16:012:040 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
16:012:041 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
16:012:042 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
16:012:043 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
16:012:044 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
16:012:045 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
16:012:046 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
16:012:047 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.
16:013:001 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
16:013:002 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
16:013:003 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
16:013:004 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
16:013:005 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
16:013:006 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
16:013:007 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
16:013:008 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
16:013:009 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
16:013:010 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
16:013:011 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
16:013:012 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
16:013:013 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
16:013:014 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
16:013:015 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16:013:016 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
16:013:017 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
16:013:018 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
16:013:019 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
16:013:020 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
16:013:021 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
16:013:022 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
16:013:023 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
16:013:024 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
16:013:025 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
16:013:026 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
16:013:027 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
16:013:028 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
16:013:029 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
16:013:030 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
16:013:031 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
17:001:001 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
17:001:002 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
17:001:003 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
17:001:004 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
17:001:005 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
17:001:006 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
17:001:007 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
17:001:008 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
17:001:009 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
17:001:010 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
17:001:011 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
17:001:012 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
17:001:013 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
17:001:014 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
17:001:015 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
17:001:016 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17:001:017 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
17:001:018 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
17:001:019 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
17:001:020 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
17:001:021 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
17:001:022 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
17:002:001 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
17:002:002 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
17:002:003 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
17:002:004 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
17:002:005 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
17:002:006 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
17:002:007 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
17:002:008 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
17:002:009 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
17:002:010 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
17:002:011 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
17:002:012 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
17:002:013 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
17:002:014 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
17:002:015 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
17:002:016 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17:002:017 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
17:002:018 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
17:002:019 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
17:002:020 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
17:002:021 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
17:002:022 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.
17:002:023 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
17:003:001 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
17:003:002 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
17:003:003 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
17:003:004 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
17:003:005 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
17:003:006 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
17:003:007 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
17:003:008 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
17:003:009 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
17:003:010 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
17:003:011 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
17:003:012 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
17:003:013 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
17:003:014 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
17:003:015 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
17:004:001 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
17:004:002 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
17:004:003 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
17:004:004 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
17:004:005 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
17:004:006 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
17:004:007 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
17:004:008 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
17:004:009 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
17:004:010 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
17:004:011 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
17:004:012 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
17:004:013 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
17:004:014 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
17:004:015 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
17:004:016 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
17:004:017 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
17:005:001 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
17:005:002 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
17:005:003 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
17:005:004 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
17:005:005 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
17:005:006 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
17:005:007 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
17:005:008 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
17:005:009 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
17:005:010 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
17:005:011 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
17:005:012 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
17:005:013 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
17:005:014 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
17:006:001 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
17:006:002 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
17:006:003 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
17:006:004 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
17:006:005 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
17:006:006 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
17:006:007 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
17:006:008 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
17:006:009 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
17:006:010 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
17:006:011 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
17:006:012 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
17:006:013 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
17:006:014 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
17:007:001 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
17:007:002 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
17:007:003 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
17:007:004 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
17:007:005 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
17:007:006 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
17:007:007 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
17:007:008 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
17:007:009 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
17:007:010 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
17:008:001 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
17:008:002 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
17:008:003 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
17:008:004 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
17:008:005 And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:
17:008:006 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
17:008:007 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
17:008:008 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
17:008:009 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
17:008:010 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
17:008:011 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
17:008:012 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
17:008:013 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
17:008:014 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
17:008:015 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
17:008:016 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
17:008:017 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
17:009:001 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
17:009:002 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
17:009:003 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
17:009:004 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
17:009:005 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
17:009:006 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
17:009:007 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
17:009:008 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
17:009:009 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
17:009:010 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
17:009:011 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
17:009:012 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
17:009:013 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
17:009:014 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
17:009:015 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
17:009:016 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
17:009:017 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
17:009:018 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
17:009:019 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
17:009:020 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
17:009:021 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
17:009:022 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
17:009:023 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
17:009:024 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
17:009:025 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
17:009:026 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
17:009:027 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
17:009:028 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
17:009:029 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
17:009:030 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
17:009:031 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
17:009:032 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
17:010:001 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
17:010:002 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
17:010:003 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
18:001:001 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
18:001:002 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
18:001:003 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
18:001:004 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
18:001:005 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
18:001:006 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
18:001:007 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
18:001:008 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
18:001:009 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
18:001:010 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
18:001:011 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
18:001:012 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
18:001:013 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
18:001:014 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
18:001:015 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18:001:016 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18:001:017 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18:001:018 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
18:001:019 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18:001:020 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
18:001:021 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
18:001:022 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
18:002:001 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
18:002:002 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
18:002:003 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
18:002:004 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
18:002:005 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
18:002:006 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
18:002:007 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
18:002:008 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
18:002:009 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
18:002:010 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
18:002:011 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
18:002:012 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
18:002:013 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
18:003:001 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
18:003:002 And Job spake, and said,
18:003:003 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
18:003:004 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
18:003:005 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
18:003:006 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
18:003:007 Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
18:003:008 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
18:003:009 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
18:003:010 Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
18:003:011 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
18:003:012 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
18:003:013 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
18:003:014 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which build desolate places for themselves;
18:003:015 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
18:003:016 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
18:003:017 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
18:003:018 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
18:003:019 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
18:003:020 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;
18:003:021 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
18:003:022 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
18:003:023 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
18:003:024 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
18:003:025 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
18:003:026 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
18:004:001 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
18:004:002 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
18:004:003 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
18:004:004 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
18:004:005 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
18:004:006 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
18:004:007 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
18:004:008 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
18:004:009 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
18:004:010 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
18:004:011 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
18:004:012 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
18:004:013 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
18:004:014 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
18:004:015 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
18:004:016 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
18:004:017 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18:004:018 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
18:004:019 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
18:004:020 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
18:004:021 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
18:005:001 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?
18:005:002 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
18:005:003 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
18:005:004 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.
18:005:005 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
18:005:006 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
18:005:007 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
18:005:008 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
18:005:009 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
18:005:010 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
18:005:011 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
18:005:012 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.
18:005:013 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
18:005:014 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night.
18:005:015 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
18:005:016 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
18:005:017 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
18:005:018 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
18:005:019 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
18:005:020 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
18:005:021 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
18:005:022 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
18:005:023 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
18:005:024 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
18:005:025 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.
18:005:026 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.
18:005:027 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
18:006:001 But Job answered and said,
18:006:002 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
18:006:003 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
18:006:004 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
18:006:005 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
18:006:006 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
18:006:007 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
18:006:008 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
18:006:009 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
18:006:010 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
18:006:011 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
18:006:012 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
18:006:013 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
18:006:014 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
18:006:015 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
18:006:016 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
18:006:017 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18:006:018 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
18:006:019 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
18:006:020 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
18:006:021 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
18:006:022 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
18:006:023 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
18:006:024 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
18:006:025 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
18:006:026 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
18:006:027 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
18:006:028 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
18:006:029 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
18:006:030 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
18:007:001 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?
18:007:002 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:
18:007:003 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
18:007:004 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
18:007:005 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.
18:007:006 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
18:007:007 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
18:007:008 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.
18:007:009 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
18:007:010 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
18:007:011 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
18:007:012 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
18:007:013 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints;
18:007:014 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
18:007:015 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
18:007:016 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
18:007:017 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
18:007:018 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
18:007:019 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
18:007:020 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
18:007:021 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.
18:008:001 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
18:008:002 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
18:008:003 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
18:008:004 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
18:008:005 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
18:008:006 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
18:008:007 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
18:008:008 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
18:008:009 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
18:008:010 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
18:008:011 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
18:008:012 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
18:008:013 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
18:008:014 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
18:008:015 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
18:008:016 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
18:008:017 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
18:008:018 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
18:008:019 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
18:008:020 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
18:008:021 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
18:008:022 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
18:009:001 Then Job answered and said,
18:009:002 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
18:009:003 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
18:009:004 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
18:009:005 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
18:009:006 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
18:009:007 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
18:009:008 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
18:009:009 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
18:009:010 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
18:009:011 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
18:009:012 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
18:009:013 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
18:009:014 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
18:009:015 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
18:009:016 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
18:009:017 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18:009:018 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
18:009:019 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
18:009:020 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
18:009:021 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
18:009:022 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
18:009:023 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
18:009:024 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
18:009:025 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
18:009:026 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
18:009:027 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
18:009:028 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
18:009:029 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
18:009:030 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
18:009:031 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
18:009:032 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
18:009:033 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
18:009:034 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
18:009:035 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
18:010:001 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
18:010:002 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
18:010:003 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?