# verses

text:
<f>[12†]</f>Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers went out to the king of Babylon; and the king of Babylon, <f>[13†]</f>in the eighth year of his reign, took him prisoner.


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<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house, and he <f>[15†]</f>cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, <f>[16†]</f>as the LORD had said.


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Also <f>[17†]</f>he carried into captivity all Jerusalem: all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, <f>[18†]</f>ten thousand captives, and <f>[19†]</f>all the craftsmen and smiths. None remained except <f>[20†]</f>the poorest people of the land.


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And <f>[21†]</f>he carried Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officers, and the mighty of the land he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.


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<f>[22†]</f>All the valiant men, seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths, one thousand, all <i>who</i> <i>were</i> strong <i>and</i> fit for war, these the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.


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<pb/>Then <f>[23†]</f>the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, <f>[24†]</f>Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and <f>[25†]</f>changed his name to Zedekiah.


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<pb/> <f>[26†]</f>Zedekiah <i>was</i> twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> <f>[27†]</f>Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.


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For because of the anger of the LORD <i>this</i> happened in Jerusalem and Judah, that He finally cast them out from His presence. <f>[29†]</f>Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.


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<pb/>Now it came to pass <f>[1†]</f>in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around.


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By the ninth <i>day</i> of the <f>[2†]</f><i>fourth</i> month the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.


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<pb/>Then <f>[3†]</f>the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war <i>fled</i> at night by way of the gate between two walls, which was by the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans <i>were</i> still encamped all around against the city. And <f>[4†]</f><i>the</i> <i>king</i> went by way of the plain.


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But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and they overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his army was scattered from him.


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So they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon <f>[5†]</f>at Riblah, and they pronounced judgment on him.


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Then they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, <f>[6†]</f>put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and took him to Babylon.


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<pb/>And in the fifth month, <f>[7†]</f>on the seventh <i>day</i> of the month (which <i>was</i> <f>[8†]</f>the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), <f>[9†]</f>Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.


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<f>[10†]</f>He burned the house of the LORD <f>[11†]</f>and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, <f>[12†]</f>he burned with fire.


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And all the army of the Chaldeans who <i>were</i> <i>with</i> the captain of the guard <f>[13†]</f>broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.


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<pb/>Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive <f>[14†]</f>the rest of the people <i>who</i> remained in the city and the defectors who had deserted to the king of Babylon, with the rest of the multitude.


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But the captain of the guard <f>[15†]</f>left <i>some</i> of the poor of the land as vinedressers and farmers.


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<f>[16†]</f>The bronze <f>[17†]</f>pillars that <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, and <f>[18†]</f>the carts and <f>[19†]</f>the bronze Sea that <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and <f>[20†]</f>carried their bronze to Babylon.


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They also took away <f>[21†]</f>the pots, the shovels, the trimmers, the spoons, and all the bronze utensils with which the priests ministered.


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The firepans and the basins, the things of solid gold and solid silver, the captain of the guard took away.


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The two pillars, one Sea, and the carts, which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, <f>[22†]</f>the bronze of all these articles was beyond measure.


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<f>[23†]</f>The height of one pillar <i>was</i> eighteen cubits, and the capital on it <i>was</i> of bronze. The height of the capital was three cubits, and the network and pomegranates all around the capital were all of bronze. The second pillar was the same, with a network.


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<pb/> <f>[24†]</f>And the captain of the guard took <f>[25†]</f>Seraiah the chief priest, <f>[26†]</f>Zephaniah the second priest, and the three doorkeepers.


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He also took out of the city an officer who had charge of the men of war, <f>[27†]</f>five men of the king’s close associates who were found in the city, the chief recruiting officer of the army, who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land <i>who</i> <i>were</i> found in the city.


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Then the king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. <f>[28†]</f>Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land.


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<pb/>Then he made Gedaliah the son of <f>[29†]</f>Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over <f>[30†]</f>the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left.


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Now when all the <f>[31†]</f>captains of the armies, they and <i>their</i> men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Careah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.


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And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”


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<pb/>But <f>[32†]</f>it happened in the seventh month that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck and killed Gedaliah, the Jews, as well as the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.


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And all the people, small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose <f>[33†]</f>and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.


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<pb/> <f>[34†]</f>Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, <f>[35†]</f>released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.


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He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who <i>were</i> with him in Babylon.


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So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he <f>[36†]</f>ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.


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And as for his provisions, <i>there</i> <i>was</i> a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.


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<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>The sons of Japheth <i>were</i> Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.


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The sons of Cush <i>were</i> Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabtecha. The sons of Raama <i>were</i> Sheba and Dedan.


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<pb/>The sons of <f>[8†]</f>Shem <i>were</i> Elam, Asshur, <f>[9†]</f>Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.


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To Eber were born two sons: the name of one <i>was</i> Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name <i>was</i> Joktan.


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<pb/>These <i>are</i> their genealogies: The <f>[17†]</f>firstborn of Ishmael <i>was</i> Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,


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<pb/>Now <f>[18†]</f>the sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, <i>were</i> Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan <i>were</i> Sheba and Dedan.


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The sons of Midian <i>were</i> Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.


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<pb/>And <f>[19†]</f>Abraham begot Isaac. <f>[20†]</f>The sons of Isaac <i>were</i> Esau and Israel.


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And the sons of Eliphaz <i>were</i> Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, <i>and</i> Kenaz; and <i>by</i> <f>[22†]</f>Timna, Amalek.


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<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>The sons of Seir <i>were</i> Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.


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The sons of Shobal <i>were</i> Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon <i>were</i> Ajah and Anah.


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The son of Anah <i>was</i> <f>[24†]</f>Dishon. The sons of Dishon <i>were</i> Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.


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The sons of Ezer <i>were</i> Bilhan, Zaavan, <i>and</i> Jaakan. The sons of Dishan <i>were</i> Uz and Aran.


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<pb/>Now these <i>were</i> the <f>[25†]</f>kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.


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And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city <i>was</i> Avith.


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And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.


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<pb/>These <i>were</i> the <f>[1†]</f>sons of Israel: <f>[2†]</f>Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,


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<pb/>The sons of <f>[3†]</f>Judah <i>were</i> Er, Onan, and Shelah. <i>These</i> three were born to him by the daughter of <f>[4†]</f>Shua, the Canaanitess. <f>[5†]</f>Er, the firstborn of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so He killed him.


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And <f>[6†]</f>Tamar, his daughter-in-law, <f>[7†]</f>bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah <i>were</i> five.


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<pb/>The son of <f>[10†]</f>Carmi <i>was</i> Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the <f>[11†]</f>accursed thing.


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Ram <f>[12†]</f>begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, <f>[13†]</f>leader of the children of Judah;


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<pb/>Now their sisters <i>were</i> Zeruiah and Abigail. <f>[16†]</f>And the sons of Zeruiah <i>were</i> Abishai, Joab, and Asahel—three.


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<pb/>Caleb the son of Hezron had children by Azubah, <i>his</i> wife, and by Jerioth. Now these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.


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<pb/>Now afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of <f>[19†]</f>Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he <i>was</i> sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.


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<f>[21†]</f>(Geshur and Syria took from them the towns of Jair, with Kenath and its towns—sixty towns.) All these <i>belonged</i> <i>to</i> the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.


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After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Hezron’s wife Abijah bore him <f>[22†]</f>Ashhur the father of Tekoa.


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<pb/>The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, <i>were</i> Ram, the firstborn, and Bunah, Oren, Ozem, <i>and</i> Ahijah.


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The son of Appaim <i>was</i> Ishi, the son of Ishi <i>was</i> Sheshan, and <f>[23†]</f>Sheshan’s son <i>was</i> Ahlai.


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The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, <i>were</i> Jether and Jonathan; Jether died without children.


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<pb/>Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. And Sheshan had an Egyptian servant whose name <i>was</i> Jarha.


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<pb/>The descendants of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel <i>were</i> Mesha, his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.


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She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb <i>was</i> <f>[26†]</f>Achsah.


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<pb/>These were the descendants of Caleb: The sons of <f>[27†]</f>Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, <i>were</i> Shobal the father of <f>[28†]</f>Kirjath Jearim,


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<pb/>And Shobal the father of Kirjath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, <i>and</i> half of the <i>families</i> <i>of</i> Manuhoth.


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The families of Kirjath Jearim <i>were</i> the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. From these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.


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<pb/>The sons of Salma <i>were</i> Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites.


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<pb/>And the families of the scribes who dwelt at Jabez <i>were</i> the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, <i>and</i> the Suchathites. These <i>were</i> the <f>[29†]</f>Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of <f>[30†]</f>Rechab.


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<pb/>Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn <i>was</i> <f>[1†]</f>Amnon, by <f>[2†]</f>Ahinoam the <f>[3†]</f>Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by <f>[4†]</f>Abigail the Carmelitess;


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the third, <f>[5†]</f>Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, <f>[6†]</f>Adonijah the son of Haggith;


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<pb/><i>These</i> six were born to him in Hebron. <f>[8†]</f>There he reigned seven years and six months, and <f>[9†]</f>in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.


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<f>[10†]</f>And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and <f>[11†]</f>Solomon—four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel.


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<i>These</i> <i>were</i> all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and <f>[13†]</f>Tamar their sister.


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<pb/>Solomon’s son <i>was</i> <f>[14†]</f>Rehoboam; Abijah <i>was</i> his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,


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The sons of Josiah <i>were</i> Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.


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The sons of Pedaiah <i>were</i> Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel <i>were</i> Meshullam, Hananiah, Shelomith their sister,


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<pb/>The sons of Hananiah <i>were</i> Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, and the sons of Shechaniah.


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The son of Shechaniah was Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah <i>were</i> <f>[17†]</f>Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


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The sons of Elioenai <i>were</i> Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


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And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These <i>were</i> the families of the Zorathites.


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These <i>were</i> <i>the</i> <i>sons</i> <i>of</i> the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister <i>was</i> Hazelelponi;


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and Penuel <i>was</i> the father of Gedor, and Ezer <i>was</i> <i>the</i> father of Hushah. <pb/>These <i>were</i> the sons of <f>[2†]</f>Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem.


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<pb/>Now Jabez was <f>[4†]</f>more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore <i>him</i> in pain.”


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And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep <i>me</i> from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.


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And Eshton begot Beth-Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-Nahash. These <i>were</i> the men of Rechah.


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<pb/>The sons of Kenaz <i>were</i> <f>[6†]</f>Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel <i>were</i> Hathath,


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and Meonothai <i>who</i> begot Ophrah. Seraiah begot Joab the father of <f>[7†]</f>Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen.


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The sons of <f>[8†]</f>Caleb the son of Jephunneh <i>were</i> Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah <i>was</i> Kenaz.


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The sons of Ezrah <i>were</i> Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.


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(His wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Sochoh, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) And these were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.


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<pb/>The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham, <i>were</i> the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the <f>[9†]</f>Maachathite.


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And the sons of Shimon <i>were</i> Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi <i>were</i> Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.


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<pb/>The sons of <f>[10†]</f>Shelah <f>[11†]</f>the son of Judah <i>were</i> Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers of the house of Ashbea;


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also Jokim, the men of Chozeba, and Joash; Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubi-Lehem. Now the records are ancient.


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These <i>were</i> the potters and those who dwell at Netaim and Gederah; there they dwelt with the king for his work.


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Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, <f>[13†]</f>nor did any of their families multiply as much as the children of Judah.


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Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These <i>were</i> their cities until the reign of David.


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and all the villages that <i>were</i> around these cities as far as Baal. These <i>were</i> their dwelling places, and they maintained their genealogy:


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Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—


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these mentioned by name <i>were</i> leaders in their families, and their father’s house increased greatly.


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<pb/>So they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.


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And they found rich, good pasture, and the land <i>was</i> broad, quiet, and peaceful; for some Hamites formerly lived there.


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<pb/>These recorded by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and they <f>[14†]</f>attacked their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and <f>[15†]</f>utterly destroyed them, as it is to this day. So they dwelt in their place, because <i>there</i> <i>was</i> pasture for their flocks there.


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Now <i>some</i> of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.


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And they defeated <f>[16†]</f>the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.


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<pb/>Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel— <f>[1†]</f>he <i>was</i> indeed the firstborn, but because he <f>[2†]</f>defiled his father’s bed, <f>[3†]</f>his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;


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yet <f>[4†]</f>Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him <i>came</i> a <f>[5†]</f>ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s—


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and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria <f>[7†]</f>carried into captivity. He <i>was</i> leader of the Reubenites.


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And his brethren by their families, <f>[8†]</f>when the genealogy of their generations was registered: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,


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and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in <f>[9†]</f>Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal Meon.


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Eastward they settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness this side of the River Euphrates, because their cattle had multiplied <f>[10†]</f>in the land of Gilead.


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<pb/>Now in the days of Saul they made war <f>[11†]</f>with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they dwelt in their tents throughout the entire <i>area</i> east of Gilead.


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<pb/>And the <f>[12†]</f>children of Gad dwelt next to them in the land of <f>[13†]</f>Bashan as far as <f>[14†]</f>Salcah:


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and their brethren of their father’s house: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jachan, Zia, and Eber—seven <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


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These <i>were</i> the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;


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And <i>the</i> <i>Gadites</i> dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan and in its villages, and in all the common-lands of <f>[15†]</f>Sharon within their borders.


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All these were registered by genealogies in the days of <f>[16†]</f>Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of <f>[17†]</f>Jeroboam king of Israel.


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<pb/>The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh <i>had</i> forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and skillful in war, who went to war.


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And <f>[19†]</f>they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who <i>were</i> with them, for they <f>[20†]</f>cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they <f>[21†]</f>put their trust in Him.


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Then they took away their livestock—fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys—also one hundred thousand of their men;


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for many fell dead, because the war <f>[22†]</f><i>was</i> God’s. And they dwelt in their place until <f>[23†]</f>the captivity.


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<pb/>So the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. Their <i>numbers</i> increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to <f>[24†]</f>Senir, or Mount Hermon.


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These <i>were</i> the heads of their fathers’ houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, <i>and</i> heads of their fathers’ houses.


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<pb/>And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and <f>[25†]</f>played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.


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So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of <f>[26†]</f>Pul king of Assyria, that is, <f>[27†]</f>Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to <f>[28†]</f>Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan to this day.


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The children of Amram <i>were</i> Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron <i>were</i> <f>[3†]</f>Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.


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Johanan begot Azariah (it was he <f>[6†]</f>who ministered as priest in the <f>[7†]</f>temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem);


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Jehozadak went <i>into</i> <i>captivity</i> <f>[11†]</f>when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.


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The sons of Merari <i>were</i> Mahli and Mushi. Now these <i>are</i> the families of the Levites according to their fathers:


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<pb/>Now these are <f>[16†]</f>the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the <f>[17†]</f>ark came to rest.


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They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.


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<pb/>And these <i>are</i> the ones who ministered with their sons: Of the sons of the <f>[18†]</f>Kohathites <i>were</i> Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,


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And his brother <f>[20†]</f>Asaph, who stood at his right hand, <i>was</i> Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,


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<pb/>Their brethren, the sons of Merari, on the left hand, <i>were</i> Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,


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<pb/>And their brethren, the Levites, <i>were</i> appointed to every <f>[22†]</f>kind of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.


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<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>But Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices <f>[24†]</f>on the altar of burnt offering and <f>[25†]</f>on the altar of incense, for all the work of the Most Holy <i>Place,</i> and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.


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Now these <i>are</i> the <f>[26†]</f>sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,


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<pb/> <f>[27†]</f>Now these <i>are</i> their dwelling places throughout their settlements in their territory, for they were <i>given</i> by lot to the sons of Aaron, of the family of the Kohathites:


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And <f>[30†]</f>to the sons of Aaron they gave <i>one</i> <i>of</i> the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands,


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And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families <i>were</i> thirteen.


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<pb/> <f>[31†]</f>To the rest of the family of the tribe of the Kohathites <i>they</i> <i>gave</i> <f>[32†]</f>by lot ten cities from half the tribe of Manasseh.


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And to the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, <i>they</i> <i>gave</i> thirteen cities from the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.


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To the sons of Merari, throughout their families, <i>they</i> <i>gave</i> <f>[33†]</f>twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun.


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And they gave by lot from the tribe of the children of Judah, from the tribe of the children of Simeon, and from the tribe of the children of Benjamin these cities which are called by <i>their</i> names.


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<pb/>Now <f>[34†]</f>some of the families of the sons of Kohath <i>were</i> <i>given</i> cities as their territory from the tribe of Ephraim.


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<f>[35†]</f>And they gave them <i>one</i> <i>of</i> the cities of refuge, Shechem with its common-lands, in the mountains of Ephraim, also Gezer with its common-lands,


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And from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its common-lands and Bileam with its common-lands, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.


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<pb/>From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon <i>were</i> <i>given</i> Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands.


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And from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its common-lands, Hammon with its common-lands, and Kirjathaim with its common-lands.


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<pb/>From the tribe of Zebulun the rest of the children of Merari <i>were</i> <i>given</i> Rimmon with its common-lands and Tabor with its common-lands.


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And on the other side of the Jordan, across from Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, <i>they</i> <i>were</i> <i>given</i> from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its common-lands, Jahzah with its common-lands,


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<pb/>The sons of Issachar <i>were</i> <f>[1†]</f>Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


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The sons of Tola <i>were</i> Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. <i>The</i> <i>sons</i> of Tola <i>were</i> mighty men of valor in their generations; <f>[2†]</f>their number in the days of David <i>was</i> twenty-two thousand six hundred.


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The son of Uzzi <i>was</i> Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah <i>were</i> Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them <i>were</i> chief men.


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And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, <i>were</i> thirty-six thousand troops ready for war; for they had many wives and sons.


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<pb/>Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar <i>were</i> mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.


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<pb/><i>The</i> <i>sons</i> of <f>[3†]</f>Benjamin <i>were</i> Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


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The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five <i>in</i> <i>all.</i> They <i>were</i> heads of <i>their</i> fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.


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<pb/>The sons of Becher <i>were</i> Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these <i>are</i> the sons of Becher.


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And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor.


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The son of Jediael <i>was</i> Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan <i>were</i> Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.


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<pb/>All these sons of Jediael <i>were</i> heads of their fathers’ houses; <i>there</i> <i>were</i> seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war <i>and</i> battle.


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<pb/>The <f>[4†]</f>sons of Naphtali <i>were</i> Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.


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<pb/>The <f>[5†]</f>descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him <f>[6†]</f>Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel.


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Machir took as his wife <i>the</i> <i>sister</i> of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name <i>was</i> Maachah. The name of <i>Gilead’s</i> grandson <i>was</i> <f>[7†]</f>Zelophehad, but Zelophehad begot only daughters.


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(Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother <i>was</i> Sheresh, and his sons <i>were</i> Ulam and Rakem.


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The son of Ulam <i>was</i> <f>[8†]</f>Bedan.) These <i>were</i> the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.


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<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>The sons of Ephraim <i>were</i> Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son,


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Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in <i>that</i> land killed <i>them</i> because they came down to take away their cattle.


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<pb/>And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.


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Now his daughter <i>was</i> Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper <f>[10†]</f>Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah;


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<pb/>Now their <f>[13†]</f>possessions and dwelling places <i>were</i> Bethel and its towns: to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns;


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and by the borders of the children of <f>[14†]</f>Manasseh <i>were</i> Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, <f>[15†]</f>Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.


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<pb/> <f>[16†]</f>The sons of Asher <i>were</i> Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah.


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The sons of Japhlet <i>were</i> Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These <i>were</i> the children of Japhlet.


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<pb/>All these <i>were</i> the children of Asher, heads of <i>their</i> fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number <i>was</i> twenty-six thousand.


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<pb/>These <i>are</i> the sons of Ehud, who were the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the inhabitants of <f>[2†]</f>Geba, and who forced them to move to <f>[3†]</f>Manahath:


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<pb/>Also Shaharaim had children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives.


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and Beriah and <f>[4†]</f>Shema, who <i>were</i> heads of their fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath.


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<pb/>These <i>were</i> heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.


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and Mikloth, <i>who</i> begot Shimeah. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.


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<f>[6†]</f>Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.


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<pb/>Azel had six sons whose names <i>were</i> these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these <i>were</i> the sons of Azel.


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And the sons of Eshek his brother <i>were</i> Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.


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<pb/>The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor—archers. <i>They</i> had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty <i>in</i> <i>all.</i> These <i>were</i> all sons of Benjamin.


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<pb/>So <f>[1†]</f>all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they <i>were</i> inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.


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<f>[2†]</f>And the first inhabitants who <i>dwelt</i> in their possessions in their cities <i>were</i> Israelites, priests, Levites, and <f>[3†]</f>the Nethinim.


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<pb/>Now in <f>[4†]</f>Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh:


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Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah.


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Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;


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and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men <i>were</i> heads of a father’s <i>house</i> in their fathers’ houses.


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Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the <f>[6†]</f>officer over the house of God;


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Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;


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and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. <i>They</i> <i>were</i> very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.


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<pb/>Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;


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Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of <f>[7†]</f>Zichri, the son of Asaph;


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<f>[8†]</f>Obadiah the son of <f>[9†]</f>Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.


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<pb/>And the gatekeepers <i>were</i> Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum <i>was</i> the chief.


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Until then <i>they</i> <i>had</i> <i>been</i> gatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east.


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<pb/>Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, <i>were</i> in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD.


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And <f>[10†]</f>Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD <i>was</i> with him.


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<f>[11†]</f>Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah <i>was</i> keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting.


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<pb/>All those chosen as gatekeepers <i>were</i> two hundred and twelve. <f>[12†]</f>They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel <f>[13†]</f>the seer had appointed them to their trusted office.


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So they and their children <i>were</i> in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment.


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And their brethren in their villages <i>had</i> to come with them from time to time <f>[14†]</f>for seven days.


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For in this trusted office <i>were</i> four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.


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And they lodged <i>all</i> around the house of God because they <i>had</i> the <f>[15†]</f>responsibility, and they <i>were</i> in charge of opening <i>it</i> every morning.


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<pb/>Now <i>some</i> of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.


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<i>Some</i> of them <i>were</i> appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the <f>[16†]</f>fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices.


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<pb/>Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office <f>[18†]</f>over the things that were baked in the pans.


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And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites <f>[19†]</f><i>were</i> in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath.


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<pb/>These are <f>[20†]</f>the singers, heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the Levites, <i>who</i> <i>lodged</i> in the chambers, <i>and</i> <i>were</i> free <i>from</i> <i>other</i> <i>duties;</i> for they were employed in <i>that</i> work day and night.


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These heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the Levites <i>were</i> heads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem.


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And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.


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<f>[22†]</f>Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.


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<pb/>And Azel had six sons whose names <i>were</i> these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these <i>were</i> the sons of Azel.


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.


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Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.


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Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.


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And when all the men of Israel who <i>were</i> in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; then the Philistines came and dwelt in them.


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<pb/>So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.


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And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>temple</i> of their idols and among the people.


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<f>[2†]</f>Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.


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all the <f>[3†]</f>valiant men arose and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons; and they brought them to <f>[4†]</f>Jabesh, and buried their bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.


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<pb/>So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, <f>[5†]</f>because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because <f>[6†]</f>he consulted a medium for guidance.


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But <i>he</i> did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and <f>[7†]</f>turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.


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<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, “Indeed we <i>are</i> your bone and your flesh.


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Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you <i>were</i> the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD your <f>[2†]</f>God said to you, ‘You shall <f>[3†]</f>shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.’ ”


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Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And <f>[4†]</f>they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by <f>[5†]</f>Samuel.


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<pb/>And David and all Israel <f>[6†]</f>went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, <f>[7†]</f>where the Jebusites <i>were,</i> the inhabitants of the land.


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But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).


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Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief.


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And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.


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<pb/>Now <f>[10†]</f>these <i>were</i> the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to <f>[11†]</f>the word of the LORD concerning Israel.


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<pb/>And this <i>is</i> the number of the mighty men whom David had: <f>[12†]</f>Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, <f>[13†]</f>chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed <i>by</i> <i>him</i> at one time.


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<pb/>After him <i>was</i> Eleazar the son of <f>[14†]</f>Dodo, the Ahohite, who <i>was</i> <i>one</i> of the three mighty men.


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He was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines.


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But they stationed themselves in the middle of <i>that</i> field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.


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<pb/>Now three of the thirty chief men <f>[15†]</f>went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines encamped <f>[16†]</f>in the Valley of Rephaim.


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David <i>was</i> then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines <i>was</i> then in Bethlehem.


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And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”


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So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that <i>was</i> by the gate, and took <i>it</i> and brought <i>it</i> to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD.


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And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men <i>who</i> <i>have</i> <i>put</i> their lives <i>in</i> <i>jeopardy?</i> For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.


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<pb/> <f>[17†]</f>Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of <i>another</i> three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred <i>men,</i> killed <i>them,</i> and won a name among <i>these</i> three.


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<f>[18†]</f>Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the <i>first</i> three.


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<pb/>Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. <f>[19†]</f>He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.


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And he killed an Egyptian, a man of <i>great</i> height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand <i>there</i> <i>was</i> a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.


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Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the <i>first</i> three. And David appointed him over his guard.


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<pb/>Also the mighty warriors <i>were</i> <f>[20†]</f>Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>these <i>were</i> the men who came to David at <f>[2†]</f>Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they <i>were</i> among the mighty men, helpers in the war,


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armed with bows, using both the right hand and <f>[3†]</f>the left in <i>hurling</i> stones and <i>shooting</i> arrows with the bow. <i>They</i> <i>were</i> of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren.


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<pb/>The chief <i>was</i> Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite;


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Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite;


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<pb/><i>Some</i> Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces <i>were</i> <i>like</i> the faces of lions, and <i>were</i> <f>[4†]</f>as swift as gazelles on the mountains:


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These <i>were</i> from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a <f>[5†]</f>thousand.


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These <i>are</i> the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its <f>[6†]</f>banks; and they put to flight all <i>those</i> in the valleys, to the east and to the west.


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And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”


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Then the Spirit came upon <f>[7†]</f>Amasai, chief of the captains, <i>and</i> <i>he</i> <i>said:</i> <pb/><t>“<i>We</i> <i>are</i> yours, O David; </t><t>We <i>are</i> on your side, O son of Jesse! </t><t>Peace, peace to you, </t><t>And peace to your helpers! </t><t>For your God helps you.” </t> <pb/>So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.


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<pb/>And <i>some</i> from Manasseh defected to David <f>[8†]</f>when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, <f>[9†]</f>“He may defect to his master Saul <i>and</i> <i>endanger</i> our heads.”


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When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who <i>were</i> from Manasseh.


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And they helped David against <f>[10†]</f>the bands <i>of</i> <i>raiders,</i> for they <i>were</i> all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army.


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For at <i>that</i> time they came to David day by day to help him, until <i>it</i> <i>was</i> a great army, <f>[11†]</f>like the army of God.


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<pb/>Now these <i>were</i> the numbers of the divisions <i>that</i> <i>were</i> equipped for war, <i>and</i> <f>[12†]</f>came to David at <f>[13†]</f>Hebron to <f>[14†]</f>turn <i>over</i> the kingdom of Saul to him, <f>[15†]</f>according to the word of the LORD:


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of the sons of Benjamin, relatives of Saul, three thousand (until then <f>[17†]</f>the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul);


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of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father’s house;


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of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king;


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of the sons of Issachar <f>[18†]</f>who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;


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of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, <f>[19†]</f>stouthearted men who could keep ranks;


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of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from the other side of the Jordan, one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every <i>kind</i> of weapon of war.


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<pb/>All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel <i>were</i> of <f>[20†]</f>one mind to make David king.


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And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them.


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Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen—provisions of flour and cakes of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for <i>there</i> <i>was</i> joy in Israel.


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<pb/>Then David consulted with the <f>[1†]</f>captains of thousands and hundreds, <i>and</i> with every leader.


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And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If <i>it</i> <i>seems</i> good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere <i>who</i> <i>are</i> <f>[2†]</f>left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites <i>who</i> <i>are</i> in their cities <i>and</i> their common-lands, that they may gather together to us;


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and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, <f>[3†]</f>for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.”


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Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.


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<pb/>So <f>[4†]</f>David gathered all Israel together, from <f>[5†]</f>Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God <f>[6†]</f>from Kirjath Jearim.


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And David and all Israel went up to <f>[7†]</f>Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, <f>[8†]</f>who dwells <i>between</i> the cherubim, where <i>His</i> name is proclaimed.


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So they carried the ark of God <f>[9†]</f>on a new cart <f>[10†]</f>from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.


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Then <f>[11†]</f>David and all Israel played <i>music</i> before God with all <i>their</i> might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.


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<pb/>And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled.


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Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him <f>[12†]</f>because he put his hand to the ark; and he <f>[13†]</f>died there before God.


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And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day.


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<pb/>So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.


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<f>[14†]</f>The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed <f>[15†]</f>the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house.


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So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was <f>[2†]</f>highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.


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And <f>[3†]</f>these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,


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<pb/>Now when the Philistines heard that <f>[4†]</f>David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard <i>of</i> <i>it</i> and went out against them.


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And David <f>[6†]</f>inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” <pb/>The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”


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<pb/>So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.


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Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, <f>[8†]</f>and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.


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And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”


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So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.


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Then <f>[9†]</f>the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD <f>[10†]</f>brought the fear of him upon all nations.


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<pb/><i>David</i> built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, <f>[1†]</f>and pitched a tent for it.


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Then David said, “No one may carry the <f>[2†]</f>ark of God but the Levites, for <f>[3†]</f>the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”


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And David <f>[4†]</f>gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.


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<pb/>And David called for <f>[7†]</f>Zadok and <f>[8†]</f>Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.


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He said to them, “You <i>are</i> the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to <i>the</i> <i>place</i> I have prepared for it.


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For <f>[9†]</f>because you <i>did</i> not <i>do</i> <i>it</i> the first <i>time,</i> <f>[10†]</f>the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”


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<pb/>So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.


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And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as <f>[11†]</f>Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.


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<pb/>Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren <i>to</i> <i>be</i> the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.


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So the Levites appointed <f>[12†]</f>Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, <f>[13†]</f>Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, <f>[14†]</f>Ethan the son of Kushaiah;


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and with them their brethren of the second <i>rank:</i> Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers;


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Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to <f>[15†]</f>Alamoth;


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Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, to direct with harps on the <f>[16†]</f>Sheminith;


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Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor <i>in</i> <i>charge</i> <i>of</i> the music, because he <i>was</i> skillful;


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Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, <f>[17†]</f>were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and <f>[18†]</f>Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.


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<pb/>So <f>[19†]</f>David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.


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And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.


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David was clothed with a robe of fine <f>[20†]</f>linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master <i>with</i> the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.


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<f>[21†]</f>Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.


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<pb/>And it happened, <f>[22†]</f><i>as</i> the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.


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<pb/>So <f>[1†]</f>they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.


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And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, <f>[2†]</f>he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.


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Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece <i>of</i> <i>meat,</i> and a cake of raisins.


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<pb/>And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to <f>[3†]</f>commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel:


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Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, <i>then</i> <f>[4†]</f>Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals;


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Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly <i>blew</i> the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.


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<pb/>On that day <f>[5†]</f>David <f>[6†]</f>first delivered <i>this</i> <i>psalm</i> into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:


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<pb/><t> <f>[7†]</f>Oh, give thanks to the LORD! </t><t>Call upon His name; </t><t>Make known His deeds among the peoples!</t>


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<t>Remember His marvelous works which He has done, </t><t>His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,</t>


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<t>Remember His covenant forever, </t><t>The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,</t>


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<t>And <f>[10†]</f>confirmed it to <f>[11†]</f>Jacob for a statute, </t><t>To Israel <i>for</i> an everlasting covenant,</t>


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<t>When they went from one nation to another, </t><t>And from <i>one</i> kingdom to another people,</t>


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<t>He permitted no man to do them wrong; </t><t>Yes, He <f>[13†]</f>rebuked kings for their sakes,</t>


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<t><i>Saying,</i> <f>[14†]</f>“Do not touch My anointed ones, </t><t>And do My prophets no harm.”</t>


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<t> <f>[15†]</f>Sing to the LORD, all the earth; </t><t>Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.</t>


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<t>For the LORD <i>is</i> great and greatly to be praised; </t><t>He <i>is</i> also to be feared above all gods.</t>


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<t>For all the gods <f>[16†]</f>of the peoples <i>are</i> idols, </t><t>But the LORD made the heavens.</t>


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<t>Give to the LORD the glory <i>due</i> His name; </t><t>Bring an offering, and come before Him. </t><t>Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!</t>


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<t>Tremble before Him, all the earth. </t><t>The world also is firmly established, </t><t>It shall not be moved.</t>


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<t>Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; </t><t>And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”</t>


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<t>Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; </t><t>Let the field rejoice, and all that <i>is</i> in it.</t>


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<t>Then the <f>[17†]</f>trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD, </t><t>For He is <f>[18†]</f>coming to judge the earth.</t>


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<t> <f>[19†]</f>Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for <i>He</i> <i>is</i> good! </t><t>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever.</t>


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<t> <f>[20†]</f>And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation; </t><t>Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, </t><t>To give thanks to Your holy name, </t><t>To triumph in Your praise.”</t>


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<t> <f>[21†]</f>Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD God of Israel </t><t>From everlasting to everlasting! </t> <pb/>And all <f>[22†]</f>the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.


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<pb/>So he left <f>[23†]</f>Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work <f>[24†]</f>required;


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and <f>[25†]</f>Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, <i>to</i> <i>be</i> gatekeepers;


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and Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests, <f>[26†]</f>before the tabernacle of the LORD <f>[27†]</f>at the high place that <i>was</i> at Gibeon,


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to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly <f>[28†]</f>morning and evening, and <i>to</i> <i>do</i> according to all that is written in the Law of the LORD which He commanded Israel;


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and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, <f>[29†]</f>because His mercy <i>endures</i> forever;


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and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun <i>were</i> gatekeepers.


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<pb/> <f>[30†]</f>Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD <i>is</i> under tent curtains.”


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“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall <f>[2†]</f>not build Me a house to dwell in.


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For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from <i>one</i> tabernacle <i>to</i> <i>another.</i>


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Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar–’ ” ’


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Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you <f>[3†]</f>from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.


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And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who <i>are</i> on the earth.


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Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will <f>[4†]</f>plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,


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since the time that I commanded judges <i>to</i> <i>be</i> over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the LORD will build you a house.


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And it shall be, when your days are <f>[5†]</f>fulfilled, when you must go <i>to</i> <i>be</i> with your fathers, that I will set up your <f>[6†]</f>seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.


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<f>[8†]</f>I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, <f>[9†]</f>as I took <i>it</i> from <i>him</i> who was before you.


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And <f>[10†]</f>I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”


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<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: “Who <i>am</i> I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?


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And <i>yet</i> this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have <i>also</i> spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God.


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O LORD, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.


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O LORD, <i>there</i> <i>is</i> none like You, nor <i>is</i> <i>there</i> <i>any</i> God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


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<f>[12†]</f>And who <i>is</i> like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself <i>as</i> a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt?


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For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.


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<pb/>“And now, O LORD, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, <i>let</i> <i>it</i> be established forever, and do as You have said.


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So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, <i>is</i> Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.


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For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it <i>in</i> <i>his</i> <i>heart</i> to pray before You.


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Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O LORD, and <i>it</i> <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> blessed forever.”


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<pb/>After this <f>[1†]</f>it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines.


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Then he defeated <f>[2†]</f>Moab, and the Moabites became David’s <f>[3†]</f>servants, <i>and</i> brought tribute.


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<pb/>And <f>[4†]</f>David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah <i>as</i> <i>far</i> <i>as</i> Hamath, as he went to establish his power by the River Euphrates.


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David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot <i>horses,</i> except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots.


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<pb/>When the <f>[5†]</f>Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians.


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Then David put <i>garrisons</i> in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, <i>and</i> brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.


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And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.


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Also from Tibhath and from Chun, cities of Hadadezer, David brought a large amount of <f>[6†]</f>bronze, with which <f>[7†]</f>Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.


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<pb/>Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,


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he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and <i>Hadoram</i> <i>brought</i> <i>with</i> <i>him</i> all kinds of <f>[8†]</f>articles of gold, silver, and bronze.


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King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all <i>these</i> nations—from Edom, from Moab, from the <f>[9†]</f>people of Ammon, from the <f>[10†]</f>Philistines, and from <f>[11†]</f>Amalek.


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<pb/>Moreover <f>[12†]</f>Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed <f>[13†]</f>eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.


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<f>[14†]</f>He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.


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Joab the son of Zeruiah <i>was</i> over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud <i>was</i> recorder;


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Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar <i>were</i> the priests; Shavsha <i>was</i> the scribe;


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<f>[15†]</f>Benaiah the son of Jehoiada <i>was</i> over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons <i>were</i> chief ministers at the king’s side.


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<pb/>It <f>[1†]</f> happened after this that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.


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Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.


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<pb/>And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”


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<pb/>Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their <f>[2†]</f>buttocks, and sent them away.


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Then <i>some</i> went and told David about the men; and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and <i>then</i> return.”


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<pb/>When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Syrian Maacah, <f>[3†]</f>and from Zobah.


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So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, with the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities, and came to battle.


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Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had come <i>were</i> by themselves in the field.


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And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set <i>themselves</i> in battle array against the people of Ammon.


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Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.


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Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do <i>what</i> <i>is</i> good in His sight.”


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When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother, and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Now when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought the Syrians who were beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army <i>went</i> before them.


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When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and came upon them, and set up in <i>battle</i> array against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him.


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Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians, and killed Shophach the commander of the army.


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And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.


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<pb/>It <f>[1†]</f> happened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out <i>to</i> <i>battle,</i> that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But <f>[2†]</f>David stayed at Jerusalem. And <f>[3†]</f>Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.


text:
Then David <f>[4†]</f>took their king’s crown from his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and <i>there</i> <i>were</i> precious stones in it. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance.


text:
And he brought out the people who <i>were</i> in it, and put <i>them</i> to work with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. So David did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned <i>to</i> Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Now it happened afterward <f>[5†]</f>that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines, at which time <f>[6†]</f>Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Sippai, <i>who</i> <i>was</i> <i>one</i> of the sons of the giant. And they were subdued.


text:
<pb/>Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear <i>was</i> like a weaver’s <f>[7†]</f>beam.


text:
<pb/>Yet again <f>[8†]</f>there was war at Gath, where there was a man of <i>great</i> stature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, six <i>on</i> <i>each</i> <i>hand</i> and six <i>on</i> <i>each</i> <i>foot;</i> and he also was born to the giant.


text:
<pb/>These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.


text:
So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, <f>[2†]</f>and bring the number of them to me that I may know <i>it.</i>”


text:
<pb/>And Joab answered, “May the LORD make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, <i>are</i> they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?”


text:
<pb/>Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.


text:
Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel <i>had</i> one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah <i>had</i> four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.


text:
So David said to God, <f>[4†]</f>“I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; <f>[5†]</f>but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”


text:
“Go and tell David, <f>[7†]</f>saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I offer you three <i>things;</i> choose one of them for yourself, that I may do <i>it</i> to you.” ’ ”


text:
<f>[8†]</f>either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking <i>you,</i> or else for three days the sword of the LORD—the plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”


text:
<pb/>And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His <f>[9†]</f>mercies <i>are</i> very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”


text:
And God sent an <f>[11†]</f>angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the LORD looked and <f>[12†]</f>relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.” And the angel of the LORD stood by the <f>[13†]</f>threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


text:
<pb/>Then David lifted his eyes and <f>[14†]</f>saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.


text:
And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these <f>[15†]</f>sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”


text:
<pb/>Therefore, the <f>[16†]</f>angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


text:
Now Ornan turned and saw the angel; and his four sons <i>who</i> <i>were</i> with him hid themselves, but Ornan continued threshing wheat.


text:
So David came to Ornan, and Ornan looked and saw David. And he went out from the threshing floor, and bowed before David with <i>his</i> face to the ground.


text:
Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the place of <i>this</i> threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the LORD. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.”


text:
<pb/>But Ornan said to David, “Take <i>it</i> to yourself, and let my lord the king do <i>what</i> <i>is</i> good in his eyes. Look, I <i>also</i> give <i>you</i> the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I give <i>it</i> all.”


text:
<pb/>Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy <i>it</i> for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with <i>that</i> <i>which</i> costs <i>me</i> nothing.”


text:
And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD; and <f>[18†]</f>He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering.


text:
<pb/>At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>For the tabernacle of the LORD and the altar of the burnt offering, which Moses had made in the wilderness, <i>were</i> at that time at the high place in <f>[20†]</f>Gibeon.


text:
But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>Then David said, <f>[1†]</f>“This <i>is</i> the house of the LORD God, and this <i>is</i> the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”


text:
So David commanded to gather the <f>[2†]</f>aliens who <i>were</i> in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to <f>[3†]</f>cut hewn stones to build the house of God.


text:
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance <f>[4†]</f>beyond measure,


text:
and cedar trees in abundance; for the <f>[5†]</f>Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.


text:
<pb/>Now David said, <f>[6†]</f>“Solomon my son <i>is</i> young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD <i>must</i> <i>be</i> exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.


text:
<pb/>Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.


text:
And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, <f>[7†]</f>it was in my mind to build a house <f>[8†]</f>to the name of the LORD my God;


text:
but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, <f>[9†]</f>‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.


text:
<f>[10†]</f>Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him <f>[11†]</f>rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>He shall build a house for My name, and <f>[13†]</f>he shall be My son, and I <i>will</i> <i>be</i> his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’


text:
Now, my son, may <f>[14†]</f>the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you.


text:
Only may the LORD <f>[15†]</f>give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. <f>[17†]</f>Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.


text:
Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron <f>[18†]</f>beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.


text:
Moreover <i>there</i> <i>are</i> workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.


text:
Of gold and silver and bronze and iron <i>there</i> <i>is</i> no limit. Arise and begin working, and <f>[19†]</f>the LORD be with you.”


text:
<pb/>David also commanded all the <f>[20†]</f>leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, <i>saying,</i>


text:
“<i>Is</i> not the LORD your God with you? <f>[21†]</f>And has He <i>not</i> given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people.


text:
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to <f>[22†]</f>bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built <f>[23†]</f>for the name of the LORD.”


text:
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of <f>[2†]</f>thirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand.


text:
Of these, twenty-four thousand <i>were</i> to <f>[3†]</f>look after the work of the house of the LORD, six thousand <i>were</i> <f>[4†]</f>officers and judges,


text:
four thousand <i>were</i> gatekeepers, and four thousand <f>[5†]</f>praised the LORD with <i>musical</i> instruments, <f>[6†]</f>“which I made,” <i>said</i> <i>David,</i> “for giving praise.”


text:
<pb/>Also <f>[7†]</f>David separated them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.


text:
The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran—three <i>in</i> <i>all.</i> These were the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of Laadan.


text:
Jahath was the first and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; therefore they were assigned as one father’s house.


text:
The sons of <f>[10†]</f>Amram: Aaron and Moses; and <f>[11†]</f>Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, <f>[12†]</f>to burn incense before the LORD, <f>[13†]</f>to minister to Him, and <f>[14†]</f>to give the blessing in His name forever.


text:
Of the descendants of Eliezer, <f>[18†]</f>Rehabiah was the first. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah <i>was</i> the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f>The sons of Merari <i>were</i> Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli <i>were</i> Eleazar and <f>[22†]</f>Kish.


text:
And Eleazar died, and <f>[23†]</f>had no sons, but only daughters; and their brethren, the sons of Kish, <f>[24†]</f>took them <i>as</i> <i>wives.</i>


text:
<pb/>These <i>were</i> the sons of <f>[26†]</f>Levi by their fathers’ houses—the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> as they were counted individually by the number of their names, who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of <f>[27†]</f>twenty years and above.


text:
<pb/>For David said, “The LORD God of Israel <f>[28†]</f>has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever”;


text:
and also to the Levites, “They shall no longer <f>[29†]</f>carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.”


text:
For by the <f>[30†]</f>last words of David the Levites <i>were</i> numbered from twenty years old and above;


text:
because their duty <i>was</i> to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God,


text:
both with <f>[31†]</f>the showbread and <f>[32†]</f>the fine flour for the grain offering, with <f>[33†]</f>the unleavened cakes and <f>[34†]</f><i>what</i> <i>is</i> <i>baked</i> <i>in</i> the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of <f>[35†]</f>measures and sizes;


text:
and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the LORD <f>[36†]</f>on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the <f>[37†]</f>set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the LORD;


text:
and that they should <f>[38†]</f>attend to the <f>[39†]</f>needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy <i>place,</i> and the <f>[40†]</f>needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>Now <i>these</i> <i>are</i> the divisions of the sons of Aaron. <f>[1†]</f>The sons of Aaron <i>were</i> Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.


text:
And <f>[2†]</f>Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.


text:
Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and <f>[3†]</f>Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.


text:
<pb/>There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and <i>thus</i> they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar <i>were</i> sixteen heads of <i>their</i> fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.


text:
Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>house</i> of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.


text:
And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, <i>one</i> <i>of</i> the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and <i>one</i> for Ithamar.


text:
<pb/>This <i>was</i> the schedule of their service <f>[5†]</f>for coming into the house of the LORD according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.


text:
<pb/>And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.


text:
Of the sons <i>of</i> <f>[7†]</f>Hebron, Jeriah <i>was</i> <i>the</i> <i>first,</i> Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, <i>and</i> Jekameam the fourth.


text:
<pb/>Also <f>[10†]</f>the sons of Mushi <i>were</i> Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These <i>were</i> the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.


text:
<pb/>These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers <i>did</i> just as their younger brethren.


text:
<pb/>Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service <i>some</i> of the sons of <f>[1†]</f>Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who <i>should</i> prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was:


text:
Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph <i>were</i> under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.


text:
Of <f>[2†]</f>Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, <i>Shimei</i>, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD.


text:
Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, <i>and</i> Mahazioth.


text:
All these <i>were</i> the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to exalt his <f>[3†]</f>horn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.


text:
<pb/>All these <i>were</i> under the direction of their father for the music <i>in</i> the house of the LORD, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and <f>[4†]</f>harps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman <i>were</i> <f>[5†]</f>under the authority of the king.


text:
So the <f>[6†]</f>number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the LORD, all who were skillful, <i>was</i> two hundred and eighty-eight.


text:
<pb/>And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, <f>[7†]</f>the teacher with the student.


text:
<pb/>Now the first lot for Asaph came out for Joseph; the second for Gedaliah, him with his brethren and sons, twelve;


text:
<pb/>Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of <f>[1†]</f>Kore, of the sons of Asaph.


text:
And the sons of Meshelemiah <i>were</i> <f>[2†]</f>Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,


text:
<pb/>Moreover the sons of <f>[3†]</f>Obed-Edom <i>were</i> Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,


text:
<pb/>Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they <i>were</i> men of great ability.


text:
The sons of Shemaiah <i>were</i> Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah <i>were</i> able men.


text:
<pb/>All these <i>were</i> of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, <f>[4†]</f>able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.


text:
<pb/>Also <f>[5†]</f>Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for <i>though</i> he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),


text:
Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah <i>were</i> thirteen.


text:
<pb/>Among these <i>were</i> the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, <i>having</i> duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD.


text:
And they <f>[6†]</f>cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.


text:
The lot for the East <i>Gate</i> fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots <i>for</i> his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;


text:
To Shuppim and Hosah <i>the</i> <i>lot</i> <i>came</i> <i>out</i> for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the <f>[7†]</f>ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.


text:
On the east <i>were</i> six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two.


text:
As for the Parbar on the west, <i>there</i> <i>were</i> four on the highway <i>and</i> two at the Parbar.


text:
<pb/>Of the Levites, Ahijah <i>was</i> <f>[8†]</f>over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the <f>[9†]</f>dedicated things.


text:
The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ <i>houses,</i> of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli.


text:
The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, <i>were</i> over the treasuries of the house of the LORD.


text:
And his brethren by Eliezer <i>were</i> Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and <f>[12†]</f>Shelomith his son.


text:
<pb/>This Shelomith and his brethren <i>were</i> over all the treasuries of the dedicated things <f>[13†]</f>which King David and the heads of fathers’ <i>houses,</i> the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.


text:
And all that Samuel <f>[14†]</f>the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated <i>thing,</i> was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.


text:
<pb/>Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons <f>[15†]</f>performed duties as <f>[16†]</f>officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Of the Hebronites, <f>[17†]</f>Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.


text:
Among the Hebronites, <f>[18†]</f>Jerijah <i>was</i> head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men <f>[19†]</f>at Jazer of Gilead.


text:
And his brethren <i>were</i> two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’ <i>houses,</i> whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and the <f>[20†]</f>affairs of the king.


text:
<pb/>And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’ <i>houses,</i> the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the <i>military</i> divisions. <i>These</i> <i>divisions</i> came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division <i>having</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
<pb/>Over the first division for the first month <i>was</i> <f>[1†]</f>Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand;


text:
<i>he</i> <i>was</i> of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.


text:
Over the division of the second month <i>was</i> Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also <i>was</i> the leader; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The third captain of the army for the third month <i>was</i> <f>[2†]</f>Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
This was the Benaiah <i>who</i> <i>was</i> <f>[3†]</f>mighty <i>among</i> the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division <i>was</i> Ammizabad his son.


text:
The fourth <i>captain</i> for the fourth month <i>was</i> <f>[4†]</f>Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The fifth captain for the fifth month <i>was</i> Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.


text:
The sixth <i>captain</i> for the sixth month <i>was</i> <f>[5†]</f>Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The seventh <i>captain</i> for the seventh month <i>was</i> <f>[6†]</f>Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The eighth <i>captain</i> for the eighth month <i>was</i> <f>[7†]</f>Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The ninth <i>captain</i> for the ninth month <i>was</i> <f>[8†]</f>Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The tenth <i>captain</i> for the tenth month <i>was</i> <f>[9†]</f>Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The eleventh <i>captain</i> for the eleventh month <i>was</i> <f>[10†]</f>Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
The twelfth <i>captain</i> for the twelfth month <i>was</i> Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division <i>were</i> twenty-four thousand.


text:
<pb/>Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites <i>was</i> Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah;


text:
<i>over</i> Judah, <f>[12†]</f>Elihu, <i>one</i> of David’s brothers; <i>over</i> Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;


text:
<i>over</i> the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; <i>over</i> the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;


text:
<i>over</i> the half–<i>tribe</i> of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; <i>over</i> Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;


text:
<pb/>But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because <f>[13†]</f>the LORD had said He would multiply Israel like the <f>[14†]</f>stars of the heavens.


text:
Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, for <f>[15†]</f>wrath came upon Israel because of this census; nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David.


text:
<pb/>And Azmaveth the son of Adiel <i>was</i> over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.


text:
And Shimei the Ramathite <i>was</i> over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.


text:
Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that <i>were</i> in the lowlands, and Joash <i>was</i> over the store of oil.


text:
And Shitrai the Sharonite <i>was</i> over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds <i>that</i> <i>were</i> in the valleys.


text:
Obil the Ishmaelite <i>was</i> over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite <i>was</i> over the donkeys,


text:
and Jaziz the <f>[16†]</f>Hagrite <i>was</i> over the flocks. All these <i>were</i> the officials over King David’s property.


text:
<pb/>Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, <i>was</i> a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni <i>was</i> with the king’s sons.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>Ahithophel <i>was</i> the king’s counselor, and <f>[18†]</f>Hushai the Archite <i>was</i> the king’s companion.


text:
After Ahithophel <i>was</i> Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then <f>[19†]</f>Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army <i>was</i> <f>[20†]</f>Joab.


text:
<pb/>Now David assembled at Jerusalem all <f>[1†]</f>the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and <f>[2†]</f>the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and <f>[3†]</f>the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all <f>[4†]</f>the mighty men of valor.


text:
<pb/>Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: <f>[5†]</f>I <i>had</i> it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for <f>[6†]</f>the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.


text:
But God said to me, <f>[7†]</f>‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you <i>have</i> <i>been</i> a man of war and have shed <f>[8†]</f>blood.’


text:
However the LORD God of Israel <f>[9†]</f>chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen <f>[10†]</f>Judah <i>to</i> <i>be</i> the ruler. And of the house of Judah, <f>[11†]</f>the house of my father, and <f>[12†]</f>among the sons of my father, He was pleased with me to make <i>me</i> king over all Israel.


text:
<f>[13†]</f>And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) <f>[14†]</f>He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.


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Now He said to me, ‘It is <f>[15†]</f>your son Solomon <i>who</i> shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him <i>to</i> <i>be</i> My son, and I will be his Father.


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Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, <f>[16†]</f>if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’


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Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave <i>it</i> as an inheritance for your children after you forever.


text:
<pb/>“As for you, my son Solomon, <f>[17†]</f>know the God of your father, and serve Him <f>[18†]</f>with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for <f>[19†]</f>the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. <f>[20†]</f>If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will <f>[21†]</f>cast you off forever.


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Consider now, <f>[22†]</f>for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”


text:
<pb/>Then David gave his son Solomon <f>[23†]</f>the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat;


text:
and the <f>[24†]</f>plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, <f>[25†]</f>of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things;


text:
also for the division of the priests and the <f>[26†]</f>Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD.


text:
<i>He</i> <i>gave</i> gold by weight for <i>things</i> of gold, for all articles used in every kind of service; also <i>silver</i> for all articles of silver by weight, for all articles used in every kind of service;


text:
the weight for the <f>[27†]</f>lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand.


text:
And by weight <i>he</i> <i>gave</i> gold for the tables of the showbread, for each <f>[28†]</f>table, and silver for the tables of silver;


text:
also pure gold for the forks, the basins, the pitchers of pure gold, and the golden bowls—<i>he</i> <i>gave</i> <i>gold</i> by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, <i>silver</i> by weight for every bowl;


text:
and refined gold by weight for the <f>[29†]</f>altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold <f>[30†]</f>cherubim that spread <i>their</i> <i>wings</i> and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.


text:
“All <i>this,</i>” <i>said</i> <i>David,</i> <f>[31†]</f>“the LORD made me understand in writing, by <i>His</i> hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”


text:
<pb/>And David said to his son Solomon, <f>[32†]</f>“Be strong and of good courage, and do <i>it;</i> do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—<i>will</i> <i>be</i> with you. <f>[33†]</f>He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.


text:
<i>Here</i> <i>are</i> <f>[34†]</f>the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and <f>[35†]</f>every willing craftsman <i>will</i> <i>be</i> with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people <i>will</i> <i>be</i> completely at your command.”


text:
<pb/>Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: “My son Solomon, whom alone God has <f>[1†]</f>chosen, <i>is</i> <f>[2†]</f>young and inexperienced; and the work <i>is</i> great, because the temple <i>is</i> not for man but for the LORD God.


text:
Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might: gold for <i>things</i> <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <i>made</i> <i>of</i> gold, silver for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> silver, bronze for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> bronze, iron for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> iron, wood for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> wood, <f>[3†]</f>onyx stones, <i>stones</i> to be set, glistening stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble slabs in abundance.


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Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver:


text:
three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of <f>[4†]</f>Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses;


text:
the gold for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> gold and the silver for <i>things</i> <i>of</i> silver, and for all kinds of work <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <i>done</i> by the hands of craftsmen. Who <i>then</i> is <f>[5†]</f>willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[6†]</f>the leaders of the fathers’ <i>houses,</i> leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with <f>[7†]</f>the officers over the king’s work, <f>[8†]</f>offered willingly.


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They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.


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And whoever had <i>precious</i> stones gave <i>them</i> to the treasury of the house of the LORD, into the hand of <f>[9†]</f>Jehiel the Gershonite.


text:
Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had <f>[10†]</f>offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly.


text:
<pb/>Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: <pb/><t>“Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[11†]</f>Yours, O LORD, <i>is</i> the greatness, </t><t>The power and the glory, </t><t>The victory and the majesty; </t><t>For all <i>that</i> <i>is</i> in heaven and in earth <i>is</i> <i>Yours;</i> </t><t>Yours <i>is</i> the kingdom, O LORD, </t><t>And You are exalted as head over all.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>Both riches and honor <i>come</i> from You, </t><t>And You reign over all. </t><t>In Your hand <i>is</i> power and might; </t><t>In Your hand <i>it</i> <i>is</i> to make great </t><t>And to give strength to all.</t>


text:
<t>But who <i>am</i> I, and who <i>are</i> my people, </t><t>That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? </t><t>For all things <i>come</i> from You, </t><t>And of Your own we have given You.</t>


text:
<t>For <f>[13†]</f>we <i>are</i> aliens and pilgrims before You, </t><t>As <i>were</i> all our fathers; </t><t> <f>[14†]</f>Our days on earth <i>are</i> as a shadow, </t><t>And without hope.</t>


text:
<pb/>“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and <i>is</i> all Your own.


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I know also, my God, that You <f>[15†]</f>test the heart and <f>[16†]</f>have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these <i>things;</i> and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.


text:
O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.


text:
And <f>[17†]</f>give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all <i>these</i> <i>things,</i> and to build the temple for which <f>[18†]</f>I have made provision.”


text:
<pb/>Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God.” So all the assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.


text:
<pb/>And they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and <f>[19†]</f>sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.


text:
So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and <f>[20†]</f>anointed <i>him</i> before the LORD <i>to</i> <i>be</i> the leader, and Zadok <i>to</i> <i>be</i> priest.


text:
Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.


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All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, <f>[21†]</f>submitted themselves to King Solomon.


text:
So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and <f>[22†]</f>bestowed on him <i>such</i> royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>And the period that he reigned over Israel <i>was</i> forty years; <f>[24†]</f>seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three <i>years</i> he reigned in Jerusalem.


text:
So he <f>[25†]</f>died in a good old age, <f>[26†]</f>full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.


text:
Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,


text:
with all his reign and his might, <f>[27†]</f>and the events that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the lands.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and <f>[2†]</f>the LORD his God <i>was</i> with him and <f>[3†]</f>exalted him exceedingly.


text:
<pb/>And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to <f>[4†]</f>the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses.</i>


text:
Then Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that <i>was</i> at <f>[5†]</f>Gibeon; for the tabernacle of meeting with God was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had <f>[6†]</f>made in the wilderness.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>But David had brought up the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim to <i>the</i> <i>place</i> David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.


text:
Now <f>[8†]</f>the bronze altar that <f>[9†]</f>Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD; Solomon and the assembly sought Him <i>there.</i>


text:
And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which <i>was</i> at the tabernacle of meeting, and <f>[10†]</f>offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”


text:
<pb/>And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great <f>[12†]</f>mercy to David my father, and have made me <f>[13†]</f>king in his place.


text:
Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, <f>[14†]</f>for You have made me king over a people like the <f>[15†]</f>dust of the earth in multitude.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may <f>[17†]</f>go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—


text:
wisdom and knowledge <i>are</i> granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as <f>[19†]</f>none of the kings have had who <i>were</i> before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”


text:
<pb/>So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that <i>was</i> at Gibeon, from before the tabernacle of meeting, and reigned over Israel.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.


text:
<f>[21†]</f>Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which <i>are</i> in the lowland.


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<f>[22†]</f>And Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the <i>current</i> price.


text:
They also acquired and imported from Egypt a chariot for six hundred <i>shekels</i> of silver, and a horse for one hundred and fifty; thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.


text:
<pb/>Then Solomon <f>[1†]</f>determined to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal house for himself.


text:
<f>[2†]</f>Solomon selected seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand to quarry <i>stone</i> in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them.


text:
<pb/>Then Solomon sent to Hiram king of Tyre, saying: <pb/><t> <f>[3†]</f>As you have dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build himself a house to dwell in, <i>so</i> <i>deal</i> <i>with</i> <i>me.</i> </t>


text:
<t>Behold, <f>[4†]</f>I am building a temple for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate <i>it</i> to Him, <f>[5†]</f>to burn before Him sweet incense, for <f>[6†]</f>the continual showbread, for <f>[7†]</f>the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the <f>[8†]</f>Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the LORD our God. This <i>is</i> <i>an</i> <i>ordinance</i> forever to Israel.</t>


text:
<t>And the temple which I build <i>will</i> <i>be</i> great, for <f>[9†]</f>our God is greater than all gods. </t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who <i>am</i> I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?</t>


text:
<t>Therefore send me at once a man skillful to work in gold and silver, in bronze and iron, in purple and crimson and blue, who has skill to engrave with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, <f>[11†]</f>whom David my father provided. </t>


text:
<t> <f>[12†]</f>Also send me cedar and cypress and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and indeed my servants <i>will</i> <i>be</i> with your servants, </t>


text:
<t>to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the temple which I am about to build <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> great and wonderful.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[13†]</f>And indeed I will give to your servants, the woodsmen who cut timber, twenty thousand kors of ground wheat, twenty thousand kors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Hiram king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: <pb/><t> <f>[14†]</f>Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.</t>


text:
<pb/>Hiram also said: <pb/><t> <f>[15†]</f>Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD God of Israel, <f>[16†]</f>who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal house for himself!</t>


text:
<t>And now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram my master <i>craftsman</i></t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>(the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre), skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him, with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.</t>


text:
<t>Now therefore, the wheat, the barley, the oil, and the wine which <f>[18†]</f>my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[19†]</f>And we will cut wood from Lebanon, as much as you need; we will bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it up to Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>Then Solomon numbered all the aliens who <i>were</i> in the land of Israel, after the census in which <f>[21†]</f>David his father had numbered them; and there were found to be one hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred.


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And he made <f>[22†]</f>seventy thousand of them bearers of burdens, eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountain, and three thousand six hundred overseers to make the people work.


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<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at <f>[2†]</f>Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where <i>the</i> <i>LORD</i> had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of <f>[3†]</f>Ornan the Jebusite.


text:
<pb/>This is the foundation <f>[4†]</f>which Solomon laid for building the house of God: The length <i>was</i> sixty cubits (by cubits according to the former measure) and the width twenty cubits.


text:
And the <f>[5†]</f>vestibule that <i>was</i> in front <i>of</i> the sanctuary was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the height <i>was</i> one hundred and twenty. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>The larger room he <f>[7†]</f>paneled with cypress which he overlaid with fine gold, and he carved palm trees and chainwork on it.


text:
And he decorated the house with precious stones for beauty, and the gold <i>was</i> gold from Parvaim.


text:
He also overlaid the house—the beams and doorposts, its walls and doors—with gold; and he carved cherubim on the walls.


text:
<pb/>And he made the <f>[8†]</f>Most Holy Place. Its length was according to the width of the house, twenty cubits, and its width twenty cubits. He overlaid it with six hundred talents of fine gold.


text:
The weight of the nails <i>was</i> fifty shekels of gold; and he overlaid the upper <f>[9†]</f>area with gold.


text:
<f>[10†]</f>In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim, fashioned by carving, and overlaid them with gold.


text:
The wings of the cherubim <i>were</i> twenty cubits in <i>overall</i> length: one wing <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>one</i> <i>cherub</i> <i>was</i> five cubits, touching the wall of the room, and the other wing <i>was</i> five cubits, touching the wing of the other cherub;


text:
<i>one</i> wing of the other cherub <i>was</i> five cubits, touching the wall of the room, and the other wing <i>also</i> <i>was</i> five cubits, touching the wing of the other cherub.


text:
The wings of these cherubim spanned twenty cubits overall. They stood on their feet, and they faced inward.


text:
And he made the <f>[11†]</f>veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and wove cherubim into it.


text:
<pb/>Also he made in front of the temple <f>[12†]</f>two pillars thirty-five cubits high, and the capital that <i>was</i> on the top of each of <i>them</i> was five cubits.


text:
He made wreaths of chainwork, as in the inner sanctuary, and put <i>them</i> on top of the pillars; and he made <f>[13†]</f>one hundred pomegranates, and put <i>them</i> on the wreaths of chainwork.


text:
Then he <f>[14†]</f>set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz.


text:
<pb/>Moreover he made <f>[1†]</f>a bronze altar: twenty cubits was its length, twenty cubits its width, and ten cubits its height.


text:
<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>Then he made the Sea of cast <i>bronze,</i> ten cubits from one brim to the other; <i>it</i> <i>was</i> completely round. Its height <i>was</i> five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>And under it <i>was</i> the likeness of oxen encircling it all around, ten to a cubit, all the way around the Sea. The oxen <i>were</i> cast in two rows, when it was cast.


text:
It stood on twelve <f>[4†]</f>oxen: three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; the Sea <i>was</i> <i>set</i> upon them, and all their back parts <i>pointed</i> inward.


text:
It <i>was</i> a handbreadth thick; and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup, <i>like</i> a lily blossom. It contained three thousand baths.


text:
<pb/>He also made <f>[5†]</f>ten lavers, and put five on the right side and five on the left, to wash in them; such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them, but the Sea <i>was</i> for the <f>[6†]</f>priests to wash in.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>And he made ten lampstands of gold <f>[8†]</f>according to their design, and set <i>them</i> in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>He also made ten tables, and placed <i>them</i> in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. And he made one hundred <f>[10†]</f>bowls of gold.


text:
<pb/>Furthermore <f>[11†]</f>he made the court of the priests, and the <f>[12†]</f>great court and doors for the court; and he overlaid these doors with bronze.


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<pb/>Then <f>[14†]</f>Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God:


text:
the two pillars and <f>[15†]</f>the bowl-shaped capitals <i>that</i> <i>were</i> on top of the two pillars; the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which <i>were</i> on top of the pillars;


text:
<f>[16†]</f>four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that <i>were</i> on the pillars);


text:
also the pots, the shovels, the forks—and all their articles <f>[18†]</f>Huram his master <i>craftsman</i> made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined.


text:
<pb/>Thus <f>[20†]</f>Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God: the altar of gold and the tables on which <i>was</i> <f>[21†]</f>the showbread;


text:
the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn <f>[22†]</f>in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary,


text:
the trimmers, the bowls, the ladles, and the censers of pure gold. As for the entry of the sanctuary, its inner doors to the Most Holy <i>Place,</i> and the doors of the main hall of the temple, <i>were</i> gold.


text:
<pb/>So <f>[1†]</f>all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the LORD was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and all the furnishings. And he put <i>them</i> in the treasuries of the house of God.


text:
<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, in Jerusalem, that they might bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD up <f>[3†]</f>from the City of David, which <i>is</i> Zion.


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<f>[4†]</f>Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with the king <f>[5†]</f>at the feast, which <i>was</i> in the seventh month.


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Then they brought up the ark, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that <i>were</i> in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up.


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Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him before the ark, were sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.


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Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the <f>[7†]</f>inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy <i>Place,</i> under the wings of the cherubim.


text:
For the cherubim spread <i>their</i> wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.


text:
The poles extended so that the ends of the <f>[8†]</f>poles of the ark could be seen from <i>the</i> <i>holy</i> <i>place,</i> in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day.


text:
Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets which Moses <f>[9†]</f>put <i>there</i> at Horeb, when the LORD made <i>a</i> <i>covenant</i> with the children of Israel, when they had come out of Egypt.


text:
<pb/>And it came to pass when the priests came out of the <i>Most</i> Holy <i>Place</i> (for all the priests who <i>were</i> present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their <f>[10†]</f>divisions),


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<f>[11†]</f>and the Levites <i>who</i> <i>were</i> the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, <f>[12†]</f>and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets—


text:
indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers <i>were</i> as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, <i>saying:</i> <pb/><t> <f>[13†]</f><i>“For He is</i> good, </t><t>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever,” </t> <pb/>that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,


text:
so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; <f>[14†]</f>for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.


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<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>Solomon spoke: <pb/><t>“The LORD said He would dwell in the <f>[2†]</f>dark cloud.</t>


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<t>I have surely built You an exalted house, </t><t>And <f>[3†]</f>a place for You to dwell in forever.”</t>


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<pb/>Then the king turned around and <f>[4†]</f>blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.


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And he said: “Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands <i>what</i> He spoke with His mouth to my father David, <f>[5†]</f>saying,


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‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel <i>in</i> <i>which</i> to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel.


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<f>[6†]</f>Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I <f>[7†]</f>have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’


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Now <f>[8†]</f>it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.


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But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart.


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Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My <f>[9†]</f>name.’


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So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and <f>[10†]</f>sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.


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And there I have put the ark, <f>[11†]</f>in which <i>is</i> the covenant of the LORD which He made with the children of Israel.”


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<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>Then <i>Solomon</i> stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands


text:
(for Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven);


text:
and he said: “LORD God of Israel, <f>[13†]</f><i>there</i> <i>is</i> no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep <i>Your</i> <f>[14†]</f>covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.


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<f>[15†]</f>You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled <i>it</i> with Your hand, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day.


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Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, <f>[16†]</f>‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, <f>[17†]</f>only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’


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And now, O LORD God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David.


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<pb/>“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? <f>[18†]</f>Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!


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Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You:


text:
that Your eyes may be <f>[19†]</f>open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where <i>You</i> said <i>You</i> <i>would</i> put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes <f>[20†]</f>toward this place.


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And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, <f>[21†]</f>forgive.


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<pb/>“If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an <f>[22†]</f>oath, and comes <i>and</i> takes an oath before Your altar in this temple,


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then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his <f>[23†]</f>righteousness.


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<pb/>“Or if Your people Israel are defeated before an <f>[24†]</f>enemy because they have sinned against You, and return and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this temple,


text:
then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to them and their fathers.


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<pb/>“When the <f>[25†]</f>heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them,


text:
then hear <i>in</i> heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.


text:
<pb/>“When there <f>[26†]</f>is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever <f>[27†]</f>sickness <i>there</i> <i>is;</i>


text:
whatever prayer, whatever supplication is <i>made</i> by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple:


text:
then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone <f>[28†]</f>know the <f>[29†]</f>hearts of the sons of men),


text:
that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.


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<pb/>“Moreover, concerning a foreigner, <f>[30†]</f>who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple;


text:
then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as <i>do</i> Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.


text:
<pb/>“When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name,


text:
<pb/>“When they sin against You (for <i>there</i> <i>is</i> <f>[31†]</f>no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them <f>[32†]</f>captive to a land far or near;


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<i>yet</i> when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’;


text:
and <i>when</i> they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the <f>[33†]</f>city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name:


text:
then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.


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Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be <f>[34†]</f>open and <i>let</i> Your ears <i>be</i> attentive to the prayer <i>made</i> in this place.


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<pb/><t> <f>[35†]</f>“Now therefore, </t><t>Arise, O LORD God, to Your <f>[36†]</f>resting place, </t><t>You and the ark of Your strength. </t><t>Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, </t><t>And let Your saints <f>[37†]</f>rejoice in goodness.</t>


text:
<t>“O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; </t><t> <f>[38†]</f>Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”</t>


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<pb/>When <f>[1†]</f>Solomon had finished praying, <f>[2†]</f>fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and <f>[3†]</f>the glory of the LORD filled the temple.


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<f>[4†]</f>And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.


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When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, <i>saying:</i> <pb/><t> <f>[5†]</f>“For <i>He</i> <i>is</i> good, </t><t> <f>[6†]</f>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever.”</t>


text:
King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.


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<f>[8†]</f>And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, “For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever,” whenever David offered praise by their ministry. <f>[9†]</f>The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.


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<pb/>Furthermore <f>[10†]</f>Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that <i>was</i> in front of the house of the LORD; for there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.


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<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly <f>[12†]</f>from the entrance of Hamath to <f>[13†]</f>the Brook of Egypt.


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And on the eighth day they held a <f>[14†]</f>sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.


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<f>[15†]</f>On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.


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Thus <f>[16†]</f>Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the LORD and in his own house.


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<pb/>Then the LORD <f>[17†]</f>appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, <f>[18†]</f>and have chosen this <f>[19†]</f>place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.


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<f>[20†]</f>When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,


text:
if My people who are <f>[21†]</f>called by My name will <f>[22†]</f>humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, <f>[23†]</f>then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.


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For now <f>[25†]</f>I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.


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<f>[26†]</f>As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments,


text:
then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, <f>[27†]</f>‘You shall not fail <i>to</i> <i>have</i> a man as ruler in Israel.’


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<pb/> <f>[28†]</f>“But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them,


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<f>[29†]</f>then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a <f>[30†]</f>byword among all peoples.


text:
<pb/>“And <i>as</i> <i>for</i> <f>[31†]</f>this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be <f>[32†]</f>astonished and say, <f>[33†]</f>‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?’


text:
Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’ ”


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<pb/>It <f>[1†]</f>came to pass at the end of <f>[2†]</f>twenty years, when Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own house,


text:
that the cities which Hiram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them; and he settled the children of Israel there.


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<f>[3†]</f>He also built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities which he built in <f>[4†]</f>Hamath.


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He built Upper Beth Horon and <f>[5†]</f>Lower Beth Horon, fortified cities <i>with</i> walls, gates, and bars,


text:
also Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities and the cities of the cavalry, and all that Solomon <f>[6†]</f>desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>All the people <i>who</i> <i>were</i> left of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who <i>were</i> not of Israel—


text:
that is, their descendants who were left in the land after them, whom the children of Israel did not destroy—from these Solomon raised forced labor, as it is to this day.


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But Solomon did not make the children of Israel servants for his work. Some <i>were</i> men of war, captains of his officers, captains of his chariots, and his cavalry.


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And others <i>were</i> chiefs of the officials of King Solomon: <f>[8†]</f>two hundred and fifty, who ruled over the people.


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<pb/>Now Solomon <f>[9†]</f>brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the City of David to the house he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because <i>the</i> <i>places</i> to which the ark of the LORD has come are holy.”


text:
<pb/>Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD which he had built before the vestibule,


text:
according to the <f>[10†]</f>daily rate, offering according to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the <f>[11†]</f>three appointed yearly <f>[12†]</f>feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.


text:
And, according to the order of David his father, he appointed the <f>[13†]</f>divisions of the priests for their service, <f>[14†]</f>the Levites for their duties (to praise and serve before the priests) as the duty of each day required, and the <f>[15†]</f>gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate; for so David the man of God had commanded.


text:
They did not depart from the command of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter or concerning the <f>[16†]</f>treasuries.


text:
<pb/>Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.


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<f>[18†]</f>And Hiram sent him ships by the hand of his servants, and servants who knew the sea. They went with the servants of Solomon to <f>[19†]</f>Ophir, and acquired four hundred and fifty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, <i>having</i> a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.


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So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her.


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the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his <f>[2†]</f>cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.


text:
<pb/>Then she said to the king: “<i>It</i> <i>was</i> a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.


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However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.


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Happy <i>are</i> your men and happy <i>are</i> these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!


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Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne <i>to</i> <i>be</i> king for the LORD your God! Because your God has <f>[3†]</f>loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”


text:
<pb/>And she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones; there never were any spices such as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.


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<pb/>Also, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, <f>[4†]</f>who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones.


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And the king made walkways <i>of</i> the algum wood for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers; and there were none such <i>as</i> <i>these</i> seen before in the land of Judah.


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<pb/>Now King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, <i>much</i> <i>more</i> than she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.


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<pb/> <f>[5†]</f>The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,


text:
besides <i>what</i> the traveling merchants and traders brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.


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And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred <i>shekels</i> of hammered gold went into each shield.


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<i>He</i> also <i>made</i> three hundred shields of hammered gold; three hundred <i>shekels</i> of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the <f>[6†]</f>House of the Forest of Lebanon.


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The throne <i>had</i> six steps, with a footstool of gold, <i>which</i> <i>were</i> fastened to the throne; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.


text:
<pb/>All King Solomon’s drinking vessels <i>were</i> gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon <i>were</i> pure gold. Not <i>one</i> <i>was</i> silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.


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For the king’s ships went to <f>[7†]</f>Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.


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And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.


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Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, <f>[8†]</f>armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.


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<pb/>Solomon <f>[9†]</f>had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.


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<pb/> <f>[10†]</f>So he reigned over all the kings <f>[11†]</f>from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.


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<f>[12†]</f>The king made silver <i>as</i> <i>common</i> in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees <f>[13†]</f>as abundant as the sycamores which <i>are</i> in the lowland.


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, <i>are</i> they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of <f>[16†]</f>Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of <f>[17†]</f>Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?


text:
Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.


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So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard <i>it</i> (he was in Egypt, <f>[2†]</f>where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.


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Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,


text:
“Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”


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<pb/>Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, “How do you advise <i>me</i> to answer these people?”


text:
<pb/>And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.


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<pb/>Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to the people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make <i>it</i> lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little <i>finger</i> shall be thicker than my father’s waist!


text:
And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I <i>will</i> <i>chastise</i> <i>you</i> with scourges!’ ”


text:
<pb/>So <f>[4†]</f>Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.”


text:
and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I <i>will</i> <i>chastise</i> <i>you</i> with scourges!”


text:
So the king did not listen to the people; <f>[5†]</f>for the turn <i>of</i> <i>events</i> was from God, that the LORD might fulfill His <f>[6†]</f>word, which He had spoken by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


text:
<pb/>Now when all Israel <i>saw</i> that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: <pb/><t>“What share have we in David? </t><t><i>We</i> <i>have</i> no inheritance in the son of Jesse. </t><t>Every man to your tents, O Israel! </t><t>Now see to your own house, O David!” </t> <pb/>So all Israel departed to their tents.


text:
<pb/>Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who <i>was</i> in charge of revenue; but the children of Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. Therefore King Rehoboam mounted <i>his</i> chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen <i>men</i> who were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.


text:
“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,


text:
‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” ’ ” Therefore they obeyed the words of the LORD, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.


text:
Also in every city <i>he</i> <i>put</i> shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.


text:
<pb/>And from all their territories the priests and the Levites who <i>were</i> in all Israel took their stand with him.


text:
For the Levites left <f>[3†]</f>their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for <f>[4†]</f>Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the LORD.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for <f>[6†]</f>the demons, and <f>[7†]</f>the calf idols which he had made.


text:
<f>[8†]</f>And after <i>the</i> Levites <i>left,</i> those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel, <f>[9†]</f>came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.


text:
So they <f>[10†]</f>strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.


text:
<pb/>Then Rehoboam took for himself as wife Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, <i>and</i> <i>of</i> Abihail the daughter of <f>[11†]</f>Eliah the son of Jesse.


text:
After her he took <f>[12†]</f>Maachah the granddaughter of <f>[13†]</f>Absalom; and she bore him <f>[14†]</f>Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.


text:
Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom more than all his <f>[15†]</f>wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.


text:
And Rehoboam <f>[16†]</f>appointed <f>[17†]</f>Abijah the son of Maachah as chief, <i>to</i> <i>be</i> leader among his brothers; for he <i>intended</i> to make him king.


text:
He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every <f>[18†]</f>fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives <i>for</i> <i>them.</i>


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that <f>[2†]</f>he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel along with him.


text:
<f>[3†]</f>And it happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam <i>that</i> Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,


text:
with twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and people without number who came with him out of Egypt— <f>[4†]</f>the Lubim and the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[5†]</f>Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.’ ”


text:
<pb/>So the leaders of Israel and the king <f>[6†]</f>humbled themselves; and they said, <f>[7†]</f>“The LORD <i>is</i> righteous.”


text:
<pb/>Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, <f>[8†]</f>the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; <i>therefore</i> I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.


text:
Nevertheless <f>[9†]</f>they will be his servants, that they may distinguish <f>[10†]</f>My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house; he took everything. He also carried away the gold shields which Solomon had <f>[12†]</f>made.


text:
Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed <i>them</i> <f>[13†]</f>to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king’s house.


text:
And whenever the king entered the house of the LORD, the guard would go and bring them out; then they would take them back into the guardroom.


text:
When he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to destroy <i>him</i> completely; and things also went well in Judah.


text:
<pb/>Thus King Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned. Now <f>[14†]</f>Rehoboam <i>was</i> forty-one years old when he became king; and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, <f>[15†]</f>the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Naamah, an <f>[16†]</f>Ammonitess.


text:
<pb/>The acts of Rehoboam, first and last, <i>are</i> they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, <f>[17†]</f>and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? <f>[18†]</f>And <i>there</i> <i>were</i> wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.


text:
So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. Then <f>[19†]</f>Abijah his son reigned in his place.


text:
He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. <pb/>And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


text:
Abijah set the battle in order with an army of valiant warriors, four hundred thousand choice men. Jeroboam also drew up in battle formation against him with eight hundred thousand choice men, mighty men of valor.


text:
<pb/>Then Abijah stood on Mount <f>[3†]</f>Zemaraim, which <i>is</i> in the mountains of Ephraim, and said, “Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel:


text:
Should you not know that the LORD God of Israel <f>[4†]</f>gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, <f>[5†]</f>by a covenant of salt?


text:
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and <f>[6†]</f>rebelled against his lord.


text:
Then <f>[7†]</f>worthless rogues gathered to him, and strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was <f>[8†]</f>young and inexperienced and could not withstand them.


text:
And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hand of the sons of David; and you <i>are</i> a great multitude, and with you are the gold calves which Jeroboam <f>[9†]</f>made for you as gods.


text:
<f>[10†]</f>Have you not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests, like the peoples of <i>other</i> lands, <f>[11†]</f>so that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may be a priest of <f>[12†]</f><i>things</i> <i>that</i> <i>are</i> not gods?


text:
But as for us, the LORD <i>is</i> our <f>[13†]</f>God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the priests who minister to the LORD <i>are</i> the sons of Aaron, and the Levites <i>attend</i> to <i>their</i> duties.


text:
<f>[14†]</f>And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense; <i>they</i> also <i>set</i> the <f>[15†]</f>showbread <i>in</i> <i>order</i> <i>on</i> the pure <i>gold</i> table, and the lampstand of gold with its lamps <f>[16†]</f>to burn every evening; for we keep the command of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him.


text:
Now look, God Himself is with us as <i>our</i> <f>[17†]</f>head, <f>[18†]</f>and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!”


text:
<pb/>But Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush <i>was</i> behind them.


text:
And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line <i>was</i> at both front and rear; and they <f>[19†]</f>cried out to the LORD, and the priests sounded the trumpets.


text:
Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God <f>[20†]</f>struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.


text:
Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain.


text:
Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, <f>[21†]</f>because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.


text:
<pb/>And Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took cities from him: Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and <f>[22†]</f>Ephrain with its villages.


text:
So Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and the LORD <f>[23†]</f>struck him, and <f>[24†]</f>he died.


text:
<pb/>But Abijah grew mighty, married fourteen wives, and begot twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.


text:
Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings <i>are</i> written in <f>[25†]</f>the annals of the prophet Iddo.


text:
<pb/>So Abijah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then <f>[1†]</f>Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet for ten years.


text:
for he removed the altars of the foreign <i>gods</i> and <f>[2†]</f>the high places, and <f>[3†]</f>broke down the <i>sacred</i> pillars <f>[4†]</f>and cut down the wooden images.


text:
He commanded Judah to <f>[5†]</f>seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment.


text:
He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him.


text:
And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him <f>[6†]</f>rest.


text:
Therefore he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and make walls around <i>them,</i> and towers, gates, and bars, <i>while</i> the land <i>is</i> yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought <i>Him,</i> and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.


text:
And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields and spears, and from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew <f>[7†]</f>bows; all these <i>were</i> mighty men of <f>[8†]</f>valor.


text:
<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to <f>[10†]</f>Mareshah.


text:
So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.


text:
And Asa <f>[11†]</f>cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, <i>it</i> <i>is</i> <f>[12†]</f>nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and <f>[13†]</f>in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You <i>are</i> our God; do not let man prevail against You!”


text:
And Asa and the people who <i>were</i> with him pursued them to <f>[15†]</f>Gerar. So the Ethiopians were overthrown, and they could not recover, for they were broken before the LORD and His army. And they carried away very much spoil.


text:
Then they defeated all the cities around Gerar, for <f>[16†]</f>the fear of the LORD came upon them; and they plundered all the cities, for there was exceedingly much spoil in them.


text:
They also attacked the livestock enclosures, and carried off sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.


text:
And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. <f>[2†]</f>The LORD <i>is</i> with you while you are with Him. <f>[3†]</f>If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if <f>[4†]</f>you forsake Him, He will forsake you.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>For a long time Israel <i>has</i> <i>been</i> without the true God, without a <f>[6†]</f>teaching priest, and without <f>[7†]</f>law;


text:
but <f>[8†]</f>when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them.


text:
And in those times <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil <i>was</i> on all the inhabitants of the lands.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity.


text:
<pb/>And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities <f>[10†]</f>which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that <i>was</i> before the vestibule of the LORD.


text:
Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and <f>[11†]</f>those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for they came over to him in great numbers from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.


text:
<pb/>So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>And they offered to the LORD at that time seven hundred bulls and seven thousand sheep from the spoil they had brought.


text:
Then they <f>[13†]</f>entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;


text:
<f>[14†]</f>and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel <f>[15†]</f>was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.


text:
Then they took an oath before the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams’ horns.


text:
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and <f>[16†]</f>sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the LORD gave them <f>[17†]</f>rest all around.


text:
<pb/>Also he removed <f>[18†]</f>Maachah, the mother of Asa the king, from <i>being</i> queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah; and Asa cut down her obscene image, then crushed and burned <i>it</i> by the Brook Kidron.


text:
But <f>[19†]</f>the high places were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was loyal all his days.


text:
<pb/>He also brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated: silver and gold and utensils.


text:
<pb/>In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, <f>[1†]</f>Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, <f>[2†]</f>that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.


text:
Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying,


text:
“<i>Let</i> <i>there</i> <i>be</i> a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”


text:
<pb/>So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.


text:
Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.


text:
<pb/>And at that time <f>[3†]</f>Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: <f>[4†]</f>“Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.


text:
Were <f>[5†]</f>the Ethiopians and <f>[6†]</f>the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your <f>[7†]</f>hand.


text:
<f>[8†]</f>For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of <i>those</i> whose heart <i>is</i> loyal to Him. In this <f>[9†]</f>you have done foolishly; therefore from now on <f>[10†]</f>you shall have wars.”


text:
Then Asa was angry with the seer, and <f>[11†]</f>put him in prison, for <i>he</i> <i>was</i> enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed <i>some</i> of the people at that time.


text:
<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he <f>[13†]</f>did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.


text:
They buried him in his own tomb, which he had made for himself in the City of David; and they laid him in the bed which was filled <f>[15†]</f>with spices and various ingredients prepared in a mixture of ointments. They made <f>[16†]</f>a very great burning for him.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.


text:
And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of <f>[2†]</f>Judah and in the cities of Ephraim <f>[3†]</f>which Asa his father had taken.


text:
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals,


text:
but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to <f>[4†]</f>the acts of Israel.


text:
Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah <f>[5†]</f>gave presents to Jehoshaphat, <f>[6†]</f>and he had riches and honor in abundance.


text:
And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover <f>[7†]</f>he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.


text:
<pb/>Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, <f>[8†]</f>to teach in the cities of Judah.


text:
And with them <i>he</i> <i>sent</i> Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>So they taught in Judah, and <i>had</i> the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.


text:
<pb/>And <f>[10†]</f>the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that <i>were</i> around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.


text:
Also <i>some</i> of the Philistines <f>[11†]</f>brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.


text:
<pb/>So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.


text:
He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, <i>were</i> in Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>These <i>are</i> their numbers, according to their fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;


text:
and next to him <i>was</i> Amasiah the son of Zichri, <f>[12†]</f>who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.


text:
Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;


text:
and next to him <i>was</i> Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war.


text:
These served the king, besides <f>[13†]</f>those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.


text:
<pb/>Jehoshaphat <f>[1†]</f>had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he <f>[2†]</f>allied himself with <f>[3†]</f>Ahab.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>After some years he went down to <i>visit</i> Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and persuaded him to go up <i>with</i> <i>him</i> to Ramoth Gilead.


text:
So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me <i>against</i> Ramoth Gilead?” <pb/>And he answered him, “I <i>am</i> as you <i>are,</i> and my people as your people; <i>we</i> <i>will</i> <i>be</i> with you in the war.”


text:
<pb/>Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, <f>[5†]</f>“Please inquire for the word of the LORD today.”


text:
<pb/>Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” <pb/>So they said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.”


text:
<pb/>But Jehoshaphat said, “<i>Is</i> <i>there</i> not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of <f>[6†]</f>Him?”


text:
<pb/>So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “<i>There</i> <i>is</i> still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He <i>is</i> Micaiah the son of Imla.” <pb/>And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”


text:
<pb/>Then the king of Israel called one <i>of</i> <i>his</i> officers and said, “Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!”


text:
<pb/>The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in <i>their</i> robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.


text:
Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made <f>[7†]</f>horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.’ ”


text:
<pb/>And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver <i>it</i> into the king’s hand.”


text:
<pb/>Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like <i>the</i> <i>word</i> <i>of</i> one of them, and speak encouragement.”


text:
<pb/>And Micaiah said, “<i>As</i> the LORD lives, <f>[8†]</f>whatever my God says, that I will speak.”


text:
<pb/>Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” <pb/>And he said, “Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!”


text:
<pb/>Then he said, “I saw all Israel <f>[9†]</f>scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no <f>[10†]</f>shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then <i>Micaiah</i> said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His <f>[11†]</f>throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left.


text:
And the LORD said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.


text:
Then a <f>[12†]</f>spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’


text:
So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And <i>the</i> <i>LORD</i> said, ‘You shall persuade <i>him</i> and also prevail; go out and do so.’


text:
Therefore look! <f>[13†]</f>The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”


text:
<pb/>Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and <f>[14†]</f>struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?”


text:
<pb/>And Micaiah said, “Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!”


text:
<pb/>Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son;


text:
and say, ‘Thus says the king: <f>[15†]</f>“Put this <i>fellow</i> in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I return in peace.” ’ ”


text:
<pb/>But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by <f>[16†]</f>me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!”


text:
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will <f>[17†]</f>disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.


text:
<pb/>Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who <i>were</i> with him, saying, “Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel.”


text:
<pb/>So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It <i>is</i> the king of Israel!” Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat <f>[18†]</f>cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.


text:
For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.


text:
Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”


text:
The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped <i>himself</i> up in <i>his</i> chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died.


text:
And Jehu the son of Hanani <f>[1†]</f>the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and <f>[2†]</f>love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the <f>[3†]</f>wrath of the LORD <i>is</i> upon you.


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Nevertheless <f>[4†]</f>good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have <f>[5†]</f>prepared your heart to seek God.”


text:
<pb/>So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their <f>[6†]</f>fathers.


text:
Then he set <f>[7†]</f>judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,


text:
and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for <f>[8†]</f>you do not judge for man but for the LORD, <f>[9†]</f>who <i>is</i> with you in the judgment.


text:
Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do <i>it,</i> for <f>[10†]</f><i>there</i> <i>is</i> no iniquity with the LORD our God, no <f>[11†]</f>partiality, nor taking of bribes.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, Jehoshaphat <f>[12†]</f>appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem.


text:
And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall act <f>[13†]</f>in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart:


text:
<f>[14†]</f>Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the LORD and <f>[15†]</f>wrath come upon <f>[16†]</f>you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty.


text:
And take notice: <f>[17†]</f>Amariah the chief priest <i>is</i> over you <f>[18†]</f>in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters; also the Levites <i>will</i> <i>be</i> officials before you. Behave courageously, and the LORD will be <f>[19†]</f>with the good.”


text:
<pb/>It happened after this <i>that</i> the people of <f>[1†]</f>Moab with the people of <f>[2†]</f>Ammon, and <i>others</i> with them besides the <f>[3†]</f>Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.


text:
Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are <f>[4†]</f>in Hazazon Tamar” (which <i>is</i> <f>[5†]</f>En Gedi).


text:
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to <f>[6†]</f>seek the LORD, and <f>[7†]</f>proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.


text:
So Judah gathered together to ask <f>[8†]</f><i>help</i> from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.


text:
<pb/>Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,


text:
and said: “O LORD God of our fathers, <i>are</i> You not <f>[9†]</f>God in heaven, and <f>[10†]</f>do You <i>not</i> rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and <f>[11†]</f>in Your hand <i>is</i> <i>there</i> <i>not</i> power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?


text:
<i>Are</i> You not <f>[12†]</f>our God, <i>who</i> <f>[13†]</f>drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham <f>[14†]</f>Your friend forever?


text:
<f>[15†]</f>‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your <f>[16†]</f>name <i>is</i> in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’


text:
And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You <f>[17†]</f>would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but <f>[18†]</f>they turned from them and did not destroy them—


text:
here they are, rewarding us <f>[19†]</f>by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.


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O our God, will You not <f>[20†]</f>judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but <f>[21†]</f>our eyes <i>are</i> upon You.”


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[22†]</f>the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.


text:
And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: <f>[23†]</f>‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, <f>[24†]</f>for the battle <i>is</i> not yours, but God’s.


text:
Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.


text:
<f>[25†]</f>You will not <i>need</i> to fight in this <i>battle.</i> Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, <f>[26†]</f>for the LORD <i>is</i> with you.”


text:
<pb/>And Jehoshaphat <f>[27†]</f>bowed his head with <i>his</i> face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.


text:
Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.


text:
<pb/>So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: <f>[28†]</f>Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”


text:
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, <f>[29†]</f>and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: <pb/><t> <f>[30†]</f>“Praise the LORD, </t><t> <f>[31†]</f>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Now when they began to sing and to praise, <f>[32†]</f>the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.


text:
For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy <i>them.</i> And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, <f>[33†]</f>they helped to destroy one another.


text:
<pb/>So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there <i>were</i> their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.


text:
<pb/>When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.


text:
And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.


text:
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had <f>[34†]</f>made them rejoice over their enemies.


text:
So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the LORD.


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And <f>[35†]</f>the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of <i>those</i> countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.


text:
<pb/> <f>[37†]</f>So Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. <i>He</i> <i>was</i> thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.


text:
And he walked in the way of his father <f>[38†]</f>Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD.


text:
Nevertheless <f>[39†]</f>the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not <f>[40†]</f>directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.


text:
<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, <f>[41†]</f>which <i>is</i> mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.


text:
<pb/>After this <f>[42†]</f>Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, <f>[43†]</f>who acted very <f>[44†]</f>wickedly.


text:
And he allied himself with him <f>[45†]</f>to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.


text:
But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” <f>[46†]</f>Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go <f>[47†]</f>to Tarshish.


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<pb/>And <f>[1†]</f>Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place.


text:
He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these <i>were</i> the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.


text:
Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he <i>was</i> the firstborn.


text:
<pb/>Now when Jehoram was established over the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and killed all his brothers with the sword, and also <i>others</i> of the princes of Israel.


text:
<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>Jehoram <i>was</i> thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.


text:
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of <f>[3†]</f>Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.


text:
Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the <f>[4†]</f>covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his <f>[5†]</f>sons forever.


text:
<pb/> <f>[6†]</f>In his days Edom revolted against Judah’s authority, and made a king over themselves.


text:
So Jehoram went out with his officers, and all his chariots with him. And he rose by night and attacked the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots.


text:
Thus Edom has been in revolt against Judah’s authority to this day. At that time Libnah revolted against his rule, because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.


text:
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to <f>[7†]</f>commit harlotry, and led Judah astray.


text:
<pb/>And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, <pb/><t>Thus says the LORD God of your father David: </t><t>Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, </t>


text:
<t>but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have <f>[8†]</f>made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to <f>[9†]</f>play the harlot like the <f>[10†]</f>harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have <f>[11†]</f>killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, <i>who</i> <i>were</i> better than yourself, </t>


text:
<t>behold, the LORD will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; </t>


text:
<t>and you <i>will</i> <i>become</i> very sick with a <f>[12†]</f>disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day.</t>


text:
<pb/>Moreover the <f>[13†]</f>LORD <f>[14†]</f>stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the <f>[15†]</f>Arabians who <i>were</i> near the Ethiopians.


text:
And they came up into Judah and invaded it, and carried away all the possessions that were found in the king’s house, and also <f>[16†]</f>his sons and his wives, so that there was not a son left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.


text:
Then it happened in the course of time, after the end of two years, that his intestines came out because of his sickness; so he died in severe pain. And his people made no burning for him, like <f>[18†]</f>the burning for his fathers.


text:
<pb/>He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed. However they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.


text:
<pb/>Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made <f>[1†]</f>Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place, for the raiders who came with the <f>[2†]</f>Arabians into the camp had killed all the <f>[3†]</f>older <i>sons.</i> So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, reigned.


text:
Ahaziah <i>was</i> forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> <f>[4†]</f>Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri.


text:
Therefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.


text:
He also followed their advice, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.


text:
<f>[5†]</f>Then he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which he had received at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.


text:
<pb/>His going to Joram <f>[6†]</f>was God’s occasion for Ahaziah’s downfall; for when he arrived, <f>[7†]</f>he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, <f>[8†]</f>whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.


text:
And it happened, when Jehu was <f>[9†]</f>executing judgment on the house of Ahab, and <f>[10†]</f>found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers who served Ahaziah, that he killed them.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>Then he searched for Ahaziah; and they caught him (he was hiding in Samaria), and brought him to Jehu. When they had killed him, they buried him, “because,” they said, “he is the son of <f>[12†]</f>Jehoshaphat, who <f>[13†]</f>sought the LORD with all his heart.” <pb/>So the house of Ahaziah had no one to assume power over the kingdom.


text:
<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.


text:
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took <f>[15†]</f>Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered, and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.


text:
And he was hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.


text:
<pb/>In <f>[1†]</f>the seventh year <f>[2†]</f>Jehoiada strengthened himself, <i>and</i> <i>made</i> <i>a</i> covenant with the captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of <f>[3†]</f>Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.


text:
And they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the <f>[4†]</f>chief fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has <f>[5†]</f>said of the sons of David.


text:
This <i>is</i> what you shall do: One-third of you <f>[6†]</f>entering on the Sabbath, of the priests and the Levites, <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> keeping watch over the doors;


text:
one-third <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> at the king’s house; and one-third at the Gate of the Foundation. All the people <i>shall</i> <i>be</i> in the courts of the house of the LORD.


text:
But let no one come into the house of the LORD except the priests and <f>[7†]</f>those of the Levites who serve. They may go in, for they <i>are</i> holy; but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.


text:
And the Levites shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”


text:
<pb/>So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each man took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going <i>off</i> <i>duty</i> on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed <f>[8†]</f>the divisions.


text:
And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small <f>[9†]</f>shields which <i>had</i> <i>belonged</i> to King David, that <i>were</i> in the temple of God.


text:
Then he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and by the temple, all around the king.


text:
And they brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, <f>[10†]</f><i>gave</i> <i>him</i> the Testimony, and made him king. Then Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, “<i>Long</i> live the king!”


text:
<pb/>Now when <f>[11†]</f>Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people <i>in</i> the temple of the LORD.


text:
<i>When</i> she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance; and the leaders and the trumpeters <i>were</i> by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, also the singers with musical instruments, and <f>[12†]</f>those who led in praise. So Athaliah tore her clothes and said, <f>[13†]</f>“Treason! Treason!”


text:
<pb/>And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her.” For the priest had said, “Do not kill her in the house of the LORD.”


text:
<pb/>So they seized her; and she went by way of the entrance <f>[14†]</f>of the Horse Gate <i>into</i> the king’s house, and they killed her there.


text:
<pb/>Then Jehoiada made a <f>[15†]</f>covenant between himself, the people, and the king, that they should be the LORD’s people.


text:
And all the people went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They broke in pieces its altars and images, and <f>[16†]</f>killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.


text:
Also Jehoiada appointed the oversight of the house of the LORD to the hand of the priests, the Levites, whom David had <f>[17†]</f>assigned in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the <f>[18†]</f>Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, <i>as</i> <i>it</i> <i>was</i> <i>established</i> by David.


text:
And he set the <f>[19†]</f>gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one <i>who</i> <i>was</i> in any way unclean should enter.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>Then he took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the LORD; and they went through the Upper Gate to the king’s house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.


text:
So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword.


text:
<pb/>Joash <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Zibiah of Beersheba.


text:
Joash <f>[2†]</f>did <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.


text:
Then he gathered the priests and the Levites, and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and <f>[3†]</f>gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you do it quickly.” <pb/>However the Levites did not do it quickly.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>So the king called Jehoiada the chief <i>priest,</i> and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, <i>according</i> <i>to</i> <i>the</i> <i>commandment</i> of <f>[5†]</f>Moses the servant of the LORD and of the assembly of Israel, for the <f>[6†]</f>tabernacle of witness?”


text:
For <f>[7†]</f>the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had also presented all the <f>[8†]</f>dedicated things of the house of the LORD to the Baals.


text:
<pb/>Then at the king’s command <f>[9†]</f>they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of the LORD.


text:
And they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring to the LORD <f>[10†]</f>the collection <i>that</i> Moses the servant of God <i>had</i> <i>imposed</i> on Israel in the wilderness.


text:
Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put <i>them</i> into the chest until all had given.


text:
So it was, at that time, when the chest was brought to the king’s official by the hand of the Levites, and <f>[11†]</f>when they saw that <i>there</i> <i>was</i> much money, that the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it and returned it to its place. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.


text:
<pb/>The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the LORD; and they hired masons and carpenters to <f>[12†]</f>repair the house of the LORD, and also those who worked in iron and bronze to restore the house of the LORD.


text:
So the workmen labored, and the work was completed by them; they restored the house of God to its original condition and reinforced it.


text:
When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; <f>[13†]</f>they made from it articles for the house of the LORD, articles for serving and offering, spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.


text:
<pb/>But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; <i>he</i> <i>was</i> one hundred and thirty years old when he died.


text:
And they buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and His house.


text:
<pb/>Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them.


text:
Therefore they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served <f>[14†]</f>wooden images and idols; and <f>[15†]</f>wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.


text:
Yet He <f>[16†]</f>sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.


text:
<pb/>Then the Spirit of God came upon <f>[17†]</f>Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: <f>[18†]</f>‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? <f>[19†]</f>Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.’ ”


text:
So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they <f>[20†]</f>stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.


text:
Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, “The LORD look on <i>it,</i> and <f>[21†]</f>repay!”


text:
<pb/>So it happened in the spring of the year <i>that</i> <f>[22†]</f>the army of Syria came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.


text:
For the army of the Syrians <f>[23†]</f>came with a small company of men; but the LORD <f>[24†]</f>delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they <f>[25†]</f>executed judgment against Joash.


text:
And when they had withdrawn from him (for they left him severely wounded), <f>[26†]</f>his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died. And they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.


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<pb/>These are the ones who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.


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Now <i>concerning</i> his sons, and <f>[27†]</f>the many oracles about him, and the repairing of the house of God, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the annals of the book of the kings. <f>[28†]</f>Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.


text:
<pb/>Amaziah <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> twenty-five years old <i>when</i> he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.


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And he did <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, <f>[2†]</f>but not with a loyal heart.


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<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established for him, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king.


text:
However he did not execute their children, but <i>did</i> as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the Law in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, <f>[4†]</f>“The fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall die for his own sin.”


text:
<pb/>Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to <i>their</i> fathers’ houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them <f>[5†]</f>from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice <i>men, able</i> to go to war, who could handle spear and shield.


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He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.


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But a <f>[6†]</f>man of God came to him, saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD <i>is</i> not with Israel—<i>not</i> <i>with</i> any of the children of Ephraim.


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But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! <i>Even</i> <i>so,</i> God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has <f>[7†]</f>power to help and to overthrow.”


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<pb/>Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what <i>shall</i> <i>we</i> do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” <pb/>And the man of God answered, <f>[8†]</f>“The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”


text:
So Amaziah discharged the troops that had come to him from Ephraim, to go back home. Therefore their anger was greatly aroused against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.


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<pb/>Then Amaziah strengthened himself, and leading his people, he went to <f>[9†]</f>the Valley of Salt and killed ten thousand of the people of Seir.


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Also the children of Judah took captive ten thousand alive, brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were dashed in pieces.


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<pb/>But as for the soldiers of the army which Amaziah had discharged, so that they would not go with him to battle, they raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon, killed three thousand in them, and took much spoil.


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<pb/>Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that <f>[10†]</f>he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <f>[11†]</f>his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them.


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Therefore the anger of the LORD was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought <f>[12†]</f>the gods of the people, which <f>[13†]</f>could not rescue their own people from your hand?”


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<pb/>So it was, as he talked with him, that <i>the</i> <i>king</i> said to him, “Have we made you the king’s counselor? Cease! Why should you be killed?” <pb/>Then the prophet ceased, and said, “I know that God has <f>[14†]</f>determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”


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<pb/>Now <f>[15†]</f>Amaziah king of Judah asked advice and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face one another <i>in</i> <i>battle.</i>”


text:
<pb/>And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that <i>was</i> in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as wife’; and a wild beast that <i>was</i> in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.


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Indeed you say that you have defeated the Edomites, and your heart is lifted up to <f>[16†]</f>boast. Stay at home now; why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall—you and Judah with you?”


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<pb/>But Amaziah would not heed, for <f>[17†]</f>it <i>came</i> from God, that He might give them into the hand <i>of</i> <i>their</i> <i>enemies,</i> because they <f>[18†]</f>sought the gods of Edom.


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So Joash king of Israel went out; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at <f>[19†]</f>Beth Shemesh, which <i>belongs</i> to Judah.


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Then Joash the king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of <f>[20†]</f>Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh; and he brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate—four hundred cubits.


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And <i>he</i> <i>took</i> all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of God with <f>[21†]</f>Obed-Edom, the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.


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<pb/> <f>[22†]</f>Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.


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Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, indeed <i>are</i> they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?


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After the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.


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<pb/>Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who <i>was</i> sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.


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<pb/>Uzziah <i>was</i> sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.


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And he did <i>what</i> <i>was</i> <f>[1†]</f>right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.


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<f>[2†]</f>He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who <f>[3†]</f>had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him <f>[4†]</f>prosper.


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<pb/>Now he went out and <f>[5†]</f>made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities <i>around</i> Ashdod and among the Philistines.


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God helped him against <f>[6†]</f>the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and against the Meunites.


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Also the Ammonites <f>[7†]</f>brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.


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<pb/>And Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the <f>[8†]</f>Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress of the wall; then he fortified them.


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Also he built towers in the desert. He dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; <i>he</i> <i>also</i> <i>had</i> farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil.


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<pb/>Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by companies, according to the number on their roll as prepared by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, <i>one</i> of the king’s captains.


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And under their authority <i>was</i> an army of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.


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Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings <i>to</i> <i>cast</i> stones.


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And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by <f>[9†]</f>skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.


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<pb/>But <f>[10†]</f>when he was strong his heart was <f>[11†]</f>lifted up, to <i>his</i> destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God <f>[12†]</f>by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.


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So <f>[13†]</f>Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the LORD—valiant men.


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And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “<i>It</i> <f>[14†]</f>is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the <f>[15†]</f>priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You <i>shall</i> <i>have</i> no honor from the LORD God.”


text:
<pb/>Then Uzziah became furious; and he <i>had</i> a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, <f>[16†]</f>leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the incense altar.


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And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he <i>was</i> leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also <f>[17†]</f>hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him.


text:
<pb/> <f>[18†]</f>King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an <f>[19†]</f>isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. Then Jotham his son <i>was</i> over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.


text:
<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, <f>[20†]</f>the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz wrote.


text:
<f>[21†]</f>So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which <i>belonged</i> to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” Then Jotham his son reigned in his place.


text:
<pb/>Jotham <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.


text:
And he did <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done (although he did not enter the temple of the LORD). But still <f>[2†]</f>the people acted corruptly.


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<pb/>He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he built extensively on the wall of <f>[3†]</f>Ophel.


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Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.


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He also fought with the king of the <f>[4†]</f>Ammonites and defeated them. And the people of Ammon gave him in that year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand kors of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. The people of Ammon paid this to him in the second and third years also.


text:
<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>So Jotham rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then <f>[7†]</f>Ahaz his son reigned in his place.


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<pb/>Ahaz <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, as his father David <i>had</i> <i>done.</i>


text:
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made <f>[2†]</f>molded images for <f>[3†]</f>the Baals.


text:
He burned incense in <f>[4†]</f>the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned <f>[5†]</f>his children in the <f>[6†]</f>fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had <f>[7†]</f>cast out before the children of Israel.


text:
<pb/>Therefore <f>[8†]</f>the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. They <f>[9†]</f>defeated him, and carried away a great multitude of them as captives, and brought <i>them</i> to Damascus. Then he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who defeated him with a great slaughter.


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For <f>[10†]</f>Pekah the son of Remaliah killed one hundred and twenty thousand in Judah in one day, all valiant men, <f>[11†]</f>because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.


text:
Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the officer over the house, and Elkanah <i>who</i> <i>was</i> second to the king.


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And the children of Israel carried away captive of their <f>[12†]</f>brethren two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters; and they also took away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.


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<pb/>But a <f>[13†]</f>prophet of the LORD was there, whose name <i>was</i> Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, <f>[14†]</f>because the LORD God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage <i>that</i> <f>[15†]</f>reaches up to heaven.


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And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your <f>[16†]</f>male and female slaves; <i>but</i> <i>are</i> you not also guilty before the LORD your God?


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Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, <f>[17†]</f>for the fierce wrath of the LORD <i>is</i> upon you.”


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<pb/>Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war,


text:
and said to them, “You shall not bring the captives here, for we <i>already</i> have offended the LORD. You intend to add to our sins and to our guilt; for our guilt is great, and <i>there</i> <i>is</i> fierce wrath against Israel.”


text:
Then the men <f>[18†]</f>who were designated by name rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them and gave them sandals, <f>[19†]</f>gave them food and drink, and anointed them; and they let all the feeble ones ride on donkeys. So they brought them to their brethren at Jericho, <f>[20†]</f>the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Sochoh with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they dwelt there.


text:
For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of <f>[24†]</f>Israel, for he had <f>[25†]</f>encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD.


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Also <f>[26†]</f>Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, and did not assist him.


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For Ahaz took part <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>treasures</i> from the house of the LORD, from the house of the king, and from the leaders, and he gave <i>it</i> to the king of Assyria; but he did not help him.


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<pb/>Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD. This <i>is</i> <i>that</i> King Ahaz.


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For <f>[27†]</f>he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them <f>[28†]</f>that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.


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So Ahaz gathered the articles of the house of God, cut in pieces the articles of the house of God, <f>[29†]</f>shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.


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And in every single city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.


text:
<pb/> <f>[30†]</f>Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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So Ahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem; but they <f>[31†]</f>did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Then Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.


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<pb/>Hezekiah <f>[1†]</f>became king <i>when</i> <i>he</i> <i>was</i> twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.


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<pb/>In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he <f>[2†]</f>opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.


text:
and said to them: “Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, <f>[3†]</f>sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy <i>place.</i>


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For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have <f>[4†]</f>turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned <i>their</i> backs <i>on</i> <i>Him.</i>


text:
<f>[5†]</f>They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy <i>place</i> to the God of Israel.


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Therefore the <f>[6†]</f>wrath of the LORD fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has <f>[7†]</f>given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to <f>[8†]</f>jeering, as you see with your <f>[9†]</f>eyes.


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For indeed, because of this <f>[10†]</f>our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives <i>are</i> in captivity.


text:
<pb/>“Now <i>it</i> <i>is</i> in my heart to make <f>[11†]</f>a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.


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My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has <f>[12†]</f>chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense.”


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<pb/>Then these Levites arose: <f>[13†]</f>Mahath the son of Amasai and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the <f>[14†]</f>Kohathites; of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah and Eden the son of Joah;


text:
<pb/>And they gathered their brethren, <f>[15†]</f>sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, <f>[16†]</f>to cleanse the house of the LORD.


text:
Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse <i>it,</i> and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the LORD to the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took <i>it</i> out and carried <i>it</i> to the Brook <f>[17†]</f>Kidron.


text:
<pb/>Now they began to sanctify on the first <i>day</i> of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the LORD. So they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.


text:
<pb/>Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offerings with all its articles, and the table of the showbread with all its articles.


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Moreover all the articles which King Ahaz in his reign had <f>[18†]</f>cast aside in his transgression we have prepared and sanctified; and there they <i>are,</i> before the altar of the LORD.”


text:
<pb/>Then King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.


text:
And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a <f>[19†]</f>sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer <i>them</i> on the altar of the LORD.


text:
So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood and <f>[20†]</f>sprinkled <i>it</i> on the altar. Likewise they killed the rams and sprinkled the blood on the altar. They also killed the lambs and sprinkled the blood on the altar.


text:
Then they brought out the male goats <i>for</i> the sin offering before the king and the assembly, and they laid their <f>[21†]</f>hands on them.


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And the priests killed them; and they presented their blood on the altar as a sin offering <f>[22†]</f>to make an atonement for all Israel, for the king commanded <i>that</i> the burnt offering and the sin offering <i>be</i> <i>made</i> for all Israel.


text:
<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, <f>[24†]</f>according to the commandment of David, of <f>[25†]</f>Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; <f>[26†]</f>for thus <i>was</i> the commandment of the LORD by His prophets.


text:
The Levites stood with the instruments <f>[27†]</f>of David, and the priests with <f>[28†]</f>the trumpets.


text:
Then Hezekiah commanded <i>them</i> to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, <f>[29†]</f>the song of the LORD <i>also</i> began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.


text:
So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all <i>this</i> <i>continued</i> until the burnt offering was finished.


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And when they had finished offering, <f>[30†]</f>the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.


text:
Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.


text:
<pb/>Then Hezekiah answered and said, “Now <i>that</i> you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near, and bring sacrifices and <f>[31†]</f>thank offerings into the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a <f>[32†]</f>willing heart <i>brought</i> burnt offerings.


text:
And the number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, <i>and</i> two hundred lambs; all these <i>were</i> for a burnt offering to the LORD.


text:
But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore <f>[33†]</f>their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the <i>other</i> priests had sanctified themselves, <f>[34†]</f>for the Levites were <f>[35†]</f>more diligent in <f>[36†]</f>sanctifying themselves than the priests.


text:
Also the burnt offerings <i>were</i> in abundance, with <f>[37†]</f>the fat of the peace offerings and <i>with</i> <f>[38†]</f>the drink offerings for <i>every</i> burnt offering. <pb/>So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.


text:
Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly.


text:
<pb/>And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the LORD God of Israel.


text:
For the king and his leaders and all the assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to keep the Passover in the second <f>[1†]</f>month.


text:
For they could not keep it <f>[2†]</f>at the regular time, <f>[3†]</f>because a sufficient number of priests had not consecrated themselves, nor had the people gathered together at Jerusalem.


text:
So they resolved to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem, since they had not done <i>it</i> for a long <i>time</i> in the <i>prescribed</i> manner.


text:
<pb/>Then the <f>[4†]</f>runners went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, and spoke according to the command of the king: “Children of Israel, <f>[5†]</f>return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of <f>[6†]</f>the kings of <f>[7†]</f>Assyria.


text:
And do not be <f>[8†]</f>like your fathers and your brethren, who trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, so that He <f>[9†]</f>gave them up to <f>[10†]</f>desolation, as you see.


text:
Now do not be <f>[11†]</f>stiff-necked, as your fathers <i>were, but</i> yield yourselves to the LORD; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the LORD your God, <f>[12†]</f>that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.


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For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children <i>will</i> <i>be</i> <i>treated</i> with <f>[13†]</f>compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God <i>is</i> <f>[14†]</f>gracious and merciful, and will not turn <i>His</i> face from you if you <f>[15†]</f>return to Him.”


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<pb/>So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but <f>[16†]</f>they laughed at them and mocked them.


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Nevertheless <f>[17†]</f>some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.


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Also <f>[18†]</f>the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, <f>[19†]</f>at the word of the LORD.


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<pb/>Now many people, a very great assembly, gathered at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of <f>[20†]</f>Unleavened Bread in the second month.


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They arose and took away the <f>[21†]</f>altars that <i>were</i> in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars and cast <i>them</i> into the Brook <f>[22†]</f>Kidron.


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Then they slaughtered the Passover <i>lambs</i> on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the second month. The priests and the Levites were <f>[23†]</f>ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings to the house of the LORD.


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They stood in their <f>[24†]</f>place according to their custom, according to the Law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood <i>received</i> from the hand of the Levites.


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For <i>there</i> <i>were</i> many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; <f>[25†]</f>therefore the Levites had charge of the slaughter of the Passover <i>lambs</i> for everyone <i>who</i> <i>was</i> not clean, to sanctify <i>them</i> to the LORD.


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For a multitude of the people, <f>[26†]</f>many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, <f>[27†]</f>yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone


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<i>who</i> <f>[28†]</f>prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though <i>he</i> <i>is</i> not <i>cleansed</i> according to the purification of the sanctuary.”


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<pb/>So the children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept <f>[29†]</f>the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, <i>singing</i> to the LORD, accompanied by loud instruments.


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And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites <f>[30†]</f>who taught the good knowledge of the LORD; and they ate throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings and <f>[31†]</f>making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.


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<pb/>Then the whole assembly agreed to keep <i>the</i> <i>feast</i> <f>[32†]</f>another seven days, and they kept it <i>another</i> seven days with gladness.


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For Hezekiah king of Judah <f>[33†]</f>gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep, and the leaders gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests <f>[34†]</f>sanctified themselves.


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The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners <f>[35†]</f>who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah.


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So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of <f>[36†]</f>Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, <i>there</i> <i>had</i> been nothing like this in Jerusalem.


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Then the priests, the Levites, arose and <f>[37†]</f>blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came <i>up</i> to <f>[38†]</f>His holy dwelling place, to heaven.


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<pb/>Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and <f>[1†]</f>broke the <i>sacred</i> pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images, and threw down the high places and the altars—from all Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh—until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned to their own cities, every man to his possession.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah appointed <f>[2†]</f>the divisions of the priests and the Levites according to their divisions, each man according to his service, the priests and Levites <f>[3†]</f>for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.


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The king also <i>appointed</i> a portion of his <f>[4†]</f>possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and the New Moons and the set feasts, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the <f>[5†]</f>Law of the LORD.


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<pb/>Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute <f>[6†]</f>support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to <f>[7†]</f>the Law of the LORD.


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<pb/>As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance <f>[8†]</f>the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the <f>[9†]</f>tithe of everything.


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And the children of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, brought the tithe of oxen and sheep; also the <f>[10†]</f>tithe of holy things which were consecrated to the LORD their God they laid in heaps.


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And when Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel.


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And Azariah the chief priest, from the <f>[11†]</f>house of Zadok, answered him and said, <f>[12†]</f>“Since <i>the</i> <i>people</i> began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the LORD has blessed His people; and what is left <i>is</i> this great <f>[13†]</f>abundance.”


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<pb/>Now Hezekiah commanded <i>them</i> to <f>[14†]</f>prepare rooms in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them.


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Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things; <f>[15†]</f>Cononiah the Levite had charge of them, and Shimei his brother <i>was</i> the next.


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Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah <i>were</i> overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the <f>[16†]</f>ruler of the house of God.


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Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, <i>was</i> over the <f>[17†]</f>freewill offerings to God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD and the most holy things.


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And under him <i>were</i> <f>[18†]</f>Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, <i>his</i> faithful assistants in <f>[19†]</f>the cities of the priests, to distribute <f>[20†]</f>allotments to their brethren by divisions, to the great as well as the small.


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<pb/>Besides those males from three years old and up who were written in the genealogy, they distributed to everyone who entered the house of the LORD his daily portion for the work of his service, by his division,


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and to the priests who were written in the genealogy according to their father’s house, and to the Levites <f>[21†]</f>from twenty years old and up according to their work, by their divisions,


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and to all who were written in the genealogy—their little ones and their wives, their sons and daughters, the whole company of them—for in their faithfulness they sanctified themselves in holiness.


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<pb/>Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, <i>who</i> <i>were</i> in <f>[22†]</f>the fields of the common-lands of their cities, in every single city, <i>there</i> <i>were</i> men who were <f>[23†]</f>designated by name to distribute portions to all the males among the priests and to all who were listed by genealogies among the Levites.


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<pb/>Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he <f>[24†]</f>did what <i>was</i> good and right and true before the LORD his God.


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And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did <i>it</i> with all his heart. So he <f>[25†]</f>prospered.


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<pb/>After <f>[1†]</f>these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself.


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And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem,


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he consulted with his leaders and commanders to stop the water from the springs which <i>were</i> outside the city; and they helped him.


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Thus many people gathered together who stopped all the <f>[2†]</f>springs and the brook that ran through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?”


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And <f>[3†]</f>he strengthened himself, <f>[4†]</f>built up all the wall that was broken, raised <i>it</i> up to the towers, and <i>built</i> another wall outside; also he repaired the <f>[5†]</f>Millo <i>in</i> the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.


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Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and <f>[6†]</f>gave them encouragement, saying,


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<f>[7†]</f>“Be strong and courageous; <f>[8†]</f>do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that <i>is</i> with him; for <f>[9†]</f><i>there</i> <i>are</i> more with us than with him.


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With him <i>is</i> an <f>[10†]</f>arm of flesh; but <f>[11†]</f>with us <i>is</i> the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.


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<pb/> <f>[12†]</f>After this Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem (but he and all the forces with him <i>laid</i> <i>siege</i> against Lachish), to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who <i>were</i> in Jerusalem, saying,


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<f>[13†]</f>“Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: ‘In what do you trust, that you remain under siege in Jerusalem?


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Does not Hezekiah persuade you to give yourselves over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, <f>[14†]</f>“The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”?


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<f>[15†]</f>Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, “You shall worship before one altar and burn incense on <f>[16†]</f>it”?


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Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of <i>other</i> lands? <f>[17†]</f>Were the gods of the nations of those lands in any way able to deliver their lands out of my hand?


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Who <i>was</i> <i>there</i> among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my <f>[18†]</f>hand?


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Now therefore, <f>[19†]</f>do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this, and do not believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand?’ ”


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<pb/>He also wrote letters to revile the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, <f>[20†]</f>“As the gods of the nations of <i>other</i> lands have not delivered their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my <f>[21†]</f>hand.”


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<f>[22†]</f>Then they called out with a loud voice in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who <i>were</i> on the wall, to frighten them and trouble them, that they might take the city.


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And they spoke against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth— <f>[23†]</f>the work of men’s hands.


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<pb/> <f>[24†]</f>Now because of this King Hezekiah and <f>[25†]</f>the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.


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<f>[26†]</f>Then the LORD sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned <f>[27†]</f>shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there.


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<pb/>Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all <i>others,</i> and guided them on every side.


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And many brought gifts to the LORD at Jerusalem, and <f>[28†]</f>presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was <f>[29†]</f>exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter.


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<pb/> <f>[30†]</f>In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign.


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But Hezekiah <f>[31†]</f>did not repay according to the favor <i>shown</i> him, for <f>[32†]</f>his heart was lifted up; <f>[33†]</f>therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem.


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<f>[34†]</f>Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them <f>[35†]</f>in the days of Hezekiah.


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<pb/>Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items;


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storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks.


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Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for <f>[36†]</f>God had given him very much property.


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<f>[37†]</f>This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah <f>[38†]</f>prospered in all his works.


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<pb/>However, <i>regarding</i> the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they <f>[39†]</f>sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was <i>done</i> in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to <f>[40†]</f>test him, that He might know all <i>that</i> <i>was</i> in his heart.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, indeed they <i>are</i> written in <f>[41†]</f>the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, <i>and</i> in the <f>[42†]</f>book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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<f>[43†]</f>So Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem <f>[44†]</f>honored him at his death. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place.


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<pb/>Manasseh <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.


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But he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the <f>[2†]</f>abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.


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For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had <f>[3†]</f>broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and <f>[4†]</f>made wooden images; and he worshiped <f>[5†]</f>all the host of heaven and served them.


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He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, <f>[6†]</f>“In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.”


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And he built altars for all the host of heaven <f>[7†]</f>in the two courts of the house of the LORD.


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<f>[8†]</f>Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced <f>[9†]</f>soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and <f>[10†]</f>consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.


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<f>[11†]</f>He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, <f>[12†]</f>“In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever;


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<f>[13†]</f>and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers—only if they are careful to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.”


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So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.


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<f>[14†]</f>Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, <f>[15†]</f>bound him with bronze <i>fetters,</i> and carried him off to Babylon.


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Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and <f>[16†]</f>humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,


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and prayed to Him; and He <f>[17†]</f>received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh <f>[18†]</f>knew that the LORD <i>was</i> God.


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<pb/>After this he built a wall outside the City of David on the west side of <f>[19†]</f>Gihon, in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate; and <i>it</i> <f>[20†]</f>enclosed Ophel, and he raised it to a very great height. Then he put military captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.


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He took away <f>[21†]</f>the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem; and he cast <i>them</i> out of the city.


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He also repaired the altar of the LORD, sacrificed peace offerings and <f>[22†]</f>thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.


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<f>[23†]</f>Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, <i>but</i> only to the LORD their God.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of <f>[24†]</f>the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, indeed they <i>are</i> <i>written</i> in the book of the kings of Israel.


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Also his prayer and <i>how</i> <i>God</i> received his entreaty, and all his sin and trespass, and the sites where he built high places and set up wooden images and carved images, before he was humbled, indeed they <i>are</i> written among the sayings of Hozai.


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<f>[25†]</f>So Manasseh rested with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house. Then his son Amon reigned in his place.


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<pb/> <f>[26†]</f>Amon <i>was</i> twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.


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But he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done; for Amon sacrificed to all the carved images which his father Manasseh had made, and served them.


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And he did not humble himself before the LORD, <f>[27†]</f>as his father Manasseh had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.


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<pb/> <f>[28†]</f>Then his servants conspired against him, and <f>[29†]</f>killed him in his own house.


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But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place.


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<pb/>Josiah <f>[1†]</f><i>was</i> eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.


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And he did <i>what</i> <i>was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David; <i>he</i> did <i>not</i> turn aside to the right hand or to the left.


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<pb/>For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still <f>[2†]</f>young, he began to <f>[3†]</f>seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began <f>[4†]</f>to purge Judah and Jerusalem <f>[5†]</f>of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images.


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<f>[6†]</f>They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars which <i>were</i> above them he cut down; and the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images he broke in pieces, and made dust of them <f>[7†]</f>and scattered <i>it</i> on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.


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He also <f>[8†]</f>burned the bones of the priests on their <f>[9†]</f>altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.


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And <i>so</i> <i>he</i> <i>did</i> in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali and all around, with axes.


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When he had broken down the altars and the wooden images, had <f>[10†]</f>beaten the carved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.


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<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the temple, he sent <f>[12†]</f>Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the <f>[13†]</f>governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.


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When they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered <f>[14†]</f>the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites who kept the doors had gathered from the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the <f>[15†]</f>remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and <i>which</i> they had brought back to Jerusalem.


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Then they put <i>it</i> in the hand of the foremen who had the oversight of the house of the LORD; and they gave it to the workmen who worked in the house of the LORD, to repair and restore the house.


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They gave <i>it</i> to the craftsmen and builders to buy hewn stone and timber for beams, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.


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And the men did the work faithfully. Their overseers <i>were</i> Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to supervise. <i>Others</i> <i>of</i> the Levites, all of whom were skillful with instruments of music,


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<i>were</i> <f>[16†]</f>over the burden bearers and <i>were</i> overseers of all who did work in any kind of service. <f>[17†]</f>And <i>some</i> of the Levites <i>were</i> scribes, officers, and gatekeepers.


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<pb/>Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest <f>[18†]</f>found the Book of the Law of the LORD <i>given</i> by Moses.


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Then Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the <f>[19†]</f>book to Shaphan.


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So Shaphan carried the book to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “All that was committed to your servants they are doing.


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And they have gathered the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and the workmen.”


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Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.


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Then the king commanded Hilkiah, <f>[20†]</f>Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying,


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“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great <i>is</i> the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not <f>[21†]</f>kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all that is written in this book.”


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<pb/>So Hilkiah and those the king <i>had</i> <i>appointed</i> went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that <i>effect.</i>


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“Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will <f>[22†]</f>bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the <f>[23†]</f>book which they have read before the king of Judah,


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because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ” ’


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But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “<i>Concerning</i> the words which you have heard—


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because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard <i>you,</i>” says the <f>[24†]</f>LORD.


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“Surely I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.” ’ ” So they brought back word to the king.


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The king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. And he <f>[26†]</f>read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD.


text:
Then the king <f>[27†]</f>stood in <f>[28†]</f>his place and made a <f>[29†]</f>covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.


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And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.


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Thus Josiah removed all the <f>[30†]</f>abominations from all the country that <i>belonged</i> to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the LORD their God. <f>[31†]</f>All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover <i>lambs</i> on the <f>[2†]</f>fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month.


text:
And he set the priests in their <f>[3†]</f>duties and <f>[4†]</f>encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD.


text:
Then he said to the Levites <f>[5†]</f>who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: <f>[6†]</f>“Put the holy ark <f>[7†]</f>in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. <f>[8†]</f><i>It</i> <i>shall</i> no longer <i>be</i> a burden on <i>your</i> shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.


text:
Prepare <i>yourselves</i> <f>[9†]</f>according to your fathers’ houses, according to your divisions, following the <f>[10†]</f>written instruction of David king of Israel and the <f>[11†]</f>written instruction of Solomon his son.


text:
And <f>[12†]</f>stand in the holy <i>place</i> according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of your brethren the <i>lay</i> people, and <i>according</i> <i>to</i> the division of the father’s house of the Levites.


text:
So slaughter the Passover <i>offerings,</i> <f>[13†]</f>consecrate yourselves, and prepare <i>them</i> for your brethren, that <i>they</i> may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.”


text:
<pb/>Then Josiah <f>[14†]</f>gave the <i>lay</i> people lambs and young goats from the flock, all for Passover <i>offerings</i> for all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, as well as three thousand cattle; these <i>were</i> from the king’s <f>[15†]</f>possessions.


text:
And his <f>[16†]</f>leaders gave willingly to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover <i>offerings</i> two thousand six hundred <i>from</i> <i>the</i> <i>flock,</i> and three hundred cattle.


text:
Also <f>[17†]</f>Conaniah, his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave to the Levites for Passover <i>offerings</i> five thousand <i>from</i> <i>the</i> <i>flock</i> and five hundred cattle.


text:
<pb/>So the service was prepared, and the priests <f>[18†]</f>stood in their places, and the <f>[19†]</f>Levites in their divisions, according to the king’s command.


text:
And they slaughtered the Passover <i>offerings;</i> and the priests <f>[20†]</f>sprinkled <i>the</i> <i>blood</i> with their hands, while the Levites <f>[21†]</f>skinned <i>the</i> <i>animals.</i>


text:
Then they removed the burnt offerings that <i>they</i> might give them to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the <i>lay</i> people, to offer to the LORD, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written <f>[22†]</f>in the Book of Moses. And so <i>they</i> <i>did</i> with the cattle.


text:
Also they <f>[23†]</f>roasted the Passover <i>offerings</i> with fire according to the ordinance; but the <i>other</i> holy <i>offerings</i> they <f>[24†]</f>boiled in pots, in caldrons, and in pans, and divided <i>them</i> quickly among all the <i>lay</i> people.


text:
Then afterward they prepared portions for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the sons of Aaron, <i>were</i> <i>busy</i> in offering burnt offerings and fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared portions for themselves and for the priests, the sons of Aaron.


text:
And the singers, the sons of Asaph, <i>were</i> in their places, according to the <f>[25†]</f>command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. Also the gatekeepers <f>[26†]</f>were at each gate; they did not have to leave their position, because their brethren the Levites prepared portions for them.


text:
<pb/>So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, according to the command of King Josiah.


text:
And the children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of <f>[27†]</f>Unleavened Bread for seven days.


text:
<f>[28†]</f>There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[29†]</f>After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against <f>[30†]</f>Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him.


text:
But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? <i>I</i> <i>have</i> not <i>come</i> against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain <i>from</i> <i>meddling</i> <i>with</i> God, who <i>is</i> with me, lest He destroy you.”


text:
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but <f>[31†]</f>disguised himself so that he might fight with him, and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.


text:
<pb/>And the archers shot King Josiah; and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am severely wounded.”


text:
<f>[32†]</f>His servants therefore took him out of that chariot and put him in the second chariot that he had, and they brought him to Jerusalem. So he died, and was buried in <i>one</i> <i>of</i> the tombs of his fathers. And <f>[33†]</f>all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


text:
<pb/>Jeremiah also <f>[34†]</f>lamented for <f>[35†]</f>Josiah. And to this day <f>[36†]</f>all the singing men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. <f>[37†]</f>They made it a custom in Israel; and indeed they <i>are</i> written in the Laments.


text:
<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his goodness, according to <i>what</i> <i>was</i> written in the Law of the LORD,


text:
and his deeds from first to last, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem.


text:
Jehoahaz <i>was</i> twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.


text:
Now the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.


text:
Then the king of Egypt made <i>Jehoahaz’s</i> brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt.


text:
<pb/> <f>[2†]</f>Jehoiakim <i>was</i> twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did <f>[3†]</f>evil in the sight of the LORD his God.


text:
<f>[4†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in bronze <i>fetters</i> to <f>[5†]</f>carry him off to Babylon.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar also carried off <i>some</i> of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.


text:
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, indeed they <i>are</i> written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>Jehoiachin <i>was</i> eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD.


text:
At the turn of the year <f>[8†]</f>King Nebuchadnezzar summoned <i>him</i> and took him to Babylon, <f>[9†]</f>with the costly articles from the house of the LORD, and made <f>[10†]</f>Zedekiah, <i>Jehoiakim’s</i> brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[11†]</f>Zedekiah <i>was</i> twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.


text:
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, <i>and</i> <f>[12†]</f>did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, <i>who</i> <i>spoke</i> from the mouth of the LORD.


text:
And he also <f>[13†]</f>rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear <i>an</i> <i>oath</i> by God; but he <f>[14†]</f>stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.


text:
Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, <i>according</i> to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[15†]</f>And the LORD God of their fathers sent <i>warnings</i> to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending <i>them,</i> because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.


text:
But <f>[16†]</f>they mocked the messengers of God, <f>[17†]</f>despised His words, and <f>[18†]</f>scoffed at His prophets, until the <f>[19†]</f>wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no remedy.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who <f>[21†]</f>killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave <i>them</i> all into his hand.


text:
<f>[22†]</f>And all the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all <i>these</i> he took to Babylon.


text:
<f>[23†]</f>Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions.


text:
And <f>[24†]</f>those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, <f>[25†]</f>where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,


text:
to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of <f>[26†]</f>Jeremiah, until the land <f>[27†]</f>had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate <f>[28†]</f>she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.


text:
<pb/> <f>[29†]</f>Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of <f>[30†]</f>Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of <f>[31†]</f>Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also <i>put</i> <i>it</i> in writing, saying,


text:
<pb/><t> <f>[32†]</f>Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: </t><t>All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who <i>is</i> among you of all His people? May the LORD his God <i>be</i> with him, and let him go up!</t>


text:
<pb/>Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD <f>[1†]</f>by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, <f>[2†]</f>so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also <i>put</i> <i>it</i> in writing, saying,


text:
<pb/><t>Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: </t><t>All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has <f>[3†]</f>commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which <i>is</i> in Judah. </t>


text:
<t>Who <i>is</i> among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which <i>is</i> in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel <f>[4†]</f>(He <i>is</i> God), which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem. </t>


text:
<t>And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<pb/>Then the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits <f>[5†]</f>God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem.


text:
And all those who <i>were</i> around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all <i>that</i> was <f>[6†]</f>willingly offered.


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, <f>[8†]</f>which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods;


text:
and Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to <f>[9†]</f>Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.


text:
This <i>is</i> the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives,


text:
thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar <i>kind, and</i> one thousand other articles.


text:
All the articles of gold and silver <i>were</i> five thousand four hundred. All <i>these</i> Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>these <i>are</i> the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, <f>[2†]</f>whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his <i>own</i> city.


text:
<pb/><i>Those</i> who came with Zerubbabel <i>were</i> Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, <i>and</i> Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:


text:
the people of <f>[4†]</f>Pahath-Moab, of the people of Jeshua <i>and</i> Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve;


text:
<pb/>The priests: the sons of <f>[6†]</f>Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;


text:
<pb/>The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, and the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-nine <i>in</i> all.


text:
<pb/>The sons of <f>[11†]</f>Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of <f>[12†]</f>Sophereth, the sons of Peruda,


text:
All the <f>[13†]</f>Nethinim and the children of <f>[14†]</f>Solomon’s servants were three hundred and ninety-two.


text:
<pb/>And these <i>were</i> the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not identify their father’s house or their genealogy, whether they <i>were</i> of Israel:


text:
and of the sons of the priests: the sons of <f>[15†]</f>Habaiah, the sons of Koz, and the sons of <f>[16†]</f>Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name.


text:
These sought their listing <i>among</i> those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; <f>[17†]</f>therefore they <i>were</i> <i>excluded</i> from the priesthood as defiled.


text:
And the governor said to them that they <f>[18†]</f>should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the <f>[19†]</f>Urim and Thummim.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>The whole assembly together <i>was</i> forty-two thousand three hundred <i>and</i> sixty,


text:
besides their male and female servants, of whom <i>there</i> <i>were</i> seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred men and women singers.


text:
their camels four hundred and thirty-five, and <i>their</i> donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.


text:
<pb/> <f>[21†]</f><i>Some</i> of the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses,</i> when they came to the house of the LORD which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place:


text:
According to their ability, they gave to the <f>[22†]</f>treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments.


text:
<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>So the priests and the Levites, <i>some</i> of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


text:
<pb/>And when the <f>[1†]</f>seventh month had come, and the children of Israel <i>were</i> in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.


text:
Then Jeshua the son of <f>[2†]</f>Jozadak and his brethren the priests, <f>[3†]</f>and Zerubbabel the son of <f>[4†]</f>Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> <f>[5†]</f>written in the Law of Moses the man of God.


text:
Though fear <i>had</i> <i>come</i> upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered <f>[6†]</f>burnt offerings on it to the LORD, <i>both</i> the morning and evening burnt offerings.


text:
<f>[7†]</f>They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles, <f>[8†]</f>as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written, and <f>[9†]</f><i>offered</i> the daily burnt offerings in the number required by ordinance for each day.


text:
Afterwards <i>they</i> <i>offered</i> the <f>[10†]</f>regular burnt offering, and <i>those</i> for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and <i>those</i> of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the LORD.


text:
From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.


text:
They also gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and <f>[11†]</f>food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea, to <f>[12†]</f>Joppa, <f>[13†]</f>according to the permission which they had from Cyrus king of Persia.


text:
<pb/>Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, <f>[14†]</f>Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began <i>work</i> <f>[15†]</f>and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the LORD.


text:
Then Jeshua <i>with</i> his sons and brothers, Kadmiel <i>with</i> his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad <i>with</i> their sons and their brethren the Levites.


text:
<pb/>When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, <f>[16†]</f>the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the <f>[17†]</f>ordinance of David king of Israel.


text:
<f>[18†]</f>And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: <pb/><t> <f>[19†]</f>“For <i>He</i> <i>is</i> good, </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>For His mercy <i>endures</i> forever toward Israel.” </t> <pb/>Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.


text:
<pb/>But many of the priests and Levites and <f>[21†]</f>heads of the fathers’ <i>houses,</i> old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy,


text:
so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off.


text:
<pb/>Now when <f>[1†]</f>the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel,


text:
they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses,</i> and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you <i>do;</i> and we have sacrificed to Him <f>[2†]</f>since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”


text:
But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of Israel said to them, <f>[3†]</f>“You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as <f>[4†]</f>King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”


text:
Then <f>[5†]</f>the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building,


text:
and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of <f>[6†]</f>Darius king of Persia.


text:
<pb/>In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>In the days of <f>[7†]</f>Artaxerxes also, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabel, and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the letter <i>was</i> written in <f>[8†]</f>Aramaic script, and translated into the Aramaic language.


text:
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:


text:
<pb/><t>From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions—<i>representatives</i> of <f>[9†]</f>the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan, the Dehavites, the Elamites, </t>


text:
<t> <f>[10†]</f>and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapper took captive and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remainder beyond the River — <f>[11†]</f>and so forth.</t>


text:
<pb/>(This <i>is</i> a copy of the letter that they sent him) <pb/><t>To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, and so forth:</t>


text:
<t>Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the <f>[12†]</f>rebellious and evil city, and are finishing <i>its</i> <f>[13†]</f>walls and repairing the foundations. </t>


text:
<t>Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay <f>[14†]</f>tax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished.</t>


text:
<t>Now because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king’s dishonor; therefore we have sent and informed the king,</t>


text:
<t>that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city <i>is</i> a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed.</t>


text:
<t>We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.</t>


text:
<pb/>The king sent an answer: <pb/><t>To Rehum the commander, <i>to</i> Shimshai the scribe, <i>to</i> the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and <i>to</i> the remainder beyond the River: </t><t>Peace, and so forth.</t>


text:
<t>And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it.</t>


text:
<t>There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have <f>[15†]</f>ruled over all <i>the</i> <i>region</i> <f>[16†]</f>beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.</t>


text:
<t>Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.</t>


text:
<t>Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?</t>


text:
<pb/>Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter <i>was</i> read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease.


text:
Thus the work of the house of God which <i>is</i> at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.


text:
<pb/>Then the prophet <f>[1†]</f>Haggai and <f>[2†]</f>Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who <i>were</i> in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, <i>who</i> <i>was</i> over them.


text:
So <f>[3†]</f>Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem; and <f>[4†]</f>the prophets of God <i>were</i> with them, helping them.


text:
<pb/>At the same time <f>[5†]</f>Tattenai the governor of <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: <f>[6†]</f>“Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?”


text:
<f>[7†]</f>Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building.


text:
But <f>[8†]</f>the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a <f>[9†]</f>written answer was returned concerning this <i>matter.</i>


text:
This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai sent: <pb/><t>The governor of <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, <f>[10†]</f>and his companions, the Persians who <i>were</i> <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, to Darius the king.</t>


text:
<pb/>(They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus) <pb/><t>To Darius the king: </t><t>All peace.</t>


text:
<t>Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.</t>


text:
<t>Then we asked those elders, <i>and</i> spoke thus to them: <f>[11†]</f>“Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?”</t>


text:
<t>We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who <i>were</i> chief among them.</t>


text:
<t>And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built <f>[12†]</f>and completed.</t>


text:
<t>But <f>[13†]</f>because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of <f>[14†]</f>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, <i>who</i> destroyed this temple and <f>[15†]</f>carried the people away to Babylon.</t>


text:
<t>However, in the first year of <f>[16†]</f>Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.</t>


text:
<t>Also, <f>[17†]</f>the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that <i>was</i> in Jerusalem and carried into the temple of Babylon—those King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon, and they were given to <f>[18†]</f>one named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.</t>


text:
<t>And he said to him, ‘Take these articles; go, carry them to the temple <i>site</i> that <i>is</i> in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its former site.’</t>


text:
<t>Then the same Sheshbazzar came <i>and</i> <f>[19†]</f>laid the foundation of the house of God which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem; but from that time even until now it has been under construction, and <f>[20†]</f>it is not finished.”</t>


text:
<t>Now therefore, if <i>it</i> <i>seems</i> good to the king, <f>[21†]</f>let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which <i>is</i> there in Babylon, whether it is <i>so</i> that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this <i>matter.</i></t>


text:
<pb/>Then King Darius issued a decree, <f>[1†]</f>and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.


text:
And at Achmetha, in the palace that <i>is</i> in the province of <f>[2†]</f>Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record <i>was</i> written thus:


text:
<pb/><t>In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a <f>[3†]</f>decree <i>concerning</i> the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits <i>and</i> its width sixty cubits,</t>


text:
<t> <f>[4†]</f><i>with</i> three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the <f>[5†]</f>expenses be paid from the king’s treasury.</t>


text:
<t>Also let <f>[6†]</f>the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem, <i>each</i> to its place; and deposit <i>them</i> in the house of God”—</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>Now <i>therefore,</i> Tattenai, governor of <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who <i>are</i> beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there.</t>


text:
<t>Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.</t>


text:
<t>Moreover I issue a decree <i>as</i> <i>to</i> what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes <i>on</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered.</t>


text:
<t>And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who <i>are</i> in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail,</t>


text:
<t> <f>[8†]</f>that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.</t>


text:
<t>Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; <f>[9†]</f>and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. </t>


text:
<t>And may the God who causes His <f>[10†]</f>name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.</t>


text:
<pb/>Then Tattenai, governor of <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished <i>it,</i> according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of <f>[12†]</f>Cyrus, <f>[13†]</f>Darius, and <f>[14†]</f>Artaxerxes king of Persia.


text:
Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.


text:
Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated <f>[15†]</f>the dedication of this house of God with joy.


text:
And they <f>[16†]</f>offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


text:
They assigned the priests to their <f>[17†]</f>divisions and the Levites to their <f>[18†]</f>divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, <f>[19†]</f>as it is written in the Book of Moses.


text:
<pb/>And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover <f>[20†]</f>on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month.


text:
For the priests and the Levites had <f>[21†]</f>purified themselves; all of them <i>were</i> <i>ritually</i> clean. And they <f>[22†]</f>slaughtered the Passover <i>lambs</i> for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.


text:
Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the <f>[23†]</f>filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.


text:
And they kept the <f>[24†]</f>Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and <f>[25†]</f>turned the heart <f>[26†]</f>of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.


text:
<pb/>Now after these things, in the reign of <f>[1†]</f>Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the <f>[2†]</f>son of Seraiah, <f>[3†]</f>the son of Azariah, the son of <f>[4†]</f>Hilkiah,


text:
this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he <i>was</i> <f>[5†]</f>a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, <f>[6†]</f>according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.


text:
<f>[7†]</f><i>Some</i> of the children of Israel, the priests, <f>[8†]</f>the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and <f>[9†]</f>the Nethinim came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.


text:
On the first <i>day</i> of the first month he began <i>his</i> journey from Babylon, and on the first <i>day</i> of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, <f>[10†]</f>according to the good hand of his God upon him.


text:
For Ezra had prepared his heart to <f>[11†]</f>seek the Law of the LORD, and to do <i>it,</i> and to <f>[12†]</f>teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.


text:
<pb/>This <i>is</i> a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel:


text:
<pb/><t>Artaxerxes, <f>[13†]</f>king of kings, </t><t>To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: </t><t>Perfect <i>peace,</i> <f>[14†]</f>and so forth.</t>


text:
<t>I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.</t>


text:
<t>And whereas you are being sent by the king and his <f>[15†]</f>seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your God which <i>is</i> in your hand;</t>


text:
<t>and <i>whereas</i> <i>you</i> <i>are</i> to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, <f>[16†]</f>whose dwelling <i>is</i> in Jerusalem;</t>


text:
<t> <f>[17†]</f>and <i>whereas</i> all the silver and gold that you may find in all the province of Babylon, along with the freewill offering of the people and the priests, <i>are</i> <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <f>[18†]</f>freely offered for the house of their God in Jerusalem—</t>


text:
<t>now therefore, be careful to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their <f>[19†]</f>grain offerings and their drink offerings, and <f>[20†]</f>offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t>And whatever seems good to you and your brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do it according to the will of your God.</t>


text:
<t>Also the articles that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver in full before the God of Jerusalem.</t>


text:
<t>And whatever more may be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide, pay <i>for</i> <i>it</i> from the king’s treasury.</t>


text:
<t>And I, <i>even</i> I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree to all the treasurers who <i>are</i> <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligently,</t>


text:
<t>up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribed limit.</t>


text:
<t>Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently be done for the house of the God of heaven. For why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?</t>


text:
<t>Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God.</t>


text:
<t>And you, Ezra, according to your God-given wisdom, <f>[21†]</f>set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who <i>are</i> <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and <f>[22†]</f>teach those who do not know <i>them.</i></t>


text:
<t>Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether <i>it</i> <i>be</i> death, or banishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.</t>


text:
<pb/> <f>[23†]</f>Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD God of our fathers, <f>[24†]</f>who has put <i>such</i> <i>a</i> <i>thing</i> as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem,


text:
and <f>[25†]</f>has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. <pb/>So I was encouraged, as <f>[26†]</f>the hand of the LORD my God <i>was</i> upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.


text:
<pb/>These <i>are</i> the heads of their fathers’ <i>houses,</i> and <i>this</i> <i>is</i> the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of King Artaxerxes:


text:
of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; of the sons of David, <f>[1†]</f>Hattush;


text:
of the sons of Shecaniah, of the sons of <f>[2†]</f>Parosh, Zechariah; and registered with him <i>were</i> one hundred and fifty males;


text:
of the sons of <f>[3†]</f>Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males;


text:
of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names <i>are</i> these—Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah—and with them sixty males;


text:
<pb/>Now I gathered them by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I looked among the people and the priests, and found none of the <f>[5†]</f>sons of Levi there.


text:
Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and <f>[6†]</f>Meshullam, leaders; also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding.


text:
And I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo <i>and</i> his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia—that they should bring us servants for the house of our God.


text:
Then, by the good hand of our God upon us, they <f>[7†]</f>brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men;


text:
and <f>[8†]</f>Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men;


text:
<f>[9†]</f>also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were designated by name.


text:
<pb/>Then I <f>[10†]</f>proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might <f>[11†]</f>humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the <f>[12†]</f>right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.


text:
For <f>[13†]</f>I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, <f>[14†]</f>“The hand of our God <i>is</i> upon all those for <f>[15†]</f>good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath <i>are</i> <f>[16†]</f>against all those who <f>[17†]</f>forsake Him.”


text:
<pb/>And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them—


text:
and weighed out to them <f>[19†]</f>the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel <i>who</i> <i>were</i> present, had offered.


text:
I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles <i>weighing</i> one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold,


text:
twenty gold basins <i>worth</i> a thousand drachmas, and two vessels of fine polished bronze, precious as gold.


text:
And I said to them, “You <i>are</i> <f>[20†]</f>holy to the LORD; the articles <i>are</i> <f>[21†]</f>holy also; and the silver and the gold <i>are</i> a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers.


text:
Watch and keep <i>them</i> until you weigh <i>them</i> before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and <f>[22†]</f>heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of Israel in Jerusalem, <i>in</i> the chambers of the house of the LORD.”


text:
So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring <i>them</i> to Jerusalem to the house of our God.


text:
<pb/>Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth <i>day</i> of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And <f>[23†]</f>the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road.


text:
<pb/>Now on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the articles were <f>[25†]</f>weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him <i>was</i> Eleazar the son of Phinehas; with them <i>were</i> the Levites, <f>[26†]</f>Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui,


text:
<pb/>The children of those who had been <f>[27†]</f>carried away captive, who had come from the captivity, <f>[28†]</f>offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats <i>as</i> a sin offering. All <i>this</i> <i>was</i> a burnt offering to the LORD.


text:
<pb/>And they delivered the king’s <f>[29†]</f>orders to the king’s satraps and the governors <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River. So they gave support to the people and the house of God.


text:
<pb/>When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not <f>[1†]</f>separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, <f>[2†]</f>with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.


text:
For they have <f>[3†]</f>taken some of their daughters <i>as</i> <i>wives</i> for themselves and their sons, so that the <f>[4†]</f>holy seed is <f>[5†]</f>mixed with the peoples of <i>those</i> lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.”


text:
So when I heard this thing, <f>[6†]</f>I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down <f>[7†]</f>astonished.


text:
Then everyone who <f>[8†]</f>trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the <f>[9†]</f>evening sacrifice.


text:
<pb/>At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and <f>[10†]</f>spread out my hands to the LORD my God.


text:
And I said: “O my God, I am too <f>[11†]</f>ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for <f>[12†]</f>our iniquities have risen higher than <i>our</i> heads, and our guilt has <f>[13†]</f>grown up to the heavens.


text:
Since the days of our fathers to this day <f>[14†]</f>we <i>have</i> <i>been</i> very guilty, and for our iniquities <f>[15†]</f>we, our kings, <i>and</i> our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the <f>[16†]</f>sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to <f>[17†]</f>humiliation, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day.


text:
And now for a little while grace has been <i>shown</i> from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may <f>[18†]</f>enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.


text:
<f>[19†]</f>For we <i>were</i> slaves. <f>[20†]</f>Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but <f>[21†]</f>He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us <f>[22†]</f>a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the <f>[23†]</f>uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to another with their impurity.


text:
Now therefore, <f>[24†]</f>do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and <f>[25†]</f>never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and <f>[26†]</f>leave <i>it</i> as an inheritance to your children forever.’


text:
And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God <f>[27†]</f>have punished us less than our iniquities <i>deserve,</i> and have given us <i>such</i> deliverance as this,


text:
should we <f>[28†]</f>again break Your commandments, and <f>[29†]</f>join in marriage with the people <i>committing</i> these abominations? Would You not be <f>[30†]</f>angry with us until You had consumed <i>us,</i> so that <i>there</i> <i>would</i> <i>be</i> no remnant or survivor?


text:
O LORD God of Israel, <f>[31†]</f>You <i>are</i> righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day. <f>[32†]</f>Here we <i>are</i> before You, <f>[33†]</f>in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!”


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down <f>[2†]</f>before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very <f>[3†]</f>bitterly.


text:
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, <i>one</i> of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have <f>[4†]</f>trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.


text:
Now therefore, let us make <f>[5†]</f>a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who <f>[6†]</f>tremble at <f>[7†]</f>the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the <f>[8†]</f>law.


text:
Arise, for <i>this</i> matter <i>is</i> your <i>responsibility.</i> We also <i>are</i> with you. <f>[9†]</f>Be of good courage, and do <i>it.</i>”


text:
<pb/>Then Ezra arose, and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel <f>[10†]</f>swear an oath that they would do according to this word. So they swore an oath.


text:
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and <i>when</i> he came there, he <f>[11†]</f>ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity.


text:
<pb/>And they issued a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the descendants of the captivity, that they must gather at Jerusalem,


text:
and that whoever would not come within three days, according to the instructions of the leaders and elders, all his property would be confiscated, and he himself would be separated from the assembly of those from the captivity.


text:
<pb/>So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered at Jerusalem within three days. It <i>was</i> the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month; and <f>[12†]</f>all the people sat in the open square of the house of God, trembling because of <i>this</i> matter and because of heavy rain.


text:
Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel.


text:
Now therefore, <f>[13†]</f>make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; <f>[14†]</f>separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives.”


text:
<pb/>Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, “Yes! As you have said, so we must do.


text:
But <i>there</i> <i>are</i> many people; <i>it</i> <i>is</i> the season for heavy rain, and we are not able to stand outside. Nor <i>is</i> <i>this</i> the work of one or two days, for <i>there</i> <i>are</i> many of us who have transgressed in this matter.


text:
Please, let the leaders of our entire assembly stand; and let all those in our cities who have taken pagan wives come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of their cities, until <f>[15†]</f>the fierce wrath of our God is turned away from us in this matter.”


text:
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and <f>[16†]</f>Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite gave them support.


text:
<pb/>Then the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, <i>with</i> certain <f>[17†]</f>heads of the fathers’ <i>households,</i> were set apart by the fathers’ households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.


text:
By the first day of the first month they finished <i>questioning</i> all the men who had taken pagan wives.


text:
<pb/>And among the sons of the priests who had taken pagan wives <i>the</i> <i>following</i> were found of the sons of <f>[18†]</f>Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.


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And they <f>[19†]</f>gave their promise that they would put away their wives; and <i>being</i> <f>[20†]</f>guilty, <i>they</i> <i>presented</i> a ram of the flock as their <f>[21†]</f>trespass offering.


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<pb/>Also of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (the same <i>is</i> Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.


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<pb/>And others of Israel: of the <f>[22†]</f>sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Jeziah, Malchiah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah;


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of the <f>[24†]</f>sons of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;


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<pb/>All these had taken pagan wives, and <i>some</i> of them had wives <i>by</i> <i>whom</i> they had children.


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<pb/>The words of <f>[1†]</f>Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. <pb/>It came to pass in the month of Chislev, <i>in</i> the <f>[2†]</f>twentieth year, as I was in <f>[3†]</f>Shushan the citadel,


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that <f>[4†]</f>Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.


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And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the <f>[5†]</f>province <i>are</i> there in great distress and <f>[6†]</f>reproach. <f>[7†]</f>The wall of Jerusalem <f>[8†]</f><i>is</i> also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”


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<pb/>So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned <i>for</i> <i>many</i> days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.


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<pb/>And I said: “I pray, <f>[9†]</f>LORD God of heaven, O great and <f>[10†]</f>awesome God, <f>[11†]</f><i>You</i> who keep <i>Your</i> covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,


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please let Your ear be attentive and <f>[12†]</f>Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and <f>[13†]</f>confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.


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<f>[14†]</f>We have acted very corruptly against You, and have <f>[15†]</f>not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.


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Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, <f>[16†]</f>‘<i>If</i> you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations;


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<f>[17†]</f>but <i>if</i> you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, <f>[18†]</f>though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, <i>yet</i> I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’


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<f>[19†]</f>Now these <i>are</i> Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.


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O Lord, I pray, please <f>[20†]</f>let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who <f>[21†]</f>desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” <pb/>For I was the king’s <f>[22†]</f>cupbearer.


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<pb/>And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of <f>[1†]</f>King Artaxerxes, <i>when</i> wine <i>was</i> before him, that <f>[2†]</f>I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before.


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Therefore the king said to me, “Why <i>is</i> your face sad, since you <i>are</i> not sick? This <i>is</i> nothing but <f>[3†]</f>sorrow of heart.” <pb/>So I became dreadfully afraid,


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and said to the king, <f>[4†]</f>“May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when <f>[5†]</f>the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, <i>lies</i> waste, and its gates are burned with <f>[6†]</f>fire?”


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<pb/>Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” <pb/>So I <f>[7†]</f>prayed to the God of heaven.


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And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”


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<pb/>Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him <f>[8†]</f>a time.


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<pb/>Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the <f>[9†]</f>governors <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah,


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and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which <i>pertains</i> <f>[10†]</f>to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted <i>them</i> to me <f>[11†]</f>according to the good hand of my God upon me.


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<pb/>Then I went to the governors <i>in</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.


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When <f>[12†]</f>Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard <i>of</i> <i>it,</i> they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.


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Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.


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And I went out by night <f>[14†]</f>through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were <f>[15†]</f>broken down and its gates which were burned with fire.


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Then I went on to the <f>[16†]</f>Fountain Gate and to the <f>[17†]</f>King’s Pool, but <i>there</i> <i>was</i> no room for the animal under me to pass.


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So I went up in the night by the <f>[18†]</f>valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.


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And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work.


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<pb/>Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we <i>are</i> in, how Jerusalem <i>lies</i> waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be <f>[19†]</f>a reproach.”


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And I told them of <f>[20†]</f>the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. <pb/>So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they <f>[21†]</f>set their hands to <i>this</i> good <i>work.</i>


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<pb/>But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard <i>of</i> <i>it,</i> they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What <i>is</i> this thing that you are doing? <f>[22†]</f>Will you rebel against the king?”


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<pb/>So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, <f>[23†]</f>but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”


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<pb/>Then <f>[1†]</f>Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests <f>[2†]</f>and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built <f>[3†]</f>as far as the Tower of the Hundred, <i>and</i> consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of <f>[4†]</f>Hananel.


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Next to <i>Eliashib</i> <f>[5†]</f>the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.


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<pb/>Also the sons of Hassenaah built <f>[6†]</f>the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and <f>[7†]</f>hung its doors with its bolts and bars.


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And next to them <f>[8†]</f>Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them <f>[9†]</f>Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.


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Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to <f>[10†]</f>the work of their Lord.


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<pb/>Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired <f>[11†]</f>the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.


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And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the <f>[12†]</f>men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the <f>[13†]</f>residence of the governor <i>of</i> <i>the</i> <i>region</i> beyond the River.


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Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the <f>[14†]</f>Broad Wall.


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Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs.


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<pb/>Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, <f>[15†]</f>as well as the Tower of the Ovens.


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And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.


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<pb/>Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired <f>[16†]</f>the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and <i>repaired</i> a thousand cubits of the wall as far as <f>[17†]</f>the Refuse Gate.


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<pb/>Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of <f>[18†]</f>Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.


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<pb/>Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired <f>[19†]</f>the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of <f>[20†]</f>Shelah by the <f>[21†]</f>King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.


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After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as <i>the</i> <i>place</i> in front of the tombs of David, to the <f>[22†]</f>man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty.


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<pb/>After him the Levites, <i>under</i> Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.


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After him their brethren, <i>under</i> Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the <i>other</i> half of the district of Keilah, made repairs.


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And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the <f>[23†]</f>buttress.


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After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.


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After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib.


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After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house.


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After him <f>[24†]</f>Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to <f>[25†]</f>the buttress, even as far as the corner.


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Palal the son of Uzai <i>made</i> <i>repairs</i> opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that <i>was</i> by the <f>[26†]</f>court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh <i>made</i> <i>repairs.</i>


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<pb/>Moreover <f>[27†]</f>the Nethinim who dwelt in <f>[28†]</f>Ophel <i>made</i> <i>repairs</i> as far as <i>the</i> <i>place</i> in front of <f>[29†]</f>the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.


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After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel.


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<pb/>Beyond the <f>[30†]</f>Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his <i>own</i> house.


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After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his <i>own</i> house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.


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After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.


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After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.


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And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the <f>[31†]</f>Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.


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<pb/>But it so happened, <f>[1†]</f>when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.


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And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—<i>stones</i> that are burned?”


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<pb/>Now <f>[2†]</f>Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up <i>on</i> <i>it,</i> he will break down their stone wall.”


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<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>Hear, O our God, for we are despised; <f>[4†]</f>turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!


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<f>[5†]</f>Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked <i>You</i> to anger before the builders.


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<pb/>So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its <i>height,</i> for the people had a mind to work.


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<pb/>Now it happened, <f>[6†]</f>when Sanballat, Tobiah, <f>[7†]</f>the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry,


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and all of them <f>[8†]</f>conspired together to come <i>and</i> attack Jerusalem and create confusion.


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Nevertheless <f>[9†]</f>we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.


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<pb/>Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and <i>there</i> <i>is</i> so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”


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<pb/>And our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.”


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<pb/>So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, <i>they</i> <i>will</i> <i>be</i> upon us.”


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<pb/>Therefore I positioned <i>men</i> behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.


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And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, <f>[10†]</f>“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, <f>[11†]</f>great and awesome, and <f>[12†]</f>fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”


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<pb/>And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and <f>[13†]</f><i>that</i> God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.


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So it was, from that time on, <i>that</i> half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and <i>wore</i> armor; and the leaders <i>were</i> behind all the house of Judah.


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Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.


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Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet <i>was</i> beside me.


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<pb/>Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work <i>is</i> great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall.


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Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. <f>[14†]</f>Our God will fight for us.”


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<pb/>So we labored in the work, and half of <i>the</i> <i>men</i> held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.


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At the same time I also said to the people, “Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day.”


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So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, <i>except</i> that everyone took them off for washing.


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<pb/>And there was a great <f>[1†]</f>outcry of the people and their wives against their <f>[2†]</f>Jewish brethren.


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For there were those who said, “We, our sons, and our daughters <i>are</i> many; therefore let us get grain, that we may eat and live.”


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<pb/>There were also <i>some</i> who said, “We have mortgaged our lands and vineyards and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine.”


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<pb/>There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax <i>on</i> our lands and vineyards.


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Yet now <f>[3†]</f>our flesh <i>is</i> as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we <f>[4†]</f>are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and <i>some</i> of our daughters have been brought into slavery. <i>It</i> <i>is</i> not in our power <i>to</i> <i>redeem</i> <i>them,</i> for other men have our lands and vineyards.”


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After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, <f>[5†]</f>“Each of you is exacting usury from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them.


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And I said to them, “According to our ability we have <f>[6†]</f>redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” <pb/>Then they were silenced and found nothing <i>to</i> <i>say.</i>


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Then I said, “What you are doing <i>is</i> not good. Should you not walk <f>[7†]</f>in the fear of our God <f>[8†]</f>because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?


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I also, <i>with</i> my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury!


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Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have charged them.”


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<pb/>So they said, “We will restore <i>it,</i> and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.” <pb/>Then I called the priests, <f>[9†]</f>and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.


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Then <f>[10†]</f>I shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.” <pb/>And all the assembly said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD. <f>[11†]</f>Then the people did according to this promise.


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<pb/>Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year <f>[12†]</f>until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers <f>[13†]</f>ate the governor’s provisions.


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But the former governors who <i>were</i> before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but <f>[14†]</f>I did not do so, because of the <f>[15†]</f>fear of God.


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Indeed, I also continued the <f>[16†]</f>work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants <i>were</i> gathered there for the work.


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<pb/>And <f>[17†]</f>at my table <i>were</i> one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.


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Now <i>that</i> <f>[18†]</f>which was prepared daily <i>was</i> one ox <i>and</i> six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I <f>[19†]</f>did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.


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<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>Remember me, my God, for good, <i>according</i> <i>to</i> all that I have done for this people.


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<pb/>Now it happened <f>[1†]</f>when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and <i>that</i> there were no breaks left in it <f>[2†]</f>(though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates),


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that Sanballat and Geshem <f>[3†]</f>sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of <f>[4†]</f>Ono.” But they <f>[5†]</f>thought to do me harm.


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<pb/>So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I <i>am</i> doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”


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<pb/>Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.


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In it <i>was</i> written: <pb/><t>It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, <i>that</i> you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, <f>[6†]</f>that you may be their king. </t>


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<t>And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “<i>There</i> <i>is</i> a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.</t>


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<pb/>Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”


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<pb/>For they all <i>were</i> <i>trying</i> <i>to</i> make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” <pb/>Now therefore, <i>O</i> <i>God,</i> strengthen my hands.


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<pb/>Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who <i>was</i> a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”


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<pb/>And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who <i>is</i> <i>there</i> such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”


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Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that <f>[7†]</f>he pronounced <i>this</i> prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.


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For this reason he <i>was</i> hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so <i>that</i> they might have <i>cause</i> for an evil report, that they might reproach me.


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<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the <f>[9†]</f>prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.


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And it happened, <f>[10†]</f>when all our enemies heard <i>of</i> <i>it,</i> and all the nations around us saw <i>these</i> <i>things,</i> that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for <f>[11†]</f>they perceived that this work was done by our God.


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<pb/>Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and <i>the</i> <i>letters</i> <i>of</i> Tobiah came to them.


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For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the <f>[12†]</f>son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of <f>[13†]</f>Meshullam the son of Berechiah.


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Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.


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<pb/>Then it was, when the wall was built and I had <f>[1†]</f>hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,


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that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother <f>[2†]</f>Hanani, and Hananiah the leader <f>[3†]</f>of the citadel, for he <i>was</i> a faithful man and <f>[4†]</f>feared God more than many.


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<pb/>And I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand <i>guard,</i> let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house.”


text:
<pb/>Now the city <i>was</i> large and spacious, but the people in it <i>were</i> <f>[5†]</f>few, and the houses <i>were</i> not rebuilt.


text:
Then my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up in the first <i>return,</i> and found written in it:


text:
<pb/><t> <f>[6†]</f>These <i>are</i> the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city.</t>


text:
<t>Those who came with <f>[7†]</f>Zerubbabel <i>were</i> Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. </t><t>The number of the men of the people of Israel: </t>


text:
<t>the sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen;</t>


text:
<t>The priests: the sons of <f>[9†]</f>Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;</t>


text:
<t>The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, </t><t><i>and</i> of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four.</t>


text:
<t>The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, </t><t>the sons of Ater, </t><t>the sons of Talmon, </t><t>the sons of Akkub, </t><t>the sons of Hatita, </t><t>the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.</t>


text:
<t>The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, </t><t>the sons of Sophereth, </t><t>the sons of Perida,</t>


text:
<t>the sons of Shephatiah, </t><t>the sons of Hattil, </t><t>the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, </t><t>and the sons of Amon.</t>


text:
<t>All the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon’s servants, <i>were</i> three hundred and ninety-two.</t>


text:
<t>And these <i>were</i> the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not identify their father’s house nor their lineage, whether they <i>were</i> of Israel: </t>


text:
<t>the sons of Delaiah, </t><t>the sons of Tobiah, </t><t>the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and forty-two;</t>


text:
<t>and of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, </t><t>the sons of Koz, </t><t>the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name.</t>


text:
<t>These sought their listing <i>among</i> those who were registered by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled. </t>


text:
<t>And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.</t>


text:
<t>besides their male and female servants, of whom <i>there</i> <i>were</i> seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and forty-five men and women singers. </t>


text:
<t><i>their</i> camels four hundred and thirty-five, <i>and</i> donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.</t>


text:
<t>And some of the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> gave to the work. <f>[13†]</f>The governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priestly garments. </t>


text:
<t>Some of the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> gave to the treasury of the work <f>[14†]</f>twenty thousand gold drachmas, and two thousand two hundred silver minas. </t>


text:
<t>And that which the rest of the people gave <i>was</i> twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments.</t>


text:
<pb/>So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, <i>some</i> of the people, the Nethinim, and all Israel dwelt in their cities. <pb/> <f>[15†]</f>When the seventh month came, the children of Israel <i>were</i> in their cities.


text:
<pb/>Now all <f>[1†]</f>the people gathered together as one man in the open square that <i>was</i> <f>[2†]</f>in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the <f>[3†]</f>scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel.


text:
So Ezra the priest brought <f>[4†]</f>the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who <i>could</i> hear with understanding <f>[5†]</f>on the first day of the seventh month.


text:
Then he <f>[6†]</f>read from it in the open square that <i>was</i> in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people <i>were</i> <i>attentive</i> to the Book of the Law.


text:
<pb/>So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, <i>and</i> Meshullam.


text:
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was <i>standing</i> above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people <f>[7†]</f>stood up.


text:
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. <pb/>Then all the people <f>[8†]</f>answered, “Amen, Amen!” while <f>[9†]</f>lifting up their hands. And they <f>[10†]</f>bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with <i>their</i> faces to the ground.


text:
<pb/>Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, <f>[11†]</f>helped the people to understand the Law; and the people <f>[12†]</f><i>stood</i> in their place.


text:
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped <i>them</i> to understand the reading.


text:
<pb/> <f>[13†]</f>And Nehemiah, who <i>was</i> the governor, Ezra the priest <i>and</i> scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, <f>[14†]</f>“This day <i>is</i> holy to the LORD your God; <f>[15†]</f>do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.


text:
<pb/>Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, <f>[16†]</f>and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for <i>this</i> day <i>is</i> holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”


text:
<pb/>So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day <i>is</i> holy; do not be grieved.”


text:
And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to <f>[17†]</f>send portions and rejoice greatly, because they <f>[18†]</f>understood the words that were declared to them.


text:
<pb/>Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.


text:
And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in <f>[19†]</f>booths during the feast of the seventh month,


text:
and <f>[20†]</f>that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and <f>[21†]</f>in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and <f>[22†]</f>bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written.”


text:
<pb/>Then the people went out and brought <i>them</i> and made themselves booths, each one on the <f>[23†]</f>roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the <f>[24†]</f>Water Gate <f>[25†]</f>and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim.


text:
So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very <f>[26†]</f>great gladness.


text:
Also <f>[27†]</f>day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast <f>[28†]</f>seven days; and on the <f>[29†]</f>eighth day <i>there</i> <i>was</i> a sacred assembly, according to the <i>prescribed</i> manner.


text:
<pb/>Now on the twenty-fourth day of <f>[1†]</f>this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, <f>[2†]</f>and with dust on their heads.


text:
Then <f>[3†]</f>those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and <f>[4†]</f>confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.


text:
And they stood up in their place and <f>[5†]</f>read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God <i>for</i> <i>one</i>–fourth of the day; and <i>for</i> <i>another</i> fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.


text:
<pb/>Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, <i>and</i> Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.


text:
And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, <i>and</i> Pethahiah, said: <pb/><t>“Stand up <i>and</i> bless the LORD your God </t><t>Forever and ever! </t><t>“Blessed be <f>[6†]</f>Your glorious name, </t><t>Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!</t>


text:
<t> <f>[7†]</f>You alone <i>are</i> the LORD; </t><t> <f>[8†]</f>You have made heaven, </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>The heaven of heavens, with <f>[10†]</f>all their host, </t><t>The earth and everything on it, </t><t>The seas and all that is in them, </t><t>And You <f>[11†]</f>preserve them all. </t><t>The host of heaven worships You.</t>


text:
<t>“You <i>are</i> the LORD God, </t><t>Who chose <f>[12†]</f>Abram, </t><t>And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, </t><t>And gave him the name <f>[13†]</f>Abraham;</t>


text:
<t>You found his heart <f>[14†]</f>faithful before You, </t><t>And made a <f>[15†]</f>covenant with him </t><t>To give the land of the Canaanites, </t><t>The Hittites, the Amorites, </t><t>The Perizzites, the Jebusites, </t><t>And the Girgashites— </t><t>To give <i>it</i> to his descendants. </t><t>You <f>[16†]</f>have performed Your words, </t><t>For You <i>are</i> righteous.</t>


text:
<t>“You <f>[17†]</f> saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, </t><t>And <f>[18†]</f>heard their cry by the Red Sea.</t>


text:
<t>You <f>[19†]</f>showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, </t><t>Against all his servants, </t><t>And against all the people of his land. </t><t>For You knew that they <f>[20†]</f>acted proudly against them. </t><t>So You <f>[21†]</f>made a name for Yourself, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> this day.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[22†]</f>And You divided the sea before them, </t><t>So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; </t><t>And their persecutors You threw into the deep, </t><t> <f>[23†]</f>As a stone into the mighty waters.</t>


text:
<t>Moreover You <f>[24†]</f>led them by day with a cloudy pillar, </t><t>And by night with a pillar of fire, </t><t>To give them light on the road </t><t>Which they should travel.</t>


text:
<t>“You <f>[25†]</f> came down also on Mount Sinai, </t><t>And spoke with them from heaven, </t><t>And gave them <f>[26†]</f>just ordinances and true laws, </t><t>Good statutes and commandments.</t>


text:
<t>You made known to them Your <f>[27†]</f>holy Sabbath, </t><t>And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, </t><t>By the hand of Moses Your servant.</t>


text:
<t>You <f>[28†]</f>gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, </t><t>And <f>[29†]</f>brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, </t><t>And told them to <f>[30†]</f>go in to possess the land </t><t>Which You had sworn to give them.</t>


text:
<t>“But <f>[31†]</f> they and our fathers acted proudly, </t><t> <f>[32†]</f>Hardened their necks, </t><t>And did not heed Your commandments.</t>


text:
<t>They refused to obey, </t><t>And <f>[33†]</f>they were not mindful of Your wonders </t><t>That You did among them. </t><t>But they hardened their necks, </t><t>And in their rebellion </t><t>They appointed <f>[34†]</f>a leader </t><t>To return to their bondage. </t><t>But You <i>are</i> God, </t><t>Ready to pardon, </t><t> <f>[35†]</f>Gracious and merciful, </t><t>Slow to anger, </t><t>Abundant in kindness, </t><t>And did not forsake them.</t>


text:
<t>“Even <f>[36†]</f>when they made a molded calf for themselves, </t><t>And said, ‘This <i>is</i> your god </t><t>That brought you up out of Egypt,’ </t><t>And worked great provocations,</t>


text:
<t>Yet in Your <f>[37†]</f>manifold mercies </t><t>You did not forsake them in the wilderness. </t><t>The <f>[38†]</f>pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, </t><t>To lead them on the road; </t><t>Nor the pillar of fire by night, </t><t>To show them light, </t><t>And the way they should go.</t>


text:
<t>You also gave Your <f>[39†]</f>good Spirit to instruct them, </t><t>And did not withhold Your <f>[40†]</f>manna from their mouth, </t><t>And gave them <f>[41†]</f>water for their thirst.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[42†]</f>Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; </t><t>They lacked nothing; </t><t>Their <f>[43†]</f>clothes did not wear out </t><t>And their feet did not swell.</t>


text:
<t>“Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations, </t><t>And divided them into districts. </t><t>So they took possession of the land of <f>[44†]</f>Sihon, </t><t>The land of the king of Heshbon, </t><t>And the land of Og king of Bashan.</t>


text:
<t>You also multiplied <f>[45†]</f>their children as the stars of heaven, </t><t>And brought them into the land </t><t>Which You had told their fathers </t><t>To go in and possess.</t>


text:
<t>So <f>[46†]</f>the people went in </t><t>And possessed the land; </t><t> <f>[47†]</f>You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, </t><t>The Canaanites, </t><t>And gave them into their hands, </t><t>With their kings </t><t>And the people of the land, </t><t>That they might do with them as they wished.</t>


text:
<t>And they took strong cities and a <f>[48†]</f>rich land, </t><t>And possessed <f>[49†]</f>houses full of all goods, </t><t>Cisterns <i>already</i> dug, vineyards, olive groves, </t><t>And fruit trees in abundance. </t><t>So they ate and were filled and <f>[50†]</f>grew fat, </t><t>And delighted themselves in Your great <f>[51†]</f>goodness.</t>


text:
<t>“Nevertheless they <f>[52†]</f>were disobedient </t><t>And rebelled against You, </t><t> <f>[53†]</f>Cast Your law behind their backs </t><t>And killed Your <f>[54†]</f>prophets, who testified against them </t><t>To turn them to Yourself; </t><t>And they worked great provocations.</t>


text:
<t> <f>[55†]</f>Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, </t><t>Who oppressed them; </t><t>And in the time of their trouble, </t><t>When they cried to You, </t><t>You <f>[56†]</f>heard from heaven; </t><t>And according to Your abundant mercies </t><t> <f>[57†]</f>You gave them deliverers who saved them </t><t>From the hand of their enemies.</t>


text:
<t>“But after they had rest, </t><t> <f>[58†]</f>They again did evil before You. </t><t>Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, </t><t>So that they had dominion over them; </t><t>Yet when they returned and cried out to You, </t><t>You heard from heaven; </t><t>And <f>[59†]</f>many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,</t>


text:
<t>And testified against them, </t><t>That You might bring them back to Your law. </t><t>Yet they acted proudly, </t><t>And did not heed Your commandments, </t><t>But sinned against Your judgments, </t><t> <f>[60†]</f>‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’ </t><t>And they shrugged their shoulders, </t><t>Stiffened their necks, </t><t>And would not hear.</t>


text:
<t>Yet for many years You had patience with them, </t><t>And testified <f>[61†]</f>against them by Your Spirit <f>[62†]</f>in Your prophets. </t><t>Yet they would not listen; </t><t> <f>[63†]</f>Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.</t>


text:
<t>Nevertheless in Your great mercy </t><t> <f>[64†]</f>You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; </t><t>For You <i>are</i> God, gracious and merciful.</t>


text:
<t>“Now therefore, our God, </t><t>The great, the <f>[65†]</f>mighty, and awesome God, </t><t>Who keeps covenant and mercy: </t><t>Do not let all the trouble seem small before You </t><t>That has come upon us, </t><t>Our kings and our princes, </t><t>Our priests and our prophets, </t><t>Our fathers and on all Your people, </t><t> <f>[66†]</f>From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.</t>


text:
<t>However <f>[67†]</f>You <i>are</i> just in all that has befallen us; </t><t>For You have dealt faithfully, </t><t>But <f>[68†]</f>we have done wickedly.</t>


text:
<t>Neither our kings nor our princes, </t><t>Our priests nor our fathers, </t><t>Have kept Your law, </t><t>Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, </t><t>With which You testified against them.</t>


text:
<t>For they have <f>[69†]</f>not served You in their kingdom, </t><t>Or in the many good <i>things</i> that You gave them, </t><t>Or in the large and rich land which You set before them; </t><t>Nor did they turn from their wicked works.</t>


text:
<t>“Here <f>[70†]</f>we <i>are,</i> servants today! </t><t>And the land that You gave to our fathers, </t><t>To eat its fruit and its bounty, </t><t>Here we <i>are,</i> servants in it!</t>


text:
<t>And <f>[71†]</f>it yields much increase to the kings </t><t>You have set over us, </t><t>Because of our sins; </t><t>Also they have <f>[72†]</f>dominion over our bodies and our cattle </t><t>At their pleasure; </t><t>And we <i>are</i> in great distress.</t>


text:
<t>“And because of all this, </t><t>We <f>[73†]</f>make a sure <i>covenant</i> and write <i>it;</i> </t><t>Our leaders, our Levites, <i>and</i> our priests <f>[74†]</f>seal <i>it.</i>”</t>


text:
<pb/>Now those who placed <i>their</i> seal on <i>the</i> <i>document</i> <i>were:</i> <pb/>Nehemiah the governor, <f>[1†]</f>the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,


text:
<pb/> <f>[4†]</f>Now the rest of the people—the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, <f>[5†]</f>and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding—


text:
these joined with their brethren, their nobles, <f>[6†]</f>and entered into a curse and an oath <f>[7†]</f>to walk in God’s Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes:


text:
We would not give <f>[8†]</f>our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons;


text:
<f>[9†]</f><i>if</i> the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the <f>[10†]</f>seventh year’s <i>produce</i> and the <f>[11†]</f>exacting of every debt.


text:
<pb/>Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly <f>[12†]</f>one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:


text:
for <f>[13†]</f>the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the <f>[14†]</f>regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God.


text:
We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, <f>[15†]</f>for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God <f>[16†]</f>as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the Law.


text:
<pb/>And <i>we</i> <i>made</i> <i>ordinances</i> <f>[17†]</f>to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD;


text:
to bring the <f>[18†]</f>firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as <i>it</i> <i>is</i> written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God;


text:
<f>[19†]</f>to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, <i>the</i> new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring <f>[20†]</f>the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.


text:
And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites <f>[21†]</f>when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to <f>[22†]</f>the rooms of the storehouse.


text:
<pb/>For the children of Israel and the children of Levi <f>[23†]</f>shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary <i>are, where</i> the priests who minister and the gatekeepers <f>[24†]</f>and the singers <i>are;</i> and we will not <f>[25†]</f>neglect the house of our God.


text:
<pb/>Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, <f>[1†]</f>the holy city, and nine-tenths <i>were</i> <i>to</i> <i>dwell</i> in <i>other</i> cities.


text:
And the people blessed all the men who <f>[2†]</f>willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/> <f>[3†]</f>These <i>are</i> the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. (But in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his own possession in their cities—Israelites, priests, Levites, <f>[4†]</f>Nethinim, and <f>[5†]</f>descendants of Solomon’s servants.)


text:
Also <f>[6†]</f>in Jerusalem dwelt <i>some</i> of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin. <pb/>The children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of <f>[7†]</f>Perez;


text:
and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.


text:
<pb/>And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah;


text:
Joel the son of Zichri <i>was</i> their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah <i>was</i> second over the city.


text:
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, <i>was</i> the leader of the house of God.


text:
Their brethren who did the work of the house <i>were</i> eight hundred and twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,


text:
and his brethren, heads of the fathers’ <i>houses, were</i> two hundred and forty-two; and Amashai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,


text:
and their brethren, mighty men of valor, <i>were</i> one hundred and twenty-eight. Their overseer <i>was</i> Zabdiel the son of <i>one</i> <i>of</i> the great men.


text:
<pb/>Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;


text:
<f>[9†]</f>Shabbethai and <f>[10†]</f>Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites, <i>had</i> the oversight of <f>[11†]</f>the business outside of the house of God;


text:
Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader <i>who</i> began the thanksgiving with prayer; Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.


text:
<pb/>Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren who kept the gates, <i>were</i> one hundred and seventy-two.


text:
<pb/>And the rest of Israel, of the priests <i>and</i> Levites, <i>were</i> in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.


text:
<pb/>Also the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem <i>was</i> Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers in charge of the service of the house of God.


text:
For <f>[14†]</f><i>it</i> <i>was</i> the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day.


text:
Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of <f>[15†]</f>Zerah the son of Judah, <i>was</i> <f>[16†]</f>the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people.


text:
<pb/>And as for the villages with their fields, <i>some</i> of the children of Judah dwelt in <f>[17†]</f>Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, Jekabzeel and its villages;


text:
Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.


text:
<pb/>Also the children of Benjamin from Geba <i>dwelt</i> in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages;


text:
<pb/>Now these <i>are</i> the <f>[1†]</f>priests and the Levites who came up with <f>[2†]</f>Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: <f>[3†]</f>Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


text:
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, <i>and</i> Jedaiah. <pb/>These <i>were</i> the heads of the priests and their brethren in the days of <f>[5†]</f>Jeshua.


text:
<pb/>Moreover the Levites <i>were</i> Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, <i>and</i> Mattaniah <f>[6†]</f><i>who</i> <i>led</i> the thanksgiving <i>psalms,</i> he and his brethren.


text:
<pb/>Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the <f>[7†]</f>heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> <i>were:</i> of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;


text:
<pb/>During the reign of Darius the Persian, a record <i>was</i> <i>also</i> <i>kept</i> of the Levites and priests <i>who</i> <i>had</i> <i>been</i> <f>[8†]</f>heads of their fathers’ <i>houses</i> in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua.


text:
The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers’ <i>houses</i> until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib, <i>were</i> written in the book of the <f>[9†]</f>chronicles.


text:
<pb/>And the heads of the Levites <i>were</i> Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to <f>[10†]</f>praise <i>and</i> give thanks, <f>[11†]</f>group alternating with group, <f>[12†]</f>according to the command of David the man of God.


text:
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub <i>were</i> gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates.


text:
These <i>lived</i> in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah <f>[13†]</f>the governor, and of Ezra the priest, <f>[14†]</f>the scribe.


text:
<pb/>Now at <f>[15†]</f>the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, <f>[16†]</f>both with thanksgivings and singing, <i>with</i> cymbals and stringed instruments and harps.


text:
And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the <f>[17†]</f>villages of the Netophathites,


text:
from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem.


text:
Then the priests and Levites <f>[18†]</f>purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.


text:
<pb/>So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. <f>[19†]</f><i>One</i> went to the right hand on the wall <f>[20†]</f>toward the Refuse Gate.


text:
and some of the priests’ sons <f>[21†]</f>with trumpets—Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,


text:
and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, <i>and</i> Hanani, with <f>[22†]</f>the musical <f>[23†]</f>instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe <i>went</i> before them.


text:
<f>[24†]</f>By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up <f>[25†]</f>the stairs of the <f>[26†]</f>City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as <f>[27†]</f>the Water Gate eastward.


text:
<pb/> <f>[28†]</f>The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite <i>way,</i> and I <i>was</i> behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the <f>[29†]</f>Tower of the Ovens as far as <f>[30†]</f>the Broad Wall,


text:
<f>[31†]</f>and above the Gate of Ephraim, above <f>[32†]</f>the Old Gate, above <f>[33†]</f>the Fish Gate, <f>[34†]</f>the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, as far as <f>[35†]</f>the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by <f>[36†]</f>the Gate of the Prison.


text:
<pb/>So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me;


text:
and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, <i>and</i> Hananiah, with trumpets;


text:
also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director.


text:
<pb/>Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard <f>[37†]</f>afar off.


text:
<pb/> <f>[38†]</f>And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the <f>[39†]</f>tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered.


text:
Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, <f>[40†]</f>according to the command of David <i>and</i> Solomon his son.


text:
For in the days of David <f>[41†]</f>and Asaph of old <i>there</i> <i>were</i> chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.


text:
In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for <f>[42†]</f>each day. <f>[43†]</f>They also consecrated <i>holy</i> <i>things</i> for the Levites, <f>[44†]</f>and the Levites consecrated <i>them</i> for the children of Aaron.


text:
<pb/>On that day <f>[1†]</f>they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written <f>[2†]</f>that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God,


text:
because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but <f>[3†]</f>hired Balaam against them to curse them. <f>[4†]</f>However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.


text:
So it was, when they had heard the Law, <f>[5†]</f>that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.


text:
<pb/>Now before this, <f>[6†]</f>Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, <i>was</i> allied with <f>[7†]</f>Tobiah.


text:
And he had prepared for him a large room, <f>[8†]</f>where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, <f>[9†]</f>which were commanded <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <i>given</i> to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests.


text:
But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, <f>[10†]</f>for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king,


text:
and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in <f>[11†]</f>preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God.


text:
Then I commanded them to <f>[12†]</f>cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.


text:
<pb/>I also realized that the portions for the Levites had <f>[13†]</f>not been given <i>them;</i> for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to <f>[14†]</f>his field.


text:
So <f>[15†]</f>I contended with the rulers, and said, <f>[16†]</f>“Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place.


text:
<f>[17†]</f>Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.


text:
<f>[18†]</f>And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them <i>was</i> Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered <f>[19†]</f>faithful, and their task <i>was</i> to distribute to their brethren.


text:
<pb/> <f>[20†]</f>Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!


text:
<pb/>In those days I saw <i>people</i> in Judah treading wine presses <f>[21†]</f>on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all <i>kinds</i> <i>of</i> burdens, <f>[22†]</f>which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned <i>them</i> about the day on which they were selling provisions.


text:
Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold <i>them</i> on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing <i>is</i> this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?


text:
<f>[23†]</f>Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”


text:
<pb/>So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it <f>[24†]</f>began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. <f>[25†]</f>Then I posted <i>some</i> of my servants at the gates, <i>so</i> <i>that</i> no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.


text:
<pb/>Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do <i>so</i> again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no <i>more</i> on the Sabbath.


text:
And I commanded the Levites that <f>[26†]</f>they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. <pb/>Remember me, O my God, <i>concerning</i> this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!


text:
<pb/>In those days I also saw Jews <i>who</i> <f>[27†]</f>had married women of <f>[28†]</f>Ashdod, Ammon, <i>and</i> Moab.


text:
And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.


text:
<pb/>So I <f>[29†]</f>contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them <f>[30†]</f>swear by God, <i>saying,</i> “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves.


text:
<f>[31†]</f>Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, <f>[32†]</f>who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. <f>[33†]</f>Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.


text:
Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, <f>[34†]</f>transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?”


text:
<pb/>And <i>one</i> of the sons <f>[35†]</f>of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, <i>was</i> a son-in-law of <f>[36†]</f>Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.


text:
<pb/> <f>[37†]</f>Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and <f>[38†]</f>the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.


text:
<pb/> <f>[39†]</f>Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also <f>[40†]</f>assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service,


text:
and <i>to</i> <i>bringing</i> <f>[41†]</f>the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. <pb/> <f>[42†]</f>Remember me, O my God, for good!


text:
<pb/>Now it came to pass in the days of <f>[1†]</f>Ahasuerus (this <i>was</i> the Ahasuerus who reigned <f>[2†]</f>over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, <f>[3†]</f>from India to Ethiopia),


text:
in those days when King Ahasuerus <f>[4†]</f>sat on the throne of his kingdom, which <i>was</i> in <f>[5†]</f>Shushan the citadel,


text:
<i>that</i> in the third year of his reign he <f>[6†]</f>made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces <i>being</i> before him—


text:
when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days <i>in</i> <i>all.</i>


text:
<pb/>And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.


text:
<i>There</i> <i>were</i> white and blue linen <i>curtains</i> fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; <i>and</i> <i>the</i> <f>[7†]</f>couches <i>were</i> of gold and silver on a <i>mosaic</i> pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.


text:
And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, <f>[8†]</f>according to the generosity of the king.


text:
In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.


text:
<pb/>Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women <i>in</i> the royal palace which <i>belonged</i> to King Ahasuerus.


text:
<pb/>On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, <f>[9†]</f>Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,


text:
to bring Queen Vashti before the king, <i>wearing</i> her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she <i>was</i> beautiful to behold.


text:
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command <i>brought</i> by <i>his</i> eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.


text:
<pb/>Then the king said to the <f>[10†]</f>wise men <f>[11†]</f>who understood the times (for this <i>was</i> the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,


text:
those closest to him <i>being</i> Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the <f>[12†]</f>seven princes of Persia and Media, <f>[13†]</f>who had access to the king’s presence, <i>and</i> who ranked highest in the kingdom):


text:
“What <i>shall</i> <i>we</i> do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus <i>brought</i> <i>to</i> <i>her</i> by the eunuchs?”


text:
<pb/>And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who <i>are</i> in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.


text:
For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will <f>[14†]</f>despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’


text:
This very day the <i>noble</i> ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus <i>there</i> <i>will</i> <i>be</i> excessive contempt and wrath.


text:
If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will <f>[15†]</f>not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.


text:
When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will <f>[16†]</f>honor their husbands, both great and small.”


text:
<pb/>And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.


text:
Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, <f>[17†]</f>to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should <f>[18†]</f>be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.


text:
<pb/>After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, <f>[1†]</f>what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.


text:
Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king;


text:
and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given <i>them.</i>


text:
Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” <pb/>This thing pleased the king, and he did so.


text:
<pb/>In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name <i>was</i> Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of <f>[2†]</f>Kish, a Benjamite.


text:
<f>[3†]</f><i>Kish</i> had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.


text:
And <i>Mordecai</i> had brought up Hadassah, that <i>is,</i> Esther, <f>[4†]</f>his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman <i>was</i> lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.


text:
<pb/>So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were <f>[5†]</f>gathered at Shushan the citadel, <i>under</i> the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.


text:
Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave <f>[6†]</f>beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best <i>place</i> in the house of the women.


text:
<pb/> <f>[7†]</f>Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal <i>it.</i>


text:
And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.


text:
<pb/>Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.


text:
Thus <i>prepared, each</i> young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace.


text:
In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.


text:
<pb/>Now when the turn came for Esther <f>[8†]</f>the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther <f>[9†]</f>obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.


text:
So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which <i>is</i> the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.


text:
The king loved Esther more than all the <i>other</i> women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal <f>[10†]</f>crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.


text:
Then the king <f>[11†]</f>made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.


text:
<f>[12†]</f><i>Now</i> Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.


text:
<pb/>In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.


text:
So the matter became known to Mordecai, <f>[13†]</f>who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.


text:
And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in <f>[14†]</f>the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.


text:
<pb/>After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the <f>[1†]</f>Agagite, and <f>[2†]</f>advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who <i>were</i> with him.


text:
And all the king’s servants who <i>were</i> <f>[3†]</f>within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai <f>[4†]</f>would not bow or pay homage.


text:
Then the king’s servants who <i>were</i> within the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the <f>[5†]</f>king’s command?”


text:
Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told <i>it</i> to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for <i>Mordecai</i> had told them that he <i>was</i> a Jew.


text:
When Haman saw that Mordecai <f>[6†]</f>did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was <f>[7†]</f>filled with wrath.


text:
But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman <f>[8†]</f>sought to destroy all the Jews who <i>were</i> throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.


text:
<pb/>In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, <f>[9†]</f>they cast Pur (that <i>is,</i> the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until <i>it</i> <i>fell</i> <i>on</i> <i>the</i> twelfth <i>month,</i> which <i>is</i> the month of Adar.


text:
<pb/>Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; <f>[10†]</f>their laws <i>are</i> different from all <i>other</i> people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it <i>is</i> not fitting for the king to let them remain.


text:
If it pleases the king, let <i>a</i> <i>decree</i> be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring <i>it</i> into the king’s treasuries.”


text:
<pb/>So the king <f>[11†]</f>took <f>[12†]</f>his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the <f>[13†]</f>enemy of the Jews.


text:
And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people <i>are</i> given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[14†]</f>Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and <i>a</i> <i>decree</i> was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps, to the governors who <i>were</i> over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province <f>[15†]</f>according to its script, and to every people in their language. <f>[16†]</f>In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring.


text:
And the letters were <f>[17†]</f>sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, <f>[18†]</f>in one day, on the thirteenth <i>day</i> of the twelfth month, which <i>is</i> the month of Adar, and <f>[19†]</f>to plunder their possessions.


text:
<f>[20†]</f>A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day.


text:
The couriers went out, hastened by the king’s command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but <f>[21†]</f>the city of Shushan was perplexed.


text:
<pb/>When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he <f>[1†]</f>tore his clothes and put on sackcloth <f>[2†]</f>and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He <f>[3†]</f>cried out with a loud and bitter cry.


text:
He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one <i>might</i> enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.


text:
And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, <i>there</i> <i>was</i> great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.


text:
<pb/>So Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept <i>them.</i>


text:
Then Esther called Hathach, <i>one</i> of the king’s eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this <i>was.</i>


text:
And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and <f>[4†]</f>the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews.


text:
He also gave him <f>[5†]</f>a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.


text:
“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into <f>[6†]</f>the inner court to the king, who has not been called, <f>[7†]</f><i>he</i> <i>has</i> but one law: put <i>all</i> to death, except the one <f>[8†]</f>to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been <f>[9†]</f>called to go in to the king these thirty days.”


text:
<pb/>And Mordecai told <i>them</i> to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.


text:
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for <i>such</i> a time as this?”


text:
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for <f>[10†]</f>three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which <i>is</i> against the law; <f>[11†]</f>and if I perish, I perish!”


text:
<pb/>Now it happened <f>[1†]</f>on the third day that Esther put on <i>her</i> royal <i>robes</i> and stood in <f>[2†]</f>the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.


text:
So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, <i>that</i> <f>[3†]</f>she found favor in his sight, and <f>[4†]</f>the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that <i>was</i> in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.


text:
<pb/>And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What <i>is</i> your request? <f>[5†]</f>It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!”


text:
<pb/>So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”


text:
<pb/>Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


text:
<pb/>At the banquet of wine <f>[6†]</f>the king said to Esther, <f>[7†]</f>“What <i>is</i> your petition? It shall be granted you. What <i>is</i> your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”


text:
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the <f>[8†]</f>banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”


text:
<pb/>So Haman went out that day <f>[9†]</f>joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and <f>[10†]</f>that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai.


text:
Nevertheless Haman <f>[11†]</f>restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh.


text:
Then Haman told them of his great riches, <f>[12†]</f>the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had <f>[13†]</f>advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.


text:
<pb/>Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king.


text:
<pb/>Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a <f>[14†]</f>gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning <f>[15†]</f>suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” <pb/>And the thing pleased Haman; so he had <f>[16†]</f>the gallows made.


text:
<pb/>That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring <f>[1†]</f>the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.


text:
And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.


text:
Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” <pb/>And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”


text:
<pb/>So the king said, “Who <i>is</i> in the court?” Now Haman had <i>just</i> entered <f>[2†]</f>the outer court of the king’s palace <f>[3†]</f>to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.


text:
<pb/>The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” <pb/>And the king said, “Let him come in.”


text:
<pb/>So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” <pb/>Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than <f>[4†]</f>me?”


text:
let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and <f>[5†]</f>a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head.


text:
Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, <f>[6†]</f>and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ”


text:
<pb/>Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.”


text:
<pb/>So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”


text:
<pb/>Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman <f>[7†]</f>hurried to his house, mourning <f>[8†]</f>and with his head covered.


text:
When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against <f>[9†]</f>him but will surely fall before him.”


text:
<pb/>While they <i>were</i> still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to <f>[10†]</f>the banquet which Esther had prepared.


text:
And on the second day, <f>[1†]</f>at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, “What <i>is</i> your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what <i>is</i> your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”


text:
<pb/>Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.


text:
For we have been <f>[2†]</f>sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as <f>[3†]</f>male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.”


text:
<pb/>So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?”


text:
<pb/>And Esther said, “The adversary and <f>[4†]</f>enemy <i>is</i> this wicked Haman!” <pb/>So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.


text:
<pb/>Then the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine <i>and</i> <i>went</i> into the palace garden; but Haman stood before Queen Esther, pleading for his life, for he saw that evil was determined against him by the king.


text:
When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across <f>[5†]</f>the couch where Esther <i>was.</i> Then the king said, “Will he also assault the queen while I <i>am</i> in the house?” <pb/>As the word left the king’s mouth, they <f>[6†]</f>covered Haman’s face.


text:
Now <f>[7†]</f>Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! <f>[8†]</f>The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke <f>[9†]</f>good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” <pb/>Then the king said, “Hang him on it!”


text:
<pb/>So <f>[10†]</f>they <f>[11†]</f>hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.


text:
<pb/>On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the <f>[1†]</f>enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told <f>[2†]</f>how he <i>was</i> <i>related</i> to her.


text:
So the king took off <f>[3†]</f>his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.


text:
<pb/>Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.


text:
And <f>[4†]</f>the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king,


text:
and said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing <i>seems</i> right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the <f>[5†]</f>letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to annihilate the Jews who <i>are</i> in all the king’s provinces.


text:
For how can I endure to see <f>[6†]</f>the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?”


text:
<pb/>Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Indeed, <f>[7†]</f>I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he <i>tried</i> <i>to</i> lay his hand on the Jews.


text:
You yourselves write <i>a</i> <i>decree</i> concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal <i>it</i> with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring <f>[8†]</f>no one can revoke.”


text:
<pb/> <f>[9†]</f>So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which <i>is</i> the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third <i>day;</i> and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces <f>[10†]</f>from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces <i>in</i> <i>all,</i> to every province <f>[11†]</f>in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.


text:
<f>[12†]</f>And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed <i>it</i> with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.


text:
<pb/>By these letters the king permitted the Jews who <i>were</i> in every city to <f>[13†]</f>gather together and protect their lives—to <f>[14†]</f>destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, <i>both</i> little children and women, and to plunder their possessions,


text:
<f>[15†]</f>on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth <i>day</i> of the twelfth month, which <i>is</i> the month of Adar.


text:
<f>[16†]</f>A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.


text:
The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in Shushan the citadel.


text:
<pb/>So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and <f>[17†]</f>the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.


text:
And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast <f>[19†]</f>and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land <f>[20†]</f>became Jews, because <f>[21†]</f>fear of the Jews fell upon them.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[1†]</f>in the twelfth month, that <i>is,</i> the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, <f>[2†]</f><i>the</i> <i>time</i> came for the king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves <f>[3†]</f>overpowered those who hated them.


text:
The Jews <f>[4†]</f>gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who <f>[5†]</f>sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, <f>[6†]</f>because fear of them fell upon all people.


text:
And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king’s work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.


text:
For Mordecai <i>was</i> great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai <f>[7†]</f>became increasingly prominent.


text:
Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.


text:
<f>[9†]</f>the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews—they killed; <f>[10†]</f>but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.


text:
<pb/>On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king.


text:
And the king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now <f>[11†]</f>what <i>is</i> your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or what <i>is</i> your further request? It shall be done.”


text:
<pb/>Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who <i>are</i> in Shushan to do again tomorrow <f>[12†]</f>according to today’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons <f>[13†]</f>be hanged on the gallows.”


text:
<pb/>So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.


text:
<pb/>And the Jews who <i>were</i> in Shushan <f>[14†]</f>gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; <f>[15†]</f>but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.


text:
<pb/>The remainder of the Jews in the king’s provinces <f>[16†]</f>gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; <f>[17†]</f>but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.


text:
<i>This</i> <i>was</i> on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth of <i>the</i> <i>month</i> they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


text:
<pb/>But the Jews who <i>were</i> at Shushan assembled together <f>[18†]</f>on the thirteenth <i>day,</i> as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of <i>the</i> <i>month</i> they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


text:
Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar <f>[19†]</f><i>with</i> gladness and feasting, <f>[20†]</f>as a holiday, and for <f>[21†]</f>sending presents to one another.


text:
<pb/>And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who <i>were</i> in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus,


text:
to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,


text:
as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of <f>[22†]</f>sending presents to one another and gifts to the <f>[23†]</f>poor.


text:
because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, <f>[24†]</f>had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that <i>is,</i> the lot), to consume them and destroy them;


text:
but <f>[25†]</f>when <i>Esther</i> came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which <i>Haman</i> had devised against the Jews should <f>[26†]</f>return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.


text:
<pb/>So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of <f>[27†]</f>this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them,


text:
the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would <f>[28†]</f>join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written <i>instructions</i> and according to the <i>prescribed</i> time,


text:
<i>that</i> these days <i>should</i> <i>be</i> remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail <i>to</i> <i>be</i> <i>observed</i> among the Jews, and <i>that</i> the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.


text:
<pb/>Then Queen Esther, <f>[29†]</f>the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this <f>[30†]</f>second letter about Purim.


text:
And <i>Mordecai</i> sent letters to all the Jews, to <f>[31†]</f>the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, <i>with</i> words of peace and truth,


text:
to confirm these days of Purim at their <i>appointed</i> time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their <f>[32†]</f>fasting and lamenting.


text:
<pb/>And King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and <i>on</i> <f>[1†]</f>the islands of the sea.


text:
Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, <f>[2†]</f>to which the king advanced him, <i>are</i> they not written in the book of the <f>[3†]</f>chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?


text:
For Mordecai the Jew <i>was</i> <f>[4†]</f>second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, <f>[5†]</f>seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.


text:
<pb/>There was a man <f>[1†]</f>in the land of Uz, whose name <i>was</i> <f>[2†]</f>Job; and that man was <f>[3†]</f>blameless and upright, and one who <f>[4†]</f>feared God and shunned evil.


text:
Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.


text:
<pb/>And his sons would go and feast <i>in</i> <i>their</i> houses, each on his <i>appointed</i> day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.


text:
So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning <f>[5†]</f>and offer burnt offerings <i>according</i> <i>to</i> the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and <f>[6†]</f>cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>[7†]</f>there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.


text:
And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” <pb/>So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From <f>[8†]</f>going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that <i>there</i> <i>is</i> none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”


text:
<f>[9†]</f>Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? <f>[10†]</f>You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.


text:
<f>[11†]</f>But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely <f>[12†]</f>curse You to Your face!”


text:
<pb/>And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has <i>is</i> in your power; only do not lay a hand on his <i>person.</i>” <pb/>So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.


text:
<pb/>Now there was a day <f>[13†]</f>when his sons and daughters <i>were</i> eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house;


text:
when the Sabeans raided <i>them</i> and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”


text:
<pb/>While he <i>was</i> still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”


text:
<pb/>While he <i>was</i> still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”


text:
<pb/>While he <i>was</i> still speaking, another also came and said, <f>[14†]</f>“Your sons and daughters <i>were</i> eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,


text:
and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”


text:
<pb/>Then Job arose, <f>[15†]</f>tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he <f>[16†]</f>fell to the ground and worshiped.


text:
And he said: <pb/><t> <f>[17†]</f>“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, </t><t>And naked shall I return there. </t><t>The LORD <f>[18†]</f>gave, and the LORD has <f>[19†]</f>taken away; </t><t> <f>[20†]</f>Blessed be the name of the LORD.”</t>


text:
<pb/>Again <f>[1†]</f>there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.


text:
And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” <pb/> <f>[2†]</f>Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”


text:
<pb/>Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that <i>there</i> <i>is</i> none like him on the earth, <f>[3†]</f>a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he <f>[4†]</f>holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, <f>[5†]</f>to destroy him without cause.”


text:
<pb/>So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.


text:
<f>[6†]</f>But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his <f>[7†]</f>bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”


text:
<pb/> <f>[8†]</f>And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he <i>is</i> in your hand, but spare his life.”


text:
<pb/>So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils <f>[9†]</f>from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.


text:
And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself <f>[10†]</f>while he sat in the midst of the ashes.


text:
<pb/>But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. <f>[11†]</f>Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” <f>[12†]</f>In all this Job did not <f>[13†]</f>sin with his lips.


text:
<pb/>Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the <f>[14†]</f>Temanite, Bildad the <f>[15†]</f>Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come <f>[16†]</f>and mourn with him, and to comfort him.


text:
And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and <f>[17†]</f>sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven.


text:
So they sat down with him on the ground <f>[18†]</f>seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that <i>his</i> grief was very great.


text:
<pb/><t>“May <f>[1†]</f> the day perish on which I was born, </t><t>And the night <i>in</i> <i>which</i> it was said, </t><t>‘A male child is conceived.’</t>


text:
<t>May that day be darkness; </t><t>May God above not seek it, </t><t>Nor the light shine upon it.</t>


text:
<t>May darkness and <f>[2†]</f>the shadow of death claim it; </t><t>May a cloud settle on it; </t><t>May the blackness of the day terrify it.</t>


text:
<t><i>As</i> <i>for</i> that night, may darkness seize it; </t><t>May it not rejoice among the days of the year, </t><t>May it not come into the number of the months.</t>


text:
<t>May those curse it who curse the day, </t><t>Those <f>[3†]</f>who are ready to arouse Leviathan.</t>


text:
<t>May the stars of its morning be dark; </t><t>May it look for light, but <i>have</i> none, </t><t>And not see the dawning of the day;</t>


text:
<t>Because it did not shut up the doors of my <i>mother’s</i> womb, </t><t>Nor hide sorrow from my eyes.</t>


text:
<t>“Why <f>[4†]</f> did I not die at birth? </t><t><i>Why</i> did I <i>not</i> perish when I came from the womb?</t>


text:
<t>For now I would have lain still and been quiet, </t><t>I would have been asleep; </t><t>Then I would have been at rest</t>


text:
<t>Or <i>why</i> was I not hidden <f>[7†]</f>like a stillborn child, </t><t>Like infants who never saw light?</t>


text:
<t>There the wicked cease <i>from</i> troubling, </t><t>And there the weary are at <f>[8†]</f>rest.</t>


text:
<t><i>There</i> the prisoners rest together; </t><t> <f>[9†]</f>They do not hear the voice of the oppressor.</t>


text:
<t>“Why <f>[10†]</f> is light given to him who is in misery, </t><t>And life to the <f>[11†]</f>bitter of soul,</t>


text:
<t>Who <f>[12†]</f>long for death, but it does not <i>come,</i> </t><t>And search for it more than <f>[13†]</f>hidden treasures;</t>


text:
<t>Who rejoice exceedingly, </t><t><i>And</i> are glad when they can find the <f>[14†]</f>grave?</t>


text:
<t><i>Why</i> <i>is</i> <i>light</i> <i>given</i> to a man whose way is hidden, </t><t> <f>[15†]</f>And whom God has hedged in?</t>


text:
<t>For the thing I greatly <f>[16†]</f>feared has come upon me, </t><t>And what I dreaded has happened to me.</t>


text:
<pb/><t>“<i>If</i> one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? </t><t>But who can withhold himself from speaking?</t>


text:
<t>Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, </t><t>And you <f>[2†]</f>have strengthened the feeble knees;</t>


text:
<t><i>Is</i> not <f>[3†]</f>your reverence <f>[4†]</f>your confidence? </t><t>And the integrity of your ways your hope?</t>


text:
<t>“Remember now, <f>[5†]</f>who <i>ever</i> perished being innocent? </t><t>Or where were the upright <i>ever</i> cut off?</t>


