Randall M. Rueff
P.O. Box 412
Taylorsville, Indiana 47280-0412
U.S.A.

RandallMatthewRueff@Comcast.net

Randall M. Rueff

Holy Bible - Proverbs 19 : 1 - 29 
 
Better the poor whose walk is blameless 
 than a fool whose lips are perverse. 
2 Desire without knowledge is not good— 
 how much more will hasty feet miss the way! 
3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, 
 yet their heart rages against the Lord. 
4 Wealth attracts many friends, 
 but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. 
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, 
 and whoever pours out lies will not go free. 
6 Many curry favor with a ruler, 
 and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. 
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives— 
 how much more do their friends avoid them! 
Though the poor pursue them with pleading, 
 they are nowhere to be found.[a] 
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; 
 the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. 
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, 
 and whoever pours out lies will perish. 
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— 
 how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; 
 it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. 
12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, 
 but his favor is like dew on the grass. 
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin, 
 and a quarrelsome wife is like 
 the constant dripping of a leaky roof. 
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, 
 but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, 
 and the shiftless go hungry. 
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, 
 but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, 
 and he will reward them for what they have done. 
18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; 
 do not be a willing party to their death. 
19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; 
 rescue them, and you will have to do it again. 
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, 
 and at the end you will be counted among the wise. 
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, 
 but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 
22 What a person desires is unfailing love[b]; 
 better to be poor than a liar. 
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; 
 then one rests content, untouched by trouble. 
24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; 
 he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 
25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; 
 rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. 
26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother 
 is a child who brings shame and disgrace. 
27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, 
 and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, 
 and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, 
 and beatings for the backs of fools.

Holy Bible - Proverbs 19 : 1 - 29

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6 Many curry favor with a ruler,
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.[a]
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a

Holy Bible - Proverbs 19 : 1 - 29

Holy Bible - Proverbs 14 : 1 - 35 
 
The wise woman builds her house, 
 but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, 
 but those who despise him are devious in their ways. 
3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, 
 but the lips of the wise protect them. 
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, 
 but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. 
5 An honest witness does not deceive, 
 but a false witness pours out lies. 
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, 
 but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 
7 Stay away from a fool, 
 for you will not find knowledge on their lips. 
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, 
 but the folly of fools is deception. 
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, 
 but goodwill is found among the upright. 
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, 
 and no one else can share its joy. 
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, 
 but the tent of the upright will flourish. 
12 There is a way that appears to be right, 
 but in the end it leads to death. 
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, 
 and rejoicing may end in grief. 
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, 
 and the good rewarded for theirs. 
15 The simple believe anything, 
 but the prudent give thought to their steps. 
16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, 
 but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. 
17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things, 
 and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. 
18 The simple inherit folly, 
 but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, 
 and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, 
 but the rich have many friends. 
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, 
 but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. 
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? 
 But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness. 
23 All hard work brings a profit, 
 but mere talk leads only to poverty. 
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, 
 but the folly of fools yields folly. 
25 A truthful witness saves lives, 
 but a false witness is deceitful. 
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, 
 and for their children it will be a refuge. 
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, 
 turning a person from the snares of death. 
28 A large population is a king’s glory, 
 but without subjects a prince is ruined. 
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, 
 but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. 
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, 
 but envy rots the bones. 
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, 
 but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. 
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, 
 but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. 
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning 
 and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b] 
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, 
 but sin condemns any people. 
35 A king delights in a wise servant, 
 but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

Holy Bible - Proverbs 14 : 1 - 35

The wise woman builds her house,
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
    but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the u

Holy Bible - Proverbs 14 : 1 - 35

Holy Bible - Proverbs 13 : 1 - 25 
 
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, 
 but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. 
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, 
 but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. 
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, 
 but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. 
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, 
 but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. 
5 The righteous hate what is false, 
 but the wicked make themselves a stench 
 and bring shame on themselves. 
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, 
 but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; 
 another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life, 
 but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. 
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, 
 but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. 
10 Where there is strife, there is pride, 
 but wisdom is found in those who take advice. 
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, 
 but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. 
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 
 but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. 
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, 
 but whoever respects a command is rewarded. 
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, 
 turning a person from the snares of death. 
15 Good judgment wins favor, 
 but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a] 
16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge, 
 but fools expose their folly. 
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, 
 but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, 
 but whoever heeds correction is honored. 
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, 
 but fools detest turning from evil. 
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, 
 for a companion of fools suffers harm. 
21 Trouble pursues the sinner, 
 but the righteous are rewarded with good things. 
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, 
 but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor, 
 but injustice sweeps it away. 
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children, 
 but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. 
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, 
 but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Holy Bible - Proverbs 13 : 1 - 25

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is fou

Holy Bible - Proverbs 13 : 1 - 25

Holy Bible - Job 37 : 1 - 24 
 
37 “At this my heart pounds 
 and leaps from its place. 
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, 
 to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven 
 and sends it to the ends of the earth. 
4 After that comes the sound of his roar; 
 he thunders with his majestic voice. 
When his voice resounds, 
 he holds nothing back. 
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; 
 he does great things beyond our understanding. 
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ 
 and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ 
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work, 
 he stops all people from their labor.[a] 
8 The animals take cover; 
 they remain in their dens. 
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, 
 the cold from the driving winds. 
10 The breath of God produces ice, 
 and the broad waters become frozen. 
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; 
 he scatters his lightning through them. 
12 At his direction they swirl around 
 over the face of the whole earth 
 to do whatever he commands them. 
13 He brings the clouds to punish people, 
 or to water his earth and show his love. 
14 “Listen to this, Job; 
 stop and consider God’s wonders. 
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds 
 and makes his lightning flash? 
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, 
 those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? 
17 You who swelter in your clothes 
 when the land lies hushed under the south wind, 
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, 
 hard as a mirror of cast bronze? 
19 “Tell us what we should say to him; 
 we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. 
20 Should he be told that I want to speak? 
 Would anyone ask to be swallowed up? 
21 Now no one can look at the sun, 
 bright as it is in the skies 
 after the wind has swept them clean. 
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; 
 God comes in awesome majesty. 
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; 
 in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. 
24 Therefore, people revere him, 
 for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?[b]”

Holy Bible - Job 37 : 1 - 24

37 “At this my heart pounds
    and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
    to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
    and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
    he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
    he holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work,
    he stops all people from their labor.[a]
8 The animals take cover;
    they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
    the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice,
    and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
    he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his dir

Holy Bible - Job 37 : 1 - 24

Holy Bible - Job 39 : 1 - 30 
 
“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? 
 Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? 
2 Do you count the months till they bear? 
 Do you know the time they give birth? 
3 They crouch down and bring forth their young; 
 their labor pains are ended. 
4 Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; 
 they leave and do not return. 
5 “Who let the wild donkey go free? 
 Who untied its ropes? 
6 I gave it the wasteland as its home, 
 the salt flats as its habitat. 
7 It laughs at the commotion in the town; 
 it does not hear a driver’s shout. 
8 It ranges the hills for its pasture 
 and searches for any green thing. 
9 “Will the wild ox consent to serve you? 
 Will it stay by your manger at night? 
10 Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? 
 Will it till the valleys behind you? 
11 Will you rely on it for its great strength? 
 Will you leave your heavy work to it? 
12 Can you trust it to haul in your grain 
 and bring it to your threshing floor? 
13 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, 
 though they cannot compare 
 with the wings and feathers of the stork. 
14 She lays her eggs on the ground 
 and lets them warm in the sand, 
15 unmindful that a foot may crush them, 
 that some wild animal may trample them. 
16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; 
 she cares not that her labor was in vain, 
17 for God did not endow her with wisdom 
 or give her a share of good sense. 
18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, 
 she laughs at horse and rider. 
19 “Do you give the horse its strength 
 or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? 
20 Do you make it leap like a locust, 
 striking terror with its proud snorting? 
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, 
 and charges into the fray. 
22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; 
 it does not shy away from the sword. 
23 The quiver rattles against its side, 
 along with the flashing spear and lance. 
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; 
 it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. 
25 At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’ 
 It catches the scent of battle from afar, 
 the shout of commanders and the battle cry. 
26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom 
 and spread its wings toward the south? 
27 Does the eagle soar at your command 
 and build its nest on high? 
28 It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; 
 a rocky crag is its stronghold. 
29 From there it looks for food; 
 its eyes detect it from afar. 
30 Its young ones feast on blood, 
 and where the slain are, there it is.”

Holy Bible - Job 39 : 1 - 30

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?
    Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?
2 Do you count the months till they bear?
    Do you know the time they give birth?
3 They crouch down and bring forth their young;
    their labor pains are ended.
4 Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds;
    they leave and do not return.
5 “Who let the wild donkey go free?
    Who untied its ropes?
6 I gave it the wasteland as its home,
    the salt flats as its habitat.
7 It laughs at the commotion in the town;
    it does not hear a driver’s shout.
8 It ranges the hills for its pasture
    and searches for any green thing.
9 “Will the wild ox consent to serve you?
    Will it stay by your manger at night?
10 Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness?
    Will it till the valleys behind you?
11 Will you rely on it for its great strength?
    Will you leave your heavy work to it?
12 Can you trust it to haul in your grain
    and bring it to your th

Holy Bible - Job 39 : 1 - 30

Holy Bible - Job 41 : 1 - 34 
 
[a]“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook 
 or tie down its tongue with a rope? 
2 Can you put a cord through its nose 
 or pierce its jaw with a hook? 
3 Will it keep begging you for mercy? 
 Will it speak to you with gentle words? 
4 Will it make an agreement with you 
 for you to take it as your slave for life? 
5 Can you make a pet of it like a bird 
 or put it on a leash for the young women in your house? 
6 Will traders barter for it? 
 Will they divide it up among the merchants? 
7 Can you fill its hide with harpoons 
 or its head with fishing spears? 
8 If you lay a hand on it, 
 you will remember the struggle and never do it again! 
9 Any hope of subduing it is false; 
 the mere sight of it is overpowering. 
10 No one is fierce enough to rouse it. 
 Who then is able to stand against me? 
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay? 
 Everything under heaven belongs to me. 
12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, 
 its strength and its graceful form. 
13 Who can strip off its outer coat? 
 Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[b]? 
14 Who dares open the doors of its mouth, 
 ringed about with fearsome teeth? 
15 Its back has[c] rows of shields 
 tightly sealed together; 
16 each is so close to the next 
 that no air can pass between. 
17 They are joined fast to one another; 
 they cling together and cannot be parted. 
18 Its snorting throws out flashes of light; 
 its eyes are like the rays of dawn. 
19 Flames stream from its mouth; 
 sparks of fire shoot out. 
20 Smoke pours from its nostrils 
 as from a boiling pot over burning reeds. 
21 Its breath sets coals ablaze, 
 and flames dart from its mouth. 
22 Strength resides in its neck; 
 dismay goes before it. 
23 The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; 
 they are firm and immovable. 
24 Its chest is hard as rock, 
 hard as a lower millstone. 
25 When it rises up, the mighty are terrified; 
 they retreat before its thrashing. 
26 The sword that reaches it has no effect, 
 nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin. 
27 Iron it treats like straw 
 and bronze like rotten wood. 
28 Arrows do not make it flee; 
 slingstones are like chaff to it. 
29 A club seems to it but a piece of straw; 
 it laughs at the rattling of the lance. 
30 Its undersides are jagged potsherds, 
 leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. 
31 It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron 
 and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. 
32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it; 
 one would think the deep had white hair. 
33 Nothing on earth is its equal— 
 a creature without fear. 
34 It looks down on all that are haughty; 
 it is king over all that are proud.”

Holy Bible - Job 41 : 1 - 34

[a]“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook
    or tie down its tongue with a rope?
2 Can you put a cord through its nose
    or pierce its jaw with a hook?
3 Will it keep begging you for mercy?
    Will it speak to you with gentle words?
4 Will it make an agreement with you
    for you to take it as your slave for life?
5 Can you make a pet of it like a bird
    or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?
6 Will traders barter for it?
    Will they divide it up among the merchants?
7 Can you fill its hide with harpoons
    or its head with fishing spears?
8 If you lay a hand on it,
    you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
9 Any hope of subduing it is false;
    the mere sight of it is overpowering.
10 No one is fierce enough to rouse it.
    Who then is able to stand against me?
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
    Everything under heaven belongs to me.
12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs,
    its

Holy Bible - Job 41 : 1 - 34

Holy Bible - Job 26 : 1 - 14 
 
Job 
26 Then Job replied: 
 
2 “How you have helped the powerless! 
 How you have saved the arm that is feeble! 
3 What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! 
 And what great insight you have displayed! 
4 Who has helped you utter these words? 
 And whose spirit spoke from your mouth? 
5 “The dead are in deep anguish, 
 those beneath the waters and all that live in them. 
6 The realm of the dead is naked before God; 
 Destruction[a] lies uncovered. 
7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; 
 he suspends the earth over nothing. 
8 He wraps up the waters in his clouds, 
 yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. 
9 He covers the face of the full moon, 
 spreading his clouds over it. 
10 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters 
 for a boundary between light and darkness. 
11 The pillars of the heavens quake, 
 aghast at his rebuke. 
12 By his power he churned up the sea; 
 by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. 
13 By his breath the skies became fair; 
 his hand pierced the gliding serpent. 
14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; 
 how faint the whisper we hear of him! 
 Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Holy Bible - Job 26 : 1 - 14

Job
26 Then Job replied:

2 “How you have helped the powerless!
    How you have saved the arm that is feeble!
3 What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!
    And what great insight you have displayed!
4 Who has helped you utter these words?
    And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?
5 “The dead are in deep anguish,
    those beneath the waters and all that live in them.
6 The realm of the dead is naked before God;
    Destruction[a] lies uncovered.
7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
    he suspends the earth over nothing.
8 He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
    yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
9 He covers the face of the full moon,
    spreading his clouds over it.
10 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
    for a boundary between light and darkness.
11 The pillars of the heavens quake,
    aghast at his rebuke.
12 By his power he churned up the sea;
    by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
1

Holy Bible - Job 26 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Job 10 : 1 - 22 
 
“I loathe my very life; 
 therefore I will give free rein to my complaint 
 and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. 
2 I say to God: Do not declare me guilty, 
 but tell me what charges you have against me. 
3 Does it please you to oppress me, 
 to spurn the work of your hands, 
 while you smile on the plans of the wicked? 
4 Do you have eyes of flesh? 
 Do you see as a mortal sees? 
5 Are your days like those of a mortal 
 or your years like those of a strong man, 
6 that you must search out my faults 
 and probe after my sin— 
7 though you know that I am not guilty 
 and that no one can rescue me from your hand? 
8 “Your hands shaped me and made me. 
 Will you now turn and destroy me? 
9 Remember that you molded me like clay. 
 Will you now turn me to dust again? 
10 Did you not pour me out like milk 
 and curdle me like cheese, 
11 clothe me with skin and flesh 
 and knit me together with bones and sinews? 
12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, 
 and in your providence watched over my spirit. 
13 “But this is what you concealed in your heart, 
 and I know that this was in your mind: 
14 If I sinned, you would be watching me 
 and would not let my offense go unpunished. 
15 If I am guilty—woe to me! 
 Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, 
for I am full of shame 
 and drowned in[a] my affliction. 
16 If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion 
 and again display your awesome power against me. 
17 You bring new witnesses against me 
 and increase your anger toward me; 
 your forces come against me wave upon wave. 
18 “Why then did you bring me out of the womb? 
 I wish I had died before any eye saw me. 
19 If only I had never come into being, 
 or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave! 
20 Are not my few days almost over? 
 Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy 
21 before I go to the place of no return, 
 to the land of gloom and utter darkness, 
22 to the land of deepest night, 
 of utter darkness and disorder, 
 where even the light is like darkness.”

Holy Bible - Job 10 : 1 - 22

“I loathe my very life;
    therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
    and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges you have against me.
3 Does it please you to oppress me,
    to spurn the work of your hands,
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?
4 Do you have eyes of flesh?
    Do you see as a mortal sees?
5 Are your days like those of a mortal
    or your years like those of a strong man,
6 that you must search out my faults
    and probe after my sin—
7 though you know that I am not guilty
    and that no one can rescue me from your hand?
8 “Your hands shaped me and made me.
    Will you now turn and destroy me?
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.
    Will you now turn me to dust again?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese,
11 clothe me with skin and flesh
    and knit me together with bones and sinews?
12 You gave me life and sho

Holy Bible - Job 10 : 1 - 22

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 11 : 1 - 36 
 
The New Residents of Jerusalem 
11 Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. 2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. 
 
3 These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on their own property in the various towns, 4 while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem): 
 
From the descendants of Judah: 
 
Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Kol-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah. 6 The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of standing. 
 
7 From the descendants of Benjamin: 
 
Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah, 8 and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai—928 men. 9 Joel son of Zikri was their chief officer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the New Quarter of the city. 
 
10 From the priests: 
 
Jedaiah; the son of Joiarib; Jakin; 11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God, 12 and their associates, who carried on work for the temple—822 men; Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, 13 and his associates, who were heads of families—242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 and his[a] associates, who were men of standing—128. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. 
 
15 From the Levites: 
 
Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God; 17 Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18 The Levites in the holy city totaled 284. 
 
19 The gatekeepers: 
 
Akkub, Talmon and their associates, who kept watch at the gates—172 men. 
 
20 The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on their ancestral property. 
 
21 The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them. 
 
22 The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika. Uzzi was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God. 23 The musicians were under the king’s orders, which regulated their daily activity. 
 
24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in all affairs relating to the people. 
 
25 As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its surrounding settlements, in Dibon and its settlements, in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26 in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet, 27 in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its settlements, 28 in Ziklag, in Mekonah and its settlements, 29 in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its settlements. So they were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. 
 
31 The descendants of the Benjamites from Geba lived in Mikmash, Aija, Bethel and its settlements, 32 in Anathoth, Nob and Ananiah, 33 in Hazor, Ramah and Gittaim, 34 in Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat, 35 in Lod and Ono, and in Ge Harashim. 
 
36 Some of the divisions of the Levites of Judah settled in Benjamin.

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 11 : 1 - 36

The New Residents of Jerusalem
11 Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. 2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

3 These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on their own property in the various towns, 4 while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem):

From the descendants of Judah:

Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Kol-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah. 6 The descendants of 

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 11 : 1 - 36

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 4 : 1 - 23 
 
Opposition to the Rebuilding 
4 [a]When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 
 
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” 
 
4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of[b] the builders. 
 
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 
 
7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 
 
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 
 
11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 
 
12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 
 
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 
 
15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. 
 
16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. 
 
19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” 
 
21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.[c]

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 4 : 1 - 23

Opposition to the Rebuilding
4 [a]When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of[b] the builders.

6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

7 But whe

Holy Bible - Nehemiah 4 : 1 - 23

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12 : 1 - 14 
 
Remember your Creator 
 in the days of your youth, 
before the days of trouble come 
 and the years approach when you will say, 
 “I find no pleasure in them”— 
2 before the sun and the light 
 and the moon and the stars grow dark, 
 and the clouds return after the rain; 
3 when the keepers of the house tremble, 
 and the strong men stoop, 
when the grinders cease because they are few, 
 and those looking through the windows grow dim; 
4 when the doors to the street are closed 
 and the sound of grinding fades; 
when people rise up at the sound of birds, 
 but all their songs grow faint; 
5 when people are afraid of heights 
 and of dangers in the streets; 
when the almond tree blossoms 
 and the grasshopper drags itself along 
 and desire no longer is stirred. 
Then people go to their eternal home 
 and mourners go about the streets. 
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, 
 and the golden bowl is broken; 
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, 
 and the wheel broken at the well, 
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, 
 and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 
8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[a] 
 “Everything is meaningless!” 
The Conclusion of the Matter 
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 
 
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.[b] 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. 
 
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 
 
13 Now all has been heard; 
 here is the conclusion of the matter: 
Fear God and keep his commandments, 
 for this is the duty of all mankind. 
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, 
 including every hidden thing, 
 whether it is good or evil.

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12 : 1 - 14

Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the p

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 7 : 1 - 29 
 
Wisdom 
7 A good name is better than fine perfume, 
 and the day of death better than the day of birth. 
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning 
 than to go to a house of feasting, 
for death is the destiny of everyone; 
 the living should take this to heart. 
3 Frustration is better than laughter, 
 because a sad face is good for the heart. 
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, 
 but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 
5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person 
 than to listen to the song of fools. 
6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, 
 so is the laughter of fools. 
 This too is meaningless. 
7 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, 
 and a bribe corrupts the heart. 
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, 
 and patience is better than pride. 
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, 
 for anger resides in the lap of fools. 
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” 
 For it is not wise to ask such questions. 
11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing 
 and benefits those who see the sun. 
12 Wisdom is a shelter 
 as money is a shelter, 
but the advantage of knowledge is this: 
 Wisdom preserves those who have it. 
13 Consider what God has done: 
 
Who can straighten 
 what he has made crooked? 
14 When times are good, be happy; 
 but when times are bad, consider this: 
God has made the one 
 as well as the other. 
Therefore, no one can discover 
 anything about their future. 
15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: 
 
the righteous perishing in their righteousness, 
 and the wicked living long in their wickedness. 
16 Do not be overrighteous, 
 neither be overwise— 
 why destroy yourself? 
17 Do not be overwicked, 
 and do not be a fool— 
 why die before your time? 
18 It is good to grasp the one 
 and not let go of the other. 
 Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.[a] 
19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful 
 than ten rulers in a city. 
20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, 
 no one who does what is right and never sins. 
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say, 
 or you may hear your servant cursing you— 
22 for you know in your heart 
 that many times you yourself have cursed others. 
23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said, 
 
“I am determined to be wise”— 
 but this was beyond me. 
24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound— 
 who can discover it? 
25 So I turned my mind to understand, 
 to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things 
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness 
 and the madness of folly. 
26 I find more bitter than death 
 the woman who is a snare, 
whose heart is a trap 
 and whose hands are chains. 
The man who pleases God will escape her, 
 but the sinner she will ensnare. 
27 “Look,” says the Teacher,[b] “this is what I have discovered: 
 
“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things— 
28 while I was still searching 
 but not finding— 
I found one upright man among a thousand, 
 but not one upright woman among them all. 
29 This only have I found: 
 God created mankind upright, 
 but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 7 : 1 - 29

Wisdom
7 A good name is better than fine perfume,
    and the day of death better than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
    the living should take this to heart.
3 Frustration is better than laughter,
    because a sad face is good for the heart.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
    than to listen to the song of fools.
6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
    so is the laughter of fools.
    This too is meaningless.
7 Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
    and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience is better than pride.
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days be

Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 7 : 1 - 29

Holy Bible - Hosea 14 : 1 - 9 
 
Repentance to Bring Blessing 
14 [a]Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. 
 Your sins have been your downfall! 
2 Take words with you 
 and return to the Lord. 
Say to him: 
 “Forgive all our sins 
and receive us graciously, 
 that we may offer the fruit of our lips.[b] 
3 Assyria cannot save us; 
 we will not mount warhorses. 
We will never again say ‘Our gods’ 
 to what our own hands have made, 
 for in you the fatherless find compassion.” 
4 “I will heal their waywardness 
 and love them freely, 
 for my anger has turned away from them. 
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; 
 he will blossom like a lily. 
Like a cedar of Lebanon 
 he will send down his roots; 
6 his young shoots will grow. 
His splendor will be like an olive tree, 
 his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 
7 People will dwell again in his shade; 
 they will flourish like the grain, 
they will blossom like the vine— 
 Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 
8 Ephraim, what more have I[c] to do with idols? 
 I will answer him and care for him. 
I am like a flourishing juniper; 
 your fruitfulness comes from me.” 
9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. 
 Who is discerning? Let them understand. 
The ways of the Lord are right; 
 the righteous walk in them, 
 but the rebellious stumble in them.

Holy Bible - Hosea 14 : 1 - 9

Repentance to Bring Blessing
14 [a]Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.
    Your sins have been your downfall!
2 Take words with you
    and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
    “Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
    that we may offer the fruit of our lips.[b]
3 Assyria cannot save us;
    we will not mount warhorses.
We will never again say ‘Our gods’
    to what our own hands have made,
    for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
4 “I will heal their waywardness
    and love them freely,
    for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
    he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
    he will send down his roots;
6     his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
    his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade;
    they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
    Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ep

Holy Bible - Hosea 14 : 1 - 9

Holy Bible - Hosea 12 : 1 - 14 
 
[a]1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; 
 he pursues the east wind all day 
 and multiplies lies and violence. 
He makes a treaty with Assyria 
 and sends olive oil to Egypt. 
2 The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; 
 he will punish Jacob[b] according to his ways 
 and repay him according to his deeds. 
3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; 
 as a man he struggled with God. 
4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him; 
 he wept and begged for his favor. 
He found him at Bethel 
 and talked with him there— 
5 the Lord God Almighty, 
 the Lord is his name! 
6 But you must return to your God; 
 maintain love and justice, 
 and wait for your God always. 
7 The merchant uses dishonest scales 
 and loves to defraud. 
8 Ephraim boasts, 
 “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. 
With all my wealth they will not find in me 
 any iniquity or sin.” 
9 “I have been the Lord your God 
 ever since you came out of Egypt; 
I will make you live in tents again, 
 as in the days of your appointed festivals. 
10 I spoke to the prophets, 
 gave them many visions 
 and told parables through them.” 
11 Is Gilead wicked? 
 Its people are worthless! 
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? 
 Their altars will be like piles of stones 
 on a plowed field. 
12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram[c]; 
 Israel served to get a wife, 
 and to pay for her he tended sheep. 
13 The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, 
 by a prophet he cared for him. 
14 But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger; 
 his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed 
 and will repay him for his contempt.

Holy Bible - Hosea 12 : 1 - 14

[a]1 Ephraim feeds on the wind;
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.
He makes a treaty with Assyria
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.
2 The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah;
    he will punish Jacob[b] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;
    as a man he struggled with God.
4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him;
    he wept and begged for his favor.
He found him at Bethel
    and talked with him there—
5 the Lord God Almighty,
    the Lord is his name!
6 But you must return to your God;
    maintain love and justice,
    and wait for your God always.
7 The merchant uses dishonest scales
    and loves to defraud.
8 Ephraim boasts,
    “I am very rich; I have become wealthy.
With all my wealth they will not find in me
    any iniquity or sin.”
9 “I have been the Lord your God
    ever since you came out of Egypt;
I will make you li

Holy Bible - Hosea 12 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Hosea 11 : 1 - 12 
 
God’s Love for Israel 
11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, 
 and out of Egypt I called my son. 
2 But the more they were called, 
 the more they went away from me.[a] 
They sacrificed to the Baals 
 and they burned incense to images. 
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, 
 taking them by the arms; 
but they did not realize 
 it was I who healed them. 
4 I led them with cords of human kindness, 
 with ties of love. 
To them I was like one who lifts 
 a little child to the cheek, 
 and I bent down to feed them. 
5 “Will they not return to Egypt 
 and will not Assyria rule over them 
 because they refuse to repent? 
6 A sword will flash in their cities; 
 it will devour their false prophets 
 and put an end to their plans. 
7 My people are determined to turn from me. 
 Even though they call me God Most High, 
 I will by no means exalt them. 
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? 
 How can I hand you over, Israel? 
How can I treat you like Admah? 
 How can I make you like Zeboyim? 
My heart is changed within me; 
 all my compassion is aroused. 
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, 
 nor will I devastate Ephraim again. 
For I am God, and not a man— 
 the Holy One among you. 
 I will not come against their cities. 
10 They will follow the Lord; 
 he will roar like a lion. 
When he roars, 
 his children will come trembling from the west. 
11 They will come from Egypt, 
 trembling like sparrows, 
 from Assyria, fluttering like doves. 
I will settle them in their homes,” 
 declares the Lord. 
Israel’s Sin 
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, 
 Israel with deceit. 
And Judah is unruly against God, 
 even against the faithful Holy One.[b]

Holy Bible - Hosea 11 : 1 - 12

God’s Love for Israel
11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.[a]
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.
5 “Will they not return to Egypt
    and will not Assyria rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?
6 A sword will flash in their cities;
    it will devour their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me.
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you 

Holy Bible - Hosea 11 : 1 - 12

Holy Bible - Esther 6 : 1 - 14 
 
Mordecai Honored 
6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 
 
3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. 
 
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 
 
4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 
 
5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” 
 
“Bring him in,” the king ordered. 
 
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” 
 
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” 
 
10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 
 
11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 
 
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. 
 
His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Holy Bible - Esther 6 : 1 - 14

Mordecai Honored
6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “F

Holy Bible - Esther 6 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Esther 5 : 1 - 14 
 
Esther’s Request to the King 
5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 
 
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 
 
4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 
 
5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” 
 
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 
 
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” 
 
Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai 
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. 
 
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 
 
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[a] and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Holy Bible - Esther 5 : 1 - 14

Esther’s Request to the King
5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half th

Holy Bible - Esther 5 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Zechariah 6 : 1 - 15 
 
Four Chariots 
6 I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black, 3 the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. 4 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?” 
 
5 The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits[a] of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. 6 The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west,[b] and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.” 
 
7 When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth. 
 
8 Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit[c] rest in the land of the north.” 
 
A Crown for Joshua 
9 The word of the Lord came to me: 10 “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak.[d] 12 Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he[e] will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ 14 The crown will be given to Heldai,[f] Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen[g] son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. 15 Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.”

Holy Bible - Zechariah 6 : 1 - 15

Four Chariots
6 I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black, 3 the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. 4 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?”

5 The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits[a] of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. 6 The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west,[b] and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”

7 When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth.

8 Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit[c] rest in the land of the north.”

A Crown for Joshua
9 The word of the Lord ca

Holy Bible - Zechariah 6 : 1 - 15

Holy Bible - Zechariah 7 : 1 - 14 
 
Justice and Mercy, Not Fasting 
7 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. 2 The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek, together with their men, to entreat the Lord 3 by asking the priests of the house of the Lord Almighty and the prophets, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” 
 
4 Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: 5 “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? 6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? 7 Are these not the words the Lord proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?’” 
 
8 And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: 9 “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ 
 
11 “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry. 
 
13 “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty. 14 ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.’”

Holy Bible - Zechariah 7 : 1 - 14

Justice and Mercy, Not Fasting
7 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. 2 The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek, together with their men, to entreat the Lord 3 by asking the priests of the house of the Lord Almighty and the prophets, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”

4 Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: 5 “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? 6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? 7 Are these not the words the Lord proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?’”

8 And the word of the Lord

Holy Bible - Zechariah 7 : 1 - 14

Holy Bible - Song of Songs 1 : 1 - 17 
 
Solomon’s Song of Songs. 
 
She[a] 
 
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— 
 for your love is more delightful than wine. 
3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; 
 your name is like perfume poured out. 
 No wonder the young women love you! 
4 Take me away with you—let us hurry! 
 Let the king bring me into his chambers. 
Friends 
 
We rejoice and delight in you[b]; 
 we will praise your love more than wine. 
She 
 
How right they are to adore you! 
5 Dark am I, yet lovely, 
 daughters of Jerusalem, 
dark like the tents of Kedar, 
 like the tent curtains of Solomon.[c] 
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark, 
 because I am darkened by the sun. 
My mother’s sons were angry with me 
 and made me take care of the vineyards; 
 my own vineyard I had to neglect. 
7 Tell me, you whom I love, 
 where you graze your flock 
 and where you rest your sheep at midday. 
Why should I be like a veiled woman 
 beside the flocks of your friends? 
Friends 
 
8 If you do not know, most beautiful of women, 
 follow the tracks of the sheep 
and graze your young goats 
 by the tents of the shepherds. 
He 
 
9 I liken you, my darling, to a mare 
 among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. 
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, 
 your neck with strings of jewels. 
11 We will make you earrings of gold, 
 studded with silver. 
She 
 
12 While the king was at his table, 
 my perfume spread its fragrance. 
13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh 
 resting between my breasts. 
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms 
 from the vineyards of En Gedi. 
He 
 
15 How beautiful you are, my darling! 
 Oh, how beautiful! 
 Your eyes are doves. 
She 
 
16 How handsome you are, my beloved! 
 Oh, how charming! 
 And our bed is verdant. 
He 
 
17 The beams of our house are cedars; 
 our rafters are firs.

Holy Bible - Song of Songs 1 : 1 - 17

Solomon’s Song of Songs.

She[a]

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
    for your love is more delightful than wine.
3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
    your name is like perfume poured out.
    No wonder the young women love you!
4 Take me away with you—let us hurry!
    Let the king bring me into his chambers.
Friends

We rejoice and delight in you[b];
    we will praise your love more than wine.
She

How right they are to adore you!
5 Dark am I, yet lovely,
    daughters of Jerusalem,
dark like the tents of Kedar,
    like the tent curtains of Solomon.[c]
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark,
    because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother’s sons were angry with me
    and made me take care of the vineyards;
    my own vineyard I had to neglect.
7 Tell me, you whom I love,
    where you graze your flock
    and where you rest your sheep at midday.
Why should I be like a veiled woman
    beside the flocks of your fri

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