</f>priest of <f>[9†]</f>Bethel sent to <f>[10†]</f>Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.


text:
For thus Amos has said: <pb/><t>‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, </t><t>And Israel shall surely be led away <f>[11†]</f>captive </t><t>From their own land.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Amaziah said to Amos: <pb/><t>“Go, you seer! </t><t>Flee to the land of Judah. </t><t>There eat bread, </t><t>And there prophesy.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[12†]</f>never again prophesy at Bethel, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>For it <i>is</i> the king’s sanctuary, </t><t>And it <i>is</i> the royal residence.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: <pb/><t>“I <i>was</i> no prophet, </t><t>Nor <i>was</i> I <f>[14†]</f>a son of a prophet, </t><t>But I <i>was</i> a <f>[15†]</f>sheepbreeder </t><t>And a tender of sycamore fruit.</t>


text:
<t>Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, </t><t>And the LORD said to me, </t><t>‘Go, <f>[16†]</f>prophesy to My people Israel.’</t>


text:
<t>Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: </t><t>You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, </t><t>And <f>[17†]</f>do not spout against the house of Isaac.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Therefore <f>[18†]</f> thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[19†]</f>‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; </t><t>Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; </t><t>Your land shall be divided by <i>survey</i> line; </t><t>You shall die in a <f>[20†]</f>defiled land; </t><t>And Israel shall surely be led away captive </t><t>From his own land.’ ”</t>


text:
And He said, “Amos, what do you see?” <pb/>So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” <pb/>Then the LORD said to me: <pb/><t> <f>[1†]</f>“The end has come upon My people Israel; </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>I will not pass by them anymore.</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[3†]</f>the songs of the temple </t><t>Shall be wailing in that day,” </t><t>Says the Lord GOD— </t><t>“Many dead bodies everywhere, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>They shall be thrown out in silence.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Saying: <pb/><t>“When will the New Moon be past, </t><t>That we may sell grain? </t><t>And <f>[5†]</f>the Sabbath, </t><t>That we may trade wheat? </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Making the ephah small and the shekel large, </t><t>Falsifying the scales by <f>[7†]</f>deceit,</t>


text:
<t>That we may buy the poor for <f>[8†]</f>silver, </t><t>And the needy for a pair of sandals— </t><t>Even sell the bad wheat?”</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has sworn by <f>[9†]</f>the pride of Jacob: </t><t>“Surely <f>[10†]</f>I will never forget any of their works.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Shall the land not tremble for this, </t><t>And everyone mourn who dwells in it? </t><t>All of it shall swell like the River, </t><t>Heave and subside </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Like the River of Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>“And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord GOD, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>“That I will make the sun go down at noon, </t><t>And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;</t>


text:
<t>I will turn your feasts into <f>[14†]</f>mourning, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>And all your songs into lamentation; </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>I will bring sackcloth on every waist, </t><t>And baldness on every head; </t><t>I will make it like mourning for an only <i>son,</i> </t><t>And its end like a bitter day.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, </t><t>“That I will send a famine on the land, </t><t>Not a famine of bread, </t><t>Nor a thirst for water, </t><t>But <f>[17†]</f>of hearing the words of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>They shall wander from sea to sea, </t><t>And from north to east; </t><t>They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, </t><t>But shall <f>[18†]</f>not find <i>it.</i></t>


text:
<t>Those who <f>[19†]</f>swear by <f>[20†]</f>the sin of Samaria, </t><t>Who say, </t><t>‘As your god lives, O Dan!’ </t><t>And, ‘As the way of <f>[21†]</f>Beersheba lives!’ </t><t>They shall fall and never rise again.”</t>


text:
<pb/>I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and He said: <pb/><t>“Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake, </t><t>And <f>[1†]</f>break them on the heads of them all. </t><t>I will slay the last of them with the sword. </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>He who flees from them shall not get away, </t><t>And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered.</t>


text:
<t>“Though <f>[3†]</f> they dig into hell, </t><t>From there My hand shall take them; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Though they climb up to heaven, </t><t>From there I will bring them down;</t>


text:
<t>And though they <f>[5†]</f>hide themselves on top of Carmel, </t><t>From there I will search and take them; </t><t>Though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea, </t><t>From there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them;</t>


text:
<t>Though they go into captivity before their enemies, </t><t>From there <f>[6†]</f>I will command the sword, </t><t>And it shall slay them. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.”</t>


text:
<t>The Lord GOD of hosts, </t><t>He who touches the earth and it <f>[8†]</f>melts, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>And all who dwell there mourn; </t><t>All of it shall swell like the River, </t><t>And subside like the River of Egypt.</t>


text:
<t>He who builds His <f>[10†]</f>layers in the sky, </t><t>And has founded His strata in the earth; </t><t>Who <f>[11†]</f>calls for the waters of the sea, </t><t>And pours them out on the face of the earth— </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>The LORD <i>is</i> His name.</t>


text:
<t>“<i>Are</i> you not like the people of Ethiopia to Me, </t><t>O children of Israel?” says the LORD. </t><t>“Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, </t><t>The <f>[13†]</f>Philistines from <f>[14†]</f>Caphtor, </t><t>And the Syrians from <f>[15†]</f>Kir?</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[16†]</f>the eyes of the Lord GOD <i>are</i> on the sinful kingdom, </t><t>And I <f>[17†]</f>will destroy it from the face of the earth; </t><t>Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“For surely I will command, </t><t>And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, </t><t>As <i>grain</i> is sifted in a sieve; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.</t>


text:
<t>All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’</t>


text:
<t>“On <f>[20†]</f> that day I will raise up </t><t>The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, </t><t>And repair its damages; </t><t>I will raise up its ruins, </t><t>And rebuild it as in the days of old;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[21†]</f>That they may possess the remnant of <f>[22†]</f>Edom, </t><t>And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” </t><t>Says the LORD who does this thing.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, <f>[23†]</f>the days are coming,” says the LORD, </t><t>“When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, </t><t>And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, </t><t>And all the hills shall flow <i>with</i> <i>it.</i></t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>They shall build the waste cities and inhabit <i>them;</i> </t><t>They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; </t><t>They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.</t>


text:
<t>I will plant them in their land, </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>And no longer shall they be pulled up </t><t>From the land I have given them,” </t><t>Says the LORD your God.</t>


text:
<pb/>The vision of Obadiah. <pb/><t>Thus says the Lord GOD <f>[1†]</f>concerning Edom </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>(We have heard a report from the LORD, </t><t>And a messenger has been sent among the nations, <i>saying,</i> </t><t>“Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[3†]</f>pride of your heart has deceived you, </t><t><i>You</i> who dwell in the clefts of the rock, </t><t>Whose habitation is high; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f><i>You</i> who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>Though you ascend <i>as</i> high as the eagle, </t><t>And though you <f>[6†]</f>set your nest among the stars, </t><t>From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“If <f>[7†]</f>thieves had come to you, </t><t>If robbers by night— </t><t>Oh, how you will be cut off!— </t><t>Would they not have stolen till they had enough? </t><t>If grape-gatherers had come to you, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Would they not have left <i>some</i> gleanings?</t>


text:
<t>“Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! </t><t><i>How</i> his hidden treasures shall be sought after!</t>


text:
<t>All the men in your confederacy </t><t>Shall force you to the border; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>The men at peace with you </t><t>Shall deceive you <i>and</i> prevail against you. </t><t><i>Those</i> <i>who</i> <i>eat</i> your bread shall lay a trap for you. </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>No one is aware of it.</t>


text:
<t>“Will <f>[11†]</f> I not in that day,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Even destroy the wise <i>men</i> from Edom, </t><t>And understanding from the mountains of Esau?</t>


text:
<t>Then your <f>[12†]</f>mighty men, O <f>[13†]</f>Teman, shall be dismayed, </t><t>To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau </t><t>May be cut off by slaughter.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[14†]</f>violence against your brother Jacob, </t><t>Shame shall cover you, </t><t>And <f>[15†]</f>you shall be cut off forever.</t>


text:
<t>In the day that you <f>[16†]</f>stood on the other side— </t><t>In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, </t><t>When foreigners entered his gates </t><t>And <f>[17†]</f>cast lots for Jerusalem— </t><t>Even you <i>were</i> as one of them.</t>


text:
<t>“But you should not have <f>[18†]</f>gazed on the day of your brother </t><t>In the day of his captivity; </t><t>Nor should you have <f>[19†]</f>rejoiced over the children of Judah </t><t>In the day of their destruction; </t><t>Nor should you have spoken proudly </t><t>In the day of distress.</t>


text:
<t>You should not have entered the gate of My people </t><t>In the day of their calamity. </t><t>Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction </t><t>In the day of their calamity, </t><t>Nor laid <i>hands</i> on their substance </t><t>In the day of their calamity.</t>


text:
<t>You should not have stood at the crossroads </t><t>To cut off those among them who escaped; </t><t>Nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained </t><t>In the day of distress.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[20†]</f> the day of the LORD upon all the nations <i>is</i> near; </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>As you have done, it shall be done to you; </t><t>Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>For as you drank on My holy mountain, </t><t><i>So</i> shall all the nations drink continually; </t><t>Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, </t><t>And they shall be as though they had never been.</t>


text:
<t>“But on Mount Zion there <f>[23†]</f>shall be deliverance, </t><t>And there shall be holiness; </t><t>The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.</t>


text:
<t>The house of Jacob shall be a fire, </t><t>And the house of Joseph <f>[24†]</f>a flame; </t><t>But the house of Esau <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> stubble; </t><t>They shall kindle them and devour them, </t><t>And no survivor shall <i>remain</i> of the house of Esau,” </t><t>For the LORD has spoken.</t>


text:
<t>The South <f>[25†]</f>shall possess the mountains of Esau, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>And the Lowland shall possess Philistia. </t><t>They shall possess the fields of Ephraim </t><t>And the fields of Samaria. </t><t>Benjamin <i>shall</i> <i>possess</i> Gilead.</t>


text:
<t>And the captives of this host of the children of Israel </t><t><i>Shall</i> <i>possess</i> <i>the</i> <i>land</i> of the Canaanites </t><t>As <f>[27†]</f>far as Zarephath. </t><t>The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>Shall possess the cities of the South.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[29†]</f>saviors shall come to Mount Zion </t><t>To judge the mountains of Esau, </t><t>And the <f>[30†]</f>kingdom shall be the LORD’s.</t>


text:
“Arise, go to <f>[2†]</f>Nineveh, that <f>[3†]</f>great city, and cry out against it; for <f>[4†]</f>their wickedness has come up before Me.”


text:
But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to <f>[5†]</f>Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to <f>[6†]</f>Tarshish <f>[7†]</f>from the presence of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>But <f>[8†]</f>the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.


text:
<pb/>Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that <i>was</i> in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down <f>[9†]</f>into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.


text:
<pb/>So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, <f>[10†]</f>call on your God; <f>[11†]</f>perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”


text:
<pb/>And they said to one another, “Come, let us <f>[12†]</f>cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble <i>has</i> <i>come</i> upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.


text:
Then they said to him, <f>[13†]</f>“Please tell us! For whose cause <i>is</i> this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”


text:
<pb/>So he said to them, “I <i>am</i> a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, <f>[14†]</f>who made the sea and the dry <i>land.</i>”


text:
<pb/>Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.


text:
Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous.


text:
<pb/>And he said to them, <f>[15†]</f>“Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest <i>is</i> because of me.”


text:
<pb/>Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, <f>[16†]</f>but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.


text:
Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and <f>[17†]</f>do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, <f>[18†]</f>have done as it pleased You.”


text:
Then the men <f>[20†]</f>feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.


text:
<pb/>Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And <f>[21†]</f>Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.


text:
And he said: <pb/><t>“I <f>[1†]</f>cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>And He answered me. </t><t>“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, </t><t><i>And</i> You heard my voice.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[3†]</f>For You cast me into the deep, </t><t>Into the heart of the seas, </t><t>And the floods surrounded me; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f>Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; </t><t>Yet I will look again <f>[6†]</f>toward Your holy temple.’</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[7†]</f>waters surrounded me, <i>even</i> to my soul; </t><t>The deep closed around me; </t><t>Weeds were wrapped around my head.</t>


text:
<t>I went down to the moorings of the mountains; </t><t>The earth with its bars <i>closed</i> behind me forever; </t><t>Yet You have brought up my <f>[8†]</f>life from the pit, </t><t>O LORD, my God.</t>


text:
<t>“When my soul fainted within me, </t><t>I remembered the LORD; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>And my prayer went <i>up</i> to You, </t><t>Into Your holy temple.</t>


text:
<t>But I will <f>[11†]</f>sacrifice to You </t><t>With the voice of thanksgiving; </t><t>I will pay what I have <f>[12†]</f>vowed. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>Salvation <i>is</i> of the <f>[14†]</f>LORD.”</t>


text:
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey <i>in</i> <i>extent.</i>


text:
And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then <f>[1†]</f>he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”


text:
<pb/>So the <f>[2†]</f>people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.


text:
Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered <i>himself</i> with sackcloth <f>[3†]</f>and sat in ashes.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>And he caused <i>it</i> to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, <pb/><t>Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. </t>


text:
<t>But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, <f>[5†]</f>let every one turn from his evil way and from <f>[6†]</f>the violence that is in his hands. </t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>Who can tell <i>if</i> God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.


text:
So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I <f>[1†]</f>fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You <i>are</i> a <f>[2†]</f>gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for <f>[4†]</f><i>it</i> <i>is</i> better for me to die than to live!”


text:
<pb/>So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city.


text:
And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.


text:
But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it <i>so</i> damaged the plant that it withered.


text:
And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, <f>[5†]</f>“<i>It</i> <i>is</i> better for me to die than to live.”


text:
<pb/>Then God said to Jonah, “<i>Is</i> <i>it</i> right for you to be angry about the plant?” <pb/>And he said, “<i>It</i> <i>is</i> right for me to be angry, even to death!”


text:
<pb/>But the LORD said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.


text:
And should I not pity Nineveh, <f>[6†]</f>that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons <f>[7†]</f>who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”


text:
<pb/>The word of the LORD that came to <f>[1†]</f>Micah of Moresheth in the days of <f>[2†]</f>Jotham, Ahaz, <i>and</i> Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/><t>Hear, all you peoples! </t><t>Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! </t><t>Let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, </t><t>The Lord from <f>[3†]</f>His holy temple.</t>


text:
<t>For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; </t><t>He will come down </t><t>And tread on the high places of the earth.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>The mountains will melt under Him, </t><t>And the valleys will split </t><t>Like wax before the fire, </t><t>Like waters poured down a steep place.</t>


text:
<t>All this is for the transgression of Jacob </t><t>And for the sins of the house of Israel. </t><t>What <i>is</i> the transgression of Jacob? </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not Samaria? </t><t>And what <i>are</i> the <f>[5†]</f>high places of Judah? </t><t><i>Are</i> <i>they</i> not Jerusalem?</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore I will make Samaria <f>[6†]</f>a heap of ruins in the field, </t><t>Places for planting a vineyard; </t><t>I will pour down her stones into the valley, </t><t>And I will <f>[7†]</f>uncover her foundations.</t>


text:
<t>All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, </t><t>And all her <f>[8†]</f>pay as a harlot shall be burned with the fire; </t><t>All her idols I will lay desolate, </t><t>For she gathered <i>it</i> from the pay of a harlot, </t><t>And they shall return to the <f>[9†]</f>pay of a harlot.”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I will wail and howl, </t><t>I will go stripped and naked; </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>I will make a wailing like the jackals </t><t>And a mourning like the ostriches,</t>


text:
<t>For her wounds <i>are</i> incurable. </t><t>For <f>[11†]</f>it has come to Judah; </t><t>It has come to the gate of My people— </t><t>To Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>Tell <i>it</i> not in Gath, </t><t>Weep not at all; </t><t>In Beth Aphrah </t><t>Roll yourself in the dust.</t>


text:
<t>Pass by in naked shame, you inhabitant of Shaphir; </t><t>The inhabitant of Zaanan does not go out. </t><t>Beth Ezel mourns; </t><t>Its place to stand is taken away from you.</t>


text:
<t>For the inhabitant of Maroth pined for good, </t><t>But <f>[13†]</f>disaster came down from the LORD </t><t>To the gate of Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t>O inhabitant of <f>[14†]</f>Lachish, </t><t>Harness the chariot to the swift steeds </t><t>(She <i>was</i> the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion), </t><t>For the transgressions of Israel were <f>[15†]</f>found in you.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore you shall <f>[16†]</f>give presents to Moresheth Gath; </t><t>The houses of <f>[17†]</f>Achzib <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> a lie to the kings of Israel.</t>


text:
<t>I will yet bring an heir to you, O inhabitant of <f>[18†]</f>Mareshah; </t><t>The glory of Israel shall come to <f>[19†]</f>Adullam.</t>


text:
<t>Make yourself <f>[20†]</f>bald and cut off your hair, </t><t>Because of your <f>[21†]</f>precious children; </t><t>Enlarge your baldness like an eagle, </t><t>For they shall go from you into <f>[22†]</f>captivity.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Woe to those who devise iniquity, </t><t>And work out evil on their beds! </t><t>At <f>[1†]</f>morning light they practice it, </t><t>Because it is in the power of their hand.</t>


text:
<t>They <f>[2†]</f>covet fields and take <i>them</i> by violence, </t><t>Also houses, and seize <i>them.</i> </t><t>So they oppress a man and his house, </t><t>A man and his inheritance.</t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Behold, against this <f>[3†]</f>family I am devising <f>[4†]</f>disaster, </t><t>From which you cannot remove your necks; </t><t>Nor shall you walk haughtily, </t><t>For this <i>is</i> an evil time.</t>


text:
<t>In that day <i>one</i> shall take up a proverb against you, </t><t>And <f>[5†]</f>lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: </t><t>‘We are utterly destroyed! </t><t>He has changed the heritage of my people; </t><t>How He has removed <i>it</i> from me! </t><t>To a turncoat He has divided our fields.’ ”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot </t><t>In the assembly of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“Do not prattle,” <i>you</i> <i>say</i> <i>to</i> <i>those</i> who prophesy. </t><t>So they shall not prophesy to you; </t><t>They shall not return insult for insult.</t>


text:
<t><i>You</i> <i>who</i> <i>are</i> named the house of Jacob: </t><t>“Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted? </t><t><i>Are</i> these His doings? </t><t>Do not My words do good </t><t>To him who walks uprightly?</t>


text:
<t>“Lately My people have risen up as an enemy— </t><t>You pull off the robe with the garment </t><t>From those who trust <i>you,</i> as they pass by, </t><t>Like men returned from war.</t>


text:
<t>The women of My people you cast out </t><t>From their pleasant houses; </t><t>From their children </t><t>You have taken away My glory forever.</t>


text:
<t>“Arise and depart, </t><t>For this <i>is</i> not <i>your</i> <f>[6†]</f>rest; </t><t>Because it is <f>[7†]</f>defiled, it shall destroy, </t><t>Yes, with utter destruction.</t>


text:
<t>If a man should walk in a false spirit </t><t>And speak a lie, <i>saying,</i> </t><t>‘I will prophesy to you of wine and drink,’ </t><t>Even he would be the <f>[8†]</f>prattler of this people.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[9†]</f> will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, </t><t>I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; </t><t>I will put them together <f>[10†]</f>like sheep of the fold, </t><t>Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>They shall make a loud noise because of <i>so</i> <i>many</i> people.</t>


text:
<t>The one who breaks open will come up before them; </t><t>They will break out, </t><t>Pass through the gate, </t><t>And go out by it; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Their king will pass before them, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>With the LORD at their head.”</t>


text:
<pb/>And I said: <pb/><t>“Hear now, O heads of Jacob, </t><t>And you <f>[1†]</f>rulers of the house of Israel: </t><t> <f>[2†]</f><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not for you to know justice?</t>


text:
<t>You who hate good and love evil; </t><t>Who strip the skin from My people, </t><t>And the flesh from their bones;</t>


text:
<t>Who also <f>[3†]</f>eat the flesh of My people, </t><t>Flay their skin from them, </t><t>Break their bones, </t><t>And chop <i>them</i> in pieces </t><t>Like <i>meat</i> for the pot, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Like flesh in the caldron.”</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[5†]</f>they will cry to the LORD, </t><t>But He will not hear them; </t><t>He will even hide His face from them at that time, </t><t>Because they have been evil in their deeds.</t>


text:
<t>Thus says the LORD <f>[6†]</f>concerning the prophets </t><t>Who make my people stray; </t><t>Who chant “Peace” </t><t>While they <f>[7†]</f>chew with their teeth, </t><t>But who prepare war against him </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Who puts nothing into their mouths:</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore <f>[9†]</f> you shall have night without vision, </t><t>And you shall have darkness without divination; </t><t>The sun shall go down on the prophets, </t><t>And the day shall be dark for <f>[10†]</f>them.</t>


text:
<t>So the seers shall be ashamed, </t><t>And the diviners abashed; </t><t>Indeed they shall all cover their lips; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>For <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no answer from God.”</t>


text:
<t>But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, </t><t>And of justice and might, </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>To declare to Jacob his transgression </t><t>And to Israel his sin.</t>


text:
<t>Now hear this, </t><t>You heads of the house of Jacob </t><t>And rulers of the house of Israel, </t><t>Who abhor justice </t><t>And pervert all equity,</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>Who build up Zion with <f>[14†]</f>bloodshed </t><t>And Jerusalem with iniquity:</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>Her heads judge for a bribe, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Her priests teach for pay, </t><t>And her prophets divine for money. </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, </t><t>“Is not the LORD among us? </t><t>No harm can come upon us.”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore because of you </t><t>Zion shall be <f>[18†]</f>plowed <i>like</i> a field, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, </t><t>And <f>[20†]</f>the mountain of the temple </t><t>Like the bare hills of the forest.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Now <f>[1†]</f>it shall come to pass in the latter days </t><t><i>That</i> the mountain of the LORD’s house </t><t>Shall be established on the top of the mountains, </t><t>And shall be exalted above the hills; </t><t>And peoples shall flow to it.</t>


text:
<t>Many nations shall come and say, </t><t>“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, </t><t>To the house of the God of Jacob; </t><t>He will teach us His ways, </t><t>And we shall walk in His paths.” </t><t>For out of Zion the law shall go forth, </t><t>And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t>He shall judge between many peoples, </t><t>And rebuke strong nations afar off; </t><t>They shall beat their swords into <f>[2†]</f>plowshares, </t><t>And their spears into pruning hooks; </t><t>Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Neither shall they learn war anymore.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, </t><t>And no one shall make <i>them</i> afraid; </t><t>For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.</t>


text:
<t>For all people walk each in the name of his god, </t><t>But <f>[5†]</f>we will walk in the name of the LORD our God </t><t>Forever and ever.</t>


text:
<t>“In that day,” says the LORD, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>“I will assemble the lame, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>I will gather the outcast </t><t>And those whom I have afflicted;</t>


text:
<t>I will make the lame <f>[8†]</f>a remnant, </t><t>And the outcast a strong nation; </t><t>So the LORD <f>[9†]</f>will reign over them in Mount Zion </t><t>From now on, even forever.</t>


text:
<t>And you, O tower of the flock, </t><t>The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, </t><t>To you shall it come, </t><t>Even the former dominion shall come, </t><t>The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”</t>


text:
<t>Now why do you cry aloud? </t><t> <f>[10†]</f><i>Is</i> <i>there</i> no king in your midst? </t><t>Has your counselor perished? </t><t>For <f>[11†]</f>pangs have seized you like a woman in labor.</t>


text:
<t>Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, </t><t>O daughter of Zion, </t><t>Like a woman in birth pangs. </t><t>For now you shall go forth from the city, </t><t>You shall dwell in the field, </t><t>And to <f>[12†]</f>Babylon you shall go. </t><t>There you shall be delivered; </t><t>There the <f>[13†]</f>LORD will <f>[14†]</f>redeem you </t><t>From the hand of your enemies.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>Now also many nations have gathered against you, </t><t>Who say, “Let her be defiled, </t><t>And let our eye <f>[16†]</f>look upon Zion.”</t>


text:
<t>But they do not know <f>[17†]</f>the thoughts of the LORD, </t><t>Nor do they understand His counsel; </t><t>For He will gather them <f>[18†]</f>like sheaves to the threshing floor.</t>


text:
<t>“Arise <f>[19†]</f> and <f>[20†]</f>thresh, O daughter of Zion; </t><t>For I will make your horn iron, </t><t>And I will make your hooves bronze; </t><t>You shall <f>[21†]</f>beat in pieces many peoples; </t><t> <f>[22†]</f>I will consecrate their gain to the LORD, </t><t>And their substance to <f>[23†]</f>the Lord of the whole earth.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Now gather yourself in troops, </t><t>O daughter of troops; </t><t>He has laid siege against us; </t><t>They will <f>[1†]</f>strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.</t>


text:
<t>“But you, <f>[2†]</f>Bethlehem <f>[3†]</f>Ephrathah, </t><t><i>Though</i> you are little <f>[4†]</f>among the <f>[5†]</f>thousands of Judah, </t><t><i>Yet</i> out of you shall come forth to Me </t><t>The One to be <f>[6†]</f>Ruler in Israel, </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Whose goings forth <i>are</i> from of old, </t><t>From everlasting.”</t>


text:
<t>Therefore He shall give them up, </t><t>Until the time <i>that</i> <f>[8†]</f>she who is in labor has given birth; </t><t>Then <f>[9†]</f>the remnant of His brethren </t><t>Shall return to the children of Israel.</t>


text:
<t>And He shall stand and <f>[10†]</f>feed <i>His</i> <i>flock</i> </t><t>In the strength of the LORD, </t><t>In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; </t><t>And they shall abide, </t><t>For now He <f>[11†]</f>shall be great </t><t>To the ends of the earth;</t>


text:
<t>And this <i>One</i> <f>[12†]</f>shall be peace. </t><t>When the Assyrian comes into our land, </t><t>And when he treads in our palaces, </t><t>Then we will raise against him </t><t>Seven shepherds and eight princely men.</t>


text:
<t>They shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria, </t><t>And the land of <f>[13†]</f>Nimrod at its entrances; </t><t>Thus He shall <f>[14†]</f>deliver <i>us</i> from the Assyrian, </t><t>When he comes into our land </t><t>And when he treads within our borders.</t>


text:
<t>Then <f>[15†]</f>the remnant of Jacob </t><t>Shall be in the midst of many peoples, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Like dew from the LORD, </t><t>Like showers on the grass, </t><t>That tarry for no man </t><t>Nor wait for the sons of men.</t>


text:
<t>And the remnant of Jacob </t><t>Shall be among the Gentiles, </t><t>In the midst of many peoples, </t><t>Like a <f>[17†]</f>lion among the beasts of the forest, </t><t>Like a young lion among flocks of sheep, </t><t>Who, if he passes through, </t><t>Both treads down and tears in pieces, </t><t>And none can deliver.</t>


text:
<t>Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, </t><t>And all your enemies shall be cut off.</t>


text:
<t>“And it shall be in that day,” says the LORD, </t><t>“That I will <f>[18†]</f>cut off your <f>[19†]</f>horses from your midst </t><t>And destroy your <f>[20†]</f>chariots.</t>


text:
<t>I will cut off sorceries from your hand, </t><t>And you shall have no <f>[21†]</f>soothsayers.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>Your carved images I will also cut off, </t><t>And your <i>sacred</i> pillars from your midst; </t><t>You shall <f>[23†]</f>no more worship the work of your hands;</t>


text:
<t>And I will <f>[24†]</f>execute vengeance in anger and fury </t><t>On the nations that have not heard.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Hear now what the LORD says: <pb/><t>“Arise, plead your case before the mountains, </t><t>And let the hills hear your voice.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[1†]</f>Hear, O you mountains, <f>[2†]</f>the LORD’s complaint, </t><t>And you strong foundations of the earth; </t><t>For <f>[3†]</f>the LORD has a complaint against His people, </t><t>And He will contend with Israel.</t>


text:
<t>“O My people, what <f>[4†]</f>have I done to you? </t><t>And how have I <f>[5†]</f>wearied you? </t><t>Testify against Me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, </t><t>I redeemed you from the house of bondage; </t><t>And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.</t>


text:
<t>O My people, remember now </t><t>What <f>[7†]</f>Balak king of Moab counseled, </t><t>And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, </t><t>From Acacia Grove to Gilgal, </t><t>That you may know <f>[8†]</f>the righteousness of the LORD.”</t>


text:
<t>With what shall I come before the LORD, </t><t><i>And</i> bow myself before the High God? </t><t>Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, </t><t>With calves a year old?</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, </t><t>Ten thousand <f>[10†]</f>rivers of oil? </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Shall I give my firstborn <i>for</i> my transgression, </t><t>The fruit of my body <i>for</i> the sin of my soul?</t>


text:
<t>He has <f>[12†]</f>shown you, O man, what <i>is</i> good; </t><t>And what does the LORD require of you </t><t>But <f>[13†]</f>to do justly, </t><t>To love mercy, </t><t>And to walk humbly with your God?</t>


text:
<t>The LORD’s voice cries to the city— </t><t>Wisdom shall see Your name: </t><t>“Hear the rod! </t><t>Who has appointed it?</t>


text:
<t>Are there yet the treasures of wickedness </t><t>In the house of the wicked, </t><t>And the short measure <i>that</i> <i>is</i> an abomination?</t>


text:
<t>Shall I count pure <i>those</i> with <f>[14†]</f>the wicked scales, </t><t>And with the bag of deceitful weights?</t>


text:
<t>For her rich men are full of <f>[15†]</f>violence, </t><t>Her inhabitants have spoken lies, </t><t>And <f>[16†]</f>their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore I will also <f>[17†]</f>make <i>you</i> sick by striking you, </t><t>By making <i>you</i> desolate because of your sins.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>You shall eat, but not be satisfied; </t><t>Hunger <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> in your midst. </t><t>You may carry <i>some</i> away, but shall not save <i>them;</i> </t><t>And what you do rescue I will give over to the sword.</t>


text:
<t>“You shall <f>[19†]</f>sow, but not reap; </t><t>You shall tread the olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; </t><t>And <i>make</i> sweet wine, but not drink wine.</t>


text:
<t>For the statutes of <f>[20†]</f>Omri are <f>[21†]</f>kept; </t><t>All the works of Ahab’s house <i>are</i> <i>done;</i> </t><t>And you walk in their counsels, </t><t>That I may make you a desolation, </t><t>And your inhabitants a hissing. </t><t>Therefore you shall bear the <f>[22†]</f>reproach of My people.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Woe is me! </t><t>For I am like those who gather summer fruits, </t><t>Like those who <f>[1†]</f>glean vintage grapes; </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> <i>no</i> cluster to eat </t><t>Of the first-ripe fruit <i>which</i> <f>[2†]</f>my soul desires.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[3†]</f>faithful <i>man</i> has perished from the earth, </t><t>And <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no one upright among men. </t><t>They all lie in wait for blood; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>Every man hunts his brother with a net.</t>


text:
<t>That they may successfully do evil with both hands— </t><t>The prince asks <i>for</i> <i>gifts,</i> </t><t>The judge <i>seeks</i> a <f>[5†]</f>bribe, </t><t>And the great <i>man</i> utters his evil desire; </t><t>So they scheme together.</t>


text:
<t>The best of them <i>is</i> <f>[6†]</f>like a brier; </t><t>The most upright <i>is</i> <i>sharper</i> than a thorn hedge; </t><t>The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; </t><t>Now shall be their perplexity.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>Do not trust in a friend; </t><t>Do not put your confidence in a companion; </t><t>Guard the doors of your mouth </t><t>From her who lies in your <f>[8†]</f>bosom.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[9†]</f>son dishonors father, </t><t>Daughter rises against her mother, </t><t>Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; </t><t>A man’s enemies <i>are</i> the men of his own household.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore I will look to the LORD; </t><t>I will <f>[10†]</f>wait for the God of my salvation; </t><t>My God will hear me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>When I fall, I will arise; </t><t>When I sit in darkness, </t><t>The LORD <i>will</i> <i>be</i> a light to me.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>I will bear the indignation of the LORD, </t><t>Because I have sinned against Him, </t><t>Until He pleads my <f>[14†]</f>case </t><t>And executes justice for me. </t><t>He will bring me forth to the light; </t><t>I will see His righteousness.</t>


text:
<t>Then <i>she</i> <i>who</i> <i>is</i> my enemy will see, </t><t>And <f>[15†]</f>shame will cover her who said to me, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>“Where is the LORD your God?” </t><t>My eyes will see her; </t><t>Now she will be trampled down </t><t>Like mud in the streets.</t>


text:
<t><i>In</i> the day when your <f>[17†]</f>walls are to be built, </t><t><i>In</i> that day the decree shall go far and wide.</t>


text:
<t><i>In</i> that day <f>[18†]</f>they shall come to you </t><t>From Assyria and the fortified cities, </t><t>From the fortress to the River, </t><t>From sea to sea, </t><t>And mountain <i>to</i> mountain.</t>


text:
<t>Yet the land shall be desolate </t><t>Because of those who dwell in it, </t><t>And <f>[19†]</f>for the fruit of their deeds.</t>


text:
<t>Shepherd Your people with Your staff, </t><t>The flock of Your heritage, </t><t>Who dwell solitarily <i>in</i> a <f>[20†]</f>woodland, </t><t>In the midst of Carmel; </t><t>Let them feed <i>in</i> Bashan and Gilead, </t><t>As in days of old.</t>


text:
<t>“As <f>[21†]</f> in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, </t><t>I will show them <f>[22†]</f>wonders.”</t>


text:
<t>The nations <f>[23†]</f>shall see and be ashamed of all their might; </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>They shall put <i>their</i> hand over <i>their</i> mouth; </t><t>Their ears shall be deaf.</t>


text:
<t>They shall lick the <f>[25†]</f>dust like a serpent; </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, </t><t>And shall fear because of You.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>Who <i>is</i> a God like You, </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>Pardoning iniquity </t><t>And passing over the transgression of <f>[30†]</f>the remnant of His heritage? </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>He does not retain His anger forever, </t><t>Because He delights <i>in</i> <f>[32†]</f>mercy.</t>


text:
<t>He will again have compassion on us, </t><t>And will subdue our iniquities. </t><t>You will cast all our sins </t><t>Into the depths of the sea.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[33†]</f>You will give truth to Jacob </t><t><i>And</i> mercy to Abraham, </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>Which You have sworn to our fathers </t><t>From days of old.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>God <i>is</i> <f>[2†]</f>jealous, and the LORD avenges; </t><t>The LORD avenges and <i>is</i> furious. </t><t>The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, </t><t>And He reserves <i>wrath</i> for His enemies;</t>


text:
<t>The LORD <i>is</i> <f>[3†]</f>slow to anger and <f>[4†]</f>great in power, </t><t>And will not at all acquit <i>the</i> <i>wicked.</i> </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>The LORD has His way </t><t>In the whirlwind and in the storm, </t><t>And the clouds <i>are</i> the dust of His feet.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, </t><t>And dries up all the rivers. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Bashan and Carmel wither, </t><t>And the flower of Lebanon wilts.</t>


text:
<t>The mountains quake before Him, </t><t>The hills melt, </t><t>And the earth heaves at His presence, </t><t>Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.</t>


text:
<t>Who can stand before His indignation? </t><t>And <f>[8†]</f>who can endure the fierceness of His anger? </t><t>His fury is poured out like fire, </t><t>And the rocks are thrown down by Him.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[9†]</f>The LORD <i>is</i> good, </t><t>A stronghold in the day of trouble; </t><t>And <f>[10†]</f>He knows those who trust in Him.</t>


text:
<t>But with an overflowing flood </t><t>He will make an utter end of its place, </t><t>And darkness will pursue His enemies.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>What do you conspire against the LORD? </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>He will make an utter end <i>of</i> <i>it.</i> </t><t>Affliction will not rise up a second time.</t>


text:
<t>For while tangled <f>[13†]</f><i>like</i> thorns, </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>And while drunken <i>like</i> drunkards, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.</t>


text:
<t>From you comes forth <i>one</i> </t><t>Who plots evil against the LORD, </t><t>A wicked counselor.</t>


text:
<pb/>Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t>“Though <i>they</i> <i>are</i> safe, and likewise many, </t><t>Yet in this manner they will be <f>[16†]</f>cut down </t><t>When he passes through. </t><t>Though I have afflicted you, </t><t>I will afflict you no more;</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has given a command concerning you: </t><t>“Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. </t><t>Out of the house of your gods </t><t>I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. </t><t>I will dig your <f>[17†]</f>grave, </t><t>For you are <f>[18†]</f>vile.”</t>


text:
<t>Behold, on the mountains </t><t>The <f>[19†]</f>feet of him who brings good tidings, </t><t>Who proclaims peace! </t><t>O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, </t><t>Perform your vows. </t><t>For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; </t><t>He is <f>[20†]</f>utterly cut off.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>He who scatters has come up before your face. </t><t>Man the fort! </t><t>Watch the road! </t><t>Strengthen <i>your</i> flanks! </t><t>Fortify <i>your</i> power mightily.</t>


text:
<t>For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob </t><t>Like the excellence of Israel, </t><t>For the emptiers have emptied them out </t><t>And ruined their vine branches.</t>


text:
<t>The shields of his mighty men <i>are</i> made red, </t><t>The valiant men <i>are</i> in scarlet. </t><t>The chariots <i>come</i> with flaming torches </t><t>In the day of his preparation, </t><t>And the spears are brandished.</t>


text:
<t>The chariots rage in the streets, </t><t>They jostle one another in the broad roads; </t><t>They seem like torches, </t><t>They run like lightning.</t>


text:
<t>He remembers his nobles; </t><t>They stumble in their walk; </t><t>They make haste to her walls, </t><t>And the defense is prepared.</t>


text:
<t>It is decreed: </t><t>She shall be led away captive, </t><t>She shall be brought up; </t><t>And her maidservants shall lead <i>her</i> as with the voice of doves, </t><t>Beating their breasts.</t>


text:
<t>Though Nineveh of old <i>was</i> like a pool of water, </t><t>Now they flee away. </t><t>“Halt! Halt!” <i>they</i> <i>cry;</i> </t><t>But no one turns back.</t>


text:
<t>Take spoil of silver! </t><t>Take spoil of <f>[1†]</f>gold! </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> no end of treasure, </t><t>Or wealth of every desirable prize.</t>


text:
<t>She is empty, desolate, and waste! </t><t>The heart melts, and the knees shake; </t><t>Much pain <i>is</i> in every side, </t><t>And all their faces are drained of color.</t>


text:
<t>Where <i>is</i> the dwelling of the <f>[2†]</f>lions, </t><t>And the feeding place of the young lions, </t><t>Where the lion walked, the lioness <i>and</i> lion’s cub, </t><t>And no one made <i>them</i> afraid?</t>


text:
<t>The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs, </t><t>Killed for his lionesses, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Filled his caves with prey, </t><t>And his dens with flesh.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Behold, <f>[4†]</f>I <i>am</i> against you,” says the LORD of hosts, “I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your <f>[5†]</f>messengers shall be heard no more.”


text:
<pb/><t>Woe to the <f>[1†]</f>bloody city! </t><t>It <i>is</i> all full of lies <i>and</i> robbery. </t><t><i>Its</i> victim never departs.</t>


text:
<t>The noise of a whip </t><t>And the noise of rattling wheels, </t><t>Of galloping horses, </t><t>Of clattering chariots!</t>


text:
<t>Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> a multitude of slain, </t><t>A great number of bodies, </t><t>Countless corpses— </t><t>They stumble over the corpses—</t>


text:
<t>Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, </t><t> <f>[2†]</f>The mistress of sorceries, </t><t>Who sells nations through her harlotries, </t><t>And families through her sorceries.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, I <i>am</i> <f>[3†]</f>against you,” says the LORD of hosts; </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>“I will lift your skirts over your face, </t><t>I will show the nations your nakedness, </t><t>And the kingdoms your shame.</t>


text:
<t>I will cast abominable filth upon you, </t><t>Make you <f>[5†]</f>vile, </t><t>And make you <f>[6†]</f>a spectacle.</t>


text:
<t>It shall come to pass <i>that</i> all who look upon you </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>Will flee from you, and say, </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>‘Nineveh is laid waste! </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Who will bemoan her?’ </t><t>Where shall I seek comforters for you?”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>Are you better than <f>[11†]</f>No Amon </t><t><i>That</i> <i>was</i> situated by the River, </t><t>That had the waters around her, </t><t>Whose rampart <i>was</i> the sea, </t><t>Whose wall <i>was</i> the sea?</t>


text:
<t>Ethiopia and Egypt <i>were</i> her strength, </t><t>And <i>it</i> <i>was</i> boundless; </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Put and Lubim were your helpers.</t>


text:
<t>Yet she <i>was</i> carried away, </t><t>She went into captivity; </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>Her young children also were dashed to pieces </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>At the head of every street; </t><t>They <f>[15†]</f>cast lots for her honorable men, </t><t>And all her great men were bound in chains.</t>


text:
<t>You also will be <f>[16†]</f>drunk; </t><t>You will be hidden; </t><t>You also will seek refuge from the enemy.</t>


text:
<t>All your strongholds <i>are</i> <f>[17†]</f>fig trees with ripened figs: </t><t>If they are shaken, </t><t>They fall into the mouth of the eater.</t>


text:
<t>Surely, <f>[18†]</f>your people in your midst <i>are</i> women! </t><t>The gates of your land are wide open for your enemies; </t><t>Fire shall devour the <f>[19†]</f>bars of your <i>gates.</i></t>


text:
<t>Draw your water for the siege! </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Fortify your strongholds! </t><t>Go into the clay and tread the mortar! </t><t>Make strong the brick kiln!</t>


text:
<t>There the fire will devour you, </t><t>The sword will cut you off; </t><t>It will eat you up like a <f>[21†]</f>locust. </t><t>Make yourself many—like the locust! </t><t>Make yourself many— like the <i>swarming</i> locusts!</t>


text:
<t>You have multiplied your <f>[22†]</f>merchants more than the stars of heaven. </t><t>The locust plunders and flies away.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[23†]</f>Your commanders <i>are</i> like <i>swarming</i> locusts, </t><t>And your generals like great grasshoppers, </t><t>Which camp in the hedges on a cold day; </t><t>When the sun rises they flee away, </t><t>And the place where they <i>are</i> is not known.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>Your shepherds slumber, O <f>[25†]</f>king of Assyria; </t><t>Your nobles rest <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>dust.</i> </t><t>Your people are <f>[26†]</f>scattered on the mountains, </t><t>And no one gathers them.</t>


text:
<t>Your injury <i>has</i> no healing, </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Your wound is severe. </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>All who hear news of you </t><t>Will clap <i>their</i> hands over you, </t><t>For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?</t>


text:
<pb/><t>O LORD, how long shall I cry, </t><t> <f>[1†]</f>And You will not hear? </t><t>Even cry out to You, <f>[2†]</f>“Violence!” </t><t>And You will <f>[3†]</f>not save.</t>


text:
<t>Why do You show me iniquity, </t><t>And cause <i>me</i> to see trouble? </t><t>For plundering and violence <i>are</i> before me; </t><t>There is strife, and contention arises.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore the law is powerless, </t><t>And justice never goes forth. </t><t>For the <f>[4†]</f>wicked surround the righteous; </t><t>Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.</t>


text:
<t>“Look <f>[5†]</f> among the nations and watch— </t><t>Be utterly astounded! </t><t>For <i>I</i> <i>will</i> work a work in your days </t><t><i>Which</i> you would not believe, though it were told <i>you.</i></t>


text:
<t>For indeed I am <f>[6†]</f>raising up the Chaldeans, </t><t>A bitter and hasty <f>[7†]</f>nation </t><t>Which marches through the breadth of the earth, </t><t>To possess dwelling places <i>that</i> <i>are</i> not theirs.</t>


text:
<t>They are terrible and dreadful; </t><t>Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.</t>


text:
<t>Their horses also are <f>[8†]</f>swifter than leopards, </t><t>And more fierce than evening wolves. </t><t>Their chargers charge ahead; </t><t>Their cavalry comes from afar; </t><t>They fly as the <f>[9†]</f>eagle <i>that</i> hastens to eat.</t>


text:
<t>“They all come for violence; </t><t>Their faces are set <i>like</i> the east wind. </t><t>They gather captives like sand.</t>


text:
<t>They scoff at kings, </t><t>And princes are scorned by them. </t><t>They deride every stronghold, </t><t>For they heap up earthen <i>mounds</i> and seize it.</t>


text:
<t>Then <i>his</i> mind changes, and he transgresses; </t><t>He commits offense, </t><t> <f>[10†]</f><i>Ascribing</i> this power to his god.”</t>


text:
<t>Are You not <f>[11†]</f>from everlasting, </t><t>O LORD my God, my Holy One? </t><t>We shall not die. </t><t>O LORD, <f>[12†]</f>You have appointed them for judgment; </t><t>O Rock, You have marked them for <f>[13†]</f>correction.</t>


text:
<t><i>You</i> <i>are</i> of purer eyes than to behold evil, </t><t>And cannot look on wickedness. </t><t>Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, </t><t><i>And</i> hold Your tongue when the wicked devours </t><t>A <i>person</i> more righteous than he?</t>


text:
<t><i>Why</i> do You make men like fish of the sea, </t><t>Like creeping things <i>that</i> <i>have</i> no ruler over them?</t>


text:
<t>They take up all of them with a hook, </t><t>They catch them in their net, </t><t>And gather them in their dragnet. </t><t>Therefore they rejoice and are glad.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore <f>[14†]</f>they sacrifice to their net, </t><t>And burn incense to their dragnet; </t><t>Because by them their share <i>is</i> sumptuous </t><t>And their food plentiful.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>I will <f>[1†]</f>stand my watch </t><t>And set myself on the rampart, </t><t>And watch to see what He will say to me, </t><t>And what I will answer when I am corrected.</t>


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD answered me and said: <pb/><t> <f>[2†]</f>“Write the vision </t><t>And make <i>it</i> plain on tablets, </t><t>That he may run who reads it.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[3†]</f>the vision <i>is</i> yet for an appointed time; </t><t>But at the end it will speak, and it will <f>[4†]</f>not lie. </t><t>Though it tarries, <f>[5†]</f>wait for it; </t><t>Because it will <f>[6†]</f>surely come, </t><t>It will not tarry.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold the proud, </t><t>His soul is not upright in him; </t><t>But the <f>[7†]</f>just shall live by his faith.</t>


text:
<t>“Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, </t><t><i>He</i> <i>is</i> a proud man, </t><t>And he does not stay at home. </t><t>Because he <f>[8†]</f>enlarges his desire as hell, </t><t>And he <i>is</i> like death, and cannot be satisfied, </t><t>He gathers to himself all nations </t><t>And heaps up for himself all peoples.</t>


text:
<t>“Will not all these <f>[9†]</f>take up a proverb against him, </t><t>And a taunting riddle against him, and say, </t><t>‘Woe to him who increases </t><t><i>What</i> is not his—how long? </t><t>And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?</t>


text:
<t>Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? </t><t>Will they not awaken who oppress you? </t><t>And you will become their booty.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>Because you have plundered many nations, </t><t>All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, </t><t>Because of men’s blood </t><t>And the violence of the land <i>and</i> the city, </t><t>And of all who dwell in it.</t>


text:
<t>“Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, </t><t>That he may <f>[11†]</f>set his nest on high, </t><t>That he may be delivered from the power of disaster!</t>


text:
<t>You give shameful counsel to your house, </t><t>Cutting off many peoples, </t><t>And sin <i>against</i> your soul.</t>


text:
<t>For the stone will cry out from the wall, </t><t>And the beam from the timbers will answer it.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, <i>is</i> <i>it</i> not of the LORD of hosts </t><t>That the peoples labor to feed the fire, </t><t>And nations weary themselves in vain?</t>


text:
<t>For the earth will be filled </t><t>With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, </t><t>As the waters cover the sea.</t>


text:
<t>“Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, </t><t>Pressing <i>him</i> <i>to</i> your <f>[12†]</f>bottle, </t><t>Even to make <i>him</i> drunk, </t><t>That you may look on his nakedness!</t>


text:
<t>You are filled with shame instead of glory. </t><t>You also—drink! </t><t>And be exposed as uncircumcised! </t><t>The cup of the LORD’s right hand <i>will</i> <i>be</i> turned against you, </t><t>And utter shame will be on your glory.</t>


text:
<t>For the violence <i>done</i> <i>to</i> Lebanon will cover you, </t><t>And the plunder of beasts <i>which</i> made them afraid, </t><t>Because of men’s blood </t><t>And the violence of the land <i>and</i> the city, </t><t>And of all who dwell in it.</t>


text:
<t>“What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, </t><t>The molded image, a teacher of lies, </t><t>That the maker of its mold should trust in it, </t><t>To make mute idols?</t>


text:
<t>Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ </t><t>To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ </t><t>Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, </t><t>Yet in it there is no breath at all.</t>


text:
<t>“But <f>[13†]</f> the LORD is in His holy temple. </t><t>Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>O LORD, I have heard Your speech <i>and</i> was afraid; </t><t>O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! </t><t>In the midst of the years make <i>it</i> known; </t><t>In wrath remember mercy.</t>


text:
<t>God came from Teman, </t><t>The Holy One from Mount Paran. </t> <pb/><i>Selah</i> <pb/><t>His glory covered the heavens, </t><t>And the earth was full of His praise.</t>


text:
<t><i>His</i> brightness was like the light; </t><t>He had rays <i>flashing</i> from His hand, </t><t>And there His power <i>was</i> hidden.</t>


text:
<t>He stood and measured the earth; </t><t>He looked and startled the nations. </t><t> <f>[1†]</f>And the everlasting mountains were scattered, </t><t>The perpetual hills bowed. </t><t>His ways <i>are</i> everlasting.</t>


text:
<t>O LORD, were <i>You</i> displeased with the rivers, </t><t><i>Was</i> Your anger against the rivers, </t><t><i>Was</i> Your wrath against the sea, </t><t>That You rode on Your horses, </t><t>Your chariots of salvation?</t>


text:
<t>Your bow was made quite ready; </t><t>Oaths were sworn over <i>Your</i> arrows. </t> <pb/><i>Selah</i> <pb/><t>You divided the earth with rivers.</t>


text:
<t>The mountains saw You <i>and</i> trembled; </t><t>The overflowing of the water passed by. </t><t>The deep uttered its voice, </t><t><i>And</i> <f>[2†]</f>lifted its hands on high.</t>


text:
<t>The <f>[3†]</f>sun and moon stood still in their habitation; </t><t>At the light of Your arrows they went, </t><t>At the shining of Your glittering spear.</t>


text:
<t>You went forth for the salvation of Your people, </t><t>For salvation with Your Anointed. </t><t>You struck the head from the house of the wicked, </t><t>By laying bare from foundation to neck. </t> <pb/><i>Selah</i>


text:
<pb/><t>You thrust through with his own arrows </t><t>The head of his villages. </t><t>They came out like a whirlwind to scatter me; </t><t>Their rejoicing was like feasting on the poor in secret.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f>You walked through the sea with Your horses, </t><t>Through the heap of great waters.</t>


text:
<t>When I heard, <f>[5†]</f>my body trembled; </t><t>My lips quivered at <i>the</i> voice; </t><t>Rottenness entered my bones; </t><t>And I trembled in myself, </t><t>That I might rest in the day of trouble. </t><t>When he comes up to the people, </t><t>He will invade them with his troops.</t>


text:
<t>Though the fig tree may not blossom, </t><t>Nor fruit be on the vines; </t><t>Though the labor of the olive may fail, </t><t>And the fields yield no food; </t><t>Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, </t><t>And there be no herd in the stalls—</t>


text:
<t>The LORD God is my strength; </t><t>He will make my feet like <f>[7†]</f>deer’s <i>feet,</i> </t><t>And He will make me <f>[8†]</f>walk on my high hills. </t> <pb/>To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.


text:
<pb/>The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of <f>[1†]</f>Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.


text:
<pb/><t>“I will utterly consume everything </t><t>From the face of the land,” </t><t>Says the LORD;</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[2†]</f> will consume man and beast; </t><t>I will consume the birds of the heavens, </t><t>The fish of the sea, </t><t>And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. </t><t>I will cut off man from the face of the land,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“I will stretch out My hand against Judah, </t><t>And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. </t><t>I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, </t><t>The names of the <f>[3†]</f>idolatrous priests with the <i>pagan</i> priests—</t>


text:
<t>Those <f>[4†]</f>who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; </t><t>Those who worship and swear <i>oaths</i> by the LORD, </t><t>But who <i>also</i> swear <f>[5†]</f>by Milcom;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>Those who have turned back from <i>following</i> the LORD, </t><t>And <f>[7†]</f>have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[8†]</f>Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>For the day of the LORD <i>is</i> at hand, </t><t>For <f>[10†]</f>the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; </t><t>He has invited His guests.</t>


text:
<t>“And it shall be, </t><t>In the day of the LORD’s sacrifice, </t><t>That I will punish <f>[11†]</f>the princes and the king’s children, </t><t>And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.</t>


text:
<t>In the same day I will punish </t><t>All those who <f>[12†]</f>leap over the threshold, </t><t>Who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.</t>


text:
<t>“And there shall be on that day,” says the LORD, </t><t>“The sound of a mournful cry from <f>[13†]</f>the Fish Gate, </t><t>A wailing from the Second Quarter, </t><t>And a loud crashing from the hills.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! </t><t>For all the merchant people are cut down; </t><t>All those who handle money are cut off.</t>


text:
<t>“And it shall come to pass at that time </t><t><i>That</i> I will search Jerusalem with lamps, </t><t>And punish the men </t><t>Who are <f>[15†]</f>settled in complacency, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>Who say in their heart, </t><t>‘The LORD will not do good, </t><t>Nor will He do evil.’</t>


text:
<t>Therefore their goods shall become booty, </t><t>And their houses a desolation; </t><t>They shall build houses, but not inhabit <i>them;</i> </t><t>They shall plant vineyards, but <f>[17†]</f>not drink their wine.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>The great day of the LORD <i>is</i> near; </t><t><i>It</i> <i>is</i> near and hastens quickly. </t><t>The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; </t><t>There the mighty men shall cry out.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[19†]</f>That day <i>is</i> a day of wrath, </t><t>A day of trouble and distress, </t><t>A day of devastation and desolation, </t><t>A day of darkness and gloominess, </t><t>A day of clouds and thick darkness,</t>


text:
<t>A day of <f>[20†]</f>trumpet and alarm </t><t>Against the fortified cities </t><t>And against the high towers.</t>


text:
<t>“I will bring distress upon men, </t><t>And they shall <f>[21†]</f>walk like blind men, </t><t>Because they have sinned against the LORD; </t><t>Their blood shall be poured out like dust, </t><t>And their flesh like refuse.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>Neither their silver nor their gold </t><t>Shall be able to deliver them </t><t>In the day of the LORD’s wrath; </t><t>But the whole land shall be devoured </t><t>By the fire of His jealousy, </t><t>For He will make speedy riddance </t><t>Of all those who dwell in the land.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Gather <f>[1†]</f> yourselves together, yes, gather together, </t><t>O undesirable nation,</t>


text:
<t>Before the decree is issued, </t><t><i>Or</i> the day passes like chaff, </t><t>Before the LORD’s fierce anger comes upon you, </t><t>Before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[2†]</f>Seek the LORD, <f>[3†]</f>all you meek of the earth, </t><t>Who have upheld His justice. </t><t>Seek righteousness, seek humility. </t><t> <f>[4†]</f>It may be that you will be hidden </t><t>In the day of the LORD’s anger.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[5†]</f>Gaza shall be forsaken, </t><t>And Ashkelon desolate; </t><t>They shall drive out Ashdod <f>[6†]</f>at noonday, </t><t>And Ekron shall be uprooted.</t>


text:
<t>Woe to the inhabitants of <f>[7†]</f>the seacoast, </t><t>The nation of the Cherethites! </t><t>The word of the LORD <i>is</i> against you, </t><t>O <f>[8†]</f>Canaan, land of the Philistines: </t><t>“I will destroy you; </t><t>So there shall be no inhabitant.”</t>


text:
<t>The seacoast shall be pastures, </t><t>With shelters for shepherds <f>[9†]</f>and folds for flocks.</t>


text:
<t>The coast shall be for <f>[10†]</f>the remnant of the house of Judah; </t><t>They shall feed <i>their</i> flocks there; </t><t>In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. </t><t>For the LORD their God will <f>[11†]</f>intervene for them, </t><t>And <f>[12†]</f>return their captives.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[13†]</f> have heard the reproach of Moab, </t><t>And <f>[14†]</f>the insults of the people of Ammon, </t><t>With which they have reproached My people, </t><t>And <f>[15†]</f>made arrogant threats against their borders.</t>


text:
<t>Therefore, as I live,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, </t><t>“Surely <f>[16†]</f>Moab shall be like Sodom, </t><t>And <f>[17†]</f>the people of Ammon like Gomorrah— </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>Overrun with weeds and saltpits, </t><t>And a perpetual desolation. </t><t>The residue of My people shall plunder them, </t><t>And the remnant of My people shall possess them.”</t>


text:
<t>This they shall have <f>[19†]</f>for their pride, </t><t>Because they have reproached and made arrogant threats </t><t>Against the people of the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD <i>will</i> <i>be</i> awesome to them, </t><t>For He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; </t><t> <f>[20†]</f><i>People</i> shall worship Him, </t><t>Each one from his place, </t><t>Indeed all <f>[21†]</f>the shores of the nations.</t>


text:
<t>And He will stretch out His hand against the north, </t><t> <f>[24†]</f>Destroy Assyria, </t><t>And make Nineveh a desolation, </t><t>As dry as the wilderness.</t>


text:
<t>The herds shall lie down in her midst, </t><t> <f>[25†]</f>Every beast of the nation. </t><t>Both the <f>[26†]</f>pelican and the bittern </t><t>Shall lodge on the capitals <i>of</i> her <i>pillars;</i> </t><t>Their voice shall sing in the windows; </t><t>Desolation <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> at the threshold; </t><t>For He will lay bare the <f>[27†]</f>cedar work.</t>


text:
<t>This is the rejoicing city </t><t> <f>[28†]</f>That dwelt securely, </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>That said in her heart, </t><t>“I <i>am</i> <i>it,</i> and <i>there</i> <i>is</i> none besides me.” </t><t>How has she become a desolation, </t><t>A place for beasts to lie down! </t><t>Everyone who passes by her </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>Shall hiss and <f>[31†]</f>shake his fist.</t>


text:
<t>She has not obeyed <i>His</i> voice, </t><t>She has not received correction; </t><t>She has not trusted in the LORD, </t><t>She has not drawn near to her God.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[1†]</f>Her princes in her midst <i>are</i> roaring lions; </t><t>Her judges <i>are</i> <f>[2†]</f>evening wolves </t><t>That leave not a bone till morning.</t>


text:
<t>Her <f>[3†]</f>prophets are insolent, treacherous people; </t><t>Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, </t><t>They have done <f>[4†]</f>violence to the law.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD <i>is</i> righteous in her midst, </t><t>He will do no unrighteousness. </t><t>Every morning He brings His justice to light; </t><t>He never fails, </t><t>But <f>[5†]</f>the unjust knows no shame.</t>


text:
<t>“I have cut off nations, </t><t>Their fortresses are devastated; </t><t>I have made their streets desolate, </t><t>With none passing by. </t><t>Their cities are destroyed; </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> no one, no inhabitant.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[6†]</f>I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, </t><t>You will receive instruction’— </t><t>So that her dwelling would not be cut off, </t><t><i>Despite</i> everything for which I punished her. </t><t>But they rose early and <f>[7†]</f>corrupted all their deeds.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore <f>[8†]</f>wait for Me,” says the LORD, </t><t>“Until the day I rise up for plunder; </t><t>My determination <i>is</i> to <f>[9†]</f>gather the nations </t><t>To My assembly of kingdoms, </t><t>To pour on them My indignation, </t><t>All My fierce anger; </t><t>All the earth <f>[10†]</f>shall be devoured </t><t>With the fire of My jealousy.</t>


text:
<t>“For then I will restore to the peoples <f>[11†]</f>a pure language, </t><t>That they all may call on the name of the LORD, </t><t>To serve Him with one accord.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia </t><t>My worshipers, </t><t>The daughter of My dispersed ones, </t><t>Shall bring My offering.</t>


text:
<t>In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds </t><t>In which you transgress against Me; </t><t>For then I will take away from your midst </t><t>Those who <f>[13†]</f>rejoice in your pride, </t><t>And you shall no longer be haughty </t><t>In My holy mountain.</t>


text:
<t>I will leave in your midst </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>A meek and humble people, </t><t>And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[15†]</f>The remnant of Israel <f>[16†]</f>shall do no unrighteousness </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>And speak no lies, </t><t>Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; </t><t>For <f>[18†]</f>they shall feed <i>their</i> flocks and lie down, </t><t>And no one shall make <i>them</i> afraid.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[19†]</f>Sing, O daughter of Zion! </t><t>Shout, O Israel! </t><t>Be glad and rejoice with all <i>your</i> heart, </t><t>O daughter of Jerusalem!</t>


text:
<t>The LORD has taken away your judgments, </t><t>He has cast out your enemy. </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>The King of Israel, the LORD, <f>[21†]</f><i>is</i> in your midst; </t><t>You shall see disaster no more.</t>


text:
<t>In that day <f>[22†]</f>it shall be said to Jerusalem: </t><t>“Do not fear; </t><t>Zion, <f>[23†]</f>let not your hands be weak.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD your God <f>[24†]</f>in your midst, </t><t>The Mighty One, will save; </t><t> <f>[25†]</f>He will rejoice over you with gladness, </t><t>He will quiet <i>you</i> with His love, </t><t>He will rejoice over you with singing.”</t>


text:
<t>“I will gather those who <f>[26†]</f>sorrow over the appointed assembly, </t><t>Who are among you, </t><t><i>To</i> <i>whom</i> its reproach <i>is</i> a burden.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, at that time </t><t>I will deal with all who afflict you; </t><t>I will save the <f>[27†]</f>lame, </t><t>And gather those who were driven out; </t><t>I will appoint them for praise and fame </t><t>In every land where they were put to shame.</t>


text:
<t>At that time <f>[28†]</f>I will bring you back, </t><t>Even at the time I gather you; </t><t>For I will give you fame and praise </t><t>Among all the peoples of the earth, </t><t>When I return your captives before your eyes,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<pb/>In <f>[1†]</f>the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by <f>[2†]</f>Haggai the prophet to <f>[3†]</f>Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to <f>[4†]</f>Joshua the son of <f>[5†]</f>Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,


text:
“Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.” ’ ”


text:
“<i>Is</i> <i>it</i> <f>[7†]</f>time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple <i>to</i> <i>lie</i> in ruins?”


text:
<pb/><t>“You have <f>[9†]</f>sown much, and bring in little; </t><t>You eat, but do not have enough; </t><t>You drink, but you are not filled with drink; </t><t>You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; </t><t>And <f>[10†]</f>he who earns wages, </t><t>Earns wages <i>to</i> <i>put</i> into a bag with holes.”</t>


text:
Go up to the <f>[11†]</f>mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>“<i>You</i> looked for much, but indeed <i>it</i> <i>came</i> <i>to</i> little; and when you brought it home, <f>[13†]</f>I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that <i>is</i> <i>in</i> ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.


text:
For I <f>[15†]</f>called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on <f>[16†]</f>all the labor of <i>your</i> hands.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[17†]</f>Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD.


text:
Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s message to the people, saying, <f>[18†]</f>“I <i>am</i> with you, says the LORD.”


text:
So <f>[19†]</f>the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, <f>[20†]</f>governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; <f>[21†]</f>and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,


text:
<pb/>In the seventh <i>month,</i> on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying:


text:
“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying:


text:
<f>[1†]</f>‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, <f>[2†]</f><i>is</i> <i>this</i> not in your eyes as nothing?


text:
Yet now <f>[3†]</f>be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I <i>am</i> with you,’ says the LORD of hosts.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>‘<i>According</i> <i>to</i> the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so <f>[5†]</f>My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD of hosts: <f>[6†]</f>‘Once more (it <i>is</i> a little while) <f>[7†]</f>I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;


text:
and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to <f>[8†]</f>the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with <f>[9†]</f>glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.


text:
<f>[10†]</f>‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give <f>[11†]</f>peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”


text:
<pb/>On the twenty-fourth <i>day</i> of the ninth <i>month,</i> in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, <f>[12†]</f>ask the priests <i>concerning</i> <i>the</i> law, saying,


text:
“If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?” ’ ” <pb/>Then the priests answered and said, “No.”


text:
<pb/>And Haggai said, “If <i>one</i> <i>who</i> <i>is</i> <f>[13†]</f>unclean <i>because</i> of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?” <pb/>So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.”


text:
<pb/>Then Haggai answered and said, <f>[14†]</f>“ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.


text:
<pb/>‘And now, carefully <f>[15†]</f>consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the LORD—


text:
since those <i>days,</i> <f>[16†]</f>when <i>one</i> came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were <i>but</i> ten; when <i>one</i> came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were <i>but</i> twenty.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>I struck you with blight and mildew and hail <f>[18†]</f>in all the labors of your hands; <f>[19†]</f>yet you did not <i>turn</i> to Me,’ says the LORD.


text:
‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from <f>[20†]</f>the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid—consider it:


text:
<f>[21†]</f>Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded <i>fruit. But</i> from this day I will <f>[22†]</f>bless <i>you.</i>’ ”


text:
“Speak to Zerubbabel, <f>[23†]</f>governor of Judah, saying: <pb/><t> <f>[24†]</f>‘I will shake heaven and earth.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; </t><t>I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>I will overthrow the chariots </t><t>And those who ride in them; </t><t>The horses and their riders shall come down, </t><t>Every one by the sword of his brother.</t>


text:
<pb/>‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, <f>[27†]</f>‘and will make you like a signet <i>ring;</i> for <f>[28†]</f>I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”


text:
<pb/>In the eighth month <f>[1†]</f>of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came <f>[2†]</f>to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of <f>[3†]</f>Iddo the prophet, saying,


text:
Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return <f>[4†]</f>to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.


text:
“Do not be like your fathers, <f>[5†]</f>to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: <f>[6†]</f>“Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the LORD.


text:
<t>Yet surely <f>[7†]</f>My words and My statutes, </t><t>Which I commanded My servants the prophets, </t><t>Did they not overtake your fathers? </t> <pb/>“So they returned and said: <pb/><t> <f>[8†]</f>‘Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, </t><t>According to our ways and according to our deeds, </t><t>So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet:


text:
I saw by night, and behold, <f>[9†]</f>a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him <i>were</i> <f>[10†]</f>horses: red, sorrel, and white.


text:
Then I said, <f>[11†]</f>“My lord, what <i>are</i> these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they <i>are.</i>”


text:
<pb/>And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, <f>[12†]</f>“These <i>are</i> <i>the</i> <i>ones</i> whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f>So they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.”


text:
<pb/>Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, <f>[14†]</f>how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry <f>[15†]</f>these seventy years?”


text:
<pb/>And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, <i>with</i> <f>[16†]</f>good <i>and</i> comforting words.


text:
So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“I am <f>[17†]</f>zealous for Jerusalem </t><t>And for Zion with great zeal.</t>


text:
<t>I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; </t><t>For <f>[18†]</f>I was a little angry, </t><t>And they helped—<i>but</i> with evil <i>intent.</i>”</t>


text:
<pb/>‘Therefore thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[19†]</f>“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; </t><t>My <f>[20†]</f>house <f>[21†]</f>shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“And <f>[22†]</f>a <i>surveyor’s</i> line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>The LORD will again comfort Zion, </t><t>And <f>[24†]</f>will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”</t>


text:
And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What <i>are</i> these?” <pb/>So he answered me, <f>[26†]</f>“These <i>are</i> the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”


text:
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” <pb/>So he said, “These <i>are</i> the <f>[27†]</f>horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that <f>[28†]</f>lifted up <i>their</i> horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”


text:
<pb/>Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, <f>[1†]</f>a man with a measuring line in his hand.


text:
So I said, “Where are you going?” <pb/>And he said to me, <f>[2†]</f>“To measure Jerusalem, to see what <i>is</i> its width and what <i>is</i> its length.”


text:
<pb/>And there <i>was</i> the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him,


text:
who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: <f>[3†]</f>‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited <i>as</i> towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.


text:
For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be <f>[4†]</f>a wall of fire all around her, <f>[5†]</f>and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ”


text:
<pb/>“Up, up! Flee <f>[6†]</f>from the land of the north,” says the LORD; “for I have <f>[7†]</f>spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the LORD.


text:
<pb/>For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who <f>[9†]</f>touches you touches the apple of His eye.


text:
For surely I will <f>[10†]</f>shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then <f>[11†]</f>you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.


text:
<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I <f>[13†]</f>will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>“Many nations shall be joined to the LORD <f>[15†]</f>in that day, and they shall become <f>[16†]</f>My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then <f>[17†]</f>you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.


text:
And the LORD will <f>[18†]</f>take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused <f>[20†]</f>from His holy habitation!”


text:
<pb/>Then he showed me <f>[1†]</f>Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and <f>[2†]</f>Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.


text:
And the LORD said to Satan, <f>[3†]</f>“The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who <f>[4†]</f>has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! <f>[5†]</f><i>Is</i> this not a brand plucked from the fire?”


text:
<pb/>Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, <f>[7†]</f>and I will clothe you with rich robes.”


text:
<pb/>And I said, “Let them put a clean <f>[8†]</f>turban on his head.” <pb/>So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>‘If you will walk in My ways, </t><t>And if you will <f>[9†]</f>keep My command, </t><t>Then you shall also <f>[10†]</f>judge My house, </t><t>And likewise have charge of My courts; </t><t>I will give you places to walk </t><t>Among these who <f>[11†]</f>stand here.</t>


text:
<t>‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, </t><t>You and your companions who sit before you, </t><t>For they are <f>[12†]</f>a wondrous sign; </t><t>For behold, I am bringing forth <f>[13†]</f>My Servant the <f>[14†]</f>BRANCH.</t>


text:
<t>For behold, the stone </t><t>That I have laid before Joshua: </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Upon the stone <i>are</i> <f>[16†]</f>seven eyes. </t><t>Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>‘And <f>[17†]</f>I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[18†]</f>In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>‘Everyone will invite his neighbor </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, <f>[2†]</f>as a man who is wakened out of his sleep.


text:
And he said to me, “What do you see?” <pb/>So I said, “I am looking, and there <i>is</i> <f>[3†]</f>a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, <f>[4†]</f>and on the <i>stand</i> seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>Two olive trees <i>are</i> by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.”


text:
<pb/>Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” <pb/>And I said, “No, my lord.”


text:
<pb/>So he answered and said to me: <pb/><t>“This <i>is</i> the word of the LORD to <f>[6†]</f>Zerubbabel: </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>‘Who <i>are</i> you, <f>[8†]</f>O great mountain? </t><t>Before Zerubbabel <i>you</i> <i>shall</i> <i>become</i> a plain! </t><t>And he shall bring forth <f>[9†]</f>the capstone </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“The hands of Zerubbabel </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Have laid the foundation of this temple; </t><t>His hands <f>[12†]</f>shall also finish <i>it.</i> </t><t>Then <f>[13†]</f>you will know </t><t>That the <f>[14†]</f>LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.</t>


text:
<t>For who has despised the day of <f>[15†]</f>small things? </t><t>For these seven rejoice to see </t><t>The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>They are the eyes of the LORD, </t><t>Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then I answered and said to him, “What <i>are</i> these <f>[17†]</f>two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?”


text:
And I further answered and said to him, “What <i>are</i> <i>these</i> two olive branches that <i>drip</i> into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden <i>oil</i> drains?”


text:
<pb/>Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these <i>are?</i>” <pb/>And I said, “No, my lord.”


text:
<pb/>So he said, <f>[18†]</f>“These <i>are</i> the two anointed ones, <f>[19†]</f>who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”


text:
<pb/>And he said to me, “What do you see?” <pb/>So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length <i>is</i> twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”


text:
<pb/>Then he said to me, “This <i>is</i> the <f>[2†]</f>curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according <i>to</i> this side of <i>the</i> <i>scroll;</i> and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according <i>to</i> that side of it.”


text:
<pb/><t>“I will send out <i>the</i> <i>curse,</i>” says the LORD of hosts; </t><t>“It shall enter the house of the <f>[3†]</f>thief </t><t>And the house of <f>[4†]</f>the one who swears falsely by My name. </t><t>It shall remain in the midst of his house </t><t>And consume <f>[5†]</f>it, with its timber and stones.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, “Lift your eyes now, and see what this <i>is</i> that goes forth.”


text:
<pb/>So I asked, “What <i>is</i> it?” And he said, “It <i>is</i> a basket that is going forth.” <pb/>He also said, “This <i>is</i> their resemblance throughout the earth:


text:
then he said, “This <i>is</i> Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth.


text:
Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there <i>were</i> two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a <f>[6†]</f>stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.


text:
<pb/>And he said to me, “To <f>[8†]</f>build a house for it in <f>[9†]</f>the land of Shinar; when it is ready, <i>the</i> <i>basket</i> will be set there on its base.”


text:
<pb/>Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots <i>were</i> coming from between two mountains, and the mountains <i>were</i> mountains of bronze.


text:
With the first chariot <i>were</i> <f>[1†]</f>red horses, with the second chariot <f>[2†]</f>black horses,


text:
with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong <i>steeds.</i>


text:
Then I answered <f>[3†]</f>and said to the angel who talked with me, “What <i>are</i> these, my lord?”


text:
<pb/>And the angel answered and said to me, <f>[4†]</f>“These <i>are</i> four spirits of heaven, who go out from <i>their</i> <f>[5†]</f>station before the Lord of all the earth.


text:
The one with the black horses is going to <f>[6†]</f>the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.”


text:
Then the strong <i>steeds</i> went out, eager to go, that they might <f>[7†]</f>walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth.


text:
And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My <f>[8†]</f>Spirit in the north country.”


text:
“Receive <i>the</i> <i>gift</i> from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.


text:
Take the silver and gold, make <f>[9†]</f>an elaborate crown, and set <i>it</i> on the head of <f>[10†]</f>Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.


text:
Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: <pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[11†]</f>the Man whose name <i>is</i> the <f>[12†]</f>BRANCH! </t><t>From His place He shall branch out, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>And He shall build the temple of the LORD;</t>


text:
<t>Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. </t><t>He <f>[14†]</f>shall bear the glory, </t><t>And shall sit and rule on His throne; </t><t>So <f>[15†]</f>He shall be a priest on His throne, </t><t>And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Now the elaborate crown shall be <f>[16†]</f>for a memorial in the temple of the LORD for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.


text:
Even <f>[17†]</f>those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And <i>this</i> shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”


text:
<pb/>Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass <i>that</i> the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth <i>day</i> of the ninth month, Chislev,


text:
when <i>the</i> <i>people</i> sent Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men, <i>to</i> the house of God, to pray before the LORD,


text:
<i>and</i> to <f>[1†]</f>ask the priests who <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in <f>[2†]</f>the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”


text:
“Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you <f>[3†]</f>fasted and mourned in the fifth <f>[4†]</f>and seventh <i>months</i> <f>[5†]</f>during those seventy years, did you really fast <f>[6†]</f>for Me—for Me?


text:
<i>Should</i> <i>you</i> not <i>have</i> <i>obeyed</i> the words which the LORD proclaimed through the <f>[8†]</f>former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and <f>[9†]</f>the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’ ”


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[10†]</f>‘Execute true justice, </t><t>Show mercy and compassion </t><t>Everyone to his brother.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, </t><t>The alien or the poor. </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>Let none of you plan evil in his heart </t><t>Against his brother.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“But they refused to heed, <f>[13†]</f>shrugged their shoulders, and <f>[14†]</f>stopped their ears so that they could not hear.


text:
Yes, they made their <f>[15†]</f>hearts like flint, <f>[16†]</f>refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. <f>[17†]</f>Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.


text:
Therefore it happened, <i>that</i> just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so <f>[18†]</f>they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts.


text:
“But <f>[19†]</f>I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.”


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[1†]</f>‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; </t><t>With great fervor I am zealous for her.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[2†]</f>‘I will return to Zion, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. </t><t>Jerusalem <f>[4†]</f>shall be called the City of Truth, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>The Holy Mountain.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[7†]</f>‘Old men and old women shall again sit </t><t>In the streets of Jerusalem, </t><t>Each one with his staff in his hand </t><t>Because of great age.</t>


text:
<t>The streets of the city </t><t>Shall be <f>[8†]</f>full of boys and girls </t><t>Playing in its streets.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>‘Behold, <f>[10†]</f>I will save My people from the land of the east </t><t>And from the land of the west;</t>


text:
<t>I will <f>[11†]</f>bring them <i>back,</i> </t><t>And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>They shall be My people </t><t>And I will be their God, </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>In truth and righteousness.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[14†]</f>‘Let your hands be strong, </t><t>You who have been hearing in these days </t><t>These words by the mouth of <f>[15†]</f>the prophets, </t><t>Who <i>spoke</i> in <f>[16†]</f>the day the foundation was laid </t><t>For the house of the LORD of hosts, </t><t>That the temple might be built.</t>


text:
<t>For before these days </t><t>There were no <f>[17†]</f>wages for man nor any hire for beast; </t><t><i>There</i> <i>was</i> no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in; </t><t>For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>But now I <i>will</i> not <i>treat</i> the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts.


text:
<pb/><t>‘For <f>[19†]</f> the seed <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> prosperous, </t><t>The vine shall give its fruit, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>The ground shall give her increase, </t><t>And <f>[21†]</f>the heavens shall give their dew— </t><t>I will cause the remnant of this people </t><t>To possess all these.</t>


text:
<t>And it shall come to pass </t><t><i>That</i> just as you were <f>[22†]</f>a curse among the nations, </t><t>O house of Judah and house of Israel, </t><t>So I will save you, and <f>[23†]</f>you shall be a blessing. </t><t>Do not fear, </t><t>Let your hands be strong.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“For thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[24†]</f>‘Just as I determined to punish you </t><t>When your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t> <f>[25†]</f>‘And I would not relent,</t>


text:
<t>So again in these days </t><t>I am determined to do good </t><t>To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. </t><t>Do not fear.</t>


text:
<t>These <i>are</i> the things you shall <f>[26†]</f>do: </t><t> <f>[27†]</f>Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; </t><t>Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[28†]</f>Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; </t><t>And do not love a false oath. </t><t>For all these <i>are</i> <i>things</i> that I hate,’ </t><t>Says the LORD.”</t>


text:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t> <f>[29†]</f>‘The fast of the fourth <i>month,</i> </t><t> <f>[30†]</f>The fast of the fifth, </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>The fast of the seventh, </t><t> <f>[32†]</f>And the fast of the tenth, </t><t>Shall be <f>[33†]</f>joy and gladness and cheerful feasts </t><t>For the house of Judah. </t><t> <f>[34†]</f>Therefore love truth and peace.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>‘Peoples shall yet come, </t><t>Inhabitants of many cities;</t>


text:
<t>The inhabitants of one <i>city</i> shall go to another, saying, </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>“Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, </t><t>And seek the LORD of hosts. </t><t>I myself will go also.”</t>


text:
<t>Yes, <f>[36†]</f>many peoples and strong nations </t><t>Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, </t><t>And to pray before the LORD.’</t>


text:
<pb/>“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men <f>[37†]</f>from every language of the nations shall <f>[38†]</f>grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard <f>[39†]</f><i>that</i> God <i>is</i> with you.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/><t>The burden of the word of the LORD </t><t>Against the land of Hadrach, </t><t>And <f>[1†]</f>Damascus its resting place </t><t>(For <f>[2†]</f>the eyes of men </t><t>And all the tribes of Israel </t><t>Are on the LORD);</t>


text:
<t>Also <i>against</i> <f>[3†]</f>Hamath, <i>which</i> borders on it, </t><t>And <i>against</i> <f>[4†]</f>Tyre and <f>[5†]</f>Sidon, though they are very <f>[6†]</f>wise.</t>


text:
<t>For Tyre built herself a tower, </t><t>Heaped up silver like the dust, </t><t>And gold like the mire of the streets.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, <f>[7†]</f>the Lord will cast her out; </t><t>He will destroy <f>[8†]</f>her power in the sea, </t><t>And she will be devoured by fire.</t>


text:
<t>Ashkelon shall see <i>it</i> and fear; </t><t>Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; </t><t>And <f>[9†]</f>Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. </t><t>The king shall perish from Gaza, </t><t>And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.</t>


text:
<t>“A mixed race shall settle <f>[10†]</f>in Ashdod, </t><t>And I will cut off the pride of the <f>[11†]</f>Philistines.</t>


text:
<t>I will take away the blood from his mouth, </t><t>And the abominations from between his teeth. </t><t>But he who remains, even he <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> for our God, </t><t>And shall be like a leader in Judah, </t><t>And Ekron like a Jebusite.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>I will camp around My house </t><t>Because of the army, </t><t>Because of him who passes by and him who returns. </t><t>No more shall an oppressor pass through them, </t><t>For now I have seen with My eyes.</t>


text:
<t>“Rejoice <f>[13†]</f>greatly, O daughter of Zion! </t><t>Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! </t><t>Behold, <f>[14†]</f>your King is coming to you; </t><t>He <i>is</i> just and having salvation, </t><t>Lowly and riding on a donkey, </t><t>A colt, the foal of a donkey.</t>


text:
<t>I <f>[15†]</f>will cut off the chariot from Ephraim </t><t>And the horse from Jerusalem; </t><t>The <f>[16†]</f>battle bow shall be cut off. </t><t>He shall speak peace to the nations; </t><t>His dominion <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> <f>[17†]</f>‘from sea to sea, </t><t>And from the River to the ends of the earth.’</t>


text:
<t>“As for you also, </t><t>Because of the blood of your covenant, </t><t>I will set your <f>[18†]</f>prisoners free from the waterless pit.</t>


text:
<t>Return to the stronghold, </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>You prisoners of hope. </t><t>Even today I declare </t><t><i>That</i> I will restore <f>[20†]</f>double to you.</t>


text:
<t>For I have bent Judah, My <i>bow,</i> </t><t>Fitted the bow with Ephraim, </t><t>And raised up your sons, O Zion, </t><t>Against your sons, O Greece, </t><t>And made you like the sword of a mighty man.”</t>


text:
<t>Then the LORD will be seen over them, </t><t>And <f>[21†]</f>His arrow will go forth like lightning. </t><t>The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, </t><t>And go <f>[22†]</f>with whirlwinds from the south.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD of hosts will <f>[23†]</f>defend them; </t><t>They shall devour and subdue with slingstones. </t><t>They shall drink <i>and</i> roar as if with wine; </t><t>They shall be filled <i>with</i> <i>blood</i> like basins, </t><t>Like the corners of the altar.</t>


text:
<t>The LORD their God will <f>[24†]</f>save them in that day, </t><t>As the flock of His people. </t><t>For <f>[25†]</f>they <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> <i>like</i> the jewels of a crown, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>Lifted like a banner over His land—</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[27†]</f>how great is its goodness </t><t>And how great its <f>[28†]</f>beauty! </t><t> <f>[29†]</f>Grain shall make the young men thrive, </t><t>And new wine the young women.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Ask <f>[1†]</f>the LORD for <f>[2†]</f>rain </t><t>In <f>[3†]</f>the time of the latter rain. </t><t>The LORD will make flashing clouds; </t><t>He will give them showers of rain, </t><t>Grass in the field for everyone.</t>


text:
<t>For the <f>[4†]</f>idols speak delusion; </t><t>The diviners envision <f>[5†]</f>lies, </t><t>And tell false dreams; </t><t>They <f>[6†]</f>comfort in vain. </t><t>Therefore <i>the</i> <i>people</i> wend their way like <f>[7†]</f>sheep; </t><t>They are in trouble <f>[8†]</f>because <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no shepherd.</t>


text:
<t>“My anger is kindled against the <f>[9†]</f>shepherds, </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>And I will punish the goatherds. </t><t>For the LORD of hosts <f>[11†]</f>will visit His flock, </t><t>The house of Judah, </t><t>And <f>[12†]</f>will make them as His royal horse in the battle.</t>


text:
<t>From him comes <f>[13†]</f>the cornerstone, </t><t>From him <f>[14†]</f>the tent peg, </t><t>From him the battle bow, </t><t>From him every ruler together.</t>


text:
<t>They shall be like mighty men, </t><t>Who <f>[15†]</f>tread down <i>their</i> <i>enemies</i> </t><t>In the mire of the streets in the battle. </t><t>They shall fight because the LORD is with them, </t><t>And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.</t>


text:
<t>“I will strengthen the house of Judah, </t><t>And I will save the house of Joseph. </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>I will bring them back, </t><t>Because I <f>[17†]</f>have mercy on them. </t><t>They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; </t><t>For I <i>am</i> the LORD their God, </t><t>And I <f>[18†]</f>will hear them.</t>


text:
<t><i>Those</i> <i>of</i> Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, </t><t>And their <f>[19†]</f>heart shall rejoice as if with wine. </t><t>Yes, their children shall see <i>it</i> and be glad; </t><t>Their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>I will <f>[20†]</f>whistle for them and gather them, </t><t>For I will redeem them; </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>And they shall increase as they once increased.</t>


text:
<t>“I <f>[22†]</f> will sow them among the peoples, </t><t>And they shall <f>[23†]</f>remember Me in far countries; </t><t>They shall live, together with their children, </t><t>And they shall return.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[24†]</f>I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt, </t><t>And gather them from Assyria. </t><t>I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, </t><t> <f>[25†]</f>Until no <i>more</i> <i>room</i> is found for them.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[26†]</f>He shall pass through the sea with affliction, </t><t>And strike the waves of the sea: </t><t>All the depths of the River shall dry up. </t><t>Then <f>[27†]</f>the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, </t><t>And <f>[28†]</f>the scepter of Egypt shall depart.</t>


text:
<t>“So I will strengthen them in the LORD, </t><t>And <f>[29†]</f>they shall walk up and down in His name,” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>Wail, O cypress, for the <f>[2†]</f>cedar has fallen, </t><t>Because the mighty <i>trees</i> are ruined. </t><t>Wail, O oaks of Bashan, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>For the thick forest has come down.</t>


text:
<t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> the sound of wailing <f>[4†]</f>shepherds! </t><t>For their glory is in ruins. </t><t><i>There</i> <i>is</i> the sound of roaring lions! </t><t>For the pride of the Jordan is in ruins.</t>


text:
whose owners slaughter them and <f>[5†]</f>feel no guilt; those who sell them <f>[6†]</f>say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich’; and their shepherds do <f>[7†]</f>not pity them.


text:
For I will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land,” says the LORD. “But indeed I will give everyone into his neighbor’s hand and into the hand of his king. They shall attack the land, and I will not deliver <i>them</i> from their hand.”


text:
<pb/>So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular <f>[8†]</f>the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.


text:
I dismissed the three shepherds <f>[9†]</f>in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me.


text:
Then I said, “I will not feed you. <f>[10†]</f>Let what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other’s flesh.”


text:
And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples.


text:
So it was broken on that day. Thus <f>[11†]</f>the poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it <i>was</i> the word of the LORD.


text:
Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give <i>me</i> my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they <f>[12†]</f>weighed out for my wages thirty <i>pieces</i> of silver.


text:
<pb/>And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the <f>[13†]</f>potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty <i>pieces</i> of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.


text:
Then I cut in two my other staff, Bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.


text:
<pb/>And the LORD said to me, <f>[14†]</f>“Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.


text:
For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land <i>who</i> will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in <f>[15†]</f>pieces.


text:
<pb/><t>“Woe <f>[16†]</f> to the worthless shepherd, </t><t>Who leaves the flock! </t><t>A sword <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> against his arm </t><t>And against his right eye; </t><t>His arm shall completely wither, </t><t>And his right eye shall be totally blinded.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, <f>[1†]</f>who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and <f>[2†]</f>forms the spirit of man within him:


text:
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem <f>[3†]</f>a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem <f>[5†]</f>a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.


text:
In that day,” says the LORD, <f>[6†]</f>“I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.


text:
And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem <i>are</i> my strength in the LORD of hosts, their God.’


text:
In that day I will make the governors of Judah <f>[7†]</f>like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>“The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah.


text:
In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them.


text:
It shall be in that day <i>that</i> I will seek to <f>[8†]</f>destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will <f>[10†]</f>look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him <f>[11†]</f>as one mourns for <i>his</i> only <i>son,</i> and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.


text:
In that day there shall be a great <f>[12†]</f>mourning in Jerusalem, <f>[13†]</f>like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of <f>[15†]</f>Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;


text:
the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves;


text:
<pb/>“In that <f>[1†]</f>day <f>[2†]</f>a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for <f>[3†]</f>uncleanness.


text:
<pb/>“It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “<i>that</i> I will <f>[4†]</f>cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause <f>[5†]</f>the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.


text:
It shall come to pass <i>that</i> if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, ‘You shall <f>[6†]</f>not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.’ And his father and mother who begot him <f>[7†]</f>shall thrust him through when he prophesies.


text:
<pb/>“And it shall be in that day <i>that</i> <f>[8†]</f>every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear <f>[9†]</f>a robe of coarse hair to deceive.


text:
<f>[10†]</f>But he will say, ‘I <i>am</i> no prophet, I <i>am</i> a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.’


text:
And <i>one</i> will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘<i>Those</i> with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’


text:
<pb/><t>“Awake, O sword, against <f>[11†]</f>My Shepherd, </t><t>Against the Man <f>[12†]</f>who is My Companion,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>“Strike the Shepherd, </t><t>And the sheep will be scattered; </t><t>Then I will turn My hand against <f>[14†]</f>the little ones.</t>


text:
<t>And it shall come to pass in all the land,” </t><t>Says the LORD, </t><t>“<i>That</i> <f>[15†]</f>two-thirds in it shall be cut off <i>and</i> die, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>But <i>one</i>–third shall be left in it:</t>


text:
<t>I will bring the <i>one</i>–third <f>[17†]</f>through the fire, </t><t>Will <f>[18†]</f>refine them as silver is refined, </t><t>And test them as gold is tested. </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>They will call on My name, </t><t>And I will answer them. </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>I will say, ‘This <i>is</i> My people’; </t><t>And each one will say, ‘The LORD <i>is</i> my God.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>Behold, <f>[1†]</f>the day of the LORD is coming, </t><t>And your spoil will be divided in your midst.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[2†]</f>I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; </t><t>The city shall be taken, </t><t>The houses rifled, </t><t>And the women ravished. </t><t>Half of the city shall go into captivity, </t><t>But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.</t>


text:
<t>Then the LORD will go forth </t><t>And fight against those nations, </t><t>As He fights in the day of battle.</t>


text:
<t>And in that day His feet will stand <f>[3†]</f>on the Mount of Olives, </t><t>Which faces Jerusalem on the east. </t><t>And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, </t><t>From east to west, </t><t> <f>[4†]</f><i>Making</i> a very large valley; </t><t>Half of the mountain shall move toward the north </t><t>And half of it toward the south.</t>


text:
<t>Then you shall flee <i>through</i> My mountain valley, </t><t>For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. </t><t>Yes, you shall flee </t><t>As you fled from the <f>[5†]</f>earthquake </t><t>In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>Thus the LORD my God will come, </t><t><i>And</i> <f>[7†]</f>all the saints with You.</t>


text:
<t>It shall come to pass in that day </t><t><i>That</i> there will be no light; </t><t>The lights will diminish.</t>


text:
<t>It shall be one day </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Which is known to the LORD— </t><t>Neither day nor night. </t><t>But at <f>[9†]</f>evening time it shall happen </t><t><i>That</i> it will be light.</t>


text:
<t>And in that day it shall be </t><t><i>That</i> living <f>[10†]</f>waters shall flow from Jerusalem, </t><t>Half of them toward the eastern sea </t><t>And half of them toward the western sea; </t><t>In both summer and winter it shall occur.</t>


text:
<t>And the LORD shall be <f>[11†]</f>King over all the earth. </t><t>In that day it shall be— </t><t> <f>[12†]</f>“The LORD <i>is</i> one,” </t><t>And His name one.</t>


text:
<pb/>All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. <i>Jerusalem</i> shall be raised up and <f>[13†]</f>inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, <f>[14†]</f>and <i>from</i> the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.


text:
<pb/><t><i>The</i> <i>people</i> shall dwell in it; </t><t>And <f>[15†]</f>no longer shall there be utter destruction, </t><t> <f>[16†]</f>But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.</t>


text:
<pb/>And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: <pb/><t>Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, </t><t>Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, </t><t>And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.</t>


text:
<t>It shall come to pass in that day </t><t><i>That</i> <f>[17†]</f>a great panic from the LORD will be among them. </t><t>Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, </t><t>And raise <f>[18†]</f>his hand against his neighbor’s hand;</t>


text:
<t>Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>And the wealth of all the surrounding nations </t><t>Shall be gathered together: </t><t>Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[20†]</f>Such also shall be the plague </t><t>On the horse <i>and</i> the mule, </t><t>On the camel and the donkey, </t><t>And on all the cattle that will be in those camps. </t><t>So <i>shall</i> this plague <i>be.</i></t>


text:
<pb/>And it shall come to pass <i>that</i> everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall <f>[21†]</f>go up from year to year to <f>[22†]</f>worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep <f>[23†]</f>the Feast of Tabernacles.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>And it shall be <i>that</i> whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.


text:
If the family of <f>[25†]</f>Egypt will not come up and enter in, <f>[26†]</f>they <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> no <i>rain;</i> they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.


text:
This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.


text:
<pb/>In that day <f>[27†]</f>“HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be <i>engraved</i> on the bells of the horses. The <f>[28†]</f>pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.


text:
Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a <f>[29†]</f>Canaanite <f>[30†]</f>in the house of the LORD of hosts.


text:
<pb/><t>“I <f>[1†]</f> have loved you,” says the LORD. </t><t>“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ </t><t><i>Was</i> not Esau Jacob’s brother?” </t><t>Says the LORD. </t><t>“Yet <f>[2†]</f>Jacob I have loved;</t>


text:
<t>But Esau I have hated, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>laid waste his mountains and his heritage </t><t>For the jackals of the wilderness.”</t>


text:
<t>Even though Edom has said, </t><t>“We have been impoverished, </t><t>But we will return and build the desolate places,” </t> <pb/>Thus says the LORD of hosts: <pb/><t>“They may build, but I will <f>[4†]</f>throw down; </t><t>They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, </t><t>And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever.</t>


text:
<t>Your eyes shall see, </t><t>And you shall say, </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>‘The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’</t>


text:
<t>“A son <f>[6†]</f>honors <i>his</i> father, </t><t>And a servant <i>his</i> master. </t><t> <f>[7†]</f>If then I am the Father, </t><t>Where <i>is</i> My honor? </t><t>And if I <i>am</i> a Master, </t><t>Where <i>is</i> My reverence? </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts </t><t>To you priests who despise My name. </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’</t>


text:
<t>“You offer <f>[9†]</f>defiled food on My altar, </t><t>But say, </t><t>‘In what way have we defiled You?’ </t><t>By saying, </t><t> <f>[10†]</f>‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[11†]</f>when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not evil? </t><t>And when you offer the lame and sick, </t><t><i>Is</i> <i>it</i> not evil? </t><t>Offer it then to your governor! </t><t>Would he be pleased with you? </t><t>Would he <f>[12†]</f>accept you favorably?” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“But now entreat God’s favor, </t><t>That He may be gracious to us. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f><i>While</i> this is being <i>done</i> by your hands, </t><t>Will He accept you favorably?” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“Who <i>is</i> <i>there</i> even among you who would shut the doors, </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>So that you would not kindle fire <i>on</i> My altar in vain? </t><t>I have no pleasure in you,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>“Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[16†]</f>from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, </t><t>My name <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> great <f>[17†]</f>among the Gentiles; </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>In every place <f>[19†]</f>incense <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> offered to My name, </t><t>And a pure offering; </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>For My name shall be great among the nations,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“But you profane it, </t><t>In that you say, </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>‘The table of the LORD is defiled; </t><t>And its fruit, its food, <i>is</i> contemptible.’</t>


text:
<t>You also say, </t><t>‘Oh, what a <f>[22†]</f>weariness!’ </t><t>And you sneer at it,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts. </t><t>“And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; </t><t>Thus you bring an offering! </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>Should I accept this from your hand?” </t><t>Says the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>“But cursed <i>be</i> <f>[24†]</f>the deceiver </t><t>Who has in his flock a male, </t><t>And takes a vow, </t><t>But sacrifices to the Lord <f>[25†]</f>what is blemished— </t><t>For <f>[26†]</f>I <i>am</i> a great King,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“And My name <i>is</i> <i>to</i> <i>be</i> feared among the nations.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[2†]</f>If you will not hear, </t><t>And if you will not take <i>it</i> to heart, </t><t>To give glory to My name,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“I will send a curse upon you, </t><t>And I will curse your blessings. </t><t>Yes, I have cursed them <f>[3†]</f>already, </t><t>Because you do not take <i>it</i> to heart.</t>


text:
<t>“Behold, I will rebuke your descendants </t><t>And spread <f>[4†]</f>refuse on your faces, </t><t>The refuse of your solemn feasts; </t><t>And <i>one</i> will <f>[5†]</f>take you away with it.</t>


text:
<t>Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, </t><t>That My covenant with Levi may continue,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“My <f>[6†]</f> covenant was with him, <i>one</i> of life and peace, </t><t>And I gave them to him <f>[7†]</f><i>that</i> <i>he</i> <i>might</i> fear <i>Me</i>; </t><t>So he feared Me </t><t>And was reverent before My name.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[8†]</f>The law of truth was in his mouth, </t><t>And injustice was not found on his lips. </t><t>He walked with Me in peace and equity, </t><t>And <f>[9†]</f>turned many away from iniquity.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[10†]</f> the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, </t><t>And <i>people</i> should seek the law from his mouth; </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>But you have departed from the way; </t><t>You <f>[12†]</f>have caused many to stumble at the law. </t><t> <f>[13†]</f>You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“Therefore <f>[14†]</f>I also have made you contemptible and base </t><t>Before all the people, </t><t>Because you have not kept My ways </t><t>But have shown <f>[15†]</f>partiality in the law.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[16†]</f>Have we not all one Father? </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Has not one God created us? </t><t>Why do we deal treacherously with one another </t><t>By profaning the covenant of the fathers?</t>


text:
<t>Judah has dealt treacherously, </t><t>And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, </t><t>For Judah has <f>[18†]</f>profaned </t><t>The LORD’s holy <i>institution</i> which He loves: </t><t>He has married the daughter of a foreign god.</t>


text:
<t>May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob </t><t>The man who does this, being awake and aware, </t><t>Yet <f>[19†]</f>who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!</t>


text:
<t>And this is the second thing you do: </t><t>You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, </t><t>With weeping and crying; </t><t>So He does not regard the offering anymore, </t><t>Nor receive <i>it</i> with goodwill from your hands.</t>


text:
<t>Yet you say, “For what reason?” </t><t>Because the LORD has been witness </t><t>Between you and <f>[20†]</f>the wife of your youth, </t><t>With whom you have dealt treacherously; </t><t> <f>[21†]</f>Yet she is your companion </t><t>And your wife by covenant.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[22†]</f>did He not make <i>them</i> one, </t><t>Having a remnant of the Spirit? </t><t>And why one? </t><t>He seeks <f>[23†]</f>godly offspring. </t><t>Therefore take heed to your spirit, </t><t>And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.</t>


text:
<t>“For <f>[24†]</f>the LORD God of Israel says </t><t>That He hates divorce, </t><t>For it covers one’s garment with violence,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts. </t><t>“Therefore take heed to your spirit, </t><t>That you do not deal treacherously.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[25†]</f>You have wearied the LORD with your words; </t><t>Yet you say, </t><t>“In what way have we wearied <i>Him?</i>” </t><t>In that you say, </t><t> <f>[26†]</f>“Everyone who does evil </t><t><i>Is</i> good in the sight of the LORD, </t><t>And He delights in them,” </t><t>Or, “Where <i>is</i> the God of justice?”</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“Behold, <f>[1†]</f>I send My messenger, </t><t>And he will <f>[2†]</f>prepare the way before Me. </t><t>And the Lord, whom you seek, </t><t>Will suddenly come to His temple, </t><t> <f>[3†]</f>Even the Messenger of the covenant, </t><t>In whom you delight. </t><t>Behold, <f>[4†]</f>He is coming,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“But who can endure <f>[5†]</f>the day of His coming? </t><t>And <f>[6†]</f>who can stand when He appears? </t><t>For <f>[7†]</f>He <i>is</i> like a refiner’s fire </t><t>And like launderers’ soap.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[8†]</f>He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; </t><t>He will purify the sons of Levi, </t><t>And purge them as gold and silver, </t><t>That they may <f>[9†]</f>offer to the LORD </t><t>An offering in righteousness.</t>


text:
<t>“Then <f>[10†]</f>the offering of Judah and Jerusalem </t><t>Will be pleasant to the LORD, </t><t>As in the days of old, </t><t>As in former years.</t>


text:
<t>And I will come near you for judgment; </t><t>I will be a swift witness </t><t>Against sorcerers, </t><t>Against adulterers, </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Against perjurers, </t><t>Against those who <f>[12†]</f>exploit wage earners and <f>[13†]</f>widows and orphans, </t><t>And against those who turn away an alien— </t><t>Because they do not fear Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“For I <i>am</i> the LORD, <f>[14†]</f>I do not change; </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.</t>


text:
<t>Yet from the days of <f>[16†]</f>your fathers </t><t>You have gone away from My ordinances </t><t>And have not kept <i>them</i>. </t><t> <f>[17†]</f>Return to Me, and I will return to you,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts. </t><t> <f>[18†]</f>“But you said, </t><t>‘In what way shall we return?’</t>


text:
<t>“Will a man rob God? </t><t>Yet you have robbed Me! </t><t>But you say, </t><t>‘In what way have we robbed You?’ </t><t> <f>[19†]</f>In tithes and offerings.</t>


text:
<t>You are cursed with a curse, </t><t>For you have robbed Me, </t><t><i>Even</i> this whole nation.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[20†]</f>Bring all the tithes into the <f>[21†]</f>storehouse, </t><t>That there may be food in My house, </t><t>And try Me now in this,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“If I will not open for you the <f>[22†]</f>windows of heaven </t><t>And <f>[23†]</f>pour out for you <i>such</i> blessing </t><t>That <i>there</i> <i>will</i> not <i>be</i> <i>room</i> enough <i>to</i> <i>receive</i> <i>it.</i></t>


text:
<t>“And I will rebuke <f>[24†]</f>the devourer for your sakes, </t><t>So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, </t><t>Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts;</t>


text:
<t>“And all nations will call you blessed, </t><t>For you will be <f>[25†]</f>a delightful land,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“Your <f>[26†]</f> words have been harsh against Me,” </t><t>Says the LORD, </t><t>“Yet you say, </t><t>‘What have we spoken against You?’</t>


text:
<t> <f>[27†]</f>You have said, </t><t>‘It is useless to serve God; </t><t>What profit <i>is</i> <i>it</i> that we have kept His ordinance, </t><t>And that we have walked as mourners </t><t>Before the LORD of hosts?</t>


text:
<t>So now <f>[28†]</f>we call the proud blessed, </t><t>For those who do wickedness are raised up; </t><t>They even <f>[29†]</f>tempt God and go free.’ ”</t>


text:
<t>Then those <f>[30†]</f>who feared the LORD <f>[31†]</f>spoke to one another, </t><t>And the LORD listened and heard them; </t><t>So <f>[32†]</f>a book of remembrance was written before Him </t><t>For those who fear the LORD </t><t>And who meditate on His name.</t>


text:
<t>“They <f>[33†]</f> shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“On the day that I make them My <f>[34†]</f>jewels. </t><t>And <f>[35†]</f>I will spare them </t><t>As a man spares his own son who serves him.”</t>


text:
<t> <f>[36†]</f>Then you shall again discern </t><t>Between the righteous and the wicked, </t><t>Between one who serves God </t><t>And one who does not serve Him.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“For behold, <f>[1†]</f>the day is coming, </t><t>Burning like an oven, </t><t>And all <f>[2†]</f>the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be <f>[3†]</f>stubble. </t><t>And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts, </t><t>“That will <f>[4†]</f>leave them neither root nor branch.</t>


text:
<t>But to you who <f>[5†]</f>fear My name </t><t>The <f>[6†]</f>Sun of Righteousness shall arise </t><t>With healing in His wings; </t><t>And you shall go out </t><t>And grow fat like stall-fed calves.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>You shall trample the wicked, </t><t>For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet </t><t>On the day that I do <i>this,</i>” </t><t>Says the LORD of hosts.</t>


text:
<t>“Remember the <f>[8†]</f>Law of Moses, My servant, </t><t>Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, </t><t><i>With</i> <f>[9†]</f>the statutes and judgments.</t>


text:
<t>Behold, I will send you <f>[10†]</f>Elijah the prophet </t><t> <f>[11†]</f>Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.</t>


text:
<t>And he will turn </t><t>The hearts of the fathers to the children, </t><t>And the hearts of the children to their fathers, </t><t>Lest I come and <f>[12†]</f>strike the earth with <f>[13†]</f>a curse.”</t>


text:
<pb/>The book of the <f>[1†]</f>genealogy of Jesus Christ, <f>[2†]</f>the Son of David, <f>[3†]</f>the Son of Abraham:


text:
<pb/> <f>[4†]</f>Abraham begot Isaac, <f>[5†]</f>Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot <f>[6†]</f>Judah and his brothers.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, <f>[8†]</f>Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.


text:
and <f>[10†]</f>Jesse begot David the king. <pb/> <f>[11†]</f>David the king begot Solomon by her <i>who</i> <i>had</i> <i>been</i> <i>the</i> <i>wife</i> of Uriah.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were <f>[20†]</f>carried away to Babylon.


text:
<pb/>And after they were brought to Babylon, <f>[21†]</f>Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot <f>[22†]</f>Zerubbabel.


text:
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of <f>[23†]</f>Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.


text:
<pb/>So all the generations from Abraham to David <i>are</i> fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon <i>are</i> fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ <i>are</i> fourteen generations.


text:
<pb/>Now the <f>[24†]</f>birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child <f>[25†]</f>of the Holy Spirit.


text:
Then Joseph her husband, being a just <i>man,</i> and not wanting <f>[26†]</f>to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.


text:
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, <f>[27†]</f>for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.


text:
<f>[28†]</f>And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, <f>[29†]</f>for He will save His people from their sins.”


text:
<pb/>So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:


text:
<f>[30†]</f>“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”


text:
<pb/>Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,


text:
and did not know her till she had brought forth <f>[31†]</f>her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.


text:
<pb/>Now after <f>[1†]</f>Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men <f>[2†]</f>from the East came to Jerusalem,


text:
saying, <f>[3†]</f>“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen <f>[4†]</f>His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”


text:
And when he had gathered all <f>[5†]</f>the chief priests and <f>[6†]</f>scribes of the people together, <f>[7†]</f>he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.


text:
<pb/><t>‘But <f>[8†]</f> you, Bethlehem, <i>in</i> the land of Judah, </t><t>Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; </t><t>For out of you shall come a Ruler </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the <f>[10†]</f>star appeared.


text:
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found <i>Him,</i> bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”


text:
<pb/>When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.


text:
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, <f>[11†]</f>they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.


text:
<pb/>Then, being divinely warned <f>[12†]</f>in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.


text:
<pb/>Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”


text:
and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, <f>[13†]</f>“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”


text:
<pb/>Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.


text:
<pb/><t>“A <f>[14†]</f>voice was heard in Ramah, </t><t>Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, </t><t>Rachel weeping <i>for</i> her children, </t><t>Refusing to be comforted, </t><t>Because they are no more.”</t>


text:
<f>[15†]</f>saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who <f>[16†]</f>sought the young Child’s life are dead.”


text:
<pb/>But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a <f>[17†]</f>dream, he turned aside <f>[18†]</f>into the region of Galilee.


text:
And he came and dwelt in a city called <f>[19†]</f>Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled <f>[20†]</f>which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”


text:
<pb/>In those days <f>[1†]</f>John the Baptist came preaching <f>[2†]</f>in the wilderness of Judea,


text:
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: <pb/><t> <f>[4†]</f>“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: </t><t> <f>[5†]</f>‘Prepare the way of the <e>LORD</e>; </t><t>Make His paths straight.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[6†]</f>John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was <f>[7†]</f>locusts and <f>[8†]</f>wild honey.


text:
<pb/>But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, <f>[11†]</f>“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from <f>[12†]</f>the wrath to come?


text:
and do not think to say to yourselves, <f>[13†]</f>‘We have Abraham as <i>our</i> father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.


text:
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. <f>[14†]</f>Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.


text:
<f>[15†]</f>I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. <f>[16†]</f>He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>His winnowing fan <i>is</i> in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will <f>[18†]</f>burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>Then Jesus came <f>[20†]</f>from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.


text:
And John <i>tried</i> <i>to</i> prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”


text:
<pb/>But Jesus answered and said to him, <J>“Permit </J><i><J>it to be so</J></i><J> now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”</J> Then he allowed Him.


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f>When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw <f>[22†]</f>the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>And suddenly a voice <i>came</i> from heaven, saying, <f>[24†]</f>“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>Jesus was led up by <f>[2†]</f>the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.


text:
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”


text:
<pb/>But He answered and said, <J>“It is written, </J> <f>[3†]</f><J>‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’</J><J> ”</J>


text:
<pb/>Then the devil took Him up <f>[4†]</f>into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,


text:
and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: <pb/><t> <f>[5†]</f>‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ </t> <pb/>and, <pb/><t> <f>[6†]</f>‘In <i>their</i> hands they shall bear you up, </t><t>Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”</t>


text:
<pb/>Jesus said to him, <J>“It is written again, </J> <f>[7†]</f><J>‘You shall not </J><J>tempt the </J><J>LORD</J><J> your God.’</J><J> ”</J>


text:
<pb/>Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and <f>[8†]</f>showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.


text:
<pb/>Then Jesus said to him, <J>“Away with you,</J><J> Satan! For it is written, </J> <f>[9†]</f><J>‘You shall worship the </J><e><J>LORD</J></e><J> your God, and Him only you shall serve.’</J><J> ”</J>


text:
<pb/>Then the devil <f>[10†]</f>left Him, and behold, <f>[11†]</f>angels came and ministered to Him.


text:
And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,


text:
<pb/><t>“The <f>[13†]</f> land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, </t><t>By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, </t><t>Galilee of the Gentiles:</t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f>The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, </t><t>And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death </t><t>Light has dawned.”</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, <f>[16†]</f><J>“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven </J><J>is at hand.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[17†]</f>And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon <f>[18†]</f>called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f>Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James <i>the</i> <i>son</i> of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,


text:
<pb/>And Jesus went about all Galilee, <f>[22†]</f>teaching in their synagogues, preaching <f>[23†]</f>the gospel of the kingdom, <f>[24†]</f>and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.


text:
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they <f>[25†]</f>brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.


text:
<f>[26†]</f>Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and <i>from</i> Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.


text:
<pb/>And seeing the multitudes, <f>[1†]</f>He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.


text:
<pb/><t><J>“Blessed</J> <f>[3†]</f> <i><J>are</J></i><J> the poor in spirit,</J> </t><t><J>For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</J></t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> those who mourn,</J> </t><t><J>For they shall be comforted.</J></t>


text:
<t> <f>[5†]</f><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> the meek,</J> </t><t><J>For </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>they shall inherit the </J><J>earth.</J></t>


text:
<t><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> those who </J> <f>[7†]</f><J>hunger and thirst for righteousness,</J> </t><t> <f>[8†]</f><J>For they shall be filled.</J></t>


text:
<t><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> the merciful,</J> </t><t> <f>[9†]</f><J>For they shall obtain mercy.</J></t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> the pure in heart,</J> </t><t><J>For </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>they shall see God.</J></t>


text:
<t><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> the peacemakers,</J> </t><t><J>For they shall be called sons of God.</J></t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f><J>Blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,</J> </t><t><J>For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</J></t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f><J>“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>evil against you falsely for My sake.</J>


text:
<f>[15†]</f><J>Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> your reward in heaven, for </J> <f>[16†]</f><J>so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“You are the salt of the earth; </J> <f>[17†]</f><J>but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f><J>“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.</J>


text:
<J>Nor do they </J> <f>[19†]</f><J>light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all </J><i><J>who are</J></i><J> in the house.</J>


text:
<J>Let your light so shine before men, </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>that they may see your good works and </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>glorify your Father in heaven.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[22†]</f><J>“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.</J>


text:
<J>For assuredly, I say to you, </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>till heaven and earth pass away, one </J><J>jot or one </J><J>tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.</J>


text:
<f>[24†]</f><J>Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches </J><i><J>them,</J></i><J> he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</J>


text:
<J>For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds </J> <f>[25†]</f><i><J>the righteousness</J></i><J> of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“You have heard that it was said to those </J><J>of old, </J> <f>[26†]</f><J>‘You shall not murder,</J><J> and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you that </J> <f>[27†]</f><J>whoever is angry with his brother </J><J>without a cause</J><J> shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, </J> <f>[28†]</f><J>‘Raca!’</J><J> shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, </J><J>‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of </J><J>hell fire.</J>


text:
<J>Therefore </J> <f>[29†]</f><J>if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,</J>


text:
<f>[30†]</f><J>leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.</J>


text:
<f>[31†]</f><J>Agree with your adversary quickly, </J> <f>[32†]</f><J>while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.</J>


text:
<J>Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“You have heard that it was said </J><J>to those of old,</J> <f>[33†]</f><J>‘You shall not commit adultery.’</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you that whoever </J> <f>[34†]</f><J>looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.</J>


text:
<f>[35†]</f><J>If your right eye causes you to </J><J>sin, </J> <f>[36†]</f><J>pluck it out and cast </J><i><J>it</J></i><J> from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.</J>


text:
<J>And if your right hand causes you to </J><J>sin, cut it off and cast </J><i><J>it</J></i><J> from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Furthermore it has been said, </J> <f>[37†]</f><J>‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you that </J> <f>[38†]</f><J>whoever divorces his wife for any reason except </J><J>sexual immorality</J><J> causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Again you have heard that </J> <f>[39†]</f><J>it was said to those of </J><J>old, </J> <f>[40†]</f><J>‘You shall not swear falsely, but </J> <f>[41†]</f><J>shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you, </J> <f>[42†]</f><J>do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is </J> <f>[43†]</f><J>God’s throne;</J>


text:
<J>nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of </J> <f>[44†]</f><J>the great King.</J>


text:
<f>[45†]</f><J>But let </J><J>your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“You have heard that it was said, </J> <f>[46†]</f><J>‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’</J>


text:
<f>[47†]</f><J>But I tell you not to resist an evil person. </J> <f>[48†]</f><J>But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.</J>


text:
<J>If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have </J><i><J>your</J></i><J> cloak also.</J>


text:
<J>Give to him who asks you, and </J> <f>[50†]</f><J>from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“You have heard that it was said, </J> <f>[51†]</f><J>‘You shall love your neighbor</J> <f>[52†]</f><J>and hate your enemy.’</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you, </J> <f>[53†]</f><J>love your enemies, bless those who curse you, </J> <f>[54†]</f><J>do good to those who hate you, and pray </J> <f>[55†]</f><J>for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,</J>


text:
<J>that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for </J> <f>[56†]</f><J>He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.</J>


text:
<f>[57†]</f><J>For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?</J>


text:
<J>And if you greet your </J><J>brethren</J><J> only, what do you do more </J><i><J>than others?</J></i><J> Do not even the </J><J>tax collectors</J><J> do so?</J>


text:
<f>[58†]</f><J>Therefore you shall be perfect, just </J> <f>[59†]</f><J>as your Father in heaven is perfect.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.</J>


text:
<J>Therefore, </J> <f>[1†]</f><J>when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.</J>


text:
<J>But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,</J>


text:
<J>that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret </J> <f>[2†]</f><J>will Himself reward you </J><J>openly.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“And when you pray, you shall not be like the </J><J>hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.</J>


text:
<J>But you, when you pray, </J> <f>[3†]</f><J>go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> in the secret </J><i><J>place;</J></i><J> and your Father who sees in secret will reward you </J><J>openly.</J>


text:
<J>And when you pray, </J> <f>[4†]</f><J>do not use vain repetitions as the heathen </J><i><J>do.</J></i> <f>[5†]</f><J>For they think that they will be heard for their many words.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.</J>


text:
<J>In this </J> <f>[7†]</f><J>manner, therefore, pray:</J> <pb/><t> <f>[8†]</f><J>Our Father in heaven,</J> </t><t><J>Hallowed be Your </J> <f>[9†]</f><J>name.</J></t>


text:
<t><J>Your kingdom come.</J> </t><t> <f>[10†]</f><J>Your will be done</J> </t><t><J>On earth </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>as </J><i><J>it is in heaven.</J></i></t>


text:
<t><J>And </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>forgive us our debts,</J> </t><t><J>As we forgive our debtors.</J></t>


text:
<t> <f>[14†]</f><J>And do not lead us into temptation,</J> </t><t><J>But </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>deliver us from the evil one.</J> </t><t><J>For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</J></t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[16†]</f><J>“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.</J>


text:
<J>But </J> <f>[17†]</f><J>if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Moreover, </J> <f>[18†]</f><J>when you fast, do not be like the </J><J>hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.</J>


text:
<J>so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> in the secret </J><i><J>place;</J></i><J> and your Father who sees in secret will reward you </J><J>openly.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f><J>“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;</J>


text:
<f>[21†]</f><J>but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[22†]</f><J>“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is </J><J>good, your whole body will be full of light.</J>


text:
<J>But if your eye is </J><J>bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> that darkness!</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[23†]</f><J>“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. </J> <f>[24†]</f><J>You cannot serve God and </J><J>mammon.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Therefore I say to you, </J> <f>[25†]</f><J>do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?</J>


text:
<f>[26†]</f><J>Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;</J>


text:
<J>and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not </J><J>arrayed like one of these.</J>


text:
<J>Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, </J><i><J>will He</J></i><J> not much more </J><i><J>clothe</J></i><J> you, O you of little faith?</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</J>


text:
<J>For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.</J>


text:
<J>But </J> <f>[27†]</f><J>seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.</J>


text:
<J>Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> its own trouble.</J>


text:
<J>For with what </J><J>judgment you judge, you will be judged; </J> <f>[2†]</f><J>and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.</J>


text:
<f>[3†]</f><J>And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?</J>


text:
<J>Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> in your own eye?</J>


text:
<J>Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[4†]</f><J>“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[5†]</f><J>“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.</J>


text:
<J>For </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.</J>


text:
<f>[7†]</f><J>Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?</J>


text:
<J>If you then, </J> <f>[8†]</f><J>being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!</J>


text:
<J>Therefore, </J> <f>[9†]</f><J>whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for </J> <f>[10†]</f><J>this is the Law and the Prophets.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f><J>“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> the gate and broad </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.</J>


text:
<J>Because</J><J> narrow </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> the gate and </J><J>difficult </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[12†]</f><J>“Beware of false prophets, </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.</J>


text:
<f>[14†]</f><J>You will know them by their fruits. </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?</J>


text:
<J>Even so, </J> <f>[16†]</f><J>every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Not everyone who says to Me, </J> <f>[18†]</f><J>‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who </J> <f>[19†]</f><J>does the will of My Father in heaven.</J>


text:
<J>Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’</J>


text:
<J>And </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; </J> <f>[22†]</f><J>depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Therefore </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:</J>


text:
<J>and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:</J>


text:
<J>and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”</J>


text:
<pb/>And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that <f>[24†]</f>the people were astonished at His teaching,


text:
<f>[1†]</f>And behold, a leper came and <f>[2†]</f>worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”


text:
<pb/>Then Jesus put out <i>His</i> hand and touched him, saying, <J>“I am willing; be cleansed.”</J> Immediately his leprosy <f>[3†]</f>was cleansed.


text:
<pb/>And Jesus said to him, <f>[4†]</f><J>“See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that </J> <f>[5†]</f><J>Moses </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>commanded, as a testimony to them.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a <f>[8†]</f>centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,


text:
<pb/>The centurion answered and said, “Lord, <f>[9†]</f>I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only <f>[10†]</f>speak a word, and my servant will be healed.


text:
For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this <i>one,</i> ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does <i>it.</i>”


text:
<pb/>When Jesus heard <i>it,</i> He marveled, and said to those who followed, <J>“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!</J>


text:
<J>And I say to you that </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.</J>


text:
<J>But </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>the sons of the kingdom </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”</J>


text:
Then Jesus said to the centurion, <J>“Go your way; and as you have believed, </J><i><J>so</J></i><J> let it be done for you.”</J> And his servant was healed that same hour.


text:
<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw <f>[15†]</f>his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.


text:
<pb/> <f>[16†]</f>When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,


text:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: <pb/><t> <f>[17†]</f>“He Himself took our infirmities </t><t>And bore our sicknesses.”</t>


text:
<f>[18†]</f>Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”


text:
<pb/>And Jesus said to him, <J>“Foxes have holes and birds of the air </J><i><J>have</J></i><J> nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay </J><i><J>His</J></i><J> head.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, <f>[20†]</f>let me first go and bury my father.”


text:
<f>[21†]</f>And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.


text:
<pb/>But He said to them, <J>“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”</J> Then <f>[22†]</f>He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.


text:
<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed <i>men,</i> coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.


text:
And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”


text:
So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”


text:
<pb/>And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.


text:
<pb/>Then those who kept <i>them</i> fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what <i>had</i> <i>happened</i> to the demon-possessed <i>men.</i>


text:
And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, <f>[24†]</f>they begged <i>Him</i> to depart from their region.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. <f>[3†]</f>When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, <J>“Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”</J>


text:
<pb/>But Jesus, <f>[4†]</f>knowing their thoughts, said, <J>“Why do you think evil in your hearts?</J>


text:
<J>For which is easier, to say, ‘</J><i><J>Your</J></i><J> sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?</J>


text:
<J>But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”</J>—then He said to the paralytic, <J>“Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Now when the multitudes saw <i>it,</i> they <f>[5†]</f>marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.


text:
<pb/> <f>[6†]</f>As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, <J>“Follow Me.”</J> So he arose and followed Him.


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, <i>that</i> behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.


text:
And when the Pharisees saw <i>it,</i> they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with <f>[8†]</f>tax collectors and <f>[9†]</f>sinners?”


text:
<pb/>When Jesus heard <i>that,</i> He said to them, <J>“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.</J>


text:
<J>But go and learn what </J><i><J>this</J></i><J> means: </J> <f>[10†]</f><J>‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’</J><J> For I did not come to call the righteous, </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>but sinners, </J><J>to repentance.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, <f>[12†]</f>“Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”


text:
<pb/>And Jesus said to them, <J>“Can </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>the </J><J>friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>then they will fast.</J>


text:
<J>No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for </J><J>the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.</J>


text:
<J>Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins </J><J>break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[17†]</f>And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and <f>[18†]</f>touched the hem of His garment.


text:
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, <J>“Be of good cheer, daughter; </J> <f>[19†]</f><J>your faith has made you well.”</J> And the woman was made well from that hour.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw <f>[21†]</f>the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing,


text:
He said to them, <f>[22†]</f><J>“Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.”</J> And they ridiculed Him.


text:
But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and <f>[23†]</f>took her by the hand, and the girl arose.


text:
<pb/>When Jesus departed from there, <f>[25†]</f>two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, <f>[26†]</f>“Son of David, have mercy on us!”


text:
<pb/>And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, <J>“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”</J> <pb/>They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”


text:
And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, <f>[27†]</f><J>“See </J><i><J>that</J></i><J> no one knows </J><i><J>it</J></i><J>.”</J>


text:
And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”


text:
<pb/>Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, <f>[31†]</f>teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.


text:
<f>[32†]</f>But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, <f>[33†]</f>like sheep having no shepherd.


text:
Then He said to His disciples, <f>[34†]</f><J>“The harvest truly </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> plentiful, but the laborers </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> few.</J>


text:
<pb/>And <f>[1†]</f>when He had called His twelve disciples to <i>Him,</i> He gave them power <i>over</i> unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.


text:
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, <f>[2†]</f>who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the <i>son</i> of Zebedee, and John his brother;


text:
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the <i>son</i> of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;


text:
<pb/>These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: <f>[5†]</f><J>“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>the Samaritans.</J>


text:
<f>[9†]</f><J>And as you go, preach, saying, </J> <f>[10†]</f><J>‘The kingdom of heaven </J><J>is at hand.’</J>


text:
<J>Heal the sick, </J><J>cleanse the lepers, </J><J>raise the dead,</J><J> cast out demons. </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>Freely you have received, freely give.</J>


text:
<f>[12†]</f><J>Provide neither gold nor silver nor </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>copper in your money belts,</J>


text:
<J>nor bag for </J><i><J>your</J></i><J> journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>for a worker is worthy of his food.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f><J>“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.</J>


text:
<f>[16†]</f><J>If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. </J> <f>[17†]</f><J>But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.</J>


text:
<f>[18†]</f><J>And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, </J> <f>[19†]</f><J>shake off the dust from your feet.</J>


text:
<J>Assuredly, I say to you, </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f><J>“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. </J> <f>[22†]</f><J>Therefore be wise as serpents and </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>harmless</J><J> as doves.</J>


text:
<J>But beware of men, for </J> <f>[24†]</f><J>they will deliver you up to councils and </J> <f>[25†]</f><J>scourge you in their synagogues.</J>


text:
<f>[26†]</f><J>You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.</J>


text:
<f>[27†]</f><J>But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For </J> <f>[28†]</f><J>it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[30†]</f><J>“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father </J><i><J>his</J></i><J> child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.</J>


text:
<J>And </J> <f>[31†]</f><J>you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. </J> <f>[32†]</f><J>But he who endures to the end will be saved.</J>


text:
<f>[33†]</f><J>When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have </J> <f>[34†]</f><J>gone through the cities of Israel </J> <f>[35†]</f><J>before the Son of Man comes.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[36†]</f><J>“A disciple is not above </J><i><J>his</J></i><J> teacher, nor a servant above his master.</J>


text:
<J>It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If </J> <f>[37†]</f><J>they have called the master of the house </J><J>Beelzebub,</J><J> how much more </J><i><J>will they call</J></i><J> those of his household!</J>


text:
<J>Therefore do not fear them. </J> <f>[38†]</f><J>For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Whatever I tell you in the dark, </J> <f>[39†]</f><J>speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.</J>


text:
<f>[40†]</f><J>And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather </J> <f>[41†]</f><J>fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in </J><J>hell.</J>


text:
<J>Are not two </J> <f>[42†]</f><J>sparrows sold for a </J><J>copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[44†]</f><J>“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, </J> <f>[45†]</f><J>him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.</J>


text:
<f>[46†]</f><J>But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[47†]</f><J>“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.</J>


text:
<J>For I have come to </J> <f>[48†]</f><J>‘set</J><J> a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;</J>


text:
<J>and </J> <f>[49†]</f><J>‘a man’s enemies</J> <i><J>will be</J></i> <J>those of his</J> <i><J>own</J></i> <J>household.’</J>


text:
<f>[50†]</f><J>He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.</J>


text:
<f>[52†]</f><J>He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[53†]</f><J>“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.</J>


text:
<f>[54†]</f><J>He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.</J>


text:
<f>[55†]</f><J>And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold </J><i><J>water</J></i><J> in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to <f>[1†]</f>teach and to preach in their cities.


text:
<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>And when John had heard <f>[3†]</f>in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples


text:
<f>[5†]</f><i><J>The</J></i><J> blind see and </J><i><J>the</J></i><J> lame walk; </J><i><J>the</J></i><J> lepers are cleansed and </J><i><J>the</J></i><J> deaf hear; </J><i><J>the</J></i><J> dead are raised up and </J> <f>[6†]</f><i><J>the</J></i><J> poor have the gospel preached to them.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: <J>“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? </J> <f>[9†]</f><J>A reed shaken by the wind?</J>


text:
<J>But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft </J><i><J>clothing</J></i><J> are in kings’ houses.</J>


text:
<J>But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, </J> <f>[10†]</f><J>and more than a prophet.</J>


text:
<J>For this is </J><i><J>he</J></i><J> of whom it is written:</J> <pb/><t> <f>[11†]</f><J>‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,</J> </t><t><J>Who will prepare Your way before You.’</J></t>


text:
<pb/><J>“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.</J>


text:
<f>[12†]</f><J>And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.</J>


text:
<J>And if you are willing to receive </J><i><J>it,</J></i><J> he is </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>Elijah who is to come.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[16†]</f><J>“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, </J>


text:
and saying: <pb/><t><J>‘We played the flute for you,</J> </t><t><J>And you did not dance;</J> </t><t><J>We mourned to you,</J> </t><t><J>And you did not </J><J>lament.’</J></t>


text:
<J>The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a </J><J>winebibber, </J> <f>[17†]</f><J>a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ </J> <f>[18†]</f><J>But wisdom is justified by her </J><J>children.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:


text:
<J>“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>in sackcloth and ashes.</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you, </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.</J>


text:
<J>And you, Capernaum, </J> <f>[22†]</f><J>who</J><J> are exalted to heaven, will be</J><J> brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[24†]</f>At that time Jesus answered and said, <J>“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that </J> <f>[25†]</f><J>You have hidden these things from </J><i><J>the</J></i><J> wise and prudent </J> <f>[26†]</f><J>and have revealed them to babes.</J>


text:
<f>[27†]</f><J>All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. </J> <f>[28†]</f><J>Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and </J><i><J>the one</J></i><J> to whom the Son wills to reveal </J><i><J>Him.</J></i>


text:
<J>Come to </J> <f>[29†]</f><J>Me, all </J><i><J>you</J></i><J> who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</J>


text:
<J>Take My yoke upon you </J> <f>[30†]</f><J>and learn from Me, for I am </J><J>gentle and </J> <f>[31†]</f><J>lowly in heart, </J> <f>[32†]</f><J>and you will find rest for your souls.</J>


text:
<pb/>At that time <f>[1†]</f>Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to <f>[2†]</f>pluck heads of grain and to eat.


text:
And when the Pharisees saw <i>it,</i> they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”


text:
<pb/>But He said to them, <J>“Have you not read </J> <f>[3†]</f><J>what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:</J>


text:
<J>how he entered the house of God and ate </J> <f>[4†]</f><J>the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, </J> <f>[5†]</f><J>but only for the priests?</J>


text:
<J>Or have you not read in the </J> <f>[6†]</f><J>law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple </J><J>profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?</J>


text:
<J>Yet I say to you that in this place there is </J> <f>[7†]</f><i><J>One</J></i><J> greater than the temple.</J>


text:
<J>But if you had known what </J><i><J>this</J></i><J> means, </J> <f>[8†]</f><J>‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’</J><J> you would not have condemned the guiltless.</J>


text:
And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, <f>[10†]</f>“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.


text:
<pb/>Then He said to them, <J>“What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift </J><i><J>it</J></i><J> out?</J>


text:
<J>Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”</J>


text:
Then He said to the man, <J>“Stretch out your hand.”</J> And he stretched <i>it</i> out, and it was restored as whole as the other.


text:
<pb/>But when Jesus knew <i>it,</i> <f>[12†]</f>He withdrew from there. <f>[13†]</f>And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.


text:
<pb/><t>“Behold! <f>[15†]</f>My Servant whom I have chosen, </t><t>My Beloved <f>[16†]</f>in whom My soul is well pleased! </t><t>I will put My Spirit upon Him, </t><t>And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.</t>


text:
<t>A bruised reed He will not break, </t><t>And smoking flax He will not quench, </t><t>Till He sends forth justice to victory;</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[17†]</f>Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.


text:
<pb/> <f>[19†]</f>Now when the Pharisees heard <i>it</i> they said, “This <i>fellow</i> does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”


text:
<pb/>But Jesus <f>[20†]</f>knew their thoughts, and said to them: <J>“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.</J>


text:
<J>And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast </J><i><J>them</J></i><J> out? Therefore they shall be your judges.</J>


text:
<J>But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.</J>


text:
<f>[22†]</f><J>Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Therefore I say to you, </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, </J> <f>[24†]</f><J>but the blasphemy </J><i><J>against</J></i><J> the Spirit will not be forgiven men.</J>


text:
<J>Anyone who </J> <f>[25†]</f><J>speaks a word against the Son of Man, </J> <f>[26†]</f><J>it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the </J><i><J>age</J></i><J> to come.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Either make the tree good and </J> <f>[27†]</f><J>its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by </J><i><J>its</J></i><J> fruit.</J>


text:
<f>[28†]</f><J>Brood</J><J> of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? </J> <f>[29†]</f><J>For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.</J>


text:
<J>A good man out of the good treasure </J><J>of his heart</J><J> brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.</J>


text:
<J>But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[30†]</f>Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”


text:
<pb/>But He answered and said to them, <J>“An evil and </J> <f>[31†]</f><J>adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.</J>


text:
<f>[32†]</f><J>For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.</J>


text:
<f>[33†]</f><J>The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and </J> <f>[34†]</f><J>condemn it, </J> <f>[35†]</f><J>because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> here.</J>


text:
<f>[36†]</f><J>The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> here.</J>


text:
<pb/> <f>[37†]</f><J>“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, </J> <f>[38†]</f><J>he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.</J>


text:
Then he says, <J>‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds </J><i><J>it</J></i><J> empty, swept, and put in order.</J>


text:
<J>Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; </J> <f>[39†]</f><J>and the last </J><i><J>state</J></i><J> of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”</J>


text:
<pb/>While He was still talking to the multitudes, <f>[40†]</f>behold, His mother and <f>[41†]</f>brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.


text:
Then one said to Him, “Look, <f>[42†]</f>Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”


text:
<pb/>But He answered and said to the one who told Him, <J>“Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”</J>


text:
And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, <J>“Here are My mother and My </J> <f>[43†]</f><J>brothers!</J>


text:
<J>For </J> <f>[44†]</f><J>whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”</J>


text:
<f>[2†]</f>And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that <f>[3†]</f>He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.


text:
<pb/>Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: <f>[4†]</f><J>“Behold, a sower went out to sow.</J>


text:
<J>And as he sowed, some </J><i><J>seed</J></i><J> fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.</J>


text:
<J>Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.</J>


text:
<J>But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some </J> <f>[5†]</f><J>a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.</J>


text:
<pb/>He answered and said to them, <J>“Because </J> <f>[7†]</f><J>it has been given to you to know the </J><J>mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.</J>


text:
<f>[8†]</f><J>For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.</J>


text:
<J>Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.</J>


text:
<J>And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:</J> <pb/><t> <f>[9†]</f><J>‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,</J> </t><t><J>And seeing you will see and not </J> <f>[10†]</f><J>perceive;</J></t>


text:
<t><J>For the hearts of this people have grown dull.</J> </t><t><i><J>Their</J></i> <J>ears </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>are hard of hearing,</J> </t><t><J>And their eyes they have </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>closed,</J> </t><t><J>Lest they should see with</J> <i><J>their</J></i> <J>eyes and hear with</J> <i><J>their</J></i> <J>ears,</J> </t><t><J>Lest they should understand with</J> <i><J>their</J></i> <J>hearts and turn,</J> </t><t><J>So that I </J><J>should</J> <f>[13†]</f><J>heal them.’</J></t>


text:
<pb/><J>But </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>blessed </J><i><J>are</J></i><J> your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;</J>


text:
<J>for assuredly, I say to you </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>that many prophets and righteous </J><i><J>men</J></i><J> desired to see what you see, and did not see </J><i><J>it,</J></i><J> and to hear what you hear, and did not hear </J><i><J>it.</J></i>


text:
<J>When anyone hears the word </J> <f>[17†]</f><J>of the kingdom, and does not understand </J><i><J>it,</J></i><J> then the wicked </J><i><J>one</J></i><J> comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.</J>


text:
<J>But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately </J> <f>[18†]</f><J>receives it with joy;</J>


text:
<J>yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when </J> <f>[19†]</f><J>tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>he stumbles.</J>


text:
<J>Now </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>he who received seed </J> <f>[22†]</f><J>among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.</J>


text:
<J>But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands </J><i><J>it,</J></i><J> who indeed bears </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”</J>


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<pb/>Another parable He put forth to them, saying: <J>“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;</J>


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<J>So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’</J>


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<J>He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’</J>


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<J>Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but </J> <f>[24†]</f><J>gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”</J>


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<pb/>Another parable He put forth to them, saying: <f>[25†]</f><J>“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,</J>


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<J>which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a </J> <f>[26†]</f><J>tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[27†]</f>Another parable He spoke to them: <J>“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three </J><J>measures</J><J> of meal till </J> <f>[28†]</f><J>it was all leavened.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[29†]</f>All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,


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that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: <pb/><t> <f>[30†]</f>“I will open My mouth in parables; </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”</t>


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<pb/>Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”


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<f>[32†]</f><J>The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are </J> <f>[33†]</f><J>the sons of the wicked </J><i><J>one.</J></i>


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<J>The enemy who sowed them is the devil, </J> <f>[34†]</f><J>the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.</J>


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<J>Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.</J>


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<J>The Son of Man will send out His angels, </J> <f>[35†]</f><J>and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,</J>


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<f>[36†]</f><J>and will cast them into the furnace of fire. </J> <f>[37†]</f><J>There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.</J>


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<f>[38†]</f><J>Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. </J> <f>[39†]</f><J>He who has ears to hear, let him hear!</J>


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<pb/><J>“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and </J> <f>[40†]</f><J>sells all that he has and </J> <f>[41†]</f><J>buys that field.</J>


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<J>who, when he had found </J> <f>[42†]</f><J>one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.</J>


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<pb/><J>“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and </J> <f>[43†]</f><J>gathered some of every kind,</J>


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<J>which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.</J>


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<J>So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, </J> <f>[44†]</f><J>separate the wicked from among the just,</J>


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<pb/>Jesus said to them, <J>“Have you understood all these things?”</J> <pb/>They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”


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<pb/>Then He said to them, <J>“Therefore every </J><J>scribe instructed </J><J>concerning</J><J> the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure </J> <f>[45†]</f><i><J>things</J></i><J> new and old.”</J>


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<f>[46†]</f>When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this <i>Man</i> get this wisdom and <i>these</i> mighty works?


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<f>[47†]</f>Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And <f>[48†]</f>His brothers <f>[49†]</f>James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?


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So they <f>[50†]</f>were offended at Him. <pb/>But Jesus said to them, <f>[51†]</f><J>“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”</J>


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and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”


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<f>[2†]</f>For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put <i>him</i> in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.


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And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, <f>[4†]</f>because they counted him as a prophet.


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<pb/>But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.


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<pb/>So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”


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<pb/>And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded <i>it</i> to be given to <i>her.</i>


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And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought <i>it</i> to her mother.


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<pb/> <f>[5†]</f>When Jesus heard <i>it,</i> He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.


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And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He <f>[6†]</f>was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.


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<f>[7†]</f>When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”


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Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, <f>[8†]</f>He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.


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So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.


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<pb/>Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.


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<f>[9†]</f>And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. <f>[10†]</f>Now when evening came, He was alone there.


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And when the disciples saw Him <f>[11†]</f>walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.


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<pb/>But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, <J>“Be of good </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>cheer! </J><J>It is I; do not be afraid.”</J>


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<pb/>So He said, <J>“Come.”</J> And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.


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But when he saw that the wind <i>was</i> boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”


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<pb/>And immediately Jesus stretched out <i>His</i> hand and caught him, and said to him, <J>“O you of </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>little faith, why did you doubt?”</J>


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<pb/>Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly <f>[14†]</f>You are the Son of God.”


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And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,


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and begged Him that they might only <f>[16†]</f>touch the hem of His garment. And <f>[17†]</f>as many as touched <i>it</i> were made perfectly well.


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<f>[2†]</f>“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”


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<pb/>He answered and said to them, <J>“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?</J>


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<J>For God commanded, saying, </J> <f>[3†]</f><J>‘Honor your father and your mother’</J><J>; </J><J> and, </J> <f>[4†]</f><J>‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’</J>


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<J>But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, </J> <f>[5†]</f><J>“Whatever profit you might have received from me </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> a gift </J><i><J>to God</J></i><J>”—</J>


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<J>then he need not honor his father </J><J>or mother.’</J><J> Thus you have made the </J><J>commandment</J><J> of God of no effect by your tradition.</J>


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<pb/><t><J>‘These</J> <f>[7†]</f> people <J>draw near to Me with their mouth,</J> </t><t><J>And</J><J> honor Me with</J> <i><J>their</J></i><J> lips,</J> </t><t><J>But their heart is far from Me.</J></t>


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<t><J>And in vain they worship Me,</J> </t><t> <f>[8†]</f><J>Teaching</J> <i><J>as</J></i> <J>doctrines the commandments of men.’</J> <J>”</J></t>


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<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>When He had called the multitude to <i>Himself,</i> He said to them, <J>“Hear and understand:</J>


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<f>[10†]</f><J>Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”</J>


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<pb/>Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”


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<pb/>But He answered and said, <f>[11†]</f><J>“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.</J>


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<J>Let them alone. </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”</J>


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<J>Do you not yet understand that </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?</J>


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<J>But </J> <f>[16†]</f><J>those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.</J>


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<f>[17†]</f><J>For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.</J>


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<J>These are </J><i><J>the things</J></i><J> which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”</J>


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And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, <f>[19†]</f>Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”


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<pb/>But He answered her not a word. <pb/>And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”


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<pb/>But He answered and said, <f>[20†]</f><J>“I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”</J>


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<pb/>But He answered and said, <J>“It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw </J><i><J>it</J></i><J> to the little </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>dogs.”</J>


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<pb/>And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”


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<pb/>Then Jesus answered and said to her, <J>“O woman, </J> <f>[22†]</f><J>great </J><i><J>is</J></i><J> your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”</J> And her daughter was healed from that very hour.


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<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>Jesus departed from there, <f>[24†]</f>skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.


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<f>[25†]</f>Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them <i>the</i> lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ <f>[26†]</f>feet, and He healed them.


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So the multitude marveled when they saw <i>the</i> mute speaking, <i>the</i> maimed made whole, <i>the</i> lame walking, and <i>the</i> blind seeing; and they <f>[27†]</f>glorified the God of Israel.


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<pb/> <f>[28†]</f>Now Jesus called His disciples to <i>Himself</i> and said, <J>“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[29†]</f>Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”


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<pb/>Jesus said to them, <J>“How many loaves do you have?”</J> <pb/>And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”


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And <f>[30†]</f>He took the seven loaves and the fish and <f>[31†]</f>gave thanks, broke <i>them</i> and gave <i>them</i> to His disciples; and the disciples <i>gave</i> to the multitude.


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So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.


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<pb/>Then the <f>[1†]</f>Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.


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He answered and said to them, <J>“When it is evening you say, ‘</J><i><J>It will be</J></i><J> fair weather, for the sky is red’;</J>


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<J>and in the morning, ‘</J><i><J>It will be</J></i><J> foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ </J><J>Hypocrites!</J><J> You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot </J><i><J>discern</J></i><J> the signs of the times.</J>


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<f>[2†]</f><J>A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of </J><J>the prophet</J><J> Jonah.”</J> And He left them and departed.


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<pb/>Now <f>[3†]</f>when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.


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Then Jesus said to them, <f>[4†]</f><J>“Take heed and beware of the </J><J>leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”</J>


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<pb/>And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “<i>It</i> <i>is</i> because we have taken no bread.”


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<pb/>But Jesus, being aware of <i>it,</i> said to them, <J>“O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you </J><J>have brought no bread?</J>


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<f>[5†]</f><J>Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?</J>


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<J>How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—</J><i><J>but</J></i><J> to beware of the </J><J>leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”</J>


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Then they understood that He did not tell <i>them</i> to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.


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<pb/>When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, <f>[7†]</f><J>“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”</J>


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<pb/>So they said, <f>[8†]</f>“Some <i>say</i> John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or <f>[9†]</f>one of the prophets.”


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<pb/>Jesus answered and said to him, <J>“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>for flesh and blood has not revealed </J><i><J>this</J></i><J> to you, but </J> <f>[13†]</f><J>My Father who is in heaven.</J>


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<J>And I also say to you that </J> <f>[14†]</f><J>you are Peter, and </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>on this rock I will build My church, and </J> <f>[16†]</f><J>the gates of Hades shall not </J><J>prevail against it.</J>


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<f>[17†]</f><J>And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth </J><J>will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed</J><J> in heaven.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.


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<pb/>From that time Jesus began <f>[19†]</f>to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.


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<pb/>Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”


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<pb/>But He turned and said to Peter, <J>“Get behind Me, </J> <f>[20†]</f><J>Satan! </J> <f>[21†]</f><J>You are </J><J>an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[22†]</f>Then Jesus said to His disciples, <J>“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and </J> <f>[23†]</f><J>follow Me.</J>


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<J>For </J> <f>[24†]</f><J>whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.</J>


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<J>For what </J> <f>[25†]</f><J>profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or </J> <f>[26†]</f><J>what will a man give in exchange for his soul?</J>


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<J>For </J> <f>[27†]</f><J>the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father </J> <f>[28†]</f><J>with His angels, </J> <f>[29†]</f><J>and then He will reward each according to his works.</J>


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<J>“Assuredly, I say to you, </J> <f>[30†]</f><J>there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”</J>


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;


text:
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.


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Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”


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<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, <f>[3†]</f>“This is My beloved Son, <f>[4†]</f>in whom I am well pleased. <f>[5†]</f>Hear Him!”


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<f>[6†]</f>And when the disciples heard <i>it,</i> they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.


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<pb/>Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, <J>“Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”</J>


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<pb/>And His disciples asked Him, saying, <f>[8†]</f>“Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”


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<pb/>Jesus answered and said to them, <J>“Indeed, Elijah is coming </J><J>first</J><J> and will </J> <f>[9†]</f><J>restore all things.</J>


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<f>[10†]</f><J>But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they </J> <f>[11†]</f><J>did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise </J> <f>[12†]</f><J>the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.”</J>


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<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,


text:
“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.


text:
<pb/>Then Jesus answered and said, <J>“O </J><J>faithless and </J> <f>[15†]</f><J>perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”</J>


