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The Parallel Bible. The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the Original Tongues: being the Authorised Version arranged in parallel columns with the Revised Version (Oxford University Press, 1885).

Part of: The Parallel Bible. Old and New Testaments (KJV and Revised Version)

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BOOK V.

107

- O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
- For his mercy endureth for ever.
- 2
  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
- Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary;
- 3
  And gathered them out of the lands,
- From the east and from the west,
- From the north and 1 from the south.
- 4
  They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way;
- They found no city of habitation.
- 5
  Hungry and thirsty,
- Their soul fainted in them.
- 6
  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,
- And he delivered them out of their distresses.
- 7
  He led them also by a straight way,
- That they might go to a city of habitation.
- 8
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
- And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
- 9
  For he satisfieth the longing soul,
- And the hungry soul he filleth with good.
- 10
  Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
- Being bound in affliction and iron;
- 11
  Because they rebelled against the words of God,
- And contemned the counsel of the Most High:
- 12
  Therefore he brought down their heart with labour;
- They fell down, and there was none to help.
- 13
  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,
- And he saved them out of their distresses.
- 14
  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
- And brake their bands in sunder.
- 15
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
- And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
- 16
  For he hath broken the gates of brass,
- And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
- 17
  Fools because of 2 their transgression,
- And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
- 18
  Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat;
- And they draw near unto the gates of death.
- 19
  Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,
- And he saveth them out of their distresses.
- 20
  He sendeth his word, and healeth them,
- And delivereth them from their 3 destructions
- 21
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
- And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
- 22
  And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
- And declare his works with singing.
- 23
  They that go down to the sea in ships,
- That do business in great waters;
- 24
  These see the works of the Lord,
- And his wonders in the deep.
- 25
  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,
- Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
- 26
  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths:
- Their soul melteth away because of trouble.
- 27
  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
- And 1 are at their wits’ end.
- 28
  Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,
- And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
- 29
  He maketh the storm a calm,
- So that the waves thereof are still.
- 30
  Then are they glad because they be quiet;
- So he bringeth them unto 2 the haven where they would be.
- 31
  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
- And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
- 32
  Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people,
- And praise him in the seat of the elders.
- 33
  He turneth rivers into a wilderness,
- And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
- 34
  A fruitful land into a salt desert,
- For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
- 35
  He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water,
- And a dry land into watersprings.
- 36
  And there he maketh the hungry to dwell,
- That they may prepare a city of habitation;
- 37
  And sow fields, and plant vineyards,
- And get them fruits of increase.
- 38
  He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly;
- And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
- 39
  Again, they are minished and bowed down
- Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
- 40
  He poureth contempt upon princes,
- And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
- 41
  Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction,
- And maketh him families like a flock.
- 42
  The upright shall see it, and be glad;
- And all iniquity shall stop her month.
- 43
  Whoso is wise shall give heed to these things,
- And they shall consider the mercies of the Lord.

108

A Song, a Psalm of David.

1
3 My heart is fixed, O God;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises, even with my glory.
2
Awake, psaltery and harp:
4 I myself will awake right early.
3
I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples:
And I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4
For thy mercy is great above the heavens,
And thy truth reacheth unto the skies.
5
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
And thy glory above all the earth.
6
5 That thy beloved may be delivered,
Save with thy right hand, and answer 6 us.
7
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will exult:
I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim also is the defence of mine head;
Judah is my 7 sceptre.
9
Moab is my washpot;
1 Upon Edom will I cast my shoe:
Over Philistia will I shout.
10
Who will bring me into the fenced city?
2 Who hath led me unto Edom?
11
3 Hast not thou cast us off, O God?
And thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.
12
Give us help against the adversary:
For vain is the 4 help of man.
13
Through God we shall do valiantly:
For he it is that shall tread down our adversaries.

109

For the Chief Musician A Psalm of David.

1
Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me:
They have spoken 5 unto me with a lying tongue.
3
They compassed me about also with words of hatred,
And fought against me without a cause.
4
For my love they are my adversaries:
But I give myself unto prayer.
5
And they have 6 rewarded me evil for good,
And hatred for my love.
6
Set thou a wicked man over him:
And let 7 an adversary stand at his right hand.
7
When he is judged, let him come forth guilty;
And let his prayer 8 be turned into sin.
8
Let his days be few;
And let another take his office.
9
Let his children be fatherless,
And his wife a widow.
10
Let his children be vagabonds, and beg;
And let them seek their bread9 out of their desolate places.
11
Let the extortioner 10 catch all that he hath;
And let strangers make spoil of his labour.
12
Let there be none to 11 extend mercy unto him;
Neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
13
Let his posterity be cut off;
In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord;
And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15
Let them be before the Lord continually,
That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16
Because that he remembered not to shew mercy,
But persecuted the poor and needy man,
And the broken in heart, to slay them.
17
Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him;
And he delighted not in blessing, and it was far from him.
18
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment,
And it came into his inward parts like water,
And like oil into his bones.
19
Let it be unto him as the raiment wherewith he covereth himself,
And for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20
This is the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord,
And of them that speak evil against my soul.
21
But deal thou with me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake:
Because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me,
22
For I am poor and needy,
And my heart is wounded within me.
23
I am gone like the shadow when it 12 declineth:
I am tossed up and down as the locust.
24
My knees 13 are weak through fasting;
And my flesh faileth of fatness.
25
I am become also a reproach unto them:
When they see me, they shake their head.
26
Help me, O Lord my God;
O save me according to thy mercy:
27
That they may know that this is thy hand;
That thou, Lord, hast done it.
28
Let them curse, but bless thou:
When they arise, they shall be ashamed, but thy servant shall rejoice.
29
1 Let mine adversaries be clothed with dishonour,
And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a mantle.
30
I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth;
Yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
31
For he shall stand at the right hand of the needy,
To save him from them that judge his soul.

110

A Psalm of David

1
The Lord saith unto my lord, Sit thou at my right hand,
Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2
The Lord shall 2 send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion:
Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3
Thy people 3 offer themselves willingly 4 in the day of thy 5 power:
6 In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
7 Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent,
Thou art a priest for ever
After the 8 order of Melchizedek.
5
The Lord at thy right hand
9 Shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6
He shall judge among the nations,
10 He 11 shall fill the places with dead bodies;
He 9 shall strike through the head 12 in many countries.
7
He shall drink of the brook in the way:
Therefore shall he lift up the head.

111

1
13 Praise ye the Lord.
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart,
In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2
The works of the Lord are great,
Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3
His work is honour and majesty:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered:
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5
He hath given 14 meat unto them that fear him:
He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6
He hath shewed his people the power of his works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7
The works of his hands are truth and judgement;
All his precepts are sure.
8
They are established for ever and ever,
They are 15 done in truth and uprightness.
9
He hath sent redemption unto his people;
He hath commanded his covenant for ever:
Holy and reverend is his name.
10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
16 A good understanding have all they that do 17 thereafter:
His praise endureth for ever.

112

1
13 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,
That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2
His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3
Wealth and riches are in his house:
And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5
Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth;
He shall maintain his cause in judgement.
6
For he shall never be moved;
The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
Until he see his desire upon his adversaries.
9
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy;
His righteousness endureth for ever:
His horn shall be exalted with honour.
10
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
The desire of the wicked shall perish.

113

1
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.
2
Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and for evermore.
3
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
4
The Lord is high above all nations,
And his glory above the heavens.
5
Who is like unto the Lord our God,
That hath his seat on high,
6
That humbleth himself 2 to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;
8
That he may set him with princes,
Even with the princes of his people.
9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house,
And to be a joyful mother of children.
1 Praise ye the Lord.

114

1
When Israel went forth out of Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2
Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
3
The sea saw it, and fled;
Jordan was driven back.
4
The mountains skipped like rams,
The little hills like young sheep.
5
What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest?
Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?
6
Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams;
Ye little hills, like young sheep?
7
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob;
8
Which turned the rock into a pool of water,
The flint into a fountain of waters.

115

1
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But unto thy name give glory,
For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
2
Wherefore should the nations say,
Where is now their God?
3
But our God is in the heavens:
He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
4
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
5
They have mouths, but they speak not;
Eyes have they, but they see not;
6
They have ears, but they hear not;
Noses have they, but they smell not;
7
They have hands, but they handle not;
Feet have they, but they walk not;
Neither speak they through their throat.
8
They that make them shall be like unto them;
Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
9
O Israel, trust thou in the Lord:
He is their help and their shield.
10
O house of Aaron, trust ye in the Lord:
He is their help and their shield.
11
Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord:
He is their help and their shield.
12
The Lord hath been mindful of us; he will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron,
13
He will bless them that fear the Lord,
Both small and great.
14
The Lord increase you more and more,
You and your children.
15
Blessed are ye of the Lord,
Which made heaven and earth.
16
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord;
But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17
The dead praise not 1 the Lord,
Neither any that go down into silence;
18
But we will bless 1 the Lord
From this time forth and for evermore.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

116

1
I love the Lord, because he hath heard
My voice and my supplications.
2
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3
The cords of death compassed me,
And the pains of 3 Sheol 4 gat hold upon me:
I found trouble and sorrow.
4
Then called I upon the name of the Lord;
O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yea, our God is merciful.
6
The Lord preserveth the simple:
I was brought low, and he saved me.
7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul;
For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8
For thou hast delivered my soul from death,
Mine eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
9
I will walk before the Lord
In the 5 land of the living.
10
6 I believe, for I will speak:
I was greatly afflicted:
11
I said in my 7 haste,
All men are 8 a lie.
12
What shall I render unto the Lord
For all his benefits toward me?
13
I will take the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
14
I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Yea, in the presence of all his people.
15
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of his saints.
16
O Lord, truly I am thy servant:
I am thy servant, the son of thine handmaid;
Thou hast loosed my bonds.
17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
18
I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Yea, in the presence of all his people;
19
In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

117

1
O praise the Lord, all ye nations;
Land him, all ye peoples.
2
For his mercy is great toward us;
And the truth of the Lordendureth for ever.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

118

1
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
2
Let Israel now say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.
3
Let the house of Aaron now say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.
4
Let them now that fear the Lord say,
That his mercy endureth for ever.
5
Out of my distress I called upon 1 the Lord:
1 The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
6
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear:
What can man do unto me?
7
The Lord is on my side among them that help me:
Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
9
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.
10
All nations compassed me about:
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
11
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about:
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
12
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns:
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
13
Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall:
But the Lord helped me.
14
1 The Lord is my strength and song;
And he is become my salvation.
15
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous:
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16
The right hand of the Lord is exalted:
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of 1 the Lord.
18
1 The Lord hath chastened me sore:
But he hath not given me over unto death.
19
Open to me the gates of righteousness:
I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto 1 the Lord.
20
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous shall enter into it.
21
I will give thanks unto thee, for thou hast answered me,
And art become my salvation.
22
The stone which the builders rejected
Is become the head of the corner.
23
2 This is the Lord’s doing;
It is marvellous in our eyes.
24
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25
Save now, we beseech thee, O Lord:
O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26
Blessed be he that 3 cometh in the name of the Lord:
We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27
The Lord is God, and he hath given us light:
Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28
Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee:
Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.

119

א aleph.

1
Blessed are they that are 4 perfect in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
That seek him with the whole heart.
3
Yea, they do no unrighteousness;
They walk in his ways.
4
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,
That we should observe them diligently.
5
Oh that my ways were established
To observe thy statutes!
6
Then shall I not be ashamed,
When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn thy righteous judgements.
8
I will observe thy statutes:
O forsake me not utterly.

ב beth.

9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10
With my whole heart have I sought thee:
O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11
Thy word have I laid up in mine heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
12
Blessed art thou, O Lord:
Teach me thy statutes.
13
With my lips have I declared
All the judgements of thy mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate in thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways.
16
I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.

ב gimel.

17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;
So will I observe thy word.
18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
19
I am a sojourner in the earth:
Hide not thy commandments from me.
20
My soul breaketh for the longing
That it hath unto thy judgements at all times.
21
Thou hast rebuked the proud 1 that are cursed,
Which do wander from thy commandments.
22
Take away from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
23
Princes also sat and talked against me:
But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24
Thy testimonies also are my delight
And2 my counsellors.

ר daleth.

25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
Quicken thou me according to thy word.
26
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:
Teach me thy statutes.
27
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
So shall I meditate of thy wondrous works.
28
My soul 3 melteth for heaviness:
Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29
Remove from me the way of falsehood:
And grant me thy law graciously.
30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness:
Thy judgements have I set before me.
31
I cleave unto thy testimonies:
O Lord, put me not to shame.
32
I will run the way of thy commandments,
When thou shalt enlarge my heart.

ה he.

33
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
And I shall keep it unto the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
For therein do I delight.
36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,
And quicken me in thy ways.
38
Confirm thy word unto thy servant,
4 Which belongeth unto the fear of thee.
39
Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;
For thy judgements are good.
40
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
Quicken me in thy righteousness.

ו vau.

41
Let thy mercies also come unto me, O Lord,
Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42
So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;
For I trust in thy word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
For I have hoped in thy judgements.
44
So shall I observe thy law continually
For ever and ever.
45
And I will walk at liberty;
For I have sought thy precepts.
46
I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,
Which I have loved.
48
I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
And I will meditate in thy statutes.

ו zain.

49
Remember the word unto thy servant,
1 Because thou hast made me to hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction:
2 For thy word hath quickened me.
51
The proud have had me greatly in derision:
Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
52
I have remembered thy judgements of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
53
3 Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me,
Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54
Thy statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55
I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night,
And have observed thy law.
56
This I have had,
4 Because I kept thy precepts.

ח cheth.

57
5 The Lord is my portion:
I have said that I would observe thy words.
58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart:
Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59
I thought on my ways,
And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60
I made haste, and delayed not,
To observe thy commandments.
61
The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round;
But I have not forgotten thy law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee
Because of thy righteous judgements.
63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee,
And of them that observe thy precepts.
64
The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy:
Teach me thy statutes.

ט teth.

65
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,
O Lord, according unto thy word.
66
Teach me good judgement and knowledge;
For I have believed in thy commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray;
But now I observe thy word.
68
Thou art good, and doest good;
Teach me thy statutes.
69
The proud have forged a lie against me:
With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
70
Their heart is as fat as grease;
But I delight in thy law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
That I might learn thy statutes.
72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me
Than thousands of gold and silver.

י jod.

73
Thy hands have made me and 6 fashioned me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74
They that fear thee shall see me and be glad;
Because I have hoped in thy word.
75
I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are righteous,
And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
76
Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,
According to thy word unto thy servant.
77
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live:
For thy law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they have overthrown me 1 wrongfully:
But I will meditate in thy precepts.
79
Let those that fear thee turn unto me,
2 And they shall know thy testimonies.
80
Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes;
That I be not ashamed.

בcaph.

81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation:
But I hope in thy word.
82
Mine eyes fail for thy word,
While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
83
For I am become like a 3 bottle in the smoke;
Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84
How many are the days of thy servant?
When wilt thou execute judgement on them that persecute me?
85
The proud have digged pits for me,
Who are not after thy law.
86
All thy commandments are faithful:
They persecute me 1 wrongfully; help thou me.
87
They had almost consumed me upon earth;
But I forsook not thy precepts.
88
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;
So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.

לlamed.

89
For ever, O Lord,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:
Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91
4 They abide this day according to thine ordinances;
For all things are thy servants.
92
Unless thy law had been my delight,
I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93
I will never forget thy precepts;
For with them thou hast quickened me.
94
I am thine, save me;
For I have sought thy precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me;
But I will consider thy testimonies.
96
I have seen an end of all perfection;
But thy commandment is exceeding broad.

םmem.

97
Oh how love I thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98
5 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;
For they are ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers;
For thy testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have kept thy precepts.
101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way,
That I might observe thy word.
102
I have not turned aside from thy judgements;
For thou hast taught me.
103
How sweet are thy words unto my 6 taste!
Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
Through thy precepts I get understanding:
Therefore I hate every false way.

נnun.

105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And light unto my path.
106
I have sworn, and have confirmed it,
That I will observe thy righteous judgements.
107
I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me thy judgements.
109
My soul is continually in my hand;
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me;
Yet went I not astray from thy precepts.
111
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever;
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes,
For ever, even unto the end.

סsamech.

113
I hate them that are of a double mind;
But thy law do I love.
114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in thy word.
115
Depart from me, ye evil-doers;
That I may keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;
And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,
And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118
Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;
For their deceit is 1 falsehood.
119
Thou 2 puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross:
Therefore I love thy testimonies.
120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;
And I am afraid of thy judgements.

עain.

121
I have done judgement and justice:
Leave me not to mine oppressors.
122
Be surety for thy servant for good:
Let not the proud oppress me.
123
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,
And for thy righteous word.
124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy,
And teach me thy statutes.
125
I am thy servant, give me understanding;
That I may know thy testimonies.
126
It is time for the Lord to work;
For they have made void thy law.
127
Therefore I love thy commandments
Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128
Therefore I esteem 3 all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
And I hate every false way.

םpe.

129
Thy testimonies are wonderful:
Therefore doth my soul keep them.
130
The opening of thy words giveth light;
It giveth understanding unto the simple.
131
I opened wide my mouth, and panted;
For I longed for thy commandments.
132
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133
Order my footsteps in thy word;
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Redeem me from the oppression of man:
So will I observe thy precepts.
135
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
And teach me thy statutes.
136
Mine eyes run down with rivers of water,
Because they observe not thy law.

צtzade.

137
Righteous art thou, O Lord,
And upright 1 are thy judgements.
138
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness
And very faithfulness.
139
My zeal hath 2 consumed me,
Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
140
Thy word is very 3 pure;
Therefore thy servant loveth it.
141
I am small and despised:
Yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And thy law is truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have 4 taken hold on me:
Yet thy commandments are my delight.
144
Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

קkoph.

145
I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Lord:
I will keep thy statutes.
146
I have called unto thee; save me,
And I shall observe thy testimonies.
147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried:
I hoped in thy words.
148
Mine eyes prevented the night watches,
That I might meditate in thy word.
149
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:
Quicken me, O Lord,5 according to thy judgements.
150
They draw nigh 6 that follow after wickedness;
They are far from thy law.
151
Thou art nigh, O Lord;
And all thy commandments are truth.
152
Of old have I known from thy testimonies,
That thou hast founded them for ever.

רresh.

153
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;
For I do not forget thy law.
154
Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:
Quicken me according to thy word.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked;
For they seek not thy statutes.
156
Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord:
Quicken me according to thy judgements.
157
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;
Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
158
I beheld the treacherous dealers, and 7 was grieved;
Because they observe not thy word.
159
Consider how I love thy precepts:
Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.
160
The sum of thy word is truth;
And evey one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.

שshin.

161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause;
But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
162
I rejoice at thy word,
As one that findeth great spoil.
163
I hate and abhor falsehood;
But thy law do I love.
164
Seven times a day do I praise thee,
Because of thy righteous judgements.
165
Great peace have they which love thy law;
And they have none occasion of stumbling.
166
I have hoped for thy salvation, O Lord,
And have done thy commandments.
167
My soul hath observed thy testimonies;
And I love them exceedingly.
168
I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies;
For all my ways are before thee.

תtau.

169
Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord:
Give me understanding according to thy word.
170
Let my supplication come before thee:
Deliver me according to thy word.
171
Let my lips utter praise;
For thou teachest me thy statutes.
172
Let my tongue sing of thy word;
For all thy commandments are righteousness.
173
Let thine hand be ready to help me;
For I have chosen thy precepts.
174
I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord;
And thy law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
And let thy judgements help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;
For I do not forget thy commandments.

120

A Song of Ascents

1
In my distress I cried unto the Lord,
And he answered me.
2
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.
3
What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee,
Thou deceitful tongue?
4
1 Sharp arrows of the mighty,
With coals of 2 juniper.
5
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6
My soul hath long had her dwelling
With him that hateth peace.
7
I am for peace:
But when I speak, they are for war.

121

A Song of Ascents.

- 1
  I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:
- From whence shall my help come?
- 2
  My help cometh from the Lord,
- Which made heaven and earth.
- 3
  3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
- He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
- 4
  Behold, he that keepeth Israel
- Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
- 5
  The Lord is thy keeper:
- The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
- 6
  The sun shall not smite thee by day,
- Nor the moon by night.
- 7
  The Lord shall keep thee from all evil;
- He shall keep thy soul.
- 8
  The Lord shall keep thy going out and thy coming in,
- From this time forth and for evermore.

122

A Song of Ascents; of David

1
I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go unto the house of the Lord.
2
Our feet 4 are standing
Within thy gates, O Jerusalem;
3
Jerusalem, that art builded
As a city that is compact together:
4
Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of 5 the Lord,
For a testimony unto Israel,
To give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5
For there 6 are set thrones for judgement,
The thrones of the house of David.
6
7 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
8 They shall prosper that love thee.
7
Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
8
For my brethren and companions’ sakes,
I will now 9 say, Peace be within thee.
9
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek thy good.

123

A Song of Ascents.

1
Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes,
O thou that sittest in the heavens.
2
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
So our eyes look unto the Lord our God,
Until he have mercy upon us.
3
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us:
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4
Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorning of those that are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud.

124

A Song of Ascents; of David.

1
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
Let Israel now say;
2
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us:
3
Then they had swallowed us up alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us:
4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us,
The stream had gone over our soul:
5
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6
Blessed be the Lord,
Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers:
The snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

125

A Song of Ascents.

1
They that trust in the Lord
Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
2
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
So the Lord is round about his people,
From this time forth and for evermore.
3
For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous;
That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.
4
Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good,
And to them that are upright in their hearts.
5
But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,
The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel.

126

A Song of Ascents.

1
When the Lord1 turned again the captivity of Zion,
We were like unto them that dream.
2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing:
Then said they among the nations,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
3
The Lord hath done great things for us;
Whereof we are glad.
4
Turn again our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6
Though he goeth on his way weeping, 2 bearing forth the seed;
He shall come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

127

A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.

1
Except the Lord build the house,
They labour in vain that build it:
Except the Lord keep the city,
The watchman waketh but in vain.
2
It is vain for you that ye rise up early, and so late take rest,
And eat the bread of toil:
For so he giveth unto his beloved 3 sleep.
3
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:
And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,
So are the children of youth.
5
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
They shall not be ashamed,
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

128

A Song of Ascents.

1
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord,
That walketh in his ways.
2
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of thine house:
Thy children like olive plants, round about thy table.
4
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed
That feareth the Lord.
5
The Lord1 shall bless thee out of Zion:
And 2 thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6
Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children.
3 Peace be upon Israel.

129

A Song of Ascents.

1
4 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up,
Let Israel now say;
2
4 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up:
Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3
The plowers plowed upon my back;
They made long their furrows.
4
The Lord is righteous:
He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5
Let them be ashamed and turned backward,
All they that hate Zion.
6
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops,
Which withereth afore it 5 groweth up:
7
Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand,
Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8
Neither do they which go by say,
The blessing of the Lord be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the Lord.

130

A Song of Ascents.

1
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
2
Lord, hear my voice:
Let thine ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
3
If thou, 6Lord, shouldest mark iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand?
4
But there is forgiveness with thee,
That thou mayest be feared.
5
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
And in his word do I hope.
6
My soul looketh for the Lord,
More than watchmen look for the morning;
Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
7
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with him is plenteous redemption.
8
And he shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

131

A Song of Ascents; of David.

1
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty;
Neither do I 7 exercise myself in great matters,
Or in things too wonderful for me.
2
Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child with his mother,
My soul is with me like a weaned child.
3
O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and for evermore.

132

A Song of Ascents.

1
Lord, remember for David
All his affliction;
2
How he sware unto the Lord,
And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob:
3
Surely I will not come into the 1 tabernacle of my house,
Nor go up into 2 my bed;
4
I will not give sleep to mine eyes,
Or slumber to mine eyelids;
5
Until I find out a place for the Lord,
3 A tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob.
6
Lo, we heard of it in 4 Ephrathah:
We found it in the field of 5 the wood.
7
We will go into his tabernacles;
We will worship at his footstool.
8
Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place;
Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness;
And let thy saints shout for joy.
10
For thy servant David’s sake
Turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11
The Lord hath sworn unto David in truth;
He will not turn from it:
Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12
If thy children will keep my covenant
And my testimony that I shall teach them,
Their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13
For the Lord hath chosen Zion;
He hath desired it for his habitation.
14
This is my resting place for ever:
Here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15
I will 6 abundantly bless her provision:
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16
Her priests also will I clothe with salvation:
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17
There will I make 7 the horn of David to bud:
I have 8 ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18
His enemies will I clothe with shame:
But upon himself shall his crown flourish.

133

A Song of Ascents; of David.

1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
That ran down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard;
That came down upon the 9 skirt of his garments;
3
Like the dew of Hermon,
That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion:
For there the Lord commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore.

134

A Song of Ascents.

1
Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord,
Which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
2
Lift up your hands 10 to the sanctuary,
And bless ye the Lord.
3
The Lord bless thee out of Zion;
Even he that made heaven and earth.

135

- 11 Praise ye the Lord.
- Praise ye the name of the Lord;
- Praise him, O ye servants of the Lord:
- 2
  Ye that stand in the house of the Lord,
- In the courts of the house of our God.
- 3
  Praise ye the Lord; for the Lord is good:
- Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
- 4
  For 12 the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself,
- And Israel for his peculiar treasure.
- 5
  For I know that the Lord is great,
- And that our Lord is above all gods.
- 6
  Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that hath he done,
- In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
- 7
  He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth;
- He maketh lightnings for the rain;
- He bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
- 8
  Who smote the firstborn of Egypt,
- Both of man and beast.
- 9
  He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt,
- Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
- 10
  Who smote 1 many nations,
- And slew mighty kings;
- 11
  Sihon king of the Amorites,
- And Og king of Bashan,
- And all the kingdoms of Canaan:
- 12
  And gave their land for an heritage,
- An heritage unto Israel his people.
- 13
  Thy name, O Lord,endureth for ever;
- Thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.
- 14
  For the Lord shall judge his people,
- And repent himself concerning his servants.
- 15
  2 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
- The work of men’s hands.
- 16
  They have mouths, but they speak not;
- Eyes have they, but they see not;
- 17
  They have ears, but they hear not;
- Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
- 18
  They that make them shall be like unto them;
- Yea, every one that trusteth in them
- 19
  O house of Israel, bless ye the Lord:
- O house of Aaron, bless ye the Lord:
- 20
  O house of Levi, bless ye the Lord:
- Ye that fear the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
- 21
  Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
- Who dwelleth at Jerusalem.
- 3 Praise ye the Lord

136

1
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever
2
O give thanks unto the God of gods:
For his mercy endureth for ever
3
O give thanks unto the Lord of lords:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
4
To him who alone doeth great wonders:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
5
To him that by understanding made the heavens:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
6
To him that spread forth the earth above the waters:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
7
To him that made great lights:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
8
The sun to rule by day:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
9
The moon and stars to rule by night:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
10
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
11
And brought out Israel from among them:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
12
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
13
To him which divided the Red Sea in sunder:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
14
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
15
But 4 overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
16
To him which led his people through the wilderness:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
17
To him which smote great kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
18
And slew famous kings:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
19
Sihon king of the Amorites:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
20
And Og king of Bashan:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
21
And gave their land for an heritage:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
22
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
23
Who remembered us in our low estate:
For his mercy endureth for ever:
24
And hath delivered us from our adversaries:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
25
He giveth food to all flesh:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
26
O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
For his mercy endureth for ever.

137

1
By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept,
When we remembered Zion.
2
Upon the willows in the midst thereof
We hanged up our harps.
3
For there they that led us captive required of us 1 songs,
And 2 they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying,
Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4
How shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a strange land?
5
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
6
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
If I remember thee not;
If I prefer not Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
7
Remember, O Lord, against the children of Edom
The day of Jerusalem;
Who said, Rase it, rase it,
Even to the foundation thereof.
8
O daughter of Babylon, 3 that art to be destroyed;
Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee
As thou hast served us.
9
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones
Against the rock.

138

A Psalm of David.

1
I will give thee thanks with my whole heart:
Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.
2
I will worship toward thy holy temple,
And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:
For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3
In the day that I called thou answeredst me,
Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.
4
All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Lord,
For they have heard the words of thy mouth.
5
Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord;
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6
For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly:
But the haughty he knoweth from afar.
7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me;
Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies,
And thy right hand shall save me.
8
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:
Thy mercy, O Lord,endureth for ever;
Forsake not the works of thine own hands.

139

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising.
Thou understandest my thought afar off.
3
Thou 4 searchest out my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
4
For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5
Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7
Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there
9
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10
Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
11
If I say, Surely the darkness shall 1 overwhelm me,
2 And the light about me shall be night;
12
Even the darkness hideth not from thee,
But the night shineth as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13
For thou hast 3 possessed my reins
Thou hast 4 covered me in my mother’s womb.
14
I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Wonderful are thy works;
And that my soul knoweth right well.
15
My frame was not hidden from thee,
When I was made in secret,
And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16
Thine eyes did see mine unperfect substance,
And in thy book 5 were all my members written,
Which day by day were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them,
17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:
When I awake, I am still with thee.
19
6 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:
Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men.
20
For they 7 speak against thee wickedly,
And thine enemies 8 take thy name in vain.
21
Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?
And 9 am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22
I hate them with perfect hatred:
I count them mine enemies.
23
Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Try me, and know my thoughts:
24
And see if there be any way of 10 wickedness in me.
And lead me in the way everlasting.

140

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man;
Preserve me from the violent man:
2
Which imagine mischiefs in their heart;
Continually do they 11 gather themselves together for war.
3
They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;
Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah
4
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from the violent man:
Who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.
5
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the way side;
They have set gins for me. [Selah
6
I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God:
Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Lord.
7
O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle
8
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Further not his evil device; lest they exalt themselves. [Selah
9
As for the head of those that compass me about,
Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10
Let burning coals fall upon them:
Let them be cast into the fire;
Into 1 deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11
2 An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth:
Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12
I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And the right of the needy.
13
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name.
The upright shall dwell in thy presence.

141

A Psalm of David.

1
Lord, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me:
Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee;
The lifting up of my hands as the evening 3 sacrifice.
3
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
Keep the door of my lips.
4
Incline not my heart to any evil thing,
To be occupied in deeds of wickedness
With men that work iniquity:
And let me not eat of their dainties
5
Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness;
And let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head;
Let not my head refuse it:
4 For even in their 5 wickedness shall my prayer continue.
6
Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock;
And they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7
As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth,
6 Our bones are scattered at 7 the grave’s mouth.
8
For mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord:
In thee do I put my trust; 8 leave not my soul destitute.
9
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me,
And from the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
Whilst that I withal 9 escape.

142

Maschil of David, when he was in the cave, a Prayer

1
I cry with my voice unto the Lord;
With my voice unto the Lord do I make supplication.
2
I pour out my complaint before him;
I shew before him my trouble
3
When my spirit 10 was overwhelmed within me, thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me.
4
11 Look on my right hand, and see; for there is no man that knoweth me:
Refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul.
5
I cried unto thee, O Lord;
I said, Thou art my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6
Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low.
Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy name:
The righteous shall 12 compass me about;
For thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

143

A Psalm of David.

1
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications:
In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2
And enter not into judgement with thy servant;
For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;
He hath smitten my life down to the ground:
He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
4
Therefore 1 is my spirit overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is desolate.
5
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all thy doings:
I muse on the work of thy hands.
6
I spread forth my hands unto thee:
My soul thirsteth after thee, as a weary land. [Selah
7
Make haste to answer me, O Lord; my spirit faileth:
Hide not thy face from me;
Lest I become like them that go down into the pit.
8
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;
For in thee do I trust:
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;
For I lift up my soul unto thee.
9
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies:
2 I flee unto thee to hide me.
10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:
3 Thy spirit is good; lead me in 4 the land of uprightness.
11
Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake:
In thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12
And in thy lovingkindness cut off mine enemies,
And destroy all them that afflict my soul;
For I am thy servant.

144

A Psalm of David.

- 1
  Blessed be the Lord my rock,
- Which teacheth my hands to war,
- And my fingers to fight:
- 2
  My lovingkindness, and my fortress,
- My high tower, and my deliverer;
- My shield, and he in whom I trust;
- Who subdueth my people under me.
- 3
  Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him?
- Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
- 4
  Man is like to 5 vanity:
- His days are as a shadow that passeth away.
- 5
  Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down:
- Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
- 6
  Cast forth lightning, and scatter them;
- Send out thine arrows, and discomfit them.
- 7
  Stretch forth thine hand from above;
- Rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters,
- Out of the hand of strangers;
- 8
  Whose mouth speaketh vanity,
- And their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
- 9
  I will sing a new song unto thee, O God:
- Upon a psaltery of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
- 10
  It is he that giveth salvation unto kings:
- Who rescueth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
- 11
  Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of strangers,
- Whose mouth speaketh vanity,
- And their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
- 12
  When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth;
- And our daughters as corner stones hewn after the fashion of a palace;
- 13
  When our garners are full, affording all manner of store;
- And our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
- 14
  When our oxen are well laden;
- When there is no breaking in, and no 1 going forth,
- And no outery in our streets;
- 15
  Happy is the people, that is in such a case
- Yea, happy is the people, whose God is the Lord.

145

A Psalm of praise; of David.

1
I will extol thee, my God, O King;
And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
2
Every day will I bless thee;
And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
3
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised;
And his greatness is unsearchable
4
One generation shall laud thy works to another,
And shall declare thy mighty acts.
5
Of the glorious majesty of thine honour,
And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate.
6
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts;
And I will declare thy greatness.
7
They shall utter the memory of thy great goodness,
And shall sing of thy righteousness.
8
The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion;
Slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9
The Lord is good to all;
And his tender mercies are over all his works.
10
All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, O Lord;
And thy saints shall bless thee.
11
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,
And talk of thy power;
12
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
And the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14
The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15
The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
16
Thou openest thine hand,
And 2 satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways,
And gracious in all his works.
18
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
19
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him;
He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20
The Lord preserveth all them that love him;
But all the wicked will he destroy.
21
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord;
And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

146

1
3 Praise ye the Lord.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2
While I live will I praise the Lord:
I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3
Put not your trust in princes,
Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;
In that very day his 4 thoughts perish.
5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6
Which made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that in them is;
Which keepeth truth for ever:
7
Which executeth judgement for the oppressed;
Which giveth food to the hungry:
The Lord looseth the prisoners;
8
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raiseth up them that are bowed down;
The Lord loveth the righteous;
9
The Lord preserveth the strangers;
He upholdeth the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked he 5 turneth upside down.
10
The Lord shall reign for ever,
Thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.
1 Praise ye the Lord.

147

1
1 Praise ye the Lord;
2 For it is good to sing praises unto our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
2
The Lord doth build up Jerusalem;
He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3
He healeth the broken in heart,
And bindeth up their 3 wounds.
4
He telleth the number of the stars;
He giveth them all their names.
5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6
The Lord upholdeth the meek:
He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.
7
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises upon the harp unto our God:
8
Who covereth the heaven with clouds,
Who prepareth rain for the earth,
Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9
He giveth to the beast his food,
And to the young ravens which cry.
10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse:
He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
In those that hope in his mercy.
12
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem;
Praise thy God, O Zion.
13
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates;
He hath blessed thy children within thee.
14
4 He maketh peace in thy borders;
He filleth thee with the 5 finest of the wheat.
15
He sendeth out his commandment upon earth;
His word runneth very swiftly.
16
He giveth snow like wool;
He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.
17
He casteth forth his ice like morsels:
Who can stand before his cold?
18
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them:
He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19
He sheweth his word unto Jacob,
His statutes and his judgements unto Israel.
20
He hath not dealt so with any nation:
And as for his judgements, they have not known them.
1 Praise ye the Lord.

148

1
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:
Praise him in the heights.
2
Praise ye him, all his angels:
Praise ye him, all his host.
3
Praise ye him, sun and moon:
Praise him, all ye stars of light.
4
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens,
And ye waters that be above the heavens.
5
Let them praise the name of the Lord:
For he commanded, and they were created.
6
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever:
He hath made a decree 6 which shall not pass away.
7
Praise the Lord from the earth,
Ye 7 dragons, and all deeps:
8
Fire and hail, snow and vapour;
Stormy wind, fulfilling his word:
9
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars:
10
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl:
11
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth:
12
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children:
13
Let them praise the name of the Lord;
For his name alone is exalted:
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14
And he hath lifted up 1 the horn of his people,
The praise of all his saints;
Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

149

1
2 Praise ye the Lord.
Sing unto the Lord a new song,
And his praise in the assembly of the saints.
2
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3
Let them praise his name in the dance:
Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people:
He will beautify the meek with 3 salvation.
5
Let the saints exult in glory:
Let them sing for joy upon their beds.
6
Let the high praises of God be in their 4 mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand;
7
To execute vengeance upon the nations,
And punishments upon the peoples;
8
To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9
To execute upon them the judgement written:
5 This honour have all his saints.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

150

1
2 Praise ye the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
Praise him in the firmament of his power.
2
Praise him for his mighty acts:
Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
Praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance:
Praise him with stringed instruments and the pipe.
5
Praise him upon the loud cymbals:
Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6
Let every thing that hath breath praise 6 the Lord.
2 Praise ye the Lord.

THE PROVERBS.

1

- The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
- 2
  To know wisdom and instruction;
- To discern the words of understanding;
- 3
  To receive instruction in wise dealing,
- In righteousness and judgement and equity;
- 4
  To give 1 subtilty to the simple,
- To the young man knowledge and discretion:
- 5
  That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
- And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
- 6
  To understand a proverb, and 2 a figure;
- The words of the wise, and their 3 dark sayings.
- 7
  The fear of the Lord is the 4 beginning of knowledge:
- But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- 8
  My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
- And forsake not the 5 law of thy mother:
- 9
  For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,
- And chains about thy neck.
- 10
  My son, if sinners entice thee,
- Consent thou not.
- 11
  If they say, Come with us,
- Let us lay wait for blood,
- Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;
- 12
  Let us swallow them up alive as 6 Sheol,
- 7 And whole, as those that go down into the pit;
- 13
  We shall find all precious substance,
- We shall fill our houses with spoil;
- 14
  8 Thou shalt cast thy lot among us;
- We will all have one purse:
- 15
  My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
- Refrain thy foot from their path:
- 16
  For their feet run to evil,
- And they make haste to shed blood.
- 17
  For in vain 9 is the net spread,
- In the eyes of any bird:
- 18
  And these lay wait for their own blood,
- They lurk privily for their own lives.
- 19
  So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;
- It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
- 20
  Wisdom crieth aloud in the street;
- She uttereth her voice in the broad places;
- 21
  She crieth 10 in the chief place of concourse;
- At the entering in of the gates,
- In the city, she uttereth her words:
- 22
  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?
- And scorners delight them in scorning,
- And fools hate knowledge?
- 23
  Turn you at my reproof:
- Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,
- I will make known my words unto you.
- 24
  Because I have called, and ye refused;
- I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
- 25
  But ye have set at nought all my counsel,
- And would none of my reproof:
- 26
  I also will laugh in the day of your calamity;
- I will mock when your fear cometh;
- 27
  When your fear cometh as 11 a storm,
- And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind;
- When distress and anguish come upon you.
- 28
  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;
- They shall seek me 1 diligently, but they shall not find me:
- 29
  For that they hated knowledge,
- And did not choose the fear of the Lord:
- 30
  They would none of my counsel;
- They despised all my reproof:
- 31
  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,
- And be filled with their own devices.
- 32
  For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them,
- And the 2 prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
- 33
  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely,
- And shall be quiet without fear of evil.

2

1
My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
And lay up my commandments with thee;
2
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
And apply thine heart to understanding;
3
Yea, if thou cry after discernment,
And lift up thy voice for understanding;
4
If thou seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hid treasures;
5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
6
For the Lord giveth wisdom;
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
7
He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright,
3He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
8
4 That he may guard the paths of judgement,
5 And preserve the way of his saints.
9
Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgement,
And equity, yea, every good path.
10
For wisdom shall enter into thine heart,
And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;
11
Discretion shall watch over thee,
Understanding shall keep thee:
12
To deliver thee from the way of 6 evil,
From the men that speak froward things;
13
Who forsake the paths of uprightness,
To walk in the ways of darkness;
14
Who rejoice to do evil,
And delight in the frowardness of 6 evil;
15
Who are crooked in their ways,
And perverse in their paths:
16
To deliver thee from the strange woman,
Even from the stranger which 7 flattereth with her words;
17
Which forsaketh the 8 friend of her youth,
And forgetteth the covenant of her God:
18
For 9 her house inclineth unto death,
And her paths unto 10 the dead:
19
None that go unto her return again,
Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:
20
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,
And keep the paths of the righteous.
21
For the upright shall dwell in the 11 land,
And the perfect shall remain in it.
22
But the wicked shall be cut off from the 11 land,
And they that deal treacherously shall be rooted out of it.

3

- My son, forget not my 12 law;
- But let thine heart keep my commandments:
- 2
  For length of days, and years of life,
- And peace, shall they add to thee.
- 3
  Let not 13 mercy and truth forsake thee:
- Bind them about thy neck;
- Write them upon the table of thine heart:
- 4
  So shalt thou find favour and 14 good understanding
- In the sight of God and man.
- 5
  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
- And lean not upon thine own understanding:
- 6
  In all thy ways acknowledge him,
- And he shall 15 direct thy paths.
- 7
  Be not wise in thine own eyes;
- Fear the Lord, and depart from evil:
- 8
  It shall be health to thy navel,
- And 1 marrow to thy bones.
- 9
  Honour the Lord with thy substance,
- And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
- 10
  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
- And thy fats shall overflow with new wine.
- 11
  My son, despise not the 2 chastening of the Lord;
- Neither be weary of his reproof:
- 12
  For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth;
- Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
- 13
  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
- And the man that 3 getteth understanding.
- 14
  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
- And the gain thereof than fine gold.
- 15
  She is more precious than 4 rubies:
- And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
- 16
  Length of days is in her right hand;
- In her left hand are riches and honour.
- 17
  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
- And all her paths are peace.
- 18
  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
- And happy is every one that retaineth her.
- 19
  The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
- By understanding he established the heavens
- 20
  By his knowledge the depths were broken up,
- And the skies drop down the dew.
- 21
  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes;
- Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
- 22
  So shall they be life unto thy soul,
- And grace to thy neck.
- 23
  Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,
- And 5 thy foot shall not stumble.
- 24
  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
- Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
- 25
  Be not afraid of sudden fear,
- Neither of the 6 desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
- 26
  For the Lord shall be thy confidence,
- And shall keep thy foot from being taken.
- 27
  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
- When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
- 28
  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again,
- And to-morrow I will give;
- When thou hast it by thee.
- 29
  Devise not evil against thy neighbour,
- Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
- 30
  Strive not with a man without cause,
- If he have done thee no harm.
- 31
  Envy thou not the man of violence,
- And choose none of his ways.
- 32
  For the perverse is an abomination to the Lord:
- But his 7 secret is with the upright.
- 33
  The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked;
- But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
- 34
  8 Surely he scorneth the scorners,
- 9 But he giveth grace unto the lowly.
- 35
  The wise shall inherit glory;
- But 10 shame shall be the promotion of fools.

4

- Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father,
- And attend to know understanding:
- 2
  For I give you good doctrine;
- Forsake ye not my 11 law.
- 3
  For I was a son unto my father,
- Tender and 12 only beloved in the sight of my mother.
- 4
  And he taught me, and said unto me,
- Let thine heart retain my words;
- Keep my commandments, and live:
- 5
  Get wisdom, get understanding;
- Forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth:
- 6
  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee;
- Love her, and she shall keep thee.
- 7
  1 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
- Yea, with all thou hast gotten get understanding.
- 8
  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:
- She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
- 9
  She shall give to thine head a chaplet of grace:
- A crown of 2 beauty shall she deliver to thee.
- 10
  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
- And the years of thy life shall be many.
- 11
  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
- I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
- 12
  When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;
- And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
- 13
  Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:
- Keep her; for she is thy life.
- 14
  Enter not into the path of the wicked,
- And walk not in the way of evil men.
- 15
  Avoid it, pass not by it;
- Turn from it, and pass on.
- 16
  For they sleep not, except they have done mischief;
- And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
- 17
  For they eat the bread of wickedness,
- And drink the wine of violence.
- 18
  But the path of the righteous is as 3 the shining light,
- That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
- 19
  The way of the wicked is as darkness.
- They know not at what they stumble.
- 20
  My son, attend to my words;
- Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
- 21
  Let them not depart from thine eyes;
- Keep them in the midst of thine heart.
- 22
  For they are life unto those that find them,
- And health to all their flesh.
- 23
  Keep thy heart 4 with all diligence;
- For out of it are the issues of life.
- 24
  Put away from thee a froward mouth,
- And perverse lips put far from thee.
- 25
  Let thine eyes look right on,
- And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
- 26
  5 Make level the path of thy feet,
- And let all thy ways be 6 established.
- 27
  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
- Remove thy foot from evil.

5

1
My son, attend unto my wisdom;
Incline thine ear to my understanding:
2
That thou mayest preserve discretion,
And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3
For the lips of a strange woman drop honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil:
4
But her latter end is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5
Her feet go down to death;
Her steps take hold on 7 Sheol;
6
8 So that she findeth not the level path of life:
Her ways are unstable and9 she knoweth it not.
7
Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
And depart not from the words of my mouth.
8
Remove thy way far from her,
And come not nigh the door of her house:
9
Lest thou give thine honour unto others,
And thy years unto the cruel:
10
Lest strangers be filled with thy 10 strength;
And thy labours be in the house of an alien;
11
And thou 11 mourn at thy latter end,
When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12
And say, How have I hated instruction,
And my heart despised reproof;
13
Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14
I was well nigh in all evil
In the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15
Drink waters out of thine own cistern,
And running waters out of thine own well.
16
1 Should thy springs be dispersed abroad,
And rivers of water in the streets?
17
Let them be for thyself alone,
And not for strangers with thee.
18
Let thy fountain be blessed;
And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.
19
As a loving hind and a pleasant doe,
Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;
And 2 be thou ravished always with her love.
20
For why shouldest thou, my son, 2 be ravished with a strange woman,
And embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,
And he 3 maketh level all his paths.
22
His own iniquities shall take the wicked,
And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.
23
He shall die for lack of instruction;
And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

6

- My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbour,
- If thou hast stricken 4 thy hands for a stranger,
- 2
  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
- Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
- 3
  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,
- Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour;
- Go, 5 humble thyself, and importune thy neighbour.
- 4
  Give not sleep to thine eyes,
- Nor slumber to thine eyelids.
- 5
  Deliver thyself as a 6 roe from the hand of the hunter,
- And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
- 6
  Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
- Consider her ways, and be wise:
- 7
  Which having no 7 chief,
- Overseer, or ruler,
- 8
  Provideth her meat in the summer,
- And gathereth her food in the harvest.
- 9
  How long wilt thou 8 sleep, O sluggard?
- When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
- 10
  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
- A little folding of the hands to 8 sleep:
- 11
  So shall thy poverty come as a 9 robber,
- And thy want as 10 an armed man.
- 12
  A worthless person, a man of iniquity;
- He walketh with a froward mouth;
- 13
  He winketh with his eyes, he 11 speaketh with his feet,
- He 12 maketh signs with his fingers;
- 14
  Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth evil continually;
- He 13 soweth discord.
- 15
  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
- On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
- 16
  There be six things which the Lord hateth;
- Yea, seven which are an abomination 14 unto him:
- 17
  Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
- And hands that shed innocent blood;
- 18
  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
- Feet that be swift in running to mischief;
- 19
  A false witness that 15 uttereth lies,
- And he that 13 soweth discord among brethren.
- 20
  My son, keep the commandment of thy father,
- And forsake not the 16 law of thy mother:
- 21
  Bind them continually upon thine heart,
- Tie them about thy neck.
- 22
  When thou walkest, it shall lead thee;
- When thou 17 sleepest, it shall watch over thee;
- And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
- 23
  For 1 the commandment is a lamp; and 2 the law is light;
- And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
- 24
  To keep thee from the evil woman,
- From the flattery of the stranger’s tongue.
- 25
  Lust not after her beauty in thine heart;
- Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
- 26
  For on account of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread:
- And 3 the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.
- 27
  Can a man take fire in his bosom,
- And his clothes not be burned?
- 28
  Or can one walk upon hot coals,
- And his feet not be scorched?
- 29
  So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife;
- Whosoever toucheth her shall not be 4 unpunished.
- 30
  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal
- To satisfy his soul when he is hungry:
- 31
  But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold;
- He shall give all the substance of his house
- 32
  He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of 5 understanding:
- He doeth it that would destroy his own soul.
- 33
  Wounds and dishonour shall he get;
- And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
- 34
  For jealousy is the rage of a man;
- And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
- 35
  He will not regard any ransom;
- Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

7

1
My son, keep my words,
And lay up my commandments with thee.
2
Keep my commandments and live;
And my 6 law as the apple of thine eye.
3
Bind them upon thy fingers;
Write them upon the table of thine heart.
4
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister;
And call understanding thy7 kinswoman:
5
That they may keep thee from the strange woman,
From the stranger which 8 flattereth with her words.
6
For at the window of my house
I looked forth through my lattice;
7
And I beheld among the simple ones,
I discerned among the youths,
A young man void of understanding,
8
Passing through the street near her corner,
And he went the way to her house;
9
In the twilight, in the evening of the day,
In the 9 blackness of night and the darkness.
10
And, behold, there met him a woman
With the attire of an harlot, and 10 wily of heart.
11
She is 11 clamorous and wilful;
Her feet abide not in her house:
12
Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places,
And lieth in wait at every corner.
13
So she caught him, and kissed him,
12And with an impudent face she said unto him:
14
Sacrifices of peace offerings 13 are with me;
This day have I paid my vows.
15
Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16
I have spread my couch with 14 carpets of tapestry,
With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
17
I have 15 perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning;
Let us solace ourselves with loves.
19
For the goodman is not at home,
He is gone a long journey:
20
He hath taken a bag of money with him;
He will come home at the full moon.
21
With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield,
With the flattering of her lips she forceth him away.
22
He goeth after her 1 straightway,
As an ox goeth to the slaughter,
Or as 2 fetters to the correction of the fool;
23
Till an arrow strike through his liver;
As a bird hasteth to the snare,
And knoweth not that it is for his life.
24
Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
And attend to the words of my mouth.
25
Let not thine heart decline to her ways,
Go not astray in her paths.
26
For she hath cast down many wounded:
Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
27
Her house is the way to 3 Sheol,
Going down to the chambers of death.

8

1
Doth not wisdom cry,
And understanding put forth her voice?
2
In the top of high places by the way,
Where the paths meet, she standeth;
3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:
4
Unto you, O men, I call;
And my voice is to the sons of men.
5
O ye simple, understand 4 subtilty;
And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things;
And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7
For my mouth shall utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth 5 are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9
They are all plain to him that understandeth,
And right to them that find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction, and not silver;
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
For wisdom is better than 6 rubies;
And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto her.
12
I wisdom have made 4 subtilty my dwelling,
And find out 7 knowledge and discretion.
13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:
Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
And the froward mouth, do I hate.
14
Counsel is mine, and 8 sound knowledge:
I am understanding; I have might.
15
By me kings reign,
And princes decree justice.
16
By me 9 princes rule,
And nobles, even all the judges 10 of the earth.
17
I love them that love me;
And those that seek me 11 diligently shall find me.
18
Riches and honour are with me;
Yea,12 durable riches and righteousness.
19
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
And my 13 revenue than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of judgement:
21
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
22
The Lord14 possessed me 15 in the beginning of his way,
16 Before his works of old.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
Or ever the earth was.
24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth;
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills was I brought forth:
26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the 17 beginning of the dust of the world.
27
When he 18 established the heavens, I was there:
When he set a circle upon the face of the deep:
28
When he made firm the skies above:
When the fountains of the deep became strong:
29
When he gave to the sea 19 its bound,
That the waters should not transgress his commandment:
When he 1 marked out the foundations of the earth:
30
Then I was by him, as a master workman:
And I 2 was daily his delight,
3 Rejoicing always before him;
31
3 Rejoicing in his habitable earth;
And my delight was with the sons of men.
32
Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me:
For blessed are they that keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise,
And refuse it not.
34
Blessed is the man that heareth me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35
For whoso findeth me findeth life,
And shall 4 obtain favour of the Lord.
36
But he that 5 sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
All they that hate me love death.

9

- Wisdom hath builded her house,
- She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
- 2
  She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine;
- She hath also furnished her table.
- 3
  She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth
- Upon the highest places of the city,
- 4
  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
- As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
- 5
  Come, eat ye of my bread,
- And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
- 6
  6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
- And walk in the way of understanding.
- 7
  He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame:
- And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
- 8
  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
- Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
- 9
  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
- Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
- 10
  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
- And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- 11
  For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
- And the years of thy life shall be increased.
- 12
  If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself:
- And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
- 13
  7 The foolish woman is clamorous;
- She is8 simple, and knoweth nothing.
- 14
  And she sitteth at the door of her house,
- On a seat in the high places of the city,
- 15
  To call to them that pass by,
- Who go right on their ways,
- 16
  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
- And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
- 17
  Stolen waters are sweet,
- And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
- 18
  But he knoweth not that 9 the dead are there;
- That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

10

1 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son maketh a glad father:
But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:
But righteousness delivereth from death.
3
The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish:
But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.
4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand:
But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5
He that gathereth in summer is 10 a wise son:
But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son 11 that causeth shame.
6
Blessings are upon the head of the righteous:
But 12 violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7
The memory of the just is blessed:
But the name of the wicked shall rot.
8
The wise in heart will receive commandments:
But 1 a prating fool 2 shall fall.
9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely:
But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow:
3 But 1 a prating fool 2 shall fall.
11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life:
But 4 violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12
Hatred stirreth up strifes:
But love covereth all transgressions.
13
In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found:
But a rod is for the back of him that is void of 5 understanding.
14
Wise men lay up knowledge:
But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
15
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city:
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life;
The increase of the wicked to sin.
17
He 6 is in the way of life that heedeth 7 correction:
But he that forsaketh reproof 8 erreth.
18
He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;
And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression:
But he that refraineth his lips 9 doeth wisely.
20
The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver:
The heart of the wicked is little worth.
21
The lips of the righteous feed many:
But the foolish die for lack of 5 understanding.
22
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,
And 10 he addeth no sorrow therewith.
23
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness:
11 And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
24
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him:
And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25
12 When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more:
But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
So is the sluggard to them that send him.
27
The fear of the Lord13 prolongeth days:
But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness:
But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29
The way of the Lord is a strong hold to the upright;
But 14 it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30
The righteous shall never be removed:
But the wicked shall not dwell in the 15 land.
31
The mouth of the righteous 16 bringeth forth wisdom:
But the froward tongue shall be cut off.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable:
But the mouth of the wicked 17speaketh frowardness.

11

1
18 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord:
But a just weight is his delight.
2
When pride cometh, then cometh shame:
But with the lowly is wisdom.
3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
But righteousness delivereth from death.
5
The righteousness of the perfect shall 19 direct his way:
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
But they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.
7
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
And the hope of 20 iniquity perisheth.
8
The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
9
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour:
But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12
He that despiseth his neighbour is void of 1 wisdom:
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:
But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14
Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth:
But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15
He that is surety for a stranger 2 shall smart for it:
But he that hateth 3 suretiship is sure.
16
A gracious woman retaineth honour:
And violent men retain riches.
17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18
The wicked earneth deceitful wages:
But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19
4 He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life:
And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.
20
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord:
But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.
21
5Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished:
But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22
As a 6 jewel of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a fair woman which 7 is without discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous is only good:
But the expectation of the wicked is 8 wrath.
24
There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
And there is that withholdeth 9 more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
25
The liberal soul shall be made fat:
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him:
But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27
He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour:
But he that searcheth after mischief, it shall come unto him.
28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:
And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that is wise winneth souls.
31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:
How much more the wicked and the sinner!

12

1
Whoso loveth 10 correction loveth knowledge:
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2
A good man shall obtain favour of the Lord:
But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3
A man shall not be established by wickedness:
But the root of the righteous shall never be moved.
4
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
But she that 11 maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5
The thoughts of the righteous are 1 just:
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6
The words of the wicked 2 are of lying in wait for blood:
But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7
3 The wicked are overthrown, and are not:
But the house of the righteous shall stand
8
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom:
But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
But he that followeth after 4 vain persons is void of understanding.
12
The wicked desireth 5 the net of evil men:
But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13
In the transgression of the lips is 6 a snare to the evil man:
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth:
And the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
15
The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes:
But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16
A fool’s vexation is 7 presently known:
But a prudent man concealeth shame.
17
He that 8 uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness,
But a false witness deceit.
18
There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword:
But the tongue of the wise is health.
19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever:
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20
Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil:
But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21
There shall no mischief happen to the righteous:
But the wicked shall be filled with evil
22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord:
But they that deal truly are his delight.
23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge:
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule:
But 9 the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
25
10 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad.
26
The righteous is a guide to his neighbour:
But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27
9 The slothful man 11 roasteth not that which he took in hunting:
But the precious substance of men 12is to the diligent.
28
In the way of righteousness is life;
And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

13

1
A wise son heareth his father’s 13 instruction:
But a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2
A man shall eat good 14 by the fruit of his mouth:
But 15 the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.
3
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life:
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing:
But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5
A righteous man hateth lying:
But a wicked man 16 is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6
Righteousness guardeth 17 him that is upright in the way:
But wickedness overthroweth 18 the sinner.
7
There is that 1 maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
There is that 1 maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
8
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches:
But the poor heareth no 2 threatening.
9
The light of the righteous rejoiceth:
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10
By pride cometh only contention:
But with the well advised is wisdom.
11
Wealth gotten 3 by vanity shall be diminished:
But he that gathereth 4 by labour shall have increase.
12
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:
But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13
Whoso despiseth 5 the word 6 bringeth destruction on himself:
But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14
The 7 law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To depart from the snares of death.
15
Good understanding 8 giveth favour:
But the way of the treacherous is rugged.
16
Every prudent man worketh with knowledge:
But a fool spreadeth out folly.
17
A wicked messenger falleth into evil:
But a faithful ambassador is health.
18
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth 9 correction:
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20
10 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise:
But the companion of fools shall 11 smart for it.
21
Evil pursueth sinners:
But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children;
And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
23
Much food is in the 12 tillage of the poor:
But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
But he that loveth him chasteneth him 13 betimes.
25
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
But the belly of the wicked shall want.

14

1
Every wise woman buildeth her house:
But 14 the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord:
But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3
In the mouth of the foolish is a 15 rod 16 of pride:
But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:
But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5
A faithful witness will not lie:
But a false witness 17 uttereth lies.
6
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:
But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
7
18 Go into the presence of a foolish man,
And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way:
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9
19 The foolish make a mock at 20 guilt:
But among the upright there is 21 good will.
10
The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:
But the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12
There is a way which 22 seemeth right unto a man,
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
13
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
And the end of mirth is heaviness.
14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:
And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15
The simple believeth every word:
But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:
But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17
He that is soon angry will deal foolishly:
And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18
The simple inherit folly:
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
The evil bow before the good;
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour:
But the rich hath many friends.
21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:
But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.
22
1 Do they not err that devise evil?
But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23
In all labour there is profit:
But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury
24
2 The crown of the wise is their riches:
But the folly of fools is only folly.
25
A true witness delivereth souls:
But he that 3 uttereth lies causeth deceit.
26
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:
And 4 his children shall have a place of refuge.
27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To depart from the snares of death.
28
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory:
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding:
But he that is hasty of spirit 5 exalteth folly.
30
A 6 sound heart is the life of the flesh.
But 7 envy is the rottenness of the bones.
31
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker:
But he that hath mercy on the needy honoureth him.
32
The wicked is thrust down in his 8 evil-doing:
But the righteous 9 hath hope in his death.
33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
10 But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
34
Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to 11 any people.
35
The king’s favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely:
But his wrath shall be against him that 12 causeth shame.

15

1
A soft answer turneth away wrath:
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright:
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
4
13 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5
A fool despiseth his father’s 14 correction:
But he that regardeth reproof 15 getteth prudence.
6
In the house of the righteous is much treasure:
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:
But the heart of the foolish 16doeth not so.
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10
There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way:
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
11
1 Sheol and 2 Abaddon are before the Lord:
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12
A scorner loveth not to be reproved:
He will not go unto the wise.
13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge:
But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15
All the days of the afflicted are evil:
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
16
Better is little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17
Better is a 3 dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18
A wrathful man stirreth up contention:
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19
The way of the sluggard is as an hedge of thorns:
But the path of the upright is made an high way.
20
A wise son maketh a glad father:
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21
Folly is joy to him that is void of 4 wisdom:
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
22
Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed:
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23
A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth.
And a word in due season, how good is it!
24
To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from 1 Sheol beneath.
25
The Lord will root up the house of the proud:
But he will establish the border of the widow.
26
Evil devices are an abomination to the Lord:
But 5 pleasant words are pure.
27
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house:
But he that hateth gifts shall live.
28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29
The Lord is far from the wicked:
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart:
And good tidings make the bones fat.
31
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
32
He that refuseth 6 correction despiseth his own soul:
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth 4 understanding.
33
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honour goeth humility.

16

1
The 7 preparations of the heart belong to man:
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes:
But the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3
8 Commit thy works unto the Lord,
And thy 9 thoughts shall be established.
4
The Lord hath made every thing for 10 its own end:
Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord:
11Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6
By mercy and truth iniquity is 12 purged:
And by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great revenues with injustice.
9
A man’s heart deviseth his way:
But the Lord directeth his steps.
10
1 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:
His mouth shall not transgress in judgement.
11
A just balance and scales are the Lord’s:
All the weights of the bag are his work.
12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:
For the throne is established by righteousness
13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death:
But a wise man will pacify it.
15
In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17
The high way of the upright is to depart from evil:
He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18
Pride goeth before destruction,
And an haughty spirit before a fall.
19
Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the 2 poor,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud
20
He that 3 giveth heed unto 4 the word shall find good:
And whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:
But the correction of fools is their folly.
23
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.
24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25
5 There is a way which 6 seemeth right unto a man,
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26
The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him;
For his mouth 7 craveth it of him.
27
A worthless man 8 deviseth mischief:
And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28
A froward man scattereth abroad strife:
And a whisperer 9 separateth chief friends.
29
A man of violence enticeth his neighbour,
And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
30
10 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things:
He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
31
The hoary head is a crown of 11 glory,
12 It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap;
But the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

17

1
Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith,
Than an house full of 13 feasting with strife.
2
A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that 14 causeth shame,
And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold:
But the Lord trieth the hearts.
4
An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;
And15 a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker:
And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6
Children’s children are the crown of old men;
And the glory of children are their fathers.
7
16 Excellent speech becometh not a fool:
Much less do lying lips a prince.
8
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it:
Whithersoever 17 it turneth, 17 it 18 prospereth.
9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love:
But he that harpeth on a matter 1 separateth chief friends.
10
A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding
Than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11
2 An evil man seeketh only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13
Whoso rewardeth evil for good,
Evil shall not depart from his house.
14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:
Therefore leave off contention, before there be quarrelling.
15
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
Seeing he hath no 3 understanding?
17
A friend loveth at all times,
And 4 a brother is born for adversity.
18
A man void of 3 understanding striketh hands,
And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
19
5 He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:
And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into 6 mischief.
21
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow:
And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22
A merry heart 7 is a good medicine:
But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom,
To pervert the ways of judgement.
24
Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding:
But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25
A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her that bare him.
26
Also to 8 punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.
27
9 He that spareth his words hath knowledge:
And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:
10 When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

18

1
He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And 11 rageth against all sound wisdom.
2
A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
4
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
12 The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5
To accept the person of the wicked is not good,
13Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgement.
6
A fool’s lips 14 enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7
A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the 15 innermost parts of the belly.
9
He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower:
The righteous runneth into it, and 16 is safe.
11
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And as an high wall in his own imagination.
12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
And before honour goeth humility.
13
He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him
14
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can 1 bear?
15
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16
A man’s gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.
17
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out
18
The lot canseth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
19
A brother 2 offended is harder to be won than a strong city:
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23
The poor useth intreaties:
But the rich answereth roughly.
24
3 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction
But there is a 4 friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

19

1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity
Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2
Also, 5 that the soul be without knowledge is not good;
And he that hasteth with his feet 6 sinneth.
3
The foolishness of man subverteth his way;
And his heart fretteth against the Lord.
4
Wealth addeth many friends:
But 7 the poor is separated from his friend.
5
A false witness shall not be unpunished;
And he that 8 uttereth lies shall not escape.
6
Many will intreat the favour of 9 the liberal man:
And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him:
How much more do his friends go far from him!
10 He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.
8
He that getteth 11 wisdom loveth his own soul.
He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9
A false witness shall not be unpunished;
And he that 8 uttereth lies shall perish.
10
Delicate living is not seemly for a fool;
Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger;
And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
But his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father:
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers:
But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;
And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul:
But he that 12 is careless of his ways shall die.
17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord,
And his good deed will he pay him again.
18
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope;
And set not thy heart on 1 his destruction.
19
A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty:
For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.
20
Hear counsel, and receive 2 instruction,
That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21
There are many devices in a man’s heart;
But the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
22
3 The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness:
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23
The fear of the Lordtendeth to life:
And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
He shall not be visited with evil.
24
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence:
And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26
He that 4 spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27
Cease, my son, to hear instruction
Only to err from the words of knowledge.
28
A worthless witness mocketh at judgement:
And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29
Judgements are prepared for scorners,
And stripes for the back of fools.

20

1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;
And whosoever 5 erreth thereby is not wise.
2
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:
He that 6 provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own 7 life.
3
It is an honour for a man to 8 keep aloof from strife:
But every fool will be quarrelling.
4
The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter;
9 Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6
10 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness:
But a faithful man who can find?
7
A just man that walketh in his integrity,
Blessed are his children after him.
8
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgement
11 Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9
Who can say, I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin?
10
12 Divers weights, and divers measures,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
11
Even a child maketh himself known by his doings,
Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
The Lord hath made even both of them.
13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;
Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer:
But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15
There is gold, and abundance of 13 rubies:
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;
And 14 hold him in pledge that is surety for 15 strangers.
17
Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man;
But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18
Every purpose is established by counsel:
And by wise guidance make thou war.
19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:
Therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20
Whoso curseth his father or his mother,
His lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning;
But the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil:
Wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
23
Divers weights are an abomination to the Lord;
And 1 a false balance is not good.
24
A man’s goings are of the Lord;
How then can man understand his way?
25
It is a snare to a man 2 rashly to say, It is holy,
And after vows to make inquiry.
26
A wise king winnoweth the wicked,
And bringeth the threshing wheel over them.
27
The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of the belly.
28
Mercy and truth preserve the king:
And 3 his throne is upholden by mercy.
29
The glory of young men is their strength:
And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30
Stripes that wound cleanse away evil:
And strokes reach the innermost parts of the belly.

21

1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord as the watercourses:
He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:
But the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3
To do justice and judgement.
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4
An high look, and a proud heart,
4Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness:
But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vapour driven to and fro; 5 they that seek them seek death.
7
The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away;
Because they refuse to do judgement.
8
The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked:
But as for the pure, his work is 6 right.
9
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in 7 a wide house.
10
The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise:
And 8 when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12
9 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked;
How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
13
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14
A gift in secret 10 pacifieth anger,
And a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15
It is joy to the righteous to do judgement;
11 But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall rest in the congregation of 12 the dead.
17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;
And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
19
It is better to dwell in a desert land,
Than with 13 a contentious and fretful woman.
20
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24
The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name,
He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25
The desire of the slothful killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labour.
26
There is that coveteth greedily all the day long
But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination:
How much more, when he bringeth it 1 with a wicked mind!
28
A false witness shall perish:
But the man that heareth shall speak 2 unchallenged.
29
A wicked man hardeneth his face:
But as for the upright, 3 he ordereth his ways.
30
There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
But 4 victory is of the Lord.

22

- A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
- And5 loving favour rather than silver and gold.
- 2
  The rich and the poor meet together.
- The Lord is the maker of them all
- 3
  A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself:
- But the simple pass on, and 6 suffer for it.
- 4
  The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
- Is riches, and honour, and life.
- 5
  Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward
- He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
- 6
  Train up a child 7 in the way he should go,
- And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 7
  The rich ruleth over the poor,
- And the borrower is servant to the lender.
- 8
  He that soweth iniquity shall reap 8 calamity:
- And the rod of his wrath shall fail.
- 9
  He that hath a 9 bountiful eye shall be blessed;
- For he giveth of his bread to the poor.
- 10
  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out;
- Yea, strife and ignominy shall cease.
- 11
  He that loveth 10 pureness of heart,
- 11For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
- 12
  The eyes of the Lord preserve him that hath knowledge,
- But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
- 13
  The sluggard saith, There is a lion without:
- I shall be 12 murdered in the streets.
- 14
  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:
- He 13 that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.
- 15
  Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
- But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
- 16
  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain,
- And he that giveth to the rich, cometh only to want.
- 17
  Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
- And apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
- 18
  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
- If they be established together upon thy lips.
- 19
  That thy trust may be in the Lord,
- I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
- 20
  Have not I written unto thee 14 excellent things
- 15 Of counsels and knowledge;
- 21
  To make thee know 16 the certainty of the words of truth,
- That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
- 22
  Rob not the poor, 17 because he is poor,
- Neither 18 oppress the afflicted in the gate:
- 23
  For the Lord will plead their cause,
- And despoil of life those that despoil them.
- 24
  Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger;
- And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:
- 25
  Lest thou learn his ways,
- And get a snare to thy soul.
- 26
  Be thou not one of them that strike hands,
- Or of them that are sureties for debts:
- 27
  If thou hast not wherewith to pay,
- Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
- 28
  Remove not the ancient landmark,
- Which thy fathers have set
- 29
  Seest thou a man 1 diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
- He shall not stand before 2 mean men.

23

1
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
Consider diligently 3 him that is before thee;
2
4 And put a knife to thy throat,
If thou be a man given to appetite.
3
Be not desirous of his dainties;
Seeing they are deceitful meat.
4
Weary not thyself to be rich;
Cease 5 from thine own wisdom.
5
6 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings,
Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
6
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,
Neither desire thou his dainties:
7
For 7 as he reckoneth within himself, so is he:
Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
But his heart is not with thee.
8
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up,
And lose thy sweet words.
9
Speak not in the hearing of a fool;
For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10
8 Remove not the ancient landmark;
And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11
For their redeemer is strong;
He shall plead their cause against thee.
12
Apply thine heart unto 9 instruction,
And thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13
Withhold not correction from the child:
For10 if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die.
14
Thou shalt beat him with the rod,
And shalt deliver his soul from 11 Sheol.
15
My son, if thine heart be wise,
My heart shall be glad, even mine:
16
Yea, my reins shall rejoice,
When thy lips speak right things.
17
Let not thine heart envy sinners:
But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long:
18
For surely there is a 12 reward;
And thy hope shall not be cut off.
19
Hear thou, my son, and be wise,
And guide thine heart in the way.
20
Be not among winebibbers;
Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:
21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty:
And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee,
And despise not thy mother when she is old.
23
Buy the truth, and sell it not;
Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:
And he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25
Let thy father and thy mother be glad,
And let her that bare thee rejoice.
26
My son, give me thine heart,
And let thine eyes 13 delight in my ways.
27
For a whore is a deep ditch;
And a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28
Yea, she heth in wait 14 as a robber,
And increaseth the treacherous among men.
29
Who hath 1 woe? who hath 2 sorrow? who hath contentions?
Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause?
Who hath 3 redness of eyes?
30
They that tarry long at the wine;
They that go to 4 seek out mixed wine.
31
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
When it giveth its colour in the cup,
When it 5 goeth down smoothly:
32
At the last it biteth like a serpent,
And stingeth like 6 an adder.
33
Thine eyes shall behold 7 strange things,
And thine heart shall utter froward things.
34
Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea,
Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35
They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, and I felt it not:
When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

24

1
Be not thou envious against evil men,
Neither desire to be with them:
2
For their heart studieth oppression,
And their lips talk of mischief.
3
Through wisdom is an house builded;
And by understanding it is established:
4
And by knowledge are the chambers filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5
A wise man 8 is strong;
Yea, a man of knowledge 9 increaseth might.
6
For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war:
And in the multitude of counsellors there is 10 safety.
7
Wisdom is too high for a fool:
He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8
He that deviseth to do evil,
Men shall call him a mischievous person.
9
The thought of 11 the foolish is sin:
And the scorner is an abomination to men.
10
If thou faint in the day of adversity,
Thy strength is small.
11
Deliver them that are carried away unto death,
And those that are 12 ready to be slain 13 see that thou hold back.
12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not 14 this:
Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it?
And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it?
And shall not he render to every man according to his work?
13
My son, eat thou honey, for it is good;
And the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14
So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul:
If thou hast found it, then shall there be a 15 reward,
And thy hope shall not be cut off.
15
Lay not wait, 16 O wicked man, against the 17 habitation of the righteous;
Spoil not his 18 resting place:
16
For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,
And let not thine heart be glad when he is overthrown:
18
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him,
And he turn away his wrath from him.
19
Fret not thyself because of evil-doers;
Neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20
For there will be no 15 reward to the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21
My son, fear thou the Lord and the king:
And meddle not with them that are given to change:
22
For their calamity shall rise suddenly;
And who knoweth the destruction 19 of them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To have respect of persons in judgement is not good.
24
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous;
Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:
25
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
And a good blessing shall come upon them.
26
He 1 kisseth the lips
That giveth a right answer.
27
Prepare thy work without,
And make it ready for thee in the field;
And afterwards build thine house.
28
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause;
2 And deceive not with thy lips.
29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.
30
I went by the field of the slothful,
And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
The face thereof was covered with 3 nettles,
And the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32
Then I beheld, and considered well:
I saw, and received instruction.
33
4Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep:
34
So shall thy poverty come as a robber;
And thy want as an armed man.

25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
And the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver,
And there cometh forth a vessel for the finer:
5
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6
5 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king,
And stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;
Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom thine eyes have seen.
8
Go not forth hastily to strive,
6 Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,
When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself,
7 And disclose not the secret of another:
10
Lest he that heareth it revile thee,
And thine infamy turn not away.
11
A word 8 fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in 9 baskets of silver.
12
As10 an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to them that send him;
For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14
As clouds and wind without rain,
So is he that boasteth himself 11 of his gifts falsely.
15
By long forbearing is a 12 ruler persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee;
Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house;
Lest he be 13 weary of thee, and hate thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour
Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint
20
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon 1 nitre,
So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21
If 2 thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord shall roward thee.
23
The north wind bringeth forth rain:
So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24
3 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25
As cold waters to a 4 thirsty soul,
So is good news from a far country.
26
As a 5 troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,
So is a righteous man that 6 giveth way before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey:
7 So for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28
8 He whose spirit is without restraint
Is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall.

26

1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honour is not seemly for a fool.
2
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless 9 lighteth not.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Lest thou also be like unto him.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in 10 his own conceit.
6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.
7
The legs of the lame hang loose:
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8
11 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones,
So is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9
As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10
12As an archer that woundeth all,
So is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11
As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12
Seest thou a man wise in 10 his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets.
14
As the door turneth upon its hinges,
So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15
14 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in 10 his own conceit
Than seven men that can 15 render a reason.
17
16 He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18
As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death;
19
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,
And saith, Am not I in sport?
20
For lack of wood the fire goeth out:
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire;
So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22
1 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23
Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
But he layeth up deceit within him:
25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26
Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28
A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath 2 wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

27

- Boast not thyself of to-morrow;
- For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
- 2
  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;
- A stranger, and not thine own lips.
- 3
  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty;
- But a fool’s vexation is heavier than them both.
- 4
  Wrath is cruel, and anger is 3 outrageous;
- But who is able to stand before jealousy?
- 5
  Better is open rebuke
- Than love that is hidden.
- 6
  Faithful are the wounds of a friend:
- But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
- 7
  The full soul 4 loatheth an honeycomb:
- But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
- 8
  As a bird that wandereth from her nest,
- So is a man that wandereth from his place.
- 9
  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:
- So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh of hearty counsel.
- 10
  Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not;
- And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity:
- Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
- 11
  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
- That I may answer him that reproacheth me.
- 12
  5 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself:
- But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- 13
  6 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;
- And hold him in pledge that is surety for a strange woman.
- 14
  He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
- It shall be counted a curse to him.
- 15
  A continual dropping in a very rainy day
- And a contentious woman are alike:
- 16
  He that would 7 restrain her 8 restraineth the wind,
- And 9 his right hand encountereth oil.
- 17
  Iron sharpeneth iron;
- So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- 18
  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof;
- And he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
- 19
  10 As in water face answereth to face,
- So the heart of man to man.
- 20
  11 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
- And the eyes of man are never satisfied.
- 21
  The fining pot is for silver, and the furnance for gold,
- And a man is tried by 12 his praise.
- 22
  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among bruised corn,
- Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
- 23
  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks,
- And look well to thy herds:
- 24
  For riches are not for ever;
- And doth the crown endure unto all generations?
- 25
  The 1 hay is carried, and the tender grass sheweth itself,
- And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
- 26
  The lambs are for thy clothing,
- And the goats are the price of the field:
- 27
  And there will be goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household;
- And maintenance for thy maidens.

28

1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:
But by 2 men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3
A needy man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain 3 which leaveth no food.
4
They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5
Evil men understand not judgement:
But they that seek the Lord understand all things.
6
4 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is 5 perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:
But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8
He that augmenteth his substance by usury and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit:
But the perfect shall inherit good.
11
The rich man is wise in 6 his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory:
But when the wicked rise, men 7 hide themselves.
13
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper:
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14
Happy is the man that feareth alway:
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into 8 mischief.
15
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16
9 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor:
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17
A man that is laden with the blood of any person
Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered:
But 10 he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19
11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21
To have respect of persons is not good:
1 Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23
He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favour
Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression;
The same is the companion of a destroyer.
25
He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife:
But he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

29

1
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
Shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.
2
When the righteous 2 are increased, the people rejoice:
But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:
But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
4
The king by judgement establisheth the land:
But 3 he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5
A man that flattereth his neighbour
Spreadeth a net for his steps.
6
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor:
The wicked 4 hath not understanding to know it.
8
Scornful men set a city in a flame:
But wise men turn away wrath.
9
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man,
5 Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect:
6 And as for the upright, they seek his life.
11
A fool uttereth all his 7 anger:
But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
12
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,
All his servants are wicked.
13
The poor man and the oppressor meet together:
The Lord lighteneth the eyes of them both.
14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established for ever.
15
The rod and reproof give wisdom:
But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.
16
When the wicked 2 are increased, transgression increaseth:
But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
Yes, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint:
But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19
A servant will not be corrected by words:
For though he understand he will not 8 give heed.
20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his 9 words?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child
Shall have him become 10 a son at the last.
22
An angry man stirreth up strife,
And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23
A man’s pride shall bring him low:
But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour.
24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul:
1 He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25
The fear of man bringeth a snare:
But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord2 shall be safe.
26
Many seek the ruler’s favour:
But a man’s judgement cometh from the Lord.
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous:
And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

30

1 The words of Agur the son of 3 Jakeh; the 4 oracle.

- The man saith 5 unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ueal:
- 2
  Surely I am more brutish than any man,
- And have not the understanding of a man:
- 3
  And I have not learned wisdom,
- 6 Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy One.
- 4
  Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended?
- Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?
- Who hath bound the waters in his garment?
- Who hath established all the ends of the earth?
- What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?
- 5
  7 Every word of God is 8 tried:
- He is a shield unto them that trust in him.
- 6
  Add thou not unto his words,
- Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
- 7
  Two things have I asked of thee;
- Deny me them not before I die:
- 8
  Remove far from me vanity and lies:
- Give me neither poverty nor riches;
- Feed me with 9 the food that is needful for me:
- 9
  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?
- Or lest I be poor, and steal,
- And 10 use profanely the name of my God.
- 10
  Slander not a servant unto his master,
- Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.
- 11
  There is a generation that curseth their father,
- And doth not bless their mother.
- 12
  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes,
- And yet are not washed from their filthiness.
- 13
  There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their eyes!
- And their eyelids are lifted up.
- 14
  There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives,
- To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
- 15
  The 11 horseleach hath two daughters, 12crying, Give, give.
- There are three things that are never satisfied,
- Yea, four that say not, Enough:
- 16
  13 The grave; and the barren womb;
- The earth that is not satisfied with water;
- And the fire that saith not, Enough.
- 17
  The eye that mocketh at his father,
- And despiseth to obey his mother,
- The ravens of 14 the valley shall pick it out,
- And the 15 young eagles shall eat it.
- 18
  There be three things which are too wonderful for me,
- Yea, four which I know not:
- 19
  The way of an eagle in the air;
- The way of a serpent upon a rock;
- The way of a ship in the midst of the sea;
- And the way of a man with a maid.
- 20
  So is the way of an adulterous woman;
- She eateth, and wipeth her mouth,
- And saith, I have done no wickedness.
- 21
  1 For three things the earth doth tremble,
- And for four, which it cannot bear:
- 22
  For a servant when he is king;
- And a fool when he is filled with meat;
- 23
  For an odious woman when she is married;
- And an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
- 24
  There be four things which are little upon the earth,
- But they are exceeding wise:
- 25
  The ants are a people not strong,
- Yet they provide their meat in the summer;
- 26
  The 2 comes are but a feeble folk,
- Yet make they their houses in the rocks;
- 27
  The locusts have no king,
- Yet go they forth all of them by bands;
- 28
  The lizard 3 taketh hold with her hands,
- Yet is she in kings’ palaces.
- 29
  There be three things which are stately in their march,
- Yea, four which are stately in going:
- 30
  The lion, which is mightiest among beasts,
- And turneth not away for any;
- 31
  The 4 greyhound; the he-goat also;
- And the king, 5 against whom there is no rising up.
- 32
  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself,
- Or if thou hast thought evil,
- Lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
- 33
  For the 6 churning of milk bringeth forth butter,
- And the 6 wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood:
- So the 6 forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

31

17 The words of king Lemuel; the 8 oracle which his mother taught him.

- 2
  What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
- And what, O son of my vows?
- 3
  Give not thy strength unto women,
- Nor thy ways to 9 that which destroyeth kings.
- 4
  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
- Nor for princes 10to say, Where is strong drink?
- 5
  Lest they drink, and forget 11 the law,
- And pervert the judgement 12 of any that is afflicted.
- 6
  Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
- And wine unto the bitter in soul:
- 7
  Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
- And remember his misery no more.
- 8
  Open thy mouth for the dumb,
- In the cause of all such as are 13 left desolate.
- 9
  Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
- And minister judgement to the poor and needy.
- 10
  A virtuous woman who can find?
- For her price is far above 14 rubies.
- 11
  The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
- And he shall have no lack of 15 gain.
- 12
  She doeth him good and not evil
- All the days of her life.
- 13
  She seeketh wool and flax,
- And worketh 16 willingly with her hands.
- 14
  She is like the merchant-ships;
- She bringeth her food from afar.
- 15
  She riseth also while it is yet night,
- And giveth meat to her household,
- And their 17 task to her maidens.
- 16
  She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
- With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
- 17
  She girdeth her loins with strength,
- And maketh strong her arms.
- 18
  She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:
- Her lamp goeth not out by night.
- 19
  She layeth her hands to the distaff,
- And her 1 hands hold the spindle.
- 20
  She spreadeth out her 2 hand to the poor;
- Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
- 21
  She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
- For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
- 22
  She maketh for herself 3 carpets of tapestry;
- Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- 23
  Her husband is known in the gates,
- When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
- 24
  She maketh linen garments and selleth them;
- And delivereth girdles unto the 4 merchant.
- 25
  Strength and dignity are her clothing;
- And she laugheth at the time to come.
- 26
  She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
- And the 5 law of kindness is on her tongue.
- 27
  She looketh well to the ways of her household,
- And eateth not the bread of idleness.
- 28
  Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
- Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
- 29
  Many daughters have done virtuously,
- But thou excellest them all.
- 30
  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
- But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
- 31
  Give her of the fruit of her hands;
- And let her works praise her in the gates.

ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER.

1

1The words of 1 the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. 3 What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun? 4 One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; and the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he ariseth. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits. 7 All the 2 rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again. 83 All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there a thing whereof men say, See, this is new? it hath been already, in the ages which were before us. 11 There is no remembrance of the former generations; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter generations that are to come, among those that shall come after.

12 I 4 the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and 1 a striving after wind. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and 2 that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom 3 above all that were before me 4 in Jerusalem: yea, my heart 5 hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

2

1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth; 6 therefore enjoy 7 pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I searched in mine heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, mine heart yet 8 guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven 9 all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; 5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared: 7 I bought menservants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, 10 concubines very many. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom 11 remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly: for what can the man do that cometh 12 after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all. 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also was vanity. 16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been already forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool! 17 So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me: for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

18 And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun: seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with 1 skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he 2 leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the 3 striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun? 23 For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who can 4 have enjoyment, 5 more than I? 26 For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every 6 purpose under the heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in its time: also he hath set 7 the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and 8 to do good so long as they live. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. 159 That which is hath been already; and that which is to be hath already been: and God seeketh again that which is 10 passed away.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of judgement, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every 6 purpose and for every work. 1811 I said in mine heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts. 19 For 12 that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one 13 breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit 1 of man 2 whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast 2 whether it goeth downward to the earth? 22 Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him back to see what shall be after him?

4

1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive; 3 yea, 3 better than them both did I esteem him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun

4 Then I saw all labour and every 4 skilful work, that 5 for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is an handful 6 with quietness, than two handfuls 6 with labour and striving after wind.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. 14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; 7 yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor. 15 I saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. 168 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

5

1[Ch iv. 17 in Heb]Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth,[Ch. v. 1 in Heb] and let not thine heart be hasty to utter 9 any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh with a multitude of 10 business; and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the 11 angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 712 For thus it cometh to pass through the multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear thou God.

8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of judgement and justice in 1 a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there be higher than they. 92 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt: 14 and those riches perish by evil 3 adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind? 174 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed and hath sickness and wrath.

18 Behold, 5 that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, 6 all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

6

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he: 4 for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 5 moreover it hath not seen the sun 7 nor known it; 8 this hath rest rather than the other: 6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good: do not all go to one place? 7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? 9or what hath the poor man, that knoweth to walk before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

1010 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is known that it is 11 man: neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he. 11 Seeing there be many 12 things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12 For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, 6 all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

7

1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made 1 glad. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 72 Surely extortion maketh a wise man foolish; and a gift destroyeth the understanding. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be 3 angry for 4 anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire 5 wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom 6 is as good as an inheritance: yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath even made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out any thing that shall be after him.

15 All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city. 202 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 Also 7 take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23 All this have I 8 proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which 9 is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know 10 that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness: 26 and I find a thing more bitter than death, even the woman 11 whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, 12laying one thing to another, to find out the account: 28 which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 29 Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

8

1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the 1 hardness of his face is changed. 2 I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Because the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgement: 6 for to every 2 purpose there is a time and judgement; because the 3 misery of man is great upon him 7 for he knoweth not that which shall be; 4 for who can tell him how it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the 5 spirit to retain the 5 spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge 6 in that war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: 7there is a time wherein one man hath power over another 8 to his hurt.

10 And withal I saw the wicked buried, 9 and they came to the grave; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is 10 fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: 11 for that shall abide with him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the 12 business that is done upon the earth: (13 for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes.) 17 then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

9

1 For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this; that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them. 2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good 14 and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 415 For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack ointment. 91 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherein thou labourest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand 2 findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in 3 the grave, whither thou goest.

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me: 14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

17 The words of the wise 4spoken in quiet are heard more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer 5 to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly 6 outweigh wisdom and honour. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his 7 understanding faileth him, and he saith 8 to every one that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for 9 yielding allayeth great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 folly is set in great 10 dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso 11 heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 1112 If the serpent bite 13 before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in 14 the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of 15 his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth not how to go to the city. 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a 1 child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is 2 the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By slothfulness the 3 roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life: and money answereth all things. 20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

11

14 Cast thy bread 5 upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 26 Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if a tree fall 7 toward the south, or 7 toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the 8 wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. 89 Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; 10 but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. And at cometh is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. 10 Therefore remove 11 sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for youth and the power of life are vanity.

12

1 Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, or ever the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 or ever the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain: 3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the 12 grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 5 yea, they shall be afraid 13 of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper 14 shall be a burden, and 15 the caperberry shall 16 fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 or ever the silver cord be 17 loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern; 7 and the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.

9 And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he 1 pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find out 2 acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are the words of the 3 masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 124 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

135This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for 6 this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgement, 7 with every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

THE SONG OF SONGS.

1

- The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
- 2
  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:
- For thy love is better than wine.
- 3
  Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance;
- Thy name is as ointment poured forth;
- Therefore do the 1 virgins love thee.
- 4
  Draw me; we will run after thee:
- The king hath brought me into his chambers:
- We will be glad and rejoice in thee,
- We will make mention of thy love more than of wine:
- 2 Rightly do they love thee.
- 5
  I am black, but comely,
- O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
- As the tents of Kedar,
- As the curtains of Solomon.
- 6
  Look not upon me, because I am swarthy,
- Because the sun hath 3 scorched me.
- My mother’s sons were incensed against me,
- They made me keeper of the vineyards;
- But mine own vineyard have I not kept.
- 7
  Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,
- Where thou feedest thy flock, where thou makest it to rest at noon:
- For why should I be as one that 4 is veiled
- Beside the flocks of thy companions?
- 8
  If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,
- Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,
- And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
- 9
  I have compared thee, O 5 my love,
- 6 To a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots.
- 10
  Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair,
- Thy neck with strings of jewels.
- 11
  We will make thee plaits of gold
- With studs of silver.
- 12
  While the king sat at his table,
- My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.
- 13
  My beloved is unto me as a 7 bundle of myrrh,
- That lieth betwixt my breasts.
- 14
  My beloved is unto me as a cluster of 8 hennaflowers
- In the vineyards of En-gedi.
- 15
  Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair;
- 1 Thine eyes are as doves.
- 16
  Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant:
- Also our couch is green.
- 17
  The beams of our 2 house are 3 cedars,
- And our rafters are 4 firs.

2

I am a 5 rose of 6 Sharon,
A lily of the valleys.

2
As a lily among thorns,
So is my love among the daughters.

3
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
So is my beloved among the sons.
7 I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4
He brought me to the 8 banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
5
Stay ye me with 9 raisins, comfort me with apples:
For I am sick of love.
6
10 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand doth embrace me.
7
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the 11 roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awaken love,
Until it please.

8
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh,
Leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
9
My beloved is like a 12 roe or a young hart:
Behold, he standeth behind our wall,
He looketh in at the windows,
He 13 sheweth himself through the lattice.
10
My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
11
For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
12
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the 14 singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13
The fig tree ripeneth her green figs,
And the vines are in blossom,
They give forth their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
14
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the steep place,
Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice;
For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
15
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards;
For our vineyards are in blossom.
16
My beloved is mine, and I am his:
He feedeth his flock among the lilies.
17
15 Until the day 16 be cool, and the shadows flee away,
Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a 12 roe or a young hart
Upon the 17 mountains of 18 Bether.

3

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth:
I sought him, but I found him not.
2
I said, I will rise now, and go about the city,
In the streets and in the broad ways,
I will seek him whom my soul loveth:
I sought him, but I found him not.
3
The watchmen that go about the city found me:
To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4
It was but a little that I passed from them,
When I found him whom my soul loveth:
I held him, and would not let him go,
Until I had brought him into my mother’s house,
And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

5
19 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awaken love,
Until it please.

6
Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,
Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
With all powders of the merchant?
7
Behold, it is the litter of Solomon;
Threescore mighty men are about it,
Of the mighty men of Israel.
8
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war:
Every man hath his sword upon his thigh,
Because of fear in the night.
9
King Solomon made himself a 1 palanquin
Of the wood of Lebanon.
10
He made the pillars thereof of silver,
The bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple,
The midst thereof being 2 paved with love,
From the daughters of Jerusalem.
11
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon,
With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him in the day of his espousals,
And in the day of the gladness of his heart.

4

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair;
3 Thine eyes are as doves behind thy 4 veil.
Thy hair is as a flock of goats,
That 5 lie along the side of mount Gilead.
2
Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes that are newly shorn,
Which are come up from the washing;
6 Whereof every one hath twins,
And none is bereaved among them.
3
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,
And thy 7 mouth is comely:
Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate
Behind thy 4 veil.
4
Thy neck is like the tower of David builded 8 for an armoury,
Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers,
All the shields of the mighty men.
5
Thy two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a 9 roe,
Which feed among the lilies.
6
10 Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away,
I will get me to the mountain of myrrh,
And to the hill of frankincense.
7
Thou art all fair, my love;
And there is no spot in thee.

8
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,
With me from Lebanon:
11 Look from the top of Amana,
From the top of Senir and Hermon,
From the lions’ dens,
From the mountains of the leopards.
9
Thou hast 12 ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;
Thou hast 12 ravished my heart with 13 one of thine eyes,
With one chain of thy neck.
10
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is thy love than wine!
And the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices!
11
Thy lips, O my bride, 14 drop as the honeycomb:
Honey and milk are under thy tongue;
And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
12
A garden 15 shut up is my sister, my bride;
A 16 spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
13
Thy shoots are 17 an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits;
Henna with spikenard plants,
14
Spikenard and saffron,
Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense;
Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.
15
Thou art a fountain of gardens,
A well of living waters,
And flowing streams from Lebanon.

16
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south;
Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.
Let my beloved come into his garden,
And eat his precious fruits.

5

I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride:
I have gathered my myrrh with my 1 spice;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;
I have drunk my wine with my milk.
Eat, O friends;
Drink, yea, drink abundantly, 2 O beloved.

2
3 I was asleep, but my heart waked:
It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying,
Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my 4 undefiled:
For my head is filled with dew,
My locks with the drops of the night.
3
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?
I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?
4
My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,
And my 5 heart was moved 6 for him.
5
I rose up to open to my beloved;
And my hands dropped with myrrh,
And my fingers with liquid myrrh,
Upon the handles of the bolt.
6
I opened to my beloved;
But my beloved had 7 withdrawn himself, and was gone.
My soul 8 had failed me when he spake:
I sought him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7
The watchmen that go about the city found me,
They smote me, they wounded me;
The keepers of the walls took away my 9 mantle from me.
8
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved,
10 That ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

9
What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
O thou fairest among women?
What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
That thou dost so adjure us?

10
My beloved is white and ruddy,
11 The chiefest among ten thousand.
11
His head is as the most fine gold,
His locks are 12 bushy, and black as a raven.
12
His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks;
Washed with milk, and13 fitly set.
13
His cheeks are as a bed of 14 spices, as15 banks of sweet herbs:
His lips are as lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.
14
His hands are as16 rings of gold set with 17 beryl:
His body is as18 ivory work 19 overlaid with sapphires.
15
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold:
His aspect is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
16
His 20 mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved, and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.

6

Whither is thy beloved gone,
O thou fairest among women?
Whither hath thy beloved turned him,
That we may seek him with thee?

2
My beloved is gone down to his garden, to the beds of 14 spices,
To feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
3
21 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine:
He feedeth his flock among the lilies.

4
Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,
Comely as Jerusalem,
Terrible as 1 an army with banners.
5
Turn away thine eyes from me,
For they 2 have overcome me.
3 Thy hair is as a flock of goats,
That he along the side of Gilead.
6
4 Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes,
Which are come up from the washing;
Whereof every one hath twins,
And none is bereaved among them.
7
5 Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate
Behind thy veil.
8
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines,
And 6 virgins without number.
9
My dove, my 7 undefiled, is but one;
She is the only one of her mother;
She is the 8 choice one of her that bare her.
The daughters saw her, and called her blessed;
Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10
Who is she that looketh forth as the morning,
Fair as the moon,
9 Clear as the sun,
10 Terrible as an army with banners?

11
I went down into the garden of nuts,
To see the green plants of the valley,
To see whether the vine budded,
And the pomegranates were in flower.
12
Or ever I was aware, my 11 soul 12 set me
Among the chariots of my 13 princely people.

13
Return, return, O Shulammite;
Return, return, that we may look upon thee.

Why will ye look upon the Shulammite,
As upon the dance 14 of Mahanaim?

7

How beautiful are thy 15 feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter!
16 The joints of thy thighs are like jewels,
The work of the hands of a cunning workman.
2
Thy navel is like a round goblet,
Wherein no mingled wine is wanting:
Thy belly is like an heap of wheat
Set about with lilies.
3
17 Thy two breasts are like two fawns
That are twins of a roe.
4
Thy neck is like the tower of ivory;
Thine eyes as the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim;
Thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon
Which looketh toward Damascus.
5
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel,
And the hair of thine head 18 like purple;
The king is held captive in the tresses thereof.
6
How fair and how pleasant art thou,
O love, for delights!
7
This thy stature is like to a palm tree,
And thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
8
I said, I will climb up into the palm tree,
I will take hold of the branches thereof:
Let thy breasts be as clusters of the vine,
And the smell of thy 19 breath like apples;
9
And thy 20 mouth like the best wine,
That goeth down 21 smoothly for my beloved,
22 Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.

10
I am my beloved’s,
And his desire is toward me.
11
Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field;
Let us lodge in the villages.
12
Let us get up early to the vineyards;
Let us see whether the vine hath budded, and23 its blossom be open,
And the pomegranates be in flower:
There will I give thee my love.
13
The 1 mandrakes give forth fragrance,
And 2 at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, new and old,
Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

8

- 1
  Oh that thou wert as my brother,
- That sucked the breasts of my mother!
- When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee;
- Yea, and none would despise me.
- 2
  I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house,
- 3 Who would instruct me;
- I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine,
- Of the 4 juice of my pomegranate.
- 3
  5 His left hand should be under my head,
- And his right hand should embrace me.
- 4
  I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
- 6 That ye stir not up, nor awaken love,
- Until it please.
- 5
  Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,
- Leaning upon her beloved?
- Under the apple tree I awakened thee:
- There thy mother was in travail with thee,
- There was she in travail 7 that brought thee forth.
- 6
  Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:
- For love is strong as death;
- Jealousy is 8 cruel as 9 the grave:
- The flashes thereof are flashes of fire,
- 10 A very flame of 11 the Lord.
- 7
  Many waters cannot quench love,
- Neither can the floods drown it:
- If a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
- 12 He would utterly be contemned.
- 8
  We have a little sister,
- And she hath no breasts:
- What shall we do for our sister
- In the day when she shall be spoken for?
- 9
  If she be a wall,
- We will build upon her 13 a turret of silver:
- And if she be a door,
- We will inclose her with boards of cedar.
- 10
  I 14 am a wall, and my breasts like the towers thereof:
- Then was I in his eyes as one that found peace.
- 11
  Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;
- He let out the vineyard unto keepers;
- Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
- 12
  My vineyard, which is mine, is before me:
- Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand,
- And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
- 13
  Thou that dwellest in the gardens,
- The companions hearken 15 for thy voice:
- Cause me to hear it.
- 14
  16 Make haste, my beloved,
- And be thou like to a 17 roe or to a young hart
- Upon the mountains of spices.

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH.

1

1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken: I have 1 nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly: they have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward. 52 Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? 3 the whole head is sick, and 3 the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and 4 festering sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil. 7 Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, 5 as overthrown by strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. 9 Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord, ye 6 rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the 7 law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. 12 When ye come 8 to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample my courts? 13 Bring no more 9 vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—10 I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a 11 trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil: 17 learn to do well; seek judgement, 12 relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! she that was full of judgement! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water. 23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

24 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will case me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: 25 and I will 1 turn my hand upon thee, and 2 throughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy 3 tin: 26 and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgement, and 4 her converts with righteousness. 28 But the 5 destruction of the transgressors and the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the 6 oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30 For ye shall be as 7 an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

2

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

28 And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established 9 in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth 10 the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge 11 between the nations, and shall 12 reprove many peoples: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.6 For thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be filled with customs from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of strangers. 7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land also is full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots. 8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. 9 And the mean man 13 is bowed down, and the great man 14 is brought low: therefore forgive them not. 10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty. 11 The lofty looks of man shall be brought low, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 12 For 15 there shall be a day of the Lord of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty, and upon all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low: 13 and upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan; 14 and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up; 15 and upon every lofty tower, and upon every fenced wall; 16 and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant 1 imagery. 17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols shall utterly pass away. 19 And men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the 2 earth, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth. 20 In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made for him to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21 to go into the caverns of the rocks, and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth. 223 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

3

1 For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah stay and staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water; 2 the mighty man, and the man of war; the judge, and the prophet, and the diviner, and the 4 ancient; 3 the captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning 5 artificer, and the skilful enchanter. 4 And I will give children to be their princes, and 6 babes shall rule over them. 5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the 4 ancient, and the base against the honourable. 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our 7 ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand: 7 in that day shall he lift up his voice, saying, I will not be 8 an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: ye shall not make me ruler of the people. 8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. 99 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have 10 rewarded evil unto themselves. 10 Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the 11 reward of his hands shall be 12 given him. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and 13 destroy the way of thy paths. 13 The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the 14 peoples. 14 The Lord will enter into judgement with the elders of his people, and the princes thereof: It is ye that have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses: 15 what mean ye that ye crush my people, and grind the face of the poor? saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.

16 Moreover the Lord said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: 17 therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their anklets, and the 1 cauls, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, and the 2 bracelets, and the mufflers; 20 the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the rings, and the nose jewels; 22 the festival robes, and the mantles, and the shawls, and the satchels; 23 the hand mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. 24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet spices there shall be rottenness; and instead of a girdle a rope; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth: branding instead of beauty. 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy 3 mighty in the war. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she shall be 4 desolate and sit upon the ground.

4

1 And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.

2 In that day shall the 5 branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the 6 land shall be 7 excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. 3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written 8 among the living in Jerusalem: 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the 9 spirit of judgement, and by the 9 spirit of burning. 5 And the Lord will create over 10 the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for over all the glory shall be spread a canopy. 6 And there shall be a pavilion for a shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain.

5

1 Let me sing 11 for my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved had a vineyard in 12 a very fruitful hill: 2 and he 13 made a trench about it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also hewed out a 14 winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be 15 eaten up; I will break down the fence thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6 and I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor hoed; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah 16 his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgement, but behold 1 oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land! 9 In mine ears saith the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. 10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and a 2 homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.

11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that tarry late into the night, till wine inflame them! 12 And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. 13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, for lack of knowledge: and 3 their honourable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. 14 Therefore 4 hell hath enlarged her desire, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their 5 pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it.15 And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is humbled, and the eyes of the lofty are humbled: 16 but the Lord of hosts is exalted in judgement, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness. 17 Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall 6 wanderers eat.

18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19 that say, Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 which justify the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the dry grass sinketh down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have rejected the 7 law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them, and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss for 8 them from the end of the earth: and, behold, 9 they shall come with speed swiftly: 27 none shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: 28 whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind: 29 their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young hons: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and carry it away safe, and there shall be none to deliver. 30 And they shall roar 1 against them in that day like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, 2 behold darkness and distress, and the light is darkened in the clouds thereof.

6

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his 3 train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: 4 the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the foundations of the thresholds were moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a 5 live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin 6 purged. 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me. 9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye 7 indeed, but understand not; and see ye 7 indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and 8 understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land become utterly waste, 12 and the Lord have removed men far away, and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land. 139 And if there be yet a tenth in it, it shall again be 10 eaten up: as a terebinth, and as an oak, 11 whose 12 stock remaineth, when they 13 are felled; so the holy seed is the 12 stock thereof.

7

1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it; but could not prevail against it. 2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria 14 is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest are moved with the wind.

3 Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and 15 Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the high way of the fuller’s field; 4 and say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thine heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria hath counselled evil against thee, Ephraim also, and the son of Remaliah, saying, 6 Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set up a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeel: 7 thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin: and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken in pieces, that it be not a people: 9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

10 And the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; 1 ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, 2 a 3 virgin 4 shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name 5 Immanuel. 156 Butter and honey shall he eat, 7 when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken. 17 The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the 8 desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all 9 pastures.

20 In that day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, which is in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.

21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep; 22 and it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.

23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, shall even be for briers and thorns. 24 With arrows and with bow shall one come thither; because all the land shall be briers and thorns. 25 And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, 10 thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns, but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.

8

1 And the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great tablet, and write upon it 11 with the pen of a man, For 12 Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 2 and I will take unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. 3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord unto me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and, My mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be carried away before the king of Assyria.

5 And the Lord spake unto me yet again, saying, 6 Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, 13 and rejoice 14 in Rezin and Remaliah’s son; 7 now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the River, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: 8 and he shall sweep onward into Judah; he shall overflow and pass through; he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, 1 O Immanuel.

92 Make an uproar, O ye peoples, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, and it shall be brought to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for 3 God is with us. 11 For the Lord spake thus to me 4 with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof.13 The Lord of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And 5 many shall stumble thereon, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

16 Bind thou up the testimony, seal the 6 law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait for the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? 20 To the 6 law and to the testimony! 7 if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. 21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass that, when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and 8 curse by their king and by their God, and turn their faces upward: 22 and they shall look unto the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; 9 and 10 into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

9

1[Ch. viii 23 in Heb.]11 But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, 12 Galilee of the nations. 2[Ch ix 1 in Heb.]The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the 13 shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, 14 thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. 5 For 15 all the armour of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall even be for burning, for fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called 16 Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, 17 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with judgement and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.

8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in stoutness of heart, 10 The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. 11 Therefore the Lord1 shall set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and 2 shall 3 stir up his enemies; 12 the Syrians 4 before, and the Philistines 5 behind; and they 6 shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

13 Yet the people hath not turned unto him that smote them, neither have they sought the Lord of hosts. 14 Therefore the Lord7 will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. 15 The 8 ancient and the honourable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth hes, he is the tail. 16 For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are 9 destroyed. 17 Therefore the Lord shall not rejoice over their young men, neither shall he have compassion on their fatherless and widows: for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns: yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in thick clouds of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land 10 burnt up: the people also are as the fuel of fire; no man spareth his brother. 20 And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

10

1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness: 2 to turn aside the needy from judgement, and to take away the right of the poor of my people, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 411 They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

512 Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation! 6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and 13 to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few. 8 For he saith, Are not my princes all of them kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath 14 found the kingdoms of the idols, whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will 1 punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. 13 For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and I have brought down as a valiant man 2 them that sit on thrones:14 and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the peoples; and as one gathereth eggs that are forsaken, have I gathered all the earth: and there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped. 15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if a rod should shake them that lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up him that is not wood.

16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and 3 under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire. 17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. 18 And he shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and it shall be 4 as when a standardbearer fainteth. 19 And the remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.

20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 215 A remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22 For though 6 thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant 7 of them shall return: a consumption is determined, overflowing with righteousness. 23 For a consummation, and that determined, shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, make in the midst of all the 8 earth.

24 Therefore thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of 9 the Assyrian: though he smite thee with the rod, and lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall be accomplished, and 10 mine anger, in their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts shall stir up against him a scourge, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and 11 his rod shall be over the sea, and he shall lift it up after the manner of Egypt. 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall depart from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed 12 because of 13 the anointing.

28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed through Migron; at Michmash he layeth up his baggage: 29 they are gone over the pass; 14 they have taken up their lodging at Geba: Ramah trembleth; Gibeah of Saul is fled. 30 Cry aloud with thy voice, O daughter of Gallim! hearken, O Laishah! 15 O thou poor Anathoth! 31 Madmenah is a fugitive; the inhabitants of Gebim 16 gather themselves to flee. 32 This very day shall he halt at Nob: he shaketh his hand at the mount of the 17 daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the boughs with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the lofty shall be brought low. 34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

11

1 And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit: 2 and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;3 and 1 his 2 delight shall be in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither 3 reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the 4 earth: and he shall smite the 4 earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall he down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall he down together: 8 and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the 5 basilisk’s den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

10 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, which standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting place shall be 6 glorious.

11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord 7 shall set his hand again the second time to 8 recover the remnant of his people, which shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the 9 islands of the sea. 12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and they that vex 10 Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. 14 And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together shall they spoil the children of the east: they shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. 15 And the Lord shall 11 utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his 12 scorching wind shall he shake his hand over the River, and shall smite it into seven streams, and cause men to march over dryshod. 16 And there shall be an high way for the remnant of his people, which shall remain, from Assyria; like as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

12

1 And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord; for though thou wast angry with me, 13 thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid: for 14 the Lord jehovah is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto the Lord,15 call upon his name, declare his doings among the peoples, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done 16 excellent things: 17 let this be known in all the earth. 6 Cry aloud and shout, thou 18 inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

13

1 The 1 burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

2 Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded my consecrated ones, yea, I have called my mighty men for mine anger, even 2 my proudly exulting ones. 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people! the noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! the Lord of hosts mustereth the host for the battle. 5 They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; as destruction from 3 the Almighty shall it come. 7 Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt: 8 and they shall be dismayed; 4 pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame. 9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a man more rare than fine gold, even a man than the pure gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the lieavens to tremble, and the earth shall be shaken out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And it shall come to pass, that as the chased 5 roe, and as sheep that no man gathereth, they shall turn every man to his own people, and shall flee every man to his own land. 15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is 6 taken shall fall by the sword. 16 Their infants also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. 17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver, and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. 18 And their bows shall dash the young men in pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall shepherds make their flocks to he down there. 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and 7 satyrs shall dance there. 22 And 8 wolves shall 9 cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

14

1 For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the stranger shall join himself with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 2 And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and for handmaids: and they shall take them captive, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve, 4 that thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the 1 golden city ceased! 5 The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers; 62 that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained. 7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. 93 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up 4 the dead for thee, even all the 5 chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10 All they shall answer and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? 11 Thy pomp is brought down to 3 hell, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and worms cover thee. 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst lay low the nations! 13 And thou saidst in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to 3 hell, to the uttermost parts of the pit. 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, they shall consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17 that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home? 18 All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, every one in his own house. 19 But thou art cast forth away from thy sepulchre like an abominable branch, 6 clothed with the slain, that are thrust through with the sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under foot. 20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people; the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever. 21 Prepare ye 7 slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they rise not up, and possess the earth, and fill the face of the world with cities. 22 And I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon name and remnant, and son and son’s son, saith the Lord.23 I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.

24 The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: 25 that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulder. 26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this 1 burden.

29 Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a 2 basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. 30 And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and thy remnant shall be slain. 31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou art melted away, O Philistia, all of thee; for there cometh a smoke out of the north, and 3 none standeth aloof at his appointed times. 32 What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

15

1 The 4 burden of Moab.

For 5 in a night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought; for 5 in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought. 26 He is gone up to 7 Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep: Moab howleth 8 over Nebo, and 8 over Medeba: on all their heads is baldness, every beard is cut off. 3 In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth: on their housetops, and in their broad places, every one howleth, weeping abundantly. 4 And Heshbon crieth out, and Elealeh; their voice is heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul trembleth within him. 5 My heart crieth out for Moab; her 9 nobles flee unto Zoar, 10 to Eglath-shelishiyah: for by the ascent of Luhith with weeping they go up; for in the way of Horonaim they raise up a cry of destruction. 6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be 11 desolate: for the grass is withered away, the tender grass faileth, there is no green thing. 7 Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away 12 to the brook of the willows. 8 For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beer-elim. 9 For the waters of Dimon are full of blood: for I will bring yet more upon Dimon, a lion upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.

16

113 Send ye the lambs for the ruler of the land from 14 Sela 15which is toward the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. 2 For it shall be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of Arnon. 3 Give counsel, execute judgement; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday: hide the outcasts; bewray not the wanderer. 416 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the spoiler: for 17 the extortioner is brought to nought, spoiling ceaseth, 18 the oppressors are consumed out of the land. 5 And a throne shall be established in mercy, and one shall sit thereon in truth, in the tent of David; judging, and seeking judgement, and swift to do righteousness.

6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought. 7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the 19 raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, utterly stricken. 8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah; 20 the lords of the nations have broken down the choice plants thereof; they reached even unto Jazer, they wandered into the wilderness; her branches were spread abroad, they passed over the sea. 9 Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for upon thy summer fruits and upon thy harvest the battle shout is fallen. 10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither joyful noise: no treader shall tread out wine in the presses; I have made the vintage shout to cease. 11 Wherefore my bowels sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir-heres. 12 And it shall come to pass, when Moab presenteth himself, when he wearieth himself upon the high place, and shall come to his sanctuary to pray, that he shall not prevail.

13 This is the word that the Lord spake concerning Moab in time past. 14 But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be brought into contempt, with all his great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and of no account.

17

1 The 1 burden of Damascus.

Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. 2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. 3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom 2 from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.

4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. 5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing corn, and his arm reapeth the ears; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears in the valley of Rephaim. 6 Yet there shall be left therein gleanings, as the 3 shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost branches of a fruitful tree, saith the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 In that day shall a man look unto his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. 8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall he have respect to that which his fingers have made, either the 4 Asherim, or the sun-images. 9 In that day shall his strong cities be as the forsaken places 5 in the wood and on the mountain top, which were forsaken from before the children of Israel: and it shall be a desolation. 10 For thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy 6 strength; therefore thou plantest 7 pleasant plants, and settest it with 8 strange slips: 11 in the day of thy planting thou hedgest it in, and in the morning thou makest thy seed to blossom: but the harvest 9 fleeth away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

12 Ah, the 10 uproar of many peoples, which roar like the roaring of the seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters! 13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but he shall rebuke 11 them, and 12 they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like the whirling dust before the storm. 14 At eventide behold terror; and before the morning 13 they are not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

18

1 Ah, the land 1 of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of 2 Ethiopia: 2 that sendeth ambassadors by the sea, 3 even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation 4 tall and smooth, to a people terrible from their beginning onward; a nation 5 that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers 6 divide! 3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see ye; and when the trumpet is blown, hear ye. 4 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, I will be still, and I will behold in my dwelling place; 7 like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. 5 For afore the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becometh a ripening grape, he shall cut off the sprigs with pruning-hooks, and the spreading branches shall he take away and cut down. 6 They shall be left together unto the ravenous birds of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the ravenous birds shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. 7 In that time shall a present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people 8 tall and smooth, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward; a nation that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.

19

1 The 9 burden of Egypt.

Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and cometh unto Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. 2 And I will 10 stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. 3 And the spirit of Egypt shall be made void in the midst of it; and I will 11 destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek unto the idols, and to the 12 charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. 4 And I will 13 give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts. 5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and become dry. 6 And the rivers shall stink; the 14 streams of 15 Egypt shall be minished and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither away. 7 The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all that is sown by the Nile, shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more. 8 The fishers also shall lament, and all they that cast angle into the Nile shall mourn, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish. 9 Moreover they that work in combed flax, and they that weave 16 white cloth, shall be ashamed. 10 And her 17 pillars shall be broken in pieces, all they 18 that work for hire shall be grieved in soul. 11 The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the counsel of the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? 12 Where then are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now; and let them know what the Lord of hosts hath purposed concerning Egypt. 13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of 19 Noph are deceived; they have caused Egypt to go astray, that are the corner stone of her tribes. 14 The Lord hath mingled a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her: and they have caused Egypt to go astray in every work thereof, as a drunken man 20 staggereth in his vomit. 15 Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do.

16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall tremble and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it. 17 And the land of Judah shall become a terror unto Egypt, 1 every one to whom mention is made thereof shall be afraid, because of the purpose of the Lord of hosts, which he purposeth against it.

18 In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called The city of 2 destruction.

19 In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord.20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and 3 a defender, and he shall deliver them. 21 And the Lord shall 4 be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day; yea, they shall worship with sacrifice and oblation, and shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and shall perform it. 22 And the Lord shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing; and they shall return unto the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

23 In that day shall there be a high way out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians shall worship with the Assyrians.

24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth: 25 for that the Lord of hosts hath blessed them, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

20

1 In the year that 5 Tartan came unto Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; 2 at that time the Lord spake by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put thy shoe from off thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. 3 And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot 6 three years for a sign and a wonder upon Egypt and upon 7 Ethiopia; 4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. 5 And they shall be dismayed and ashamed, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory. 6 And the inhabitant of this coastland shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and we, how shall we escape?

21

1 The 8 burden of the wilderness of the sea.

As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land. 2 A 9 grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof 10 have I made to cease. 3 Therefore are my loins filled with anguish; pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman in travail: I am 11 pained so that I cannot hear; I am dismayed so that I cannot see. 4 My heart 12 panteth, horror hath affrighted me: the twilight that I desired hath been turned into trembling unto me. 5 They prepare the table, they 1 set the watch, they eat, they drink: rise up, ye princes, anoint the shield. 6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman; let him declare what he seeth: 72 and when he seeth 3 a troop, 4 horsemen in pairs, 3 a troop of asses, 3 a troop of camels, he shall hearken diligently with much heed. 8 And he cried as a lion: O Lord, I stand continually upon the watch-tower in the day-time, and am set in my ward 5 whole nights: 9 and, behold, here 6 cometh a troop of men, 4 horsemen in pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods are broken unto the ground. 10 O thou my threshing, and the 7 corn of my floor: that which I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

11 The 8 burden of Dumah.

One calleth unto me out of Seir, Watchman, 2 what of the night? Watchman, 9 what of the night? 12 The watchman said, The morning 10 cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: 11 turn ye, come.

13 The 12 burden upon Arabia.

In the 13 forest 14 in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanites. 14 Unto him that 15 was thirsty they brought water; 16 the inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitives with their bread. 15 For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. 16 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: 17 and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be few: for the Lord, the God of Israel, hath spoken it.

22

1 The 8 burden of the valley of vision.

What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops? 2 O thou that art full of shoutings, a tumultuous city, a joyous town; thy slain are not slain with the sword, neither are they dead in battle. 3 All thy rulers fled away together, they were bound 17 by the archers: all that were found of thee were bound together, 18 they fled afar off. 4 Therefore said I, Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; 19 labour not to comfort me, for the spoiling of the daughter of my people. 5 For it is a day of discomfiture, and of treading down, and of perplexity, from the Lord, the Lord of hosts, in the valley of vision; a breaking down of the walls, and a crying to the 20 mountains. 6 And Elam bare the quiver, with 21 chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield. 7 And it came to pass, that thy choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen set themselves in array at the gate. 8 And he took away the covering of Judah; and thou didst look in that day to the armour in the house of the forest. 9 And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 And ye numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and ye brake down the houses to fortify the wall. 11 Ye made also a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye looked not unto 22 him that had done this, neither had ye respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. 12 And in that day did the Lord, the Lord of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13 and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die. 14 And the Lord of hosts revealed himself in mine ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be 1 purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.

15 Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Go, get thee unto this 2 treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,16 What doest thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving an habitation for himself in the rock! 17 Behold, the Lord will hurl thee away violently 3 as a strong man; yea, he will 4 wrap thee up closely. 18 He will surely 5 turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country; there shalt thou die, and there shall be the chariots of thy glory, thou shame of thy lord’s house. 19 And I will thrust thee from thine office, and from thy station shall he pull thee down. 20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21 and I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father’s house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the vessels of cups even to all the vessels of flagons. 25 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that was fastened in a sure place give way, and it shall be hewn down, and fall, and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off; for the Lord hath spoken it.

23

1 The 6 burden of Tyre.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Kittim it is revealed to them. 2 Be still, ye inhabitants of the 7 isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. 3 And on great waters the seed of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue; and she was the mart of nations. 4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, the strong hold of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins. 58 When the report cometh to Egypt, they shall be sorely pained at the report of Tyre. 6 Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the 7 isle. 7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is 9 of ancient days, whose feet carried her afar off to sojourn? 8 Who hath purposed this against Tyre, 10 the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? 9 The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to 11 stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. 1012 Pass through thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no girdle about thee any more. 11 He hath stretched out his hand over the sea, he hath shaken the kingdoms: the Lord hath given commandment concerning 13 Canaan, to destroy the strong holds thereof. 12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Kittim; even there shalt thou have no rest. 13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans; this people 1 is no more; the Assyrian 2 hath appointed it for 3 the beasts of the wilderness: they set up 4 their towers, they 5 overthrew the palaces thereof; he made it a ruin. 14 Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strong hold is laid waste. 15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years 6 it shall be unto Tyre as in the song of the harlot. 16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. 17 And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her hire, and shall play the harlot with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. 18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for 7 durable clothing.

24

1 Behold, the Lord maketh the 8 earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. 3 The earth shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this word. 4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, 9 the lofty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. 7 The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh. 8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. 9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. 10 The city of 10 confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. 11 There is a crying in the streets because of the wine; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is 11 gone. 12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. 13 For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the 12 shaking of an olive tree, as the grape gleanings when the vintage is done. 14 These shall lift up their voice, they shall shout; for the majesty of the Lord they cry aloud from the sea. 15 Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the 13 east, even the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the 14 isles of the sea.

16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, glory to the righteous. But I said, 15 I pine away, I pine away, woe is me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. 17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. 18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth do shake. 19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall be moved to and fro like a hut; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.

21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall 1 punish the host of the 2 high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the 3 pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be 4 visited. 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and 5 before his 6 ancients gloriously.

25

1 O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things, even counsels of old, in faithfulness and truth. 2 For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. 3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. 4 For thou hast been a strong hold to the poor, a strong hold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 5 As the heat in a dry place shalt thou bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones shall be brought low. 6 And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. 7 And he will 7 destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that is cast over all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest, and Moab shall be trodden down in his place, even as straw is trodden down 8 in the water of the dunghill. 11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst 9 thereof, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: 10 and he shall lay low 11 his pride 12 together with the craft of 11 his hands. 12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls 13 hath he brought down, laid low, and brought to the ground, even to the dust.

26

1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation will he appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth truth may enter in. 314 Thou wilt keep him15 in perfect peace, whose16 mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in 17 the Lord jehovah is 18 an everlasting rock. 5 For he hath brought down them that dwell on high, the lofty city: he layeth it low, he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. 6 The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 The way of the just is 1 uprightness: thou that art upright dost 2 direct the path of the just. 8 Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee; to thy name and to thy memorial is the desire of our soul. 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee 3 early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.

11Lord, thy hand is lifted up, yet they see not: but they shall see 4thy zeal for the people, and be ashamed; yea, 5 fire shall devour thine adversaries. 12Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou hast also wrought all our works for us. 13 O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. 146They are dead, they shall not live; they are7 deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. 15 Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord, thou hast increased the nation; thou art glorified: 8 thou hast enlarged all the borders of the land.

16Lord, in trouble have they 9 visited thee, they poured out a 10 prayer when thy chastening was upon them. 17 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been 11 before thee, O Lord.18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; 12 neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. 19 Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of 13 herbs, and the earth shall cast forth 14 the dead.

20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

27

1 In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the 15 swift serpent, and leviathan the 16 crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

2 In that day: 17 A vineyard of wine, sing ye 18 unto it. 3 I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. 4 Fury is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together. 5 Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; yea, let him make peace with me. 619 In days to come shall Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud: and they shall fill the face of the world with fruit.

7 Hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter 20 of them that were slain by him? 821 In measure, 22 when thou sendest her away, thou dost contend with her; he hath removed her with his rough blast in the day of the east wind. 9 Therefore by this shall the iniquity of Jacob be 1 purged, and this is all the fruit 2 of taking away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, so that the 3 Asherim and the sun-images shall rise no more. 10 For the defenced city is solitary, an habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he he down, and consume the branches thereof. 11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off; the women shall come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding; therefore he that made them will not have compassion upon them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall 4 beat off his fruit, from the flood of the River unto the brook of Egypt, and ye shall be 5 gathered 6 one by one, O ye children of Israel.

13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come which were 7 ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and they that were outcasts in the land of Egypt; and they shall worship the Lord in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

28

1 Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley of them that are 8 overcome with wine! 2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one; as a tempest of hail, a destroying storm, as a tempest of mighty waters overflowing, shall he cast down to the earth 9 with the hand. 3 The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot: 4 and the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as the firstripe fig before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. 5 In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people: 6 and for a spirit of judgement to him that sitteth in judgement, and for strength to them that turn back the battle 10 at the gate. 7 But these also 11 have erred through wine, and through strong drink 12 are gone astray; the priest and the prophet 11 have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are gone astray through strong drink; they 11 err in vision, they stumble in judgement. 8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.913 Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the 14 message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? 10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; 15 line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. 1116 Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people: 12 to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13 Therefore shall the word of the Lord be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem: 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with 17 hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16 therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I 1 lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17 And I will make judgement the line, and righteousness the plummet: and the had shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with 2 hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. 19 As often as it passeth through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the 3 message. 20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. 21 For the Lord shall rise up as in 4 mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act. 22 Now therefore be ye not scorners, lest your bands be made strong: for a consummation, and that determined, have I heard from the Lord, the Lord of hosts, upon the whole 5 earth.

23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. 24 Doth the plowman plow continually to sow? doth he continually open and break the clods of his ground? 25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the 6 fitches, and scatter the cummin, and put in the wheat in rows and the barley in the appointed place and the spelt in the border thereof? 267 For his God doth instruct him aright, and doth teach him. 27 For the fitches are not threshed with a sharp threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. 288 Bread corn is ground; for he will not ever be threshing it: and though the wheel of his cart and his horses scatter it, he doth not grind it. 29 This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in 9 wisdom.

29

110 Ho 11 Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! add ye year to year; let the feasts come round: 2 then will I distress Ariel, and there shall be mourning and lamentation: 12 and she shall be unto me as Ariel. 3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a fort, and I will raise siege works against thee. 4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust; and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall 13 whisper out of the dust. 5 But the multitude of thy 14 foes shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. 615 She shall be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire. 7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her strong hold, and that distress her, shall be as a dream, a vision of the night. 8 And it shall be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

91 Tarry ye and wonder; 2 take your pleasure and be blind: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed 3 your eyes, the prophets; and your heads, the seers, hath he covered. 11 And all vision is become unto you as the words of a 4 book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that 5 is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed: 12 and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

13 And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been 6 taught them:14 therefore, behold, I will 7 proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? 168 Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be counted as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing framed say of him that framed it, He hath no understanding? 17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be counted for a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of 9 the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off: 21 that 10 make a man an offender in a cause, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just with a thing of nought. 22 Therefore thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. 2311 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name; yea, they shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 They also that err in spirit 12 shall come to understanding, and they that murmur shall learn 13 doctrine.

30

1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that 14 cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 2 that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to 15 strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. 4 For his princes are at Zoan, and his ambassadors are come to Hanes. 5 They shall all be ashamed of a people that cannot profit them, that are not an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

6 The 16 burden of the beasts of the South.

Through the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the honess and the lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.7 For Egypt helpeth in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I 1 called her Rahab that sitteth still. 8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come 2 for ever and ever: 9 For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the 3 law of the Lord:10 which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon; 13 therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. 14 And he shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces thereof a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the cistern. 15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. 16 But ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. 17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as 4 a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. 18 And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement; blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For 5 the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more; he will surely be gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear, he will answer thee. 206 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy 7 teachers 8 be hidden any more, but thine eyes shall see thy 7 teachers: 21 and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 22 And ye shall defile the overlaying of thy graven images of silver, and the plating of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt 9 cast them away as an 10 unclean thing; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. 23 And he shall give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the ground, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. 24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that till the ground shall eat 11 savoury provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 25 And there shall be upon every lofty mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the hurt of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

27 Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as a devouring fire: 28 and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of 1 vanity: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples. 29 Ye shall have a song as in the night 2 when a holy feast is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel. 30 And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with 3 a blast, and tempest, and hailstones. 31 For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be broken in pieces, 4 which smote with a rod. 32 And every 5 stroke of the 6 appointed staff, which the Lord shall lay upon him, shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with them. 33 For 7 a Topheth is prepared of old; yea, for the king it is made ready; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

31

1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and stay on horses; and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! 2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit: and when the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is holpen shall fall, and they all shall fail together. 4 For thus saith the Lord unto me, Like as when the lion growleth and the young lion over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds be called forth against him, he will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight 8 upon mount Zion, and 8 upon the hill thereof. 5 As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will pass over and preserve it.6 Turn ye unto him 9 from whom 10 ye have deeply revolted, O children of Israel. 7 For in that day they shall cast away every man his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. 8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of men, shall devour him: and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become tributary. 9 And his rock shall pass away by reason of terror, and his princes shall be dismayed at the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

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1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgement. 2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be 11 dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. 4 The heart also of the 12 rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. 5 The 1 vile person shall be no more called 2 liberal, nor the 3 churl said to be bountiful. 6 For the 1 vile person will speak 4 villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise profaneness, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the 5 meek with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. 8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and 6 in liberal things shall he continue.

9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease, and hear my voice; ye 7 careless daughters, give ear unto my speech. 108 For days beyond a year shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the ingathering shall not come. 11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and 9 gird sackcloth upon your loins. 12 They shall smite upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: 14 for the palace shall be forsaken; the populous city shall be deserted; 10 the hill and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; 15 until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field. 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and confidence for ever. 18 And my people shall abide in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. 19 But it shall hail, in the downfall of the forest; and the city shall be utterly laid low. 20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the ass.

33

1 Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! When thou hast ceased to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou hast made an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. 2 O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult the peoples are fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations are scattered. 4 And your spoil shall be gathered as the caterpiller gathereth: as locusts leap shall they leap upon it. 5 The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgement and righteousness. 611 And there shall be stability in thy times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

7 Behold, their valiant ones cry without: the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly. 8 The high ways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth not man. 9 The land mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and withereth away: Sharon is like 12 a desert; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.10 Now will I arise, saith the Lord; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted. 11 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath is a fire that shall devour you. 12 And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.

13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath surprised the godless ones. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of 1 oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold 2 a far stretching land. 18 Thine heart shall muse on the terror: where is 3 he that counted, where is he that weighed the tribute? where is he that counted the towers? 19 Thou shalt not see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that thou canst not perceive; of a 4 strange tongue that thou canst not understand. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our 5 solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tent that shall not be removed, the stakes whereof shall never be plucked up, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21 But there the Lord will be with us in majesty, 6 a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. 23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not strengthen the foot of their mast, they could not spread the sail: then was the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame took the prey. 24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

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1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peoples: let the earth hear, and the fulness thereof; the world, and all things that come forth of it. 2 For the Lord hath indignation against all the nations, and fury against all their host: he hath 7 utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. 3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and the stink of their carcases shall come up, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. 4 And all the host of heaven shall 8 be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fade away, as the leaf fadeth from off the vine, and as a fading leaf from the fig tree. 5 For my sword hath drunk its fill in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of my 9 curse, to judgement. 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 And the wild-oxen shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be drunken with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. 8 For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, the year of recompence in the controversy of Zion. 9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. 10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. 11 But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it; and the 1 owl and the raven shall dwell therein: and he shall stretch over it the line of confusion, and the 2 plummet of emptiness. 123 They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there; and all her princes shall be nothing. 13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and thistles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of jackals, a court for ostriches. 14 And the wild beasts of the desert shall meet with the 4 wolves, and the 5 satyr shall cry to his fellow; yea, 6 the night-monster shall settle there, and shall find her a place of rest. 15 There shall the arrowsnake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with her mate. 16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read; no one of these shall be missing, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. 17 And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

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1 The wilderness and the 7 solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the 8 rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God.

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the 9 feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a 10 fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: 11 behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompence of God; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7 And the 12 glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be 13 grass with reeds and rushes. 8 And an high way shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; 14 but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein.9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon, they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:10 and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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115 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that 16 Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 2 And the king of Assyria sent 17 Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the high way of the fuller’s field. 3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the 18 scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the 19 recorder. 4 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 5 I say, thy counsel and strength for the war are but vain words: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me? 6 Behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust on him. 7 But if thou say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar? 8 Now therefore, I pray thee, 1 give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 9 How then canst thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 10 And am I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? The Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. 11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the 2 Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall. 12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you? 13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. 14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you; for he shall not be able to deliver you: 15 neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, 3 Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern: 17 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards. 18 Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 20 Who are they among all the gods of these countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? 21 But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 22 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

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14 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of contumely: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. 4 It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, 1 whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left. 5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return unto his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. 9 And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come out to fight against thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by 2 destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and 3 Ivvah? 14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.15 And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16 O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, that 4 sittest upon the cherubim, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 17 Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God. 18 Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries, and their land, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them. 20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou only.

21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word which the Lord hath spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head 5 at thee. 23 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. 24 By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice 1 fir trees thereof: and I will enter into his farthest height, the forest of his fruitful field. 25 I have digged and drunk water, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of 2 Egypt. 26 Hast thou not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. 27 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as 3 a field of corn before it be grown up. 28 But I know thy sitting down, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy raging against me. 29 Because of thy raging against me, and for that 4 thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 30 And this shall be the sign unto thee: ye shall eat this year that which groweth of itself, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof. 31 And 5 the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this. 33 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast a mount against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come unto this city, saith the Lord.35 For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

36 And the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when men arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

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16 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,3 and said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, 5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. 6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city. 7 And this shall be the sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken: 8 behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the 7 dial of Ahaz 1 with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps 2 on the dial whereon it was gone down.

9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness.

10
I said, In the 3 noontide of my days I shall go into the gates of 4 the grave.
I am deprived of the residue of my years.
11
I said, I shall not see 5 the Lord,even5 the Lord in the land of the living:
I shall behold man no more 6 with the inhabitants of the world.
12
Mine 7 age is removed, and is carried away from me as a shepherd’s tent:
I have rolled up like a weaver my life; he will cut me off from the 8 loom:
From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13
9 I quieted myself until morning; as a lion, so he breaketh all my bones:
From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
14
Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter;
I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward;
O Lord, I am oppressed, be thou my surety.
15
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it:
I shall go 10 softly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.
16
O Lord, by these things men live,
And wholly therein is the life of my spirit:
11 Wherefore recover thou me, and make me to live.
17
Behold, it was for my peace that I had great bitterness:
But 12 thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of 13 corruption;
For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18
For 4 the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee:
They that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
19
The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day:
The father to the children shall make known thy truth.
20
The Lord is ready to save me:
Therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments
All the days of our life in the house of the Lord.

2114 Now Isaiah had said, Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover. 22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?

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115 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. 2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his 16 precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his 17 armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. 3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. 4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts. 6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 8 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

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1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye 1 comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her 2 warfare is accomplished, that her 3 iniquity is pardoned; that she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 The voice of one 4 that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of the Lord, make 5 straight in the desert a high way for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and 6 the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places 7 plain: 5 and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 6 The voice of one saying, Cry. And 8 one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 the grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the breath of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

99 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; 10 O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! 10 Behold, the Lord God will come as a mighty one, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his recompence before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that give suck.

12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 13 Who hath 11 directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgement, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, 12 he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him; they are counted to him 13 less than nothing, and 14 vanity. 18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? 19 The graven image, a workman melted it, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth for it silver chains. 20 He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to 15 set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. 21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not 16 understood from the foundations of the earth? 22It is he that sitteth 17 upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as 1 a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: 23 that bringeth princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as 2 vanity. 243 Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble. 25 To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal to him? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, 4 and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.

27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgement is passed away from my God? 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? 5 the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

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1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the peoples renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgement. 2 Who hath raised up one from the east, 6 whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; 7 he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow. 3 He pursueth them, and passeth on safely; even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. 4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last, I am he. 5 The isles saw, and feared; the ends of the earth trembled: they drew near, and came. 6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. 7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

8 But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend; 9 thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away; 10 fear thou not, for I am with thee; 8 be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and 9 thy redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. 15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. 16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, thou shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17 The poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia tree, and the myrtle, and the 1 oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, the 2 pine, and the 3 box tree together: 20 that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

21 Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. 22 Let them bring them forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or shew us things for to come. 23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may 4 be dismayed, and behold it together. 24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.

25 I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon 5 rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay. 26 Who hath declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that heareth your words. 27I first will say unto Zion, Behold, behold them; and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. 28 And when I look, there is no man; even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word. 296 Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought: their molten images are wind and confusion.

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1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgement to the 7 Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the 8 smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgement in truth. 4 He shall not 9 fail nor be 10 discouraged, till he have set judgement in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad the earth and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will 11 keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of 1 Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man; he shall stir up 2 jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, he shall shout aloud; he shall do mightily against his enemies. 14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will 3 gasp and pant together. 15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools. 16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; in paths that they know not will I lead them: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things will I do, 4 and I will not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say unto molten images, Ye are our gods.

18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is 5 at peace with me, and blind as the Lord’s servant? 20 Thou seest many things, but thou observest not; his ears are open, but he heareth not. 21 It pleased the Lord, for his righteousness’ sake, to 6 magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who is there among you that will give ear to this? that will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord? he against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways they would not walk, neither were they obedient unto his 7 law. 25 Therefore he poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

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1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy saviour; I have given Egypt as thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou hast been precious in my sight, 8and honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and peoples for thy life. 5 Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth; 7 every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory; I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. 91 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified: 2 or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. 12 I have declared, and I have saved, and I have shewed, and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and I am God. 13 Yea, 3 since the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall 4 let it?

14 Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down 5 all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. 16 Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 176 which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched as 7 flax: 18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20 The beasts of the field shall honour me, the jackals and the ostriches: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen: 21 the people which I formed for myself, 8 that they might set forth my praise. 22 Yet thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not made thee to serve with 9 offerings, nor wearied thee with frankincense. 24 Thou hast bought me no 10 sweet cane with money, neither hast thou 11 filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. 25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and I will not remember thy sins. 26 Put me in remembrance; let us plead together: set thou forth thy cause, that thou mayest be justified. 27 Thy first father sinned, and thine 12 interpreters have transgressed against me. 28 Therefore I 13 will profane the 14 princes of the sanctuary, and I 15 will make Jacob a 16 curse, and Israel a reviling.

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1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: 2 thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water upon 17 him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. 5 One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall 1 call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall 2 subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and 3 surname himself by the name of Israel.

6 Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 74 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them 5 declare. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and shewed it? and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any. 9 They that fashion a graven image are all of them 6 vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit: and their own witnesses see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. 10 Who hath fashioned a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, 7 all his fellows shall be ashamed; and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; they shall fear, they shall be ashamed together. 12 The smith 8maketh an axe, and worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with his strong arm: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth; he drinketh no water, and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with 9 a pencil; he shapeth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and shapeth it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in the house. 14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the holm tree and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth 10 a fir tree, and the rain doth nourish it. 15 Then shall it be for a man to burn; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread: yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 16 He burneth 11 part thereof in the fire; with 11 part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: 17 and the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it and worshippeth, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. 18 They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath 12 shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 19 And none calleth to mind, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

21 Remember these things, O Jacob; and Israel, for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, 13 thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 23 Sing, O ye heavens, for the Lord hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and will glorify himself in Israel.

24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am the Lord, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth; 1 who is with me? 25 that frustrateth the tokens of the 2 liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish: 26 that confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith of Jerusalem, She shall be inhabited; and of the cities of Judah, They shall be built, and I will raise up the waste places thereof: 27 that saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: 28 that saith of 3 Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built; 4 and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

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1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut; 2 I will go before thee, and make the rugged places plain: I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the Lord, which call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is none else; beside me there is no God: I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am the Lord, that doeth all these things.

8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, that they may 5 bring forth salvation, and let her cause righteousness to spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? 10 Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou? 11 Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command ye me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.

14 Thus saith the Lord, The labour of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine; they shall go after thee; in chains they shall come over: and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God. 15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 16 They shall be ashamed, yea, confounded, all of them: they shall go into confusion together that are makers of idols. 17But Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; he is God; that formed the earth and made it; he established it, he created it not 1 a waste, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness; I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me 2 in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21 Declare ye, and 3 bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath shewed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 By myself have I sworn, 4 the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Only in the Lord,5 shall one say 6 unto me, is righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come, and all they that were incensed against him shall be ashamed. 25 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

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1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; their idols are upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: the things that ye carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary beast.2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which have been borne by me from the belly, which have been carried from the womb: 4 and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver. 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship. 7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

8 Remember this, and 7 shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: 8 for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of 9 my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. 12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will 10 place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

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1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: remove thy veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. 3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will 1 accept no man. 4 Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called The lady of kingdoms. 6 I was wroth with my people, I profaned mine inheritance, and gave them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the aged hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. 7 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end thereof.

8 Now therefore hear this, thou that art given to pleasures, that 2 dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and there is none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: 9 but these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: in their full measure shall they come upon thee, 3 despite of the multitude of thy sorceries, and the great abundance of thine enchantments. 10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness; thou hast said, None seeth me; thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee: and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and there is none else beside me. 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know 4 the dawning thereof: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou knowest not. 12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest 5 prevail. 13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: let now the 6 astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from the things that shall come upon thee. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. 15 Thus shall the things be unto thee wherein thou hast laboured: they that have trafficked with thee from thy youth shall wander every one to 7 his quarter; there shall be none to save thee.

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1 Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. 2 For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is his name. 3 I have declared the former things from of old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. 4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; 5 therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. 6 Thou hast heard it; behold all this; and ye, will ye not declare it? 8 I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, which thou hast not known. 7 They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them. 8 Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from of old thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou didst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb. 9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. 10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not as silver; I have 1 chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11 For mine own sake, for mine own sake, will I do it; for how should my name be profaned? and my glory will I not give to another.

12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. 13 Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. 14 Assemble yourselves, all ye, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? 2 The Lord hath loved him: he shall perform his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. 15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. 16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God hath sent me, and his spirit. 17 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 183 Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: 19 thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like 4 the grains thereof: his name should not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.

20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth: say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob. 21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. 22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.

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1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples, from far: the Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name: 2 and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me; and he hath made me a polished shaft, in his quiver hath he kept me close: and he said unto me, 3 Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 But I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity: yet surely my judgement is with the Lord, and my recompence with my God. 5 And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, 5 and that Israel be gathered unto him: (for I am honourable in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is become my strength:) 6 yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, 1 that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the Lord, the redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of the Lord that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee. 8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to 2 raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages; 9 saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the 3 heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. 11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my high ways shall be exalted. 12 Lo, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Simm. 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted.

14 But Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me. 15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee. 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 174 Thy children make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. 18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and gird thyself with them, like a bride. 19 For, as for thy waste and thy desolate places and thy land that hath been destroyed, surely now shalt thou be too strait for the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. 20 The children of thy bereavement shall yet say in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath 5 begotten me these, seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am 6 solitary, an exile, and wandering to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where were they?

22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the nations, and set up my ensign to the peoples: and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, and they that wait for me shall not be ashamed. 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or 7 the lawful captives be delivered? 25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy saviour, and thy redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

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1 Thus saith the Lord, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of 1 them that are taught, that I should know how 2 to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as 1 they that are taught. 5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? behold, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? 3 he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands: walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

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1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged. 2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many. 3 For the Lord hath comforted Zion: he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

4 Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will make my judgement to rest for a light of the peoples. 5 My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die 4 in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation unto all generations.

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Art thou not it that cut 1 Rahab in pieces, that pierced the dragon? 10 Art thou not it which dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 112 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; 13 and hast forgotten the Lord thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, 3 when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? 144 The captive exile shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not die and go down into the pit, neither shall his bread fail. 15 For I am the Lord thy God, which 5 stirreth up the sea, that the waves thereof roar: the Lord of hosts is his name. 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. 19 These two things are befallen thee; who shall bemoan thee? desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword; how shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, they he at the top of all the streets, as an antelope in a net; they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God. 21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: 22 thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: 23 and I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy back as the ground, and as the street, to them that go over.

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1 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit thee down, O Jerusalem: 6 loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

3 For thus saith the Lord, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. 4 For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what do I here, saith the Lord, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith the Lord, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, 1 it is I.

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 8 The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see, eye to eye, 2 when the Lord returneth to Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord.12 For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.

13 Behold, my servant shall 3 deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. 14 Like as many were astonied at thee, (his visage was so marred 4 more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men,) 15 so shall he 5 sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths 6 at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they 7 understand.

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1 Who hath believed 8 our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; 9 and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised, and 10 rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with 11 grief and 12 as one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our 13 griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath 14 laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, yet he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth. 815 By oppression and judgement he was taken away; 16 and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living? for the transgression of my people 17 was he stricken. 9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his 18 death; 19 although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath 20 put him to grief: 21 when thou shalt make his soul 22 an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 1123 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant 24 justify many: and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and 1 made intercession for the transgressors.

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1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not: lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. 3 For thou shalt spread abroad on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and the reproach of thy widowhood shalt thou remember no more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For the Lord hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 82 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy redeemer. 93 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in 4 fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make thy 5 pinnacles of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy border of pleasant stones. 13 And all thy children shall be 6 taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: 7 thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, they may 8 gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall 8 gather together against thee 9 shall fall because of thee. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for 10 his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and 11 their righteousness which is of me, saith the Lord.

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1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye 12 spend money for that which is not bread? and your 13 labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a 1 leader and commander to the peoples. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

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1 Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgement, and do righteousness: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth fast by it; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord will surely separate me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the Lord of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast by my covenant: 5 Unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a 2 memorial and a name 3 better than of sons and of daughters; I will give 4 them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the strangers, that join themselves to the Lord, to minister unto him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast by my covenant; 7 even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all peoples. 8 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, 5 beside his own that are gathered.

9 All ye beasts of the field, 6 come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, 7 from every quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure.

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1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and 1 merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away 2 from the evil to come.2 He entereth into peace; they rest in their beds, each one that walketh 3 in his uprightness.

3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. 4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, 5 ye that inflame yourselves 4 among the oaks, under every green tree; that slay the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? 6 Among the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered 5 an oblation. Shall I be appeased for these things? 7 Upon a high and lofty mountain hast thou set thy bed: thither also wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. 8 And behind the doors and the posts hast thou set up thy memorial: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. 9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thine ambassadors far off, and didst debase thyself even unto 6 hell. 10 Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou didst find 7 a quickening of thy strength; therefore thou wast not 8 faint 11 And of whom hast thou been afraid and in fear, that thou liest, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of long time, and thou fearest me not? 12 I will declare thy righteousness; and as for thy works, they shall not profit thee. 13 When thou criest, let 9 them which thou hast gathered deliver thee; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. 14 And 10 he shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should 11 fail before me, and the souls which I have made. 17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him, I hid my face and was wroth: and he went on 12 frowardly in the way of his heart. 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and 13 restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. 19 I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

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1 Cry 14 aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the 1 ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous ordinances, they delight to draw near unto God. 3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and 2 exact all your labours. 4 Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: 3 ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. 9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; 10 and if thou 4 draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday: 11 and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in 5 dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honourable; and shalt honour 6 it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

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1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness. 4 None 7 sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch 8 basilisks’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. 6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. 7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their 1 paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no 2 judgement in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein doth not know peace. 9 Therefore is judgement far from us, neither doth righteousness overtake us: we look for light, but behold darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity. 10 We grope for the wall like the blind, yea, we grope as they that have no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the twilight; 3 among them that are lusty we are as dead men. 11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgement, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them: 13 in transgressing and denying the Lord, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 And judgement is turned away backward, and righteousness standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth is lacking; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgement. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was 4 no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. 17 And he put on righteousness as a 5 breastplate, and 6 an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18 According to their 7 deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the 8 islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun: 9 for he shall come as 10 a rushing stream, which the breath of the Lord driveth. 20 And a redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.21 And as for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.

60

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be 11 carried in the arms. 5 Then thou shalt see and 12 be lightened, and thine heart shall tremble and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. 6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the 1 dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; they all shall come from Sheba: they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall 2 proclaim the praises of the Lord.7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will 3 glorify 4 the house of my glory. 8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath 5 glorified thee. 10 And strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. 11 Thy gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the wealth of the nations, and their kings led with them.12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, 6 the pine, and the box tree together; to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious. 14 And the sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy saviour, and thy redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and 7 thine exactors righteousness. 18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, desolation nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy 8 glory. 20 Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 21 Thy people also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22 The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in its time.

61

1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the 9 meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and 10 the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 to proclaim 11 the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and aliens shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord: men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and 1 in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. 7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8 For I the Lord love judgement, I hate robbery 2 with iniquity; and I will give them their recompence in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom 3 decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

62

1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. 3 Thou shalt also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called 4 Hephzi-bah, and thy land 5 Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and 6 as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that are the Lord’s remembrancers, 7 take ye no rest, 7 and give him no 8 rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and strangers shall not drink thy 9 wine, for the which thou hast laboured: 9 but they that have garnered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have gathered it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.

10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the high way; gather out the stones; lift up an ensign 10 for the peoples. 11 Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his 11 recompence before him. 12 And they shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

63

1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with 1 dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I 2 trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my fury; and their 3 lifeblood 4 is sprinkled upon my garments, and I 5 have stained all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance 6 was in mine heart, and 7 the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And 8 I trod down the peoples in mine anger, and 9 made them drunk in my fury, and I 10 poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

7 I will make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord,and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us; and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8 For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their saviour. 911 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled, and grieved his holy spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. 1112 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the 13 shepherds of his flock? where is he that put his holy spirit in the midst of them? that caused his glorious arm to go at 12 the right hand of Moses? that divided the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 that led them through the depths, as an horse in the wilderness, that they stumbled not? 14 As the cattle that go down into the valley, the spirit of the Lord caused them to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. 15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy mighty acts? the yearning of thy bowels and thy compassions are restrained toward me. 16 For thou art our father, though Abraham knoweth us not, and Israel doth not acknowledge us: thou, O Lord, art our father; our redeemer from everlasting is thy name. 17 O Lord, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. 18 Thy holy people possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. 19 We are become as they over whom thou never barest rule; as they that were not called by thy name.

64

1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might 14 flow down at thy presence; 2 as when fire kindleth the brushwood,[Ch. lxiv. 1 in Heb.]and the fire causeth the waters to boil: to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 4 For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye 1 seen a God beside thee, which worketh for him that waiteth for him. 5 Thou 2 meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: 3 in them have we been of long time, and shall we be saved? 6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and 4 hast 5 consumed us by means of our iniquities. 8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 9 Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, look, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. 10 Thy holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. 11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid waste. 12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?

65

1 I 6 am inquired of by them that asked not for me; I 7 am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation 8 that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; 3 a people that provoketh me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense upon bricks; 4 which 9 sit among the graves, and lodge in the 10 secret places; which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou: these are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, yea, I will recompense into their bosom, 7 your own iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and 11 blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I 12 first measure their work into their bosom.

8 Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all. 9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10 And Sharon shall be a 13 fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. 11 But ye that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for 14 Fortune, and that fill up mingled wine unto 15 Destiny; 12 I will destine you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but ye did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

13 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 14 behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for 1 vexation of spirit. 15 And ye shall leave your name for 2 a curse unto my chosen, and the Lord God shall slay thee; and he shall call his servants by another name: 16 so that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of 3 truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of 3 truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old, and the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall 4 long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for 5 calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring 6 with them. 24 And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

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1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? 2 For all these things hath mine hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. 3 He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog’s neck; he that offereth 7 an oblation, as he that offereth swine’s blood; he that 8 burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol: yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations; 4 I also will choose their 9 delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy; but they shall be ashamed. 6 A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies. 7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be 10 born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith thy God.

10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her: 11 that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream, 1 and ye shall suck thereof; ye shall be borne upon the side, and shall be dandled upon the knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 And ye shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender grass: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and he will have indignation against his enemies. 15 For, behold, the Lord will come 2 with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire will the Lord plead, and by his sword, with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. 17 They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves 3to go unto the gardens, 4 behind 5 one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse; they shall come to an end together, saith the Lord.18 For I know their works and their thoughts: 6the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory. 19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an offering unto the Lord, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon 7 swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.21 And of them also will I take for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH.

1

1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah; unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Now the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for 1 to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid because of them: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth; and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth: 10 see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, and to destroy and to overthrow; to build, and to plant.

11 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of 2 an almond tree. 12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I 3 watch over my word to perform it. 13 And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething caldron; and the face thereof is from the north. 14 Then the Lord said unto me, Out of the north evil 4 shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will 5 utter my judgements against them touching all their wickedness; in that they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. 17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.

2

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I remember 6 for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. 3 Israel was holiness unto the Lord, the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord.

4 Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: 5 thus saith the Lord, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? 6 Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt; that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of 1 the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through, and where no man dwelt? 7 And I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the 2 rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. 9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the Lord, and with your children’s children will I plead. 10 For pass over to the isles of Kittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently; and see if there hath been such a thing. 11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. 12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord.13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he become a prey? 15 The young lions have roared upon him, and 3 yelled: and they have made his land waste; his cities are burned up, without inhabitant. 16 The children also of Noph and Tahpanhes have 4 broken the crown of thy head. 17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way? 18 And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of 5 Shihor? or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of 6 the River? 19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts. 20 For of old time 7 I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not 8 serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou didst bow thyself, playing the harlot. 21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? 22 For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God.23 How canst thou say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift 9 dromedary traversing her ways; 24 a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. 25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. 26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets; 27 which say to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast 1 brought 2 me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. 28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no 3 correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. 31 O generation, see ye the word of the Lord. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of 4 thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee? 32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. 33 How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways. 34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor: 5 I have not found it at 6 the place of breaking in, but upon 7 all these. 35 Yet thou saidst, I am innocent; surely his anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into judgement with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned. 36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria. 37 From him also shalt thou go forth, with thine hands upon thine head: for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

3

18 They say, 9 If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; 10 yet return again to me, saith the Lord.2 Lift up thine eyes unto the bare heights, and see; where hast thou not been lien with? By the ways hast thou sat for them, as an Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. 3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; yet thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. 4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the 11 guide of my youth? 5 Will he retain his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou 12 hast spoken and hast done evil things, and hast 13 had thy way.

6 Moreover the Lord said unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. 714 And I said after she had done all these things, 15 She will return unto me; but she returned not: and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 And 16 I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorcement, yet treacherous Judah her sister feared not; but she also went and played the harlot. 9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that the land was polluted, and she committed adultery with stones and with stocks. 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not returned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.11 And the Lord said unto me, Backsliding Israel hath shewn herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12 Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; I will not 1 look in anger upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, I will not keep anger for ever. 13 Only 2 acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.14 Return, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: 15 and I will give you shepherds according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord; neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they 3 visit it; neither 4 shall that be done any more. 17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk 5 with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers. 19 But I said, How 6 shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, 7 a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations? and I said, 8 Ye shall call me My father; and shall not turn away from following me. 20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.21 A voice is heard upon the bare heights, the weeping and the supplications of the children of Israel; for that they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the Lord their God. 22 Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we are come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. 23 Truly in vain is the help that is looked for from the hills, the 9 tumult on the mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. 24 But the 10 shameful thing hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. 25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day: and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.

4

1 If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, unto me shalt thou return: and 11 if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not be removed; 2 and thou shalt swear, As the Lord liveth, in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

3 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury go forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. 5 Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry aloud and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fenced cities. 6 Set up a standard toward Zion: flee for safety, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. 7 A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations; he is on his way, he is gone forth from his place; to make thy land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant. 8 For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the Lord is not turned back from us. 9 And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the Lord, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder. 10 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul. 11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse; 121 a full wind from these shall come for me: now will I also 2 utter judgements against them. 13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled. 14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thine evil thoughts lodge within thee? 15 For 3 a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth evil from the hills of Ephraim: 16 make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah. 17 As keepers of a field are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord.18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness; 4 for it is bitter, 4 for it reacheth unto thine heart.

19 My bowels, my bowels! 5 I am pained at 6 my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because 7 thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. 21 How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? 22 For my people is foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was 8 waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills 9 moved to and fro. 25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. 26 I beheld, and, lo, 10 the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord,and before his fierce anger. 27 For thus saith the Lord, The whole land shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end. 28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it. 29 The whole city fleeth for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they go into the thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city is forsaken, and not a man dwelleth therein. 30 And thou, when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou 1 enlargest thine eyes with paint, in vain dost thou make thyself fair; thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life. 31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that gaspeth for breath, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul fainteth before the murderers.

5

1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh 2 truth; and I will pardon her. 2 And though they say, As the Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely. 3 O Lord,3 do not thine eyes look upon 2 truth? thou hast stricken them, but they were not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive 4 correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. 4 Then I said, Surely these are poor: they are foolish; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgement of their God: 5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they know the way of the Lord, and the judgement of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bands. 6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, a wolf of the 5 evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities, every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. 7 How can I pardon thee? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had 6 fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the harlots’ houses. 8 They were as fed horses 7 in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife. 9 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

10 Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her branches: for they are not the Lord’s.11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the Lord.12 They have denied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: 13 and the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. 14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. 15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is 8 a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. 16 Their quiver is an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. 17 And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall 9 beat down thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustest, with the sword. 18 But even in those days, saith the Lord, I will not make a full end with you. 19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord our God done all these things unto us? then shalt thou say unto them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.

20 Declare ye this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, 21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without 1 understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: 22 Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, 2 by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it. 23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. 24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in its season; that reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. 25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness: they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they should prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

303 A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land; 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule 4 by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

6

1 Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem: for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction. 2 The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I cut off. 3 Shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place. 45 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day declineth, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. 5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, Hew ye down 6 trees, and cast up a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. 7 As a well 7 casteth forth her waters, so she 7 casteth forth her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is sickness and wounds. 8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from thee; lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited.

9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn again thine hand as a grapegatherer 8 into the baskets. 10 To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is become unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. 11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days. 12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, their fields and their wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord.13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the 1 hurt of 2 my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 153 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall 4 be cast down, saith the Lord.

16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.17 And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. 18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. 20 To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet 5 cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me. 21 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people: and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

22 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, a people cometh from the north country; and a great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth. 23 They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses; every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Zion. 24 We have heard the fame thereof; our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pangs as of a woman in travail. 25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for there is the sword of the enemy, and terror on every side. 26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us. 27 I have made thee a 6 tower and a fortress among my people; that thou mayest know and try their way. 28 They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. 29 The bellows 7 blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away. 30 Refuse silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them.

7

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.3 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these. 5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgement between a man and his neighbour; 6 if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your own hurt: 7 then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even for evermore. 8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye have not known, 10 and come and stand before me in this house, 1 which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered; that ye may do all these abominations? 11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith the Lord.12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not: 14 therefore will I do unto the house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.

16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. 17 Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. 19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the Lord;do they not provoke themselves, to the confusion of their own faces? 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Add your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat ye flesh. 22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: 23 but this thing I commanded them, saying, Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you. 24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: 26 yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff: they did worse than their fathers.

27 And thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. 28 And thou shalt say unto them, This is the nation that hath not hearkened to the voice of the Lord their God, nor received 1 instruction: 2 truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

29 Cut off 3 thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for the Lord hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. 30 For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it. 31 And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded not, neither came it into my 4 mind. 32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter: for they shall bury in Topheth, 5 till there be no place to bury.33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. 34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride: for the land shall become a waste.

8

1 At that time, saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves: 2 and they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth. 3 And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the Lord of hosts.

4 Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord: Shall men fall, and not rise up again? shall one turn away, and not return? 5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. 6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repenteth him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one 6 turneth to his course, as a horse that rusheth headlong in the battle. 7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the 7 ordinance of the Lord.8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath 8 wrought falsely. 9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what manner of wisdom is in them? 10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 119 And they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.13 I will utterly consume them, saith the Lord: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and 1the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. 14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us 2 be silent there: for the Lord our God hath 3 put us to silence, and given us water of 4 gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord.15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold dismay! 16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city and those that dwell therein. 17 For, behold, I will send serpents, 5 basilisks, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith the Lord.

18 Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! my heart is faint within me. 19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people 6 from a land that is very far off: Is not the Lord in Zion? is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? 20 The harvest is past, the 7 summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I am 8 black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? why then is not the 9 health of the daughter of my people 10 recovered?

9

1[Ch. viii. 23 in Heb]Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 211 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men;[Ch. ix. 1 in Heb] that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3 And they bend their tongue as it were their bow for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for 12 truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will go about with slanders. 5 And they will 13 deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity. 6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

7 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people? 8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him. 9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the pastures of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none passeth through; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled, they are gone. 11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling place of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant. 12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it? wherefore is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through?

13 And the Lord saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; 14 but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baalim, which their fathers taught them: 15 therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of 1 gall to drink. 16 I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them.

17 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the cunning women, that they may come: 18 and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. 19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because 2 they have cast down our dwellings. 20 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation. 21 For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets. 22 Speak, Thus saith the Lord, The carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.25 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised in their uncircumcision; 26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that have the corners of their hair polled, that dwell in the wilderness: for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.

10

1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 For the 3 customs of the peoples are vanity: for 4 one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are like a 5 palm tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. 6 There is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear thee, O King of the nations? for 6 to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee. 8 But they are 1 together brutish and foolish: 2 the instruction of idols, it is but a stock. 9 There is silver beaten into plates which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from 3 Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of cunning men. 10 But the Lord is 4 the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.

115 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, 6 these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.

12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens: 137 when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries. 14 Every man 8 is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 15 They are vanity, a work of 9 delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 16 The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name.

17 Gather up 10 thy wares out of the land, 11 O thou that abidest in the siege. 18 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may 12 feel it.19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is my13 grief, and I must bear it. 20 My tent is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains. 21 For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of the Lord: therefore they have not 14 prospered, and all their flocks are scattered. 22 The voice of a rumour, behold it cometh, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals. 23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with judgement; not in thine anger, lest thou 15 bring me to nothing. 2516 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have devoured Jacob, yea, they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his 17 habitation.

11

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3 and say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant, 4 which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: 5 that I may establish the oath which I sware unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then answered I, and said, Amen, O Lord.

6 And the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. 7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the stubbornness of their evil heart: therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not.

9 And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they are gone after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. 11 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and they shall cry unto me, but I will not hearken unto them. 12 Then shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their 1 trouble. 13 For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to the 2 shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. 14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me 3 for their 1 trouble.

154 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? 5 when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. 16 The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. 17 For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have wrought for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense unto Baal.

18 And the Lord gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it: then thou shewedst me their doings. 19 But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the 6 fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. 20 But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause. 21 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand: 22 therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will 7 punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; 23 and there shall be no remnant unto them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, 8 even the year of their visitation.

12

1 Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet would I 9 reason the cause with thee: wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they at ease that deal very treacherously? 2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. 3 But thou, O Lord, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and 1 prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end. 5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and though in a land of peace thou art secure, yet how wilt thou do in the 2 pride of Jordan? 6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; even they have cried aloud after thee: believe them not, though they speak 3 fair words unto thee.

7 I have forsaken mine house, I have cast off mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 Mine heritage is become unto me as a lion in the forest: she hath uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her. 9 Is mine heritage unto me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her round about? go ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11 They have made it a desolation; it mourneth unto me, being desolate; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. 12 Spoilers are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness: for the sword of the Lord devoureth from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh hath peace. 13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and 4 ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of the Lord.

14 Thus saith the Lord against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As the Lord liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith the Lord.

13

1 Thus said the Lord unto me, Go, and buy thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. 2 So I bought a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it upon my loins. 3 And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, 4 Take the girdle that thou hast bought, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. 5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me. 6 And it came to pass after many days, that the Lord said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. 7 Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing. 8 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 9 Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is profitable for nothing. 11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. 12 Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word: Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Every 1 bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not know that every 1 bottle shall be filled with wine? 13 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit 2 upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. 14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the Lord: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have compassion, that I should not destroy them.

15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. 16 Give glory to the Lord your God, before 3 he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the 4 dark mountains; and, while ye look for light, he turn it into 5 the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is taken captive. 18 Say thou unto the king and to the queen-mother, 6 Humble yourselves, sit down: for your headtires are come down, even 7 the crown of your glory. 19 The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.

20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? 218 What wilt thou say, when he shall set thy friends over thee as head, seeing thou thyself hast instructed them against thee? shall not sorrows take hold of thee, as of a woman in travail? 22 And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore are these things come upon me? for the 9 greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels suffer violence. 23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are 10 accustomed to do evil. 24 Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that passeth away, 11 by the wind of the wilderness. 25 This is thy lot, the portion measured unto thee from me, saith the Lord; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood. 26 Therefore will I also discover thy skirts 12 upon thy face, and thy shame shall appear. 27 I have seen thine abominations, even thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, on the hills in the field. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! thou wilt not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?

14

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they sit in black upon the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. 3 And their nobles send their 1 little ones 2 to the waters: they come to the pits, and find no water; they return with their vessels empty: they are ashamed and confounded, and cover their heads. 4 Because of the ground which is 3 chapt, for that no rain hath been in the land, the plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads. 5 Yea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young, because there is no grass. 6 And the wild asses stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like 4 jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage.

7 Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name’s sake, O Lord: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. 8 O thou hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that 5 turneth aside to tarry for a night? 9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

10 Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Even so have they loved to wander; they have not refrained their feet: therefore the Lord doth not accept them; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. 11 And the Lord said unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. 12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and 6 oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. 13 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you 7 assured peace in this place. 14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart. 15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land: By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them. 17 And thou shalt say this word unto them, Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous wound. 18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold 8 them that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest 9 go about 10 in the land and have no knowledge.

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul loathed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold dismay! 20 We 11 acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. 21 Do not 12 abhor us, for thy name’s sake; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. 22 Are there any among the vanities of the heathen that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee; for thou hast 1 made all these things.

15

1 Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall come to pass, when they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity. 3 And I will appoint over them four 2 kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to 3 tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy. 4 And I will cause them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. 5 For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall turn aside to ask of thy welfare? 6 Thou hast rejected me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against thee, and destroyed thee; I am weary with repenting. 7 And I have fanned them with a fan in the gates of the land; I have bereaved them of children, I have destroyed my people; they have not returned from their ways. 8 Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them 4 against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly. 9 She that hath borne seven languisheth; she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day; she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the Lord.

10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have not lent on usury; neither have men lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me. 11 The Lord said, Verily 5 I will 6 strengthen thee for good; verily 7 I will cause the enemy to make supplication unto thee in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

128 Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass? 13 Thy substance and thy treasures will I give for a spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders. 14 And 9 I will make them to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.

15 O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered reproach. 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. 17 I sat not in the assembly of them that make merry, nor rejoiced: I sat alone because of thy hand; for thou hast filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful brook, as waters that 10 fail?

19 Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, that thou mayest stand before me; and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: they shall return unto thee, but thou shalt not return unto them. 20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall; and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord.21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

16

1 The word of the Lord came also unto me, saying, 2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. 3 For thus saith the Lord concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land: 4 They shall die 1 of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried; they shall be as dung upon the face of the ground: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. 5 For thus saith the Lord, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament, neither bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the Lord, even lovingkindness and tender mercies. 6 Both great and small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them: 7 neither shall men 2 break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother. 8 And thou shalt not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink. 9 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. 10 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the Lord our God? 11 then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the Lord, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; 12 and ye have done evil more than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that ye hearken not unto me: 13 therefore will I cast you forth out of this land into the land that ye have not known, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; 3 for I will shew you no favour.

14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, As the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 15 but, As the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the countries whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. 16 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. 17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from mine eyes. 18 And first I will recompense their unquity and their sin double; 1 because they have polluted my land with the carcases of their detestable things, and have filled mine inheritance with their abominations. 19 O Lord, my strength, and my strong hold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, even vanity and things wherein there is no profit. 20 Shall a man make unto himself gods, which yet are no gods? 21 Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is Jehovah.

17

1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of 2 your altars; 2 whilst their children remember their altars and their 3 Asherun by the green trees upon the high hills. 3 O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures for a spoil, and thy high places, because of sin, throughout all thy borders. 4 And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.

5 Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.6 For he shall be like 4 the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose 5 hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out his roots by the river, and shall not 6 fear when heat cometh, but his leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick: who can know it? 10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. 11 As the partridge 7 that gathereth young which she hath not brought forth, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days 8 they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.

12 A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. 13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed; they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. 14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. 15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. 16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a shepherd after thee; neither have I desired 9 the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was before thy face. 17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my refuge in the day of evil. 18 Let them be ashamed that persecute me, but let not me be ashamed; let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and 10 destroy them with double destruction.

19 Thus said the Lord unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of 1 the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20 and say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates; 21 thus saith the Lord: Take heed 2 to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work: but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers; 23 but they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction. 24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but to hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; 25 then shall there enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall 3 remain for ever. 26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the mountains, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and 4 oblations, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, unto the house of the Lord.27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

18

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought his work on the wheels. 4 And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it; 8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. 11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. 12 But they say, There is no hope: for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.

13 Therefore thus saith the Lord: Ask ye now among the nations, who hath heard such things; the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing. 14 Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? or shall the cold waters 1 that flow down from afar be 2 dried up? 15 For my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity; and they have caused them to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up; 16 to make their land an astonishment, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and shake his head. 17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will 3 look upon their back, and not their face, in the day of their calamity.

18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

19 Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. 20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy fury from them. 21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men smitten of the sword in battle. 22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet. 23 Yet, Lord, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me; forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight: but let them be 4 overthrown before thee; deal thou with them in the time of thine anger.

19

1 Thus said the Lord, Go, and buy a potter’s earthen bottle, and take of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests; 2 and go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of 5 the gate Harsith, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee: 3 and say, Hear ye the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. 4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom they knew not, they and their fathers and the kings of Judah; and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; 5 and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt offerings unto Baal; which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my 6 mind: 6 therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter. 7 And I will 7 make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of them that seek their life: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. 8 And I will make this city an astonishment, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. 9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend, in the siege and in the straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their life, shall straiten them. 10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, 11 and shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury in Topheth, 1 till there be no place to bury. 12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the Lord, and to the inhabitants thereof, even making this city as Topheth: 13 and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

14 Then came Jeremiah from Topheth, whither the Lord had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the Lord’s house, and said to all the people: 15 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it; because they have made their neck stiff, that they might not hear my words.

20

1 Now Pashhur the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 2 Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of the Lord.3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashhur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashhur, but 2 Magor-missabib. 4 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will give all the riches of this city, and all the gains thereof, and all the precious things thereof, yea, all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 And thou, Pashhur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely.

7 O Lord, thou hast 3 deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and spoil: because the word of the Lord is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. 9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in mine heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, they that watch for my halting; peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty one and a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed, because they have not 4 dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonour which shall never be forgotten. 12 But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause. 13 Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evil-doers.

14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. 15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. 16 And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear a cry in the morning, and 1 shouting at noontide; 17 because he slew me not from the womb; and so my mother should have been my grave, and her womb always great. 18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

21

1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, 2 Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us: peradventure the Lord will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

3 Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah: 4 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans which besiege you, without the walls, and I will gather them into the midst of this city. 5 And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. 6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence. 7 And afterward, saith the Lord, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, even such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy. 8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey. 10 For I have set my face upon this city for evil, and not for good, saith the Lord: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

11 And touching the house of the king of Judah, hear ye the word of the Lord:12 O house of David, thus saith the Lord, Execute judgement in the morning, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of 2 your doings. 13 Behold, I am against thee, O 3 inhabitant of the valley, 4and of the rock of the plain, saith the Lord; ye which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations? 14 and I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the Lord: and I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is round about her.

22

1 Thus said the Lord: Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, 2 and say, Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates. 3 Thus saith the Lord: Execute ye judgement and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting 1 upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. 5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation. 6 For thus saith the Lord2 concerning the house of the king of Judah. Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited. 7 And I will 3 prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire. 8 And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city? 9 Then they shall answer, Because they forsook the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

10 Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country. 11 For thus saith the Lord touching 4 Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place: He shall not return thither any more; 12 but in the place whither they have led him captive, there shall he die, and he shall see this land no more.

13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not his hire; 14 that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. 15 Shalt thou reign, because thou 5 strivest to excel in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgement and justice? then it was well with him. 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith the Lord.17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy 6 covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. 18 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! 19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

20 Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan: and cry from Abarim; for all thy lovers are destroyed. 21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. 22 The wind shall 7 feed all thy shepherds, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness. 23 O 1 inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, 2 how greatly to he pitied shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail! 24 As I live, saith the Lord, though 3 Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; 25 and I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them of whom thou art afraid, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. 26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. 27 But to the land whereunto 4 their soul longeth to return, thither shall they not return. 28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken 5 vessel? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into the land which they know not? 29 O 6 earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.30 Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

23

1 Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.2 Therefore thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, saith the Lord.

5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous 7 Branch, and he shall reign as king and 8 deal wisely, and shall execute judgement and justice in the land. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, 9 The Lord is our righteousness. 710 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, As the Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 8 but, As the Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

9 Concerning the prophets. Mine heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome; because of the Lord, and because of his holy words. 10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of 11 swearing the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up; and their course is evil, and their force is not right. 11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, 12 even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. 14 In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen an horrible thing; they commit adultery, and walk in lies, and they strengthen the hands of evil-doers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord of the hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of 1 gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. 16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you; they teach you vanity: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.17 They say continually unto them 2 that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you. 18 For who hath stood in the council of the Lord, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked 3 my word, and heard it? 19 Behold, the tempest of the Lord,even his fury, is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have 4 executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall 5 understand it perfectly. 21 I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. 23 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.25 I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. 26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies; even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? 27 which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal. 28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith the Lord.29 Is not my word like as fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that 6 use their tongues, and say, He saith. 32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither shall they profit this people at all, saith the Lord.33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the Lord? then shalt thou 7 say unto them, 8 What burden! I will cast you off, saith the Lord.34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his house. 35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord spoken? 36 And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more: for every man’s own word 9 shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God. 37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken? 38 But if ye say, The burden of the Lord; therefore thus saith the Lord: Because ye say this word, The burden of the Lord, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the Lord;39 therefore, behold, I will 1 utterly forget you, and I will cast you off, and the city that I gave unto you and to your fathers, away from my presence: 40 and I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

24

1 The Lord shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of the Lord; after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2 One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3 Then said the Lord unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. 4 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good. 6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. 8 And as the bad figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad; surely thus saith the Lord, So will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: 9 I will even give them up to be 2 tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. 10 And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

25

1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah; the same was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; 2 the which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: 3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even unto this day, these three and twenty years, the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising up early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. 4 And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear; 5 saying, Return ye now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers, from of old and even for evermore: 6 and go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. 7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own hurt. 8 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts: Because ye have not heard my words, 9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and I will send unto Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about; and I will 1 utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will 2 take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it 3 desolate for ever. 13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings 4 shall serve themselves of them, even of them: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the work of their hands.

15 For thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, unto me: Take the cup of the wine of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 16 And they shall drink, and reel to and fro, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. 17 Then took I the cup at the Lord’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the Lord had sent me: 18to wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day; 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people; 20 and all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Gaza, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod; 21 Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon; 22 and all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the 5 isle which is beyond the sea; 23 Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that have the corners of their hair polled; 24 and all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the wilderness; 25 and all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes; 26 and all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of 6 Sheshach shall drink after them. 27 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. 28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, them shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Ye shall surely drink. 29 For, lo, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts. 30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar against his 1 fold; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. 31 A noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; as for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, saith the Lord.

32 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest shall be raised up from the uttermost parts of the earth. 33 And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the face of the ground. 34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are fully come, 2 and I will break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. 35 And 3 the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. 36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and the howling of the principal of the flock! for the Lord layeth waste their pasture. 37 And the peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the fierce anger of the Lord.38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is become an astonishment because of 4 the fierceness of the oppressing sword, and because of his fierce anger.

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1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from the Lord, saying, 2 Thus saith the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; keep not back a word. 3 It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. 4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord: If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, 5 to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even rising up early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; 6 then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. 7 And the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.8 And it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. 9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant? And all the people were gathered unto Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

10 And when the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the Lord; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of the Lord’shouse.11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy of death; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. 12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. 13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as is good and right in your eyes. 15 Only know ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye shall bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. 16 Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy of death; for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God. 17 Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying, 181 Micaiah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts: 2 Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest. 19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the Lord, and intreat the favour of the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus should we commit great evil against our own souls. 20 And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: 21 and when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt: 22 and Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt: 23 and they fetched forth Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the 3 common people. 24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

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1 In the beginning of the reign of 4 Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Thus saith the Lord to me: Make thee bands and 5 bars, and put them upon thy neck; 3 and send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the children of Ammon, and to the king of Tyre, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah; 4 and give them a charge unto their masters, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Thus shall ye say unto your masters; 5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the face of the earth, by my great power and by my outstretched arm; and I give it unto whom it seemeth right unto me. 6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field also have I given him to serve him. 7 And all the nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the time of his own land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him. 8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the Lord, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. 9 But as for you, hearken ye not to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: 10 for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out and ye should perish. 11 But the nation that shall bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, that nation will I let remain in their own land, saith the Lord; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

12 And I spake to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. 13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord hath spoken concerning the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 And hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. 15 For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, but they prophesy falsely in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. 16 Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the Lord: Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the Lord’s house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. 17 Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city become a desolation? 18 But if they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon. 19 For thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that are left in this city, 20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem; 21 yea, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem: 22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

28

1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azzur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: 4 and I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went to Babylon, saith the Lord: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 5 Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the Lord,6 even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the Lord do so: the Lord perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the Lord’s house, and all them of the captivity, from Babylon unto this place. 7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people: 8 The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. 9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, 1 that the Lord hath truly sent him. 10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the bar from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it. 11 And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon within two full years from off the neck of all the nations. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. 12 Then the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the bar from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13 Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord: Thou hast broken the bars of wood; but thou shalt make in their stead bars of iron. 14 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. 15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; the Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will send thee away from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast spoken rebellion against the Lord.17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

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1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon: 2 (after that Jeconiah the king, and the queen-mother, and the eunuchs, and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) 3 by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,) saying, 4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem unto Babylon: 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply ye there, and be not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that be in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you, neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye 1 cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.10 For thus saith the Lord, After seventy years be accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you 2 hope in your latter end. 12 And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord, and I will 3 turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again unto the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. 15 For ye have said, The Lord hath raised us up prophets in Babylon. 16 For thus saith the Lord concerning the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and concerning all the people that dwell in this city, your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity; 17 thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. 18 And I will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be 4 tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, to be an execration, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: 19 because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the Lord, wherewith I sent unto them my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the Lord.20 Hear ye therefore the word of the Lord, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes; 22 and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire: 23 because they have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I commanded them not; and I am lie that knoweth, and am witness, saith the Lord.

24 And 5 concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite thou shalt speak, saying, 25 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, 26 The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the Lord, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in 6 shackles. 27 Now therefore, why hast thou not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you, 28 forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them? 29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet. 30 Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, 31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie; 32 therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed; he shall not have a man to

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BOOK V. - The Parallel Bible. Old Testament (Revised Version) [1885]

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BOOK V.

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