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Yahweh God’s Word 2014
Old Testament
Genesis 4
Exodus 40
Leviticus 69
Numbers 89
Deuteronomy 116
Joshua 140
Judges 156
Ruth 173
1 Samuel 176
2 Samuel 197
1 Rulers (Kings) 215
2 Rulers (Kings) 235
1 Chronicles 254
2 Chronicles 272
Ezra 295
Nehemiah 302
Esther 311
Job 316
Songs (Psalms) 334
Sayings (Proverbs) 381
Ecclesiastes 396
Song of Solomon 402
Isaiah 406
Jeremiah 440
Lamentations 478
Ezekiel 482
Daniel 516
Hosea 528
Joel 534
Amos 537
Obadiah 544
Jonah 547
Micah 550
Nahum 555
Habakkuk 558
Zephaniah 562
Haggai 565
Zechariah 568
Malachi 575
New Testament
Matthew 579
Mark 607
Luke 624
John 652
Acts 673
Romans 698
1 Corinthians 709
2 Corinthians 720
Galatians 727
Ephesians 731
Phillipians 735
Colossians 738
1 Thessalonians 741
2 Thessalonians 744
1 Timothy 746
2Timothy 749
Titus 751
Philemon 753
Hebrews 754
James 762
1 Peter 765
2 Peter 768
1 John 770
2 John 773
3 John 774
Jude
Revelation
Introduction
This Go Fish Ministries publication is a paraphrase of the Old and New Testament. Its main purpose is to present a simplified version to those who have difficulty understanding more traditional ones, especially children and teens. My inspiration was to give my own children a more understandable, easier to read text, and one that would encourage them and other young people to read the Word of God. Many Biblical versions were considered in the interpretation of this version, in which the starting point was the original King James Version. Other versions considered were the New King James Version, the Good News Bible, the Living Bible, the American Standard Version, the Revised Standard Version, and others, along with a study of many of the original Hebrew words from the Strong’s Concordance and Dictionary. The main departure from these common versions is the use of the proper Name of God, which is now commonly understood to be Yahweh. I now quote from the preface to The New Oxford Annotated Bible Revised Standard Version which states concerning the Name of God,
“A major departure…is the rendering of the Divine Name…the term Jehovah; the King James Version had employed this in four places, but everywhere else, except in three cases where it was employed as part of a proper Name, used the English word LORD (or in certain cases GOD). . . While it is almost if not quite certain that the Name was originally pronounced Yahweh, this pronunciation was not indicated when the Masoretes added vowel signs to the consonantal Hebrew. To the four consonants YHWH of the Name, which had come to be regarded as too sacred to be pronounced, they attached vowel signs indicating that in its place should be read the Hebrew word Adonai meaning Lord (or Elohim meaning God)…The form Jehovah is of late medieval origin; it is a combination of the consonants of the Divine Name and the vowels attached to it by the Masoretes but belonging to an entirely different word. The sound of the Y is represented by J and the sound of W by V, as in Latin . . . the word Jehovah does not accurately represent any form of the Name ever used in Hebrew . . . and is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.”
But Moses argued with God, asking, “Who am I that I should go to the ruler of Egypt, and that I should bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Then God answered, “I’ll be with you, without a doubt. And this will be the sign that I’ve sent you: When you’ve brought the people out of Egypt, you’ll worship Me on this very mountain.” But Moses argued, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you, ‘they’ll ask me, ‘What’s God’s name?’ Then what should I tell them?” So God told Moses, “I Am Who I Am (Yahweh). Say this to the people of Israel: I Am (Yahweh) has sent me to you.” Then God said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh (I Am), the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and My Name is to be remembered by all generations. Exodus 3:11-15
In light of these words and many hours of heartfelt prayer and study of the Scriptures, I’ve endeavored to bring back the use of the forgotten Name of God in this publication, and the use of the English word Lord has been replaced with Savior, in places where the use of YAHWEH was not employed. I’ve been tormented over whether or not this interpretation was the right thing to do, and I now believe with all my heart that I’ve done the perfect will of God. Yet, if I’ve rather entered into the permissive will of God, I now plead for God’s mercy on my soul, as I’ve done it in ignorance rather than malice.
Another departure from the norm is the explicit use of the masculine form to denote the persons of the Godhead, noting that many of the Hebrew words implicating the Godhead are in feminine forms, in particularly Elohiym, which can denote God or Goddess. Where verses read He, Him, or His, many instances have been changed to read You, Your, or Yours, which doesn’t denote a masculine or feminine Entity, but rather an androgynous Entity. Passages in the New Testament indicate that heavenly beings are neither male nor female, and I believe we can ascertain from these passages that God is neither masculine nor feminine or possibly has both qualities. Since human beings are made in the image of our Maker, and have both masculine and feminine hormones, and it is believed by most that God is complete in Self-existence, it is possible that God fully has both qualities. Since we have no way of knowing this for certain, I choose to use an androgynous descriptor of God in this text. In addition, since the word man, to some, no longer represents humanity in general as used to be the case, I’ve changed the words man, mankind, and the like to more neutral forms, such as humanity, people, or persons, along with many of the systematically masculine wording such as he, him, and his, to they, them, and theirs as the original Hebrew word (1931 Strong’s) can be denoted as masculine, feminine, or androgynous (he, she, it, etc.).
Other passages which are antiquated by their wording and phrasing are given a more modern connotation than the original text would allow for. In every case that a change was made, several alternate texts were considered along with the original languages as denoted in the Strong’s concordance and dictionary. Some verses were joined together, where the thought had been divided into separate verses in the KJV, when they were felt to be better understood by keeping the thought in one main sentence. Also the text has been put in paragraph form with the individual verses not being numbered, as I believe this can be a distraction when studying or reading the Word of God.
With these departures in mind, I hope that this interpretation may be viewed as a help along with other translations in the great commission of Jesus Christ, my Savior. I trust that I’ve done and will do only that which would be in God’s perfect will. God Bless and Go Fish! Jesus said, “Follow Me and I’ll make you fishers of others.” Matthew 4:19.
Genesis
(The Beginning)
The Creation – The First Day
1[1-5] When God first created the skies and the earth, the earth was useless and empty and no light shined on the waters that covered the earth. As the Spirit of God hovered over the top of the waters, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then God separated the light from the darkness, calling the light “day” and the darkness “night.” So there was evening and morning, the first day.
The Second Day
[6-8] Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, separating the waters of the earth from the waters of the skies.” So God made a space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the skies, and it happened just as God said. And God called the space “sky.” So there was evening and morning, the second day.
The Third Day
[9-13] Then God said, “Let the waters under the sky come together in one place, so that the dry ground may be seen.” And it happened just as God said. God called the dry land “earth” and the waters that had come together “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land grow grass and plants, which make their own kinds of seeds, and fruit trees, which fruits has seeds to make their own kinds of fruit trees.” And it happened just as God said. So the earth grew grass and plants, which make the same kinds of seeds, and fruit trees, which fruits has seeds to make the same kinds of fruit trees. And God saw that it was good. So there was evening and morning, the third day.
The Fourth Day
[14-19] Then God said, “Let lights be made in the sky to separate the day from the night, which are for signs and holy days, and to mark the days and years. Let them be for lights in the skies of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it happened just as God said. And God made two great lights, the sun, which is the greatest to light the day, and the smaller ones, the moon and the stars, to light the night. So God made the lights in the skies of the heavens to give light to the earth, to light the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So there was evening and morning, the fourth day.
The Fifth Day
[20-23] Then God said, “Let the seas be filled with living creatures, and let the skies of the earth be filled with birds.” So God created the great sea creatures, the fish, and every other living thing that moves, which are in the water, each after its own kind, and every bird with wings, each after its own kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Create many more of your own kind. Let the sea creatures fill the seas, and let the birds fill the earth.” So there was evening and morning, the fifth day.
The Sixth Day
[24-25] Then God said, “Let the earth make living creatures, each animal after its own kind, tame animals, small animals in the land, and wild animals, each after their own kind;” and it happened just as God said. So God made all kinds of wild animals, tame animals, and small animals to live in the land, each after its own kind; and God saw that it was good.
[26-28] Then God said, “Let us make human beings in Our likeness, as a reflection of Ourselves to rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the tame animals, all the wild animals of the earth, and the small animals in the land.” So God created human beings to be like God. God created them, male and female, both in the likeness of God. Then God blessed them and said, “Create more of your own kind and make many more people to fill the earth and take care of it. Take care of the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that live on the land.”
[29-31] Then God said, “Look! I’ve given you every plant on the face of the earth, which makes its own seed and all the trees, which make their own fruit, for your food. And I’ve given every green plant as food for all the animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals in the land, everything that breathes with life.” And it happened just as God said. Then God saw everything that was done, and it was very good! So there was evening and morning, the sixth day.
The Seventh Day
2[1-3] So the heavens and the earth and everything in them was finished. God had finished the work of creation by the seventh day, so God stopped to rest on the seventh day. And God blessed the Seventh Day and made it holy, because it was the day God stopped working on all the creation.
Adam and Eve in the Garden
[4-6] This is the story of the birth of the skies and the earth in their creation. When Yahweh God made the earth and the heavens, neither plants nor grasses were growing on the earth yet. Yahweh God had not yet sent rain on the earth, and there were no people to work the soil. At that time, a mist came up from the ground and watered all the land.
[7-9] Then Yahweh God formed the first human being from the dust of the ground. God breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Then Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and placed the man whom God had made in it. So Yahweh God made every tree that was beautiful or good for food to grow from the ground. And God placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden.
[10-14] A river went out of Eden, which watered the garden and which parts into four smaller rivers. The first one is called Pishon, which flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where gold is found. The gold of that land is very good, and aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The second one is called Gihon, which flowed around the whole land of Cush. The third one is called Tigris, which flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth one is called Euphrates.
[15-17] So Yahweh God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. But Yahweh God told the man, “You may eat of every tree in the garden, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The day you eat it, you’ll start dying, and then you’ll die.”
[18-20] Then Yahweh God said, “It’s not good for man to be alone. I’ll make him a helper, who will be his equal.” Yahweh God had formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. So God brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and whatever the man called them became the name for each one. The man gave names to all the tame animals, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals of the lands. But for the man, there wasn’t yet a helper to be his equal.
[21-25] So Yahweh God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, Yahweh God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the flesh where it was. Then Yahweh God built up the rib that was taken from the man, making it into a woman. And when God brought her to the man, the man said, “This was the right thing to do. This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She’ll be called woman, because she was taken from man.” (This is why a man leaves his father and mother and stays with his wife, and the two become as one person.) Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they weren’t ashamed of themselves.
The Fall of Humanity
3[1-5] Now the snake was the trickiest of all the animals that Yahweh God had made, and said to the woman, “Is it true that God said you can’t eat from any of the trees in the garden?” And the woman said to the snake, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden, but only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, “‘You must not eat it or even touch it; or you’ll begin to die.’” Then the snake said to the woman “You won’t die! God knows that in the day you eat it, you’ll have knowledge, and you’ll be like God, knowing good and evil.”
[6-7] The woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was beautiful to look at and she wanted it to be wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it, and gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Suddenly, they both knew that they were naked and were ashamed. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves clothes.
[8-13] Then the man and his wife heard Yahweh God walking through the garden in the breeze of the day, so they hid from the face of Yahweh God among the trees. Then Yahweh God called to the man, “Where are you?” So the man said, “I heard you walking in the garden, and I was scared because I was naked, so I hid.” Then Yahweh God asked, “Who told you that you were naked?”Have you eaten from the tree which I told you not to eat?” Then the man said, “The woman You put here with me gave me the fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then Yahweh God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And she said, “The snake confused me and I ate it.”
[14-19] Then Yahweh God said to the snake, “Because you’ve done this, you’ll be punished more than all the animals, both tame and wild. You’ll move around on your belly, and eat the dust as long as you live. And I’ll make you and the woman hate each other, and make your child and her Child to be enemies. Her Child will stomp your head, and you’ll hurt her Child’s heel.” Then God said to the woman, “I’ll make you have more children and you’ll have more pain when you give birth. In sorrow, you’ll have children, but you’ll want your husband anyway. In this way, he’ll have control over you.” And then God said to the man, “Since You listened to your wife and ate from the tree, which fruit I told you not to eat, the ground will be your punishment. You’ll eat from it in sorrow all your life. When you eat the plants of the fields, it’ll grow thorns and brambles as well. You’ll eat by the sweat of your face until you go back to the ground from which you were made. You were made from dust, and you’ll go back to dust.”
God’s Judgment
[20-24] And the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all humanity. And Yahweh God made clothes for Adam and his wife from the skin of an animal that God had to kill and put it on them. Then Yahweh God said, “Look, the human beings have become like Us, knowing both good and evil. Now if they take the fruit from the tree of life, and eat it, they’ll live forever!” So Yahweh God sent them away from the Garden of Eden, and sent Adam out to work the ground from which he had been made. Then Yahweh God put strong angels to the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword that moved to guard the way of the tree of life.
Cain and Abel
4[1-7] Now, Adam had sex with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “Yahweh God has given me a man child!” Then she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd and Cain became a farmer. At the end of the year, when it was time for the harvest Cain brought some of his crops as a gift to Yahweh and Abel also brought the fattest of the firstborn lambs from his flock. Yahweh accepted Abel and his gift but he didn’t accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry and he looked upset. So Yahweh asked Cain, “Why are you so angry? Why do you look so upset? Won’t you be accepted if you do what’s right? But if you don’t do what’s right, sin follows. Sin wants to have control over you, but you must control it.”
[8-12] Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go into the field.” When they were in the field, Cain fought with his brother, Abel, and killed him. Then Yahweh asked Cain, “Where is your brother, Abel?” So Cain said, “I don’t know! Am I my brother’s keeper?” Then God said, “What have you done? The sound of your brother’s blood shouts to Me from the ground! Now for your punishment, the ground will be taken away from you, which has swallowed your brother’s blood, which you killed. When you work the land, it won’t give you any more crops to make you strong! From now on you’ll be a wanderer on the earth, shaking in fear.”
[13-16] Then Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is too great for me! You’ve sent me from the land and I hide from Your presence; You’ve made me a wanderer, who shakes in fear. Everyone who finds me will try to kill me!” So Yahweh said, “No, I’ll punish anyone who kills you seven times as much.” Then Yahweh put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. So Cain left Yahweh’s presence and wandered around, living in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
The Descendants of Cain
[17-24] Cain had sex with his wife[1], and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain built a city, which he named Enoch, after his son. Enoch had Irad. Irad had Mehujael. Mehujael had Methushael. Methushael had Lamech. And Lamech married two women. The first was named Adah and the second was Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who bought and sold and who lived in tents. His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who played the musical instruments. Lamech’s other wife, Zillah, gave birth to a son named Tubal-cain. He became a teacher of those who made things of brass and iron. Tubal-Cain had a sister named Naamah. One day Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah listen to me! Listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I’ve killed a man who hurt me, a young man who wounded me. If someone who kills Cain is to be punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!”
The Birth of Seth
[25-26] Adam had sex with his wife again, and she gave birth to another son. She named him Seth, and said, “God has given me another son in place of Abel, whom Cain killed.” When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. It was at that time that people first began to preach in the Name of Yahweh.
The Descendants of Adam
5[1-5] This is the story of the descendants of Adam. When human beings were created, God made them to be like God. God created them, male and female, and blessed them and called them “human beings.” When Adam was 130 years old, he had a son who was like him—in his own likeness, who he named Seth. After Seth was born Adam lived another 800 years and had more sons and daughters. Adam lived 930 years and died.
[6-8] When Seth was 105 years old he had Enosh. After Enosh was born Seth lived another 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Seth lived 912 years and died.
[9-11] When Enosh was 90 years old, he had Kenan. After Kenan was born Enosh lived another 815 years and had more sons and daughters. Enosh lived 905 years and died.
[12-14] When Kenan was 70 years old he had Mahalalel. After Mahalalel was born Kenan lived another 840 years and had more sons and daughters. Kenan lived 910 years and died.
[15-17] When Mahalalel was 65 years old he had Jared. After Jared was born Mahalalel lived another 830 years and had more sons and daughters. Mahalalel lived 895 years and died.
[18-20] When Jared was 162 years old he had Enoch. After Enoch was born Jared lived another 800 years and had more sons and daughters. Jared lived 962 years and died.
[21-24] When Enoch was 65 years old, he had Methuselah. After Methuselah was born Enoch followed God for another 300 years and had more sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years following God. Then he disappeared because God took him.
[25-27] When Methuselah was 187 years old he had Lamech. After Lamech was born Methuselah lived another 782 years and had more sons and daughters. Methuselah lived 969 years and died.
[28-32] When Lamech was 182 years old he had a son, who he named Noah. He said, “May he bring us rest from our work, the hard work of farming the land that Yahweh has punished.” After Noah was born Lamech lived another 595 years and had more sons and daughters. Lamech lived 777 years and died. Noah was 500 years old and had Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Fallen Angels
6[1-3] Then there began to be many more people on the earth and daughters were born to the human beings. The (fallen) angels of God[2] saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and took any they wanted as their wives. Then Yahweh said, “My Spirit won’t always try to save human beings. Since their first wrongdoing, they only want to do what’s pleasurable to their bodies, so they’ll live no more than 120 years.”
[4-6] These giant fallen angels lived on the earth in those days, and even afterwards, whenever they had sex with women, they gave birth to children who became the giant soldiers who were well known since ancient times. Then Yahweh saw how great the evil of humanity was on the earth, seeing that everything they thought or imagined was only evil. So Yahweh God, being greatly saddened, was sorry for making human beings on earth.
[7-8] Then Yahweh said, “I’ll wipe this human race that I’ve created from off the face of the earth. Yes, and I’ll destroy every living thing, from the people to the animals, to the small animals in the land, and even to the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” But Yahweh saw that Noah was good and had grace for him.
Noah’ Ark
[9-13] This is the story of Noah and his family. Noah was a good man, the only person living on earth at that time whose genealogy (DNA) was pure (from the fallen angels), who followed God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now God saw that the earth had become evil and was filled with violence. And God looked at the earth and saw that it had become evil, everyone on earth being changed by their evil. So God said to Noah, “I see the end of all humanity, and the earth is filled with violence because of them. See, I’ll destroy them all, along with the earth!
[14-16] Build a large boat from cypress wood, and make rooms in it, and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. And this is how you’ll do it. Make the boat 450’ long, 75′ wide, and 45’ high. Leave an 18’’ opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on its side and build three decks inside, a lower, middle, and upper deck.
[17-22] Look! I am going to send waters to flood the earth to destroy every living thing that breathes under heaven. Everything on earth will die. But I’ll make a promise with you, when you go into the boat, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal, a male and a female, into the boat with you to keep them alive. Birds after their kind, tame animals after their kind, and every small animal in the land after their kind, two of each kind will come to you to be kept alive. And gather every kind of food that is eaten, which will be food for your family and for all the animals.” So Noah did everything just as God had told him to do.
The Flood
7[1-6] Then Yahweh said to Noah, “Come into the boat with all your family, for you alone are good among all the people who live on the earth. Take with you seven pairs, a male and female, of each animal that’s good for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the other animals. Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird, a male and a female, so that they’ll have young ones on the earth after the flood. In seven more days I’ll send rain on the earth for 40 days and nights, until I’ve wiped all the living things I’ve made from the face of the earth.” So Noah did everything just as Yahweh told him. And Noah was 600 years old when the flood came on the earth.
[7-12] So Noah went in the boat to escape the flood, he and his wife and his sons and their wives. All kinds of animals, those good for eating and for sacrifice, and those that were not, along with all the birds and the small animals in the land entered the boat in pairs, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth. So when Noah was 600 years old, on the 17th day of the 2nd month, all the underground stores of water burst open from the earth, and all the stores of water from the heavens were opened up. And it poured rain for 40 days and nights.
[13-16] On that very day that Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives, Yahweh God closed the door of the boat. They went in, along with every tame animal after its kind, every wild animal after its kind, every small animal in the land after its kind, and every bird with wings after its kind. Every living thing that breathes came to Noah two by two into the boat. A male and female pair of each kind went in, as God had told Noah. Then Yahweh closed the door for Noah.
[17-24] The rain lasted for 40 days, so as the waters kept rising higher, it covered the ground and lifted the boat up off the earth. As the waters kept rising higher on the earth, the boat floated on the surface of the water. The water covered the highest mountains on the earth by more than 22 feet. Every living thing on earth, all the birds, the tame animals, the wild animals, the small animals in the land, and all the people died. Every living thing that breathed and lived on dry land died. So God wiped out every living thing on the earth, all the people, the tame animals, the small animals in the land, and the birds of the sky. Everything was wiped out. Only Noah and those with him in the boat were left. The waters covered the earth for 150 days.
The Flood Dries Up
8[1-5] And God thought about Noah and all the wild animals and tame animals that were with him in the boat and sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the waters began to dry up. The underground waters closed up, and the rains from the sky stopped falling, so the waters began to dry up from the earth. After 150 days the waters were going down. On the 17th day of the 7th month, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters kept going down until the 1st day of the 10th month, when the other mountain peaks became visible.
[6-14] After 40 more days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat and let out a raven, which flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had dried up enough to find dry ground. But the dove couldn’t find a place to land because the water still covered the ground. So the dove came back to the boat, and Noah held out his hand to bring it back inside. After waiting another seven days Noah sent out the dove again. The dove came back to him in the evening with an olive leaf torn off in its beak, so Noah knew that the waters were dried up from off the earth. He waited another seven days and then sent the dove out again and it didn’t come back anymore. In Noah’s 601st year, on the 1st day of the new year, the waters were almost dried up from the earth. Noah turned back the covering of the boat and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. In the 27th day of the 2nd month, the earth was finally dry!
[15-19] Then God said to Noah, “Go out of the boat, you and your wife, and your sons and their wives. Let out all the animals that are with you, the birds, tame animals, and the small animals in the land, so they can make many more of their own kind to live throughout the earth.” So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat. All of the animals, small animals, and birds, every living thing in their own families, came out of the boat.
[20-22] Then Noah built an altar to Yahweh, where he sacrificed one of each kind of the animals and birds that had been approved for sacrifices as burnt offerings to rise up from the alter. And Yahweh smelled the sweet smell of the sacrifice and said, “I’ll never again punish the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is evil from their childhood, and I’ll never again destroy all living things. As long as the earth is here, there will be planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”
God Makes a Promise
9[1-4] Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Create more of your own kind and make many more people to fill the earth. All the animals of the earth, the birds of the sky, the small animals in the land, and the fish in the sea will fear and go away from you. I give them all to you to be in your care. I’ve given them all to you for food, as I’ve given you the green plants. But don’t eat meat that still has its blood in it.
[5-7] And I’ll only require your death if you take another person’s life. If an animal kills a human being, I’ll require its death, and if a person kills another human being, I’ll require their death. If anyone takes another human life, that person’s life must also be taken by human hands, because human beings were made in the likeness of God. Now create more of your own kind and make many more people to fill the earth.”
[8-17] Then God told Noah and his sons, “I am making My promise with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you, the birds, the tame animals, and the wild animals, from all that went out of the boat to every living thing on earth. So I am making My promise with you that I’ll never again kill all living things with a flood; and never again will a flood destroy the earth.” Then God said, “I am giving you the sign of My promise I am making with you and all living things, and for all the peoples to come. I’ve placed My rainbow in the clouds, which is the sign of My promise with you and all the earth. When I send a cloud over the earth, and a rainbow is seen in the cloud, I’ll remember My promise with you and all living creatures, and never again will a flood destroy all living things. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I’ll remember the eternal promise between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “This rainbow is the sign of the promise I’ve made between Me and every living thing on earth.”
Noah’s Sons
[18-23] The sons of Noah who came out of the boat were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.) From these three sons of Noah came all the people who are on the earth. Noah began to farm the earth again and planted a vineyard. When he drank some wine, he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Then Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and went outside and told his two brothers. So Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover up their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they wouldn’t see him naked.
[24-29] When Noah woke up from his drunkenness, he found out what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he spoke badly of Canaan, the son of Ham, saying, “The descendants of Canaan will be punished! They’ll be the lowest of workers in all their family.” Then Noah said, “May Yahweh, my God bless Shem, and Canaan will be his worker! May God make Japheth more beautiful! May Japheth live in shadow of Shem, and Canaan will be his worker.” Then Noah lived another 350 years after the great flood. He lived 950 years in all, and then died.
The Descendants of Noah
10[1] This is the story of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the great flood.
Descendants of Japheth
[2-5] The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim. Their descendants became the peoples of the nations that spread out to various lands, each identified by its own language, family, and nation.
Descendants of Ham
[6-12] The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was famous on earth. He was a great hunter, who rebelled against Yahweh, which is why people would say someone was, “Like Nimrod, the great hunter who rebelled against Yahweh.” He started to build his kingdom in the land of Babel, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh. From that land he went to Assyria, building the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen (the great city between Nineveh and Calah).
[13-20] Mizraim was ancestor to the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Casluhites, and Caphtorites, from whom the Philistines came. Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan also had Heth, ancestor of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. The Canaanite families eventually spread out and the land of Canaan extended from Sidon in the north to Gerar and Gaza in the south, and east as far as Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, near Lasha. These were the descendants of Ham, identified by their families, language, land, and nation.
Descendants of Shem
[21-25] Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber (Hebrews). The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber. Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), because during his lifetime the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan.
[26-31] Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan. Their land extended from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern mountains. These were the descendants of Shem, identified by family, language, land, and nation.
[32] These are the families that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these families after the great flood.
The Tower of Babel
11[1-4] At this time all the people of the world spoke the same language and spoke the same way. As the people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and lived there. Then they said to one another, “Come, help! Let’s make bricks and bake them hard with fire.” (They used bricks for stone, and tar for mortar.) Then they said, “Come, help! Let’s build a city for ourselves with a high tower that reaches into the sky. We’ll make ourselves famous and not be scattered all over the world.”
[5-9] But Yahweh came down to look at the city and tower that the people built. And Yahweh said, “See, the people are all together and they all speak the same language. Look what they’ve dreamed of doing. Now, nothing will be too hard for them of whatever they want to do! Come, let’s go down and give the people different languages, so they won’t be able to understand each other.” So Yahweh scattered them all over the world and they stopped building the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where Yahweh gave the people different languages and scattered them all over the world.
The Lineage from Shem to Abram
[10-11] This is the story of Shem’s family. Two years after the great flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he had Arphaxad. After the birth of Arphaxad, Shem lived another 500 years and had other sons and daughters.
[12-13] When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he had Shelah. After Shelah was born, Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had more sons and daughters.
[14-15] When Shelah was 30 years old, he had Eber. After Eber was born, Shelah lived another 403 years and had more sons and daughters.
[16-17] When Eber was 34 years old, he had Peleg. After Peleg was born, Eber lived another 430 years and had more sons and daughters.
[18-19] When Peleg was 30 years old, he had Reu. After Reu was born, Peleg lived another 209 years and had more sons and daughters.
[20-21] When Reu was 32 years old, he had Serug. After Serug was born, Reu lived another 207 years and had more sons and daughters.
[22-23] When Serug was 30 years old, he had Nahor. After Nahor was born, Serug lived another 200 years and had more sons and daughters.
[24-25] When Nahor was 29 years old, he had Terah. After Terah was born, Nahor lived another 119 years and had more sons and daughters.
The Family of Terah
[26-28] When Terah was 70 years old, he had three sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran. This is the story of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, where he was born, while his father, Terah, was still living.
[29-30] Abram and Nahor both married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.) But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children.
[31-32] One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (Haran’s child) and left from Ur of the Chaldeans, going toward the land of Canaan. They stopped at Haran and lived there. Terah lived for 205 years and died there in Haran.
The Call of Abram
12[1-3] Yahweh had said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I’ll show you. I’ll make you into a great nation. I’ll bless you and make your name well known, and you’ll be a blessing to others. I’ll bless those who speak well of you and punish those who speak badly of you. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
[4-6] So Abram left as Yahweh had said, “and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and everything they owned, and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran, and left for the land of Canaan. When they got to Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. They stopped at the oak of Moreh. At that time, the Canaanites still lived there.
[7-9] Then Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I’ll give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to Yahweh, who had appeared to him. Then Abram left from there and went towards a mountain at the east of Bethel and set up his tent with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar to Yahweh and preached in the Name of Yahweh. Then Abram continued moving south little by little toward the Negev desert.
Abram and Sarai in Egypt
[10-13] Then there was a severe lack of food in the land of Canaan, so Abram left to go to Egypt, to stay while the lack of food was so great. As they came to Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you’re a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they’ll say, ‘This is his wife’ and they’ll kill me and keep you alive. So please tell them you’re my sister, so that it’ll be well with me because of you and I’ll live for your sake.”
[14-16] So when Abram went in to Egypt, the Egyptians saw how beautiful Sarai was. When the great house officials saw her, they told Ruler of Egypt about her, and Sarai was taken into his great house. Then Ruler of Egypt gave Abram many gifts because of her, sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, camels, and male and female workers.
[17-20] But Yahweh sent terrible diseases upon the Ruler of Egypt and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So the Ruler of Egypt called Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Look, here’s your wife back. Take her and go!” So Ruler of Egypt ordered some of his men to lead them out, and he sent Abram away, along with his wife and everything he owned.
Abram and Lot Separate
13[1-4] So Abram left Egypt, going south into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot, and everything that they owned. (Abram was very rich in tame animals, silver, and gold.) From the Negev, they continued going toward Bethel, and they set up their tents where they started out between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he preached in the Name of Yahweh again.
[5-7] Lot, who was going with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. But the land couldn’t support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds, so that they were unable to keep on living together. Then, fights broke out between those who kept the animals of Abram and Lot. (And the Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)
[8-9] Finally Abram said to Lot, “Please don’t let trouble come between us or those who keep our animals. We’re family! Isn’t the whole countryside open to you? Please, separate from me. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you want the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
[10-13] So Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole land was well watered everywhere, like the garden of Yahweh or the land of Egypt. (This was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them and left from his uncle Abram. So Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and lived among the cities of the plain. But the people of this land were very evil and always sinning and doing what Yahweh said was evil.
[14-18] After Lot had gone, Yahweh said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction, north, south, east, and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants forever. And I’ll give you as many descendants as the dust of the earth, so that they can’t be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and lived near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to Yahweh.
Abram Saves Lot
14[1-3] About this time war broke out in the land. Ruler Amraphel of Babylonia, Ruler Arioch of Ellasar, Ruler Kedorlaomer of Elam, and Ruler Tidal of Goiim fought against Ruler Bera of Sodom, Ruler Birsha of Gomorrah, Ruler Shinab of Admah, Ruler Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the ruler of Bela (also called Zoar). This second group of rulers joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).
[4-9] For twelve years they had been subject to Ruler Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him. One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies got there and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the countryside. Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and took control over all the land of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar. Then the rebel rulers of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela got ready for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea. They fought against Ruler Kedorlaomer of Elam, Ruler Tidal of Goiim, Ruler Amraphel of Babylonia, and Ruler Arioch of Ellasar, these four rulers against five.
[10-12] The valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits and as the army of the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains. The invaders then took valuables from Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the prizes of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot, Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom, and carried off everything he owned.
[13-16] But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram, the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre, the Amorite. Mamre and his family, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies. When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he got the 318 trained men who had been born into his household ready to fight. Then he chased Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram got back everything that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with everything he owned and all the women and other prisoners.
Melchizedek Blesses Abram
[17-20] As Abram was going home from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the ruler of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the Ruler’s Valley). Melchizedek, the ruler of Salem and a preacher of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram saying, “Abram, you’re blessed by God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth. God Most High be blessed, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had gotten back.
[21-24] The ruler of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured, but you may keep for yourself everything else you took back.” Abram said to the ruler of Sodom, “I solemnly promise to Yahweh, God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth that I won’t take so much as a single thread or the lace of a sandal from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ I’ll accept only what my young soldiers have already eaten, and I ask that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
Yahweh’s Promise to Abram
15[1-6] A while later, Yahweh spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Don’t be scared, Abram; I’ll protect you, and your reward will be great.” But Abram said, “O God Most High, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a worker in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You’ve given me no descendants of my own, so one of my workers will be my heir.” Then Yahweh said to him, “No, your worker won’t be your heir, for you’ll have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then Yahweh took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you’ll have!” And Abram believed Yahweh, and Yahweh counted him as good because of his faith.
[7-11] Then Yahweh told him, “I Am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your own.” But Abram said, “O God Most High, how can I be sure that I’ll actually get it?” So Yahweh told him, “Bring me a three-year-old female cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old male goat, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” So Abram gave all these to him and killed them. Then he cut each animal down the middle and laid the halves side by side; but he didn’t cut the birds in half. Some vultures swooped down to eat the meat, but Abram chased them away.
[12-16] As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him. Then Yahweh said to Abram, “Know that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they’ll be under enemy control for 400 years. But I’ll punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they’ll come away with great wealth. (As for you, you’ll die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.) After four generations your descendants will come back here to this land, for the faults of the Amorites haven’t grown so much that I must destroy them yet.”
[17-21] After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. So Yahweh made a promise with Abram that day and said, “I’ve given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River, the land that is now occupied by the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.”
The Birth of Ishmael
16[1-3] Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to have any children for him, but she had an Egyptian worker named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “Yahweh has kept me from having children. Go and have sex with my worker. Maybe I can have children through her.” Abram did as Sarai said. So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian worker and gave her to Abram as a wife, which was ten years after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan.
[4-6] So Abram had sex with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with great disrespect. Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my worker into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with great disrespect. Yahweh will show who’s wrong, you or me!” So Abram said, “Look, she’s your worker, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so badly that she finally ran away.
[7-12] Then the angel of Yahweh found Hagar beside a spring of water in the countryside, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s worker, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She answered, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.” So the angel of Yahweh said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and do as she tells you. I’ll give you more descendants than you can count. You’re pregnant and will give birth to a son. You’re to name him Ishmael (‘God hears’), for Yahweh has heard your cry of trouble. This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He’ll fight against everyone, and everyone will fight against him. Yes, he’ll be openly angry with all his family.”
[13-16] Afterward, Hagar used another name to refer to Yahweh, who had spoken to her. She said, “You’re the God Who Sees Me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One Who Sees Me?” So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “Well of the Living One Who Sees Me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered. So Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.
Abram Is Named Abraham
17[1-8] When Abram was 99 years old, Yahweh appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai, ‘God, Ruler of All Creation.’ Serve Me faithfully and live a blameless life and I’ll make a promise to you, in which I promise to give you more descendants than you can count.” At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is My promise to you: I’ll make you the father of many nations! I am also changing your name. It’ll no longer be Abram, but you’ll be called Abraham, for you’ll be the father of many nations. I’ll make you have many descendants. Your descendants will become many nations, and rulers will be among them! I’ll renew My promise with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting promise: I’ll always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I’ll give the whole land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It’ll be theirs forever, and I’ll be their God.”
The Mark of the Promise
[9-14] Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the promise. You and all your descendants will be responsible for this forever. This is the promise that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must have the foreskin of his penis cut off. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the promise between Me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must have his foreskin cut off on the eighth day after his birth. You must do this, not only to members of your family, but also to the workers born in your household and the foreign workers whom you’ve purchased. All the males must have their foreskins cut off. Your bodies will carry the mark of My everlasting promise. Any male who fails to have his foreskin cut off will be cut off from the blessings of the promise for breaking it.”
Sarai Is Named Sarah
[15-22] Then God said to Abraham, “About Sarai, your wife, her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. And I’ll bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I’ll bless her richly, and she’ll become the mother of many nations. Rulers of nations will be among her descendants.” Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in unbelief.” How could I become a father at 100 years old?” he thought.” And how can Sarah have a baby when she’s 90 years old?” So Abraham said to God, “I wish that Ishmael would live up to your special blessing!” But God said, “No, Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You’ll name him Isaac, and I’ll confirm My promise with him and his descendants as an everlasting promise. As for Ishmael, I’ll bless him also, as you’ve asked. I’ll make him have many descendants. He’ll become the father of twelve princes, and I’ll make them a great nation. But My promise will be made with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.” So when God had finished speaking, he left Abraham.
[23-27] On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought, and cut their foreskins off as God had told him. Abraham was 99 years old when he was cut their foreskins off, and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen. Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, had their foreskins cut off on that same day, along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as workers. They all had their foreskins cut off with him.
A Son is Promised to Sarah
18[1-5] Yahweh appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove in Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent in the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw Three People (the three persons of God) standing nearby. When he saw Them, he ran to meet Them and welcomed Them, bowing low to the ground.” My God,” he said, “if it pleases You, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash Your feet. And since You’ve honored Your follower with this visit, let me have some food made to refresh You before You continue on Your journey.” So they said.” Yes, do as you’ve said.”
[6-10] So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his worker, who quickly cooked it. When the food was ready, Abraham took some cheese and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to Them. As They ate, Abraham waited on Them in the shade of the trees.
[9-15] “Where is Sarah, your wife?” The Visitors asked.” She’s inside the tent,” Abraham said. Then One of Them said, “I’ll come back to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Now Sarah was listening from the tent. Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was too old to have children. So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could an old woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my husband is old, too?” Then Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for Yahweh God? I’ll come back about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was scared, so she lied, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But Yahweh said, “You did laugh.”
Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
[16-19] Then they got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As They left, Abraham went with Them to send Them on Their way. “Should I hide My plan from Abraham?” Yahweh God asked the Other Two. “Abraham will certainly become a great and powerful nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I’ve chosen him so that he’ll teach his family to keep the way of Yahweh by doing what’s right and fair. Then I’ll do for Abraham all that I’ve promised.”
[20-26] So Yahweh told Abraham, “I’ve heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is done so openly. I am going down to see if their actions are as evil as I’ve heard. If not, I’ll know.” The Other Two turned and headed toward Sodom, but Yahweh stayed with Abraham. So Abraham said to God, “Will You wipe out both the good and the evil? What if You find 50 good people living there in the city? Will You still wipe it out and not spare it for their sakes? Surely You wouldn’t do that, killing the good along with the evil. Then You would be treating the good and the evil in the same way! Surely You wouldn’t do that! Shouldn’t the Judge of All the Earth do what’s right?” So Yahweh said, “If I find 50 good people in Sodom, I’ll spare the whole city for their sake.”
[27-33] Then Abraham spoke up again.” Since I’ve begun, let me speak again to my God, even though I’m only dust and ashes. What if there are only 45 good people rather than 50? Will You destroy the whole city for lack of five?” Yahweh said, “I won’t destroy it if I find 45 good people there.” Then Abraham asked again, “What if there are only 40?” Yahweh said, “I won’t destroy it for the sake of 40.” Then Abraham begged again, “Please, don’t be angry, my God. Let me speak again. What if there are only 30 good people found?” So Yahweh said, “I won’t destroy it if I find 30.” Then Abraham said, “Since I’ve dared to talk to Yahweh, let me ask again. What if there are only 20?” And Yahweh said, “Then I won’t destroy it for the sake of 20.” Finally, Abraham said, “God, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. What if only 10 are found there?” So Yahweh said, “Then I won’t destroy it for the sake of 10.” After speaking with Abraham, Yahweh went on, and Abraham went back to his tent.
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
19[1-3] That evening the Two Angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw Them, he stood up to meet Them. Then he welcomed Them and bowed face down. Lot said, “Come to my home to wash Your feet, and be my guests for the night, then get up early in the morning and be on Your way again.” But They answered, “No, we’ll spend the night out here in the city square.” But Lot insisted, so at last They went home with him. Then Lot made supper for them with fresh flat bread, and they ate.
[4-10] But before they went to sleep for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “Where are the Ones who came to spend the night with you? Bring Them out to us so we can have sex with Them!” So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. “Please,” he begged, “don’t do such an evil thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never had sex before. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do whatever you want to with them. But please, leave These Two alone, for They are my guests and I am responsible for protecting Them.” But they shouted back, “Get out of the way! You came to town as an outsider, and now you’re acting like our judge! We’ll treat you much worse than Them!” Then they pushed against Lot to break down the door. But the Two Angels reached out, and pulled Lot back into the house, and locked the door. Then they blinded all the men, young and old, who were at the door of the house, so the men stopped trying to get inside.[3]
[12-14] In the meantime, the Angels asked Lot, “Do you have any other family here in the city? Get them out of this place, your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. For we’re about to completely destroy this city. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached Yahweh, who has sent Us to destroy it.” So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Come quickly, and get out of the city! Yahweh is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.
[15-17] At dawn the next morning the Angels said to Lot, “Hurry! Take your wife and two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you’ll be wiped out in the destruction of the city!” So when Lot still waited, the Angels took his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and took them safely outside the city, for Yahweh was merciful to them. So when they were safely out of the city, One of the Angels ordered, “Run for your lives! Don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you’ll be wiped out!”
[18-22] “Oh no, my God!” Lot begged.” You’ve been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you’ve shown such great kindness. But I can’t go to the mountains. Disaster would come to me there, and I’d soon die. See, there’s a small town nearby. Please let me go there instead; see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.” So the Angel said, “I’ll let you do that. I won’t destroy that little town. But hurry! Escape to it, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” (This is why that town was known as Zoar, which means “little place.”)
[23-26] So Lot reached the town just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then Yahweh rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. God completely destroyed them, along with the other cities and towns of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.
[27-29] Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had talked with Yahweh. He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and saw the smoke rise from the cities like smoke from an oven. But God had listened to Abraham and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.
Lot and His Daughters
[30-38] Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was scared of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters. One day, the older daughter said to her sister, “There are no men left anywhere in this whole land, so we can’t get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children. Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we’ll have sex with him. That way we’ll save our family line through our father.” So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had sex with her father. He didn’t know that she came or went. The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we’ll save our family line through our father.” So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had sex with him. Like before, he didn’t know that she came or went. So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites. And when the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites.
Abraham Deceives Abimelech
20[1-7] Later Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She’s my sister.” So Ruler Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his great house. But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You’re a dead man, for that woman you’ve taken is already married!” But Abimelech had not had sex with her yet, so he said, “God, will you destroy an innocent nation? Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She’s my sister’? And she herself said, “‘Yes, he’s my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.” So in the dream God answered, “Yes, I know you’re innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I didn’t let you touch her. Now give her back to her husband, and he’ll pray for you, for he’s a preacher. Then you’ll live. But if you don’t give her back to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
[8-13] So Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his workers together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. Then Abimelech called for Abraham.” What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What have I done that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you’ve done! Why would you to do such a thing?” So Abraham said, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They’ll want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers, and I married her. When God told me to leave my father’s home and travel to this land, I told her, ‘Do me a favor; Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
[14-18] Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female workers, and he gave them to Abraham. He also gave his wife, Sarah, back to him. Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you want to live.” And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 silver coins in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to repay you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.” Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female workers, so they could have children, because Yahweh had caused all the women to not be able to have children because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.
The Birth of Isaac
21[1-7] Yahweh kept the promise and did everything that was told Abraham and Sarah. Sarah became pregnant, and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at the very time God had said it would. So Abraham named their son Isaac, and eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham cut the foreskin off him as God had told him. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. So Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would breastfeed a baby? Yet, I’ve given Abraham a son in his old age!”
Hagar and Ishmael are Sent Away
[8-13] When Isaac grew up and was weaned, Abraham made a huge feast to celebrate the occasion. But Sarah saw Ishmael, the son of Abraham and her Egyptian worker Hagar, making fun of her son, Isaac. So she turned to Abraham and insisted, “Get rid of that slave-woman and her son. I don’t want him to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac!” This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. But God told Abraham, “Don’t be upset over the boy and your worker. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be blessed. But I’ll also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he’s your son, too.”
[14-20] So Abraham got up early the next morning, got some food and a jug of water ready, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered around in the countryside of Beersheba. When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush, then went and sat down by herself about a little way off. “I don’t want to see the boy die,” she prayed, as she began to cry. But God heard the boy crying, and the Angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Don’t be scared! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Go to him and comfort him, for I’ll make a great nation from his descendants.” Then God let Hagar see a well full of water. She quickly filled her jug and gave the boy some to drink. God was with the boy as he grew up in the countryside. Ishmael became a skillful archer, and lived in the countryside of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.
Abraham’s Promise with Abimelech
[22-26] About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. “God is clearly with you, helping you in everything you do,” Abimelech said. “Promise me in God’s Name that you’ll never lie to me, my children, or any of my descendants. I’ve been loyal to you, so promise that you’ll be loyal to me and to this country where you’re living as a foreigner.” So Abraham said, “Yes, I promise!” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s workers had taken by force from Abraham’s workers. But Abimelech answered, “This is the first I’ve heard of it. I have no idea who’s responsible. You’ve never complained about this before.”
[27-34] So then Abraham gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made an agreement. But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. So Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?” So Abraham said, “Please accept these seven lambs as proof that this well is mine.” Then he named the place Beersheba (“Well of the promise”), because that was where they had made the promise. After making their promise at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they went back home to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and worshiped Yahweh, the Living God, there. And Abraham lived as a foreigner in the Philistine’s country for a long time.
God Tests the Faith of Abraham
22[1-5] Later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. He answered, “Yes, here I am.” God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I’ll show you.” So the next morning Abraham got up early. He took his donkey and two of his workers, along with his son, Isaac. Then he got some wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the workers. “The young man and I will go a little farther. We’ll worship there, and then we’ll come back.”
[6-12] So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” Abraham said, “Yes, my son?” Isaac said, “We’ve got the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God will provide a sheep for the offering, my son,” So they both walked on together. When they got to the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and put the wood on it. Then he tied up his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Abraham lifted up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice, but the Angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” So Abraham said, “Here I am!” The Angel said, “Don’t lay a hand on the young man! Don’t hurt him, for now I know that you truly fear God. You’ve not even kept your son, your only son from Me.”
[13-19] Then Abraham looked up and saw a goat caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the goat and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. So Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (“Yahweh will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of Yahweh it’ll be provided.” Then the Angel of Yahweh called again to Abraham from heaven. “Yahweh says, “‘Because you’ve obeyed me and haven’t even kept your son, your only son, from Me, I promise by My Own Name that I’ll surely bless you. I’ll make your descendants more than you can count, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. Through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed because you’ve obeyed me.’”
[19-24] Then they went back to the workers and traveled back to Beersheba, where Abraham settled down to live. Soon after this, Abraham heard that Milcah, his brother Nahor’s wife, had borne Nahor eight sons. The oldest was named Uz, the next was Buz, followed by Kemuel (the ancestor of the Arameans), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. (Bethuel had Rebekah.) In addition to these eight sons from Milcah, Nahor had four more children from his wife Reumah, whose names were Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
The Burial of Sarah
23[1-8] When Sarah was 127 years old, she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham mourned and cried for her there. Then, leaving her body, he said to the Hittite elders, “Here I am, a stranger and a foreigner among you. Please sell me a piece of land so I can give my wife a proper burial.” The Hittites said to Abraham, “Listen, you’re an honored prince among us. Choose the finest of our tombs and bury her there. No one here will refuse you.” Then Abraham bowed low before the Hittites and said, “Since you’re willing to help me in this way, be so kind as to ask Ephron, son of Zohar, to let me buy his cave at Machpelah, down at the end of his field. I’ll pay the full price in the presence of witnesses, so I’ll have a permanent burial place for my family.”
[10-16] Ephron was sitting there with the others, and he answered Abraham as the others listened, speaking publicly before all the Hittite elders of the town. ”No,” he said to Abraham, “Please listen to me. I’ll give you the field and the cave. Here in the presence of my people, I give it to you. Go and bury your dead.” Abraham again bowed low before the citizens of the land, and said to Ephron as everyone listened, “No, listen to me. I’ll buy it from you. Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there.” So Ephron answered Abraham, “Please listen to me. The land is worth 400 silver coins, but what’s that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.” So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had suggested, 400 silver coins, weighed out with the Hittite elders witnessing the sale.
[17-20] So Abraham bought the plot of land belonging to Ephron at Machpelah, near Mamre. This included the field itself, the cave that was in it, and the surrounding land. It was sold to Abraham in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate. Then Abraham buried his wife, Sarah, there in Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre (which is Hebron). So the land and cave were sold by the Hittites to Abraham for a permanent burial place.
Abraham Finds a Wife for Isaac
24[1-4] Abraham was now a very old man, and Yahweh had blessed him in every way. One day Abraham said to his oldest worker, the man in charge of his household, “Make me a promise by putting your hand under my thigh. Promise by Yahweh, the God of heaven and earth, that you won’t allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my family, and find a wife for my son Isaac there.”
[5-8] The worker asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who’s willing to go so far from home? Should I then take Isaac there to live among your family in the land you came from?” Abraham answered, “No! Never take my son there. Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants. God will send an angel ahead of you, and make sure that you find a wife for my son. If she’s unwilling to come back with you, then you’re free from this promise to me. But don’t ever take my son there.”
[9-11] So the worker made a promise by putting his hand under the thigh of his boss, Abraham. He promised to follow Abraham’s instructions. Then he loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his boss, and he traveled to distant Aram-naharaim. There he went to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor had lived. He made the camels kneel beside a well outside the town. It was evening, so the women were coming out to draw water.
[12-14] “O God, God of my boss, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unending love to my boss, Abraham. See, I’m here beside this well, and the young women of the town are coming out to get water; so I ask this. I’ll ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, “‘Yes, have a drink, and I’ll water your camels, too!’ then let her be the one You’ve chosen as Isaac’s wife. By this, I’ll know that You’ve shown unending love to my boss.”
[15-20] Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah. Rebekah was very beautiful, but she was still unmarried. She went down to the creek, filled her jug, and came up again. Running over to her, the worker said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.” So she answered “Yes, sir, have a drink.” Then she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they’ve had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw water for all his camels.
[21-27] The worker quietly watched her, wondering whether or not Yahweh had given him success in his mission. Then at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists. “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, would your father have room to put us up for the night?” She said, “I’m Bethuel’s daughter. My grandparents are Nahor and Milcah. Yes, we have plenty of straw and feed for the camels, and room for guests.” So the man bowed low and worshiped Yahweh. “Praise Yahweh, the God of my boss, Abraham,” he said. “Yahweh has shown unending love and faithfulness to my boss, who has led me straight to my boss’s family.”
[28-31] Then the young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened. Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, who ran out to meet the man at the creek. He had seen the nose-ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said. So he rushed out to the creek, where the man was still standing beside his camels. Laban said to him, “Come and stay with us, you who are blessed by Yahweh! Why are you standing here outside the town when I have a room all ready for you and a place made for the camels?”
[32-49] So the man went home with Laban, and Laban unloaded the camels, gave him straw for their bedding, fed them, and provided water for the man and the camel drivers to wash their feet. Then food was served. But Abraham’s worker said, “I don’t want to eat until I’ve told you why I’ve come.” So Laban said, “Go ahead, tell us.” So he said, “I’m Abraham’s worker, and Yahweh has greatly blessed my boss; who is a rich man. Yahweh has given him flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold, and many male and female workers and camels and donkeys. When Sarah, my boss’s wife, was very old, she gave birth to my boss’s son, and my boss has given him everything he owns. My boss made me make a promise. He said, “‘Don’t let my son marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go to my father’s house, to my family instead, and find a wife there for my son.’ But I said to my boss, ‘What if I can’t find a young woman who’s willing to go back with me?’ He answered, ‘Yahweh, in whose presence I’ve lived, will send an angel with you and will make you successful. Yes, you must find a wife for my son from among my family, from my father’s family. Then you’ll have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go to my family and they refuse to let her go with you, you’ll be free from my promise.’ So today when I came to the creek, I prayed this prayer: ‘O God, God of my boss, Abraham, please give me success on this mission. See, I am standing here beside this spring. This is what I ask. When a young woman comes to draw water, I’ll say to her, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.” If she says, “Yes, have a drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels, too,” let her be the one you’ve chosen to be the wife of my boss’s son.’ And before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the creek and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, “‘Yes, have a drink, and I’ll water your camels, too!’ So I drank, and then she watered the camels. Then I asked, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, “‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, and my grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. Then I bowed low and worshiped Yahweh. I praised Yahweh, the God of my boss, Abraham, because he had led me straight to my boss’s niece to be his son’s wife. So tell me, will you or won’t you show unending love and faithfulness to my boss? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.”
[50-56] Then Laban and Bethuel said, “Yahweh has obviously brought you here, so there’s nothing we can say. Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your boss’s son, as Yahweh has led you.” So when Abraham’s worker heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped Yahweh. Then he brought out silver and gold jewelry and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive presents to her brother and mother. Then they ate their meal, and the worker and the men with him stayed there overnight. But early the next morning, Abraham’s worker said, “Send me back to my boss.” So they said, “But we want Rebekah to stay with us at least ten days, then she can go.” But he said, “Don’t keep me. Yahweh has made me successful; now send me back so I can go back to my boss.”
[57-61] “Well,” they said, “We’ll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks.” So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Are you willing to go with this man?” And she said, “Yes, I’ll go.” So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham’s worker and his men, along with the woman who had been Rebekah’s childhood nurse. They gave her this blessing as she left: “Our sister, may you become the mother of many millions! May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.” Then Rebekah and her worker girls mounted the camels and followed the man. So Abraham’s worker took Rebekah and went home.
[62-67] In the meantime, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had went back from Beer-lahai-roi. One evening as he was walking and thinking in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming. When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly jumped off her camel and asked the worker, “Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?” and he said, “It’s my boss.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil. Then the worker told Isaac everything he had done. And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her, and she was a great comfort to him after his mother’s death.
The Death of Abraham
25[1-6] Then Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah. She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. Dedan’s descendants were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. Midian’s sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were all descendants of Abraham through Keturah. Abraham gave everything he owned to his son Isaac, but before he died, he gave gifts to his mistresses’ sons and sent them off to a land in the east, away from Isaac.
[7-11] So Abraham lived 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He died and joined his ancestors. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar, the Hittite. This was the field Abraham had purchased from the Hittites and where he had buried his wife Sarah. After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who lived near Beer-lahai-roi in the Negev.
The Descendants of Ishmael
[12-18] This is the story of the family of Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian worker, listed by their names and families: The oldest was Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These twelve sons of Ishmael became the founders of twelve families named after them, listed according to the places they lived and camped. Ishmael lived for 137 years. Then he died and joined his ancestors. Ishmael’s descendants occupied the land from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. There they lived in open hostility toward all their family.
The Births of Esau and Jacob
[19-23] This is the story of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban, who were Aramean. Isaac prayed to Yahweh on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. So Yahweh answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb, so she went to ask Yahweh about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked. So Yahweh told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah did in fact have twins! The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair. So they named him Esau. Then the other twin was born with his hand holding Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when the twins were born.
Esau Sells His Birthright
[27-34] As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau got home from the countryside exhausted and hungry. So Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “Red.” ) So Jacob said, “Yes, but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” So Esau said, “Look, I’m dying of starvation! What good is my birthright to me now?” But Jacob said, “First you must promise that your birthright is mine.” So Esau made a promise, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. So Esau showed great disrespect for his rights as the firstborn.
Isaac Deceives Abimelech
26[1-6] A great lack of food struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time, so Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, ruler of the Philistines, lived. But Yahweh appeared to Isaac and said, “Don’t go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I’ll be with you and bless you. I‘ll make good the promise that I’ll give all these lands to you and your descendants, as I promised Abraham, your father. I’ll cause your descendants to be as many as the stars of the sky, and I’ll give them all these lands. Through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. I’ll do this because Abraham believed Me and obeyed all My orders, rules, laws, and judgments.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
[7-11] When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, “She’s my sister,” because he was scared to say, “She’s my wife,” thinking, “They’ll kill me to get her, because she’s so beautiful.” But some time later, Abimelech, ruler of the Philistines, looked out his window and saw Isaac playfully holding Rebekah. So Abimelech called for Isaac and said excitedly, “She’s clearly your wife! Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister’?” So Isaac said, “Because I was scared someone would kill me to get her from me.” Then Abimelech said excitedly, “How could you do this to us? One of my people might easily have taken your wife and had sex with her, and you would have made us guilty of a great sin.” So Abimelech issued a public statement saying, “Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death!”
Conflict over Water Rights
[12-16] When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he had planted. Yahweh blessed him and he became a very rich man. He had so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and workers that the Philistines became jealous of him. So they filled up all of Isaac’s wells with sand, which had been dug by the workers of his father, Abraham. So finally, Abimelech ordered Isaac to leave the country, saying, “Go somewhere else! You’ve become too great for us.”
[17-22] So Isaac moved away to the Gerar Valley, where he set up their tents and settled down. He reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham’s death. Isaac gave them the names Abraham had given them. Isaac’s workers also dug in the Gerar Valley and found a well of fresh water. But then the shepherds from Gerar came and claimed the creek. “This is our water,” they said, “and they argued over it with Isaac’s people, who kept the animals. So Isaac named the well Esek (“Argument”). Then Isaac’s men dug another well, but again there was an argument over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (“hostility”). So leaving that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no argument over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (“open space”), for he said, “At last Yahweh has given us enough space to do well in this land.”
[23-25] From there Isaac moved to Beersheba, where Yahweh appeared to him on the night he got there. Yahweh said to him, “I am the God of your father, Abraham. Don’t be scared, for I am with you and will bless you. I’ll make you have many descendants, and they’ll become a great nation. I’ll do this because of My promise to Abraham, My worker.” So Isaac built an altar there and worshiped Yahweh God. He set up his camp there, and his workers dug another well.
Isaac’s Promise with Abimelech
[26-31] Then one day Ruler Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. So Isaac asked, “Why have you come here? You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.” They said, “We clearly see that Yahweh is with you. So we want to make an agreement with you. Promise that you won’t hurt us, just as we’ve never troubled you. We’ve always treated you well, and we sent you away in peace. And now look how Yahweh has blessed you!” So Isaac made a feast to celebrate the agreement, and they ate and drank together. Early the next morning, they made a promise not to bother each other. Then Isaac sent them away again, and they left in peace.
[32-35] That very day Isaac’s workers came and told him about a new well they had dug. “We’ve found water!” they said excitedly. So Isaac named the well Shibah (“Promise”). To this day the town that grew up there is called Beersheba (“well of promise”). Then at the age of 40, Esau married two Hittite wives: Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon. But Esau’s wives made Isaac and Rebekah miserable.
Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing
27[1-4] One day when Isaac was old and almost blind, he called for Esau, his older son, and said, “My son, I’m old now, and I don’t know when I’ll die. Take your bow and arrows, and go out into the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Make my favorite dish, and bring it here for me to eat. Then I’ll give you the blessing of the firstborn, before I die.”
[5-13] But Rebekah overheard what Isaac had said to his son Esau. So when Esau left to hunt for the wild game, she said to her son Jacob, “Listen. I overheard your father say to Esau, ‘Bring me some wild game and make me my favorite dish. Then I’ll bless you in Yahweh’s presence before I die.’ Now, listen to me, my son. Do exactly as I tell you. Go out to the flocks, and bring me two fine young goats. I’ll use them to make your father’s favorite dish. Then take the food to your father so he can eat it and bless you before he dies.” So Jacob said to Rebekah, “But my brother, Esau, is a hairy man; and my skin is smooth. What if my father touches me? He’ll see that I’m trying to trick him, and then he’ll punish me instead of blessing me.” But his mother said, “Then let the punishment fall on me, my son! But do what I tell you. Go out and get the goats for me!”
[14-17] So Jacob went out and got the young goats for his mother. Rebekah took them and made a good meal, just the way Isaac liked it. Then she took Esau’s favorite clothes, which were there at home, and gave them to her younger son, Jacob. She covered his arms and the smooth part of his neck with the skin of the young goats. Then she gave Jacob the tasty meal, with freshly baked bread.
[18-24] So Jacob took the food to his father.” Father,” he said; and Isaac answered, “Yes, my son! Who are you, Esau or Jacob?” So Jacob said, “It’s Esau, your firstborn son. I’ve done as you told me. Here’s the wild game. Now sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing.” So Isaac asked, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” So Jacob said, “Yahweh your God put it right in my path!” Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come closer so I can touch you and make sure that you really are Esau.” So Jacob went closer to his father, and Isaac touched him.” The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s,” Isaac said. But he didn’t recognize Jacob, because Jacob’s hands felt hairy like Esau’s. So Isaac blessed Jacob. Are you really my son, Esau?” he asked. Jacob answered, “Yes, I am.”
[25-29] Then Isaac said, “Now, my son, bring me the wild game. Let me eat it, and then I’ll give you my blessing.” So Jacob took the food to his father, and Isaac ate it. He also drank the wine that Jacob served him. Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come a little closer and kiss me, my son.” So Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son, saying, “Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the outdoors, which Yahweh has blessed! From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your workers, and may they bow down to you. May you be the leader of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who speak badly of you will be punished, and all who speak well of you will be blessed.”
[30-33] As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and right after Jacob had left his father, Esau came back from his hunt. Then Esau made a tasty meal and brought it to his father. Then he said, “Sit up, my father, and eat my wild game so you can give me your blessing.” But Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” So Esau said, “It’s your son, your firstborn son, Esau.” Then Isaac was visibly shaken and said, “Then who just served me that tasty meal? I’ve already eaten, and I blessed him before you came; and that promise is unbreakable!”
[34-39] When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and mournful cry.” Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too!” he begged. But Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken your blessing.” So Esau said excitedly, “No wonder his name is Jacob, for now he has cheated me twice. First he took my rights as the firstborn, and now he’s stolen my blessing. Oh, don’t you have even one blessing for me?” Isaac said to Esau, “I’ve made Jacob your leader and have said that all his brothers will be his workers. I’ve given him very much grain and wine; what’s left for me to give you, my son?” But Esau begged, “Don’t you have just one blessing? Oh father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and cried. So finally, his father, Isaac, said to him, “You’ll live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You’ll live by your sword, and you’ll serve your brother. But when you’re strong, you’ll break free from his control over you.”
Jacob Runs to Paddan-Aram
[41-46] From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. Esau began to plan, “I’ll soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I’ll kill my brother, Jacob.” But Rebekah heard about Esau’s plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, “Listen, Esau is comforting himself by plotting to kill you. So listen carefully, my son. Get ready and run to my brother, Laban, in Haran. Stay there with him until your brother cools off. When he calms down and forgets what you’ve done to him, I’ll send for you to come back. Why should I lose both of you in one day?” Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m sick and tired of these Hittite women! I’d rather die than see Jacob marry one of them.”
28[1-5] So Isaac called for Jacob, blessed him, and said, “You must not marry any of these Canaanite women. Instead, go now to Paddan-aram, to the house of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of your uncle Laban’s daughters. May God, Ruler of All Creation, bless you and give you many children. And may you have many descendants and become many nations! May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where you’re now living as a foreigner, as God gave this land to Abraham.” So Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle Laban, his mother’s brother, the son of Bethuel, the Aramean.
[6-9] Esau knew that his father, Isaac, had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to find a wife, and that he had warned Jacob, “You must not marry a Canaanite woman” and knew that Jacob had obeyed his parents and gone to Paddan-aram. So it was very clear to Esau that his father didn’t like the Canaanite women. So Esau visited his uncle Ishmael’s family and married one of Ishmael’s daughters, in addition to the wives he already had. His new wife’s name was Mahalath. She was the sister of Nebaioth and the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.
Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
[10-15] In the meantime, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. At sundown he found a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven and saw the angels of God going up and coming down the steps. At the top of the stairway stood Yahweh, who said, “I Am Yahweh, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you’re lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They’ll spread out in all directions, west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. I am with you, and I’ll protect you wherever you go, and one day I’ll bring you back to this land. I won’t leave you until I’ve given you everything I’ve promised.”
[16-22] Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely, Yahweh is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also scared and said, “What an awesome place this is! It’s the House of God, the very gates of heaven!” So the next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named that place Bethel (“House of God”), although the name of the nearby town was Luz. Then Jacob made this promise: “If God will in fact be with me and protect me on this journey, and if Yahweh provides me with food and clothing, and if I go back safely to my father’s home, then Yahweh will certainly be my God. And this memorial stone I’ve set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I’ll give to God a tenth of everything I’ve been given.”
Jacob Arrives at Paddan-Aram
29[1-6] Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east. He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside it, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well. It was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to come before removing the stone and watering the animals. Afterward the stone would be placed back over the mouth of the well. Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?” They answered, “We’re from Haran.” So Jacob asked, “Do you know a man there named Laban, the grandson of Nahor?” They said, “Yes, we do.” So Jacob asked, “Is he doing well?” They answered, “Yes, he’s well. Look, here comes his daughter, Rachel, with the flock now.”
[7-12] Then Jacob said, “Look, it’s still mid-day! It’s too early to round up the animals. Why don’t you water the sheep and goats so they can get back out to pasture?” So they said, “We can’t water the animals until all the flocks have come. Then the shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats.” Jacob was still talking with them when Rachel got there with her father’s flock, because she was the shepherd. So because Rachel was his cousin, the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and because the sheep and goats belonged to his uncle Laban, Jacob went over to the well and moved the stone from its mouth and watered his uncle’s flock. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and he spoke up, explaining to Rachel that he was her cousin on her father’s side, the son of her aunt Rebekah. So Rachel quickly ran and told her father, Laban.
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
[13-20] As soon as Laban heard that his nephew, Jacob, had come, he ran out to meet him. He hugged and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, Laban said excitedly, “You really are my own flesh and blood!” Then after Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month, Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for me without pay just because we’re family. Tell me how much your pay should be.” Now Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were sad, but Rachel was a beautiful girl. Jacob loved Rachel, so he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.” So Laban agreed and said, “I’d rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me.” So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel, but his love for her was so strong that it seemed only a few days to him.
[21-27] Finally, the time came for him to marry her. “I’ve done what I agreed to do,” Jacob said to Laban. “Now give me my wife so I can marry her.” So Laban invited everyone in the land and made a wedding supper. But that night, when it was dark, Laban took Leah to Jacob, who had sex with her. (Laban had given Leah a worker, Zilpah, to be her female worker.) But when Jacob woke up in the morning, his bride was Leah instead of Rachel! So Jacob ran out to Laban and shouted, “What have you done to me? I worked seven years for Rachel! Why have you tricked me?” So Laban said, “It’s not our custom here to marry a younger daughter before the firstborn. But wait until the bridal week is over, then we’ll give you Rachel, too, provided you promise to work another seven years for me.”
[28-30] So Jacob agreed to work seven more years, and a week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too. (Laban gave Rachel a worker, Bilhah, to be her female worker.) So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban for seven more years.
Jacob’s Children
[31-35] When Yahweh saw that Leah was unloved, God made her able to have children, but Rachel wasn’t able to get pregnant. So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, saying, “Yahweh has seen my misery, and now my husband will love me.” She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon, saying, “Yahweh heard that I was unloved and has given me another son.” Then she became pregnant a third time and gave birth to another son. She named him Levi, saying, “Surely this time my husband will love me, since I’ve given him three sons!” And once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, saying, “Now I’ll praise Yahweh!” And then she stopped having children for a while.
30[1-8] When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She begged Jacob, “Give me children or I’ll die!” Then Jacob became angry with her, saying, “Am I God? God is the one who has kept you from having children! Not me.” Then Rachel told him, “Take my worker, Bilhah, and sleep with her. She’ll carry children for me, and through her I can have a family, too.” So Rachel gave her worker, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife, and he had sex with her. Bilhah became pregnant and gave him a son. Rachel named him Dan, saying, “God has defended me! God has heard my prayer and given me a son.” Then Bilhah became pregnant again and gave Jacob a second son. Rachel named him Naphtali, for she said, “I’ve struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!”
[9-13] In the meantime, Leah realized that she wasn’t getting pregnant anymore, so she gave her worker, Zilpah, to Jacob as a wife. Soon Zilpah had him a son. Leah named him Gad, for she said, “How happy I am!” Then Zilpah gave Jacob a second son. Leah named him Asher, for she said, “How happy I am! Now the other women will celebrate with me.”
[14-21] Then one day during the wheat harvest, Reuben found some mandrakes growing in a field and brought them to his mother, Leah. Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes (for fertility).” But Leah angrily said, “Wasn’t it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son’s mandrakes, too?” So Rachel answered, “I’ll let Jacob sleep with you tonight if you give me some of the mandrakes.” So that evening, as Jacob was coming home from the fields, Leah went out to meet him.” You must come and sleep with me tonight!” She said, “I’ve paid for you with some mandrakes that my son found.” So that night he slept with Leah. And God answered Leah’s prayers and she became pregnant again and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob. She named him Issachar, for she said, “God has rewarded me for giving my worker to my husband as a wife.” Then Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob. She named him Zebulun, for she said, “God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I’ve given him six sons.” Then later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.
[22-24] Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by making her able to have children. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. “God has removed my disgrace,” she said; and she named him Joseph, for she said, “May Yahweh add yet another son to my family.”
Jacob’s Wealth Increases
[25-30] Soon after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Please let me go so I can go home to my own country. Let me take my wives and children, for I’ve earned them by serving you, and let me be on my way. You know how hard I’ve worked for you.” But Laban said, “Please listen to me, I’ve become wealthy, for Yahweh has blessed me because of you. Tell me how much I owe you. Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.” So Jacob said, “You know how hard I’ve worked for you, and how your flocks and herds have grown under my care. You had little in fact before I came, but your wealth has grown greatly. Yahweh has blessed you through everything I’ve done. But now, what about me? When can I start providing for my own family?”
[31-33] Then Laban asked, ”What do you want me to pay you?” So Jacob said, “Don’t give me anything. Just do this one thing, and I’ll stay and tend to your flocks. Let me inspect your flocks today and remove all the sheep and goats that are speckled or spotted, along with all the black sheep. Give these to me as my pay. In the future, when you check on the animals you’ve given me as my pay, you’ll see that I’ve been honest. If you find in my flock any goats without speckles or spots, or any sheep that are not black, you’ll know that I’ve stolen them from you.”
[34-40] So Laban agreed and said, “It’ll be as you say.” But that very day Laban went out and took away all the male and female goats that were striped and spotted, speckled, or had white patches, and all the black sheep. He placed them in the care of his own sons, who took them a three-day’ journey from where Jacob was. In the meantime, Jacob stayed and cared for the rest of Laban’s flock. Then Jacob took some fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark, making white streaks on them. Then he placed these peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, because that was where they mated. When they mated in front of the white-striped branches, they gave birth to young that were striped, speckled, and spotted. So Jacob separated those lambs from Laban’s flock. At mating time he turned the flock to face Laban’s animals that were striped or black. This is how he built up his own flock instead of increasing Laban’s.
[41-43] Whenever the stronger females were ready to mate, Jacob would place the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of them. Then they would mate in front of the branches. But he didn’t do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob’s. As a result, Jacob became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, male and female workers, and many camels and donkeys.
Jacob Leaves Laban’s Household
31[1-3] But Jacob heard Laban’s sons saying about him, “Jacob has taken what belonged to our father. Everything he has he has gotten from our father.” Jacob saw that Laban’s attitude toward him wasn’t good. Then Yahweh said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your father and your family, and I’ll be with you.”
[4-9] So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock. He said to them, “I’ve seen that your father’s attitude toward me isn’t good. But the God of my father has been with me. You know how hard I’ve worked for your father, but he has cheated me and changed my pay ten times. But God has not allowed him to hurt me. If he said, “‘The speckled animals will be your pay,’ the whole flock had speckled young. And when he changed his mind and said, “‘The striped animals will be your pay,’ then the whole flock had striped young. So God has taken your father’s animals and given them to me.
[10-13] One time when the goats were mating, I had a dream and saw that the males mating with the females were striped, speckled, and spotted. Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, “‘Jacob!’ And I said, “‘Yes, here I am.’ Then the angel said, “‘Look, see that only the striped, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. I’ve seen everything that has been done to you by Laban. I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the stone and made your promise to Me. Now get up and leave this country and go back to the land of your birth.’”
[14-16] Rachel and Leah answered, “Is there anything we own left for us in our father’s house? He treats us like strangers. He sold us, and used up all our money. Everything God has given you from our father really belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.”
[17-21] So Jacob got up and put his wives and children on camels. Then he took all his tame animals and everything he had gotten in Paddan-aram with him and set out for the land of Canaan, to his father, Isaac. Now Laban was shearing his sheep, so Rachel stole her father’s false gods of the household and took them with her. So Jacob secretly left Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that they planned to go. So Jacob left with everything he had and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the hill country of Gilead.
Laban Chases Jacob
[22-25] Three days later, Laban was told that Jacob had left. So he gathered a group of his family and chased him down, catching up with Jacob seven days later in the hill country of Gilead. But the night before, God had appeared to Laban, the Aramean, in a dream and told him, “Be careful what you say to Jacob.” So when Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, he set up his camp not far from Jacob’s.
[26-30] So Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, leaving without telling me? You took my daughters away like prisoners of war! Why did you go without telling me? I might have sent you away with happiness and singing, with tambourines and harps. You didn’t let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren and tell them good-bye. That was a stupid thing to do! I could hurt you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night and warned me, ‘Be careful what you say to Jacob.’ I know that you’ve gone because you wanted to go home. But why have you stolen my gods?”
[31-32] So Jacob answered, “I left secretly because I was scared, thinking you might take your daughters away from me by force. If you find those false gods of yours, you may kill whoever has taken them! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, show it to this whole family of ours and take it with you!” But Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen the household gods.
[33-35] Then Laban went into Jacob’s tent to search there, then into Leah’s, and then into the tents of the two mistresses, but he didn’t find them. So finally, he went into Rachel’s tent. But Rachel had taken the household gods and hidden them under her camel’s saddle, and was sitting on them. When Laban had searched all through her tent without finding them, she said to her father, “I hope it doesn’t upset you that I can’t get up for you. I’m on my period.” Laban kept on searching, but couldn’t find his household gods.
[36-42] Then Jacob got angry, and questioned Laban, “What have I done wrong? What’s my sin that you chase after me like this? You’ve gone through everything I own. Now if you’ve found anything that belongs to you, set it here in front of our family, for all to see. Let them judge between us! For twenty years I’ve been with you, caring for your flocks. In all that time your sheep and goats never miscarried. In all those years I’ve never eaten a goat of your flock. If any were attacked and killed by wild animals, I never brought it to you. You required me to take the loss myself! You made me pay you back for every stolen animal, whether it was taken in broad daylight or in the dark of night. I worked for you through the heat of the day and the cold nights, losing my own sleep. For twenty years I’ve worked in your house! I’ve worked for fourteen years for your two daughters, and then six more years for your flock, and you changed my pay ten times! If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse of me and my hard work, and told you to leave me alone last night!”
Jacob’s Agreement with Laban
[43-47] Then Laban said to Jacob, “These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, and these flocks are my flocks. Everything you see is mine. But what could I do to my own daughters and their children? So come, let’s make a promise, you and I, and it’ll be a witness between us.” So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument. Then he told his family members, “Gather some stones.” So they gathered stones and put them in a pile, eating on it. In recognition of the event, Laban called the place Jegar-sahadutha (“Witness pile” in Aramaic), and Jacob called it Galeed (“Witness pile” in Hebrew).
[48-55] Then Laban said, “This pile of stones will stand as proof to remind us of the promise we’ve made to each other today.” This is why it was called Galeed, but it was also called Mizpah (“Watchtower”), because Laban said, “May Yahweh watch between you and me when we’re apart from each other. If you abuse my daughters or if you marry other wives besides them, God will see it even if no one else does. God is a witness between us. I’ve set this pile of stones between us as proof. They stand here as proof of our promise that I’ll never pass this pile of stones to hurt you, and you must never pass them to hurt me. I call on the God of our ancestors, the God of your grandfather Abraham and my grandfather Nahor, to serve as judge between us.” So Jacob promised by the God of his father, Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice to God there on the mountain and called everyone to come eat. After they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain. Then Laban got up early the next morning, kissed his grandchildren and daughters, and blessed them. Then he left and went back home.
32[1-2] As Jacob began to go, the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said excitedly, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.
Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau
[3-5] Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in Seir in the land of Edom. He told them, “Tell my brother Esau, ‘Your worker Jacob says, “Until now I’ve been living with Uncle Laban, and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many workers, both men and women. I’ve sent these messengers to tell you of my coming, hoping that I’ll be treated kindly by you.”’”
[6-8] The messengers came back to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he’s coming to meet you with 400 men!” Jacob was very scared when he heard this news, so he divided his household, along with the flocks, herds, and camels, into two groups, thinking, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, maybe the other group will escape.”
[9-12] Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and my father, Isaac, Yahweh, who told me, ‘Go back to your own land and to your family and I’ll treat you well.’ I’m not worthy of even a little of all the mercy and truth You’ve shown to me, Your worker. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I had nothing but my walking stick, and now my household is two large camps! O God, please save me from the power of my brother, Esau. I’m scared that he’s coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But You promised me, ‘I’ll surely treat you well, and I’ll make your descendants grow until they become as many as the sands along the seashore, more than you can count.’”
[13-16] Jacob stayed where he was for the night and took whatever came to his hand as gifts for his brother, Esau; 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewe lambs, 20 rams, 30 female camels along with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. He gave them to his workers, separating each herd by itself. Then he told his workers, “Go ahead of me, but keep some distance between the herds.”
[17-21] He told those leading the first group: “When my brother, Esau, meets you, and asks, ‘Whose workers are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?’ Tell him, ‘They belong to your little brother Jacob, who sends them as a gift for his older brother, Esau. Look, he’s coming behind us.’” Jacob gave the same instructions to the second, the third, and all who followed behind the herds: “You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, ‘Look, your little brother Jacob is coming behind us.’ I’ll try to calm him down by sending gifts ahead of me and when I see him face to face, maybe he’ll be kind to me.” So the gifts were sent ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp.
Jacob Wrestles with God
[22-26] That night Jacob got up and took his two wives and two mistresses, and eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over everything he owned. When Jacob was left alone in the camp, Someone came and wrestled with him until the sun began to come up. So realizing that Jacob wasn’t giving up, the Angel touched Jacob’s hip and it came out of its socket. Then the Angel said, “Let me go; the sun is coming up!” But Jacob said, “I won’t let You go unless You bless me.”
[27-32] So the Angel asked, “What’s your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” The Angel said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but you’ll be called Israel, because you’ve struggled with both God and men and haven’t given up.” Then Jacob said, “Please tell me Your Name?” The Angel said, “Why do you want to know My Name?” and blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel (“face of God”), saying, “I’ve seen God face to face, yet my life is spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because his hip was hurt. (Even today, the people of Israel don’t eat the muscle near the hip socket because of what happened that night when the Angel pulled the tendon of Jacob’s hip.)
Jacob Makes Peace with Esau
33[1-4] Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two mistresses. He put the mistresses and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then Jacob went ahead, and as he came to his brother, bowed down seven times. Esau ran to meet him and hugged him, throwing his arms around his neck, and kissed him, and they both cried.
[5-11] Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?” Jacob said, “These are the children God has graciously given to me, your worker.” Then the mistresses came forward with their children and bowed at his feet. Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed at his feet. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed at his feet. “What do you mean by all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. So Jacob said, “They’re a gift, brother, that I might please you.” Esau answered, ”I have more than enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” But Jacob insisted, “No, if you’re pleased with me, please take this gift from me. Because I’ve seen your face again and you were pleased with me, it’s like seeing the face of God! Please take this gift I’ve brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” Jacob wouldn’t take no for an answer, so Esau took it.
[12-16] So Esau said, “Let’s take our trip and go. I’ll lead the way.” But Jacob said, “You can see that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they’re driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. Please, Esau, go on ahead of me. We’ll follow slowly, at the right pace for the animals and the children and I’ll meet you at Seir.” So Esau said, “Yes, but at least let me tell some of my men to guide and protect you.” But Jacob answered, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve accepted me kindly, Esau!” So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day.
[17-20] Jacob then traveled on to Succoth, where he built himself a house and made shelters for his animals. That is why the place was named Succoth (“Shelters”). Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob went safely to the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. Then Jacob bought from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of land where he camped for 100 silver coins, and built an altar there and named it El-Elohe-Israel, the Altar to the God of Israel.
Jacob’s Sons take Revenge against Shechem
34[1-4] One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the land. But when the local prince, Shechem, son of Hamor, the Hivite, saw Dinah, he took her and raped her, forcing her to have sex with him. But then he fell in love with her, and spoke kindly to her. He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young woman. I want to marry her.”
[5-7] Jacob heard that Shechem had raped his daughter, Dinah, but his sons were out in the fields herding the animals, so he said nothing until they came back. Then Hamor, Shechem’s father, came to talk to Jacob. Jacob’s sons came in from the field as soon as they heard what had happened. They were very upset and angry that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s daughter, by having sex with her, something that should never be done.
[8-10] Then Hamor spoke with Jacob and his sons, saying, “My son, Shechem, is truly in love with your daughter. Please let him marry her and let’s make other marriages, too. You give us your daughters for our sons, and we’ll give you our daughters for your sons. And you may live among us; the land is open to you! Live here and trade with us, and buy property for yourselves in the land.”
[11-17] Then Shechem himself spoke to Dinah’s father and brothers, saying, “Let me please you, and marry your daughter. I’ll give you whatever you ask. No matter what dowry or gift you demand, I’ll pay it, if you just give me the young woman as my wife.” But since Shechem had shamed their sister, Dinah, Jacob’s sons lied to Shechem and his father, Hamor, saying to them, “We couldn’t do this, because it would be a disgrace to us for our sister to marry a man who hasn’t cut off his foreskin! But if every man among you will have his foreskin cut off like we are, then we’ll give you our daughters, and we’ll take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll live among you and become one people. But if you don’t agree to cut your foreskins off, we’ll take her and go.”
[18-23] Hamor and his son Shechem liked what they said, “so Shechem wasted no time in doing what they asked, because he loved Jacob’s daughter, being more honorable than the rest of his family. So he went with his father, Hamor, to talk to the leaders at the city gate, saying, “These men are friendly towards us. Let them live here among us and trade with us. Look, the land is large enough to hold them. We can take their daughters as wives and let them marry ours. But they’ll only stay here and becoming one people with us if all of our men have their foreskins cut off, just as they are. If we do this, all their animals and everything they own will be ours. Let’s do what they ask and they’ll live here with us.”
[24-26] So they all agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the city had their foreskins cut off. But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and went boldly into the city, slaughtering every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left.
[27-29] Later, the rest of Jacob’s sons went in and took all the valuables in the city because their sister had been shamed there. They took all the sheep, oxen, and donkeys, everything inside the city and outside in the fields. They took all the valuables out of their houses, and took all their little children and wives as prisoners.
[30-31] Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You’ve caused me nothing but trouble! You’ve made me horrible to all the people of this land, both the Canaanites and Perizzites. We’re few, so they’ll gather together and kill me and my family. My whole family will be destroyed!” But they said to him, “Should we let him treat our sister like a whore?”
Jacob’s Goes Back to Bethel
35[1-3] Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and go to Bethel and live there. Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.” So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your false gods, wash yourselves, and put on clean clothes. Let’s get ready and go to Bethel, where I’ll build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in trouble, and has been with me wherever I’ve gone.” So they gave Jacob all their false gods and their earrings, and he buried them under the pistachio tree near Shechem. As they set out, the terror of God came over all the cities around them, and no one came after Jacob’s family.
[6-8] Then Jacob and his family got to Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan. Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (“God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was running from his brother, Esau. Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the pistachio tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (“Tree of crying”).
[9-13] God appeared to Jacob again at Bethel, when he came from Padan-Aram, and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you won’t be called Jacob anymore. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel. Then God said, “I am God, Ruler of All Creation. Create more of your own kind and make many more people. You’ll become a great nation, and later, many nations. Rulers will come from your line of descendants! And I’ll give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I’ll give it to you and your descendants after you.” After speaking with Jacob, God went up from there.
[14-15] Jacob set up a stone to mark the place where God had spoken to him. Then he poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed it with olive oil. Jacob named the place Bethel (“House of God”), because God had spoken to him there.
The Death of Rachel
[16-20] Then they left Bethel, and when there was only a little farther to go to Ephrath, Rachel went into labor to have her baby and was in hard labor. When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be scared, you’ll have this son, too!” As Rachel was dying, she named the baby Ben-oni (“Son of my sorrow”), but his father called him Benjamin (“Son of my right hand”). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (Bethlehem). Jacob put a stone over her grave, and it’s Rachel’s gravestone to today.
[21-22] Then Jacob traveled on and camped beyond the tower of Eder. While he was living there, Reuben had sex with Bilhah, his father’s wife, and Jacob heard about it.
[23-26] These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob: The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s worker, were Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s worker, were Gad and Asher. These are the names of the sons who were born to Jacob at Paddan-aram.
[27-29] So Jacob went back to his father, Isaac, in Mamre, which is near Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had both lived as foreigners. Isaac lived for 180 years and died, joining his ancestors, being very old. His sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him together.
The Descendants of Esau
36[1-5] This is the story of the descendants of Esau (Who was also called Edom). Esau married two young women from Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, the Hivite. He also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth. Adah gave birth to a son named Eliphaz for Esau. Basemath gave birth to a son named Reuel. Aholibamah gave birth to sons named Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons were born to Esau in the land of Canaan.
[6-8] Esau took his wives, his children, and his whole household, along with his animals and cattle, everything he had gotten in the land of Canaan, and moved away from his brother, Jacob. There wasn’t enough land to support them both because of all the animals and stuff they had gotten. So Esau (also called Edom) lived in the hill country of Seir.
[9-13] This is the story of Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, who lived in the hill country of Seir. These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah; and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath. The descendants of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. Timna, the wife of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to a son named Amalek. These are the descendants of Esau’s wife Adah. The descendants of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.
[14-19] Esau also had sons through Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon. Their names were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of different families: The descendants of Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the families of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the family leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah. The descendants of Esau’s son Reuel became the leaders of the families of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the family leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Reuel. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath. The descendants of Esau and his wife Aholibamah became the leaders of the families of Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the family leaders who descended from Esau’s wife Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah. These are the families descended from Esau (also known as Edom), identified by their family leaders.
Original Peoples of Edom
[20-30] The names of the families of Seir, the Horite, who lived in the land of Edom are Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the Horite family leaders, the descendants of Seir, who lived in the land of Edom. The descendants of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan also had a sister named Timna. The descendants of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah, and Anah, who found the hot springs in the countryside while he was grazing his father’s donkeys. The descendants of Anah were his son, Dishon, and his daughter, Aholibamah. The descendants of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. The descendants of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The descendants of Dishan were Uz and Aran. So these were the leaders of the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. The Horite families are named after their leaders, who lived in the land of Seir.
The Rulers of Edom
[31-43] The rulers who ruled in the land of Edom before anyone ruled over the Israelites were Bela, son of Beor, who ruled in Edom from the city of Dinhabah. After Bela died, Jobab, son of Zerah, from Bozrah became ruler in his place. After Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became ruler in his place. After Husham died, Hadad, son of Bedad, became ruler in his place and ruled from the city of Avith, who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab. After Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became ruler in his place. After Samlah died, Shaul from the city of Rehoboth-on-the-River became ruler in his place. After Shaul died, Baal-hanan, son of Acbor, became ruler in his place. After Baal-hanan died, Hadad became ruler in his place and ruled from the city of Pau. Hadad’s wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab. These are the names of the leaders of the families descended from Esau, who lived in the places named for them: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Aholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram. These are the leaders of the families of Edom, listed according to their settlements in the land they occupied. They all descended from Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites.
Joseph the Dreamer
37[1-4] So Jacob lived again in the land of Canaan, where his father was a foreigner. This is the story of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks with his brothers. He worked with his half-brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph told his father the bad things his brothers were doing. Jacob, also called Israel, loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob made for Joseph a coat woven with many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than the rest of them, they hated him more and couldn’t talk to him peacefully.
[5-8] One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to my dream! We were out in the field, gathering up bunches of grain. Suddenly my bunch stood up, and your bunches all gathered around and bowed down to mine!” Then his brothers answered, “Do you actually think you’ll be our ruler? Do you actually think you’ll reign over us?” and they hated him all the more because of his dreams and what he said about them.
[9-11] Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it, saying, “Listen, I’ve had another dream! This time the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him, saying, “What does this dream of yours mean? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground to you?” So his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept wondering what the dreams meant.
[12-14] Later, Joseph’s brothers went to feed their father’s flocks at Shechem. So Jacob, also called Israel, said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the sheep at Shechem? Come here, and I’ll send you to them.” So Joseph said, “I’m ready.” Then Israel said, “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are doing. Then come back and tell me.” So he sent him to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron.
[15-17] When he got there, a man from the land saw him wandering around the countryside and asked him, “What are you looking for?” So Joseph said, “I’m looking for my brothers. Do you know where they are feeding their sheep?” Then the man told him, “They’ve left here, but I heard them say, ‘Let’s go on to Dothan.’” So Joseph went to look for his brothers in Dothan and found them there.
Joseph Sold into Slavery
[18-22] When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, before he got close to them, they made plans to kill him. They said, “Here comes the dreamer! ” Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into a pit. We’ll say, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” But when Reuben heard of their evil plan, he tried to save Joseph’s life and said, “Let’s not kill him.” Don’t shed any blood. Just throw him into this pit out here in the countryside, and don’t lay a hand on him.” He planned to save Joseph from them and bring him back to his father.
[23-27] So when Joseph got there, his brothers took the colorful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into an empty pit that had no water. Then, just as they had sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a group of Ishmaelite traders with a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. They were taking a load of spices, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother and hiding it? Let’s sell him to the Ishmaelite traders instead. Let’s not kill him because he’s our brother, our own flesh and blood!” So his brothers agreed.
[28-30] So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the pit and sold him to them for twenty silver coins. And the traders took him to Egypt. Later, Reuben came back to get Joseph out of the pit. But when he found that Joseph wasn’t there, he tore his clothes, being very upset. Then he went back to his brothers and cried, “The boy is gone! What will I do?”
[31-33] Then the brothers killed a young goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. They brought the colorful robe to their father and asked, “We found this. Is this the robe that belongs to your son?” Their father knew it immediately and said, “Yes, it’s my son’s robe. A wild animal has eaten him. Without a doubt, Joseph has been torn to pieces!”
[34-36] Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in mourning clothes, mourning for his son for a very long time. All his family tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, saying, “I’ll go down to my grave mourning for my son.” So his father sadly cried for him. In the meantime, the Midianite traders sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Ruler of Egypt, the ruler of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the guard.
Judah and Tamar
38[1-5] At this time, Judah left home and moved to Adullam, where he stayed with a man named Hirah. There he saw a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, and married her. When he had sex with her, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. So he named the boy Er. Then she became pregnant again and gave birth to another son, who she named Onan. And when she gave birth to a third son, she named him Shelah. At the time of Shelah’s birth, they were living at Kezib.
[6-10] After some time, Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry a young woman named Tamar. But Yahweh saw that Er was an evil man, and took his life. Then Judah said to Er’s brother Onan, “Go and marry your brother’s wife Tamar, and give your brother an heir.” But Onan wasn’t willing to have a child who wouldn’t be his own heir. So whenever he had sex with his brother’s wife, he withdrew from her and let the semen spill on the ground, to keep her from having a child who would belong to his brother. But Yahweh wasn’t pleased with Onan and took his life, too.
[11-13] Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a survivor until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah was scared Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her parent’s home. Then some years later Judah’s wife died and after the time of mourning was over, Judah and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite, went up to Timnah to shear the sheep. So someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
[14-18] Tamar knew that Shelah had grown up, but she had not been given to him in marriage. So she changed out of her survivor’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the town of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. So when Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face. So he stopped and made her an offer, saying, “Let me have sex with you,” not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law. So she asked, “What will you give to have sex with me?” Tamar asked. So Judah promised, ”I’ll send you a young goat from my flock.” Then she said, “But give me something to make sure that you send the goat.” So he asked, “What should I give you?” And she answered, “Give me your ring to identify you and its rope and the walking stick you’re carrying.” So Judah gave them to her and had sex with her, and she became pregnant by him.
[19-23] She went back home, took off her veil, and put on her survivor’s clothing again. Later Judah asked his friend Hirah, the Adullamite, to take the young goat to the woman and to pick up the things he had given her as his promise. But Hirah couldn’t find her. So he asked the men who lived there, “Where can I find the prostitute who was sitting out here beside the road?” But they said, “We’ve never had a prostitute here.” So Hirah went back to Judah and told him, “I couldn’t find her anywhere, and the men of the town claim they’ve never had a prostitute there.” So Judah said, “Then let her keep the things I gave her or we would be shamed. I sent the young goat as we agreed, but you couldn’t find her.
[24-26] Then about three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute and is pregnant because of what she did.” So Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned to death!” But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things is the one who got me pregnant. Find out whose seal, rope and walking stick these are?” So Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She’s better than I am, because I didn’t let her marry my son, Shelah.” So Judah never had sex with Tamar again.
[27-30] When the time came for Tamar to give birth, she was having twins. While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand, so the midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.” But then he pulled back his hand, and his brother was born first, so the midwife said excitedly, “How did you break through first?” So he was named Perez. Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah.
Joseph in Potiphar’s House
39[1-4] When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was bought by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Ruler of Egypt, the ruler of Egypt. Yahweh was with Joseph, and blessed him in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian boss. Potiphar saw this and realized that Yahweh, his God was with Joseph, helping him to do well in everything he did. Potiphar was pleased, so he soon put Joseph in charge of his whole household and everything he owned.
[5-6] From the day Joseph was put in charge of his boss’s household and property, Yahweh blessed it for Joseph’s sake. Everything he owned, both inside and out did well. Potiphar gave Joseph complete control over everything he owned, and didn’t even know what he had, except the food he ate! And Joseph was a very good looking and well-built.
[7-10] Soon Potiphar’s wife began to look at him and want him, saying, “Come and have sex with me.” But Joseph refused and told her, “Look, my boss trusts me with everything he has in his whole household. No one here has more say than I do and he’s held back nothing from me except you, because you’re his wife. How could I do such an evil thing and sin against God?” She kept on asking Joseph day after day, but he refused to have sex with her.
[11-15] Then one day, no one else was around when he went in to do his work, so she grabbed him by his clothes, and said, “Have sex with me!” But Joseph ran away and left his clothes in her hand as he ran outside. When she saw that she was holding his clothes and he had run away, she called out to her workers, saying, “Look! My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me but I screamed. When he heard me scream, he ran outside but left his clothes behind with me.”
[16-18] She kept the clothes with her until her husband came home. Then she told him this story, saying, “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and rape me. But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his clothes with me!”
Joseph in Prison
[19-23] Potiphar was very angry when he heard what his wife said about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the ruler’s prisoners were held. So he stayed there in the prison. But Yahweh was with Joseph in the prison and showed him kindness. Yahweh made Joseph well-liked by the prison warden. The warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden didn’t have to look into anything that was under Joseph’s control. Yahweh was with him and caused everything he did to go well.
Joseph Explains Two Dreams
40[1-4] A while later, the Ruler of Egypt’s chief cup-bearer and chief baker offended the ruler. The Ruler of Egypt became angry with these two officers, and put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the great house of the captain of the guard. They remained in prison for quite some time, and the captain of the guard told Joseph to look after them.
[5-8] While they were in prison, the Ruler of Egypt’s cup-bearer and baker each had a dream in one night, and each dream had a different meaning. When Joseph saw them the next morning, he saw that they both looked upset. So he asked them, “Why do you look so upset today?” And they said, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” But Joseph said, “God knows what they mean, so tell me your dreams.”
[9-15] So the chief cup-bearer told Joseph his dream first, saying, “In my dream, I saw a grapevine in front of me. The vine had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon it produced clusters of ripe grapes. I was holding the Ruler of Egypt’s wine cup in my hand, so I took a cluster of grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I placed the cup in the Ruler of Egypt’s hand.” Then Joseph said, “This is what the dream means. The three branches are three days. Within three days the Ruler of Egypt will lift you up and restore you to your position as his chief cup-bearer. So please remember me and show kindness to me when things go well for you. Mention me to the Ruler of Egypt, so he might let me out of this place. For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, though I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
[16-19] When the chief baker saw that meaning of the first dream was good, he said to Joseph, “I had a dream, too. In my dream there were three white baskets stacked on my head. The top basket contained all kinds of baked goods for the Ruler of Egypt, but the birds came and ate them from the basket on my head.” But Joseph told him, ”This is what the dream means. The three baskets are also three days. Three days from now the Ruler of Egypt will cut your head off and hang your body on a tree. Then birds will eat your flesh.”
[20-23] Then the Ruler of Egypt’s birthday came three days later, and he made a feast for all the workers. He called for his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the others. He then gave the chief cup-bearer his old job again, and he handed the Ruler of Egypt his cup, but the Ruler of Egypt hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said would happen. But Ruler of Egypt’s chief cup-bearer forgot about Joseph, and didn’t remember him.
Ruler of Egypt’s Two Dreams
41[1-4] Two years later, the Ruler of Egypt dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. In his dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and feed in the grass. Then he saw seven more cows come up behind them from the Nile, but these were weak and skinny. These cows stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank. Then the weak and skinny cows ate all the seven healthy, fat cows! Then the Ruler of Egypt woke up.
[5-7] He fell asleep again and had another dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and good, all growing on one stalk. Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were dried-up and shrunken by the east wind. The thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, good heads! Then the Ruler of Egypt woke up again and realized it was a dream.
[8-13] In the morning, the Ruler of Egypt was very upset by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Ruler of Egypt told them his dreams, no one could tell him what they meant. Finally, the ruler’s chief cup-bearer spoke up, saying, “I’m reminded of my fault, today. When you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the great house of the captain of the guard, one night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had a different meaning. There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant. And everything happened just as he had said. I was restored to my place as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was killed and hung on a pole.”
[14-16] Then the Ruler of Egypt sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the prison. He shaved and changed his clothes, and then went in to the Ruler of Egypt. Then the Ruler of Egypt said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one can tell me what it means. But I’ve heard that you can understand a dream and explain it.” Then Joseph said, “It’s not in my power, but God will tell you what it means and give you peace.”
[17-24] So the Ruler of Egypt told Joseph his dream, saying, “In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, and I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and feed in the grass. But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, weak and skinny, come up after them, such sorry-looking animals as I’ve ever seen in all the land of Egypt. These thin, skinny cows ate the seven fat cows, but no one would have known it, for they were still as skinny as before! Then I woke up. Then I fell asleep again, and I had another dream. This time I saw seven heads of grain, plump and good, all growing on one stalk. Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were dried up and shrunken by the east wind. And the thin heads swallowed the seven good heads. Then I told these dreams to the magicians, but no one could tell me what they mean.”
[25-32] Then Joseph answered, “Both of your dreams mean the same thing. God has shown the Ruler of Egypt what’s about to happen. Both the seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain are seven very good years. The seven weak and skinny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain dried up by the east wind are seven years of no harvest. This will happen just as I’ve told you, for God has shown you what’s about to happen. For seven years there will be a time of great plenty throughout the land of Egypt, but afterward there will be seven years of no harvest, and all the plenty will be forgotten in Egypt. A great famine will ruin the land. So all the good years will be forgotten because of the seven years following them, the famine will be so terrible. And the dream was repeated twice to the Ruler of Egypt because it’s God’s doing and it’ll happen soon.
[33-36] ”So, you, Ruler of Egypt, should find an understanding and smart man and put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then you should set supervisors over the land and let them collect a fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. Have them gather all the food in the good years that are coming and store it in the cities under your control. Then that food will be saved for the seven years of no harvests that are coming to the land of Egypt and the land will be saved.”
Joseph Made Ruler Over Egypt
[37-40] So the Ruler of Egypt and all his officials liked what Joseph had said. Then the Ruler asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this, a man who has the spirit of God?” Then Ruler said to Joseph, “Since God has shown all this to you, no one else is as understanding or as smart as you are. You’ll be ruler of my house, and all my people will be ruled by whatever you say. Only I will be greater than you because I sit on the throne.”
[41-44] Then the Ruler of Egypt said to Joseph, “See, I’ve put you in control of the whole land of Egypt.” Then the Ruler of Egypt took his signet ring from off his hand and put it on Joseph’s finger. He gave him fine linen clothes and a gold chain was hung around his neck. Then he had Joseph ride in the second chariot (war vehicle) following his and they shouted out as he went, “Bow down on your knees!” So the Ruler made Joseph ruler over all of Egypt and said to him, “I am Ruler of Egypt, and no one will lift a hand or a foot in the whole land of Egypt without your saying so.”
[45-49] Then the Ruler of Egypt gave Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah. He also gave him a wife, Asenath, who was the daughter of Potiphera, the preacher of On. So Joseph was the overseer of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the Ruler of Egypt. When Joseph left from the Ruler’s court, he went and looked over the whole land of Egypt. For seven years the land produced very good crops. So Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt in the first seven years and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities. The amount of grain that Joseph gathered was like the sand on the seashore, too much to count.
[50-57] Before the years of no harvests came, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the preacher of On. Joseph named his older son Manasseh, and said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my troubles.” Then the seven years of good crops in the land of Egypt ended and the seven years of no crops began, just as Joseph had said. The crops died in all the surrounding countries as well, but there was still food in Egypt. When the crops failed throughout all the land of Egypt, the people cried to Ruler of Egypt for food. So the Ruler told them, “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you to do.” The lack of food was everywhere, so Joseph opened up the storehouses and sold the grain to the Egyptians, for all the crops had failed throughout the land of Egypt. And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the crops had failed in all the surrounding countries.
Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt
42[1-5] When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you just looking at one another? I’ve heard there’s grain in Egypt, so go down there, and buy grain so that we’ll live and not die.” So Joseph’s ten older brothers went to Egypt to buy grain. But Jacob didn’t let Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin, go with them, saying, “Something bad might happen to him.” So Jacob’s sons went to Egypt along with the other people who were going to buy food, because the crops had failed in Canaan.
[6-10] Since Joseph was ruler over all of Egypt and sold the grain to all the people, his brothers came to him and bowed their faces to the ground in front of him. Joseph recognized his brothers, but he acted like a stranger and spoke to them harshly. Joseph asked, “Where are you from?” So they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” Though Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn’t recognize him. And he remembered the dreams he’d had about them, so he said to them, “You’re all spies! You’ve come to see how bare our land is.”
[10-13] They said to him, “No, Ruler of Egypt! Your workers have come to buy food. We’re all brothers, the sons of one man. We’re honest men and not spies!” But Joseph said, “Yes, you are! You’ve come to see how bare our land is.” So they said, “Your workers are twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. Our youngest brother is with our father now, and one isn’t with us anymore.”
[14-17] But Joseph said again, “You’re spies as I said! So I’ll test you in this way. By the life of the Ruler of Egypt, you’ll never leave Egypt unless your youngest brother comes here! One of you must go and get him and the rest of you will be kept here in prison to find out whether or not what you say is true. By the life of the Ruler of Egypt, if not, then I’ll know you’re spies.” So Joseph put them all in prison together for three days.
[18-20] On the third day Joseph said to them, “I know God. If you do what I say, you’ll live. If you’re honest men, choose one of your brothers to stay here in prison. The rest of you, go and carry grain to your hungry families. When you bring your youngest brother back to me, this will prove that you’re telling the truth, and you won’t die.” So they did this.
[21-24]Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we’re guilty for what we did to Joseph. We saw how upset he was when he begged us, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.” Then Reuben asked, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy and you wouldn’t listen? And now we have to pay for his blood!” They didn’t know that Joseph understood them, because he used an interpreter to talk to them. Joseph turned away from them and cried. Then he came back and spoke to them again. He took Simeon from among them and had him tied up right in front of them.
[25-28] Then Joseph ordered his workers to fill their bags with grain, and to put each brother’s money back in the top of his bag and to give them supplies for their journey home. So they loaded their donkeys with grain and left there. But when they camped for the night, one of them opened his bag to feed his donkey, and saw his money in the top of his bag. So he said to his brothers, “My money has been put back in my bag!” Then their hearts sank and they said to one another, “What has God done to us?”
Joseph’s Brothers Go Back to Canaan
[29-34] When they came to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them, saying, “The man who’s ruler of the land spoke very harshly to us and said we were spies in the country. But we said, “‘We’re honest men, not spies. We’re twelve brothers, sons of one father. One brother is no longer with us, and the youngest is at home with our father in the land of Canaan.’ Then the man who’s ruler of the land told us, “If you’re honest men, choose one of your brothers to stay here in prison. The rest of you, go and carry grain to your hungry families. When you bring your youngest brother back to me, this will prove that you’re telling the truth, and you won’t die. Then I’ll give your brother back to you, and you may trade freely in the land.’”
[35-38] Then as they emptied out their bags, there in each man’s bag was the bag of money he had paid for the grain! When they and their father saw them, they were all very scared. Then Jacob said to them, “You’re taking all my children away from me! Joseph is gone! Simeon is gone! And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!” Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my own two sons if I don’t bring Benjamin back to you. If you put him in my hands, I’ll bring him back to you.” But Jacob said, “My son won’t go down with you. His brother Joseph is dead, and he’s the only one left. If anything should happen to him on your journey, you’d bring my gray-hair down to the grave in sorrow.”
The Brothers Go Back to Egypt
43[1-5] The lack of crops continued throughout the land of Canaan. When the grain they had brought from Egypt was gone, Jacob said to his sons, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” But Judah said, “The man strongly warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ If you send Benjamin with us, we’ll go down and buy more food. But if you don’t let him go, we won’t go. The man said to us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
[6-10] Then Israel said, “Why did you do me so wrong and tell him you had another brother?” So they said, “The man clearly asked about us and our family, asking, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ So we answered him honestly. How could we know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here?’” Then Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll go, so we’ll all live and not die, both you and us, and our children. I will personally keep him safe. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you, and I will be the blame forever. If we hadn’t waited all this time, we would have gone and come back the second time by now.”
[11-14] So their father, Jacob, said to them, “If it must be this way, then do this. Pack some of the best fruits of this land in your bags. Take them as a gift for the man. Take some balm, and a little honey, some spices, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Also take double the money of what was put back in your bags, as it might have been a mistake. Take your brother, too, and go back to the man. May God, Ruler of All Creation, give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he’ll release Simeon and Benjamin, too. But if I must lose them, then I lose them.”
[15-18] So the men packed the gifts and Benjamin and took double the money. When they got to Egypt they went to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “Take these men to my home and then go kill an animal and cook it. These men will eat with me at noon.” So the man did as Joseph told him and took them into Joseph’s house. The brothers were very scared when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house. They said, “It’s because of the money that was put in our bags the first time we were here, so that he can accuse us and take us, to make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”
A Feast at Joseph’s Great House
[19-25] So the brothers went to the manager of Joseph’s house and spoke to him at the doorway to the great house, saying, “Sir, we came to Egypt once before to buy food. But as we were going back home, we camped for the night and opening our bags we found each man’s money, the full price, in the top of his bag! We’ve brought it back with us, and have more money to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our bags.” So the household manager told them “ Don’t be scared. Your God, the God of your father, put the treasure into your bags. I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to meet them. He brought them into Joseph’s great house and gave them water to wash their feet and fed their donkeys. Then they got their gifts ready for Joseph, because they had been told they would eat with him at noon.
[26-31] When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him, then bowed down on the ground to him. Then he asked how they were doing and asked, “How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?” So they said, “Yes, our father, your worker, is doing well and still alive.” And they bowed down again. Then Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother, and asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about? May God be gracious to you, my son.” Then Joseph was about to cry because he had wanted to see his brother for a long time, so he quickly looked for a place to cry. He went to his room, and cried there. After washing his face, he came back out, keeping control of himself and said, “Serve the meal!”
[32-34] So they served Joseph at his own table, his brothers at another, and the Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their own. The Egyptians couldn’t eat with Hebrews because it wasn’t right to them. So they sat where Joseph told them to, and were amazed that he had seated them according to their age, from oldest to youngest. Then Joseph took their plates to them, filled with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the rest of them. So they drank and enjoyed themselves with him.
Joseph’s Silver Cup
44[1-2] Joseph told the manager of his house, “Fill each of their bags with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into the top of his bag. Then put my own silver cup at the top of my youngest brother’s bag, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did what Joseph told him.
[3-5] At dawn the brothers were sent on their way with their loaded donkeys. But when they had left the city and had gone only a little way, Joseph said to the manager, “Chase after them and when you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Why have you stolen my boss’s silver cup, which he drinks from and uses to tell the future? You’ve done an evil thing!’”
[6-10] When the manager caught up with them, he said to them what he had been told. “Why would he say such a thing?” The brothers answered, “We’d never do such a thing! Didn’t we bring back the money we found in our bags from the land of Canaan? Then how could we steal silver or gold from your boss’s house? Let the man die who has your boss’s cup, and the rest of us will be his slaves.” So the manager said, “It’ll be as you say, but only the one who stole the cup will be my boss’s slave and the rest of you may go free.”
[11-13] Quickly, they all put their bags down on the ground and opened them. He searched all their bags, from the oldest to the youngest and the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag. Then the brothers were so upset that they tore their clothes and loaded their donkeys again and went back to the city.
[14-17] Joseph was still in his house when Judah and his brothers got there, so they fell to the ground at his feet. Then Joseph said to them, “What have you done? Don’t you know that a man like me can tell the future?” Then Judah answered, “What can we say to you? What words can we say to clear ourselves? God has found out our faults, so we’ve all come back to be your slaves, both us and the one who had your cup.” Then Joseph said, “I’d never do that! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”
Judah Speaks for His Brothers
[18-23] Then Judah stepped up closer and said, “Please, let your worker have a word with you and don’t be angry with me, even though you’re like the Ruler of Egypt himself.” You asked us, your workers, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘Yes, we have a father who’s an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him very much.’“And you said to us, ‘Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.’ But we said to you, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, or his father would die.’ But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you’ll never see my face again.’
[24-34] So we went back to our father, and told him what you had said. Later, when he said, “‘Go back again and buy us some more food,’ we said, “‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife had two sons, and one of them went away and never came back. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I’ve never seen him since. Now if you take his brother away from me, and anything happens to him, you’ll send this gray-headed man to his grave in sorrow.’ And now, I can’t go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life and if he sees that the boy isn’t with us, our father will die. We, your workers, will in fact be responsible for sending that gray-headed man to his grave in sorrow. I promised my father that I’d take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I’ll take the blame forever.’ So please, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t stand to see the sorrow this would cause my father!”
Joseph Reveals His Identity
45[1-3] Joseph couldn’t keep from crying in front of all the people in the room any longer so he shouted to his guards, “Make everyone leave me!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. Then he cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and word of it quickly came to the Ruler of Egypt’s great house. Then he said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers couldn’t say a word, they were so shocked when they knew who he was.
[4-8] And Joseph said, “Please, come closer to me.” So they came up and he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me here. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to save lives. This lack of food that has hurt the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither planting nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to save you and your families for the future and to save your lives in a great way. So it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, who’s the One who made me a counselor to the Ruler of Egypt and the manager of his whole house and the ruler of all Egypt.
[9-15] Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘Your son, Joseph,” says , “God has made me ruler over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me now and don’t wait! You can live in the land of Goshen, where you can be near me with all of your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. I’ll take care of you there, or you, your household, and all your animals will starve. There’s still five more years of no food crops.” Then Joseph added, “Look! You and my brother Benjamin can see for yourselves that it is me who speaks to you! Go tell my father of all my fame and wealth here in Egypt. Tell him everything you’ve seen, and then quickly bring my father here.” Then he hugged Benjamin’s neck and cried, and Benjamin hugged his neck and cried. Then Joseph kissed all his brothers and cried over them, and after that they talked freely with him.
Ruler of Egypt Invites Jacob to Egypt
[16-20] The news soon reached the Ruler of Egypt’s great house: “Joseph’s brothers have come!” The Ruler of Egypt and his officials were very pleased to hear this. The Ruler said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go back to the land of Canaan. Then get your father and all of your families, and come back here to me. I’ll give you the very best land in Egypt, and you’ll eat from the best of the land. Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here. Don’t worry about all your things, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”
[21-23] So the sons of Israel did as they were told. Joseph gave them with wagons, as the Ruler of Egypt had said, “and supplies for the journey. And he gave each of them new clothes, but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and 300 silver coins. He also sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other food for his journey.
[24-28] So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, “Don’t worry about all this along the way!” So they left Egypt and went back to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive! And he’s ruler of all the land of Egypt!” Jacob’s heart skipped a beat at the news, because he couldn’t believe it! But when they told Jacob everything Joseph had said to them, “and when he saw all the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, their father’s spirit revived. Then Israel said, “It’s enough that my son, Joseph, is still alive and I’ll go and see him before I die!”
Jacob’s Journey to Egypt
46[1-4] So Israel began traveling toward Egypt with everything that he owned and came to Beersheba, where he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. Then God spoke to him in the dreams of the night, saying, “Jacob! Jacob!” And Jacob said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be scared to go down to Egypt, because I’m going to make your family into a great nation there. I’ll go with you down to Egypt, and I’ll bring you back again. And Joseph will close your eyes when you die.”
[5-7] So Jacob left Beersheba, and his sons took him to Egypt, carrying him and their wives and children in the wagons the Ruler of Egypt had given them. They took all their animals and everything they had gotten in the land of Canaan and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants. He brought his sons and grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters, and all the rest of his descendants with him to Egypt.
[8-15] These are the names of the people of Israel, the sons of Jacob, who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s first son. The sons of Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (though Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. These were the sons of Leah and Jacob who were born in Paddan-aram, along with their daughter, Dinah. There were 33 of Jacob’s descendants (male and female) through Leah.
[16-18] The sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah, their sister. Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malkiel. These were the sons of Zilpah, the worker Laban gave to Leah, his daughter. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Zilpah was sixteen.
[19-22] The sons of Jacob’s wife, Rachel, were Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s sons, who were born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the preacher of On, had. Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. These were the sons of Rachel and Jacob. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Rachel was fourteen.
[23-25] The son of Dan was Hushim. The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These were the sons of Bilhah, the worker Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Bilhah was seven.
[26-27] All those who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, not counting his sons’ wives, were sixty-six people. And Joseph had two sons who were born in Egypt. So altogether, there were seventy members of Jacob’s family in the land of Egypt.
Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen
[28-34] Then Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and point the way to the land of Goshen. When they came to the land of Goshen, Joseph got in his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father, Israel. When Joseph got there, he hugged his father and cried on his shoulder for a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I’ve seen your face again and know you’re still alive.” Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s whole family, “I’ll go to the Ruler of Egypt and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s whole family have come to me from the land of Canaan. These men are shepherds, and they raise animals and have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’” Then he said, “When the Ruler of Egypt calls for you and asks what you do, you must tell him, ‘We, your workers, have raised animals all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’ When you tell him this, he’ll let you live here in the land of Goshen, because shepherds are hated by the Egyptians.”
Jacob Blesses the Ruler of Egypt
47[1-6] Then Joseph went to see the Ruler of Egypt and told him, “My father and my brothers have come from the land of Canaan and have brought all their flocks and herds and everything they own with them, and are now in the land of Goshen.” Joseph took five of his brothers with him and brought them to the Ruler of Egypt. Then the Ruler asked the brothers, “What do you do?” So they said, “We, your workers, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. We’ve come to live here in Egypt, as there’s no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The drought is very bad there. So please, let us live in the land of Goshen.” Then the Ruler said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come here, too, choose the best part of the land of Egypt for them to live in. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know that any of them are very good at what they do, put them in charge of my animals, too.”
[7-12] Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, to Ruler of Egypt; and Jacob blessed the Ruler. The Ruler asked him, “How old are you?” So Jacob said, “I’ve traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But the days of my life have been few and evil compared to the lives of my ancestors.” Then Jacob blessed the Ruler again and left him. So Joseph gave the best of the land of Egypt, in the land of Rameses, to his father and brothers to live in, just as the Ruler had said. And Joseph gave food to his father and brothers, and more than enough for all their families.
Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine
[13-17] Now the lack of food became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan. So Joseph took in all the money in Egypt and Canaan by selling grain to the people, and he put the money into the Ruler of Egypt’s treasury. When the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, saying, “Please give us food, or we’ll die right here in front of you! All our money is gone!” So Joseph said, “Since your money is gone, bring me your animals. I’ll give you food in exchange for your animals.” So they brought their animals to Joseph in exchange for food. In exchange for their horses, flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and donkeys, Joseph gave them food for another year.
[18-22] But that year ended, and the next year they came again and said, “We can’t hide the truth from you. Our money is gone, and all our animals and cattle are yours. We’ve got nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. Why should we die right here in front of you? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we give our land and ourselves as slaves for the Ruler of Egypt. Just give us grain so we may live and not die, and so the land doesn’t’ become empty.” So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for the Ruler. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the drought was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Ruler. As for the people, he moved them all into the cities, from one end of Egypt to the other. The only land he didn’t buy was the land of the preachers. They received their food directly from the Ruler of Egypt, so they didn’t need to sell their land.
[23-28] Then Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I’ve bought you and your land for the Ruler of Egypt. I’ll provide you with seed so you can plant the fields. Then when you harvest it, a fifth of your crop will belong to the Ruler. You may keep the four-fifths that are left as seed for your fields and as food for you, your households, and your children.” So they said, “You’ve saved our lives! May it please you to let us be the Ruler’s workers.” Then Joseph made it a law in the land of Egypt to this day that the Ruler of Egypt would get a fifth of all the crops grown on the land, except what belonged to the preachers, which wasn’t given to the Ruler. So the people of Israel lived in the land of Goshen in Egypt. They were given homes, and the number of their people quickly grew. Jacob lived for seventeen years after he came to Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all.
[29-31] As the time of Jacob’s death drew near, he called for his son, Joseph, and said to him, “If I have pleased you, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you’ll treat me honestly and with kindness. Please, don’t bury me in Egypt, but bury me with my ancestors. You shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.” So Joseph promised, “I’ll do as you ask.” Then Jacob said, “Promise that you’ll do it.” So Joseph gave his promise, and Israel bowed humbly at the head of his bed.
Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
48[1-7] Later after this, Joseph was told, “Your father really is dying.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. When Joseph got there, Jacob was told, “Your son, Joseph, has come to see you.” So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in bed. Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God, the Ruler of All Creation, appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me and said to me, “‘I’ll bless you, and I’ll make you have many descendants. And I’ll give this land of Canaan to your descendants after you to own forever.’ Now I’m claiming as mine these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I came here. They’ll be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. But any children born to you later will be your own, and they’ll be given part of the land in the land of their brothers, Ephraim and Manasseh. As for me, when I came from Paddan-aram, Rachel died in the land of Canaan, when we were still on the way, only a little way from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
[8-11] Then Israel saw the two boys, and said, “Are these your sons?” Joseph told him, “Yes, these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.” And Jacob said, “Bring them to me, and I will bless them.” Now Jacob was almost blind because of his age and couldn’t see well. Then Joseph brought the boys to him, and Jacob kissed and hugged them. Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I’d see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”
[12-13] Then Joseph brought the boys to their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face down. Then he brought the boys closer to Jacob, with his right hand he put Ephraim at Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand. But Jacob purposefully crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys’ heads, putting his right hand on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, though he was the first.
[15-16] Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May God, whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, followed, the God who has fed me all my life to this day, the Angel who has saved me from all evil, bless these boys. May they take my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac. And may they’ve many descendants throughout the earth.”
[17-22] But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. He said, “No, father, this one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” But his father said, “No. I know, my son; I know. Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater, and his descendants will become many nations.” So Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing, “The people of Israel will use your names when they give a blessing, saying, “‘May God make you as great as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to Canaan, the land of your ancestors. And I am giving you an extra share more than what I’ve given your brothers, of the land that I took from the Amorites with my weapons.”
Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons
49[1-2] Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I’ll tell you what will happen to each of you in the last days.” Come and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
[3-4] Reuben, you’re my firstborn, my power, the first of my strength and youth. You’re pride and power are great. But you’re as troubled water, and you won’t do well because you went to bed with my wife and ruined my marriage bed.
[5-7] ”Simeon and Levi are two of a kind; weapons of violence are in their homes. My soul will never accept their judgment; My honor will never take part in their plans. For in their anger they murdered men, and crippled animals in their selfishness. They’ll be punished for their anger, because it’s violent; they’ll be punished for their rage, because it’s cruel. I’ll divide them among the descendants of Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.
[8-12] Judah, your brothers will praise you. You’ll grab your enemies by the neck. All your family will bow before you. Judah is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he bows and lies down; And as a lion, who would dare to wake him? The ruler’s staff won’t leave from Judah’s people, nor will a lawgiver from his descendants, until the coming of the One to whom it belongs, the One whom all nations will obey. Tying a foal to a grapevine, the colt of a donkey to a choice vine, this One’s clothes and robes will be as red as wine, and dipped in the blood of grapes, whose eyes are darker than wine, and whose teeth are whiter than milk.
[13] Zebulun will live by the sea and be a harbor for ships; his borders will go to Sidon.
[14-15] Issachar is a strong donkey, resting between two heavy packs. He saw that rest is good and how pleasing the land is, so he’ll put his shoulder under the load and become a bunch of hard workers.
[16-18] Dan will rule his people, as one of the family groups in Israel. Dan will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous snake along the path that bites the horse’s hooves so its rider is thrown off. I trust you to save me, O God!
[19] Gad will be attacked by raiding soldiers, but he’ll beat them at last.
[20] Asher will have rich foods and make food fit for rulers.
[21] Naphtali is a deer set free that uses beautiful words.
[22-26] Joseph is a fruitful branch, a fruitful branch by the water, his branches run over the wall. Archers have cruelly attacked him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained tight, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Strong God of Jacob, by the shepherd, the Rock of Israel. The God of your father will help you; The Almighty will bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, and the blessings of the waters below, and the blessings of the breasts and womb. The blessings of your father have been more than the blessings of my ancestors, reaching to the farthest boundaries of the eternal hills. They’ll rest on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the one who was separated from his brothers.
[27] Benjamin is a starving wolf, killing his enemies in the morning and taking what he has gotten in the evening.”
[28] These are the twelve families of Israel, and this is what their father said as he blessed them. He blessed each one with his own blessing.
Jacob’s Death and Burial
[29-33] Then Jacob told them, “I’m dying and will join my ancestors. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron, the Hittite. This is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought from Ephron, the Hittite, as a burial place. There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah. It’s the field and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites.” When Jacob had finished saying this to his sons, he lay down in bed, and died, and joined his ancestors.
50[1-5] Joseph threw himself on his father’s face and cried over him and kissed him. Then Joseph told the physicians who served him to embalm his father’s body; so Jacob was embalmed. The embalming took 40 days, which is how long embalming takes. And the Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days. When the time of mourning was over, Joseph spoke to the Ruler of Egypt’s advisers and said, “If I have pleased you, talk to the Ruler and tell him, ‘My father made me make a promise. He said to me, “‘Listen, I am dying. Bury me in the grave I have made for myself in the land of Canaan.’ So please let me go and bury my father, and I’ll come back.’”
[6-9] So the Ruler of Egypt said, “Go and bury your father, as he made you promise.” So Joseph went up to bury his father with all of the Egyptian officials, all the highest people of the Ruler of Egypt’s household, and all of the highest officers of Egypt. Joseph also took his whole household and his brothers and their households, but left their little children and flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. A great number of people with horses and chariots went with Joseph.
[10-13] When they got to the harvest field of Atad, near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn memorial service, with the time of mourning for Joseph’s father lasting seven days. The local people, the Canaanites, saw them mourning at the harvest field of Atad and said, “This is a place of deep mourning for these Egyptians.” So they renamed that place near the Jordan Abel-mizraim. So Jacob’s sons did as he had told them. They carried his body to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought as a burial place from Ephron, the Hittite.
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
[14-21] After burying Jacob, Joseph went back to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to his father’s burial. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “Now Joseph might hate us and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him.” So they sent this message to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died, he told us to say to you, ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you, for their sin in what they did to you.’ So we, the workers of your father’s God, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph heard the message, he broke down and cried. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before him, saying, “See, we’re your slaves!” But Joseph said, “Don’t be scared. Am I in the place of God? You tried to hurt me, but God meant it for good, in order for it to happen like it is today, to save many people. Now, Don’t be scared. I’ll take care of you and your children.” So he put them at ease and spoke kindly to them.
The Death of Joseph
[22-26] So Joseph and all his family continued to live in Egypt and Joseph lived to be 110 years old. He lived to see three generations of Ephraim’s descendants, and the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he brought up. Then Joseph told his brothers “I’m dying, but God will surely come and lead you out of this land to the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel make a promise, and said, “When God comes to lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” So Joseph died at 110 years old. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was put in a coffin in Egypt.
The Exodus (Going Out)
The Israelites in Egypt
1[1-6] The names of the people of Israel who came to Egypt, each with his family, were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. So Jacob had 70 descendants in all in Egypt, counting Joseph, who was already there. Later, Joseph, all of his brothers, and that generation all died.
[7-10] But the people of Israel had many descendants, becoming so great that they became very powerful and filled the land. Then a new ruler came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph. He said to the people, “Look, the people of Israel are more than us and are stronger than we are. Let us deal with them quickly before they grow much more. If war breaks out, they may join our enemies and fight against us, and leave the country.”
[11-14] So the Egyptians put bosses over them to make them be their workers. They forced them to build the supply cities of Pithom and Rameses for the ruler of Egypt. But the more the Egyptians made them work, the more children the Israelites had, and the Egyptians worried about them becoming too strong. So the Egyptians made the people of Israel work very hard. They made their lives very hard with all the work, making them mix mortar and make bricks and do all kinds of work in the fields. They made them work very hard.
[15-17] Then the ruler of Egypt told the Israelite midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, “When you help the Israelite women and see them having their babies, if it’s a boy, kill him; but if it’s a girl, let her live.” But the midwives loved God, so they didn’t do what he told them to do, and let the boys live, too.
[18-22] So the ruler of Egypt called the midwives, asking, “Why did you do this and let the boys live?” So they said, “The Israelite women aren’t like the Egyptian women. They’re stronger and have their babies before we get there.” So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites kept growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives loved God, they were given families of their own. Then the ruler of Egypt told all the people, “Throw every Israelite baby boy into the Nile River, but let the girls live.”
The Birth of Moses
2[1-4] Then a man and woman from the family of Levi got married. Later, the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw how beautiful he was, she kept him hidden for three months. But when she couldn’t hide him anymore, she got a basket made of reeds and coated it with tar to waterproof it. Then she put the baby in the basket and put it in the reeds on the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s older sister stood a little way off, watching to see what would happen to him.
[5-10] Soon the ruler of Egypt’s daughter came down to bathe in the river. Her helpers were walking along the riverbank, and when the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent one of them to get it for her. When she opened it, she saw the baby was crying and felt sorry for him, “This is one of the Israelite children.” Then the baby’s sister came to the princess and asked, “Should I go and find one of the Israelite women to nurse the baby for you?” So the princess said, “Yes, go.” So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. The princess told the baby’s mother, “Take this baby and breastfeed him for me and I’ll pay you.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him. Then later, when the boy was weaned, his mother brought him back to the ruler of Egypt’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, saying “Because I took him out of the water.”
Moses Kills a Man
[11-15] When Moses was grown he went out to visit his own people, the Israelites, and he saw how hard they had to work. Then he saw an Egyptian beating one of the Israelites. After looking around and seeing that no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. The next day, when Moses went out again, he saw two Israelite men fighting with each other. So Moses said to the one who had done the wrong, ”Why are you hitting your friend?” Then the man said, “Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?” Then Moses was scared and said, “What I did is known for sure.” Then when the ruler of Egypt heard what had happened, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses ran away from him and went to live in the land of Midian. When Moses got to Midian, he sat down beside a well.
[16-20] Now the preacher of Midian had seven daughters who came to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. But some shepherds came and tried to chase them away, so Moses stood up and helped the girls and watered their flocks. When the girls went home to Reuel, their father, he asked, “Why are you back so soon today?” And they said, “An Egyptian saved us from the shepherds, and then drew water for us and watered our flocks.” So he asked his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave him there? Go tell him to come and eat with us.”
[21-25] Then Moses decided to settle there and live with him. He gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife. Later she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I’ve been a stranger in a foreign land.” As time passed, the ruler of Egypt died. But the Israelites groaned because of their hard work. They prayed for help, and their cry came up to God because of their hard work. God heard their groaning, and remembered the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So God watched over the people of Israel and listened to them.
Moses and the Burning Bush
3[1-3] One day Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the preacher of Midian, and led the flock far into the desert and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. Then the Angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flaming fire from the middle of a bush. Moses looked, and the bush was burning with fire, but it wasn’t burnt up. So Moses said, “I’ve got to go see this amazing thing, and see why the bush isn’t burnt up.”
[4-6] When Yahweh saw that Moses came to take a look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” Then Moses said, “Here I am!” Then Yahweh warned, “Don’t come any closer. Take your sandals off from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground. I Am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses covered his face because he was scared to look at God.
[7-10] Then Yahweh told him, “I’ve seen the suffering of My people in Egypt. I’ve heard their cries because of those who make them work so hard. I know their sorrows. So I’ve come down to save them from the power of the Egyptians and to lead them out of Egypt into a good and large land. It’s a land full of milk and honey, the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has come to Me, and I’ve seen how badly the Egyptians abuse them. So come, I’m sending you to the ruler of Egypt so that you may bring My people Israel out of Egypt.”
[11-15] But Moses argued with God, asking, “Who am I that I should go to the ruler of Egypt, and that I should bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Then God answered, “I’ll be with you, without a doubt. And this will be the sign that I’ve sent you: When you’ve brought the people out of Egypt, you’ll worship Me on this very mountain.” But Moses argued, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you, they’ll ask me, ‘What’s God’s name?’ Then what should I tell them?” So God told Moses, “I Am Who I Am (Yahweh). Say this to the people of Israel: I Am (Yahweh) has sent me to you.” Then God said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh (I Am), the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and My Name is to be remembered by all generations.
[16-18] Now go and call together all the leaders of Israel and tell them, ‘Yahweh, God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and told me, “I’ve visited you, without a doubt, and seen what’s been done to you in Egypt. And I’ve said that I’d bring you out of the suffering of Egypt to the land, where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live, to a land full of milk and honey.’ Then the leaders of Israel will listen to you, and you and the leaders will go to the ruler of Egypt and tell him, ‘Yahweh, God of the Israelites, has met with us. So please let us travel into the countryside for three days to offer sacrifices to Yahweh, our God.’
[19-22] But I know that the ruler of Egypt won’t let you go, no, not even by great strength. So I’ll raise My hand and hit Egypt with all the amazing things I will do. Then, after that, he’ll let you go. And I’ll cause the Egyptians to show kindness toward you. Then when you go, you won’t go empty-handed. Tell every Israelite woman to ask her Egyptian neighbors, namely, the women near their houses for things of silver and gold and fine clothing. Put them on your sons and daughters, taking the Egyptians riches.”
Signs of God’s Power
4[1-5] But Moses argued again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘Yahweh hasn’t appeared to you?’” So Yahweh asked him, “What’s that in your hand?” And Moses said, “A walking stick.” Then Yahweh told him, “Throw it down on the ground.” So Moses threw it down, and it turned into a snake and Moses ran from it. Then Yahweh told Moses, “Reach out and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and caught it, and it became a walking stick with him again. “Do this so they’ll believe that Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, really has appeared to you.”
[6-9] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Now put your hand in your coat.” So Moses put his hand in his coat, and when he took it out again, his hand had a severe skin disease and was as white as snow. Then Yahweh said, “Now put your hand back in your coat.” So Moses put his hand back in his coat, and when he took it out again, it was healed just like the rest of his body. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “If they don’t believe you and won’t pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second sign. And if they don’t believe you or listen to you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will turn to blood on the dry land.”
[10-13] But Moses begged Yahweh, “But God, I’m not very good with words, neither before, nor since You talked to me. I’m slow with words, and my tongue gets tied.” Then Yahweh asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who makes people not talk or hear, see or not see? Is it not I, Yahweh? Now go! I’ll be with you when you speak, and I’ll tell you what to say.” But Moses begged again, “But God, please, can’t You send someone else, anyone but me.”
[14-17] Then Yahweh God became angry with Moses and said, “Isn’t Aaron, the Levite, your brother? I know he speaks well. He’ll come out to meet you. When he sees you, he’ll be very happy. Talk to him, and tell him what to say. I’ll be with both of you when you speak, and I’ll tell you what to do. Aaron will speak to the people for you. He’ll talk for you, and you’ll be like God to him. And take your walking stick with you, which you’ll use to do the signs.”
Moses Goes back to Egypt
[18-20] So Moses went back home to Jethro, his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my relatives in Egypt, and see if they’re still alive.” So Jethro said, “Go in peace.” Then Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt because all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” So Moses took his wife and sons, and put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the walking stick of God with him.
[21-23] Then Yahweh told Moses, “When you get to Egypt, make sure to do all the amazing things I’ve given you power to do in front of the ruler of Egypt. But I’ll harden his heart so he won’t let the people go. Then you’ll tell him, ‘Yahweh says, “Israel is like My firstborn. So I tell you, “Let My people go, so they can worship Me.” But if you don’t let them go, I’ll kill your child, your firstborn!’”
[24-26] On the way to Egypt, at a place where Moses and his family had stopped for the night, Yahweh met him and tried to kill him. But Moses’ wife, Zipporah, took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and threw it at Moses’ and said, “Now, you’re a husband with blood on your hands!” So Yahweh let him go. Then Zipporah said, “You’re a husband with blood on your hands!” because she had to cut the foreskin off her son.
[27-31] Now Yahweh said to Aaron, “Go out into the countryside to meet Moses.” So Aaron went and met Moses at the mountain of God, and kissed him. So Moses told Aaron all the words of Yahweh, who had sent him, and all the signs Yahweh had told him. Then Moses and Aaron went and called all the leaders of the people of Israel together. Aaron told them everything Yahweh had told Moses, and Moses did the signs as they watched. So the people of Israel believed and when they heard that Yahweh had visited them and had seen their suffering, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Moses and Aaron Speak to the Ruler of Egypt
5[1-5] After this, Moses and Aaron went and told the ruler of Egypt, “This is what Yahweh, God of Israel,” says , “‘Let My people go so they may hold a feast to Me in the countryside.” And the ruler of Egypt said, “And who’s Yahweh that I should do this and let Israel go? I don’t know Yahweh, and I won’t let Israel go.” But they said, “The God of the Israelites has met with us, so please let us go into the countryside for three days so we can offer sacrifices to Yahweh, our God, or we’ll be killed with a disease or murdered.” But the ruler of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people from their work? Get back to work! Look, there are many people in the land now, and you’re making them rest from their work.”
[6-9] That same day the ruler of Egypt told the Egyptian bosses and the Israelite bosses, “Don’t give them any more straw for making bricks. Let them go and get it for themselves! But make them bring the same number of bricks as before. Don’t take anything less. They’re lazy, so they cry out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’ Give them more work and make them work harder so they won’t listen to these lies!”
[10-14] So the Egyptian bosses and the Israelite bosses went out and told the people, “The ruler of Egypt says, “‘I won’t give you any more straw. Go and get the straw wherever you can find it, but make as many bricks as before!’” So the people went all over the land of Egypt in search of stubble for straw. And the bosses made them hurry, “Get your work done, just as you did when there was straw!” Then the Israelite bosses that they had put in charge of the workers were beaten and were asked, “Why haven’t you gotten your work done either yesterday or today?”
[15-18] So the Israelite bosses went to the ruler of Egypt and begged him, “Why are you doing this to us? We’re given no straw, but the bosses still tell us, ‘Make bricks!’ We’re being beaten, but it’s your own people’s fault!” But the ruler of Egypt shouted, “You people are lazy! Lazy! So you say, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to Yahweh.’ Now get to work! No straw will be given to you, but you’ll still make the full number of bricks.”
[19-23] The Israelite bosses saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “Still make the full number of bricks each day.” Then as they left the ruler of Egypt, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. They said to them, “May Yahweh judge you for making the ruler of Egypt and our Egyptian bosses hate us. You’ve given them a reason to kill us!” Then Moses went back to Yahweh and argued, “God, why have You brought all this trouble on Your people? Why did You send me? Ever since I came to the ruler of Egypt to speak in Your Name, he’s been worse to Your people, and You haven’t saved Your people at all!”
The Israelites are Saved
6[1-5] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Now you’ll see what I’ll do to the ruler of Egypt. With force, he’ll let them go. With force, he’ll drive them out of his land!” And God said to Moses, “I Am Yahweh God.’ I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El-Shaddai, ‘God, Ruler of All Creation’, but I wasn’t known by My Name, Yahweh, to them. I promised them I would give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. I’ve heard the groans of the people of Israel, who the Egyptians make work so hard, and I remember My promise to them.
[6-9] ”So say to the people of Israel, ‘I Am Yahweh. I’ll free you from your suffering by the Egyptians, and will save you from the hard work they make you do. I’ll save you with great power and great judgments. I’ll take you as My own people, and I’ll be your God. Then you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, your God, who has freed you from your hard work in Egypt. I’ll bring you into the land I promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I’ll give it to you as your own. I Am Yahweh!’” So Moses told the people of Israel this, but they wouldn’t listen because their spirits were made hopeless by the hard work.
[10-13] Then Yahweh said to Moses, ”Go back to the ruler of Egypt, and tell him to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” But Moses argued, “But God, my own people won’t listen to me, so why would the ruler of Egypt listen to me? I can’t speak well!” But Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them an order for the Israelites and for the ruler of Egypt, to lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
The Ancestors of Moses and Aaron
[14] These are the leaders of the families of Israel: The sons of Reuben, Israel’s oldest son were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben.
[15] The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon.
[16-19] These are the names of the people of Levi, as called by their families: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Levi lived to be 137 years old.) The descendants of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, as called by their families. The descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Kohath lived to be 133 years old.) The descendants of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites, as called by their families.
[20-25] Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she gave birth to his sons, Aaron and Moses. (Amram lived to be 137 years old.) The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zicri. The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she gave birth to his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of Korah. Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she had Phinehas. These are the leaders of the Levite families, as called by their families.
[26-30] These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, “Lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt in their families.” These were the same Moses and Aaron who told the ruler of Egypt to send the people of Israel out of Egypt. When Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, Yahweh said, “I Am Yahweh! Tell the ruler of Egypt everything I say to you.” But Moses argued with Yahweh, “I can’t speak well! Why would the ruler of Egypt listen to Me?”
Aaron’s Stick becomes a Snake
7[1-5] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “See, I’ve made you seem like God to the ruler of Egypt, and your brother, Aaron, will be your preacher. Say everything I tell you, and Aaron will tell the ruler of Egypt to send the people of Israel out of his land. But I’ll make the ruler of Egypt’s heart stubborn, so I can do all My great signs and amazing things in the land of Egypt. But even then the ruler of Egypt won’t listen to you, so I may show My power to Egypt, and bring My armies and My people, the Israelites, out of the land of Egypt with great judgments. And the Egyptians will know that I Am Yahweh when I show My power and bring out the Israelites from among them.”
[6-9] So Moses and Aaron did what Yahweh had told them. Moses was 80 years old, and Aaron was 83 when they said this to the ruler of Egypt. Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, ”The ruler of Egypt will say, ‘Show me a sign to prove yourself.’ When he does this, say to Aaron, ‘Take your walking stick and throw it down in front of the ruler of Egypt, and it will become a snake.’”
[10-13] So Moses and Aaron went to the ruler of Egypt and did what Yahweh had told them. Aaron threw down his walking stick before the ruler of Egypt and his officials, and it became a snake! Then the ruler of Egypt called in his own wizards and sorcerers, and these magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their walking sticks, which also became snakes, but then Aaron’s walking stick swallowed up their walking sticks. But the ruler of Egypt’s heart was still stubborn and he still wouldn’t listen, just as Yahweh had said.
A Judgment of Blood
[14-18] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “The ruler of Egypt’s heart is stubborn, and he still won’t let the people go. So go to the ruler of Egypt in the morning as he goes down to the river. Stand on the bank of the Nile and meet him there. Take the walking stick that turned into a snake with you. Then say to him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, has sent me to tell you, “Let My people go, so they can worship Me in the countryside.” Until now, you haven’t listened to God so Yahweh says, “I’ll show you that I Am Yahweh.” Look! I’ll hit the water of the Nile with this walking stick in my hand, and the river will turn to blood. The fish in it will die, and the river will stink, so the Egyptians will hate to drink any water from it.’“
[19-25] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Lift your walking stick over the waters of Egypt, all its streams, rivers, ponds, and all their pools of water, so that the water will turn to blood. Everywhere in Egypt the water will turn to blood, even the water stored in wooden buckets and stone jars.’” So Moses and Aaron did what Yahweh told them. Aaron lifted his walking stick and struck the water of the river as the ruler of Egypt and all of his officials watched. Then the whole river turned to blood! The fish in the river died, and the water stank so that the Egyptians couldn’t drink it. So there was blood all over the land of Egypt. But again the magicians of Egypt used their magic, and they, too, turned water into blood, so the ruler of Egypt’s heart was still stubborn and he wouldn’t listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said. The ruler of Egypt went back home and didn’t change his mind. Then all the Egyptians dug along the riverbank to find drinking water, because they couldn’t drink the water from the Nile. Seven days passed from the time Yahweh struck the Nile.
A Judgment of Frogs
8[1-4] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go back to the ruler of Egypt and say to him, ‘Yahweh says, “‘Let My people go, so they can worship Me. If you won’t let them go, I’ll send frogs all over your land. Many frogs will come out of the river and come up into your house, even into your bedroom and onto your bed! They’ll go into the houses of your officials and your people and even jump into your ovens and your dough bowls. Frogs will jump on you, your people, and all your officials.’”
[5-7] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise the walking stick in your hand over all the streams, rivers, and ponds of Egypt, and bring up the frogs over all the land.’” So Aaron raised his hand over the waters of Egypt, and frogs came up and covered the whole land! But the magicians were able to do the same thing with their magic, and caused more frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.
[8-11] Then the ruler of Egypt called Moses and Aaron and begged, “Ask Yahweh to take the frogs away from me and my people and I’ll let your people go, so they can offer sacrifices to Yahweh.” Then Moses said, “You may have the honor of telling me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people that you and your houses will be rid of the frogs and they’ll only stay in the river.” Then the ruler of Egypt said, “Do it tomorrow.” And Moses answered, “Let it be as you’ve said, “so you’ll know that there’s no one like Yahweh, our God. The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials, and your people. They’ll only stay in the Nile River.”
[12-15] So Moses and Aaron left the ruler of Egypt’s palace, and Moses prayed to Yahweh about the frogs God had sent on the ruler of Egypt. And Yahweh did what Moses asked. The frogs in the houses, courtyards, and fields all died. The Egyptians piled them up, and the land stank. But when the ruler of Egypt saw that relief had come, he became stubborn again and wouldn’t listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said.
A Judgment of Lice
[16-19] So Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise your walking stick and hit the dust and it will turn into lice throughout the land of Egypt.’” So Moses and Aaron did what Yahweh had told them. When Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his walking stick, lice covered the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into lice. The ruler of Egypt’s magicians tried to do the same thing with their magic, but this time they couldn’t do it. So the lice covered everyone, both humans and animals. Then the magicians said to the ruler of Egypt “This is the power of God!” But the ruler of Egypt’s heart was still stubborn. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as Yahweh had said.
A Judgment of Flies
[20-23] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand in the ruler of Egypt’s way as he goes down to the river. Say to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Let My people go, so they can worship Me. Or else, If you won’t let them go, then I’ll send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people, and into all the houses. The Egyptian homes will be filled with swarms of flies, and the ground will be covered with them. But this time I’ll spare the land of Goshen, where My people live and no flies will be found there. Then you’ll know that I Am Yahweh even in the heart of your land. I’ll make a difference between My people and your people. This sign will happen tomorrow.’”
[24-27] And Yahweh did what Moses had asked. A thick swarm of flies filled the ruler of Egypt’s palace and the houses of his officials. The whole land of Egypt was destroyed by the flies. So the ruler of Egypt called for Moses and Aaron, “Go offer your sacrifices to God, but do it here in this land.” But Moses answered, “It’s not right to do so, because the Egyptians hate the sacrifices that we offer to Yahweh our God. If we offer the sacrifices which they hate here where the Egyptians can see us, won’t they stone us? We’ll travel three days into the countryside to offer sacrifices to Yahweh our God, just as we were told.”
[28-32] Then the ruler of Egypt answered, “I’ll let you go into the countryside to offer sacrifices to Yahweh your God, but don’t go too far away. Pray for me.” Then Moses answered, “I’m going and I’ll pray to Yahweh that tomorrow the swarms of flies will go away from you and your officials and all your people. But don’t lie to us again and not let the people go sacrifice to Yahweh.” So Moses left the ruler of Egypt and prayed to Yahweh. And Yahweh did as Moses asked and caused the swarms of flies to leave from the ruler of Egypt, his officials, and the people. Not one fly stayed behind. But the ruler of Egypt again became stubborn and wouldn’t let the people go.
A Judgment on Animals
9[1-7] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Go back to the ruler of Egypt and tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Israelites,” says , “‘Let My people go, so they can worship Me. If you won’t let them go, and still hold them, Yahweh will send a deadly disease on all your animals, all your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep. But Yahweh won’t hurt the animals of the Israelites, only those of the Egyptians. Not one of the people of Israel’s animals will die!” Then Yahweh set the time for the trouble to begin, “Tomorrow, Yahweh will do this in the land.” So Yahweh did it the next day and all the animals of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites didn’t lose one animal. The ruler of Egypt sent his officials to see, and the Israelites had not lost one animal! But even so, the ruler of Egypt’s heart was still stubborn, and he wouldn’t let the people go.
A Judgment of Swelling Sores
[8-12] Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of ashes from an oven, and have Moses toss it into the air while the ruler of Egypt watches. The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing swellings to break out in sores on the people and the animals throughout the land.” So they took ashes from an oven and went and stood before the ruler of Egypt and Moses threw the ashes into the air, and swellings broke out in sores on all the people and the animals. Even the magicians couldn’t stand before Moses, because the swellings had broken out on them and all the Egyptians. But Yahweh made the ruler of Egypt’s heart stubborn, and just as Yahweh had said to Moses, the ruler of Egypt wouldn’t listen.
A Judgment of Hail
[13-21] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before the ruler of Egypt and tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Israelites,” says , “‘Let My people go, so they can worship Me. If you don’t, I’ll send all My judgments on you yourself, and your officials and your people, that you’ll know that there’s no one like Me in all the earth. By now if I had used My power to hit you and your people with a disease, then you would have been wiped off the face of the earth. But I’ve spared you for the purpose of showing you My power and spreading My Name throughout the earth. But you still control My people and won’t let them go. So tomorrow at this time I’ll send very heavy hail to rain down, worse than any in all the history of Egypt until now. So bring in your animals and tell your workers to come in from the fields. Any person or animal that’s left outside and not brought home will die when the hail falls.’” Some of the ruler of Egypt’s officials who believed Yahweh quickly brought their workers and animals in from the fields. But those who paid no attention to the word of Yahweh left theirs out in the open.
[22-26] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward the sky so hail may fall on the people, the animals, and all the plants throughout the land of Egypt.” So Moses lifted his walking stick toward the sky, and Yahweh sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck on the ground. So Yahweh rained hail on all the land of Egypt. So there was hail mixed with lightning so heavy that never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that. The hail struck down everything in Egypt, everything left in the fields, all the people, the animals, and the plants. Even the trees were broken. The only place without hail was the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.
[27-32] Then the ruler of Egypt quickly called Moses and Aaron, “I’ve sinned this time. Yahweh is right, and my people and I are wrong. Ask Yahweh to end this heavy thunder and hail. We’ve had enough. I’ll let you go; don’t stay any longer!” So Moses answered, “As soon as I leave the city, I’ll lift my hands and pray to Yahweh and the thunder and hail will stop, and you’ll know that the earth belongs to Yahweh. But I know that you and your officials still don’t respect Yahweh God.” (All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had heads and the flax was just budding, but all the wheat was spared, because it’s a late crop.)
[33-35] So Moses left the ruler of Egypt’s court and went out of the city. When he lifted his hands to Yahweh, the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain stopped pouring. But when the ruler of Egypt saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had stopped, he and his officials sinned again, and the ruler of Egypt again became stubborn. Because he was stubborn in his heart, the ruler of Egypt wouldn’t let the people go, just as Yahweh had said through Moses.
A Judgment of Locusts
10[1-2] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go back to the ruler of Egypt. I’ve made him and his officials’ hearts stubborn so I can show My signs among them. I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about the great things I’ve done in Egypt and about the signs I did among them, and so you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
[3-6] So Moses and Aaron went to the ruler of Egypt and said, “Yahweh, the God of the Israelites,” says , “‘How long will you not obey Me? Let My people go, so they can worship Me. Or else, if you won’t, tomorrow I’ll bring a swarm of locusts on your country. They’ll cover the land so that you won’t be able to see the ground. They’ll eat what little is left of your crops after the hailstorm, including all the trees growing in the fields. They’ll fill your palace, and the homes of your officials and all the houses in Egypt. Your ancestors have never seen a problem like this one in all the history of Egypt!” And Moses turned and left the ruler of Egypt.
[7-11] Then the officials came to the ruler of Egypt and begged him. “How long will you let this man do these things to us? Let them go to worship Yahweh their God! Don’t you know that Egypt is ruined?” So Moses and Aaron were brought back to the ruler of Egypt. He told them, “Go and worship Yahweh your God. But who will be going with you?” So Moses answered, “We’ll all go, young and old, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds. We’ll all join together in celebrating a feast to Yahweh.” Then the ruler of Egypt said, “Yahweh will without a doubt be with you if I let you take your children! I know you have evil plans. Never! Only the men may go and worship Yahweh, since that is what you asked.” And the ruler of Egypt threw them out of the palace.
[12-15] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the land of Egypt to bring on the locusts. Let them cover the land and eat every plant left from the hailstorm.” So Moses raised his walking stick over Egypt, and Yahweh caused an east wind to blow over the land all that day and through the night. When morning came, the east wind had brought the locusts. And the locusts swarmed over the whole land of Egypt, resting on all their land. It was the worst locust problem in Egyptian history, and there has never been another one like it. The locusts covered the whole country and darkened the land. They ate every plant in the fields and all the fruit on the trees that the hailstorm had left. Not one leaf was left on the trees and plants throughout the land of Egypt.
[16-20] The ruler of Egypt quickly called Moses and Aaron, “I’ve sinned against Yahweh your God and against you. Please forgive my sin, just this once, and ask Yahweh your God to take away this death from me.” So Moses left the ruler of Egypt and prayed to Yahweh. Yahweh shifted the wind, and the strong west wind blew the locusts into the Red Sea. Not one locust was left in all the land of Egypt. But Yahweh made the ruler of Egypt’s heart stubborn again, so he wouldn’t let the people go.
A Judgment of Darkness
[21-23] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be darkened with a darkness you can feel.” Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. During that time the people couldn’t see each other, and no one got up. But the people of Israel had light where they lived.
[24-29] Finally, the ruler of Egypt called for Moses, “Go and worship Yahweh, but leave your flocks and herds here. You may take your children with you.” But Moses said, “No, you’ll let us take our animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to Yahweh our God. All our animals will go with us; not one hoof can be left behind. We’ll choose our sacrifices for Yahweh our God from among these animals and we won’t know which ones to use until we get there.” But Yahweh made the ruler of Egypt’s heart stubborn once more, and he wouldn’t let them go. The ruler of Egypt shouted at Moses, “Get out of here! Be careful not to ever come back to see me again! The day you see my face, you’ll die!” So Moses answered, “What you said is good. I’ll never see your face again.”
A Judgment of Death for Egypt’s Firstborn
11[1-3] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “I’ll send one more problem on the ruler of Egypt and the land of Egypt. After that, the ruler of Egypt will let you go. When he lets you go, he’ll make you all leave quickly. Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for things of silver and gold.” Yahweh had caused the Egyptians to be kind to the people of Israel and Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by the ruler of Egypt’s officials and the Egyptian people.
[4-8] Then Moses said to the ruler of Egypt, “Yahweh says, “‘At midnight tonight I’ll pass through the heart of Egypt and all the firstborn will die in Egypt, from the firstborn of the ruler of Egypt, who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of his worker girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the animals will die. Then a loud cry will sound throughout the land of Egypt, one like no one has heard before or will ever hear again. But not even a dog will bark against any of the Israelites or their animals. Then you’ll know that Yahweh makes a difference between the Egyptians and the Israelites. All of your people will run and fall to the ground before Me, saying, “‘Get out! And take all your followers with you.’ After that, I’ll go out!” Then, Moses left the ruler of Egypt, being very angry.
[9-10] Now Yahweh had told Moses earlier, “The ruler of Egypt won’t listen to you, so I’ll do even more amazing things in the land of Egypt.” So Moses and Aaron did these miracles in the ruler of Egypt’s presence, but Yahweh made his heart stubborn, and he wouldn’t let the Israelites go out of his land.
The First Passover
12[1-10] While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Say to all the people of Israel, ‘On the 10th day of this month each family will choose a lamb for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.’ If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family next door. Take the animal in keeping with the size of each family and how much they can eat. The animal you pick can’t have anything wrong with it, and will be a first-year-male, either a sheep or a goat.” Take care of it until the evening of the 14th day of this 1st month. Then all the people of Israel will kill their lamb or young goat as the sun goes down. They need to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. That same night they’ll roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with flat bread and bitter greens. Don’t eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal, including the head, legs, and insides, will be roasted over a fire. Don’t leave any of it until the next morning and burn whatever is left.
[11-20] This is the way you’ll eat it: Be dressed with your belt on and your sandals on your feet, and have your walking stick in your hand. Eat it quickly, because this is Yahweh’s Passover. On that night I’ll pass through the land of Egypt and kill every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human and animal. I’ll judge and punish all the false gods of Egypt, because I Am Yahweh! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you’re staying. When I see the blood, I’ll pass over you and this punishment of death won’t touch you when I punish the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you’ll celebrate it as a feast to Yahweh. Make a rule to keep it forever. For seven days the bread you eat won’t be made with yeast. On the 1st day of the feast, take out all of the yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the feast will be put out from the people of Israel. On the 1st day and again on the 7th day of the feast, all the people will come together to worship. No work of any kind may be done on these days except for fixing the food. Celebrate this Passover Feast to remind you that I brought your people out of the land of Egypt on this very day. Celebrate this day from generation to generation and make it a rule. The bread you eat won’t be made with yeast from the evening of the 14th day of the 1st month until the evening of the 21st day of that month. During those seven days, don’t let any yeast stay in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be put out from the people of Israel, whether they are an Israelite or a foreigner. During those days you won’t eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only flat bread.”
[21-27] Then Moses called all the leaders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb in keeping with the size of each of your families, and kill the Passover sacrifice. Then take a branch of hyssop and dip it into the blood in the pan and brush it across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. No one may go out through the door until morning. Yahweh will pass through the land to kill the Egyptians. But when God sees the blood on the doorframe, Yahweh will pass over your home and won’t let the death angel come into your house to kill you. Remember to keep these things as a rule for you and your descendants forever. When you come into the land Yahweh has promised to give you, you’ll keep this ceremony. Then when your children ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ you’ll say, ‘It’s the Passover sacrifice to Yahweh, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt to save us and killed the Egyptians.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
[28-30] So the people of Israel did just as Yahweh had told Moses and Aaron. That night at midnight, Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of the ruler of Egypt, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the jail. Even the firstborn of their animals were killed. The ruler of Egypt, all his officials, and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and a loud cry was heard in all the land of Egypt. There wasn’t a house where someone wasn’t dead.
Israel Leaves Egypt
[31-36] Then the ruler of Egypt sent for Moses and Aaron during the night, “Get up and go! Leave my people and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship Yahweh as you’ve asked. Take your flocks and herds, as you said, “and be gone, and bless me also.” So all the Egyptians hurried the people of Israel out of the land quickly because they thought, “We’ll all die!” So the Israelites took their bread dough before yeast was added and wrapped their kneading bowls in their clothes, carrying them on their shoulders. And the people of Israel had done as Moses told them; they had asked the Egyptians for clothing and things of silver and gold. Yahweh caused the Egyptians to be kind to the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they took the riches of the Egyptians!
[37-42] That night the people of Israel left Rameses and went to Succoth, with about 600,000 men on foot, plus all the women and children. A bunch of non-Israelites went with them, along with many flocks and herds. So they baked pancakes from the dough without yeast, which they had brought from Egypt. It was made without yeast because the people were driven out of Egypt in such a hurry that they had no time to make the bread or other food. The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. On the last day of the 430th year all the people of Yahweh left Egypt. It’s a night to remember Yahweh for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. So this is the night for all the people of Israel to remember Yahweh, and it will be celebrated every year, from generation to generation.
Passover Rituals
[43-51] Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “Do this for the Passover Feast. No foreigners will eat it. But any worker who has been bought may eat it if he has had his foreskin cut off. Visitors and paid workers won’t eat it. Each Passover lamb will be eaten in one house. Don’t carry any of its meat outside, and don’t break any of its bones. All the people of Israel will celebrate this feast. If a foreigner living with you wants to celebrate Yahweh’s Passover, let all their males have their foreskins cut off. Then they may celebrate the Passover with you like a native-born Israelite. But no male who has not had his foreskin cut off may ever eat the Passover meal. This law applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living with you.” So all the people of Israel did what Yahweh had told Moses and Aaron to do. On that very day Yahweh brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their family groups.
Dedication of the Firstborn
13[1-7] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Dedicate to Me every firstborn, whatever opens the womb, among the Israelites, both humans and animals. It’s Mine.” So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever, the day you left Egypt, the place of hard work and slaving. Today, Yahweh has brought you out with a strong hand, so remember, eat no bead with yeast. On this day, in the month of Abib, (tender and green) you’re going out. After Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which God promised to your ancestors, a land full of milk and honey, you’ll celebrate this event in this month each year. For seven days your bread won’t be made with yeast, and on the 7th day, celebrate a feast to Yahweh. Eat bread without yeast during those seven days. There will be no yeast bread or any yeast at all found in your houses during this time.
[8-16] On the 7th day you’ll explain to your children, ‘I’m doing this because of what Yahweh did for me when I left Egypt.’ This annual feast will be a visible sign to you, like a mark on your hand, to help you remember Yahweh’s Laws because with a strong hand Yahweh saved you out of Egypt.’ So keep the rule of this feast at this time each year. When Yahweh gives you the land where the Canaanites now live, as was promised to your ancestors, you’ll set apart all that opens the womb, that is, every firstborn male from all your animals because they belong to Yahweh. But you’ll buy back a firstborn donkey by giving a lamb in its place. But if you don’t want to buy it back, you’ll break its neck. And every firstborn human son you’ll buy back. And in the future, when your children ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you’ll tell them, ‘With a strong hand, Yahweh brought us out of Egypt, the place of hard work and slaving. The ruler of Egypt was stubborn and wouldn’t let us go, so Yahweh killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. So I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to Yahweh, but the firstborn sons are always bought back.’ This ceremony will be like a mark on your hand to help you remember that with a strong hand, Yahweh brought us out of Egypt.”
Israel Wanders through the Countryside
[17-22] When the ruler of Egypt finally let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was closer. But God said, “The people might change their minds if they’re faced with a war, and go back to Egypt.” So God led them around through the countryside of the Red Sea. So the Israelites left Egypt in order, ranked by their family groups. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel promise to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you, so take my bones from this place with you.” The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the countryside. Yahweh went ahead of them by day with a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light, so they could go by day and night. Yahweh didn’t take the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night away from the people.
The Egyptians Chase the Israelites
14[1-4] Then Yahweh told Moses: ”Tell the Israelites to turn and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea, across from Baal-zephon. Camp there by the sea. Then the ruler of Egypt will think, ‘The Israelites are confused by the land and trapped in the countryside!’ And once again I’ll make the ruler of Egypt’s heart stubborn, and he’ll chase after you. I’ll get more respect than the ruler of Egypt and all his army and the Egyptians will know that I Am Yahweh!” So they camped there as they were told.
[5-9] When word reached the ruler of Egypt that the Israelites had left, the ruler of Egypt and his officials changed their minds, “What have we done, letting all those Israelite workers go?” So the ruler of Egypt got his chariot ready and took his troops with him. He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with leaders over them all. So Yahweh made the heart of the ruler of Egypt stubborn, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had bravely left. The Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of the ruler of Egypt, his horsemen and soldiers, and caught up with them camping by the seashore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.
[10-14] As the ruler of Egypt came up, the people of Israel looked up and saw the Egyptians catching up with them. They were very scared and prayed to Yahweh. Then they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the countryside? Weren’t there any graves in Egypt? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt when we said, “‘Leave us alone! Let us work for the Egyptians?’ It’s better to work in Egypt than to die in the countryside!’” But Moses told the people, “Don’t be scared. Be still and watch Yahweh save you today. The Egyptians you see today you’ll never see again. Yahweh will fight for you, so be quiet!”
Crossing the Red Sea
[15-18] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the people to go on! Pick up your walking stick and raise your hand over the sea and divide it. The Israelites will walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. I’ll make the hearts of the Egyptians stubborn, and they’ll follow them in. So I’ll get more respect than the ruler of Egypt and all his troops, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then all Egypt will know that I Am Yahweh, when I get respect for Myself over the ruler of Egypt and his armies!”
[19-22] Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved behind the camp. The pillar of cloud moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud came between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. So it was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, and it gave light by night to the Israelites, so neither went to the other all night. Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and Yahweh held back the water with a strong east wind all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the waters were divided. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side of them!
[23-25] Then the Egyptians, all of the ruler of Egypt’s horses, chariots, and horsemen, chased them into the middle of the sea. Just before morning Yahweh looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and troubled their forces. Their chariot wheels fell off, making their chariots hard to drive, so the Egyptians said, “Let’s run away from these Israelites! Yahweh is fighting for them against Egypt!”
[26-28] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again, so the waters will come back and cover the Egyptian chariots and horsemen.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the sea became deep again, while the Egyptians were moving through it. So Yahweh drowned the Egyptians in the sea. When the waters went back and covered all the chariots and horsemen, all the army of the ruler of Egypt, not one lived.
[29-31] But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides of them. So Yahweh saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day and the Israelites saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the great power that Yahweh had used against the Egyptians, they feared Yahweh. They put their faith in Yahweh and believed Moses, God’s worker.
A Song of Deliverance
15[1-7] Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to Yahweh: “I’ll sing to Yahweh because You’ve amazingly won our freedom; You’ve thrown both horse and rider into the sea. Yahweh is my strength and my song; You’ve saved me. This is my God, and I’ll praise You, the God of my ancestors, and I’ll applaud You! Yahweh is a strong warrior; Yahweh is God’s Name! You’ve thrown the ruler of Egypt’s chariots and army into the sea. The ruler of Egypt’s best leaders are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters covered them; they sank to the bottom like a stone.” Your strong hand, O Yahweh, is amazing in power. Your strong hand, O Yahweh, smashes the enemy in pieces. In the greatness of Your majesty, You overthrow those who rise against You. You let Your anger burn; and it burns them like straw.
[8-13] At the blast of Your breath, the waters rose up! The rising waters stood straight up like a wall; in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard like glass.” The enemy bragged, ‘I’ll chase them and catch up with them. I’ll steal all their stuff and get what I want from them. I’ll pull my knife; my strong hand will kill them.’ But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the great waters.” Who is like You among the gods, O Yahweh, Who is like You, amazing in goodness, deserving our praises, doing great amazing things? You raised Your strong hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. With Your forgiveness You lead the people you’ve saved. In Your strength, You guide them to Your Place of Worship.
[14-18] The peoples will hear and shake in fear; those who live in Philistia will sorrow. The leaders of Edom are confused; the great ones of Moab will shake in fear. All who live in Canaan will melt away; fear and dread will come over them. The power of Your arm makes them stand as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O Yahweh, until the people You bought back pass by. Bring them in and plant them on Your own mountain, the place where You stay, O Yahweh, the Place of Worship, O Yahweh, which Your hands have made. Yahweh will reign forever and ever!”
[19-21] When the ruler of Egypt’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, Yahweh brought the waters down on them. But the people of Israel went through the middle of the sea on dry ground! Then Miriam, the preacher, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. And Miriam sang this song: “I’ll sing to Yahweh because You’ve amazingly won our freedom; You’ve thrown both horse and rider into the sea.”
Bitter Water at Marah
[22-27] Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled for three days but found no water. When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink, so they called it Marah (“Bitter”). The people complained to Moses, “What are we going to drink?” So Moses prayed to Yahweh for help, and Yahweh showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, it made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that Yahweh gave them a law and a rule to test their faithfulness. God said, “If you’ll listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God and do what’s right to Me, obeying all My judgments and keeping all My laws, then I won’t make you suffer any of the problems I sent on the Egyptians; because I Am Yahweh who heals you.” Then the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees and camped there beside the water.
Bread from Heaven
16[1-5] Then all the people of Israel left from Elim and went into the countryside of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai on the 15th day of the 2nd month, after leaving from the land of Egypt. Then all the people of Israel complained to Moses and Aaron, “If only Yahweh had killed us back in Egypt, where we sat around pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you’ve brought us into this countryside to starve us all to death.” Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people will go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I’ll test them to see whether or not they’ll obey Me. On the sixth day they’ll gather twice as much as usual and get it ready.”
[6-10] So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you’ll know it was Yahweh who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you’ll see the greatness of Yahweh, who has heard your complaints, which are against God, and not us. Who are we that you should complain about us? Yahweh will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to fill you in the morning. Yahweh has heard all your complaints against God. Who are we? Yes, your complaints are against Yahweh, not against us.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say this to all the people of Israel, ‘Come to Yahweh, who has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron said to all the people of Israel, they looked out toward the countryside and saw the amazing greatness of Yahweh shining in a cloud.
[11-16] Then Yahweh said to Moses, ”I’ve heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you’ll have meat to eat, and in the morning you’ll have all the bread you want. Then you’ll know that I Am Yahweh your God.’” That evening great numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew dried, a small round thing as fine as frost covered the ground. So when they saw it, they asked each other, “What is it?” They didn’t know what it was. Moses told them, “It’s the bread Yahweh has given you to eat. This is what Yahweh tells you to do: Everyone should gather as much as they need, about a 3 quart jar for each person in your tent.”
[17-20] So the people of Israel did as they were told, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered too much had nothing left over, and those who gathered a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, “Don’t keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some till morning anyway. But by then it was full of worms and had a very bad smell. So Moses was very angry with them.
[21-26] After this the people gathered it every morning, each family as much as they needed. And as the sun became hot, it melted. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual, about six quarts for each person instead of three. Then all the leaders of the people came and asked Moses, “why.” He told them, “This is what Yahweh has told you to do: Tomorrow will be a day of total rest, a Seventh Day, a day set apart to worship Yahweh. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what’s left for tomorrow.” So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had told them, and it didn’t have any worms or smell. Moses said, “Eat this food today because today is a Seventh Day, a day to worship Yahweh. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the Seventh Day is the Day of Rest. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
[27-31] Some of the people went out anyway on the Seventh Day, but they found no food. So Yahweh asked Moses, “How long will these people not do what I tell them? See, I, Yahweh, have given you the Seventh Day, so I’ll give you enough for two days on the sixth day. On the Seventh Day you’ll each stay at home. Don’t go out of your home on the Seventh Day.” So the people rested on the Seventh Day. The Israelites called the food, “manna.” It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey crackers.
[32-36] Then Moses said, “This is what Yahweh has told you: Fill a 3 quart jar with manna to save it for your descendants, so they’ll be able to see the food I gave you in the countryside when I set you free from Egypt.” Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with 3 quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place facing Yahweh to save it for future generations.” Aaron did just as Yahweh had told Moses. He put it up to be placed in the Ark of Promise. So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they got to the land where there were other people living. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. The container used to measure the manna held about 3 quarts.
Water from the Rock
17[1-3] All the people of Israel left the countryside of Sin as Yahweh told them to and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink!” So Moses answered, “Why are you asking me? And why are you testing Yahweh?” But because they were thirsty, they kept arguing with Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our animals with thirst?”
[4-7] Then Moses prayed to Yahweh, “What should I do with these people? They’re almost ready to stone me!” So Yahweh said to Moses, “Go out in front of the people and call some of the leaders of Israel to go with you. Take your walking stick, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and go. I’ll stand in front of you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Hit the rock, and water will come out of it, so the people will be able to drink.” So Moses did as he was told, and water came out as the leaders watched. So Moses named the place Massah (“Temptation”) and Meribah (“Argument”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tempted Yahweh by saying, “Is Yahweh with us or not?”
Israel Defeats the Amalekites
[8-13] While the people of Israel were at Rephidim, the soldiers of Amalek came to fight them. So Moses told Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow, I’ll stand at the top of the hill, holding the walking stick of God in My hand.” So Joshua did what Moses said to him and fought the army of Amalek. Then Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up the walking stick with him, the Israelites were winning. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands became so tired that he couldn’t hold them up, Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands stayed up until sunset and Joshua won the battle against the army of Amalek.
[14-16] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Write this down in the book to remember it, and read it to Joshua: and I’ll erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Then Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (“Yahweh is my banner”). He said, “Yahweh has promised, so Yahweh will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
Jethro’s Visit to Moses
18[1-6] Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the preacher of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and the Israelite people, about how Yahweh had saved them from Egypt. Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. (The first was named Gershom because Moses had said when he was born, “I’ve been a foreigner in a foreign land.” The second was named Eliezer because Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; and saved me from being killed by the ruler of Egypt.” So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came back with his wife and two sons to Moses in the countryside, where they were camped at the mountain of God. Jethro had sent word to Moses, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”
[7-12] So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed to him and kissed him. They asked each other about how the other was doing and then went into Moses’ tent. So Moses told his father-in-law everything Yahweh had done to the ruler and people of Egypt for Israel. He also told him about how Yahweh had saved the people from all their troubles along the way. Jethro was happy when he heard about all the good things Yahweh had done for Israel by saving them from the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro said, “Praise Yahweh, who has saved you from the Egyptians and from the ruler of Egypt, and who has saved Israel from having to work for the Egyptians! Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all other gods, because the very things that they proudly worshipped, God used to defeat them.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the leaders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.
Jethro’s Wise Advice
[13-16] The next day, Moses took his seat to judge between the people and they lined up in front of him from morning till evening. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you doing for these people? Why are you doing all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” And Moses answered, “Because the people come to me to get an answer from God. When they disagree, they come to me, and I judge between them. I tell them God’s judgments and laws.”
[17-23] Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “This isn’t good! Both you and those with you are going to wear yourselves out. This job is too much for you to do by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should keep on teaching them God judgments and laws, and show them how to live right and what work they need to do. But select from all the people some men who are able to do this, who fear God, are honest and hate bribes. Make them leaders over groups of 1,000, 100, 50, and 10. Let them always judge the people in the less important things themselves, but have them bring the more important things to you. They’ll help you carry the load, making things easier for you. If you do this, and if God tells you so, then you’ll be able to go on, and all these people will go home in peace.”
[24-27] So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did what he said. Then Moses chose men who were able to do this from all over Israel and made them leaders over the people, leaders over 1,000’s, 100’s, 50’s, and 10’s. So they always judged the people in the little things themselves and brought the more important things to Moses. Then Moses let his father-in-law go, who went back to his own land.
Yahweh Comes Down on Mount Sinai
19[1-6] In the 3rd month after the Israelites had left Egypt, they came to the countryside of Mount Sinai. They had left Rephidim, and came to Mount Sinai and set up camp there in the countryside. So Israel camped beside the mountain. Then Moses climbed up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, “Tell this to the family of Jacob; tell it to the descendants of Israel, ‘You’ve seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you’ll obey Me and keep My Law, you’ll be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; because all the earth is Mine. And you’ll be a land of preachers to Me, My holy nation.’ Say this to the people of Israel.”
[7-13] So Moses came down and called the leaders of the people and told them everything Yahweh had told him. And all the people answered together, “We’ll do everything Yahweh has told us to do.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to Yahweh. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “I’ll come to you in a thick cloud, so the people will listen to Me when I talk to you and always believe you.” So Moses told Yahweh what the people had said. Then Yahweh told Moses, “Go down to the people and dedicate them. Get them ready today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothes. Make sure they’re ready on the third day because on that day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. Set a boundary all around the mountain, warning the people, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up to the mountain or even touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death without a doubt. No hand will touch that person or animal, but they’ll be stoned or shot with an arrow. Whether human or animal, they’ll be put to death. But when the trumpet sounds a long blast, then they’ll come near the mountain.”
[14-20] So Moses went down to the people, and got them ready for worship, and they washed their clothes. He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and don’t have sex.” On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a thick cloud came down on the mountain. The sound of the trumpet was very loud, so all the people in the camp were scared. But Moses led them out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because Yahweh had come down on it in fire. The smoke went up like smoke from an oven, and the whole mountain quaked. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him aloud. Then Yahweh came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed up the mountain.
[21-25] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to cross the boundaries to try to see Yahweh, or they’ll die. And let the preachers who serve Yahweh purify themselves so they won’t be killed.” But Moses argued, “The people can’t come up to the mountain. You warned us, ‘Set a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.’” But Yahweh said, “Go away! Go down and come back with Aaron. But don’t let the preachers or the people cross the boundary to see Yahweh, or they’ll be killed.” So Moses went down to the people and told them what Yahweh had said again.
The Ten Laws of God
20[1-3] Then God said, “I Am Yahweh your God, who saved you from the land of Egypt, the place of hard work and slaving. Don’t worship anything else but Me.
[4-6] Don’t make yourself an idol of any kind or a false god of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the sea. Don’t bow down to them or worship them because I, Yahweh, your God, am a jealous God, who passes the parents’ faults down to their children up to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but forgiving many generations of those who love and keep My Laws.
[7] Don’t use the Name of Yahweh your God with disrespect. Yahweh won’t let anyone go unpunished who misuses God’s Name.
[8-11] Remember the Seventh Day and keep it set aside to worship. You may do all your work in six days, but the Seventh Day is the Day of Rest of Yahweh your God. On that day no one may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female workers, your animals, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days Yahweh made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them and rested the Seventh Day. So Yahweh blessed the Seventh Day and set it apart to worship God.
[12] Respect your father and mother, so you’ll live a long life in the land Yahweh your God is giving you.
[13] Don’t kill anyone.
[14] Don’t be sexually unfaithful to your spouse.
[15] Don’t steal anything.
[16] Don’t tell lies about anyone.
[17] Don’t want what someone else has. Don’t want their house, their spouse, their workers, their animals, or anything else that belongs to someone else.”
[18-20] When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the goat’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke pouring out of the mountain, they stood shaking at a distance. And they said to Moses, “You talk to us, and we’ll listen. But don’t let God talk to us, or we’ll die!” So Moses answered them, “Don’t be scared; God has come to test you, so that your fear of God will keep you from sinning!”
Proper Use of Altars
[21-26] As the people stood in the distance, Moses went to the dark cloud where God was. Yahweh said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: You saw that I spoke to you from heaven. Remember, don’t worship anything else along with Me. Don’t make any false gods of silver or gold for yourselves.” Build for Me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices on it, your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and cattle. Wherever I put My Name, I’ll come to you and bless you. If you use stones to build My altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Don’t shape the stones with a tool because that would make them unfit for use on the altar. And don’t build My altar with steps or you’ll show your nakedness on it.
Fair Treatment Rules
21[1-6] “Now these are the rules which you’ll give them. If you buy a Hebrew worker, they’ll serve six years and in the seventh they’ll go free without paying anything. If that person comes in alone, they’ll go out alone. If the person is married, then the spouse will be free too. If you give the person a spouse and they have sons or daughters, the spouse and the children will stay with you, but the worker will be freed. But if the worker plainly says, “`I love my boss, my spouse, and my children. I won’t go free;’ then you’ll bring the worker to God, and will bring them to the door or to the door-post, and you’ll pierce their ear, and they’ll serve you forever.
[7-11] If someone sells his daughter to be a female worker, she’ll not go free as the male-workers do. If she doesn’t please her husband, who has married her, then he’ll let her be bought back. He’ll have no right to sell her to a foreign people, seeing he’s been dishonest with her. If he marries her to his son, he’ll treat her like a daughter. If he takes another wife, he’ll not take away her food, clothing, or marital rights. If he doesn’t do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.
Rules on Abuse and Kidnapping
[12-14] Anyone who hits another so that the person dies, without a doubt, will be put to death. If it’s an accident and I allow it to happen, then I’ll choose a place where the person can go to be safe. But if someone plans it and comes forcefully on another to kill them, you’ll take them to be judged, and put them to death.
[15] Anyone who attacks their father or mother, without a doubt, will be put to death.
[16] Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells them, or if they’re found with them, the one who kidnapped them, will without a doubt, be put to death.
[17] Anyone who speaks badly of their father or mother, without a doubt, will be put to death.
[18-19] If two people fight and one hits the other with something, or with a fist, and the person who’s hit doesn’t die, but has to stay in bed; if they get up again and walk around with a cane, then the one who hit them will be cleared, but must pay for the loss of their time, and will pay for their care until they’re completely healed.
[20-21] If someone beats a male or female worker, and the worker dies under their hand, the one who beat them without a doubt, will be punished. But if the worker gets up after a day or two, the one who beat them won’t be punished, because the worker is their property.
[22-25] If people fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she miscarries her baby, and yet no damage follows, they’ll be, without a doubt, fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and the judges will allow. But if any more damage follows, then you must punish the one who hurt her equally for the damage they caused.
[26-27] If someone hits a worker’s eye, and destroys it, they’ll let them go free for their eye’s sake. If they knock out a worker’s tooth, they’ll let them go free for their tooth’s sake.
Rules on Animals
[28-32] If a bull gores someone to death, the bull without a doubt, will be killed, and its meat won’t be eaten; but the owner of the bull won’t be held responsible. But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and it has been told to the owner, who has not kept it in, and it has killed someone, then the bull will be killed, and its owner will also be put to death. If a ransom is put on that person, then they’ll pay to save their life whatever amount is put on them. Whether it has gored a son or a daughter, it’ll be done as this judgment says. If the bull gores a male-worker, thirty silver coins will be given to their boss, and the bull will be killed.
[33-34] If someone opens a pit, or if someone digs a pit and doesn’t cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit will make it good and pay its owner for it, and the dead animal will be theirs.
[35-36] If one man’s bull hurts another’s, so that it dies, then they’ll sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they’ll also divide the dead animal. But if it’s known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, the owner will, without a doubt, pay bull for bull, and the dead animal will be theirs.
On Thieves
22[1-4] If someone steals a bull or a sheep, and kills it, or sells it; they’ll pay five for one cow, and four for one sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and is hit and dies, the owner won’t be guilty of bloodshed for the thief. If the sun has come up, the thief will be guilty for any bloodshed and they’ll pay the owner back for any losses. If they’ve nothing, then they’ll be sold for their theft. If the stolen animal is found in their hand alive, they’ll pay double.
[5] If someone causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting their animal loose and it grazes in someone else’s field, they’ll pay the owner back from the best of their own field or vineyard.
[6] If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that shocks of grain, or standing grain, or the field are burnt up; whoever started the fire will, without a doubt, pay the owner back.
[7-8] If someone asks a friend to keep their money or stuff for them, and it’s stolen out of their house; if the thief is found, the thief will pay double. If the thief isn’t found, then the owner of the house will come to be judged, to see if they’ve taken it themselves.
[9] For any kind of wrong, whether it be over an animal, or clothing, or anything that’s lost, where one says, “’This is mine,’ both parties will come to be judged. The one who’s found guilty will pay double to the other.
[10-13] If someone asks a friend to keep an animal, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, but no one sees it; then they must make a promise before God between them both, that they haven’t taken what belonged to the other; and the owner of it will accept it, and the other won’t have to pay them back for it. But if it’s been stolen, they’ll pay the owner back. If it’s torn in pieces, let them bring it as proof. They won’t have to make good what was torn.
[14-15] If someone borrows an animal from a friend, and it’s injured or dies, its owner not being with it, the one who borrowed it will, without a doubt, pay the owner back. If the owner is with it, the other won’t have to make it good. If it has been leased, it came for its lease.
Other Rules to Live by
[16-17] If someone tempts a young girl who isn’t promised in marriage, and has sex with her; he’ll without a doubt make her his wife. If her father won’t give her to him, he’ll pay the price of a bride.
[18] Don’t let a witch live.
[19] Whoever has sex with an animal, without a doubt, will be put to death.
[20] Anyone who sacrifices to any false god (fallen angel, demon), except to Yahweh only, will be put to death.
[21] Don’t wrong a foreigner, nor abuse them, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
[22] Don’t take advantage of any death survivor or a child without a parent. If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to Me, I’ll, without a doubt, hear their cry; and be very angry, and I’ll kill you; and then your spouse will be a death survivor, and your children will be without a parent, too.
[25-27] If you lend money to any of My people with you, who’s poor, don’t be a creditor to them; don’t charge interest to them. If you take their coat as collateral, you’ll give it back before the sun goes down, that being their only covering, it’s a coat for their skin. What would they sleep in? And when they cry to Me, I’ll listen, for I Am understanding.
[28] Don’t disrespect God, nor speak badly of a ruler of your people.
[29-30] Don’t put off giving Me the first of your harvest and your juices; and dedicate the firstborn of your sons to Me. Do the same with your bulls and sheep. It will stay with its mother for seven days, then on the eighth day you’ll give it to Me.
[31] Dedicate yourselves to Me, and don’t eat any meat torn by animals in the field. Throw it to the dogs.
God won’t Excuse Evil
23[1] Don’t spread lies. Don’t join with evil people to be a liar against someone.
[2-3] Don’t follow a crowd to do evil; nor speak up in an argument to side with a crowd to be unfair; nor take the side of a poor person unfairly.
[4-5] If you see your enemy’s animal is lost; you’ll, without a doubt, bring it back to them again. If you see the animal of your enemy has fallen down with its heavy load, don’t leave it; you’ll without a doubt help it up.
[6] Don’t be unfair to poor people when they’ve a problem.
[7] Stay away from anything false, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous because I won’t excuse evil.
[8] Take no bribes, because someone who takes a bribe won’t see the truth and changes the words of the righteous.
[9] Don’t abuse a foreigner, for you know the heart of a foreigner, seeing that you were one in the land of Egypt.
Days and Years to Remember
[10-11] For six years you’ll plant your land, and will gather what it grows, but the seventh year you’ll let it rest and not till it, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the animals of the field will eat. Do the same with your vineyards and your tree groves.
[12] Six days you’ll do your work, and on the Seventh Day you’ll rest, so that your animals and workers may rest, and the foreigner may be refreshed.
[13] Be careful to do everything that I’ve told you; and don’t call on the name of other gods (fallen angels, demons), nor let them even be heard coming out of your mouth.
[14-16] Keep a feast to Me three times a year. Keep the Passover Feast. Seven days you’ll eat bread without yeast, as I told you, at the time chosen in the month Abib (for in it you came out from Egypt), and no one will come to Me without an offering. And the Feast of Weeks, the first of your food, which you plant in the field: and the Harvest Feast at the end of the year, when you gather in your food out of the field.
[17] Three times in the year all your males will come to Yahweh God.
[18] Don’t offer the blood of My sacrifice with bread made from yeast, nor let the fat of My feast stay all night until morning.
[19] The first of the harvests of your land you’ll bring into the house of Yahweh your God. Don’t boil a young animal in its mother’s milk.
The Angel of God
[20-23] See, I’m sending an angel before you, to keep you safe on the way, and to bring you into the place which I’ve set aside for you. Pay attention, and listen. Don’t make My angel angry, who won’t excuse your disobedience. This angel has My Name. But if You listen to My angel, and do all that I say, then I’ll be an enemy to your enemies, and come against those who come against you. My angel will go before you, and bring you in to the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites; and I’ll kill them off.
Don’t Follow the Practices of Ungodly People
[24] Don’t bow down to their false gods, nor serve them, nor do what they do, but you’ll completely overthrow them and destroy their altars.
[25] Serve Yahweh your God, who will bless your bread and water, and heal you from sickness. No one will miscarry a baby or be unable to have children in your land. I’ll give you a long, full life.
[27-28] I’ll send My fear before you, and will confuse all the people you come to, and I’ll make all your enemies run from you. I’ll send hornets before you, which will drive them out from before you.
[29-30] I won’t drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become wild and the animals of the field grow too many for you. Little by little, I’ll drive them out from before you, until you’ve grown in number and inherit the land.
[31-33] I’ll set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the countryside to the River; for I’ll put the people of the land in your power, and you’ll drive them out before you. Make no agreement with them, or with their false gods (fallen angels, demons). Don’t let them stay in your land, or they’ll make you sin against Me. If you serve their false gods, it without a doubt, will be a trap to you.”
Moses and the Elders see Yahweh
24[1-3] Then God said to Moses, “Come up to Yahweh, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from a distance. But only Moses will come up to Yahweh, and the rest won’t come close.” So Moses came and told the people everything Yahweh had said, “and all the rules; and all the people answered in agreement, and said, “We’ll do everything Yahweh has said.”
[4-8] Then Moses wrote down everything Yahweh had said, “and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar at the base of the mountain and set up twelve posts for the twelve families of Israel. Then he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace-offerings of bulls to Yahweh. Then Moses took half of the blood and put it in pans and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the Book of Promise and read it to the people, and they said, “We’ll do everything Yahweh has said, “and obey it.” So Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Look, this is the blood of the promise, which Yahweh has made with you with all these words.”
[9-12] Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under God’s feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, clear as the sky. But God didn’t touch the elders of the people of Israel. When they saw God, they ate and drank. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain, and stay here and I’ll give you stone slabs with the law and the rules that I’ve written, that you may teach them.”
[13-18] So Moses rose up with Joshua, his helper, and went up onto God’s Mountain. Then Moses said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. See, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a problem can go to them.” So Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. Then the beautiful light of Yahweh settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day God called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. The beautiful light of Yahweh looked like a great fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the people of Israel. So Moses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and nights.
The People are to Give an Offering
25[1-7] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, to take an offering for Me. Take My offering from everyone whose heart is willing. Take from them gold, silver, and brass metals, blue, purple, and scarlet linens, goats` hair, red sheepskin, leather, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for good smelling incense, onyx stones and other valuable stones to be set in the back piece and the chest piece.
A Place of Worship and the Chest of the Law
[8-16] Let them make Me a Place of Worship that I may be with them. Make everything how I show you, both the tent and its furniture. They’ll make a Chest of acacia wood. It will be about 3’9“ long, and about 2’3” wide and high. Cover it with solid gold, inside and out, and make a gold trim around it. Make four golden rings for it, and put them in its four feet, with two rings on each side of it. Then make poles of acacia wood, and cover them with gold. Put the poles into the rings on the sides of the Chest to carry it. Keep the poles in the rings of the Chest and don’t take them from it. Put the law which I’ll give you into the Chest.
The Seat of Forgiveness
[17-22] Make a Seat of Forgiveness of solid gold, about 3’9“ long, and 2’3” wide. Make two angelic beings of molded gold at the two ends of the Seat of Forgiveness. Make one angelic being on each end of the lid with the Seat of Forgiveness. The angelic beings will spread out their wings upward, covering the Seat of Forgiveness with their wings, with their faces facing each other. The faces of the angelic beings will face the Seat of Forgiveness. Put the Seat of Forgiveness on top of the Chest, and in the Chest you’ll put the law that I’ll give you. I’ll meet with you there, on top of the Seat of Forgiveness, from between the two angelic beings which are on the Chest of the Law, I’ll tell you all the laws and rules for the people of Israel.
The Bread Table
[23-28] Then make a table of acacia wood about 3’ long, and 18” wide, and 2’3” high. Cover it with solid gold, and make a gold trim around it. Make a rim of about 4” around it. Make a golden trim on its rim all around it. Make four gold rings for it, and put the rings in the four corners that are on its four feet. The rings will be close to the rim, for places for the poles to carry the table. Make the poles of acacia wood, and cover them with gold, that the table may be carried with them.
[29-30] Make dishes, spoons, ladles, and bowls of solid gold with which to pour out offerings. Then set the bread of the presence on the table before Me always.
The Lampstand
[31-40] Make a lampstand of solid gold. Make it of molded work, with its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers, all of one piece. There will be six branches going out of its sides with three branches out of one side, and three branches out of the other side; with cups made like almond blossoms, with buds and flowers, in each branch, for all six branches of the lampstand; and in the lampstand four cups made like almond blossoms, with buds and flowers; and a bud under every two branches of the six branches of the lampstand. The buds and branches will be all one piece, all of it one molded work of solid gold. Make it have seven lamps, and they’ll light its lamps to give light to the area in front of it. Its tools and its trays will be of solid gold. It will be made of about 190 pounds of solid gold, with all the tools. See that you make them in the pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain.
The Meeting Place Holy Tent
26[1-6] Make the tent with ten curtains of fine linen, of blue, purple, and scarlet, with angelic beings skillfully sewn on them. Each curtain will be about 42’ long, and 6’ wide, all the same size. Five curtains will be hooked together; and the other five curtains will be hooked together. Make loops of blue rope on the edge of one set of curtains where they come together; and in the same way make them on the second set on the edge of the curtain that is on the outside. Make fifty loops in one curtain, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that is on the second set. The loops will be opposite to one another. Then make fifty hooks of gold, and join the curtains to each other with the hooks: and it will all be one tent.
[7-13] Make eleven curtains of goats` hair for a covering over the tent. Each curtain will be about 45’ long, and 6’ wide, all the same size. Join five curtains in one set, and six curtains in the other, and double over the sixth curtain in the front of the tent. Make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is on the outside edge of the first set, and fifty loops on the outside edge of the curtain in the second set. Make fifty hooks of brass, and put the hooks into the loops, and join it all together to make one tent. The overhanging part that is left of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left, will hang over the back of the tent. The 18” on each side of that which is left in the length of the curtains will hang over the sides of the tent on each side, to cover it.
[14-21] Make another covering for the tent of red sheepskin, and then another covering of leather to go on top of that. Make the boards for the tent of acacia wood, to stand it up. The boards will be about 15’ long, and 2’3” wide. There will be two supports in each board to join them together: do this on all the boards of the tent. Make twenty boards for the south side of the tent. Make forty silver holders under the twenty boards; two holders under the two supports of each board. Make twenty boards for the second side of the tent, on the north side and their forty silver holders; two holders under each board.
[22-25] Make six boards for the back side of the tent on the west, two boards for each corner of the tent. They’ll be joined together on the bottom, and in the same way at the top into one ring to make the two corners. There will be eight boards, and their silver holders, sixteen holders in all; two holders under each board.
[26-30] Make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of each side of the tent, and five bars for the boards of the back side of the tent, on the west. The middle bar in the middle of the boards will pass through the rings from end to end. Cover the boards and the bars with gold, and make the gold rings to hold the bars. Then set up the tent how you saw it on the mountain.
The Veil of the Most Holy Place
[31-37] Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet, of fine linen, skillfully sewn with angelic beings. Hang it on four posts of acacia covered with gold; their hooks will be of gold, on four silver holders. Hang up the veil under the hooks, and put the Chest of the Law in there behind the veil: and the veil will separate the holy place from the Most Holy Place for you. Then put the Seat of Forgiveness on the Chest of the Law in the Most Holy Place. Set the table outside the veil on the north side of the tent, and the lampstand across from the table on the south side of the tent. Make a screen for the door of the tent, skillfully woven of blue, purple, and scarlet, of fine linen. Make five posts of acacia wood covered with gold for the screen, with hooks of gold: and make five brass holders for them.
The Altar
27[1-8] Make a square altar of acacia wood, 7’6” long, and 7’6” wide, and 4’6” high. Make horns on its four corners joined to it; and cover it all with brass. Make pots of brass to take away the ashes, and shovels, pans, meat hooks, and fire pans, all the tools make of brass. Make a grill for it out of a grid of brass with four brass rings in the corners. Put it under the ledge around the altar underneath, so that the grill is halfway up the altar. Make poles for the altar of acacia wood, and cover them with brass. The poles will be put into the rings, and will be on two sides of the altar to carry it. Make it hollow, boarded up with planks, as you saw it on the mountain.
The Court of the Meeting Place
[9-13] Make the court of the tent with hangings on the south side of fine linen, 150’ long, for each side, with twenty posts, and twenty brass holders; Make silver hooks and bands for the posts. Do the same for the north side, making the hangings 150’ long, with twenty posts and twenty brass holders, and silver hooks and bands. On the west side the hangings will be 75’ wide with ten posts, and ten holders. The court on the east side will also be 75’ wide.
[14-16] The hangings for each side of the gate will be 22’6” with three posts and three holders. For the gate of the court will be a screen of 30’ of blue, purple, and scarlet fine linen, skillfully sewn, with four posts and four holders.
[17-19] All the posts around the court will be banded with silver and have silver hooks, and brass holders. So the court will be 150’ long, 75’ wide, and 7’6” high, of fine linen, with brass holders. All the work tools of the tent, all its nails, and all the nails of the court, will be brass.
The Light for the Lamp
[20-21] Tell the people of Israel to bring pure beaten olive oil for the light, so the lamp will burn always. Aaron and his sons will keep it in order from evening to morning facing Yahweh in the Meeting Place, outside the veil which is in front of the Chest of the Law, and this will be a law forever throughout the generations for the people of Israel.
The Preachers and their Clothes
28[1-8] Bring Aaron, your brother, and his sons, to you from among the people of Israel that they may serve as My preachers. Bring Aaron, and Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons. Make sacred clothes for Aaron your brother, for beauty and honor. Tell those who are wise, whom I’ve given the spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s clothes to set him apart to serve Me as My preacher. Make a chest piece, and a back piece, a robe, a colorful coat of fine needlework, a hat, and a linen belt. Make these holy clothes for Aaron, your brother, and his sons that they may serve Me as My preachers. Take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, of the fine linen. Make the back piece of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, of fine linen, skillfully woven. It will have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends, to join it together. The skillfully woven band, which is on it, will be made like it of the same kind of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen.
[9-12] Then take two onyx stones, and engrave the names of the families of Israel on them with six of their names on one stone, and the other six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. Let the engraver carve them in the two stones, like the work on an engraved seal, with the names of the families of Israel. Then set them in settings of gold. Put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the back piece, as reminders of the people of Israel; and Aaron will carry their names facing Yahweh on his two shoulders as a reminder.
[13-14] Make settings of gold, and two chains of solid gold like ropes of braided work and put the braided chains on the settings.
[15-21] Make a chest piece pocket to keep the Judgment Stones in, skillfully woven; like the work of the back piece. Make it of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. It will be square and folded double; It will be about 9” long, and 9” wide. Set in it stone settings of gold for four rows of stones with the first row having a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; and the second row having a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row having a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row having a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. The stones will have the names of the families of Israel, by their twelve names; like the carvings of an engraved seal, one for each name of the twelve family groups.
[22-28] Make on the chest piece chains of solid gold braided like ropes. Make on the chest piece two gold rings, and put them on the ends of the chest piece. Put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the chest piece. The other two ends of the two braided chains you’ll put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the back piece in the front part of it. Make two gold rings, and put them on the inside of the lower edge of the two ends of the chest piece, which faces the side of the back piece. Make two more gold rings, and put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the back piece underneath, in the front part of it, close where it joins, on top of the band of the back piece. They’ll tie the chest piece by its rings to the rings of the back piece with a blue rope, to join it to the band of the back piece, and so that the chest piece won’t swing out from the back piece.
The Judgment Stones
[29-30] So Aaron will keep the names of the families of Israel in the chest piece, which holds the Judgment Stones, on his heart when he goes in to the holy place, for a reminder to Yahweh always. Put in the chest piece of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, which are the Judgment Stones; and they’ll be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in facing Yahweh; and Aaron will have the power to judge the families of Israel on his heart facing Yahweh always.
[31-35] Make the robe of the back piece blue. It will have a hole for the head in the middle of it, having a binding of woven work around the hole, like on a soldier’s coat of mail, so that it won’t be torn. On its hem make pomegranate fruits of blue, purple, and scarlet, around its hem with gold bells between them: a pattern of gold bells and fruits all around the robe’s hem. It will be on Aaron to serve in; and I’ll hear its sound when he comes in to the holy place facing Yahweh, and when he goes out, so that he won’t die.
[36-38] Make a plate of solid gold, and carve on it, like the carvings of an engraved seal, ‘FOR WORSHIP OF YAHWEH.’ Put it on a string of blue, and it will stay on the front of the hat on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron will carry the guilt of sin of all the holy offerings of the people of Israel, so that they may be accepted by Yahweh.
[39-43] Weave the coat and the hat in fine linen, and make a finely woven belt with the best needlework. Make coats, belts, and hats for Aaron’s sons, too, for beauty and honor. Put them on Aaron, your brother, and on his sons, and rub oil on them, setting them apart, and dedicating them to minister to Me as My preachers. Make them linen underwear to cover them from the hips to the thighs. Aaron and his sons will wear them when they go in to the Meeting Place or when they come to the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they don’t have any guilt of sin, and die. This will be a law for him and his descendants forever.
Dedication of the Preachers
29[1-9] This is what you’ll do to them to set them apart to serve Me as My preachers: take one young bull and two rams that have nothing wrong with them, some flat bread, some pancakes mixed with oil, and some crackers made without yeast covered with oil, all made with fine wheat flour. Put them into a basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. Then bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Meeting Place, and have them wash themselves with water. Take the clothes, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the back piece, the back piece, and the chest piece, and dress him with the skillfully woven band of the back piece and set the hat on his head, and put the holy crown on the hat. Then take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. Bring his sons, and put coats on them and dress them with their belts, and put their hats on them. They’ll serve as preachers forever by My law, so set apart Aaron and his sons.
[10-14] Then bring the bull before the Meeting Place and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the head of the bull. Kill the bull facing Yahweh, at the door of the Meeting Place. Take some of the blood of the bull, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and pour out all the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Take all the fat that covers the insides, the fat that covers the liver and the two kidneys, and all the fat that is around them, and burn it all on the altar. But the meat of the bull, and its skin, and its wastes, you’ll burn with fire outside of the camp because it’s a sin-offering.
[15-21] Also take one male goat and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the head of this goat. Then kill the goat, and take its blood, and sprinkle it around the altar. Cut the goat into pieces, and wash its insides, and its legs, and put them with the other pieces, and with its head. Burn the whole goat on the altar because it’s a burnt offering to Yahweh, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh. Then take the other goat; and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the head of this goat. Then kill it, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood on the altar all around it. Take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his clothes, and on his sons, and on their clothes with him: and they’ll be set apart for service, along with the clothes, and his sons, and his sons` clothes.
[22-28] Also take some of the goat’s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the insides, the fat that covers the liver, the two kidneys, and all the fat around them, and the right thigh because it’s a goat of dedication. Also take one loaf of bread, one loaf of oiled bread, and one cracker out of the basket of bread without yeast that is facing Yahweh. Put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons` hands, and wave them for a wave-offering facing Yahweh. Then take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar for a burnt offering, for an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh. Take the breast of Aaron’s goat of dedication, and wave it for a wave-offering facing Yahweh: and it will be your part. Dedicate the breast that is waved, and the thigh that is raised up, of the goat of dedication, which is part of that which is for Aaron, and his sons: and Aaron and his sons will have this part forever by right from the people of Israel; for it’s an offering which is raised up from the people of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, even their offering which is raised up to Yahweh.
[29-37] The holy clothes of Aaron will be for his descendants after him, to be anointed in them, and to be set apart in them. Those who are preachers in Aaron’s place will put them on for seven days when they come into the Meeting Place to minister in the holy place. Then take the male goat of dedication, and boil its meat in a holy place. Aaron and his sons will eat the meat of the goat, and the bread that is in the basket at the door of the Meeting Place. They’ll eat those things which were to cover their sin to set apart and dedicate them, but no one else will eat it, because they’re holy. If any of the meat of the dedication, or of the bread, is left over the next morning, then burn what’s left with fire. It won’t be eaten, because it’s holy. So do this to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I’ve told you. Set them apart for seven days. Offer the bull of the sin-offering to cover sin every day: and cleanse the altar, when the offering is made, and rub oil on it again, to dedicate it. For seven days make the offering on the altar to cover sin, and dedicate it. Then the altar will be most holy and whatever touches it will also be holy.
The Offering of the Lambs
[38-46] Now you’ll offer two one year-old lambs on the altar each day. The first lamb you’ll offer in the morning and the other at evening, along with a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour mixed with one fourth of a 5 quart jar of beaten oil, and one fourth of a 5 quart jar of wine for a drink-offering. The other lamb that you’ll offer at evening will be offered like that of the morning offering, an offering of fire, an offering that smells good to Yahweh. It will be a constant burnt offering forever at the door of the Meeting Place facing Yahweh, where I’ll meet you and talk to you. There I’ll meet with the people of Israel; and the place will be set apart because I Am there. I’ll dedicate the Meeting Place and the altar, and Aaron and his sons I’ll also dedicate to serve Me as My preachers. I’ll be with the people of Israel, and will be their God. They’ll know that I Am Yahweh their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might be with them. I Am Yahweh their God.
The Incense Altar
30[1-10] Make an altar of acacia wood on which to burn incense. It will be 18” wide and long. It will be square, and it will be 3’ high. Its horns will be joined to it. Cover it with solid gold, the top, the sides all around it, and its horns; and make a gold trim around it. Make two golden rings for it under the trim on two sides, which will be for places to put the poles to carry it. Make the poles of acacia wood, and cover them with gold. Put it in front of the veil that is by the Chest of the Law, in front of the Seat of Forgiveness that is over the law, where I’ll meet with you. Aaron will burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he’ll burn it. When the preacher lights the lamps at evening, the incense will be burnt for Yahweh forever. Offer no other incense on it, nor any other offering on it. Aaron will make an offering to cover your sins with the blood of the sin offering on its horns once a year and it will be done forever. It’s most holy to Yahweh.”
Yahweh’s Sin Offering from the People
[11-16] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “When you count the people of Israel, let those who are counted among them, pay a price for their life to Yahweh, so that there will be no problem among them when you count them. Everyone who’s counted will give a half coin from the coin of the Place of Worship, which is valued at twenty nickels, half a coin for an offering to Yahweh. Everyone who’s counted, from twenty years old and over, will give the offering to Yahweh. The rich won’t give more, and the poor won’t give less, than the half coin, when they give the offering of Yahweh to cover your sin for your lives. Take the money to cover your sin from the people of Israel, and use it for the work of the worship service; that it may be a reminder to Yahweh for the people of Israel, to cover your sin for your lives.”
The Washing Pan
[17-21] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Also make a pan of brass to wash in, and the base for it of brass. Put it between the Meeting Place and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet in it. When they go into the Meeting Place, they’ll wash with water, so that they won’t die; or when they come to the altar to minister, to burn an offering of fire to Yahweh. So they’ll wash their hands and their feet so that they won’t die: and this will be a law for the preachers forever.”
The Holy Anointing Oil and the Incense
[22-29] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Also take fine spices: $500 worth of liquid myrrh, and half as much, $250 of fragrant cinnamon, $250 of sweet cane, and $500 of cassia, in the coin of the Place of Worship; and a 5 quart measure of olive oil. Make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixed in the art of the perfumer, which will be a holy anointing oil. Use it to rub oil on the Meeting Place, the Chest of the Law, the table and all its tools, the lampstand and its tools, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its tools, and the pan with its base. Dedicate them that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will be holy.
[30-33] Anoint Aaron and his sons, and dedicate them that they may serve Me as My preachers. Then say to the people of Israel, `This will be My holy anointing oil forever. It won’t be put on anyone but the preachers, nor will you make any like it, using this mixture because it’s holy. So it will be holy to you. Whoever mixes any like it, or puts some on anyone other than a preacher will be cut off from the people.`”
[34-38] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Then take sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense, with an equal weight of each; and make incense of it, a perfume mixed in the art of the perfumer, and salted, making it pure and holy: Crush some of it very small, and put it before the law in the Meeting Place where I’ll meet with you. It will be to you most holy. Make this incense, by this mixture. Don’t make it for yourselves because it’s holy to you for Yahweh. Whoever makes any like it, for its good smell, will be cut off from the people.”
Calling the Workers by Name
31[1-5] Yahweh said to Moses, “Look, I’ve called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the family of Judah: and I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of skills to create craftworks of gold, silver, and brass, in stone cutting for setting, and in carving wood, to work in all kinds of skills.
[6-11] I’ve chosen Oholiab to work with him, the son of Ahisamach, of the family of Dan; and I’ve put wisdom in the heart of all who are wise, so that they can make all that I’ve told you: the Meeting Place, the Chest of the Law, the Seat of Forgiveness that is on it, all the furniture of the Holy Tent, the table and its tools, the pure lampstand with all its tools, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its tools, the pan and its base, the finely worked clothes, both the holy clothes for Aaron the preacher and the clothes of his sons to minister as My preachers, the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place, like all that I’ve told you for them to do.”
Keep the Seventh Day
[12-18] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Also tell the people of Israel, ‘Keep My Seventh Days because they’re a sign between Me and you forever; that you may know that I Am Yahweh who sets you apart. So keep the Seventh Day because it’s holy to you. Everyone who disrespects it without a doubt, will be put to death; and whoever does any work on it, they’ll be cut off from among the people. Your work will be done for six days, but the seventh day is a Day of Rest, set aside to worship Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Seventh Day without a doubt, will be put to death. So the people of Israel will keep the Seventh Day, throughout their generations, forever. It’s a sign between Me and the people of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh, your God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day I rested, and was refreshed.’” After talking to him on Mount Sinai, God gave to Moses the two stone slabs of the law, written with God’s own finger.
The Golden Calf
32[1-5] When the people saw that Moses hadn’t come down from the mountain yet, they gathered together around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods, which will go before us! As for Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don’t even know what happened to him.” So Aaron said to them, “Take off the golden earrings, which are on your wives and your children, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their golden earrings, and brought them to Aaron. So he took what they handed him, and melted it into a golden calf, carving it with an engraving tool; and said, “This is your god, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” Then Aaron built an altar before it; and made an announcement, and said, “Tomorrow will be a feast to Yahweh.”
[6-10] So they rose up early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and then got up to play. So Yahweh said to Moses, “Go, get down; for your people, who you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have dishonored themselves! They’ve turned away quickly from what I told them. They’ve made themselves a golden calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, “`This is your god, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.`” Then Yahweh said to Moses, “I’ve seen these people, and you see, they’re a stubborn people. Now leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them in My anger and make a great nation of you.”
Moses Pleads for the People
[11-14] But Moses begged Yahweh, his God, and said, “Yahweh, why are You so angry with Your people, that You’ve brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘God brought them out for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to destroy them from the face of the earth?’ Turn from your great anger, and turn away from this evil against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your workers, to whom You promised by Your own self, and said to them, “`I’ll grow your descendants as the stars of the sky, and all this land that I’ve spoken of I’ll give to your descendants, and they’ll inherit it forever.`” So Yahweh didn’t punish the people.
Moses Breaks the Slabs of the Law
[15-19] Then Moses went down from the mountain holding the two stone slabs of the law, which were written on both sides. The stone slabs were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, carved on the stone slabs. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.” But Moses said, “It isn’t the sound of those who win or lose a battle; but I hear the sound of singing.” Then, as soon as they came to the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses was very angry, and threw the stone slabs out of his hands, and broke them at the base of the mountain.
Moses Destroys the Golden Calf
[20-24] Then Moses took the calf they had made, and burnt it with fire, grounding it to powder, and scattered it on the water, and made the people of Israel drink it. Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did the people do to you, that you’ve let them do this great sin?” Then Aaron said, “Don’t be very angry. You know that these people are set on evil. They said to me, “`Make us gods, which will go before us; as for Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don’t even know what has happened to him.’ So I said to them, “`Whoever has any gold, let them take it off:’ so they gave it to me and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
Choose God
[25-28] When Moses saw that the people were out of control, (for Aaron had let them do what they wanted to, so that they would be shamed in front of their enemies,) then he stood at the edge of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on Yahweh’s side, come to me!” So all the family of Levi went to him. Then he said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “`Everyone, get ready to fight, and go from one end of the camp to the other, and everyone kill your family members, your friends, and your neighbors.” So the family of Levi did what Moses had said; and about 3,000 people died that day.
[29-35] Moses said, “Dedicate yourselves today to Yahweh, yes, every one of you, who has sacrificed your family; so that God may give you a blessing today.” Then on the next day, Moses said to the people, “You’ve done a great sin. Now I’ll go up to Yahweh. Maybe I’ll be able to cover your sins for you, and ask forgiveness for you.” So Moses went back to Yahweh, and said, “Oh, these people have done a great sin, making a god of gold for themselves. Yet now, please forgive their sin, but if not, then take me out of your book of names.” But Yahweh said to Moses, “I’ll take out of My book whoever has sinned against me. Now go, lead the people to the place of which I’ve told you about. See, My angel will go before you. But whenever I judge them, I’ll punish them for their sin.” So Yahweh punished the people, because they worshiped the calf, which Aaron made.
The Promised Land
33[1-6] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Leave, go from here, you and the people that you’ve brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “`I’ll give it to your descendants.` I’ll send an angel to lead you to a land full of milk and honey and I’ll drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. But I won’t go with you, for you’re a stubborn people, and I’d destroy you in the way.” So when the people heard this bad news, they cried. And no one put on any jewelry either. So Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, `You’re a stubborn people. If I were to go with you for even one moment, I’d destroy you. So now take off your jewelry, that I may know what to do to you.” So the people of Israel stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.
The Meeting Place
[7-10] Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp, and he called it, “The Meeting Place.” So everyone who sought Yahweh went out to the Meeting Place, which was outside the camp. So when Moses went out to the Holy Tent, all the people rose up, and stood at their tent door, and watched Moses, until he had gone into the Holy Tent. So, when Moses entered into the Holy Tent, the pillar of cloud came down, stood at the door of the Holy Tent, and spoke with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Holy Tent, so they all rose up and worshipped at their tent door.
Moses Sees God
[11-16] Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as someone talks to a friend. Then Moses turned back toward the camp, but his worker Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t go out of the Holy Tent. Then Moses said to Yahweh, “See, you tell me, `Bring up the people` and you haven’t let me know whom You’ll send with me. Yet you’ve said, “‘I know you by name, and you’ve also pleased Me.’ So now, if I’ve pleased You, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You, so that I may please You and think of this nation as Your people.” Then God said, “I will go with you, and give you rest.” So Moses answered, “If You don’t go with me, then don’t carry us out of here. How would the people know that I’ve pleased You, both I and your people? Isn’t it because You go with us that sets us apart from all the people who are on the face of the earth?”
[17-23] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “I’ll do what you ask because you’ve pleased Me, and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Please let me see You.” So God said, “I’ll show you all My goodness, and will make what the Name of Yahweh means known to you. I’ll have grace on whomever I choose to have grace, and I’ll forgive whomever I choose to forgive.” Then God said, “You can’t see My face, for a human can’t see Me and live.” Then Yahweh also said, “See, You may stand on the rock that is near Me and when My beautiful light passes by, I’ll put you in a crack of the rock, and will cover you with My hand until I’ve passed by; then I’ll take My hand away and you’ll see My back; but you won’t see My face.”
The Second Set
34[1-5] Yahweh said to Moses, “Make two stone slabs like the first ones; and I’ll write on them the words that were on the first slabs, which you broke. Be ready by morning, and come up Mount Sinai, and come to Me there on the top of the mountain. No one will come up with you; and don’t let anyone be seen anywhere on the mountain; nor let the flocks and herds feed at the base of the mountain.” So Moses made two stone slabs like the first ones and rose up early in the morning, and went up on Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had told him, carrying the two stone slabs. Then Yahweh came down in a cloud, and stood with Moses, and said, “I Am Yahweh.”
[6-9] Yahweh passed by before him and said, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a God full of forgiveness and grace, not quickly angered, great in goodness and truth, having compassion on thousands, forgiving faults, disobedience, and sin; and Who will in no way leave the guilty unpunished, passing down the parents’ faults to their children and grandchildren, up to the third and fourth generation.” So Moses bowed his head quickly toward the earth, and worshipped. And Moses said, “If now I’ve pleased You, God, please go with us; even though this is a stubborn people; forgive our faults and sins, and take us for your own.”
Don’t Follow the Practices of Ungodly People
[10-17] Then God said, “See, I make a promise: I’ll do great things before all your people, such as haven’t been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people who you are with will see the work of Yahweh; for it’s an awesome thing that I do with you. Do what I tell you today. See, I drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Be careful not to make a promise with the people of the land where you’re going, or it will cause the Israelites to sin. Knock down their altars, break in pieces their posts, and cut down the trees they use to worship their false gods. Worship no other god because Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Don’t make a promise with the people of the land, because they’ll worship their false gods, and make sacrifices to them, and if one calls you, you’ll eat of his sacrifice; and if you take their children to marry your children, they’ll worship their false gods, and make your children worship their false gods. So don’t make any false gods for yourselves.
Keep the Passover Feast
[18-26] Keep the Passover Feast. Eat bread without yeast for seven days, as I told you, at the time chosen in the month Abib; for in the month Abib, in the creek, you came out from Egypt. Every firstborn is mine; all your male animals, the firstborn of both cows and sheep. The firstborn of a donkey you’ll buy back with a lamb: and if you don’t buy it back, then break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you’ll buy back, too. No one will come to Me without an offering. You’ll work six days, but on the Seventh Day you’ll rest. In both planting time and in harvest you’ll rest. Keep the Feast of Weeks with the first of the wheat harvest, and the Harvest Feast at the end of the year. Three times a year all your males will come to Yahweh God, the God of Israel. I’ll drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders; and no one will want your land when you go up to Yahweh, your God, three times a year. Don’t offer the blood of My sacrifice with bread made with yeast; nor let the sacrifice of the Passover Feast be left till the morning. Bring the first of the foods of your ground to the house of Yahweh your God. Don’t boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”
Moses Shines with God’s Light
[27-35] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Write these words because the promise that I have made with you and Israel is based on the words I have told you.” So Moses was there with Yahweh forty days and nights, neither eating bread, nor drinking water. Then Moses wrote on the stone slabs the words of the promise, the Ten Laws. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai holding the two stone slabs of the Law, he didn’t know that the skin of his face was shining brightly because of his talking to God. So when Aaron and all the people of Israel saw that the skin of his face was shining, they were scared to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the people went back to him; and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the people of Israel came to him, and he gave them all of the laws that Yahweh had told him on Mount Sinai. Until Moses was done talking to them, he covered his face with a veil. But when Moses went in to talk to Yahweh, he took the veil off, until he came out again. When he came out, Moses told the people of Israel what he was told. But when they saw the skin of his face, which was still shining, Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to talk to Yahweh.
Moses Gives the People God’s Law
35[1-20] Moses gathered all the people of Israel together and said to them, “These are the words which Yahweh has told me that you should do. `You’ll work six days, but on the Seventh Day there will be a holy day for you, a Day of Rest to Yahweh. Whoever does any work in it will be put to death. Make no fire in any of your homes on the Seventh Day.’” Then Moses said to all the people of Israel, “This is what Yahweh told me, `Take an offering from you for Yahweh. Let whoever is willing bring Yahweh an offering of gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats` hair, red sheepskins, leather, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the good smelling incense, onyx stones, and stones to be set for the back piece and for the chest piece. And let everyone who’s wise among you come and make all that Yahweh has told me: the tent and its outer covering, roof, hooks, boards, bars, posts, and holders; the Chest and its poles, the Seat of Forgiveness, the veil of the screen; the table with its poles and all its tools, and the holy bread; the lampstand also for the light, with its tools, its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the good smelling incense, the screen for the door at the door of the tent; the altar of burnt offering, with its grill of brass, it poles, and all its tools, the pan and its base; the hangings of the court, its posts, their holders, and the screen for the gate of the court; the nails of the tent and the court, and their ropes; the finely worked clothes, for ministering in the holy place, the holy clothes for Aaron the preacher, and his sons’ clothes to minister as your preachers.`” Then all the people of Israel left from Moses.
The People Bring an Offering
[21-29] Then everyone who was led, and everyone who was willing, brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Meeting Place, and for all of its jobs, and for the holy clothes. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing, and brought pins, ear-rings, rings, and arm bracelets, all gold jewelry, everyone who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh. Everyone, who had blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats` hair, red sheepskins, and leather, brought it. Everyone who gave an offering of silver and brass brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone who had acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. All the women who knew how to make cloth brought what they had made, the blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. All the women who were led made cloth out of the goats` hair. The leaders brought the onyx stones, the stones to be set for the back piece and for the chest piece; the spices and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the good smelling incense. The people of Israel brought a freewill offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart was led, brought what was needed for all the work, which Yahweh by Moses told them to make.
God Calls the Workers by Name
[30-35] Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, Yahweh has called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the family of Judah. God has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of skills to make craftworks of gold, silver, and brass, in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to do all kinds of craftworks. God has put it in his heart that he may teach you, both he, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the family of Dan. God has filled them with wisdom to understand all kinds of skills, of the engraver, of those who make craftworks, and of those who do fine needlework, in blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen, and of the weaver, and those who do any other kinds of skills, and of those who make craftworks.
36[1-7] Bezalel and Oholiab will work with everyone who’s wise, in whom Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the Place of Worship, just as Yahweh has said.” So Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and everyone who was wise, in whose heart Yahweh had put wisdom, everyone whose heart led them to come do the work, and Moses gave them all the offering which the people of Israel had brought to make the things for the work of the service of the Place of Worship. And they brought more freewill-offerings to him every morning. So all those who were wise, who did the work of the Place of Worship, each came from their work which they did and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Yahweh told us to make.” So Moses told them, and they told everyone throughout the camp, “Let no one bring anything else for the offering for the Place of Worship.” So the people stopped bringing things, because the stuff they had was more than enough to make everything.
The Place of Worship
[8-13] All those who were wise among them who did the work made the tent with ten curtains of fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, with angelic beings sewn skillfully by the workers. Each curtain was 42’ long, and 6’ wide, with all of them the same size. Five curtains were joined together in one set, and the other five curtains were joined together in a second set. They made loops of blue rope on the edge of the first set where they come together, and on the outside edge of the second set of curtains. They made fifty loops in the first set, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second set. So the loops were opposite one another. Then they made fifty hooks of gold, and joined the curtains together with the hooks, so it was all one tent.
[14-19] Then they made curtains of goats` hair for a covering over the tent. They made eleven of these curtains. Each curtain was about 45’ long and 6’ wide, all the same size. They joined five curtains in one set, and six in another set. They made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was on the outside edge of the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain on the outside edge of the second set. Then they made fifty hooks of brass to join the tent together to make it all one tent. Then they made a covering for the tent of red sheepskins, and a covering of leather on top of that.
[20-30] They made the boards of acacia wood to stand the tent up. The boards were about 15’ long, and 2’3” wide. Each board had two supports, joined together. They made all the boards of the tent this way. They made twenty boards for the south side of the tent facing south. They made forty silver holders under the twenty boards; two holders under each board for its two supports. For the second side of the tent, on the north side, they made twenty boards, and their forty silver holders; two holders under each board. For the far part of the tent on the west, they made six boards. They made two boards for the corners of the tent in the far part. They were joined together on the bottom, and in the same way at the top into one ring to make the two corners. They did this to both of them in the two corners. There were eight boards, and their silver holders, sixteen holders; two holders under each board.
[31-38] They made the bars of acacia wood; five for the boards of each side of the tent, and five for the boards of the tent for the west side in the back. Then they made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from one end to the other. They covered the boards with gold, and made their gold rings to hold the bars, and covered the bars with gold. They made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen, skillfully sewn with angelic beings. They made four posts of acacia for it, and covered them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, too. They made four silver holders for them. Then they made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen, the work of those who do fine needlework; and its five posts with their hooks. They covered their tops and bands with gold, and their five holders were of brass.
The Chest of the Law and the Seat of Forgiveness
37[1-9] Bezalel made the Chest of acacia wood. It was about 3’9” long, 2’3” wide, and 2’3” high. They covered it with solid gold inside and out, and made a trim of gold all around it. They made four gold rings for it, in its four feet; with two rings on each side. They made poles of acacia wood, and covered them with gold. Then they put the poles into the rings on the sides of the Chest, to carry it. They made a Seat of Forgiveness of solid gold. It was 3’9” long, and 2’3” wide. Then they made two angelic beings of molded work of gold at the two ends of the Seat of Forgiveness, with one at each end. They made the angelic beings on the two ends of the Seat of Forgiveness, molded out of one piece of gold. The angelic beings spread their wings out high, covering the Seat of Forgiveness with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the angelic beings looked toward the Seat of Forgiveness.
The Bread Table
[10-16] They made the table of acacia wood. It was 3’ long, 18” wide, and 2’3” high. They covered it with solid gold, and made a gold trim around it. They made a rim of about 4” around it, and made a golden trim on the rim. They made four gold rings for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. The rings were underneath the rim, where the poles went to carry the table. They made the poles to carry the table of acacia wood, and covered them with gold. Then they made the tools for the table, its dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars with which to serve, of solid gold.
The Lampstand
[17-24] Then they made the lampstand of solid gold, from molded work. Its base, shaft, cups, buds, and flowers were all of one piece. There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand coming out of each side, with three cups made like almond-blossoms with a bud and a flower in each branch, for all six branches of the lampstand. In the lampstand were four cups made like almond-blossoms, with its buds and flowers; and a bud under every two branches of the six branches coming out of it. Their buds and their branches were all of one piece with it, the whole thing being one molded work of solid gold. They made its seven lamps, its tools, and its trays of solid gold. They made it of $3,000 worth of solid gold, with all its tools.
The Altar of Incense
[25-29] Then they made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square, about 18” long, and 18” wide, and 3’ high. Its horns were of one piece with it. They covered it with solid gold, its top, its sides all around it, and its horns. They made a gold trim around it, and two golden rings for it under its trim, on each of its two sides, for the poles to go which would carry it. They made the poles of acacia wood, and covered them with gold. Then they made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, mixed in the art of the perfumer.
The Altar of Burnt Offerings
38[1-8] They made the altar for burnt offerings of acacia wood. It was square. It was 7’6” long, 7’6” wide, and 4’6” high. They made its horns on its four corners, all of one piece, and covered it with brass. They made all the tools of the altar of brass, all the pots, shovels, pans, meat hooks, and fire pans. They made a grill of brass for the altar, underneath the ledge, about halfway up. They made four rings for the four ends of the brass grill, to hold the poles. Then they made the poles of acacia wood, and covered them with brass. They put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it. They made it hollow with planks. They made the washing pan of brass, and its base of brass, out of the mirrors of the women who ministered at the door of the Meeting Place.
The Court of the Meeting Place
[9-17] They made the south side of the court with its hangings of fine linen, 150’ long, with twenty brass posts and holders, and silver hooks and bands. The north side was also 150’ long, with twenty brass posts and holders; and silver hooks and bands. The west side had hangings that were 75’ long, with ten posts, and holders; and silver hooks and bands. The east side was 75’ long. The hangings for that side were 22’6” long, with three posts, and holders; and the same for the other side; on both sides by the gate of the court were hangings of 22’6” long; with three posts and holders. All the hangings around the court were of fine linen. The holders for the posts were brass. The hooks of the posts, their bands, and the covering of their tops, were of silver; and all the posts of the court were banded with silver.
[18-20] The screen for the gate of the court was the work of those who do fine needlework, of blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. It was 30’ long, and 7’6” high, like the hangings of the court. They had four brass posts and holders; and silver hooks and bands, and the covering of their tops was silver. All the nails of the tent and the court, were of brass.
The Cost of the Meeting Place
[21-31] This is the amount of material used for the tent, the Meeting Place of God, as they were counted, according to the law of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the preacher. So Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the family of Judah, made all that Yahweh told Moses to make. Oholiab was with him, who was the son of Ahisamach, of the family of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful worker, and one of those who do fine needlework in blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. The offering of all the gold that was used for the work in all the service of the Place of Worship was $87,730, in the coin of the Place of Worship. The silver of those who were counted of the people was $301,775, in the coin of the Place of Worship, a half-coin a head, in the coin of the Place of Worship, for everyone who was counted, from twenty years old and up, for 603,550 people. The $300,000 coins of silver were for making the holders of the Place of Worship, and the holders of the veil; one hundred holders for the $300,000 coins, about $3,000 coins for a holder. With $1,775 the hooks and bands for the posts were made, and their tops were covered. The brass of the offering was $212,400 coins. With this the holders to the door of the Meeting Place, the brass altar, the brass grill for it, all the tools of the altar, the holders around the court, the holders of the gate of the court, and all the nails of the tent and the court were made.
The Preachers’ Clothes
39[1-5] Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked clothes, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy clothes for Aaron; as Yahweh had told Moses. They made the back piece of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into tiny wires, to work it in the blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen, skillfully sewn in them. They made shoulder-pieces for it, joined together at the two ends. The skillfully woven band that was on it, which is used to put it on, was of the same piece, like its work; of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen; as Yahweh had told Moses.
[6-14] They set the onyx stones in settings of gold, carved like an engraved seal, with the names of the family groups of Israel. They put them on the shoulder-pieces of the back piece, to be reminder stones for the people of Israel, as Yahweh had told Moses. They made the square chest piece, skillfully made, like the work of the back piece; of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. It was 9” long, and 9” wide, being doubled in thickness. They set in it four rows of stones. The first row was ruby, topaz, and emerald; the second row was turquoise, sapphire, and diamond; the third row, was jacinth, agate, and amethyst; and the fourth row was beryl, onyx, and jasper, which were set in gold settings. The stones had one of the twelve family names of the people of Israel carved on each like an engraved seal.
[15-21] They made on the chest piece chains like ropes, of braided work of solid gold. They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the chest piece. They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the chest piece. The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the back piece, in the front of it. They made two gold rings, and put them on the inside edge of the two ends of the chest piece, which faces the side of the back piece. They made two gold rings, and put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the back piece underneath the front of it, near where it joins, on top of the skillfully woven band of the back piece. They tied the chest piece by its rings to the rings of the back piece with a blue rope, to join it to the woven band of the back piece, so that the chest piece might not come loose from the back piece, as Yahweh had told Moses.
[22-29] Then they made the robe of the back piece of woven work, all of blue. The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a soldier’s coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, so that it wouldn’t tear. On the hem of the robe, they made pomegranate fruits of blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen. They made bells of solid gold, and put the bells between the fruits all around the hem of the robe; a pattern of bells and fruits all around the hem of the robe, to minister in, as Yahweh had told Moses. Then they made the coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and his sons, along with very good linen hats, the linen underwear, and the linen belt, of blue, purple, and scarlet, with fine needlework, as Yahweh had told Moses.
[30-43] Then they made the plate of the holy crown of solid gold, and wrote on it, like an engraved seal: “ FOR WORSHIP OF YAHWEH.” Then they tied to it a blue rope, to tie it on the hat on top of it, as Yahweh had told Moses. So all the work of the tent of the Meeting Place was finished. The people of Israel did everything that Yahweh had told Moses to do. They brought the tent to Moses, the tent, with all its furniture, its hooks, boards, bars, posts, and holders, the covering of red sheepskins, the covering of leather, the veil of the screen, the Chest of the Law with its poles, the Seat of Forgiveness, the table, all its tools, the holy bread, the solid gold lampstand, and its lamps that are to be set in order, with all its tools, the oil for the light, the golden altar, the anointing oil, the good smelling incense, the screen for the door of the tent, the brass altar, its brass grill, its poles, and all of its tools, the pan and its base, the hangings of the court, its posts and holders, the screen for the gate of the court, its ropes, its nails, and all the tools of the service of the tent, for the Meeting Place, and the finely worked clothes for ministering in the holy place, the holy clothes for Aaron, the preacher, and his sons, to minister as God’s preachers. So the people of Israel did all the work that Yahweh had told Moses for them to do. When Moses saw all the work, and that they had done it as Yahweh had told them to, Moses blessed them.
Raise the Holy Tent
40[1-11] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “On the 1st day of the 1st month you’ll put up the Meeting Place tent. Put the Chest of the Law in it, and you’ll screen the Chest of the Law with the veil. Bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. Bring in the lampstand, and light its lamps. Set the golden altar for incense in front of the Chest of the Law, and put the screen of the door on the tent. Set the altar of burnt offering before the tent door of the Meeting Place. Set the pan between the Meeting Place and the altar, and put water in it. Set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the court gate. Take the anointing oil, and rub some on the tent, and all that is in it, and make it holy, and all its furniture, so it will be holy. Rub oil on the altar of burnt offering, with all its tools, and dedicate the altar: and the altar will be most holy. Rub oil on the pan and its base, and dedicate it.
Dedicate the Preachers
[12-16] Bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Meeting Place, and have them wash with water. Have Aaron put on the holy clothes; and you’ll rub oil on him, and dedicate him, that he may serve Me as My preacher. Have his sons put their clothes on, too. Put oil on them, as you anointed their father that they may serve Me as My preachers. They’ll be anointed for an everlasting preacher’s office throughout their generations. So Moses did everything that Yahweh had told him to do.
Raising the Holy Tent
[17-30] So in the 2nd year, on the 1st day of the 1st month, the tent was put up. Moses put up the tent, laid down its holders, set up its boards, put in its bars, and put up its posts. Then the covering was spread over the tent, and the roof was put on top of it, as Yahweh had told Moses. Then he put the Law into the Chest, and set the poles on it, and put the Seat of Forgiveness on top of the Chest. Then he brought the Chest into the tent, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the Chest of the Law, as Yahweh had told Moses. He put the table in the Meeting Place, on the north side of the tent, outside of the veil. He set the bread in order on it facing Yahweh, as Yahweh had told Moses. He put the lampstand in the Meeting Place, opposite the table, on the south side of the tent. He lit the lamps facing Yahweh, as Yahweh had told Moses. He put the golden altar in the Meeting Place in front of the veil and burnt incense of sweet spices on it, as Yahweh had told Moses. Then he put up the screen of the tent door. He set the altar of burnt offering at the tent door of the Meeting Place, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal-offering, as Yahweh had told Moses. He set the pan between the Meeting Place and the altar, putting water in it to wash.
[31-38] So Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet there. When they went in the Meeting Place, and came to the altar, they washed, as Yahweh had told Moses. He lifted up the court around the tent and altar, and set up the screen at the court gate. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Meeting Place, and the beautiful light of Yahweh filled the tent. Moses wasn’t able to go into the Meeting Place, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh’s light filled the tent. When the cloud lifted up from over it, the people of Israel moved on, through all their travels; but if the cloud stayed there, then they didn’t go until it went up. So the cloud of Yahweh was on the tent by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the people of Israel, through all their travels.
Leviticus (Law of the Levites)
Burnt Offerings
1[1-6] Yahweh called to Moses out of the Meeting Place, and told him, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When any of you gives an offering to Yahweh, give your offering from the herds and flocks of the animals. ‘If your offering is a burnt offering from the herd, offer a male without anything wrong with it. Offer it at the door of the Meeting Place, that you may be accepted by Yahweh. Put your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted to cover your sins for you. Kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron’s sons, the preachers, will give the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that’s at the door of the Meeting Place. Skin the burnt offering, and cut it into pieces.
[7- 9] The sons of Aaron, the preacher, will put fire on the altar, and put the wood on the fire; and Aaron’s sons, the preachers, will put the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the firewood which is on the altar; but its insides and legs you’ll wash with water. The preacher will burn it all on the altar for a burnt offering, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh.
[10-13] If your offering is from the flock, from the sheep, or from the goats, for a burnt offering, offer a male without anything wrong with it. Kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron’s sons, the preachers, will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. Cut it into pieces, along with its head and fat. The preacher will put them in order on the fire wood that’s on the altar, but wash the insides and legs with water. The preacher will offer it all, and burn it on the altar. It’s a burnt offering, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh.
[14-17] If your offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then bring your offering of doves, or young pigeons. The preacher will bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood will be drained out on the side of the altar. Take away its insides and feathers, and throw it beside the altar on the east side, where the ashes go. Break it open at its wings, but don’t cut it in half. The preacher will burn it on the altar, putting it on the fire wood. It’s a burnt offering, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh.
Grain Offerings
2[1-3] When anyone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, the offering will be of finely ground flour. Pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. Bring it to Aaron’s sons, the preachers; and take a handful of its flour and oil, with all its frankincense; and the preacher will burn it on the altar for a reminder, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh. Whatever is left of the offering will be for Aaron and his sons. It’s most holy of all the burnt offerings to Yahweh.
[4-10] When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven, make it without yeast, loaves of finely ground flour mixed with oil, or crackers made without yeast rubbed with oil. If your offering is a grain offering of the baking pan, make it without yeast of finely ground flour mixed with oil. Break it in pieces, and pour oil on it, because it’s a grain offering. If your offering is a grain offering of the frying pan, make it of finely ground flour with oil. Bring the grain offering that’s made of these things to Yahweh and it will be given to the preacher to bring to the altar. The preacher will take a part of the grain offering for a reminder, and will burn it on the altar, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh. Whatever is left of the grain offering will be for Aaron and his sons. It’s most holy of all the burnt offerings to Yahweh.
[11-16] No grain offering, which you offer to Yahweh, will be made with yeast; burn no yeast, nor honey as a burnt offering to Yahweh. You may offer them to Yahweh as an offering of the first of your food, but they won’t be burned on the altar to smell good. Add salt to every offering of your grain offering; Don’t let the grain offering of the promise of your God be lacking salt. Offer salt with all your offerings. If you offer a grain offering of the first of your foods to Yahweh, offer for the grain offering of your first foods new grain roasted with fire, beaten from the head of the grain. Put oil and frankincense on it because it’s a grain offering. The preacher will burn it as a reminder, part of its beaten grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense because it’s an offering of fire to Yahweh.
Peace Offerings
3[1-5] If your offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings; if you offer it from the herd, whether male or female, offer one without anything wrong with it to Yahweh. Put your hand on the head of your offering, and kill it at the door of the Meeting Place and Aaron’s sons, the preachers, will sprinkle the blood around on the altar. Offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering of fire to Yahweh. Take away the fat that covers the insides, all the fat that’s on the insides, the two kidneys, the fat that’s on them, which is by the hips, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys. Aaron’s sons will burn it on the altar for a burnt offering, which is on the firewood. It’s an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh.
[6-11] If your offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh is from the flock; whether male or female, offer one without anything wrong with it. If you bring a lamb for your offering, when you offer it to Yahweh, put your hand on the head of your offering, and kill it in front of the Meeting Place; and Aaron’s sons will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. Offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering of fire to Yahweh; take away its fat, all the tail fat, and what’s close to the backbone and the fat that covers the insides, all the fat that’s on the insides, the two kidneys, the fat that’s on them, which is by the hips, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys. The preacher will burn it on the altar. It’s the food of the offering of fire to Yahweh.
[12-17] If your offering is a goat, when you offer it to Yahweh, put your hand on its head, and kill it before the Meeting Place; and the sons of Aaron will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. Offer part of it as your offering, an offering of fire to Yahweh; Take away the fat that covers the insides, all the fat that’s on the insides, the two kidneys, the fat that’s on them, which is by the hips, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys. The preacher will burn them on the altar. It’s the food of the offering of fire that smells good; all the fat is Yahweh’s. It will be a law forever throughout your generations in all your homes. Eat no fat or blood.’”
Sin Offerings
4[1-12] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘If anyone sins by mistake, in anything which Yahweh has told them not to do, and does any one of them: if one of the anointed preachers sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let them offer for their sin, which they’ve done, a young bull without anything wrong with it to Yahweh for a sin offering. They’ll bring the bull to the door of the Meeting Place to Yahweh; and put their hand on the head of the bull, and kill the bull in front of Yahweh. The anointed preacher will take some of the blood of the bull, and bring it to the Meeting Place. The preacher will dip a finger in the blood, and sprinkle some of the blood seven times in front of Yahweh, before the veil of the Place of Worship. The preacher will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of good smelling incense to Yahweh, which is in the Meeting Place, and pour out all of the rest of the blood of the bull at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the Meeting Place. Take all the fat of the bull of the sin offering off of it; the fat that covers the insides, all the fat that’s on the insides, the two kidneys, and the fat that’s on them, which is by the hips, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, take away as it’s taken off of the bull of the sacrifice of peace offerings. The preacher will burn them on the altar of burnt offering. The bull’s skin, all its meat, with its head, and legs, its insides, and its wastes, carry the whole bull outside the camp to a fit place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire. Burn it where the ashes are poured out.
[13-21] If all the people of Israel sin without anyone knowing they’ve sinned, and they’ve done anything which Yahweh has told them not to do, and are guilty; when the sin they’ve done is known, then offer a young bull for a sin offering, and bring it before the Meeting Place. The elders of the people will put their hands on the head of the bull in front of Yahweh; and the bull will be killed in front of Yahweh. The anointed preacher will bring of the blood of the bull to the Meeting Place and will dip a finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times in front of Yahweh, before the veil. Put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is in front of Yahweh that’s in the Meeting Place; and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the Meeting Place. Take all its fat from it, and burn it on the altar. Do this with the bull as you did with the bull of the sin offering; and the preacher will cover their sins, and they’ll be forgiven. Carry the bull outside the camp, and burn it as you burned the first bull. It’s the sin offering for the people.
[22-26] When a ruler sins without knowing it, and does anything which Yahweh God has told them not to do, and is guilty; if the sin that has been done is made known to the ruler, they’ll bring an offering of a goat, a male without anything wrong with it. They’ll put their hand on the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering to Yahweh. It’s a sin offering. The preacher will dip a finger in some of the blood of the sin offering, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering. All its fat will be burned on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the preacher will cover their sins, and they’ll be forgiven.
[27-31] If any of the common people sins without knowing it, and does anything which Yahweh has told them not to do, and is guilty; if the sin, which has been done, is made known to them, then they’ll bring an offering of a goat, a female without anything wrong with it, for the sin they’ve done. They’ll put their hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering. The preacher will dip a finger in some of its blood, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. All its fat will be taken away, like the fat is taken away from off of the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the preacher will burn it on the altar for an offering that smells good to Yahweh; and the preacher will cover their sins for what they’ve done, and they’ll be forgiven.
[32-35] If they bring a lamb for a sin offering, they’ll bring a female without anything wrong with it. They’ll put their hand on its head, and kill it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering. The preacher will dip a finger in some of the blood of the sin offering, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and pour out all the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. All its fat will be taken away, like the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the preacher will burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Yahweh made by fire; and the preacher will cover their sins for what they’ve done, and they’ll be forgiven.
Making Promises
5[1-3] If anyone sins, who makes a promise, and is a witness, whether they’ve seen it or knew of it, but didn’t tell what they knew, then they’ll be at fault. Or if anyone touches anything unfit, whether it’s the dead body of a wild or tame animal, or the dead body of small animals, without knowing it, and they’re unfit, then they’ll be guilty. Or if anyone touches anything unfit of human beings, whatever it is, without knowing it; when they know it, then they’ll be guilty.
[4-6] Or if anyone promises to do something, whether evil or good, without thinking about it, whatever it is that someone might promise without thinking; when they know of it, then they’ll be guilty of it. When they’re guilty of one of these, they’ll admit what they’ve done that made them sin and bring a guilt offering to Yahweh for the sin which they did, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the preacher will cover their sin for them.
[7-13] If they can’t give a lamb, then they’ll bring to Yahweh two doves, or two young pigeons for their guilt offering for what they did; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. They’ll bring them to the preacher, who will first offer the one which is for the sin offering, and wring its head from off its neck, but won’t completely break it off. The preacher will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood will be drained out at the base of the altar. It’s a sin offering. The preacher will offer the second for a burnt offering, by the rule; and the preacher will cover their sins for whatever they’ve done, and they’ll be forgiven. But if they can’t give two doves, or two young pigeons, then they’ll bring an offering for whatever they’ve done, ten percent of a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour for a sin offering. Put no oil on it, nor any frankincense, because it’s a sin offering. They’ll bring it to the preacher, and the preacher will take a handful of it as a reminder, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. It’s a sin offering. The preacher will cover their sins for whatever they’ve done of any of these things, and they’ll be forgiven; and the rest will be the preacher’s, as the grain offering.’”
[14-16] Then Yahweh told Moses, “If anyone is at fault, and sins without knowing it, in the holy things of Yahweh; then they’ll bring their guilt offering to Yahweh, a male goat without anything wrong with it from the flock, by the value of silver coins, in the coin of the Place of Worship, for a guilt offering. They’ll pay for what they’ve done wrong in the holy thing, and will add a fifth to it, and give it to the preacher; and the preacher will cover their sins with the male goat of the guilt offering, and they’ll be forgiven.
[17-19] If anyone sins, and does anything which Yahweh has told them not to do without knowing it, they’re at fault. They’ll bring a male goat without anything wrong with it from of the flock, by your value, for a guilt offering, to the preacher; and the preacher will cover their sins for what they’ve done and didn’t know it, and they’ll be forgiven. It’s a guilt offering and they’re, without a doubt, guilty to Yahweh.”
Guilt Offerings
6[1-7] Then Yahweh told Moses, “If anyone sins, and is guilty before Yahweh, and lies to a neighbor about something that was given to them to keep safe, or in making a bargain, or has stolen something, or has mistreated a neighbor, or has found something that was lost, and lied about it; in any of all these things that someone might do, and sin; when they’ve sinned, and are guilty, they’ll give back what they took by theft, or what they got by mistreating someone, or by taking something that was given to them to keep safe, or finding something that was lost and keeping it, or anything else that they may have lied about; they’ll give it back in full, and will add a fifth more to it. They’ll give it to whoever it belongs to in the day they’re found guilty. They’ll bring their guilt offering to Yahweh, a male goat without anything wrong with it from the flock, by your value, for a guilt offering, to the preacher. The preacher will cover their sins in front of Yahweh, and they’ll be forgiven for whatever they did to be guilty.”
[8-11] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering will be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar will be kept burning on it. The preacher will put on their linen clothes, and linen underwear; and take the ashes from where the fire has burned up the offering on the altar, and put them beside the altar. They’ll take off their preachers clothes, and put on their other clothes, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a fit place.
[12-13] The fire on the altar will be kept burning; Don’t let it go out. The preacher will burn wood on it every morning, and put the burnt offering in order on it, and will burn the fat of the peace offerings on it. Fire is always to be kept burning on the altar; Don’t let it go out.
[14-18] This is the law of the grain offering: the sons of Aaron will offer it to Yahweh on the altar. Take from there a handful of the finely ground flour of the grain offering, and of its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the grain offering, and burn it on the altar for a reminder that smells good to Yahweh. Whatever is left of it Aaron and his sons will eat in a holy place, in the court of the Meeting Place. It won’t be baked with any yeast. I’ve given it as their part of My offerings made by fire. It’s most holy, as the sin offering, and as the guilt offering. Every male among the people of Aaron will eat it, as their part forever throughout their generations, from the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Whoever touches them will be holy.”
[19-23] Yahweh told Moses, “This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which they’ll offer to Yahweh in the day when they’re anointed: ten percent of a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour for a daily grain offering, half of it in the morning, and half in the evening. Make it with oil in a baking pan. When it’s mixed, bring it in. Offer it in baked pieces for a grain offering that smells good to Yahweh. The anointed preacher that will be in Aaron’s place from among the sons will offer it, by a law forever, and it will be totally burned before Yahweh. Every grain offering of a preacher will be totally burned. It won’t be eaten.”
[24-30] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed, the sin offering will be killed before Yahweh. It’s most holy. The preacher who offers it for sin will eat it. Eat it in a holy place, in the court of the Meeting Place. Whoever touches its meat will be holy. When any of its blood is sprinkled on their clothes, wash it in a holy place. If it’s boiled in a clay pot, break it; and if it’s boiled in a brass pot, wash it, and rinse it in water. Every male among the preachers will eat it; It’s most holy. No sin offering, from which any of the blood is brought into the Meeting Place to cover your sins in the Holy Place, will be eaten, but will be burned with fire.
Various Offerings
7[1-6] This is the law of the guilt offering. It’s most holy. In the place where they kill the burnt offering, kill the guilt offering; and sprinkle its blood around on the altar. Offer all of its fat: take away the fat tail, the fat that covers the insides, the two kidneys, and the fat that’s on them, which is by the hips, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys; and the preacher will burn them on the altar for an offering of fire to Yahweh; It’s a guilt offering. Every male among the preachers may eat it. It will be eaten in a holy place. It’s most holy.
[7-10] As is the sin offering, so is the guilt offering; there’s one law for them. The preacher who makes sins to be covered with them will have it. The preacher who offers anyone’s burnt offering will have the meat of the burnt offering which has been offered. Every grain offering that’s baked in the oven, and all that’s made in the frying pan, and on the baking pan, will be the preacher’s who offers it. Every grain offering, mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, one as well as another.
[11-15] This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which someone will offer to Yahweh. If it’s offered for a thanksgiving, then offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, pancakes mixed with oil, and crackers rubbed with oil, and loaves mixed with oil. Make the offering with the sacrifice of peace offerings for thanksgiving with loaves of yeast bread. Of it, give one out of each offering for an offering that’s raised up to Yahweh. It’s the preacher’s who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings. The meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings for thanksgiving will be eaten on the day of offering. Don’t leave any of it until morning.
[16-21] But if the sacrifice of your offering is a promise, or a freewill offering, it will be eaten on the day that the sacrifice is offered; and on the next day the leftovers will be eaten; but what’s left of the meat of the sacrifice on the third day will be burned with fire. If any of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it won’t be accepted, nor will it be counted for whoever offers it. It’s wrong, and whoever eats any of it will be at fault. The meat that touches anything unfit won’t be eaten. It will be burned with fire. As for the meat, everyone who’s fit may eat it; but the one who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belong to Yahweh, having touched anything unfit, will be cut off from the people. When anyone touches anything unfit, an unfit human or animal, or anything unfit that’s wrong, and eats some of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which belong to Yahweh, they’ll be cut off from the people.’”
[22-27] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Eat no fat of a bull, sheep, or goat. The fat of whatever dies naturally and whatever is killed by animals may be used for other things, but don’t eat it in any way. Whoever eats the fat of the animal that’s brought for an offering of fire to Yahweh will be cut off from the people. Don’t eat any blood, whether it’s of bird or animal, in any home. Whoever eats any blood will be cut off from the people.’”
[28-38] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Whoever gives the sacrifice of a peace offering to Yahweh will bring the offering to Yahweh out of the sacrifice of their own peace offerings. With their own hands they’ll bring the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Bring the fat with the breast, so that the breast may be waved for a wave offering to Yahweh. The preacher will burn the fat on the altar, but the breast will be Aaron’s and his sons’. Give the right thigh to the preacher for an offering that’s raised up out of the sacrifices of your peace offerings. Those among the sons of Aaron, who offer the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, will have the right thigh for their part. For the breast that’s waved and the thigh that’s raised up I’ve taken from the people of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the preacher and to his sons as their part forever from the people of Israel.’” This is the part that’s set aside for Aaron, and his sons, out of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, in the day when they were brought to serve Yahweh in the preacher’s office, which Yahweh said was to be given them of the people of Israel, in the day they were anointed. It’s their part forever throughout their generations. This is the law of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the dedication offering, and of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which Yahweh told Moses in Mount Sinai, in the day that he told the people of Israel to offer their offerings to Yahweh, in the countryside of Sinai.
The Anointing of Aaron
8[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Take Aaron and his sons, and the clothes, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of flat bread; and gather all the people at the door of the Meeting Place.” So Moses did as Yahweh told him; and the people gathered at the door of the Meeting Place. Then Moses said to the people, “This is what Yahweh has said to be done.”
[6-9] Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. He put the coat on them, tied the belt on, clothed them with the robe, put the back piece on them with its skillfully woven band to attach it. He placed the chest piece on them; and put the Judgment Stones in it. He set the hat on his head; and set the golden plate on the front of the hat, on the holy crown, as Yahweh told Moses.
[10-13] Then Moses took the anointing oil, and poured it on the tent and all that was in it, and dedicated them. He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its tools, and the washing pan and its base, to set them apart. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed them, to set them apart. Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons, put on their coats, tied on their belts, and put on their hats, as Yahweh told Moses.
[14-17] He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. Moses killed it and took the blood, putting it all around the horns of the altar with his finger, and set the altar apart, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, setting it apart to cover the sins of the people. Then Moses took all the fat that was on the insides, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and their fat and burned it on the altar. But the bull, its skin, its meat, and its wastes, he burned with fire outside the camp as Yahweh told Moses.
[18-21] Then he brought the male goat of the burnt offering and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. Moses killed it and sprinkled the blood around on the altar. He cut the goat into pieces; and burned the head, the other pieces, and the fat. He washed the insides and the legs with water; and burned the whole goat on the altar. It was a burnt offering that smells good, an offering of fire to Yahweh; as Yahweh told Moses.
[22-27] Moses brought the other male goat, the goat of dedication and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. He killed it; and Moses took some of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot. He brought Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right feet; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the insides, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; and he took one pancake, and one roll of oiled bread, and one cracker out of the basket of flat bread that was for Yahweh, and placed them on the fat, and on the right thigh. He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering to Yahweh.
[28-36] Then Moses took them from their hands, and burned them on the altar for the burnt offering. They were a dedication offering that smells good, an offering of fire to Yahweh. Then he took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering to Yahweh. It was Moses’ part of the goat of dedication, as Yahweh told Moses. Then he took some of the anointing oil, and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron and his sons, and on all their clothes, and set apart Aaron and his sons, and all their clothes. So Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the Meeting Place, and eat it there along with the bread that’s in the basket of dedication, as I said, “‘Aaron and his sons will eat it.’ What’s left of the meat and the bread you’ll burn with fire. Don’t go out from the door of the Meeting Place seven days, until the days of your dedication are over, because it takes seven days to dedicate you. What has been done today, so Yahweh has told you to do to cover your sins. You’ll stay day and night for seven days at the door of the Meeting Place, and do what Yahweh says, “so that you don’t die, as I was told.” So Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had said by Moses.
Yahweh God seen by the People
9[1-5] Then on the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; and said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a male goat for a burnt offering, without anything wrong with them, and offer them to Yahweh. Tell the people of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year-old, without anything wrong with them, for a burnt offering; and a bull and a male goat for peace offerings, to sacrifice to Yahweh; and a grain offering mixed with oil, because today you’ll see Yahweh.’” So they brought what Moses had told them to the Meeting Place and all the people came and stood in front of Yahweh.
[6-11] So Moses said, “This is what Yahweh has said you should do, and you’ll see the beautiful light of Yahweh.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Come to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and cover your sins for yourself, and for the people; and make the offering of the people, and cover their sins; as Yahweh has said.” So Aaron came to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for the preachers. The sons of Aaron brought the blood to them; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar. But the fat, kidneys, and cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned on the altar; as Yahweh had told Moses. The meat and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.
[12-14] He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons brought the blood to them, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. They brought the head and all the pieces of the burnt offering to them and he burned them on the altar. He washed the insides and the legs, and burned them for the burnt offering on the altar.
[15-17] Then he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first. He brought the burnt offering, and offered it by the rule. Then he brought a handful of the grain offering, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.
[18-22] He also killed the bull and the male goat, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people. Aaron’s sons brought them the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar, and the fat of the bull and the male goat, the fat tail, the fat that covered the insides, the kidneys, and the cover of the liver. He put the fat on the breasts, and burned the fat on the altar. Then Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh for a wave offering to Yahweh, as Moses has said. So Aaron came toward the people, and blessed them; and came down from making the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.
[23-24] Then Moses and Aaron went into the Meeting Place, and came out, and blessed the people; and the beautiful light of Yahweh was seen by all the people. Then fire came down from Yahweh, and burned up the burnt offering and the fat on the altar and when all the people saw it, they shouted in fear, and fell to the ground.
The Preachers Drink No Wine or Alcohol
10[1-3] Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took a fire pan, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered it to Yahweh, which they hadn’t been told to do yet. And fire came down from Yahweh, and burned them up, and they died in front of Yahweh. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Yahweh said, “‘I’ll be respected by those who come to Me, and will be honored in front of all the people.’” So Aaron said nothing.
[4-7] Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come here and carry them out from the Place of Worship out of the camp.” So they came, and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. Then Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Don’t uncover your hair, nor tear your clothes; so that you don’t die, and that Yahweh won’t be angry with all the people, but let your family, and the whole house of Israel, cry for what Yahweh has done. Don’t go out from the door of the Meeting Place, or you’ll die; because the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you.” So they did what Moses said.
[8-11] Then Yahweh told Aaron, “Drink no wine nor alcohol, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the Meeting Place, so that you don’t die; it will be a law forever throughout your generations. You are to make a difference between what is set apart and what is for normal use, and between what is unfit and what is fit; and teach the people of Israel all the laws which Yahweh has spoken to them by Moses.”
[12-15] Then Moses told Aaron and Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the grain offering that is left of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar; because it’s most holy; and eat it in a holy place, because it’s your part, and your sons’ part of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, as I was told. The breast that’s waved and the thigh that’s raised up you’ll eat in the place set apart, you, and your sons and daughters with you, because they’re given as your part, and your children’s part, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. The thigh that’s raised up and the breast that’s waved they’ll bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering to Yahweh; and it will be yours, and your children’s part forever; as Yahweh has said.”
[16-20] Then Moses asked about the goat of the sin offering, and it was already burned up. So he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, and asked, “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the Place of Worship, seeing it’s most holy, and it’s been given you for the sin of the people, to cover their sins for Yahweh? Its blood wasn’t brought to the inner part of the Place of Worship; you, without a doubt, should have eaten it in the Place of Worship, as I said.” So Aaron said to Moses, “Look, today they’ve offered their sin offering and their burnt offering to Yahweh; and you see what’s happened to me. If I had eaten the sin offering today, it wouldn’t have been right to Yahweh!” So when Moses heard that, he wasn’t angry anymore.
Things Fit and Unfit to Eat
11[1-8] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. You may eat any animal that has a parted hoof which splits in two, and re-chews its food. But don’t eat of those that re-chew their food, or have split hoofs like the camel, because it re-chews its food but doesn’t have a split hoof, so it’s unfit for you. The badger, because it re-chews its food but doesn’t have a split hoof, so it’s unfit for you. The rabbit, because it re-chews its food but doesn’t have a split hoof, so it’s unfit to you. The pig, because it has a parted hoof, which splits in two, but it doesn’t re-chew its food, so it’s unfit for you. Don’t eat their meat, and don’t touch their dead bodies because they’re unfit for you.
[9-12] You may eat anything in the waters that has fins and scales in the lakes, rivers, and seas. Don’t eat anything that doesn’t have fins and scales in the rivers and seas, anything that moves of all the living creatures that are in the waters, and stay away from them. Don’t eat their meat, and stay away from their dead bodies. Whatever has no fins or scales in the waters is wrong for you to eat.
[13-19] Don’t eat these birds, but stay away from them and count them as garbage: any kind of eagle, vulture, buzzard, hawk, falcon, raven, male or female ostriches, cuckoo, or any kind of bird of prey, owl, seagull, ibis, pelican, bustard, stork, heron, desert lark, and bat.
[20-25] Count all flying insects that walk on all fours as garbage. Yet you may eat any winged insect that walks around on four feet, which has jointed legs on top of their feet, and hops on the earth. You may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper. But all other winged insects that walk around on four feet, count as garbage. You’ll become unfit if you eat them or touch their dead body and won’t be fit until evening. Whoever carries any part of their dead body will wash their clothes, and won’t be fit until evening.
[26-28] Every animal which has a parted foot that isn’t divided in two, nor re-chews their food, is unfit to you. Everyone who touches them will be unfit. Whatever runs on paws, among all animals that have four feet, they’re unfit to you. Whoever touches their dead body won’t be fit until evening. Whoever carries their dead body will wash their clothes, and won’t be fit until evening. They are unfit to you.
[29-38] These are what are unfit to you among the small creatures on the earth: the weasel, the rat, the mole, or any of the small animals; frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, crocodiles, and lizards, or any of the cold-blooded creatures. These are unfit to you among all the small creatures. Whoever touches their dead body won’t be fit until evening. On whatever any of them falls when it dies, it will be unfit; whether it’s a bowl of wood, clothing, skin, bag, or whatever it is that is used for work, it must be put into water, and it won’t be fit until evening. Every clay pot, into which any of them falls, and all that’s in it will be unfit, and you’ll break it. All food mixed with water will be unfit; and all drink that may be drunk in every such bowl will be unfit. Everywhere part of their dead body falls will be unfit; whether on oven, or stove to cook on, it will be broken in pieces because it’s unfit to you. A spring or a well in which water is a gathered will be fit, but whatever touches their dead body will be unfit. If part of their dead body falls on any seed which is to be planted, it’s fit. But if the seed is put in water to be eaten, and part of their dead body falls on it, it’s unfit to you.
[39-40] If any animal dies naturally, which you may eat; whoever touches its dead body won’t be fit until evening. Whoever eats it will wash their clothes, and won’t be fit until evening. Those who carry its dead body will wash their clothes, and won’t be fit until evening.
[41-43] Everything that crawls on the earth is unfit. It won’t be eaten. Whatever crawls on its belly like a reptile, and whatever has four feet like a rodent, or whatever has many feet like an insect, every small thing that crawls around on the earth, don’t eat them and count them as garbage. Don’t make yourselves filthy with anything that crawls, nor will you make yourselves unfit with them, so that you won’t be fit.
[44-47] I Am Yahweh your God. So set yourselves apart and be holy because I am holy; Don’t treat yourselves as common by eating anything that moves on the earth. I Am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. So be holy, because I am holy. This is the law of all the animals, birds, fish, and of everything that crawls on the earth, to make a difference between what’s unfit and what’s fit, and between what’s good and what’s not good to be eaten of all the living things.’”
Childbirth Laws
12[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘If a woman gets pregnant and has a male child, then she’ll be unfit seven days; as in the days of her monthly period. In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off. She’ll continue bleeding for thirty-three days to be cleansed. She won’t touch anything holy, nor come into the Place of Worship, until the days of her cleansing are over. But if she has a female child, then she’ll be unfit two weeks, as in her period; and she’ll continue bleeding for sixty-six days to be cleansed.
[6-8] When her cleansing days are over, for a son or a daughter, she’ll bring to the preacher at the Meeting Place door, a year-old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or dove, for a sin offering and you’ll offer it to Yahweh, and cover her sins for her; and she’ll be cleansed from her bleeding. This is the law for a woman who has childbirth, whether it’s a male or a female. If she can’t give a lamb, then she’ll give two doves, or two young pigeons; one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering. The preacher will cover her sins for her, and she’ll be fit.’”
Skin Disease Laws
13[1-4] Then Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “When someone has a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot in their skin and it looks like a severe skin disease, then they’ll be brought to Aaron the preacher, or to one of his sons, the preachers; and the preacher will look at it. If the hair has turned white in it, and the problem is deeper than the body’s skin, it’s the disease of leprosy; and the preacher will look at them, and say that they’re unfit. If the bright spot is white, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, and the hair hasn’t turned white, then the preacher will separate the infected person for seven days.
[5-8] The preacher will look at them on the seventh day, and if the preacher thinks the problem is over, and hasn’t spread in the skin, then the preacher will separate them for seven more days. The preacher will look at them again on the seventh day; and if the problem has faded, and hasn’t spread in the skin, then the preacher will say that they’re fit. It’s a scab. They’ll wash their clothes, and are fit. But if the scab spreads on the skin, after they’ve shown it to the preacher to see if their all right, they’ll show it to the preacher again. The preacher will look at them; and if the scab has spread on the skin, then the preacher will say that they’re unfit. It’s a severe skin disease.
[9-13] When the disease of leprosy is in a human, then they’ll be brought to the preacher; and the preacher will look at them, and if there’s a white swelling in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there’s raw skin in the swelling, it’s a severe skin disease in their body, and the preacher will say that they’re unfit. Don’t separate them, because they’re unfit. If the severe skin disease breaks out all over the skin, and it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to feet, as far as the preacher can see; then the preacher will look at them; and if the severe skin disease has covered their whole body, the preacher will say that they’re healed of the problem. It has all turned white, so they’re fit.
[14-17] But whenever raw skin is seen in them, they’ll be unfit. The preacher will look at the raw skin, and say that they’re unfit, because the raw skin is unfit. It’s severe skin disease. Or if the raw skin changes again and becomes white, then they’ll come to the preacher; and the preacher will look at them; and if the problem has turned white, then the preacher will say that they’re healed of the problem. They’re fit.
[18-23] When the body has a swelling on its skin, and it has healed, and in the place of the swelling there’s a white growth, or a bright pink spot, then it will be shown to the preacher; and the preacher will look at it; and if it looks deeper than the skin, and the hair has turned white, then the preacher will say that they’re unfit. It’s the disease of leprosy. It has broken out in the swelling. But if the preacher looks at it, and there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dull, then the preacher will separate them seven days. If it spreads in the skin, then the preacher will say that they’re unfit. It’s a problem. But if the bright spot stays there, and hasn’t spread, it’s the scar from the swelling; and the preacher will say that they’re fit.
[24-28] Or when the body has a burn from fire on its skin, and the raw skin of the burn becomes a bright spot, pink or white, then the preacher will look at it; and if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and it looks deeper than the skin; it’s a severe skin disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the preacher will say that they’re unfit. It’s the disease of leprosy. But if the preacher looks at it, and there’s no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is faded; then the preacher will separate them seven days. The preacher will look at them on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the preacher will say that they’re unfit. It’s the disease of leprosy. If the bright spot stays there, and hasn’t spread in the skin, but is faded, it’s the swelling from the burn, and the preacher will say that they’re fit; it’s the scar from the burn.
[29-37] When a man or woman has a problem on the head or on the beard, then the preacher will look at it; and if it looks deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the preacher will say that they’re unfit; it’s an itch, a severe skin disease of the head or the beard. If the preacher looks at the problem of itching, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, and there’s no black hair in it, then the preacher will separate the person infected with itching seven days. On the seventh day the preacher will look at it; and if the itch hasn’t spread, and there’s no yellow hair in it, and the itch isn’t deeper than the skin, then they’ll be shaved, but don’t shave the itch; and the preacher will separate whoever has the itch seven more days. On the seventh day, the preacher will look at the itch; and if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, then the preacher will say that they’re fit. They’ll wash their clothes and are fit. But if the itch spreads in the skin after they’re healed, then the preacher will look at them; and if the itch has spread in the skin, the preacher won’t look for the yellow hair; they’re unfit. But if the preacher thinks the itch is healed, and black hair has grown in it; the itch is healed, and they’re fit. The preacher will say that they’re fit.
[38-39] When a man or a woman has bright spots in their skin, white looking; then the preacher will look at them; and if the bright spots on their skin are a dull white, it’s a harmless rash, it has broken out in the skin; they’re fit.
[40-44] If a man’s hair has fallen from his head, he’s bald. He’s fit. If his hair has fallen from the front part of his head, he’s forehead bald. He’s fit. But if there’s a pink spot in the bald head, or forehead; it’s a severe skin disease breaking out in the bald head or forehead. Then the preacher will look at it; and if the pink spot is swelling in the bald head or forehead, and looks like a skin disease, he has a severe skin disease. He’s unfit. The preacher will say that they’re unfit. His problem is on the head.
[45-46] The one who has the problem will wear torn clothes, and their hair will hang loose. They’ll cup their hands around their mouth, and will call out, ‘Unfit! Unfit!’ However long the problem is in them they’ll be unfit. They’re unfit and will live alone, outside of the camp.
[47-51] The clothes also that the disease of leprosy is in, whether it’s woolen clothes or linen clothes; whether it’s in the thread of a woven cloth; of linen or wool; whether in a piece of leather, or in anything made of leather; if the problem is greenish or reddish in the clothes, or in the leather, or in the threads of a woven cloth, or in anything made of leather; it’s the disease of leprosy, and will be shown to the preacher. The preacher will look at it, and separate it for seven days. They’ll look at the problem on the seventh day. If the problem has spread in the clothes, in the threads of the woven cloth or in the leather, whatever it’s used for, the problem is a harmful mildew. It’s unfit.
[52-55] Burn the clothes, whether it’s in the threads of a woven cloth, in wool or linen, or anything of leather that has the problem, because it’s a harmful mildew. Burn it in the fire. If the preacher looks at it, and the problem hasn’t spread in the clothes, in the threads of the woven cloth or in any part of the leather; then the preacher will say to wash whatever has the problem, and you’ll keep it separated seven more days. Then the preacher will look at it, after the problem is washed; and if the problem hasn’t changed its color, and the problem hasn’t spread, it’s unfit; burn it in the fire. It’s a spot of mildew, whether inside or outside.
[56-59] If the preacher looks, and the problem has faded after it’s washed, then you’ll tear it out of the clothes, or out of the leather, or out of the threads of a woven cloth: and if it’s seen again in the clothes, in the threads of the woven cloth or in anything of leather, it’s spreading. Burn whatever has the problem with fire. The clothes, either a woven cloth, or whatever is made of leather, will be washed, and if the problem has gone from it, then it will be washed again, and it will be fit. This is the law of the problem of mildew in clothes of wool or linen, either in a woven cloth, or in anything made of leather, to tell whether it’s fit or unfit.”
Leprosy Laws
14[1-7] Yahweh told Moses, “This will be the law of the leper in the day of cleansing. They’ll be brought to the preacher, and the preacher will go out of the camp to them. The preacher will look at them, and if the disease of leprosy is healed in the leper, then the preacher will tell them to take two living fit birds, cedar wood, red dye, and a hyssop branch for whoever is to be cleansed. The preacher will tell them to kill one of the birds in a clay pot over running water. As for the living bird, you’ll take it, the cedar wood, the red dye, and the hyssop branch, and will dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. You’ll sprinkle on whoever is to be cleansed from the skin disease seven times, and will say that they’re fit, and will let the living bird go into the open field.
[8-9] Whoever is to be cleansed will wash their clothes, shave off all their hair, and take a bath in water; and they’ll be fit. After that they’ll come into the camp, but will live outside their tent seven days. On the seventh day, they’ll shave all their hair off, along with all the hair of the beard and eyebrows. They’ll wash their clothes, and take a bath, then they’ll be fit.
[10-18] On the eighth day they’ll take two male lambs without anything wrong with them, and one female lamb a year-old without anything wrong with it, and a third of a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour for a grain offering, mingled with oil, and a half quart of oil. The preacher who cleanses them will set whoever is to be cleansed, and those things, before Yahweh, at the door of the Meeting Place. The preacher will take one of the male lambs, and offer it for a guilt offering, with the half quart of oil, and wave them for a wave offering to Yahweh. The preacher will kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the Place of Worship; just as the sin offering is the preacher’s, so is the guilt offering. It’s most holy. The preacher will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of whoever is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot. The preacher will take some of the half quart of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand and dip his right finger in it, and sprinkle it with his finger seven times before Yahweh. The preacher will put some of the rest of the oil that’s in his hand on the tip of the right ear of whoever is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot, on the blood of the guilt offering. The rest of the oil that’s in the preacher’s hand will be put on the head of whoever is to be cleansed, and the preacher will cover their sins before Yahweh.
[19-22] The preacher will offer the sin offering, and cover the sins of whoever is to be cleansed because of their being unfit; and afterward will kill the burnt offering and offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. The preacher will cover their sins, and they’ll be fit. If they’re poor, and can’t give so much, then they’ll take one male lamb for a guilt offering to be waved, to cover their sins, and ten percent of a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour mingled with oil for a grain offering, and a half quart of oil; and two doves, or two young pigeons, whatever they’re able to give; and the one will be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.
[23-29] On the eighth day bring them for their cleansing to the preacher, to the door of the Meeting Place, to Yahweh. The preacher will take the lamb of the guilt offering, and the half quart of oil, and the preacher will wave them for a wave offering to Yahweh. Kill the lamb of the guilt offering and take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of whoever is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot. The preacher will pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand and sprinkle with the right finger some of it seven times before Yahweh. Then the preacher will put some of the oil that’s in his hand on the tip of the right ear of whoever is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot, where the blood of the guilt offering is. The rest of the oil that’s in the preacher’s hand put on the head of whoever is to be cleansed, to cover their sins before Yahweh.
[30-32] They’ll offer one of the doves, or the young pigeons, whatever they’re able to give. Offer whatever they’re able to give, the first for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the grain offering. The preacher will cover their sins for whoever is to be cleansed before Yahweh. This is the law for those who have the disease of leprosy, who aren’t able to give the sacrifice for their cleansing.”
[33-38] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “When you’ve come into the land of Canaan, which I Am giving to you to own, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in your land, then whoever owns the house will come and tell the preacher, ‘There seems to me to be some sort of problem in the house.’ The preacher will tell them to empty the house, before the preacher goes in to look at the problem, so that all that’s in the house won’t be ruined and then the preacher will go in to look at the house. The preacher will look at the problem; and if the problem is ingrained in the walls of the house with green or red streaks, and it seems to go into the wall; then the preacher will go outside of the house, and shut the door for seven days.
[39-44] Then the preacher will come again on the seventh day, and look at it again. If the problem has spread in the walls of the house, then the preacher will tell them to take out the stones where the problem is, and throw them outside of the city in a place for things that are unfit and to scrape all around the inside of the house, and pour out the mortar, that they scraped off, outside of the city into a place for things that are unfit. Then they’ll take other stones, and put them in place of those stones; and take other mortar, and plaster the house again. If the problem comes again, and breaks out in the house, after they’ve taken out the stones, and scraped the house, and after it was plastered; then the preacher will come in and look; and if the problem has spread in the house, it’s a harmful mildew in the house. It’s unfit.
[45-48] They’ll break down the house, its stones, timber, and mortar, and carry them out of the city to a place for things that are unfit. Whoever goes into the house while it’s shut up won’t be fit until evening. Whoever has slept or eaten in the house will wash their clothes. If the preacher comes in, and looks at it, and the problem hasn’t spread in the house, after it was plastered, then the preacher will say that the house is fit, because the problem is gone.
[49-53] To cleanse the house take two birds, cedar wood, red dye, and a hyssop branch. Kill one of the birds in a clay pot over running water. Take the cedar wood, the hyssop branch, the red dye, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. Cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, with the living bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop branch, and the red dye; but let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So the problem for the house will be covered; and it will be fit.”
[54-57] This is the law for any problem of a severe skin disease, for an itch, for the harmful mildew of clothes or a house, or for a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot; to teach when it’s unfit, and when it’s fit. This is the law of leprosy.
Laws of Discharges
15[1-7] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When anyone has a discharge from their body, because of the discharge they’re unfit. Someone is unfit with a discharge when their body runs with a discharge, or their body has stopped from a discharge. Every bed that someone has slept on who has a discharge will be unfit; and everything they sit on will be unfit. Whoever touches their bed will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. Whoever sits on anything where someone has a discharge has sat will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. Whoever touches the body of someone with a discharge will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening.
[8-13] If whoever has a discharge spits on someone who’s fit, then they’ll wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. Whatever saddle someone who has a discharge rides on will be unfit. Whoever touches anything that was under them won’t be fit until evening. Whoever carries those things will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. Whoever someone who has a discharge touches, without having rinsed their hands in water, they’ll wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. The clay pot, which someone who has a discharge touches, will be broken; and every bowl of wood will be rinsed in water. When whoever has a discharge is cleansed of their discharge, then after seven days they’ll be cleansed, and wash their clothes and take a bath in running water, and will be fit.
[14-18] On the eighth day take two doves or young pigeons, and come to Yahweh to the door of the Meeting Place, and give them to the preacher. The preacher will offer them, one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The preacher will cover their sins before Yahweh for their discharge. If anyone has a release of semen, then they’ll take a bath in water, and won’t be fit until evening. All clothes and every part of the skin, where the semen touched, will be washed with water, and won’t be fit until evening. If someone has sex with a woman and there’s a release of semen, they’ll both take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening.
[19-24] If a woman has a discharge of a flow of blood from her body, she’ll be set apart for seven days and whoever touches her won’t be fit until evening. Everything that she rests on or sits on while on her period will be unfit. Whoever touches her bed will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. Whoever touches anything that she sits on will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. If it’s on the bed, or on anything she sits on, when they touch it, they won’t be fit until evening. If anyone has sex with her during her period, he’ll be unfit seven days; and every bed he sleeps on will be unfit.
[25-28] If a woman has a discharge of blood that last for many days, but isn’t her period, or if she has a discharge that lasts longer than the time of her normal period, as long as the discharge lasts, she’ll be unfit as in the days of her period. Every bed she sleeps on as long as her discharge lasts, will be to her as the bed of her period, and everything she sits on will be unfit, as in her period. Whoever touches these things will be unfit, and will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. But if she’s through with her period, then after seven days, she’ll be fit.
[29-33] On the eighth day she’ll take two doves or young pigeons, and bring them to the preacher, to the door of the Meeting Place. The preacher will offer the first for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; the preacher will cover her sins for her before Yahweh for being unfit on her period. So separate the people of Israel when they’re unfit, so they won’t die, when they make My Place of Worship unfit that’s with them. This is the law of whoever has a discharge, and of whoever has a release of semen that makes them unfit; and of a woman, who has her period, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of whoever has sex with a woman, who’s on her period.”
The Most Holy Place
16[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came to Yahweh, and died, “Tell Aaron, your brother, not to come at any time into the Most Holy Place behind the veil, before the Seat of Forgiveness, which is on the ark or he’ll die when he sees Me in the cloud on the Seat of Forgiveness. Aaron will come into the Place of Worship with a young bull for a sin offering, and a male goat for a burnt offering. He’ll put on the holy linen coat, the linen underwear, the linen belt, and the linen hat. They’re the holy clothes. He’ll take a bath, and put them on. He’ll take from the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one male goat for a burnt offering.
[6-10] Aaron will offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for the preachers, and cover the sins of himself and his family. He’ll take the two goats, and set them before Yahweh at the door of the Meeting Place. Aaron will use the Judgment Stones to choose between the two goats; one for Yahweh, and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron will give the goat which was chosen for Yahweh, and offer it for a sin offering. But the goat, which was chosen for the scapegoat, will be brought alive to Yahweh, to cover sins, to be sent away into the countryside.
[11-16] Aaron will give the bull of the sin offering, which is for the preachers, and will cover the sins of himself and his family, and will kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. Have him take a fire pan full of coals of fire from off the altar of Yahweh, and two handfuls of good smelling incense beaten small, and bring it behind the veil. Have him put the incense on the fire before Yahweh that the smoke of the incense may cover the Seat of Forgiveness that’s on the Chest of the Law, so that he won’t die. Have him take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with a finger on the east side of Seat of Forgiveness; and sprinkle some of the blood in front of the Seat of Forgiveness with a finger seven times. Then have him kill the goat of the sin offering that’s for the people, and bring the blood behind the veil, and do with it as with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the east side of Seat of Forgiveness, and in front of the Seat of Forgiveness and their sins will be covered for the Holy Place, because of the people of Israel being unfit, and because of their disobedience, and all their sins; and do this also for the Meeting Place, that is with this unfit people.
[17-19] There will be no one in the Meeting Place when he enters to cover sins in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made sins to be covered for himself and his family, and for all the people of Israel. Have him go out to the altar that’s before Yahweh and make it fit, and take some of the bull’s blood, and some of the goat’s blood, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. Have him sprinkle some of the blood on it with a finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the people of Israel being unfit.
[20-22] When he has finished making the Holy Place, the Meeting Place, and the altar fit, he’ll take the live goat. Aaron will put both his hands on the head of the live goat, and admit all the guilt of the people of Israel over it, all their disobedience and sins; and put it on the head of the goat, sending it away into the countryside by someone who’s waiting for it. The goat will take all their guilt on itself to a place where no one lives, and will be let go in the countryside.
[23-28] Aaron will come into the Meeting Place, and take off the linen clothes, which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and leave them there. Then he’ll take a bath in a holy place, and put on his clothes, and come out and offer a burnt offering for himself and the people, and cover the sins of himself and the people. The fat of the sin offering he’ll burn on the altar. Whoever lets the goat go for the scapegoat will wash their clothes, and take a bath in water, and will come back into the camp. The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought in to cover the sins in the Holy Place, will be carried outside the camp; and they’ll burn their skins, meat, and wastes with fire. Whoever burns them will wash their clothes, and take a bath in water, and come back into the camp.
[29-34] It’ll be a law to you forever: On the 10th day of the 7th month, you’ll be sorry for your sins, and do no kind of work, either the native-born, or the foreigner who lives with you. On that day your sins will be covered for you, to cleanse you from all your sins, so you’ll be fit before Yahweh. It’s a Seventh Day of peaceful rest to you, and you’ll be sorry for your sins; It’s a law forever. The preacher, who’s anointed and dedicated to serve as preacher in his father’s place, will cover the sins, and put on the holy linen clothes. Then they’ll cover the sins for the Holy Sanctuary, the Meeting Place, the altar; the preachers and all the people of Israel. This will be a law forever to you, to cover the sins for the people of Israel once a year because of all their sins.” It was done as Yahweh told Moses.
False Worship
17[1-9] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron, and his sons, and all the people of Israel, ‘This is what Yahweh has said; Whoever of the house of Israel, who kills a bull, lamb, or goat, in the camp, or outside it, and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Meeting Place, to give an offering to Yahweh at the tent of Yahweh will be guilty of its blood. They’ve shed blood; and they’ll be cut off from among the people. This is so that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, to Yahweh, to the door of the Meeting Place, to the preacher, and make sacrifices of peace offerings to Yahweh. The preacher will sprinkle the blood on the altar of Yahweh at the door of the Meeting Place, and burn the fat for an offering that smells good to Yahweh. Don’t make sacrifices of goats to the false gods, which some follow after, leaving the true worship of God. This will be a law forever to them throughout their generations.’ You’ll say to them, ‘Anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners with them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Meeting Place, to sacrifice it to Yahweh; will be cut off from the people.’
[10-16] Anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners with them, who eats any kind of blood, I’ll turn against, and will cut them off from among the people. For the life of the body is in the blood; and I’ve given it to you on the altar to cover your sins for your souls because it’s the life in the blood that covers your sins. So, I’ve said to the people of Israel, ‘No one among you will eat blood, nor will any stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.’ Whoever of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who goes hunting for any animal or bird that may be eaten, will pour out its blood, and cover it with dust. The blood gives life to all bodies, so I said to the people of Israel, ‘Don’t eat the blood of any kind of meat; for the blood gives life to all bodies. Whoever eats it will be cut off.’ Everyone that eats what dies naturally, or whatever is killed by animals, whether they’re native-born or a foreigner, will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and won’t be fit until evening. If they don’t wash them or take a bath, then they’ll be at fault.’”
Laws on Sexuality
18[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘I Am Yahweh your God. Don’t do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived; and don’t do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; don’t obey their laws. You’ll obey My rules and keep My laws, and do them: I Am Yahweh your God. So keep My laws and My rules; which if anyone does, they’ll live: I Am Yahweh.
[6-20] Don’t have sex with anyone who’s your close relative: I Am Yahweh. Don’t have sex with your father or mother because they’re your parents. Don’t have sex with them. Don’t have sex with your father’s wife; She’s your step mother. Don’t have sex with your sister, who’s the daughter of your father or mother, whether born at home, or somewhere else. Don’t have sex with your granddaughter, because she’s your own kin. Don’t have sex with your half-sister, by your father, since she’s your sister. Don’t have sex with your aunt because she’s your near kin. Don’t have sex with your uncle’s wife because she’s your aunt. Don’t have sex with your daughter-in-law because she’s your son’s wife. Don’t have sex with your sister-in-law, because she’s your near kin. Don’t have sex with both a woman and her daughter or her granddaughter, because she’s your near kin. It’s wrong. Don’t take a woman’s sister as a wife, to trouble her, to have sex with her, while the other is still alive. Don’t have sex with a woman as long as she’s unfit while on her period. Don’t have sex with someone else’s wife, and make yourself unfit with her.
[21-30] Don’t burn any of your children in fire to sacrifice to a false god; nor bring disrespect on the Name of your God: I Am Yahweh. Don’t let a man have sex with a male, as you would with a woman. It’s wrong. Don’t have sex with an animal and make yourself unfit; Don’t let any woman have sex with an animal. It’s wrong. Don’t make yourselves unfit in any of these things because the nations which I am throwing out before you were made unfit by doing these kinds of things. The land was made unfit, so I punished their sins, and the land vomited out its people. Keep My laws and rules, and don’t do any of these sins; not the native-born, or the foreigner who lives with you; so that the land won’t vomit you out also, when you make it unfit, as it did the nation that was before you. The people of the land that were before you have done all these sins, and the land was made unfit. Whoever does any of these sinful things will be cut off from among their people. So keep My orders that you don’t do any of these filthy practices, which were done before you, and that you don’t make yourselves unfit with them: I Am Yahweh your God.’”
Be Holy
19[1-4] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell all the people of Israel, ‘Be holy; for I Yahweh your God am holy. Respect your parents. Keep My Seventh Days. I Am Yahweh your God. Don’t turn to false gods, nor make metal gods for yourselves. I Am Yahweh your God.
[5-8] When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh, offer it so that you may be accepted. It will be eaten the day you offer it, and the next day, and if anything is left on the third day, it will be burned with fire. If it’s eaten at all on the third day, it’s wrong. It won’t be accepted; but everyone who eats it will be at fault, because they’ve brought disrespect on the holy thing of Yahweh, and they’ll be cut off from the people.
[9-10] When you gather the harvest of your land, don’t totally gather the corners of your field, nor gather what has fallen on the ground of your harvest. Don’t gather all the grapes of your garden, nor gather what has fallen of your garden. Leave what has fallen for the poor and the foreigner. I Am Yahweh your God.
[11-14] Don’t steal; nor deal falsely or lie to one another. Don’t swear by My Name falsely, and bring disrespect on the Name of your God. I Am Yahweh. Don’t abuse others, nor rob them. Pay your paid workers the day they do the work, don’t wait to pay them till morning. Don’t speak badly of the deaf, nor put something in the way of the blind to make them fall; but fear the judgment of your God. I Am Yahweh.
[15-19] Be fair in judgment. Don’t think about who is poor, or how great someone is; but judge others rightly. Don’t go around telling lies to others; nor tell a lie to take the life of others. I Am Yahweh. Don’t hate anyone in your heart. Correct others, and don’t put up with sin because of them. Don’t get revenge on someone who has done you wrong, nor hold on to hard feelings against your people; but love others as you love yourself. I Am Yahweh. Keep My laws. Don’t crossbreed different kinds of animals. Don’t plant your field with mixed seed; nor wear clothes made with mixed materials.
[20-22] If someone has sex with a female worker, who is promised to be married to another man, and not bought back, or given her freedom; they’ll be punished. They won’t be put to death, because she wasn’t free. He’ll bring a male goat for a guilt offering to Yahweh, to the door of the Meeting Place. The preacher will cover his sin with the goat of the guilt offering to Yahweh for the sin which was done; and what was done will be forgiven.
[23-25] When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you’ll count their fruit as unfit for three years. It won’t be eaten. But in the 4th year all its fruit will be holy, for giving praise to Yahweh. In the fifth year you’ll eat its fruit. Do this, so that you’ll be blessed with its fruit. I Am Yahweh your God.
[26-29] Don’t eat any meat with the blood still in it. Don’t use witchcraft, nor fortune telling. Don’t cut the hair on the sides of your heads, nor cut off the ends of your beard. Don’t make any cuttings in your skin to remember the dead, nor print any tattoos on you. I Am Yahweh. Don’t shame your daughter by making her a prostitute; or the land will be filled with prostitution, and become sinful.
[30-31] Keep My Seventh Days, and respect My Place of Worship; I Am Yahweh. Don’t go looking for answers from those who talk to the dead, do fortune telling, or use witchcraft. Don’t seek them out, and be made unfit by them. I Am Yahweh your God.
[32-34] Rise up and honor the presence of an old person, and fear the judgment of your God. I Am Yahweh. If a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t do them wrong. The foreigner with you will be to you as the native-born among you, and you’ll love them as yourself because you once lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I Am Yahweh your God.
[35-37] Be fair in judgment, in measures of length, weight, or quantity. Have equal scales and weights, an equal 3 quart jar, and an equal 5 quart jar. I Am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Keep all My laws and rules, and do them. I Am Yahweh.’”
Don’t Sacrifice Your Children
20[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Also, tell the people of Israel, ‘Anyone of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of their children to a false god; without a doubt, will be put to death. The people of the land will kill them with stones. I, too, will turn against that person, and will cut them off from among the people because they’ve given their children to a false god, to make My Place of Worship unfit, and to bring disrespect on My Holy Name. If all the people of the land won’t see that person, when they give their children to a false god, and don’t put them to death; then I’ll turn against them, and against their family, and will cut them off from among their people, and all who follow after them, leaving the true worship of God for a false god.
[6-8] “’The person that turns to those who talk to the dead, and to the those who use witchcraft, to follow after them, leaving the true worship of God, I’ll even turn against that person, and will cut them off from among the people. So set yourselves apart, and be holy; for I Am Yahweh your God. Keep My laws, and do them. I Am Yahweh who sets you apart.
Prohibited Sexual Sins
[9-14] Everyone who speaks badly of their father or mother without a doubt, will be put to death because they’ve spoken badly of their parent; they’re at fault. Whoever has sex with another’s spouse, without a doubt, they’ll both be put to death. Anyone who has sex with his father’s wife has shamed his father; without a doubt, they’ll both be put to death; they’re at fault. If someone has sex with their daughter-in-law, without a doubt, they’ll both be put to death: they’ve done wrong; they’re at fault. If a male has sex with another male, as with a woman, both of them have done wrong: they’ll, without a doubt, be put to death; they’re at fault. If someone takes a woman and her mother, it’s wrong: they’ll all be burned with fire; that there may be no wrong among you.
[15-16] If a man has sex with an animal, he’ll, without a doubt, be put to death; and the animal will be killed. If a woman goes to any animal, and has sex with it, kill the woman, and the animal; they’ll, without a doubt, be put to death; they’re at fault.
[17-21] If someone has sex with his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and sees her naked, and she sees him naked; it’s a shameful thing; and they’ll be cut off from their people; he has seen his sister naked and is at fault. If someone has sex with a woman having her monthly period, and sees her naked; and has seen her source of blood, and she has shown the source of her blood; both will be cut off from among the people. If someone has sex with their aunt; they’ve seen their close relative naked; they’ll be at fault. If someone has sex with his uncle’s wife, they’ve shamed their uncle, and will be at fault; and will die without children. If someone takes their brother’s wife, it’s wrong; they’ve shamed their brother; They won’t have children.
[22-27] Keep all My laws, and all My rules, and do them, so that the land, where I am bringing you to live, won’t vomit you out. Don’t do what the nation before you did, which I am throwing out before you. They did all these things, so I hated them. But I’ve said to you, “You’ll inherit their land, and I’ll give it to you to own it, a land full of milk and honey.” I Am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the other peoples. So make a difference between the animals that are fit to eat and the unfit, and between the unfit birds and those that are fit to eat: and don’t make yourselves filthy by animal, bird, or anything else which runs around on the ground, which I’ve separated from you as unfit for you to eat. Be holy to Me because I, Yahweh, Am Holy, and have set you apart from the other peoples, that you should be mine. A man or a woman that talks to the dead, or uses witchcraft, without a doubt, will be put to death: they’ll kill them with stones; they’re at fault.’”
Don’t Bring Disrespect on the Name of God
21[1-6] Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell the preachers, the sons of Aaron, ‘A preacher won’t make themselves unfit for those who die among the people; except for their near relatives; for a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, and sister who’s had no husband and who’s never had sex who’s near to them; for her they may make themselves unfit. Don’t let them make themselves unfit, being a leader among the people, to bring disrespect on themselves. They won’t cut their hair, nor cut off the ends of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their skin. They’ll be holy to their God, and not bring disrespect on the Name of their God; for they offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God; so they’ll be holy.
[7-15] They won’t marry a woman who’s a prostitute, or unfit; nor will they marry a woman divorced from her husband because they’re holy to God. So you’ll set them apart because they offer the bread of God. They’ll be holy to you because I, Yahweh, who sets you apart, Am Holy. If a daughter of any preacher brings disrespect on herself by acting like a prostitute, she brings disrespect on her father, so she’ll be burned with fire. Whoever is the leading preacher among them, on whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that’s been dedicated to put on the clothes, won’t let the hair of their head hang loose, nor tear their clothes in mourning; nor go in to see any dead body, nor make themselves unfit for their father or mother; nor go out of the Place of Worship, nor bring disrespect on the Place of Worship of God; for the crown of the anointing oil of God is on them. I Am Yahweh. They’ll take a wife who’s never had sex. Don’t let them marry a death survivor, a divorced woman, a woman who’s unfit, or a prostitute: but let them take a woman who’s never had sex from their own people as a wife. Don’t let them bring disrespect on their children among the people because I Am Yahweh, who sets them apart.’”
[16-24] Yahweh told Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘None of your children throughout their generations, who have a fault, may come to offer the bread of your God. Whoever has a fault, don’t let them come near, whether blind, or lame, or whoever has a scarred face, or any unusual growth, or someone who has a broken leg or hand, or hunchbacked, or a midget, or one who’s cross eyed, or has an itching disease, or scabs, or who has something wrong with his testicles; No one of the people of Aaron, the preacher, who has a fault, will come to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since they have a fault, don’t let them come to offer the bread of God. They’ll eat the bread of God, both of the most holy, and of the holy, but don’t let them go behind the veil, nor come near the altar, because they have a fault; so that they won’t bring disrespect on My Place of Worship, for I Am Yahweh who sets them apart.’” So Moses told Aaron, and his sons, and all the people of Israel.
Keep God’s Laws
22[1-3] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the people of Israel, and not to bring disrespect on My Holy Name by what they dedicate to Me. I Am Yahweh. Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your children throughout your generations comes to the holy things, which the people of Israel offer to Yahweh, being unfit, that soul will be cut off from Me. I Am Yahweh.
[4-8] Don’t let any of the people of Aaron, who is a leper or has a discharge, eat of the holy things, until they’re fit. Whoever touches anything that’s made unfit by the dead, or someone whose semen goes from them; or whoever touches any rodent that makes them unfit, or touches someone else who makes them unfit, whatever unfitness they have; the person that touches any such thing won’t be fit until evening, and won’t eat of the holy things, until they take a bath. When the sun is down, they’ll be fit; and then they’ll eat of the holy things, because it’s their food. Whatever dies naturally, or is killed by animals, don’t let them eat, making themselves unfit by it. I Am Yahweh.
[9-16] So they’ll keep My law, or they’ll carry sin and die in it, if they bring disrespect on it. I Am Yahweh who sets them apart. No stranger will eat of whatever is holy, whether a foreigner living with the preachers, or a paid worker, they won’t eat anything holy. But anyone a preacher adopts, and those who are born in his family, will eat of the bread. If a preacher’s daughter is married to an outsider, she won’t eat of the offerings of the holy things. But if a preacher’s daughter is a death survivor, or divorced, and has no child, and has gone back to her father’s house, as in her youth, she may eat of her father’s bread, but no stranger will eat any of it. If someone eats something holy unknowingly, then they’ll replace it and add a fifth of what it’s worth to it, and will give the holy thing to the preacher. The preachers won’t bring disrespect on the holy things of the people of Israel, which they offer to Yahweh, and so cause them to carry the guilt of sin, when they eat their holy things because I Am Yahweh who sets apart them.’”
[17-25] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron, and his sons, and all the people of Israel, ‘Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who gives an offering, whether it be any of their promises, or any of their freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering; that they may be accepted, will offer a male without anything wrong with it, of the cattle, sheep, or goats. But don’t offer whatever has a fault; it won’t be accepted by you. Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to keep a promise, or for a freewill offering, of the herd or flock, it will be perfect and without a fault to be accepted by you. Don’t offer anything blind, crippled, hurt, having a running sore, or an itch, or a skin disease to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh. Either a bull or a lamb that has something wrong with it, may be offered for a freewill offering; but it won’t be accepted to keep a promise. Don’t offer whatever has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut to Yahweh; nor will you do this (to your animals) in your land. Nor will you take an offering to God of any of these from a foreigner; because they’re damaged. There is a fault in them. They won’t be accepted by you.’”
[26-30] Yahweh told Moses, “When a cow, sheep, or goat is born, then it will stay with its mother for seven days; and from the eighth day on it will be accepted to give as an offering of fire to Yahweh. Don’t kill a cow or female sheep and its young both on the same day. When you make a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, offer it in a way it will be accepted. It will be eaten in one day, leaving none of it until morning. I Am Yahweh.
[31-33] So you’ll keep My laws, and do them. I Am Yahweh. Don’t bring disrespect on My Holy Name, but I’ll be made holy among the people of Israel. I Am Yahweh, who makes you holy, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I Am Yahweh.”
The Set Celebrations
23[1-3] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘The set Celebrations of Yahweh, which you’ll announce to be a sacred assembly, are My Holy Days. Work will be done for six days but the Seventh Day is a day of peaceful rest, with a sacred assembly, so you won’t do any work. It’s a Seventh Day to Yahweh in all your homes.
[4-8] These are the set Celebrations of Yahweh, a sacred assembly, which you’ll announce in their set time. On the 14th day of the 1st month in the evening, is Yahweh’s Passover Celebration. On the 15th day of the same month is the Feast of Flat Bread (Celebration of Unleavened Bread) to Yahweh. Eat flat bread for seven days. On the 1st day, have a sacred assembly. Don’t do any regular work, but bring an offering of fire to Yahweh for seven days. In the 7th day is a sacred assembly, so don’t do any regular work.’”
[9-14] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When you’ve come into the land which I give to you, and gather the harvest, then bring the first bundle (Celebration of Firstfruits) of your harvest to the preacher, who will wave the bundle before Yahweh on the day after (Sunday) the Seventh Day (Saturday), to be accepted for you. On the day when you wave the bundle, offer a year-old male lamb without anything wrong with it for a burnt offering to Yahweh. The grain offering with it will be two 3 quart jars of finely ground flour mingled with oil, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh; and the drink offering with it will be a fourth of a 5 quart jar of wine. Eat no bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain, until the day you bring the offering of your God. This is a law forever throughout your generations in all your homes.
[15-22] You’ll count seven Seventh Days from the day after the Seventh Day, when you brought the bundle of the wave offering to the day after the Seventh Day, which will be fifty days (Celebration of Weeks); and you’ll offer a new grain offering to Yahweh. Bring out of your homes two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two 3 quarts jars of finely ground flour. They’ll be baked with yeast, being the first of your grain harvest to give to Yahweh. Give with the bread seven year-old lambs, without anything wrong with them, one young bull, and two rams. They’ll be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering, and their drink offerings, an offering of fire that smells good to Yahweh. You’ll offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two year-old male lambs for a sacrifice of peace offerings. The preacher will wave them with the bread of the first of your harvests for a wave offering to Yahweh, with the two lambs. They’ll be holy to Yahweh for the preacher. You’ll announce on the same day that there will be a sacred assembly for you, so you won’t do any regular work. This is a law forever in all your homes throughout your generations. When you gather the harvest of your land, don’t totally gather the corners of your field, nor will you gather what has fallen on the ground of your harvest. Leave it for the poor, and the foreigner. I Am Yahweh your God.’”
[23-25] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘On the 1st day of the 7th month will be a peaceful rest to you, a Celebration of blowing Trumpets, with a sacred assembly. You won’t do any regular work; and you’ll bring an offering of fire to Yahweh.’”
[26-32] Yahweh told Moses, “But on the 10th day of the 7th month is the day for sins to be covered (Day of Atonement); it will be a sacred assembly to you, and you’ll be sorry for your sins; and bring an offering of fire to Yahweh. Don’t do any kind of work in that day because it’s for sins to be covered, to cover your sins for you before Yahweh your God. Whoever won’t keep from doing what they want to do in that day will be cut off from the people. Whoever does any kind of work in that day, I’ll destroy from among the people. Don’t do any kind of work. It’s a law forever throughout your generations in all your homes. It will be a Seventh Day of peaceful rest for you, and you won’t do whatever you want to on that day. At evening, on the 9th day of the month, from one night to the next, this Seventh Day will be kept.”
[33-36] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘On the 15th day of the 7th month is the Celebration of Shelters for seven days to Yahweh. On the first day will be a sacred assembly, so you won’t do any regular work. Seven days you’ll bring an offering of fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day will be a sacred assembly to you; and you’ll bring an offering of fire to Yahweh. It’s a peaceful assembly, so don’t do any regular work.
[37-44] These are the set Celebrations of Yahweh, which you’ll announce to be a sacred assembly, to bring an offering of fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a grain offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day; besides the Seventh Days of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your promises, and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to Yahweh. So on the 15th day of the 7th month, when you’ve gathered in the harvests of the land, you’ll keep the celebration of Yahweh seven days: on the first day will be a peaceful rest, and on the eighth day will be a peaceful rest. On the first day you’ll take the fruit of the good trees, branches of palm trees, and branches of evergreen trees, and willows of the brook; and you’ll celebrate before Yahweh your God for seven days. You’ll make it a holiday to Yahweh seven days a year: It’s a law forever throughout your generations; you’ll keep it in the 7th month. You’ll live in shelters made of branches seven days. All who are native-born in Israel will live in shelters made of branches, so that your children may know that I made the people of Israel live in shelters made of branches, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I Am Yahweh your God.’” So Moses told the people of Israel the set Celebrations of Yahweh.
Don’t Disrespect the Name of God
24[1-4] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring you pure beaten olive oil for the light of the lamp to burn continually. Outside of the veil of the Law, in the Meeting Place, Aaron will keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh continually. It will be a law forever throughout your generations. Aaron will keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lampstand to Yahweh continually.
[5-9] Bake twelve loaves of bread out of finely ground flour, two 3 quart jars in each loaf. Set them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure gold table before Yahweh. Put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be a reminder on the bread for an offering of fire to Yahweh. Every Seventh Day, set it in order before Yahweh continually for the people of Israel for an everlasting promise. It’s for Aaron and his sons; and they’ll eat it in a holy place because it’s the most holy of all the offerings of Yahweh made by fire by law forever.”
[10-12] The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and an Israelite argued in the camp. The son of the Israelite woman disrespected the Name of God, and cursed, so they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. They put him under guard, until Yahweh told them what to do.
[13-23] Yahweh told Moses, “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed; and let all who heard him put their hands on his head, and let all the people kill him with stones. Tell the people of Israel, ‘Whoever curses God will be at fault. Whoever disrespects the Name of Yahweh without a doubt, will be put to death; all the people will, without a doubt, stone them. The foreigner as well as the native-born will be put to death when they disrespect the Name of God. Whoever kills anyone without a doubt, will be put to death. Whoever kills an animal will make it good, life for life. If anyone hurts another, it’ll be done to them as they’ve done, break for break, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as they’ve hurt someone, so will it be done to them. Whoever kills an animal will make it good; and whoever kills someone will be put to death. You’ll have one law for the foreigner as well as the native-born because I Am Yahweh your God.’” So Moses told the people of Israel; and they brought the one who had cursed out of the camp, and killed him with stones. The people of Israel did as Yahweh told Moses.
The Year of Jubilee
25[1-7] Yahweh said to Moses in Mount Sinai, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land will keep a Sabbath to Yahweh. Six years you’ll plant your field, and six years you’ll work your garden, and gather what grows; but in the seventh year there will be a Sabbath of peaceful rest for the land, a Sabbath to Yahweh. Don’t plant your field or work your garden. Don’t gather what grows by itself in your harvest, or the grapes of your untrimmed vine. It will be a year of peaceful rest for the land. The Sabbath of the land will be for food for you; for yourself, your male and female workers, your paid workers, and for foreigners who live with you. Everything that grows will be for food for your animals and for the animals that are in your land.
[8-12] Count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there will be to you seven Sabbaths of years, which is forty-nine years. Then you’ll sound the loud trumpet on the 10th day of the 7th month. On the Day of Covering Sin (Day of Atonement) you’ll sound the trumpet throughout all your land. You’ll make the 50th year holy, and announce freedom throughout the land to all the people. It will be a Jubilee to you; and each of you will go back to your own land, and to your own family. That 50th year will be a Jubilee to you. Don’t plant, nor gather what grows by itself, nor gather from the untrimmed vines in it. It’s a Jubilee, so it will be holy to you. You’ll eat what grows out of the field.
[13-17] In this Year of Jubilee each of you will go back to your own land. If you sell anything to others, or buy from others, don’t wrong one another. You’ll buy from others counting from the number of years after the Jubilee. A person will sell to you counting the number of years of the crops. By the number of years you’ll make the price more or less, because they’re selling the number of crops to you. Don’t wrong one another; but fear the judgment of your God because I Am Yahweh your God.
[18-22] So you’ll keep My laws and rules and do them; and you’ll live in the land in safety. The land will give its food, and you’ll eat your fill, and live in safety. If you say, “What will we eat the seventh year? Look, we won’t plant, nor gather in what grows;” Then I’ll send My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will make enough food for the three years. You’ll plant the eighth year, and eat its crops and what’s been stored; you’ll eat what’s been stored until the ninth year, until its crops come in.
[23-28] The land won’t be sold forever, for the land is mine; and you are strangers and live as foreigners with Me. In all the land that you own you’ll allow the land to be bought back. If your family member becomes poor, and sells what’s owned, then the next nearest kin will come and buy back whatever has been sold. If someone has no one to buy it back, and becomes wealthy and has enough to buy it back; then let them count the years since the sale of it, and give back what’s left over to the one to whom it was sold; and you’ll go back to your land. But if they aren’t able to get it back for themselves, then what they’ve sold will stay with whoever bought it until the Year of Jubilee: and in the Jubilee it will be given up, and you’ll go back to your land.
[29-31] If someone sells a house in a protected city, then you may buy back it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year you’ll have the right to buy it back. If it’s not bought back within the space of a full year, then a house that’s in a walled city will be sold forever to whoever bought it, throughout your generations. It won’t be given up in the Jubilee. But the houses of the towns which have no wall around them will be counted with the fields of the country. They may be bought back, and they’ll be given up in the Jubilee.
[32-34] But the cities of the Levites, the houses they own in the cities, the Levites may buy back at any time. The Levites may buy back the house they owned that was sold, and the city they owned, and it will be given up in the Jubilee. The houses of the cities of the Levites are their own among the people of Israel, but the fields of the open land of their cities won’t be sold; it’s theirs forever.
[35-43] “’If your family member has become poor, and you can’t help them keep their home; then you’ll help them as you would a stranger or a foreigner and they’ll live with you. Take no interest from them or profit, but fear the judgment of your God; that your family member may live with you. Don’t lend them your money at interest, nor give them your food for profit. I Am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. If your family member has grown poor among you, and sells themselves to you; Don’t make them work as an unpaid worker. They’ll be as a paid worker, and as a foreigner with you; They’ll serve with you until the Year of Jubilee and then go out from you, they and their children with them, and will go back to their own family, and to their own land. They’re My workers, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. They won’t be sold as workers. Don’t rule over them with cruelty, but fear the judgment of your God.
[44-46] As for your male and female workers, whom you may have; you may buy male and female workers of the nations that are around you. You may also buy the children of strangers, who live among you, and of their families, who are with you, which they’ve had in your land; and they’ll be yours. You may give them to your children after you, for their own; you may take them as your workers forever, but don’t rule over your own people, the people of Israel, with cruelty.
[47-50] If a stranger or foreigner who lives with you becomes rich, and your family member beside them becomes poor, and sells themselves to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger’s family; they may be bought back after they’re sold. One of your family members may buy them back; or anyone who’s a close relative to them of their family may buy them back; or if they’ve grown rich, they may buy themselves back. Count with whoever bought them from the year that they sold themselves to them to the Year of Jubilee; and the sale price will be by the number of years; by the time of a paid worker they’ll be with them.
[51-55] If there are still many years left, they’ll give back the sale price out of the money with which they were bought. If there are only a few years to the year of jubilee, then you’ll count them; they’ll pay back the sale price by the years of work. As a paid worker hired yearly they’ll be with them: Don’t let them be too hard on them. If they aren’t bought back by these means, then they’ll be given up in the Year of Jubilee, they, and their children with them. The people of Israel are workers to Me; they’re My workers whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. I Am Yahweh your God.
Rewards and Punishments
26[1-13] Don’t make false gods for yourselves, nor raise up a false god or a carved pillar, nor place any carved stone in your land, to worship it because I Am Yahweh your God. You’ll keep My Seventh Days, and have respect for My Place of Worship. I Am Yahweh. If you keep My laws and My rules, and do them, then I’ll give you your rains in season, and the land will grow its food, and the trees of the field will grow their fruit. Your harvesting will reach to the time of grapes, and the time of grapes will reach to the planting time; and you’ll eat your bread to the full, and live in your land safely. I’ll give peace in the land, and you’ll lie down, and no one will make you scared; and I’ll take wild animals out of the land, and no war will come through your land. You’ll chase your enemies, and they’ll fall before you in war. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; and your enemies will fall before you in war. I’ll have respect for you, and make you have many children, and keep My promise with you. You’ll eat what’s been stored a long time, and you’ll move out the old because of the new. I’ll set My Place of Worship among you: and My soul won’t hate you. I’ll be with you, and be your God, and you’ll be My people. I Am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their workers; and I’ve made your heavy loads to fall, and made you stand up straight.
[14-21] But if you don’t listen to Me, and won’t keep all these Laws; if you reject My laws, and your soul hates My rules, so that you don’t do them, and break My promised agreement; I’ll do this to you also: I’ll put fear in your hearts, and disease and fever will take the spark out of your eyes, and make you die in sorrow; and you’ll plant your seed uselessly, and your enemies will eat it. I’ll turn against you, and you’ll be hurt by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and you’ll run when no one is chasing you. If in spite of these things you still won’t listen to Me, then I’ll punish you seven times more for your sins. I’ll break the pride of your strength, and I’ll make your sky burn with heat, and your soil hard like brass; and your strength will be spent uselessly; your land won’t grow its food, nor will the trees of the land make their fruit. If you go against Me, and won’t listen to Me, then I’ll bring seven times more troubles on you for your sins.
[22-28] I’ll send wild animals among you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your animals, and make you few in number; and your roads will become empty. If by these things you won’t learn from Me, but still go against Me; then I’ll go against you, too; and I’ll hurt you seven more times for your sins. I’ll bring war on you, that will punish you for breaking the promise; and you’ll be gathered together in your cities and I’ll send disease among you; and you’ll be brought into the power of the enemy. When I destroy your supply of food, ten women will bake your bread in one oven, and they’ll bring your bread again by weight; and you’ll eat, and still be hungry. If in spite of this, you still won’t listen to Me, but go against Me, then I’ll go against to you in great anger; and I’ll also punish you seven more times for your sins.
[29-35] You’ll eat the bodies of your own sons and daughters. I’ll destroy your places of worship, and your incense altars, and throw your dead bodies on top of your lifeless false gods; and My soul will hate you. I’ll destroy your cities, and bring your places of worship to ruin, and I won’t be happy with the good smell of your offerings. I’ll bring the land into ruin; and your enemies that live in it will be in horror of it. I’ll scatter you among the nations, and I’ll bring war on you: and your land will be a ruin, and your cities will be a waste. Then the land will enjoy its Sabbath Years as long as it’s deserted and you’re in your enemies’ land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbath Years. As long as it’s deserted it’ll have rest, even the rest which it didn’t have in your Sabbaths, when you lived on it.
[36-39] As for those who are left, I’ll send fear into your hearts in the lands of your enemies: and the sound of a falling leaf will chase you; and you’ll run as running from war; and you’ll fall when no one is chasing you. You’ll trip over one another, as if it were a war, when no one is chasing you: and you’ll have no power to stand up to your enemies. You’ll die among the nations, and in the land of your enemies. Those who are left will die in sorrow from your faults and your parents’ faults in your enemies’ lands.
[40-46] If they admit their fault, and their parents’ faults, of the wrong in which they wronged Me, and also that they went against Me, and that I also went against them, and brought them into the land of their enemies: if then their unfit heart is humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their sin; then I’ll remember My promise with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I’ll remember the land. The land also will be left by them, and will enjoy its Seventh Days while it lies deserted without them: and they’ll accept the punishment of their sin; because they rejected My rules, and their soul hated My laws. Yet for all that, when they’re in the land of their enemies, I won’t stay away from them, nor will I hate them, or destroy them completely. I won’t break My promise with them because I Am Yahweh their God; but for their sake I’ll remember the promise of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I Am Yahweh.’” These are the laws, rules and judgments, which Yahweh made with the people of Israel in Mount Sinai by Moses.
Values of Dedicated Things
27[1-8] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When someone makes a promise, dedicating a person to Yahweh, the person will be valued by what you say they’re worth. What a male from twenty to sixty years old is worth, will be fifty silver coins, in the coin of the Place of Worship. If it’s a female, then her worth will be thirty silver coins. If the person is from five to twenty years old, then their worth will be for a male twenty silver coins, and for a female ten silver coins. If the person is from a month old to five years old, then their worth will be for a male five silver coins, and for a female their worth will be three silver coins. If the person is from sixty years old up; if it’s a male, then their worth will be fifteen coins, and for a female ten coins. But if they’re too poor to pay they’re worth, then they’ll be set before the preacher, and the preacher will set their worth. By the ability of whoever made the promise, the preacher will set their worth.
[9-13] “’If it’s an animal that’s brought for an offering to Yahweh, all that anyone gives of such to Yahweh becomes holy. Don’t switch it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good; and if you change animal for animal at all, then both it and that for which it’s changed will be holy. If it’s any unfit animal, of which they don’t give as an offering to Yahweh, then you’ll set the animal before the preacher; and the preacher will set its worth, whether it’s good or bad. It’ll be what the preacher sets as its worth. But if you want to buy it back, then you’ll add a fifth of what it’s worth.
[14-15] When someone dedicates a house to be holy to Yahweh, then the preacher will decide what it’s worth, whether it’s good or bad; as the preacher decides what it’s worth, so will it stand. If whoever dedicates it wants to buy it back, then you’ll add a fifth of what it’s worth to it, and it will be theirs.
[16-25] If someone dedicates to Yahweh part of the field they own, then its worth will be by the seed that’s planted in it: the planting of 6 bushels of barley will be valued at fifty silver coins. If they dedicate a field from the Year of Jubilee, by its worth it will stand. But if they dedicate a field after the Jubilee, then the preacher will count its worth by the years that are left to the Year of Jubilee; and it’ll be taken from its worth. If whoever dedicated the field wants to buy it back, then a fifth of what it’s worth will be added to it, and it’ll be theirs. If they don’t buy back the field, or if they’ve sold the field to someone else, it won’t be bought back again; but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, will be holy to Yahweh, as a field dedicated; it’ll be owned by the preachers. If they dedicate to Yahweh a field which they’ve bought, which isn’t what was already owned, then the preacher will count its worth up to the Year of Jubilee; and they’ll give its worth on that day, as a holy thing to Yahweh. In the Year of Jubilee the field will go back to the one from whom it was bought, to the one to whom the land belongs. Its worth will be by the coin of the Place of Worship: twenty nickels to the dollar.
[26-29] No one may dedicate a firstborn animal, which is offered as a firstborn to Yahweh, whether a bull or sheep, because it’s already Yahweh’s. If it’s an unfit animal, then they’ll buy it back by its worth, and will add a fifth of what it’s worth to it; or if it isn’t bought back, then it’ll be sold by its worth. Even so, nothing that someone dedicates to Yahweh of all that they have, whether human or animal, or of the field they own, will be sold or bought back because every dedicated thing is most holy to Yahweh. No one promised, who is dedicated from among human beings, will be bought back; they’ll, without a doubt, be put to death.
[30-34] A tenth of all the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh’s. It’s holy to Yahweh. If someone buy backs anything they give, they’ll add a fifth of what it’s worth to it. A tenth of all the herds or flocks, whatever passes under the counting stick, will be holy to Yahweh. Don’t look at whether it’s good or bad, nor will you change it; and if you change it at all, then both it and that for which it’s changed will be holy. It won’t be bought back.’” These are the Laws which Yahweh told Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai.
Numbers (The Count of the People)
The First Count
1[1-4] In the countryside of Sinai, in the Meeting Place, on the 1st day of the 2nd month, in the 2nd year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, Yahweh told Moses, “Count all the people of Israel, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, one male at a time; from twenty years old and up, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron will count them by their family groups. Take one man of every family; each a leader of their family group.
[5-15] Those who will stand with you will be Elizur, the son of Shedeur, of Reuben; Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, of Simeon; Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, of Judah; Nethanel, the son of Zuar, of Issachar; Eliab, the son of Helon, of Zebulun; Of the people of Joseph: Elishama, the son of Ammihud, of Ephraim; Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, of Manasseh; Abidan, the son of Gideoni, of Benjamin; Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, of Dan; Pagiel, the son of Ochran, of Asher; Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, of Gad; Ahira, the son of Enan, of Naphtali.”
[16-18] These are those who were called of the people, the leaders of their families; they were the leaders of thousands of Israel. So Moses and Aaron took these men who were called by name. They gathered all the people together on the 1st day of the 2nd month; and they told their ancestry by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, one at a time. Moses counted them in the countryside of Sinai as Yahweh told him.
[20-21] The people of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, one at a time, every male from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Reuben, were 46,500.
[22-23] The people of Simeon, by their families and family groups, those who were counted of them, by the number of their names, one at a time, every male from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Simeon, were 59,300.
[24-25] The people of Gad, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Gad, were 45,650.
[26-27] The people of Judah, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Judah, were 64,600.
[28-29] The people of Issachar, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Issachar, were 54,400.
[30-31] The people of Zebulun, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Zebulun, were 57,400.
[32-33] The people of Joseph, of the people of Ephraim, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Ephraim, were 40,500.
[34-35] The people of Manasseh, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Manasseh, were 32,200.
[36-37] The people of Benjamin, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Benjamin, were 35,400.
[38-39] The people of Dan, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Dan, were 62,700.
[40-41] The people of Asher, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Asher, were 41,500.
[42-43] The people of Naphtali, by their families and family groups, by the number of their names, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war; and those who were counted of them, of the family of Naphtali, were 53,400.
[44-46] These are all those who were counted, whom Moses and Aaron counted, and the leaders of Israel, being twelve men, who were each leaders of their family groups. So all those who were counted of the people of Israel by their family groups, from twenty years old and up, all who were able to go out to war in Israel, were 603,550.
[47-51] But the family of the Levites weren’t counted among them because Yahweh had told Moses, “Don’t count the family of Levi, among the people of Israel; but set the Levites over the Meeting Place of God, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They’ll carry the Place of Worship, and all its furnishings and take care of it, and will live around it. When the Place of Worship is to move out, the Levites will take it down; and when the Place of Worship is to be set up, the Levites will set it up. Anyone else who comes near it will be put to death.
[52-54] The people of Israel will set up their tents, each in their own camp, by their own flag, by their family groups. But the Levites will live around the Meeting Place of God, that there may be no great anger on the people of Israel; and the Levites will take care of the Meeting Place of God.” So the people of Israel did everything that Yahweh told Moses to do.
Divisions of the Camps
2[1-2] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “The people of Israel will live everyone by their own flag, with the signs of their family groups, living around the Meeting Place at a distance.”
[3-4] Those who live on the east side toward the sunrise will be of the flag of the camp of Judah, by their family groups; and the leader of the people of Judah will be Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. Those who were counted of their family group were 74,600.
[5-6] Those who live next to them will be the family of Issachar; and the leader of the people of Issachar will be Nethanel, the son of Zuar. Those who were counted of their family group were 54,400.
[7-9] The family of Zebulun; and the leader of the people of Zebulun will be Eliab the son of Helon. Those who were counted of their family group were 57,400. So all who were counted of the camp of Judah were 186,400 by their family groups. They’ll move out first.
[10-11] On the south side will be the flag of the camp of Reuben by their family groups. The leader of the people of Reuben will be Elizur, the son of Shedeur. Those who were counted of their family group were 46,500.
[12-13] Those who live next to them will be the family of Simeon. The leader of the people of Simeon will be Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai. Those who were counted of their family group were 59,300.
[14-17] The family of Gad; and the leader of the people of Gad will be Eliasaph, the son of Reuel. Those who were counted of their family group were 45,650. So all who were counted of the camp of Reuben were 151,450 by their family groups. They’ll move out second. Then the camp of the Levites will move out with the Meeting Place, in the middle of the camps. They’ll move out as they live, everyone in order, by their flags.
[18-19] On the west side will be the flag of the camp of Ephraim by their family groups; and the leader of the people of Ephraim will be Elishama, the son of Ammihud. Those who were counted of their family group were 40,500.
[20-21] Next to them will be the family of Manasseh; and the leader of the people of Manasseh will be Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur. Those who were counted of their family group were 32,200.
[22-24] The family of Benjamin; and the leader of the people of Benjamin will be Abidan, the son of Gideoni. Those who were counted of their family group were 35,400. So all who were counted of the camp of Ephraim were 186,100 by their family groups. They’ll move out third.
[25-26] On the north side will be the flag of the camp of Dan by their family groups; and the leader of the people of Dan will be Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai. Those who were counted of their family group were 62,700.
[27-28] Those who live next to them will be the family of Asher; and the leader of the people of Asher will be Pagiel, the son of Ochran. Those who were counted of their family group were 41,500.
[29-31] The family of Naphtali; and the leader of the people of Naphtali will be Ahira, the son of Enan. Those who were counted of their family group were 53,400. So all who were counted of the camp of Dan were 157,600. They’ll move out last by their flags.
[32-34] So these are those who were counted of the people of Israel by their family groups. All who were counted of the camps by their family groups were 603,550. But the Levites weren’t counted among the people of Israel as Yahweh told Moses. So the people of Israel did all that Yahweh told Moses to do, and they lived by their flags, and moved out, everyone by their families, by their family groups.
Aaron and the Levites
3[1-4] This is the history of the people of Aaron and Moses when Yahweh spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, the first, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the preachers who were anointed, whom were dedicated to serve in the preacher’s office. But Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh, when they made an offering to Yahweh that they had not been told to do, in the countryside of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar served in the preacher’s office with Aaron their ancestor.
[5-10] Yahweh told Moses, “Bring the family of Levi near, and put them before Aaron the preacher, to serve with him. They’ll do what he says, “and take care of all the people before the Meeting Place, to do the work of the Place of Worship. They’ll take care of all the furnishings of the Meeting Place, and the needs of the people of Israel, to do the work of the Place of Worship. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They’re all given to them out of the people of Israel. Make Aaron and his sons preachers. Anyone else who comes near will be put to death.”
[11-13] Yahweh told Moses, “See, I’ve taken the Levites, instead of all the firstborn who open the womb, from among the people of Israel; and the Levites will be mine because all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to Me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They’re mine. I Am Yahweh.”
[14-16] Yahweh told Moses in the countryside of Sinai, “Count the people of Levi by their family groups, and by their families; every male from a month old and up you’ll count.” So Moses counted them at the word of Yahweh, as he was told.
[17-20] The sons of Levi by their names were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The names of the sons of Gershon by their families were Libni and Sthemei. The sons of Kohath by their families were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The sons of Merari by their families were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their family groups.
[21-26] Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Sthemeites. These are the families of the Gershonites. Those who were counted of them, by the number of all the males, from a month old and up were 7,500. The families of the Gershonites will live behind the Place of Worship on the west. The leader of the Gershonites will be Eliasaph, the son of Lael. The sons of Gershon will take care of the Meeting Place, which is the Place of Worship, with its tent, covering, and the screen for the door of the Meeting Place, and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the Place of Worship, and around the altar, and its ropes for all of its work.
[27-32] Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites. These are the families of the Kohathites. By the number of all the males, from a month old and up, there were 8,600 taking care of the Place of Worship. The families of the sons of Kohath will live on the south side of the Place of Worship. The leader of the families of the Kohathites will be Elizaphan, the son of Uzziel. They’ll take care of the Chest of the Law, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the tools of the Place of Worship, with which they serve, and the screen, and all its work. Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, will be the main leader of all the leaders of the Levites, to oversee those who take care of the Place of Worship.
[33-37] Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari. Those who were counted of them, by the number of all the males, from a month old and up were 6,200. The leader of the families of Merari was Zuriel, the son of Abihail. They’ll live on the north side of the Place of Worship. The sons of Merari will take care of the Place of Worship’s boards, bars, posts, holders, all its tools, all its work, the posts of the court around it, their holders, nails, and ropes.
[38-39] Those who live before the Place of Worship on the east, in front of the Meeting Place toward the sunrise, will be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, taking care of the Place of Worship for the needs of the people of Israel. Anyone else who comes near will be put to death. All who were counted of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the word of Yahweh, by their families, all the males from a month old and up, were 22,000.
[40-43] Yahweh said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn males of the people of Israel from a month old and up, and take the number of their names. Take the Levites for Me, Yahweh, instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel; and the tame animals of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the tame animals of the people of Israel.” So Moses counted, as Yahweh told them, all the firstborn among the people of Israel. All the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and up, of those who were counted of them, were 22,273.
[44-48] Yahweh told Moses, “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel and the tame animals of the Levites instead of their tame animals; and the Levites will be mine. I Am Yahweh. For the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, who number more than the Levites, who are to be bought back, take five coins apiece for each. Take them in the coin of the Place of Worship (the coin is twenty nickels) and give the money, with which what’s left of them is bought back, to Aaron and to their sons.”
[49-51] So Moses took the money that was paid from those who were more than the number of Levites; from the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, $1,365 in the coin of the Place of Worship. Then Moses gave the money that was paid to Aaron and his sons, by the word of Yahweh, as Yahweh told Moses.
The Work of the Meeting Place
4[1-3] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “Count the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, and by their family groups, from 30 to 50 years old, all who go to do the work in the Meeting Place.
[4-6] This is the work of the sons of Kohath in the Meeting Place for the most holy things. When the camp moves out, Aaron will go in, and his sons, and they’ll take down the veil of the screen, cover the Chest of the Law with it, and put a leather covering on it, and spread a blue cloth over it, and will put in its poles.
[7-8] They’ll spread a blue cloth on the table of holy bread, and put the dishes on it, the spoons, bowls, and pouring cups; and the bread will always be on it. They’ll spread a red cloth on them, and cover it with a leather covering, and put in its poles.
[9-10] They’ll take a blue cloth, and cover the lampstand of the light, its lamps, tools, and trays, and all its oil tools, with which they serve. They’ll put it and all its tools in a leather covering, and will put it on the frame.
[11-14] They’ll spread a blue cloth on the golden altar, cover it with a leather covering, and put in its poles. They’ll take all the ministry tools with which they serve in the Place of Worship, and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a leather covering, and put them on the frame. They’ll take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it. They’ll put all its tools on it, with which they serve, the trays, meat hooks, shovels, and pans; all the tools of the altar; and they’ll spread a leather covering on it, and put in its poles.
[15-16] When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the Place of Worship and all its furniture as the camp moves out, then the sons of Kohath will come to carry it; but they can’t touch it or they’ll die. These things are the work of the sons of Kohath in the Meeting Place. Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, will take care of the oil for the light, the good smelling incense, the continual bread offering, and the anointing oil, taking care of the Place of Worship, and all its furnishings.”
[17-20] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “Don’t cut off the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but do this so they’ll live, and not die; when they come to the most holy things, Aaron and his sons will go in, and give everyone their work and what they’re to do; but they themselves won’t go in to see the Place of Worship, even for a second, or they’ll die.”
[21-28] Yahweh told Moses, “Count the sons of Gershon also, by their family groups, by their families; from 30 to 50 years old; all who are able to go in to do the work in the Meeting Place. This is the work of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in what they’re to do: They’ll carry the curtains of the Place of Worship, and the Meeting Place, its covering, the leather covering that’s on its top, the screen for the door of the Meeting Place, the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the Place of Worship and around the altar, their ropes, and all the tools of their work, and whatever will be done with them. They’ll serve in it. All the work of the sons of the Gershonites that they’re to do will be done at the word of Aaron and his sons; and you’ll tell them everything they’re to do. This is the work of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Meeting Place: and Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, will be their leader.
[29-33] As for the sons of Merari, you’ll count them by their families, by their family groups; from 30 to 50 years old, everyone who’s able to go in to do the work of the Meeting Place. This is what they’re to do, by all their work in the Meeting Place: the Place of Worship’s boards, bars, posts, holders, the posts of the court around it, their holders, nails, ropes, all their tools, and all that they need for their work: all the tools which they use are to be told them by name. This is the work of the families of the sons of Merari, by all their work, in the Meeting Place, led by Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the preacher.”
[34-37] Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the people counted the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their family groups, from 30 to 50 years old, everyone who was able to go in to do the work for the Meeting Place. Those who were counted of them by their families were 2,750. These are those who were counted of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Meeting Place, whom Moses and Aaron counted by the word of Yahweh by Moses.
[38-41] Those who were counted of the sons of Gershon, their families, by their family groups, from 30 to 50 years old, everyone who was able to go in to do the work in the Meeting Place were 2,630. These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Meeting Place, whom Moses and Aaron counted by the word of Yahweh.
[42-45] Those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their family groups, from 30 to 50 years old, everyone who was able to go in to do the work in the Meeting Place, even those who were counted of them by their families were 3,200. These are those who were counted of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted by the word of Yahweh by Moses.
[46-49] All those who were counted of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted, by their families, and by their family groups, from 30 to 50 years old, everyone who was able to go in to do the work they’re to do in the Meeting Place were 8,580. By the word of Yahweh they were counted by Moses, everyone by their work, and what they were to do. So they were counted by them as Yahweh told Moses.
Turn from Sin
5[1-4] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to put out of the camp everyone who has a skin disease, and everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is made unfit by the dead. Put both male and female outside of the camp so that they don’t make the camp unfit, where I live.” So the people of Israel did so, and put them out outside the camp; as Yahweh had told Moses.
[5-10] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel when a man or woman does any sin that humans do, so as to wrong Yahweh, and that soul is guilty; then they’ll admit their sin which they’ve done, and pay for the wrong in full, and add a fifth to it, and give it to whoever was wronged. But if there’s no one to pay back for the wrong, what’s paid back for the wrong to Yahweh will be the preacher’s; besides the male goat for covering sins, by which sins are covered for them. Every offering that’s raised up of all the holy things of the people of Israel, which they give to the preacher, will be theirs. Everyone’s holy things will be theirs; whatever anyone gives the preacher, it’ll be theirs.”
[11-15] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel if anyone’s wife is unfaithful and wrongs them, and someone has sex with her, and it’s kept secret from her husband, and she’s made unfit, and there’s no witness against her, and she isn’t caught in the act; and he has a spirit of jealousy, and is jealous of his wife, whether she’s unfit or fit, then the man will bring his wife to the preacher, and will bring her offering for her, which is a 3 quart jar of barley meal. He’ll pour no oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it’s a meal offering of jealousy, a reminder meal offering, to bring a fault to memory.
[16-22] The preacher will bring and set her before Yahweh; and the preacher will take holy water in a clay pot; and some of the dust that’s on the floor of the Place of Worship, and put it into the water. The preacher will set the woman before Yahweh, and let the woman’s hair hang loose, and put the reminder meal offering in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The preacher will hold the bitter water that brings punishment. The preacher will make her promise, and tell the woman, ‘If no man has had sex with you, and if you haven’t gone and made yourself unfit, being married to your husband, be free from this bitter water that brings punishment.’ But if she has been unfaithful, being married to her husband, and if she is unfit, and some man has had sex with her besides her husband, then the preacher will make the woman say a promise to God, and the preacher will tell the woman, ‘Yahweh will punish you for what you’ve promised in front of your people, when Yahweh lets your thigh rot off, and your body swell; and this water that brings punishment will go into your insides, and make your body swell, and your thigh rot off.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘So be it, So be it.’
[23-26] The preacher will write these punishments in a book, and blot them out with the bitter water. The preacher will make the woman drink the bitter water that causes the punishment; and it will go into her and make her sick. The preacher will take the meal offering of jealousy out of the woman’s hand, and wave the meal offering before Yahweh, and bring it to the altar. The preacher will take a handful of the meal offering, as its reminder, and burn it on the altar, and then make the woman drink the water.
[27-31] When he has made her drink the water, then if she’s unfit, and has wronged her husband, the water that causes the punishment will go in into her and make her sick, and her body will swell, and her thigh will rot off: and the woman will be punished in front of her people. If the woman isn’t unfit, and hasn’t sinned; then she’ll be saved, and have children.” This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being married to her husband, is unfaithful, and is made unfit; or when the spirit of jealousy comes on someone, and he’s jealous of his wife; then he’ll set the woman before Yahweh, and the preacher will do everything this law says. The man will be free from fault, and the woman will be guilty of any fault of hers.”
The Nazirite Promise
6[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When either man or woman makes a special promise, the promise of a Nazirite, to set themselves apart for Yahweh, they won’t drink wine or any alcoholic drink. They won’t drink any vinegar of wine, or vinegar of alcoholic drinks, nor will they drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. As long as they’re set apart they won’t eat anything of the grapevine, from the seeds to the skins. As long as they’re set apart, their hair won’t be cut, until the days are over that they separate themselves for Yahweh. They’ll be holy and let the locks of their hair grow long.
[6-9] As long as they’re set apart for Yahweh they aren’t to go near a dead body. They won’t make themselves unfit for a parent or a sibling, when they die; because they’re set apart to God. As long as they’re set apart they’re holy to Yahweh. If anyone dies very suddenly beside them, and makes them unfit during their separation; then they’ll shave their head on the seventh day to be made fit again.
[10-12] On the eighth day they’ll bring two doves or two young pigeons to the preacher, to the door of the Meeting Place. The preacher will offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and cover their sins for them, because they brought guilt on themselves because of the dead, and will make them holy again that same day. They’ll keep themselves set apart for Yahweh as long as they’re to be set apart, and will bring a year-old male lamb for a guilt offering; but the former days won’t be counted, because they were made unfit.
[13-17] This is the law of the Nazirite: when the days of their separation are over, they’ll be brought to the door of the Meeting Place, and will make their offering to Yahweh, a year-old male lamb without anything wrong with it for a burnt offering, and a year-old female lamb without anything wrong with it for a sin offering, and one male goat without anything wrong with it for peace offerings, and a basket of flat bread, loaves of finely ground flour mixed with oil, and crackers made without yeast and anointed with oil, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings. The preacher will offer them before Yahweh, and will offer the sin offering, and the burnt offering. The preacher will offer the male goat for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh, with the basket of flat bread and also offer its meal offering, and its drink offering.
[18-21] The Nazirite will shave their head of separation at the door of the Meeting Place, and will take the hair of the head of separation, and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace offerings. The preacher will take the boiled shoulder of the male goat, and one pancake out of the basket, and one cracker made without yeast, and will put them in the hands of the Nazirite, after they’ve shaved the head of separation; and the preacher will wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. This is holy for the preacher, together with the breast that’s waved and the thigh that’s offered. Then the Nazirite may drink wine again. This is the law of the Nazirite who makes a promise, and of their offering to Yahweh for their separation, besides whatever else they’re able to give. They must do whatever promise they make by the law of their separation.’”
[22-27] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you’ll bless the people of Israel. Tell them, May Yahweh bless you, and keep you. May the light of Yahweh shine on you, and be gracious to you. May Yahweh look after you, and give you peace.’ So they’ll bless the people of Israel with My Name; and I’ll bless them.’”
Dedication of the Place of Worship
7[1-3] When Moses had finished setting up the Place of Worship, and had anointed it and dedicated it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its tools, and had anointed and dedicated them; the leaders of Israel, the leaders of their family groups, made offerings. These were the leaders of the families. These are the ones who were over those who were counted; and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons, and twelve bulls; a wagon for every two of the leaders, and for each one a bull; and they gave them before the Place of Worship.
[4-9] Yahweh told Moses, “Accept these from them to be used in doing the work of the Meeting Place and give them to the Levites, to everyone for their work.” So Moses took the wagons and the bulls, and gave them to the Levites. He gave two wagons and four bulls to the sons of Gershon for their work and four wagons and eight bulls to the sons of Merari for their work, under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the preacher. But he didn’t give any to the sons of Kohath, because their work was in the Place of Worship; they carried it on their shoulders.
[10-11] The leaders gave offerings for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed and offered them before the altar. Yahweh said to Moses, “They’ll offer their offering, each leader on their day, for the dedication of the altar.”
[12-17] The one who made the offering the 1st day was Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, of the family of Judah, whose offering was one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering, a male goat for a sin offering, and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab.
[18-23] On the 2nd day, Nathaniel, the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, gave their offering. He gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Nethanel, the son of Zuar.
[24-29] On the 3rd day Eliab, the son of Helon, leader of the people of Zebulun gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Eliab, the son of Helon.
[30-35] On the 4th day Elizur, the son of Shedeur, leader of the people of Reuben gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Elizur, the son of Shedeur.
[36-41] On the 5th day Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the people of Simeon gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai.
[42-47] On the 6th day, Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, leader of the people of Gad gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Eliasaph, the son of Deuel.
[48-53] On the 7th day, Elishama, the son of Ammihud, leader of the people of Ephraim gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Elishama, the son of Ammihud.
[54-59] On the 8th day Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, leader of the people of Manasseh gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur.
[60-65] On the 9th day Abidan, the son of Gideoni, leader of the people of Benjamin gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Abidan, the son of Gideoni.
[66-71] On the 10th day Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the people of Dan gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
[72-77] On the 11th day Pagiel, the son of Ochran, leader of the people of Asher, gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Pagiel, the son of Ochran.
[78-83] On the 12th day Ahira, the son of Enan, leader of the people of Naphtali, gave their offering of one silver plate, the weight of which was $130, one silver bowl of $70, in the coin of the Place of Worship; both of them full of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering; one golden spoon of $10, full of incense; one young bull, one male goat, a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two bulls, five male sheep, five male goats, and five year-old male lambs. This was the offering of Ahira, the son of Enan.
[84-89] This was the dedication of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the leaders of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons; each silver plate weighing $130 in coins, and each bowl $70; all the silver of the tools $2,400, in the coin of the Place of Worship; the twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighing $10 apiece, in the coin of the Place of Worship; all the gold of the spoons weighed $120 in coins; twelve bulls for the burnt offering, twelve male goats, twelve year-old male lambs, and their meal offering; twelve male goats for a sin offering; twenty-four bulls for the sacrifice of peace offerings, sixty male sheep, sixty male goats, and sixty year-old male lambs. This was the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed. When Moses went into the Meeting Place to talk to Yahweh, he heard God’s voice speaking to him from on top of the mercy seat that was on the Chest of the Law, from between the two angels: and God talked with Moses.
Dedication of the Levites
8[1-4] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘When you light the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in front of the lampstand.’” So Aaron lit its lamps to light the area in front of the lampstand, as Yahweh told Moses. The Lampstand was made of molded work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was molded work. The lampstand was made by the pattern which Yahweh had shown Moses.
[5-8] Yahweh told Moses, “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel, and make them fit. Do this to make them fit: sprinkle clean water on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and wash themselves. Then let them take a young bull, and its meal offering, finely ground flour mixed with oil; and take another young bull for a sin offering.
[9-11] Dedicate the Levites before the Meeting Place. Gather all the people of Israel together and dedicate the Levites before Yahweh. The people of Israel will lay their hands on the Levites, and Aaron will dedicate the Levites before Yahweh for a wave offering, on behalf of the people of Israel to do the work of Yahweh.
[12-14] The Levites will lay their hands on the leaders of the bulls, and offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering to Yahweh, to cover the sins of the Levites. Set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and dedicate them as a wave offering to Yahweh. So set the Levites apart from among the people of Israel, and they’ll be mine.
[15-18] Then the Levites will go in to do the work of the Meeting Place: and you’ll make them fit, and offer them as a wave offering. They’re all given to Me from among the people of Israel instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel. I’ve taken them for Myself because all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I dedicated them for Myself. I’ve taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.
[19-20] I’ve given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the work of the people of Israel in the Meeting Place, and to cover the sins of the people of Israel, so that there will be no trouble among the people of Israel, when they come to the Place of Worship.” So Moses, Aaron, and all the people of Israel, did this to the Levites. The people of Israel did everything that Yahweh told Moses to do with the Levites.
[21-22] The Levites made themselves fit from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before Yahweh; and Aaron covered their sins to make them fit. Then the Levites went in to do their work in the Meeting Place before Aaron and his sons. So they did what Yahweh had told Moses to do to the Levites.
[23-26] Yahweh told Moses, “This is what the Levites are to do: from 25 years old and up they’ll go in to do the work of the Meeting Place; and from the age of 50 years they’ll stop doing the work, and won’t serve any more, but will serve with their brothers in the Meeting Place, taking care of it, but they won’t do any hard work. So this is what the Levites are to do for their duties.”
Keep the Passover
9[1-5] Yahweh told Moses in the countryside of Sinai, in the 1st month of the 2nd year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover in its set time. On the 14th day of this month, at evening, keep it in its set time, by all its laws and rules.” So Moses told the people of Israel to keep the Passover and they kept the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month, at evening, in the countryside of Sinai. The people of Israel did all that Yahweh told Moses for them to do.
[6-12] But there were certain men, who were unfit because of a dead body, so that they couldn’t keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. They said to them, “We’re unfit because of a dead body. Why are we kept from making an offering to Yahweh in its set time among the people of Israel?” So Moses answered them, “Wait until I hear what Yahweh will say about you.” So Yahweh told Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘If any of you or your people are unfit for a dead body, or is on a trip far away, they’ll still keep the Passover to Yahweh. They’ll keep it on the 14th day of the 2nd month, at evening. They’ll eat it with flat bread and bitter herbs. They’ll leave none of it until the morning, nor break its bones. They’ll keep all the laws of the Passover.
[13-14] But anyone who’s fit, and isn’t on a trip, and fails to keep the Passover, they’ll be cut off from their people because they didn’t make the offering of Yahweh in its set time, and they’ll be guilty of sin. If a foreigner lives among you, and wants to keep the Passover to Yahweh; they’ll do it by the laws and rules of the Passover. Have one law, both for the foreigner, and for those who are born in the land.’”
[15-17] On the day that the Place of Worship was raised up, the cloud covered the Place of Worship, the Meeting Place of God, and at evening it looked like a glowing fire over the Place of Worship, until morning. This is how it stayed. The cloud covered it, and looked like a glowing fire by night. Whenever the cloud went up from over the Place of Worship, then the people of Israel moved out; and they stayed in the place where the cloud stayed.
[18-23] At the word of Yahweh, the people of Israel moved out, and at the word of Yahweh they stayed. As long as the cloud stayed on the Place of Worship they stayed there to live. When the cloud stayed on the Place of Worship many days, then the people of Israel did what Yahweh said, “and didn’t move. Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the Place of Worship; then by the word of Yahweh they stayed there to live, and by the word of Yahweh they moved out. Sometimes the cloud was there from evening until morning; and when the cloud went up in the morning, they moved out. Whether by day or night, when the cloud went up, they moved out. Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the Place of Worship, the people of Israel stayed there to live, and didn’t move; but when it went up, they moved out. At the word of Yahweh they stayed and moved out. They did what Yahweh said, “at the word of Yahweh by Moses.
Sound the Alarm
10[1-6] Yahweh told Moses, “Make two silver trumpets of molded work and use them for calling the people together, and for moving out the camps. When they blow them, all the people will come to you at the door of the Meeting Place. If they blow just one, then the leaders, the leaders of the 1,000’s of Israel, will come to you. When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side will move out. When you blow the second time, the camps that lie on the south side will move out: They’ll blow an alarm to tell them when to move out.
[7-10] But when the people are to be gathered together, blow, but don’t sound an alarm. The sons of Aaron, the preachers, will blow the trumpets; and they’ll do this for you as a law forever throughout your generations. When you go to war in your land against an enemy who fights you, then sound an alarm with the trumpets; and you’ll be remembered by Yahweh your God, and you’ll be saved from your enemies. Also in your celebration days, and your set celebrations, and the first days of your months, blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they’ll be a reminder to your God for you. I Am Yahweh your God.
[11-13] On the 20th day of the 2nd month in the 2nd year, the cloud went up from over the Meeting Place of God. So the people of Israel moved out of the countryside of Sinai; and the cloud stayed in the countryside of Paran. They first moved out by the word of Yahweh by Moses.
[14-17] In the first place the flag of the camp of Judah moved out by their family groups; and over their family group was Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. Over the family group of Issachar was Nethanel, the son of Zuar. Over the family group of Zebulun was Eliab, the son of Helon. The Place of Worship was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who carried the Place of Worship, moved out.
[18-21] The flag of the camp of Reuben moved out by their family groups: and over their family group was Elizur, the son of Shedeur. Over the family group of Simeon was Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai. Over the family group of Gad was Eliasaph, the son of Deuel. The Kohathites moved out, carrying the Place of Worship; and the others set up the Place of Worship as they were coming.
[22-24] The flag of the camp of Ephraim moved out by their family groups; and over their family group was Elishama, the son of Ammihud. Over the family group of Manasseh was Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur. Over the family group of Benjamin was Abidan, the son of Gideoni.
[25-28] The flag of the camp of the people of Dan, which was the last of all the camps, moved out by their family groups; and over their family group was Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai. Over the family group of Asher was Pagiel, the son of Ochran. Over the family group of Naphtali was Ahira, the son of Enan. So the people of Israel moved by their family groups as they move out.
[29-32] Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We’re moving out to the place where Yahweh said, “‘I’ll give it to you’ so come with us, and we’ll be good to you; Yahweh has promised good things for Israel. But he said to him, “I won’t go; but I’ll go back to my own land and family.” So Moses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how to live in the countryside, and you’ll be our guide. If you go with us, whatever good Yahweh does for us, we’ll do for you.”
[33-36] Then they moved out from the Mount of Yahweh for three days; and the Chest of the Law of Yahweh went before them for three days to find a resting place for them. The cloud of Yahweh was over them by day, when they move out from the camp. When the Chest of the Law moved forward, Moses said, “Get up, Yahweh, and let your enemies be scattered; and let those who hate you run from you.” When it rested, he said, “Go back, Yahweh, to the many thousands of the people of Israel.”
Don’t Complain About God
11[1-3] The people were complainers, saying evil things about Yahweh; and hearing it, Yahweh was very angry; and the fire of Yahweh burned up the edge of the camp. When the people cried to Moses, Moses prayed to Yahweh and the fire stopped. So that place was called Taberah, which means burning, because the fire of Yahweh burned them up.
[4-6] The mixed people that were among them began to crave other foods and the people of Israel also cried again, asking, “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic which we freely ate in Egypt, but now we’re half-starved; and there’s nothing at all except this manna to look at.”
[7-9] The manna was like coriander seed, and it looked like the yellow sap of the bdellium tree. The people went out and gathered it, grinding it in mills, or beating it with a stone in a bowl, and baked it in pans, and made loaves; and it tasted like fresh olive oil. When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on top.
[10-15] Moses heard the people crying throughout their families at the doors of their tents. Yahweh was very angry and Moses was upset. So Moses asked Yahweh, “Why have you hurt me this way? and why haven’t I pleased You that You put the hard work of all these people on me? Am I a parent to all these people? Have I birthed them that you should tell me, ‘Carry them in your arms like a nursing baby to the land which You promised to their ancestors?’ Where can I get meat to give them all? They cry to me, ‘Give us meat to eat.’ I can’t handle all these people alone, it’s too much for me. So if You do this to me, please just kill me now, if I’ve pleased you; and don’t let me see all this trouble.”
[16-20] So Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather to Me seventy of the leaders of Israel, whom you know to be leaders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Meeting Place to stand there with you. I’ll come down and talk with you there. I’ll take from the Spirit which is on you, and put it on them; and they’ll help you with the hard work of the people, so that you won’t have to do everything by yourself. Tell the people, ‘Dedicate yourselves for tomorrow, and you’ll eat meat because you’ve complained before Yahweh, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We were well in Egypt.’ So Yahweh will give you meat, and you’ll eat. You won’t eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out your noses, and you’ll hate it; because you’ve rejected Yahweh who’s here with you, and have complained before God, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?’”
[21-25] Then Moses said, “There are 600,000 of my people on foot; and You’ve said, “‘I’ll give them meat to eat a whole month.’ Will flocks and herds be killed for them, and be enough for them? or will all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” But Yahweh said to Moses, “Has Yahweh’s power grown weak? Now you’ll see whether My word will happen to you or not.” Then Moses went out, and told the people what Yahweh had said and gathered seventy of the leaders of the people, and set them around the Place of Worship. Then Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to Moses, and took some of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy leaders; and when the Spirit rested on them, they preached, but not after that.
[26-30] But two men had stayed in the camp, one’s name was Eldad, and the other’s name was Medad. The Spirit came on them; and they were of those who were listed, but had not gone out to the Place of Worship; and they preached in the camp. A young man ran out, and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are preaching in the camp.” And Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ helper, who was one of his young helpers, answered, “Moses, tell them to stop.” So Moses asked, “Are you jealous for my sake? I’d want all of Yahweh’s people to be preachers, and that Yahweh would put the Holy Spirit on them all!” So Moses and the leaders of Israel went into the camp.
[31-35] So Yahweh sent a wind, and brought quails from the west, and let them fall in the camp, about a day’s trip all around the camp, and about three feet deep on top of the ground. So the people got up all that day and night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. The smallest amount anyone gathered was about 60 bushels and they spread them all around the camp for themselves. And while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was even chewed, Yahweh was angry at the people, and sent the people a very bad disease. So the name of that place was called Kibrothhattaavah, which means Graves of Lust, because there they buried the people who lusted. From Kibrothhattaavah the people moved out to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.
Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses
12[1-5] Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; because Moses had married an Ethiopian woman. They asked, “Has Yahweh spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t God spoken with us also?” But Yahweh heard it. Now Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Then Yahweh suddenly spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, saying, “Come out to the Meeting Place, you three. So they came out. Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Place of Worship, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.
[6-9] Then Yahweh said, “Now hear My words: If there’s a preacher among you, I, Yahweh, will make Myself known to them in a vision, I’ll talk to them in a dream. My worker Moses isn’t so; who’s the only faithful one in My whole house. With Moses I talk face to face, very clearly, and not with confusing words; and he sees what Yahweh looks like. So why weren’t you scared to talk badly about My worker, Moses?” Then Yahweh was very angry with them; and left. The cloud moved from over the Place of Worship; and Miriam had a severe skin disease, and was white as snow. So when Aaron looked at Miriam, she had leprosy.
[11-16] Then Aaron said to Moses, “Please, Moses, please don’t lay this sin on us, because we’ve acted stupidly, and have sinned. Don’t let her, I pray, be as a dead baby, whose skin is half gone when it comes out of the mother’s womb.” So Moses cried to Yahweh, “Please God, heal her, I beg you.” So Yahweh said to Moses, “If someone had only spit in her face, shouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Let her be put out of the camp for seven days, and then she’ll come back.” So Miriam was put out of the camp for seven days; and the people didn’t move until Miriam came back. Afterward the people left from Hazeroth, and stayed in the countryside of Paran.
Spying Out Canaan
13[1-3] Yahweh told Moses, “Send some people to spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the people of Israel; send someone from every family, everyone a leader among them.” So Moses sent them from the countryside of Paran by the word of Yahweh, all of those who were leaders of the people of Israel.
[4-16] These were their names: Of the family of Reuben, Shammua, the son of Zaccur. Of the family of Simeon, Shaphat, the son of Hori. Of the family of Judah, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Of the family of Issachar, Igal, the son of Joseph. Of the family of Ephraim, Hoshea, the son of Nun. Of the family of Benjamin, Palti, the son of Raphu. Of the family of Zebulun, Gaddiel, son of Sodi. Of the family of Joseph, namely, of the family of Manasseh, Gaddi, son of Susi. Of the family of Dan, Ammiel, son of Gemalli. Of the family of Asher, Sethur, the son of Michael. Of the family of Naphtali, Nahbi, the son of Vophsi. Of the family of Gad, Geuel, the son of Machi. These are the names of those who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea, the son of Nun, Joshua.
[17-20] Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is like; and if the people who live in it are strong or weak, few or many; and if the land they live in is good or bad; and what cities they live in, whether in camps, or in strongholds; and if the land has food or not, and if it has wood in it, or not. Be brave, and bring some of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.
[21-24] So they went up, and spied out the land from the countryside of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Atheman, Sheshai, and Talmai, where the giant people of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) They came to the river of Eshcol, and cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes from there, and they carried it on a staff between two of them; and they also brought some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the people of Israel cut down from there.
[25-29] They came back from spying out the land at the end of forty days. They went out and came back to Moses, Aaron, and all the people of Israel, to the countryside of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought word back to them, and to all the people, and showed them the fruit of the land. They told them, “We came to the land where you sent us; and it’s full of milk and honey; and this is its fruit. But the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are large and walled; and we also saw the giant people of Anak there. Amalek lives in the land of the South; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.
[30-33] Caleb calmed the people before Moses, and said, “Let’s go up at once, and take it; we’re strong enough to overcome it.” But the men who went up with them said, “We can’t go up against these people; they’re stronger than we are.” So they said bad things about the land they had seen to the people of Israel, saying, “The land that we’ve gone to spy out, is a land that destroys its people; and all the people who we saw in it are giants. We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we looked as small as grasshoppers, both to ourselves and them.”
The Rebellion of Israel
14[1-4] All the people screamed, and cried all that night. All the people of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron and said to them, “We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt or out in this countryside! Why does Yahweh bring us to this land to die in a war? Our wives and our children will be victims! Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Then they said to one another, “Let’s make a captain, and go back to Egypt.”
[5-10] Then Moses and Aaron fell to the ground before all the people of Israel. Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes in protest and they told all the people of Israel, “The land, which we went through to spy out, is a very good land. If Yahweh is pleased with us, God will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land that is full of milk and honey. Only don’t go against Yahweh, nor be scared of the people of the land and their food will be ours! They have no protection, and Yahweh is with us, so Don’t be scared of them.” But all the people called out to have them killed. Then the light of Yahweh appeared in the Meeting Place to all the people of Israel.
[11-19] Then Yahweh asked Moses, “How long will these people hate Me? and how long will they not believe in Me with all the great things that I’ve done among them? I’ll punish them with disease, and disown them, and make you a greater and stronger nation than they are.” But Moses said to Yahweh, “Then the Egyptians will hear it. You brought up these people in Your power from among them; and they’ll tell it to the people of this land. They’ve heard that You, Yahweh, are with these people and are seen face to face, and that your cloud hangs over them and goes before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if You kill these people as one person, then the nations which have heard of Your fame will say, ‘Because Yahweh wasn’t able to bring these people into the land which was promised them, God has killed them in the countryside.’ Now please let the power of God be great, as You’ve said, “‘Yahweh is not quickly angered, and great in compassion, forgiving fault and disobedience, Who will in no way leave the guilty unpunished, passing down the faults of the parents to their children up to the third and fourth generation. Please forgive the fault of these people by the greatness of your compassion, as you’ve forgiven these people, from Egypt even until now.”
[20-25] Yahweh said, “I’ve forgiven them by your word; but as sure as I live, and as all the earth will be filled with the light of Yahweh, all those who have seen My light and My signs, which I did in Egypt and in the countryside, yet have tempted Me these ten times, and haven’t listened to My voice, won’t see the land which I promised their ancestors, nor will any of those who hated Me see it. But My worker Caleb, who had another spirit, and has fully followed Me, I’ll bring into the land into which he went; and his people will own it. Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite live in the valley, so tomorrow turn around, and go back into the countryside by the Red Sea.”
[26-30] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “How long will I put up with these evil people, that complain against Me? I’ve heard the complaints of the people of Israel, which they say against Me. Tell them, as I live,” says Yahweh, just as you’ve said to me, “I’ll do to you; your dead bodies will fall in this countryside; and all who were counted of your whole number, from twenty years old and up, who have complained against Me won’t come into the land that I promised I’d let you live in, except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun.
[31-35] But your children that you said would be victims, I’ll bring them in, and they’ll know the land which you’ve rejected. But as for you, your dead bodies will fall in this countryside. Your children will wander through the countryside for forty years, and you’ll die for your unfaithfulness, until your dead bodies have rotted in the countryside. You’ll be punished for your sins a year for every day, for the number of days which you spied out the land, even forty days, and for forty years, you’ll know that I have left you. I, Yahweh, have spoken, and I’ll do this to all these evil people, who are gathered together against Me; in this countryside they’ll fall, and there they’ll die.”
[36-40] Then those who Moses sent to spy out the land, and who came back, and made all the people complain by saying bad things about the land, died from the disease that Yahweh sent on them. Only Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, stayed alive out of those who went to spy out the land. When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, they cried terribly. They got up early in the morning, and went to the top of the mountain, saying, “See, we’re here, and will go to the place which Yahweh has promised us; we’ve sinned.”
[41-45] But Moses said, “Now why are you disobeying the word of Yahweh, seeing it won’t do you any good? Don’t go up, for Yahweh isn’t with you; so that you won’t be destroyed by your enemies. The Amalekite and the Canaanite are there before you, and you’ll die in the war because you’ve turned from following Yahweh, so Yahweh won’t be with you.” And they went up to the top of the mountain anyway, but the Chest of the Law of Yahweh, and Moses, didn’t go out of the camp. Then the Amalekite and the Canaanite who lived in that mountain came down, and attacked them and beat them back down to Hormah.
Various Offerings
15[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When you come into your home land, which I’m giving to you, and make an offering by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to keep a promise, or as a freewill offering, or in your set celebrations, to make a good smell to Yahweh, of the herd, or of the flock; then whoever gives their offering will give to Yahweh a meal offering of a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour mixed with one-fourth of a 5 quart jar of oil; and one-fourth of a 5 quart jar of wine for the drink offering, you’ll give with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.
[6-11] Or for a male goat, give for a meal offering two 3 quart jars of finely ground flour mixed with one third of a 5 quart jar of oil and for the drink offering give one third of a 5 quart jar of wine, for a good smell to Yahweh. When you give a bull for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice, to keep a promise, or for peace offerings to Yahweh; then offer with the bull a meal offering of three 3 quart jars of finely ground flour mixed with half a 5 quart jar of oil; and offer for the drink offering half a 5 quart jar of wine, for an offering made by fire, for a good smell to Yahweh. Do this for each bull, or for each male goat, or for each of the male lambs, or of the young goats.
[12-16] Do this for each one that you give. All who are native-born will do these things in this way, in giving an offering made by fire, for a good smell to Yahweh. If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, or whoever may be among you throughout your people, and gives an offering made by fire, for a good smell to Yahweh; they’ll do as you do. There will be one law for all the people, both for you and for anyone else who lives as a foreigner with you, a law forever for all your people. As you are, so will the foreigner be before Yahweh. One law and one rule will be for you, and for anyone else who lives as a foreigner with you.’”
[17-24] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When you come into the land where I bring you, then when you eat of the bread of the land, offer up a wave offering to Yahweh. Of the first of your dough offer up a loaf for a wave offering; as the wave offering of the barn floor, so you’ll raise it up. All your people will give of the first of your dough to Yahweh as a wave offering. When you do wrong, and don’t keep all these words, which Yahweh has spoken to Moses, even all that Yahweh has told you by Moses, from the day that Yahweh gave the Laws, and onward for your people forever; then if it’s done unknowingly, without the knowledge of the people, all the people will offer one young bull for a burnt offering, for a good smell to Yahweh, with its meal offering and its drink offering, by the rule, and one male goat for a sin offering.
[25-31] The preacher will cover the sins for all the people of Israel, and they’ll be forgiven for their fault, and they’ve brought their offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh, and their sin offering before Yahweh for their fault; and all the people of Israel will be forgiven, and anyone else who lives as a foreigner among them; because it was done unknowingly by the people. If a person sins unknowingly, then they’ll offer a female goat a year-old for a sin offering. The preacher will cover the sins for the person who does wrong when they unknowingly sin, before Yahweh, to cover their sins so they’ll be forgiven. Have one law for those who do something unknowingly, both for those who are native-born among the people of Israel, and for anyone else who lives as a foreigner among them. But the person who knowingly sins, whether they’re native-born or a foreigner, and disrespects Yahweh; that person will be cut off from among their people, because they’ve hated the word of Yahweh, and have broken God’s Law, so that person will be completely cut off; and they’ll be guilty of their fault.
[32-36] While the people of Israel were in the countryside, they found someone gathering sticks on the Seventh Day. Those who found the person gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the people. They put him under guard, because it had not been told what should be done. So Yahweh said to Moses, “That person is to be put to death; all the people will kill him with stones outside of the camp. All the people brought them outside of the camp, and stoned him to death; as Yahweh told Moses.
[37-41] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to make fringes in the edges of their clothes for all their people, and to put a blue cord on each fringe; and it’ll be a fringe to look on, and remember all the words of Yahweh, and do them; so that you won’t follow where your own heart and eyes lead you, after which you used to be unfaithful; that you may remember and do all My words, and be holy to your God. I Am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; I Am Yahweh your God.
The Sin of Korah
16[1-5] Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, gathered others together and went up before Moses, with some of the people of Israel. They called together 250 leaders of the people, those of importance; and gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron. They said to them, “You take too much on yourselves, seeing all the people are holy, every one of them, and Yahweh is with them. So why do you put yourselves above the people of Yahweh?” So when Moses heard it, he fell to the ground and told Korah and the others, “In the morning Yahweh will show who are God’s, and who are holy, and will make them come to God. Yahweh will make those who are chosen come to God.
[6-11] Do this: take fire pans, Korah, and all these others; and put fire in them, and put incense on them before Yahweh tomorrow. Whoever Yahweh chooses will be holy. You take too much on you, sons of Levi. Then Moses said to Korah, “Listen, you sons of Levi; it seems nothing to you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the people of Israel, to bring you near to God, to do the work of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and to stand before the people to serve them; and that God has brought you near, and all your family, the sons of Levi with you? And now you seek the preacher’s office also? So you and all these others are gathered together against Yahweh; and what is Aaron that you complain against him?”
[12-15] Then Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, “We won’t come. Is it nothing that you’ve brought us up out of a land full of milk and honey, to kill us in the countryside, but you also make yourself a leader over us? And you haven’t brought us into a land full of milk and honey, nor given us any fields and vineyards of our own. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We won’t come.” So Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t have respect for their offering; I haven’t taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt any of them.”
[16-19] Then Moses said to Korah, “You and all your company go before Yahweh tomorrow, you all, and Aaron. Everyone take their fire pan, and put incense on them, and go before Yahweh with your fire pans, 250 fire pans; you also, and Aaron, with your fire pans. They each took their fire pans, and put fire in them, and laid incense on them, and stood at the door of the Meeting Place with Moses and Aaron. Korah gathered all the people against them to the door of the Meeting Place and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people.
[20-24] Then Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “Get away from among these people, that I may destroy them quickly.” But they fell to the ground, and said, “God, the God of the spirits of all people, will one man sin, and you be angry with all the people?” So Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people, ‘Get away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’”
[25-30] So Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the leaders of Israel followed them. He told the people, “Leave, I beg you, away from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, or you’ll be destroyed when they are punished for all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Then Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives and their children. Then Moses said, “By this, know that Yahweh has sent Me to do all these works; for I haven’t done them of My own mind. If these men die the natural death of all humans, or if they’re punished in the usual way of all humans; then Yahweh hasn’t sent Me. But if Yahweh does something new, and the ground opens up, and swallows them up with everything they have, and they go down alive into Hell; then know that these men have hated Yahweh.
[31-35] As Moses finished saying these words, the ground split apart that was under them; and the earth opened up, and swallowed them up, and everything they had. So they, and everything they had, went down alive into Hell; and the earth closed back up on them, and they were destroyed from among the people. All the people of Israel that were around them ran at their cry, saying, “The earth may swallow us up, too.” Then fire came out from Yahweh, and burned up the 250 men who offered the incense.
[36-40] Then Yahweh told Moses, “Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, that he pick up the fire pans out of the fire, and scatter the fire away. The fire pans of these sinners are holy even against their own lives. Let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar because they offered them to Yahweh. They’re holy; and they’ll be a sign to the people of Israel. So Eleazar, the preacher, took the brass fire pans, which those who were burnt up had offered; and beat them out for a covering of the altar, to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no one who isn’t of the people of Aaron comes near to burn incense before Yahweh; and that they won’t be as Korah and the others as Yahweh told them by Moses.
[41-46] But on the next day all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, “You’ve killed the people of Yahweh. So, when the people were gathered against Moses and Aaron, they looked toward the Meeting Place. The cloud covered it, and the glory of Yahweh appeared. So Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Meeting Place. Then Yahweh told Moses, “Get away from among these people, that I may destroy them quickly;” and they fell to the ground. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your fire pan, and put fire in it from off the altar, and lay incense on it, and carry it quickly to the people, and cover their sins for them because Yahweh is very angry and the punishment has already begun.
[47-50] So Aaron did as Moses said, “and ran into the middle of the people; but the people had already begun to die. So he put on the incense, and covered the sins for the people. He stood between the dead and the living; and the punishment stopped. Now those who died by that punishment were 14,700, besides those who died about the matter of Korah. Then Aaron came back to Moses to the door of the Meeting Place; and the trouble stopped.
The Walking Stick of Aaron Buds
17[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to take walking sticks, one for each family group, of all their leaders by their family groups, twelve walking sticks in all. Write everyone’s name on their walking stick. Write Aaron’s name on the walking stick of Levi because there will be one walking stick for each leader of the family groups. Put them in the Meeting Place before the Law, where I meet with you. Then the walking stick of whoever I choose will bud; and I’ll put a stop to all these complaints of the people of Israel, which they complain against you.
[6-9] So Moses told this to the people of Israel; and all their leaders gave the walking sticks of each leader to Moses, by their family groups, twelve walking sticks in all. The walking stick of Aaron was among their walking sticks. Then Moses laid up the walking sticks before Yahweh in the Meeting Place of God. So on the next day, when Moses went into the Meeting Place of God, the walking stick of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded, and put out buds, and made blossoms, and had ripe almonds. So Moses brought out all the walking sticks from before Yahweh to all the people of Israel. They looked; and everyone took their own walking stick.
[10-13] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Put back the walking stick of Aaron before the Law, to be kept for a sign against the rebellious ones; so that you put a stop to their complaints against Me, so that they won’t die. So Moses did as Yahweh told him. Then the people of Israel told Moses, “See, we die; we’ll all be killed; we’ll all be killed. Everyone who comes near to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, dies. Will all of us be killed?”
Instructions to Aaron and his Sons
18[1-7] Yahweh said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your family group will be guilty of any fault of the Place of Worship; and you and your sons will be guilty of any fault of your preacher’s office. Your family also, the family of Levi, the family of your ancestor, bring to be joined to you. They’ll work for you, but you and your sons will be before the Meeting Place of God. They’ll do what you say, and take care of all the Place of Worship; only they won’t come near the tools of the Place of Worship and the altar, so that they won’t die, neither they, nor you. They’ll be joined to you, and will take care of the Meeting Place, for all the work of the Place of Worship; and no one else will come close to you. Take care of the Place of Worship, and the altar; that there is no more great anger on the people of Israel. See, I’ve taken your family, the Levites, from among the people of Israel; they’re a gift, given to you from Yahweh to do the work of the Meeting Place. You and your sons will keep your preacher’s office for everything on the altar, and for whatever is behind the veil; and serve Me; I give you the preacher’s office as a gift of work; and anyone else who comes near will be put to death.”
[8-15] Yahweh told Aaron, “I’ve given you the care of My wave offerings of all the holy things of the people of Israel; I’ve given them to you and your sons because of the anointing, as a rule forever. This will be yours of the most holy things, saved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every meal offering, every sin offering, and every guilt offering, which they give to Me, will be most holy for you and your sons. You’ll eat all the most holy things; every male will eat it and it’ll be holy to you. This is yours: their gift of wave offerings, all the wave offerings of the people of Israel; I’ve given them to you, and your sons and daughters with you, as a rule forever; everyone who’s fit in your house will eat it. All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the grain, the first of whatever they give to Yahweh, I’ve given to you. The first ripe fruits of all that’s in their land, which they bring to Yahweh, will be yours; everyone who’s fit in your house will eat it. Everything dedicated in Israel will be yours. Everything that opens the womb, of all that they offer to Yahweh, both of man and animal will be yours; but the firstborn of man will be bought back, and the firstborn of unfit animals will be bought back.
[16-19] Those who are to be bought back of them from a month old will be bought back by your value, for the money of five coins, in the coin of the Place of Worship (which is the same as twenty nickels). But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, won’t be bought back; They’re holy, so sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat for an offering made by fire for a good smell to Yahweh. Their meat will be yours, as the wave offering breast and as the right thigh, it’ll be yours. All the wave offerings of the holy things, which the people of Israel offer to Yahweh, I’ve given to you, and your sons and daughters with you, as a rule forever. It’s a promise of salt forever before Yahweh to you and to your children with you.”
[20-24] Yahweh said to Aaron, “You’ll have nothing of your own in their land, nor have any part among them; I am your part and your own among the people of Israel. To the people of Levi, I’ve given all the first ten percent in Israel for their own, in return for the work they do in the Meeting Place. From now on the people of Israel won’t come near the Meeting Place, or they’ll be guilty of sin, and die. But the Levites will do the work of the Meeting Place, and they’ll be guilty of any fault; it’ll be a law forever throughout your people; and among the people of Israel that they’ll have nothing of their own. But the first ten percent of the people of Israel, which they offer as a wave offering to Yahweh, I’ve given to the Levites for their own; so I’ve said to them, “‘You’ll have nothing of your own among the people of Israel.’”
[25-32] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the Levites, ‘When you take from the people of Israel the first ten percent which I’ve given you from them for your own, then give its wave offering for Yahweh, ten percent of the first ten percent. Your wave offering will be counted to you, as though it were the grain of the barn floor, and as the ripe fruit of the winepress. So you’ll also give a wave offering to Yahweh of all your ten percent, which you get from the people of Israel; and give Yahweh’s wave offering to Aaron the preacher. Out of all your gifts give every wave offering of Yahweh, of all the best, its holy part out of it.’ So tell them, ‘When you lift up the best part, then it’ll be counted to the Levites as the crops of the barn floor, and as the crops of the winepress. Eat it in every place, you and your families; for it’s your payment in return for your work in the Meeting Place. You’ll be guilty of no sin because of it, when you lift it up from the best. Don’t pollute the holy things of the people of Israel, so you won’t die.’”
The Perfect Red Cow
19[1-6] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron, “This is the rule of the law which Yahweh has said, “‘Tell the people of Israel to bring you a young red female cow without a spot, without anything wrong with it, and which has never worn a harness. Give her to Eleazar the preacher, and he’ll bring her outside of the camp, and someone will kill her before them. Eleazar the preacher will take her blood on a finger, and sprinkle it toward the front of the Meeting Place seven times. Then someone will burn the young female cow in their sight; he’ll burn her skin, meat, and blood, with her wastes, and the preacher will take cedar wood, and a hyssop branch, and red dye, and throw it into the fire of the young female cow.
[7-10] Then the preacher will wash his clothes, and take a bath, and afterward come into the camp, and the preacher will be unfit until the evening. Whoever burns her will wash their clothes, and take a bath, and will be unfit until the evening. Someone who’s fit will gather up the ashes of the young female cow, and put them up outside the camp in a fit place; and it’ll be kept for the people of Israel for a cleansing water for a sin offering. Whoever gathers the ashes of the young female cow will wash their clothes, and be unfit until the evening. It’ll be a law forever for the people of Israel, and anyone else who lives as a foreigner among them.
[11-16] Anyone who touches a dead body will be unfit seven days and will wash themselves with the water on the third day, and on the seventh day they’ll be fit; but if they don’t wash themselves the third day, then they won’t be fit on the seventh day. Whoever touches the body of a dead person, and doesn’t wash themselves, makes the Place of Worship of Yahweh unfit; and they’ll be cut off from Israel; they’ll be unfit because the cleansing water wasn’t sprinkled on them and their unfitness is still on them. This is the law when someone dies in a tent: everyone who comes into the tent, and everyone who’s in the tent, will be unfit seven days. Every open jar, which has no lid on it, is unfit. Whoever in the open field touches one who’s killed in war, or a dead body, or a bone of someone, or a grave, will be unfit seven days.
[17-22] They’ll take some of the ashes from the burning of the sin offering for the unfit person; and running water will be put in a jar. A fit person will take a hyssop branch, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, all the tools, and on the people who were there, and on anyone who touched a bone, someone killed, a dead body, or a grave; and the fit person will sprinkle the unfit on the third and seventh day. On the seventh day they’ll wash themselves and their clothes, and take a bath, and will be fit at evening. But anyone who stays unfit, and won’t wash themselves will be cut off from among the people, because they’ve made the Place of Worship of Yahweh unfit. The cleansing water hasn’t been sprinkled on them so they’re unfit. It’ll be a law forever to them; and whoever sprinkles the cleansing water will wash their clothes, and whoever touches the cleansing water will be unfit until evening. Whatever the unfit person touches will be unfit; and whoever touches it will be unfit until evening.”
Aaron Dies
20[1-5] All the people of Israel came into the countryside of Zin in the 1st month and the people stayed in Kadesh, where Miriam died and was buried. There was no water for them, so they gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron. The people argued with Moses and said, “We should have died when our brothers died before Yahweh! Why have you brought the people of Yahweh into this countryside that we should die here, and our animals, too? Why have you made us come out of Egypt, only to bring us to this evil place? It’s no place to plant seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.”
[6-11] Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the people to the door of the Meeting Place, and fell to the ground; and the glory of Yahweh appeared to them. Then Yahweh told Moses, “Take the walking stick, and gather the people, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock to give its water as they watch; and bring them water out of the rock; so you’ll give the people and their tame animals drink.” So Moses took the walking stick from before Yahweh, as he told them. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the people together before the rock, and said to them, “Listen, you disobedient people; we’ll bring you water out of this rock!” So Moses lifted his hand, and hit the rock with the walking stick twice; and a whole lot of water came out, and the people drank along with their animals.
[12-13] Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in Me enough to respect Me in the eyes of the people of Israel, you won’t bring this people into the land which I’ve given them.” These are the waters of Meribah; because the people of Israel argued with Yahweh, who was shown to be holy there.
[14-17] Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the ruler of Edom, saying, “So says your brother Israel, ‘You know all the trouble that has happened to us: how our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors very badly. When we cried to Yahweh, God heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. See, we’re now in Kadesh, a city in your farthest border. Please let us pass through your land; we won’t pass through your fields or vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells. We’ll go along the ruler’s highway; we won’t turn off, until we’ve passed your border.”
[18-22] Then Edom answered saying, “Don’t pass through here, or we’ll come out to fight against you.” So the people of Israel said to them, “We’ll go up by the highway; and if we drink of your water, us and our animals, then we’ll pay you what it’s worth; only let us, without doing anything else, pass through on foot.” So Edom said, “Don’t pass through;” and came out against them with many people, ready to fight. So Edom refused to let Israel pass through their border, and Israel turned away from them. They left from Kadesh and all the people of Israel came to Mount Hor.
[23-29] Yahweh told Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, “Aaron will die here and go to his people; you won’t go into the land which I’ve given to the people of Israel, because you disobeyed My word at the waters of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; and take Aaron clothes off, and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron will go to his people, and die there. So Moses did as Yahweh told him and they went up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the people. Then Moses took Aaron’s clothes off, and put them on Eleazar, his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. When all the people saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel cried for Aaron for 30 days.
The Brass Snake
21[1-5] The Canaanite, the ruler of Arad, who lived in the South, heard that Israel came by the road of Atharim. He fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoner. Israel made a promise to Yahweh, and said, “If You’ll in fact give us power over these people, then we’ll totally destroy their cities. Yahweh listened to the voice of Israel, and gave the Canaanites over to them; and they totally destroyed them and their cities, so the name of the place was called Hormah. They left from Mount Hor by the road of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people were very discouraged because of the way they went. The people spoke against God and Moses, saying, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the countryside? There’s no food and water; and we hate this worthless bread.”
[6-9] So Yahweh sent snakes whose bite burned like fire among the people. They bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Then the people came to Moses, and said, “We’ve sinned, because we’ve spoken against Yahweh and you; Ask Yahweh to take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Make a poisonous snake, and set it on a pole; and when someone is bitten, and looks up at it, they’ll live. So Moses made a snake of brass, and set it on the pole; and when a snake had bitten someone, and they looked up at the snake of brass, they lived.
[10-15] Then the people of Israel moved on, and stayed in Oboth. They left from Oboth, and stayed at the ruins of Abarim, in the countryside which is near Moab, toward the east. From there they moved on, and stayed in the valley of Zered. From there they moved on, and stayed on the other side of the Arnon river, which is in the countryside on the border of the Amorites. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. So it’s said in the Book of Wars of Yahweh, “What God did in the Red Sea, and in the valleys of the Arnon, the slope of the valleys that goes down to the home of Ar, and is on the border of Moab.”
[16-20] From there they moved on to Beer; that is the waterhole where Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I’ll give them water. Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well; sing a song to the well, which the leaders dug, which the leaders of the people dug, with the walking stick of the lawgiver, and all their walking sticks.” From the countryside they moved on to Mattanah; and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth; and from Bamoth to the valley that’s in the field of Moab, to the top of mount Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.
[21-30] Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon ruler of the Amorites, saying, “Let us pass through your land; we won’t go into your fields or vineyards; we won’t drink of the water of the wells; we’ll go by the ruler’s highway, until we’ve passed your border. But Sihon wouldn’t allow Israel to cross their border and gathered all their people together, and went out against Israel into the countryside, and came to Jahaz; and fought against Israel. So Israel killed them in the war, and took their land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, all the way to the people of Ammon, as the border of the people of Ammon was strong. Israel took all these cities and Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its towns. Heshbon was the city of Sihon the ruler of the Amorites, who had fought against the former ruler of Moab, and taken all their land, all the way to the Arnon. So those who speak in old sayings say, “Come to Heshbon. Let the city of Sihon be built and set up; for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has burned up Ar of Moab, the preachers of the places of worship of the Arnon. Sorrow will come to you, Moab! You’re lost, people of Chemosh! Your sons have run away, and your daughters are prisoners of Sihon ruler of the Amorites. We’ve shot at them. Heshbon has been destroyed all the way to Dibon. We’ve destroyed everything to Nophah, which reaches all the way to Medeba.”
[31-35] So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. Then Moses sent spies out to Jazer; and they took its towns, and drove out the Amorites who were there. They turned and went up by the road of Bashan; and Og, the ruler of Bashan, went out against them with all his people, to fight at Edrei. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Don’t be scared of them. I’ve put all their people and land in your power. Do to them as you did to Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon. So they fought all their people, until there was no one left alive, and took their land.
Balaam’s Donkey
22[1-6] The people of Israel moved on, and stayed in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Moab was very scared of the people, because they were so many; and Moab was worried because of the people of Israel. Moab said to the leaders of Midian, “Now this great people will lick up all that’s around us, as a bull licks up the grass of the field. Balak was ruler of Moab at that time. He sent messengers to Balaam, the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the river, to the land of his people, to call them, saying, “See, there’s a people that has come out from Egypt and they cover the whole face of the earth, and they stay next to me. Please come now and curse these people for me; for they’re too strong for me. Then I’ll be strong enough to overcome them, that we may hurt them, and drive them out of the land; for I know that whoever you speak well of is blessed, and whoever you speak badly of is punished.
[7-12] The leaders of Moab and Midian went with the payment for the curse in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and told him what Balak had said. He said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I’ll tell you what Yahweh tells Me.” So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?” So Balaam said to God, “Balak, the son of Zippor, ruler of Moab, has sent to me, saying, “‘See, the people that’s come out of Egypt covers the whole face of the earth; now, come and curse them for me; so I’ll be able to fight them, and drive them out.’” So God said to Balaam, “Don’t go with them or curse the people because they’re blessed.”
[13-19] So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the leaders of Balak, “Go back to your land; for Yahweh won’t let me go with you.” So the leaders of Moab went back to Balak, and said, “Balaam wouldn’t come with us.” Then Balak sent more leaders, who were more honorable than the first ones. They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Balak, the son of Zippor says, “‘Please don’t let anything keep you from coming to me: for I’ll give you very great honor, and whatever you say to me I’ll do it. Please come and curse these people for me.’” So Balaam answered the workers of Balak, “If Balak gave me his whole house full of silver and gold, I can’t do anything more than what Yahweh my God tells me to do, neither less nor more. Now, please stay here tonight, till I know what else Yahweh tells me.
[20-24] God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If they come to call you, get up and go with them; but do only what I tell you to do.” So Balaam got up in the morning, and saddled a donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. Then God was angry because he went; and the angel of Yahweh stood in the way as an enemy against him. Now he was riding on the donkey, and two workers were with him. The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, holding a drawn sword; and the donkey turned out of the road, and went into the field. Balaam hit the donkey, to turn her back into the road. Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on both sides.
[25-30] The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she threw herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he hit her again. Then the angel of Yahweh went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was nowhere to turn, either right or left. The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s was very angry, so he hit the donkey with his walking stick. Then Yahweh made the donkey speak, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you hit me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you’ve made a fool of me, and I wish there were a sword in my hand and I had killed you.” Then the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you’ve ridden since I was yours until now? Have I ever had the habit of doing so to you?” and he said, “No.”
[31-35] Then Yahweh made Balaam see the angel of Yahweh standing in the way, holding a drawn sword; and he bowed his head, and fell to the ground. Then the angel of Yahweh asked him, “Why have you hit your donkey these three times? See, I have come here to stand in your way, because you’ve gone ahead before Me; and the donkey saw Me, and turned away from Me these three times. Unless she had turned away from Me, I’d have killed you by now, and saved her alive. So Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, “I’ve sinned; I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. So now, if it displeases you, I’ll go back again. Then the angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but only say what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the leaders of Balak.
[36-41] When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet them at the city of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is on the edge of the border. Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I send to you to call you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not, in fact, able to give you great honor?” So Balaam said to Balak, “See, I’ve come to you: but I don’t have any power at all to say anything. I can only say whatever words God gives me.” Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth. Balak sacrificed bulls and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the leaders who were with them. So in the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to the places of worship of Baal where he could see the whole people.
God Tells Balaam What to Say
23[1-6] Balaam said to Balak, “Build me here seven altars, and fix seven bulls and seven male goats.” Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a male goat. Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I’ll go, and maybe Yahweh will come to meet me; and whatever God shows me I’ll tell you.” So he went up to an opening on the mountain and God met Balaam there. Balaam said to God, “I’ve made seven altars, and I’ve offered up a bull and a male goat on every altar.” Then Yahweh told Balaam what to say, and said, “Go back to Balak, and say this.” So he went back to him and saw that he and all the leaders of Moab were standing by the burnt offering.
[7-10] In the words that God had given, he said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the ruler of Moab, from the mountains of the East; Come, curse Jacob; Come, punish Israel. How can I curse, whom God hasn’t cursed? How can I punish, whom Yahweh hasn’t punished? From the top of the rocks I see them, and from the hills I see them. See, it’s a people that lives alone, and won’t be counted among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, or even count a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of a good person! Let my descendants be like theirs!”
[11-15] Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and you’ve blessed them altogether.” So he answered, “Must I not be careful to say what Yahweh tells me to say?” So Balak said, “Please come with me to another place, where you may see them; but where you can see only the edge of them, and not see them all; and curse them for me from there.” So he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bull and a male goat on every altar. Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet Yahweh over there.”
[16-24] Yahweh met Balaam, and told him what to say, and then said, “Go back to Balak, and say this.” So he went back to him, and he and the leaders of Moab were standing by the burnt offering. Balak said to him, “What has Yahweh said?” So using the words of God, he said, “Get up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, you son of Zippor. God isn’t a human, who would lie, nor born of a human, who would have a change of mind. Has God said anything, and not done it? Or has God spoken, and not made it good? See, I’ve been told to bless. God has blessed, and I can’t go against it. God hasn’t seen fault in Jacob, nor seen evil in Israel. Yahweh their God is with them. The shout of a leader is among them. God brings them out of Egypt, who has the strength of a wild bull. There’s no spell that can come against Jacob, nor is there any witchcraft that can be used against Israel. Now it’ll be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God done! See, the people get up like a young lion, and as a lion they get up and won’t lie down until they eat and drink the blood of their kill.’”
[25-30] Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.” But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, I must do all that Yahweh says?” So Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I’ll take you to another place; and maybe it’ll please God that you may curse them for me from there. Then Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which looks down on the desert. Balaam said to Balak, “Build me here seven altars, and fix seven bulls and seven male goats. So Balak did as Balaam had said, “and offered up a bull and a male goat on every altar.
Balaam Blesses Israel
24[1-9] When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to meet them with spells, but went toward the countryside. Balaam looked and saw Israel living by their families; and the Spirit of God came on him. He used the words of God and said, “Balaam, the son of Beor, the one who sees, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Ruler of All, falling under God’s power, and having his eyes opened,” says : How good are your tents, Jacob, and your homes, Israel! As valleys they’re spread out like gardens by the river, like aloe plants which Yahweh has planted, like cedar trees beside the creek. Water will flow from their buckets and their people will live beside many waters. Their ruler will be higher than Agag, whose realm will be very great. God brings them out of Egypt. Israel has the strength of the wild bull and will eat up the nations who are its enemies, and will break their bones in pieces, and stab them with their horns. Israel rests, and lays down like a lion, like a young lion; who will wake him up? Everyone who speaks well of you is blessed. Everyone who speaks badly of you will be punished.”
[10-14] Balak was very angry with Balaam, and clapped his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you here to curse my enemies, and, look, you’ve altogether blessed them these three times. So now go back to where you came from; I thought to give you great honor; but Yahweh has kept you from it.” Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell the messengers you sent to me, ‘If you gave me your whole house full of silver and gold, I can’t do anything more than what Yahweh tells me to do either good or bad of my own mind; what Yahweh says, “is what I say?’ See, I go to my people, but come, and I’ll tell you what these people will do to your people in the future.”
[15-19] He used the words of God, and said, “Balaam, the son of Beor, the one who sees, who hears the words of God, who knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Ruler of All, falling under God’s power, and having his eyes opened,” says : I see the Christ, but not now. I see the Christ, but not near. A rising Star will come out of Jacob. A Ruler will come out of Israel, and take the edges of Moab (Jordan), and will destroy all the people of Seth. Edom (Idumea) will be taken. Seir (Judah), once enemies, will also be taken, while Israel will be strengthened. This Ruler will rule out of Jacob and destroy what’s left of the city.”
[20-25] He looked at Amalek, and used the words of God, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but in the end they’ll be destroyed forever.” He looked at the Kenite, and used the words of God, and said, “Where you live is strong. You put your home in the rock. But Kain (Palestine) will be ruined until Asshur (Assyria) takes control of it.” He used the words of God, and said, “But who will live when God does all this? Ships will come from the coasts of the Kittim (Cyprus, Mediterranean area of Greece, Rome). They’ll put down Assyria, and the Hebrews (Heber, Eber), and will also be destroyed.” Then Balaam went back home; and Balak also went back home.
Israel Worships False Gods
25[1-4] Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to be unfaithful with the daughters of Moab, who called the people to the sacrifices of their false gods; and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods. Israel joined up with Baal Peor (God of the gap); and Yahweh was very angry with Israel. Yahweh said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people, and hang them before Yahweh in the sun, that the fierce anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel.”
[5-9] Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Kill every one of your people who have joined with Baal Peor.” Then one of the people of Israel came and brought to their people a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the people of Israel, while they were crying at the door of the Meeting Place. When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, saw it, he got up from the middle of the people, and took a spear in his hand; and went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust him through, both the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the trouble stopped from the people of Israel, but 24,000 people died by that trouble.
[10-13] Yahweh told Moses, “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, has turned My great anger away from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I didn’t destroy all the people of Israel in My jealousy. So say to him, ‘I give you My promise of peace; and it’ll be to you, and to your children after you, the promise of the preacher’s office forever; because you were jealous for your God, and covered the sins of the people of Israel.’”
[14-18] Now the name of the man of Israel that was killed, who was killed along with the Midianite woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a leader of a large family group among the Simeonites. The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, who was a leader of a large family group in Midian. Yahweh told Moses, “Trouble the Midianites, and kill them; for they trouble you with their temptations, with which they’ve been untrue with you in the matter of Peor and Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister, who was killed on the day of the trouble in the matter of Peor.”
Counting the People
26[1-4] After that trouble, Yahweh told Moses and Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the preacher, “Count all the people of Israel from twenty years old and up, by their family groups, all who are able to go to war in Israel. So Moses and Eleazar, the preacher, told them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, “Count the people from twenty years old and up; as Yahweh told Moses and the people of Israel, who came out of the land of Egypt.”
[5-7] Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben were Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; Pallu, the family of the Palluites; Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; Carmi, the family of the Carmites. These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted were 43,730.
[8-11] The son of Pallu was Eliab. The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the people, who argued against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they argued against Yahweh, and the earth opened up and swallowed them with Korah. Those people died when the fire burned up 250 men, which was a sign. But the sons of Korah didn’t die.
[12-14] The sons of Simeon after their families were Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; Jachin, the family of the Jachinites; Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. The families of the Simeonites were 22,200.
[15-18] The sons of Gad after their families were Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; Haggi, the family of the Haggites; Shuni, the family of the Shunites; Ozni, the family of the Oznites; Eri, the family of the Erites; Arod, the family of the Arodites; Areli, the family of the Arelites. These are the families of Gad. Those who were counted were 40,500.
[19-22] The sons of Judah were Er and Onan; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Judah after their families were Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; Perez, the family of the Perezites; Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. The sons of Perez were Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. These are the families of Judah. Those who were counted were 76,500.
[23-25] The sons of Issachar after their families were Tola, the family of the Tolaites; Puah, the family of the Punites; Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. These are the families of Issachar. Those who were counted were 64,300.
[26-27] The sons of Zebulun after their families were Sered, the family of the Seredites; Elon, the family of the Elonites; Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. These are the families of the Zebulunites. Those who were counted were 60,500.
[28-37] The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim. The son of Manasseh was Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the ancestor of Gilead, the leader of the family of the Gileadites. The sons of Gilead were Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites; Helek, the family of the Helekites; Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, had no sons, but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These are the families of Manasseh. Those who were counted were 52,700. The sons of Ephraim after their families were Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; Becher, the family of the Becherites; and Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. The son of Shuthelah was Eran, the leader of the family of the Eranites. These are the families of Ephraim. Those who were counted were 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.
[38-41] The sons of Benjamin after their families were Bela, the family of the Belaites; Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites; and Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman. Ard was the leader of the family of the Ardites and Naaman was the leader of the family of the Naamites. These are the sons of Benjamin after their families. Those who were counted were 45,600.
[42-43] The son of Dan was Shuham, the leader of the family of the Shuhamites. This is the family of Dan. All the families of the Shuhamites, who were counted were 64,400.
[44-47] The sons of Asher after their families were Imnah, the family of the Imnites; Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; and Beriah, the family of the Beriites. The sons of Beriah were Heber, the family of the Heberites; and Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. These are the families of the people of Asher. Those who were counted were 53,400.
[48-51] The sons of Naphtali after their families were Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; Guni, the family of the Gunites; Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; and Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. These are the families of Naphtali by their families. Those who were counted were 45,400. So all who were counted of the people of Israel were 601,730.
[52-56] Yahweh told Moses, “The land will be divided to these for their own by the number of their names. Give more land to those who have more, and give less land to those who are fewer. Their land will be given to each by those who were counted. But the land will be divided in parts by the names of the families of their ancestors. Their inheritance will be divided into parts between those who have more and those who have fewer.
[57-60] Those who were counted of the Levites after their families were Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; and Merari, the family of the Merarites. The families of Levi were the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the ancestor of Amram. The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt: and she had Aaron, Moses, and Miriam, their sister, with Amram. Aaron had Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died, when they made an unacceptable offering to Yahweh.
[62-65] Those who were counted were 23,000, every male from a month old and up. They weren’t counted among the people of Israel, because nothing was given to them of their own among the people. These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar, the preacher, who counted the people in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among these, none of them were counted by Moses and Aaron, the preacher, who counted the people in the countryside of Sinai because Yahweh had said of them, “They’ll die in the countryside.” None of them were left, except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun.
Daughters of Zelophehad
27[1-5] Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, came to Moses. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before Moses and Eleazar the preacher, and before the leaders and all the people, at the door of the Meeting Place, and said, “Our father died in the countryside, and wasn’t among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in those who were with Korah. He died in his own sin, but he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from among their family, because he had no son? Give us some land along with our uncles. So Moses asked Yahweh what to do.
[6-11] Yahweh told Moses, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. Give them some land of their own along with their uncles; and the inheritance of their father will be given to them. Tell the people of Israel, ‘If someone dies, and has no son, then their inheritance will be given to their daughter. If they have no daughter, then give their inheritance to their brothers. If they have no brothers, then give their inheritance to their uncles. If their father has no brothers, then give their inheritance to their closest kin who’s next to them of their family, and they’ll own it.’” This is a law and rule to the people of Israel, as Yahweh told Moses.
[12-17] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I’ve given to the people of Israel. When you’ve seen it, you’ll be gathered to your people, as Aaron, your brother, was gathered; because you rebelled against My word in the countryside of Zin, when the people caused trouble, and you didn’t respect Me at the waters in front of them.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the countryside of Zin.) So Moses told Yahweh, “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all people, set someone over the people, who may go out before them, and come in before them, and who may lead them out, and bring them in; that the people of Yahweh not be as animals which have no keeper.”
[18-23] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua, the son of Nun, a person who has the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and bring him to Eleazar, the preacher, before all the people; and tell him what he is to do in their sight. Put some of your honor on him, so that all the people of Israel may do what he says. He’ll stand before Eleazar, who will ask Yahweh their questions by the Judgment Stones. At his word they’ll go out and come in, both he, and all the people of Israel with him.” So Moses did what Yahweh told him; and he took Joshua, and brought him before Eleazar, and before all the people. He laid hands on him, and told him what Yahweh said for him to do, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Times and Customs of the Celebrations
28[1-6] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire, which have a good smell to Me, you’ll offer to Me in their right time.’ Tell them, ‘The offering made by fire which you’ll offer to Yahweh will be one-year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them, two each day, for a continual burnt offering. The first lamb you’ll offer in the morning, and the other lamb you’ll offer at evening; along with the 3 quart jar of finely ground flour for a meal offering, mixed with one fourth of a 5 quart jar of beaten oil. It’s a continual burnt offering, which was first done in Mount Sinai for a good smell, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
[7-10] The drink offering will be one-fourth of a 5 quart jar for the first lamb. Pour out a drink offering of wine to Yahweh in the holy place. Offer the other lamb at evening like the meal offering of the morning, and the drink offering. Give it as an offering made by fire, a good smell to Yahweh. On the Seventh Day, offer two male lambs, a year-old without anything wrong with them, and two 3 quart jars of finely ground flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering. This is the burnt offering of every Seventh Day, besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering.
[11-15] At the first of your months offer a burnt offering to Yahweh of two young bulls, one male goat, and seven year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and three 3 quart jars of finely ground flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two 3 quart jars of finely ground flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for the first male goat; and a 3 quart jar of finely ground flour mixed with oil for a meal offering for every lamb; for a burnt offering of a good smell, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. Their drink offerings will be half a 5 quart jar of wine for a bull, and one-third of a 5 quart jar for the male goat, and one-fourth of a 5 quart jar for a lamb; this is the burnt offering of every month for each month of the year. Also give one male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh to be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering.
[16-24] On the 14th day of the 1st month, is Yahweh’s Passover. On the 15th day of this month will be a feast. For seven days flat bread will be eaten. There will be a sacred assembly on the first day. Do no ordinary work; but give an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh. Give two young bulls, one male goat, and seven year-old male lambs, without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering, finely ground flour mixed with oil. Offer three 3 quart jars for a bull, and two 3 quart jars for the male goat; offer a 3 quart jar for each of the seven lambs; and one male goat for a sin offering, to cover your sins. Offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. Offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, a good smell to Yahweh. It’ll be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering.
[25-31] On the 7th day have a sacred assembly and do no ordinary work. Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Yahweh in your Celebration of Weeks, have a sacred assembly and do no ordinary work. But offer a burnt offering for a good smell to Yahweh of two young bulls, one male goat, and seven year-old male lambs; and their meal offering, finely ground flour mixed with oil, three 3 quart jars for each bull, two 3 quart jars for the male goat, a 3 quart jar for each of the seven lambs; and one male goat, to cover your sins. Besides the continual burnt offering, and the meal offering, offer these animals without anything wrong with them, and their drink offerings.
A Sacred Assembly
29[1-6] On the 1st day of the 7th month, have a sacred assembly and do no ordinary work. This is a day to celebrate with trumpet blowing. Offer a burnt offering for a good smell to Yahweh of one young bull, one male goat, and seven year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering of finely ground flour mixed with oil, three 3 quart jars for the bull, two 3 quart jars for the male goat, and one 3 quart jar for each of the seven lambs; and one male goat for a sin offering, to cover your sins; besides the burnt offering of the new moon, and its meal offering, and the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, and their drink offerings, by their rule, for a good smell, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
[7-11] On the 10th day of this 7th month have a sacred assembly; and be quiet. Do no kind of work; but offer a burnt offering to Yahweh for a good smell of one young bull, one male goat, and seven year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering of finely ground flour mixed with oil, three 3 quart jars for the bull, two 3 quart jars for the first male goat, a 3 quart jar for each of the seven lambs and one young goat for a sin offering; besides the sin offering for sins to be covered, and the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and their drink offerings.
[12-16] On the 15th day of the 7th month have a sacred assembly and do no ordinary work. Keep a celebration to Yahweh for seven days and offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a good smell to Yahweh of thirteen young bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering of finely ground flour mixed with oil, three 3 quart jars for each of the thirteen bulls, two 3 quart jars for each of the two male goats, and a 3 quart jar for each of the fourteen lambs; and one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and drink offering.
[17-19] On the 2nd day offer twelve young bulls, two male goats, and fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and drink offerings.
[20-22] On the 3rd day eleven bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering and drink offering.
[23-25] On the 4th day ten bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and drink offering.
[26-28] On the 5th day nine bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering and drink offering.
[29-31] On the 6th day eight bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and drink offerings.
[32-34] On the 7th day seven bulls, two male goats, fourteen year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; and their meal offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the male goats, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule; and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, its meal offering and drink offering.
[35-38] On the 8th day have a sacred assembly and do no ordinary work. Offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a good smell to Yahweh of one bull, one male goat, seven year-old male lambs without anything wrong with them; their meal offering and drink offerings for the bull, the male goat, and the lambs, by their number, after the rule: and one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering and drink offering.
[39-40] Offer these to Yahweh in your set celebrations, besides your promises and freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, meal offerings, drink offerings, and peace offerings.’” So Moses told the people of Israel all that Yahweh had told him.
Don’t Break Your Word to God
30[1-5] Moses told the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, “This is what Yahweh has said. When a man makes a promise to Yahweh, or makes a promise to bind his soul with a bond, he won’t break his word; He’ll do whatever he says. Also when a woman makes a promise to Yahweh, and binds herself by a bond, being in her father’s house, in her youth, and her father hears her promise, and her bond with which she has bound her soul, and her father doesn’t say anything to her; then all her promises will stand, and every bond with which she has bound her soul will stand. But if her father hears it and won’t allow it, none of her promises, or her bonds with which she has bound her soul, will stand. Yahweh will forgive her, because her father wouldn’t allow her to do it.
[6-12] If she’s married to a husband, while her promises are on her, or has said something rashly, with which she has bound her soul, and her husband hears it, and doesn’t say anything to her when he hears it; then her promises will stand, and her bonds with which she has bound her soul will stand. But if her husband doesn’t allow her to do it when he hears it, then he’ll undo her promise which is on her, and what she said rashly, with which she has bound her soul. Yahweh will forgive her. But everything a widow, or a divorced woman promises, with which she has bound her soul will stand against her.
[10-13] If she made a promise in her husband’s house, or bound her soul by a bond with a promise, and her husband heard it, and didn’t say anything to her, and didn’t undo it; then all her promises will stand, and every bond with which she bound her soul will stand. But if her husband didn’t allow it when he heard it, then whatever she said about her promises, or the bond of her soul, won’t stand because her husband has undone them. Yahweh will forgive her. Every binding promise that she says, “her husband may keep it or undo it.
[14-16] But if her husband never says anything to her from day to day, then he accepts all her promises, or bonds, which are on her. He has agreed to them, because he hasn’t said anything to her when he heard it. But if he doesn’t accept them when he’s heard them, then he’ll be guilty of her fault.” These are the laws, which Yahweh told Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father’s house.
Israel Goes to War Against Midian
31[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Take revenge on the Midianites for the people of Israel and afterward you’ll die and go to your people.” Moses told the people, “Get your men ready for war, to go against Midian, to punish Midian for Yahweh. Of every family throughout all the families of Israel, you’ll send 1,000 to the war. So there were 1,000 from each family, 12,000 armed for war out of the people of Israel.”
[6-8] Moses sent them to the war, 1,000 out of every family, them and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the preacher, to the war with the tools of the Place of Worship and the trumpets to blow the alarm. They fought against Midian, as Yahweh had told Moses; and they killed every male. They killed the rulers of Midian with the rest of those who were killed. Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five rulers of Midian were all killed. They also killed Balaam, the son of Beor, in the war.
[9-12] The people of Israel took prisoner the women and children of Midian; and took all their tame animals and flocks, and all their goods for a reward. They burnt all the cities and other places they lived. They took all the rewards of war, both human and animal. They brought the prisoners, and all the rewards to Moses, Eleazar, the preacher, and to the people of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab, by the Jordan River at Jericho.
[13-18] Moses, Eleazar, the preacher, and all the leaders of the people went out to meet them outside the camp. Moses was angry with the officers of the family groups, the captains of 1,000’s and the captains of 100’s, who came from the work of the war. Moses said to them, “Why have you saved all the women alive? They’ve caused the people of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to do wrong to Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the trouble started among the people of Yahweh. So kill every male child, and kill every woman who has had sex before. But all the girls, who haven’t had sex, keep alive for yourselves.
[19-24] Whoever has killed any person, or touched any that were killed stay outside the camp for seven days. Wash yourselves on the third and seventh day, both you and your prisoners. Wash all your clothes, leather, works of goats’ hair, and everything made of wood. Eleazar, the preacher, said to the men of war who went to battle, “This is the rule of the law which Yahweh has told Moses, but the gold, silver, brass, iron, tin, and lead, everything that can stand fire, pass through fire, and it’ll be fit. Then wash it. Everything that can’t withstand fire, wash with water. Wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you’ll be fit; and then come back to camp.”
[25-31] Yahweh told Moses, “You, Eleazar, the preacher, and all the leaders of the people count everything that was taken, both human and animal. Divide it in half between the men of war, who went out to battle, and all the people. Take a tax for Yahweh of the men of war who went out to battle of one for each 500, of the people, bulls, donkeys, and flocks. Take it out of their half, and give it to Eleazar, the preacher, for Yahweh’s wave offering. Of the people of Israel’s half, take one out of every 50, of the people, bulls, donkeys, and flocks, out of all the tame animals, and give them to the Levites, who take care of the Place of Worship of Yahweh.” So Moses and Eleazar did as Yahweh told Moses.
[32-41] Now everything which the men of war took, was 675,000 sheep, 72,000 bulls, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 persons in all, of the young girls who had not had sex with anyone. The half, which was the rule of those who went out to war, was numbered 337,500 sheep and Yahweh’s tax of the sheep was 675. The bulls were 36,000 of which Yahweh’s tax was 72. The donkeys were 30,500 of which Yahweh’s tax was 61. The persons were 16,000 of whom Yahweh’s tax was 32 persons. Moses gave the tax, which was Yahweh’s wave offering, to Eleazar, the preacher, as Yahweh had told Moses.
[42-50] Of the people of Israel’s half, which Moses divided from the men who fought, (the people’s half was 337,500 sheep, 36,000 bulls, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 persons), Moses took one out of every 50, both human and animal, and gave them to the Levites, who kept the charge of the Place of Worship of Yahweh as Yahweh had told Moses. The officers who were over the 1,000’s of the family groups, the captains of 1,000’s, and the captains of 100’s, came to Moses; and said, “We’ve counted the men of war who are under our charge, and no one is missing. We’ve brought Yahweh an offering from what everyone has gotten of all the gold jewelry, arm bracelets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces, to cover our sins for our souls before Yahweh.
[51-54] So Moses and Eleazar, the preacher, took all the gold jewelry from them. All the gold of the wave offering that they offered up to Yahweh, of the captains of 1,000’s, and the captains of 100’s, was worth $16,750. (For the men of war had each taken a reward for themselves.) Moses and Eleazar took the gold of the captains of 1,000’s and 100’s, and brought it into the Meeting Place as a reminder for the people of Israel before Yahweh.
Caleb and Joshua Blessed
32[1-5] Now the people of Reuben and Gad had very many tame animals and when they saw that the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead was a perfect place for tame animals, they came and told Moses, Eleazar, the preacher, and the leaders of the people, “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, all the land which Yahweh attacked with the people of Israel, is a land for tame animals; and we have many tame animals. If we’ve pleased you, let this land be given to us for our own; and don’t bring us over the Jordan.”
[6-9] So Moses said to the people of Gad and Reuben, “Will your brothers go to the war, and you stay here? Why do you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land which Yahweh has given them? Your ancestors did that, when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. When they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the people of Israel, so that they wouldn’t go into the land which Yahweh had given them.
[10-15] Yahweh was angry that day and promised, ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and up, will see the land which I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; because they haven’t wholly followed Me except for Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, and Joshua, the son of Nun; Only they had wholly followed Yahweh. Then Yahweh was angry at Israel and made them wander all over the countryside for forty years, until all that generation, who had done evil in the sight of Yahweh, had died. And now you’ve risen up in your ancestors’ place, the children of sinful men, to add to the great anger of Yahweh toward Israel. If you turn away from following Yahweh, God will yet again leave you in the countryside; and destroy all your people.”
[16-19] They stepped up and said, “We’ll build sheepfolds here for our tame animals, and cities for our children, but we ourselves will be armed and ready to go before the people of Israel, until we’ve brought them to their place, and our children will live in the fenced cities because of the people of the land. We won’t go back to our houses, until the people of Israel have each gotten what will be theirs. We won’t get anything with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward; because we’ve gotten this land on this side of the Jordan eastward.”
[20-24] So Moses said to them, “If you’ll do this, and arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to war, and every armed man will pass over the Jordan before Yahweh, until all God’s enemies are driven out of the land, and the land is under Yahweh’s control; then afterward you’ll go back, and not be guilty toward Yahweh, and toward Israel; and this land will be yours before Yahweh. But if you don’t do it, you’ve sinned against Yahweh; and you can be sure your sin will be known. Build towns for your children and folds for your sheep; and do what you’ve said.”
[25-27] So the people of Gad and Reuben told Moses, “We’ll do as you say. Our children, our wives, our flocks, and all our tame animals, will be there in the cities of Gilead; but everyone who’s armed for war will pass over before Yahweh to battle, as you say.”
[28-32] So Moses gave orders concerning them to Eleazar, the preacher, Joshua, the son of Nun, and to the leaders of the family groups of the people of Israel. Moses said to them, “If the people of Gad and Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, everyone who’s armed for battle, before Yahweh, and the land is taken under your control; then give them the land of Gilead for their own; but if they won’t pass over with you armed, they’ll have land among you in the land of Canaan. The people of Gad and Reuben answered, “We’ll do as Yahweh has said. We’ll pass over armed before Yahweh into the land of Canaan, and whatever we own will stay with us beyond the Jordan.
[33-39] Moses gave to the people of Gad and Reuben, and to half the family of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, the realm of Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, and the realm of Og, ruler of Bashan, the land by its cities and all the land around them. The people of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atrothshophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran; all fenced cities, and folds for sheep. The people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah, and they gave new names to the cities which they built. The people of Machir, the son of Manasseh, went to Gilead, and took it from the Amorites who were in it.
[40-42] Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh; and he lived in it. Jair, the son of Manasseh, went and took its small towns, and called them Havvoth Jair. Nobah went and took Kenath and its towns, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
The Travels of Israel
33[1-4] These are the travels of the people of Israel, when they left the land of Egypt by their family groups under the hand of Moses and Aaron. Moses wrote of their travels by the word of Yahweh and these are their travels. They left from Rameses on the 15th day of the 1st month. On the next day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out with power in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Yahweh had killed among them. Yahweh punished their gods also.
[5-9] The people of Israel left from Rameses and stayed in Succoth. They left from there and stayed in Etham, which is in the edge of the countryside. They left from there and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is near Baal Zephon. Then they stayed at Migdol. They left from Hahiroth, and passed through the middle of the sea into the countryside and went three days into the countryside of Etham, and stayed in Marah. They left from there and came to Elim, where there were twelve pools of water and 70 palm trees, and stayed there.
[10-14] They left from there and stayed by the Red Sea. They left from there and stayed in the countryside of Sin. They left from there and stayed in Dophkah. They left from there and stayed in Alush. They left from there and stayed in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.
[15-26] They left from there and stayed in the countryside of Sinai. They left from there and stayed in Kibroth Hattaavah. They left from there and stayed in Hazeroth. They left from there and stayed in Rithmah. They left from there and stayed in Rimmon Perez. They left from there and stayed in Libnah. They left from there and stayed in Rissah. They left from there and stayed in Kehelathah. They left from there and stayed in Mount Shepher. They left from there and stayed in Haradah. They left from there and stayed in Makheloth. They left from there and stayed in Tahath.
[27-37] They left from there and stayed in Terah. They left from there and stayed in Mithkah. They left from there and stayed in Hashmonah. They left from there and stayed in Moseroth. They left from there and stayed in Bene Jaakan. They left from there and stayed in Hor Haggidgad. They left from there and stayed in Jotbathah. They left from there and stayed in Ebronah. They left from there and stayed in Ezion Geber. They left from there and stayed in the countryside of Zin (which is Kadesh). They left from there and stayed in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.
[38-39] Aaron the preacher went up into Mount Hor at the word of Yahweh, and died there, in the 40th year after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the 1st day of the 5th month. Aaron was 123 years old when he died in Mount Hor.
[40-49] The Canaanite ruler of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the people of Israel. They left from Mount Hor, and stayed in Zalmonah. They left from there and stayed in Punon. They left from there and stayed in Oboth. They left from there and stayed in the Ruins of Abarim, in the border of Moab. They left from there, and stayed in Dibon Gad. They left from there and stayed in Almon Diblathaim. They left from there and stayed in the mountains of Abarim, near Nebo. They left from there and stayed in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. They stayed by the Jordan, from Beth Jesthemoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.
[50-56] Yahweh told Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, “Tell the people of Israel when you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, drive out all the people of the land from before you, and destroy all their false gods of stone and metals, and destroy all their places of worship. Take the land and live in it because I’ve given you the land to own. You’ll inherit the land in parts by your families; to the more you’ll give more land, and to the fewer you’ll give less land. Wherever the Judgment Stones falls to anyone, that land will be theirs and you’ll inherit by the families of your ancestors. But if you don’t drive out the people of the land from before you, then those who you let stay will be as splinters in your eyes, and as thorns in your sides, and they’ll trouble you in the land in which you live. And as I thought to do to them, I’ll do to you.”
The Land of Canaan
34[1-5] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, “When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that will fall to you for your own, the land of Canaan to its edges), then your south quarter will be from the countryside of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border will be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward; and your border will turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and its end will be southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it’ll go to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon; and the border will turn from Azmon to the river of Egypt, and its end will be at the sea.
[6-12] For the western border, you’ll have the Great Sea and its border, which will be your west border. Your north border will be from the Great Sea to Mount Hor; and from Mount Hor to the entrance of Hamath; and the end of the border will be at Zedad; and the border will go to Ziphron, and its end will be at Hazar Enan, which will be your north border. Mark off your east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham; and the border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border will go down, and will reach to the side of the Sea of Chinnereth eastward; and the border will go down to the Jordan, and its end will be at the Salt Sea. This will be the borders of your land.”
[13-15] Moses told the people of Israel, “This is the land which you’ll inherit in parts, which Yahweh has said to give to the nine and a half families left; for the family groups of the people of Reuben and Gad by their families, have gotten their land, along with half the family of Manasseh. These two and half family groups have gotten their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the east.”
[16-29] Yahweh told Moses, “Eleazar, the preacher, and Joshua, the son of Nun, will divide the land to you for your inheritance. Take one leader of every family, to divide the land for inheritance.” These are the names of the leaders: Of the family of Judah, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Of the family of the people of Simeon, Shemuel, the son of Ammihud. Of the family of Benjamin, Elidad, the son of Chislon. Of the family of the people of Dan, Bukki, the son of Jogli. Of the people of Joseph: of the family of the people of Manasseh, Hanniel, the son of Ephod. Of the family of the people of Ephraim, Kemuel, the son of Shiphtan. Of the family of the people of Zebulun, Elizaphan, the son of Parnach. Of the family of the people of Issachar, Paltiel, the son of Azzan. Of the family of the people of Asher, Ahihud, the son of Shelomi. Of the family of the people of Naphtali, Pedahel, the son of Ammihud. These are those who Yahweh told to divide the inheritance to the people of Israel in the land of Canaan.
The Levite Cities of Refuge
35[1-5] Yahweh told Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, “Tell the people of Israel to give to the Levites cities out of their inheritance to live in with the land around them. The cities and the land they’ll have to live in will be for all their animals, and for all they have. The land of the cities, which you’ll give to the Levites, will be from the wall of the city and outward 1500’ around. Measure outside of the city for each side 3,000’, the city being in the middle. This will be the land of the cities.
[6-8] The cities which you’ll give to the Levites, will be the six cities of refuge, which will be for the murderer to run to, and besides them you’ll give 42 more cities. All the cities which you’ll give to the Levites will be 48 cities with their land. As far as the cities which you’ll give out of what the people of Israel own, from the most people you’ll take many cities; and from the least people you’ll take fewer cities. Everyone by their inheritance which they get will give of their cities to the Levites.”
[9-15] Yahweh told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then set apart cities to be cities of refuge for you, that whoever kills a person by accident may go there. The cities will be to you for refuge from anyone who would seek revenge, so that the murderer won’t die, until they’re judged by the people. The cities which you’ll give will be for you six cities of refuge. Give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, which will be the cities of refuge. These six cities will be a refuge for the people of Israel, and for anyone else living among them, so that whoever kills anyone by accident may go there.
[16-21] But if they’ve hit the victim with an iron tool, so that the person died, they’re a murderer and the murderer must be put to death. If they’ve hit them with a stone in the hand, by which someone died, they’re a murderer and the murderer must be put to death. Or if they’ve hit them with a wooden weapon, by which someone died, they’re a murderer and the murderer must be put to death. Whoever wants revenge for their blood will put the murderer to death when they find them. If they pushed them out of hatred, or threw something at them, planning it ahead of time, so that the victim died, or hit them with their hand as an enemy, so that they died; the one who hit them must be put to death. They’re a murderer, so whoever wants revenge for their blood will put the murderer to death, when they find them.
[22-28] If they pushed them suddenly and wasn’t an enemy, or threw something at them without planning it, or threw a stone, not seeing them, so that the victim died, and they weren’t their enemy, nor meant to hurt them; then the people will judge between the murderer and whoever wants revenge for their blood by these rules. The people will save the murderer from the one who wants revenge for their blood, and the people will restore them to their city of refuge, to where they’ve gone. They’ll live in it until the death of the leading preacher, who was anointed with the holy oil. But if the murderer goes at any time beyond the border of the city of refuge, to where they’ve gone, and the one who wants revenge for blood finds them outside of the border of the city of refuge, and they kill the murderer; they won’t be guilty of blood, because the murderer should have stayed in the city of refuge until the death of the leading preacher. But after the death of the leading preacher, the murderer will go back into their own land.
[29-34] These things will be for a law and a rule to you forever in all the places you live. Whoever kills any person, the murderer will be killed at the word of witnesses, but one witness won’t testify against any person to make them die. And don’t take any fine of money for the life of a murderer who’s guilty of death; but they must be put to death. Don’t take any fine of money for those who’ve gone to a city of refuge, so that they may come again to live in their own land, until the death of the preacher. Don’t pollute the land in which you are, for blood makes the land unfit; and the land can’t be cleansed of the blood that’s shed in it, but by the blood of the one who shed it. Don’t make the land unfit which you live in and in which I live. I, Yahweh, live among the people of Israel.
Daughters of Zelophehad
36[1-4] The leaders of the family groups of the people of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses, and before the leaders of the family groups of the people of Israel and said, “Yahweh told you to give a part of the land for inheritance to the people of Israel and you were told by Yahweh to give the inheritance of Zelophehad, our brother, to his daughters. If they’re married to any of the sons of the other families of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our ancestors, and will be added to the inheritance of the family they belong to, so it will be taken away from our inheritance. When the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the family in which they belong, so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the family of our ancestors.”
[5-9] Moses told the people of Israel by the word of Yahweh, “The family of the sons of Joseph speaks right. This is what Yahweh says to the daughters of Zelophehad, “Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of one of the family members of their ancestors. So nothing of their own of the people of Israel will go out from family to family; for the people of Israel will keep the inheritance of the family of their ancestors. Every daughter, who has an inheritance in any family of the people of Israel, will be married to one of the family members of her ancestors, that the people of Israel may keep the inheritance of their ancestors. So nothing of their own will go out from one family to another family; for the families of the people of Israel will keep their own inheritance.”
[10-13] The daughters of Zelophehad did as Yahweh told Moses. Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their cousins. They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh, the son of Joseph; and their inheritance stayed in the family of their ancestors. These are the words and the rules which Yahweh told to the people of Israel by Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Deuteronomy
(The Second Copy of the Law)
Don’t be scared, nor Be Discouraged.
1[1-4] This is what Moses said to the people of Israel across the Jordan in the countryside, in the Arabah desert next to the Suph, the Red Sea, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. It’s an eleven day walk from Horeb by the road of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. In the 40th year, on the 1st day of the 11th month, Moses told the people of Israel all that Yahweh had told him to tell them, after they had killed Sihon, the ruler of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og, the ruler of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.
[5-8] Across the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses told the people this law, saying, “Yahweh our God told us in Horeb, saying, “‘You’ve lived long enough in this mountain, so move out, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all the places near there, in the Arabah desert, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, and by the seashore, in the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river Euphrates. See, I’ve given you the land, so go in and take the land which Yahweh promised to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them and their descendants after them.’
[9-13] I told you at that time, saying, “‘I’m not able to handle you by myself. Yahweh, your God, has made you great, and see, you’re as many as the stars of the sky today. And may Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as God has promised you! But how can I alone handle all the work of what you’re to do, and all your troubles? So take leaders who are wise and understanding and well known and respected in your family groups, and I’ll make them leaders over you.’
[14-17] You answered me, and said, “‘What you’ve said is good for us to do.’ So I took the leaders of your family groups, those who were wise and well known, and made them leaders over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens as overseers over your family groups. I told your judges at that time, saying, “‘Hear the cases between your family members, and judge rightly between one person and another, and the foreigner who’s living with them. Don’t do favors when you judge; you’ll hear the rich and poor alike; Don’t be scared of what a human may say because God is the judge. The cases that are too hard for you, bring to me, and I’ll hear them.’ I told you at that time what you should do.
[19-21] We traveled from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible countryside which you saw, by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God told us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea. I said to you, ‘You’ve come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Yahweh our God is giving to us. See, Yahweh your God has given you the land, so go up, and take it, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has told you. Don’t be scared, nor be discouraged.’
[22-25] You came up to me, every one of you, and said, “‘Let’s send some people to go before us, that they may explore the land for us, and tell us the way we need to go, and about the cities we’ll come to.’ I liked this idea and took twelve of you, one person for every family group. They went up into the hill country, and came to the valley of Eshcol, and explored it. They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down to us, and told us, ‘It’s a good land which Yahweh our God gives to us.’
[26-28] Yet you wouldn’t go up, but rebelled against what Yahweh your God had told you to do. You complained in your tents, and said, “‘Because Yahweh hated us, God has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to hand us over to the Amorites, to destroy us. Where are we going to go? Our people have scared us to death, saying, “‘The people are greater and taller than we are; and the cities are great and strongly built, clear up to the sky; and we’ve seen the Anakim, the people of the giants, there.’
[29-31] Then I said to you, ‘Don’t be discouraged, nor be scared of them. Yahweh your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just like God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes, and in the countryside, where you’ve seen how Yahweh your God carried you, as a parent does a child, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.’
[32-36] Yet in this, you didn’t believe Yahweh your God, who went before you everywhere, to show you where to put up your tents, in fire by night, to show you the way which you should go, in the cloud by day. Yahweh heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and promised, saying, “‘Without a doubt, not one of these evil people will see the good land, which I promised to give to your ancestors, except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. He’ll see it; and to him I’ll give the land that he has walked on, and to his children, because he has wholly followed Yahweh.’
[37-40] Also Yahweh was angry with me for your sakes, saying, “‘You won’t go into the land either, but Joshua, the son of Nun, who stands before you, will go in. Encourage him because he’ll bring Israel in to the land to inherit it. Also, your little ones, whom you said would be a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, will go in and I’ll give it to them, and they’ll own it. But as for you, turn and go out into the countryside by the way to the Red Sea.’
[41-46] Then you answered and said to me, “‘We’ve sinned against Yahweh, and will go up and fight, like Yahweh our God has told us. Everyone put on their weapons of war, and got ready to go up into the hill country. But Yahweh said to me, “‘Tell them, ‘Don’t go up, nor fight because I’m not with you; or you’ll be destroyed by your enemies.’ So I told you, and you didn’t listen; but you did what Yahweh told you not to do, and went up into the hill country, thinking God would be with you. Then the Amorites, who lived in that country, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah. You went back and cried to Yahweh; but Yahweh didn’t listen to you, nor paid any attention to you. So you stayed in Kadesh many days, as many days as you stayed there.
The Travels of Israel
2[1-7] Then we moved out into the countryside by the road of the Red Sea, as Yahweh told me; and we went around Mount Seir for many days. Then Yahweh told me, ‘You’ve gone around this mountain long enough. Turn north. Tell the people, ‘Pass through the border of your kin, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they’ll be scared of you, but be careful what you do; Don’t fight with them because I won’t give you their land, no, not so much as for the sole of your foot to step on; because I’ve given Mount Seir to Esau’s people as their own. Buy food to eat and water to drink from them for money. Yahweh your God has blessed you in all your work, and has watched over you while you were walking through this great countryside these forty years. Yahweh your God has been with you and you’ve lacked nothing.’
[8-12] So we passed by our kin, the people of Esau, who live in Seir, from the Arabah desert of Elath and Ezion Geber. Then we turned and passed by the countryside of Moab. Yahweh said to me, “‘Don’t bother Moab, nor fight with them in battle because I won’t give you their land; I’ve given Ar to the people of Lot as their own.” (The Emim lived in it before, a great many people, who were as tall as the Anakim giants, the Rephaim, who were also from the old family group of giants, like the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. The Horites also lived in Seir before, but the people of Esau took their land and destroyed them, and lived where they had lived; as Israel did to the land it owns, which Yahweh gave to them.)
[13-15] ‘Now rise up, and go over the brook Zered.’ So we went over the brook Zered. It was 38 years from the time we came from Kadesh Barnea, until we had come over the brook Zered; until all the generation of the soldiers had died out of the camp, as Yahweh promised them. Also, the power of Yahweh was against them, to destroy them from out of the camp, until they were all dead.
[16-23] So when all the soldiers were destroyed and died from among the people, Yahweh told me, saying, “‘Pass over Ar, the border of Moab today and when you come to the people of Ammon, don’t bother them, nor fight with them because I won’t give you the land of the people of Ammon to own; because I’ve given it to the people of Lot to own.’ (That was also a land of Rephaim giants, who lived there before; but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, a great many people, as tall as the Anakim giants; but Yahweh gave them power to destroy them, so they lived where that people had lived; as God did for the people of Esau, who live in Seir, who destroyed the Horites from before them; and they destroyed them, and live in their place even today; and the Avvim, who lived in towns as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and lived in their place.)
[24-29] ‘Rise up, move out, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. See, I’ve given into your power Sihon, the Amorite, ruler of Heshbon, and his land. Fight with them in battle and begin to take the land. Today, I’ll begin to make the people dread and fear you, all over the earth, who will hear about you, and will shake, and be in fear because of you.’ So I sent messengers out of the countryside of Kedemoth to Sihon, ruler of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, “‘Let me pass through your land. I’ll go along by the highway, I won’t turn to the right nor to the left. Sell me food and water for money, that I may eat and drink, but let me pass through on my feet, as the people of Esau who live in Seir, and the Moabites who live in Ar, did to me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land Yahweh our God gives us.’
[30-37] But Sihon, ruler of Heshbon, wouldn’t let us pass by him because Yahweh your God hardened his spirit, and made his heart stubborn to give them into your power, as it is today. Yahweh said to me, “‘See, I’ve begun to give Sihon and his land to you, so begin to take it, so that you may inherit his land.’ Then Sihon came out against us with all the people to battle at Jahaz. Yahweh our God gave us power over him; and we attacked him, and his children, and all his people. We took all his cities at that time, and completely destroyed every city with its men, women, and children; we left no one alive, but only took the animals for ourselves, along with the stuff which we had taken from the cities. From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and from the city that’s in the valley, even to Gilead, there wasn’t a city too high for us; Yahweh our God gave them all to us. The only place you didn’t come near was the land of the people of Ammon beside the river Jabbok, and the cities of the hill country, and wherever Yahweh our God told us not to go.
Yahweh Fights For You
3[1- 4] Then we turned and went the way up to Bashan, and Og, the ruler of Bashan, came out against us with all his people to battle at Edrei. Then Yahweh said to me, “‘Don’t fear him because I’ve put him and all his people, and his land, into your power; and you’ll do to him as you did to Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’ So Yahweh our God put into our power Og also, the ruler of Bashan, and all his people: and we attacked them until no one was left. We took all his cities at that time; there wasn’t a city which we didn’t take from them; sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
[5-12] All these were strongly built cities with high walls, gates, and bars; besides the great many towns that had no walls. We completely destroyed them, as we did to Sihon, ruler of Heshbon, completely destroying every city with its men, women, and children. But all the livestock, and the stuff from the cities, we took for ourselves. At that time, we took the land out of the power of the two Amorite rulers who were across the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, which the Sidonians call Sirion, and the Amorites call Senir; and all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, to Salecah and Edrei, cities of the realm of Og in Bashan. Only Og, ruler of Bashan, was left of the Rephaim giants, who had an iron bedstead that was 13 ½’ long by 6’ wide, after the standard measurement. Isn’t it in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?
[12-14] We took the land at that time from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, which I gave to the Reubenites and Gadites: and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the realm of Og, which I gave to the half-family group of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, all of Bashan, which is also called the land of Rephaim. Jair, the child of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and called them after his own name to today, Havvoth Jair, which was Bashan.
[15-20] I gave Gilead to Machir. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and the border of it, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the people of Ammon; the Arabah desert also, and the Jordan and the border of it, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah desert, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah toward the east. I told you at that time, saying, “‘Yahweh your God has given you this land for your own: you’ll pass over armed before your kin, the people of Israel, all the brave soldiers. But your wives and children, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), will stay in your cities which I’ve given you, until Yahweh give rest to your kin, as to you, and they also take the land which Yahweh your God gives them across the Jordan, and then every one of you will go back to your land, which I’ve given you.’
[21-25] I told Joshua at that time, saying, “‘Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two rulers, and so Yahweh will do to all the realms where you go. Don’t be scared of them because Yahweh, your God, is who fights for you.’ I prayed to Yahweh at that time, saying, “‘Yahweh God, You’ve begun to show Your people Your greatness and Your strong power: for what god is there in heaven or in earth, that can do what You do, and do like Your great acts? Please let me go over and see the good land that’s across the Jordan, that beautiful mountain, and Lebanon.’
[26-29] But Yahweh was angry with me for your sakes, and didn’t listen to me; Yahweh said to me, “‘Let it be enough for you; don’t speak to me anymore about it. Go up to the top of Pisgah, and open your eyes and look toward the west, north, south, and east, and see: but don’t go over the Jordan. But tell Joshua to go over before this people, and encourage him, and strengthen him, and he’ll cause them to take the land which you’ll see.’ So we stayed in the valley next to Beth Peor.
No Other God but Yahweh
4[1-5] Now, Israel, listen to the laws and rules, which I teach you, and do them that you may live, and go in and take the land which Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, gives you. Don’t add to what I tell you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the laws of Yahweh your God which I tell you. You’ve seen what Yahweh did because of the false god Baal Peor; Yahweh your God has destroyed all those who followed Baal Peor from among you. But all of you who held on to Yahweh your God are alive today. See, I’ve taught you laws and rules, even as Yahweh my God told me that you should do, in the land where you go for your own.
[6-10] So keep and do them because this is your wisdom and understanding in front of the peoples, who will hear all these laws, and say, ‘Without a doubt, this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what great nation is there, that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is, on whom we call for whatever reason? What great nation is there, that has laws and rules so righteous as all this law, which I set before you today? Only take care to keep your soul carefully, in case you forget what your eyes saw, and in case these things leave from your heart forever; but tell them to your children and your grandchildren, especially on the day that you stood before Yahweh your God in Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, “‘Gather the people, and I’ll make them hear My words, that they may learn to respect Me as long as they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
[11-14] You came up and stood at the bottom of the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire up to the sky, with dark clouds, and thick smoke. And Yahweh spoke to you out of the middle of the fire, and you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. God gave you the promised agreement, and told you to do it, the Ten Laws, which were written on two stone slabs. Yahweh told me at that time to teach you the laws and rules that you might do them in the land where you go to take for your own.
[15-19] So be very careful because you saw no kind of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you in Horeb out of the fire. In case you ruin yourselves, and make yourself a false god in the form of anything, in the form of a male or female, in the form of any animal that’s on earth, in the form of any winged bird that flies in the sky, in the form of anything that runs on the ground, or in the form of any fish that’s in the water on the earth; and in case you look up to the sky, and see the sun, moon, and stars, even all the heavenly bodies, and you’re drawn away from God and worship them, and serve them, which Yahweh your God has given to everyone on earth.
[20-24] But Yahweh has taken you, and brought you out of the terrible heat and hardship of Egypt, to share in ownership of the gifts of God, as at today. And Yahweh was angry with me also for your sakes, and told me that I wouldn’t go over the Jordan, and go in to that good land, which Yahweh your God is giving you for your own. I must not go over the Jordan but will die in this land. You’ll go over, and take ownership of that good land. So be careful of yourselves, in case you forget the promised agreement of Yahweh your God, which God made with you, and make a false god in the form of anything which Yahweh your God has forbidden you. Yahweh your God is like a destroying fire, a very jealous God.
[25-27] If, when you have children and grandchildren, and you’ve been in the land a long time, you ruin yourselves, and make a false god in the form of anything, and do what’s evil to Yahweh your God, to make God angry; I call heaven and earth to be a witness against you today, that you’ll soon completely die from off the land where you’re going over the Jordan for your own; You won’t stay long on it, but will be completely destroyed. Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and few of you will be left among the nations, where Yahweh will send you away.
[28-31] There you’ll serve false gods of wood and stone, the works of human hands, which can’t see, hear, eat, or smell. But from there, you’ll look for Yahweh your God, and when you search with all your heart and soul, you’ll find God. When you’re abused, and all these things have come on you, in the end times, you’ll go back to Yahweh your God, and listen to God’s voice. Yahweh your God is a forgiving God, who won’t fail you, nor destroy you, nor forget the promised agreement of your ancestors, which God promised to them.
[32-34] Ask now of the past days, which were before you, since the day that God created human beings on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been any such thing as great as this, or has been heard of like it? Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as you’ve heard, and live? Or has God tried to go and take a nation from the middle of another nation, by trials, by signs, by amazing things, by war, by a great and strong power, and by breathtaking things, as all that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
[35-38] It was shown to you so that you might know that Yahweh is God, and there’s no other God besides Yahweh. God spoke to you out of heaven to teach you, and made you to see the great fire of God on earth; and you heard God’s words out of the middle of the fire. because God loved your ancestors, chose their descendants after them, and brought you out with the very presence and power of God, out of Egypt to drive out nations from before you, which were greater and stronger than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for your own, as it is today.
[39-40] So know today, and keep it in your heart, that Yahweh is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there’s no other god. Keep God’s judgments and laws, which I tell you today, that God may bless you, and your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land, which Yahweh your God gives you, forever.”
[41-43] Then Moses set apart three cities across the Jordan toward the east; so that the killer might run there, who kills a neighbor by accident, and didn’t hate them in the past; and that running to one of these cities the person might live: namely, Bezer, in the plains of the countryside, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
[44-49] This is the Law which Moses gave to the people of Israel, the judgments, laws, and rules, which Moses told the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt, across the Jordan, in the valley next to Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the people of Israel attacked, when they came out of Egypt. They took his land for themselves, and the land of Og, ruler of Bashan, the two rulers of the Amorites, who were across the Jordan toward the east; from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, to Mount Sion, which is Hermon, and all the Arabah desert across the Jordan toward the east, to the sea of the Arabah desert, at the base of Mount Pisgah.
Introduction to the Ten Laws
5[1-5] Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Listen, Israel, to the laws and rules which I tell you today, that you may learn and do them. Yahweh our God made a promised agreement with us in Horeb. Yahweh didn’t make this promised agreement with our ancestors, but with all of us here alive today. Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, where I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to tell you the word of Yahweh, because you were scared of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain.
[6-7] Yahweh said, “‘I Am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of hard work and slaving. Don’t worship anything else but Me.
[8-10] Don’t make yourself an idol of any kind or a false god of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the sea. Don’t bow down to them or worship them because I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, Who passes the parents’ faults down to their children up to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but forgiving many generations of those who love and keep My Laws.
[11] Don’t use the Name of Yahweh your God with disrespect. Yahweh won’t let anyone go unpunished who misuses God’s Name.
[12-15] Remember the Seventh Day and keep it set aside to worship,’ as Yahweh your God told you. You may do all your work in six days, but the seventh day is the Day of Rest of Yahweh your God. On that day no one may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female workers, your animals, and any foreigners living among you, so all may rest on that day. Remember the hard work and slaving you did in the land of Egypt, and how Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a great and strong power, so Yahweh your God told you to keep the Seventh Day as a day of rest.
[16] Respect your father and mother,’ as Yahweh your God told you, so you’ll live a long life and God may bless you in the land Yahweh your God is giving you.
[17] Don’t kill anyone.
[18] Don’t be sexually unfaithful to your spouse.
[19] Don’t steal anything.
[20] Don’t tell lies about anyone.
[21] Don’t want what someone else has. Don’t want their spouse, their house, their land, their workers, their animals, or anything else that belongs to someone else.
[22-27] Yahweh told all your people these words on the mountain from the fire, out of the dark cloud and thick smoke, with a loud voice; and added no more. God wrote them on two stone slabs, and gave them to me. When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came to me, all the leaders and elders of your family groups; and said, “‘See, Yahweh our God has shown us the brightness and greatness of God, and we’ve heard the voice of God out of the middle of the fire. We’ve seen today that God does speak with humans, and they still live. So why should we die? This great fire will burn us up! If we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any more, then we’ll die. Who is there out of all human beings that have heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go up, and hear all that Yahweh our God says and tell us what Yahweh our God says to you; and we’ll listen, and do it.”
[28-31] So Yahweh heard the words that you said when you told me this; and Yahweh said to me, “‘I’ve heard the words of this people, which they’ve told you. What they’ve said is well spoken. I wish that they had a heart in them to respect Me, and keep all My Laws always, that I might bless them and their children forever! Go tell them, ‘Go back to your tents.’ But as for you, stand here by Me, and I’ll speak to you all the judgments, laws, and rules, which you’ll teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them for their own.’
[32-33] Do as Yahweh your God has told you, and don’t turn away from God. Follow the way which Yahweh your God has told you that you may live, and that I may bless you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you’ll take for your own.
Yahweh is Our God! Yahweh is One God!
6[1-2] Now these are the judgments, laws, and rules, which Yahweh your God told me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you go to take for your own; so that you might respect Yahweh your God, and keep all God’s laws and judgments as long as you live, which I tell you, your children, and your grandchildren, so that you may live a long life. So listen, Israel, and do it; that you may be well, and that you may greatly increase your people, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has promised you, in a land full of milk and honey.
[4-9] Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our God! Yahweh is One God! Love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Let these words, which I tell you today, stay in your heart. Teach them to your children faithfully, and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk down the street, when you go to sleep, and when you get up. Put them on as a pendant on a bracelet on your hand, and let them be as a pendant on a chain falling between your eyes. Write them on the door posts of your house and your gates.
[10-12] When Yahweh your God brings you into the land promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you great, beautiful cities, which you didn’t build; houses, all full of good things, which you didn’t fill; wells dug out, which you didn’t dig; and gardens and fruit trees, which you didn’t plant, and you eat and are full; then be careful in case you forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of hard work and slaving.
[13-16] Respect and serve Yahweh your God, and make your promises by the Name of Yahweh. Don’t go after other gods, the false gods of the peoples who are all around you, because Yahweh your God, who’s with you, is a jealous God; and in case Yahweh your God turns angry against you, and destroys you from off the face of the earth. Don’t tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted God in Madessah.
[17-19] Keep the Laws of Yahweh your God faithfully, the judgments and laws, which God has told you. Do what’s right and good to Yahweh; that you may be blessed, and that you may go in and take the good land which Yahweh promised to your ancestors to throw out all your enemies from before you, as God has said.
[20-23] And when your children ask you in the time to come, saying, “‘What do these things mean, the laws and the rules, which Yahweh our God has told you? Then you’ll tell your children, ‘We were the Ruler of Egypt’s workers, and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with great power; and Yahweh showed great and breathtaking signs and amazing things in Egypt, on the Ruler of Egypt, and all his house, right before our eyes; and brought us out from there, to bring us in and give us the land that was promised to our ancestors.
[24-25] So Yahweh told us to keep all these laws, to respect Yahweh our God, for our good always, that God might keep us alive, as it is today. We’ll be good then, if we are careful to do all these judgments before Yahweh our God, as God has told us.
A Holy People
7[1-5] When Yahweh your God brings you into the land where you go for your own, and throws out many nations before you, the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you; and when Yahweh your God gives them to you, and you kill them; then you’ll completely destroy them. Make no agreement with them, nor show mercy to them; Don’t make marriages with them; Don’t give your daughter to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons because they’ll turn away your children from following Me, that they may serve other gods. So Yahweh will be angry at you, and will quickly destroy you. But do this to them: Break down their altars, and chop their sacred posts in pieces, and cut down their trees used to worship Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), and burn those false gods with fire.
[6-10] You’re a holy people to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be God’s own special people, more than any other people on the earth. Yahweh didn’t love you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any other people; but you were the fewest in number of all the peoples. But Yahweh loves you, and wants to keep the oath which was promised to your ancestors, so Yahweh brought you out with great power, and freed you out of the place of hard work and slaving, from the power of the Ruler of Egypt. So know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God, who keeps promises and agreements and shows loving kindness on those who love and keep God’s Laws up to a thousand generations, and repays those who hate God in person to destroy them. God won’t forget those who hate God, and will repay them to their face.
[11-15] So keep the judgments, the laws, and the rules, which I tell you today, and do them. If You listen to these rules, and keep and do them, then Yahweh your God will keep the promised agreement with you and show the loving kindness which was promised to your ancestors. God will love you and bless you, and make you have many children; and will also bless your children and the harvest of your ground, your grain, new wine, and oil, and the herds of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which God promised to your ancestors to give you. You’ll be blessed above all peoples: there won’t be a male or a female unable to have children among you, or among your livestock. Yahweh will take away from you all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, will come on you, but God will put them on all those who hate you.
[16-20] You’ll destroy all the peoples who Yahweh your God gives to you; Don’t pity them, nor serve their false gods; because that will be a trap to you. If you say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than we are; how can we take them?’ Don’t be scared of them. Remember what Yahweh your God did to the Ruler of Egypt, and to all of Egypt; the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and amazing things, and the great power and strength, by which Yahweh your God brought you out: so Yahweh your God will do to all the peoples of whom you’re scared. Also Yahweh your God will send the hornet to attack them, until those who are left that hide themselves, die from before you.
[21-26] Don’t be scared of them because Yahweh your God is with you, Who’s a great and awesome God. Yahweh your God will throw out those nations before you little by little. Don’t destroy them all at once, in case the animals of the field increase on you. But Yahweh your God will give them to you, and will confuse them with a great panic, until they’re destroyed. God will give their rulers into your power, and you’ll make their name be forgotten out of the earth; No one will be able to stand before you, until you’ve destroyed them. Burn with fire all their false gods. Don’t want the silver or gold that’s on them, nor take it for yourself, in case you’re trapped by it because it’s counted as evil by Yahweh your God. Don’t bring anything that’s counted as evil into your house and worship it. Completely hate it and count it as evil because it was worshipped.
People Do Not Live by Bread Only
8[1-5] Do all the judgments which I tell you today, that you may live, and have many children, and go in and take the land which Yahweh promised to your ancestors. Remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the countryside, to humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep God’s Laws, or not. God disgraced you, and let you get hungry and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, nor did your ancestors know; to make you know that people do not live by bread only, but people live by everything that comes out of the mouth of Yahweh. Your clothing didn’t grow old on you, nor did your feet swell, these forty years. Know in your heart that as a parent corrects their children, so Yahweh your God corrects you.
[6-10] So keep the Laws of Yahweh your God, follow God’s ways, and respect God. Yahweh your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of creeks and streams, and underground springs flowing into the valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey; a land in which you’ll eat bread without lack, You won’t lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper. You’ll eat and be full, and you’ll bless Yahweh your God for the good land which God has given you.
[11-17] So be careful in case you forget Yahweh your God, and don’t keep God’s judgments, rules, and laws, which I tell you today, and in case, when you’ve eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses, and lived in them; and when your herds and your flocks have grown, and your silver and your gold is much, and all that you have has become plentiful; then your heart is lifted up, and you forget Yahweh your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of hard work and slaving; who led you through the great and terrible countryside, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who brought you water out of the flint rock; who fed you in the countryside with manna, which your ancestors didn’t know; to humble you, and test you, to do you good in the long run: and in case you say in your heart, “My own strength and power has gotten me all this wealth.”
[18-20] But remember Yahweh your God; it’s God who makes you able to get wealth; to keep the promised agreement which was promised to your ancestors, as at today. But if you forget Yahweh your God, and follow other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you today that you’ll, without a doubt, die. You’ll die as the nations that Yahweh makes to die before you, because you wouldn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
Not For Your Goodness
9[1-5] Listen, Israel: you’re to pass over the Jordan today, to go in to take ownership of nations greater and stronger than yourself, cities great and strongly built up to the sky, a people as great and as tall as the Anakim giants, whom you know, and of whom you’ve heard say, “Who can stand before the people of Anak?” So know today, that Yahweh your God is the One who goes over before you as a burning fire; and will destroy them, and will bring them down before you. So drive them out, and make them die quickly, as Yahweh has told you. Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrown them out from before you, saying, “For my goodness Yahweh has brought me in to take ownership this land;” While it’s for the evil of these nations Yahweh will drive them out from before you. Not for any good that you’ve done, or for the goodness of your heart, do you go in to take ownership their land; but for the evil of these nations Yahweh your God drives them out from before you, to keep the word which Yahweh promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
[6-10] So know that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land for your own for your goodness; because you’re a stubborn people. Remember, and don’t forget, how you made Yahweh your God very angry in the countryside from the day that you left the land of Egypt, until you came to this place, you’ve fought against Yahweh. Also in Horeb you made Yahweh very angry, and God was angry enough with you to destroy you. But when I had gone up onto the mountain to get the stone slabs, even the slabs of the Law which Yahweh made for you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; and I didn’t eat any bread nor drink any water. Then Yahweh gave to me the two stone slabs written with the finger of God; and on them was written all the words, which Yahweh told you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly.
[11-14] At the end of forty days and forty nights, Yahweh gave me the two stone slabs, even the slabs of the Law. Then Yahweh said to me, “Get up, get down quickly from here because your people whom you’ve brought forth out of Egypt have ruined themselves; they’ve quickly turned aside out of the way which I told them; they’ve made them a false god.” Also Yahweh told me, saying, “I’ve seen this people, and you see, they’re a stubborn people. Leave me alone, that I may destroy them, and make their name be forgotten from the earth; and I’ll make of you a nation stronger and greater than they.”
[15-21] So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire: and the two slabs of the Law were in my two hands. I looked and saw that you had sinned against Yahweh your God; you had made you a molten calf and had turned quickly away from what Yahweh had told you. So I took hold of the two slabs, and threw them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. Then I fell down before Yahweh, as I did the first time, for another forty days and forty nights; I didn’t eat bread nor drink any water; because of all your sin which you sinned, doing what Yahweh said was evil, to make God very angry. I was scared of the anger and rage, which Yahweh had against you to destroy you. But Yahweh listened to me that time also. And Yahweh was very angry with Aaron to destroy him but I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. I took your sin, the calf which you had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust: and I cast the dust of it into the stream that fell out of the mountain.
[22-29] At Taberah, Massah, and at Kibroth Hattaavah, you made Yahweh very angry. When Yahweh sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, “Go up and take the land which I’ve given you; then you fought against the judgments of Yahweh your God, and you didn’t believe God, nor listen to God’s voice. You’ve fought against Yahweh from the day that I knew you. So I fell down before Yahweh the forty days and forty nights that I fell down, because Yahweh had promised to destroy you. But I prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh God, don’t destroy Your people, Your own people, that You’ve freed through Your greatness, that You’ve brought out of Egypt with a great power. Remember your workers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and don’t look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their evil, nor at their sin, in case the land where you brought us out say, “Because Yahweh wasn’t able to bring them into the land which was promised to them, and because God hated them, God has brought them out to kill them in the countryside.” Yet they’re your own people, which you brought out by your great power and by your great strength.
What Does God Require of You?
10[1-5] At that time Yahweh said to me, “Cut out two stone slabs like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make a bull of wood. I’ll write on the slabs the words that were on the first slabs which you broke, and you’ll put them in the bull. So I made a bull of acacia wood, and cut out two stone slabs like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two slabs in my hands. God wrote on the slabs, just like the first writing, the Ten Laws, which Yahweh told you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Yahweh gave them to me. I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the slabs in the bull which I had made; and there they’re as Yahweh told me.
[6-9] The people of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. Aaron died there, and was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the preacher’s office in his place. From there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of creeks. At that time Yahweh set apart the family group of Levi, to handle the bull of the Law of Yahweh, to minister to Yahweh, and to bless in Yahweh’s name, to today. So Levi has no part of the land with his kin; Yahweh is Levi’s inheritance, as Yahweh your God said.
[10-13] I stayed on the mountain, as the first time, forty days and forty nights. Yahweh listened to me that time also and did not destroy you. Yahweh said to me, “Get up, and move out before the people; and they’ll go in and take the land, which I promised to their ancestors to give to them.” Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to respect and love Yahweh your God, to follow God’s ways, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the Laws and judgments of Yahweh, which I tell you today for your own good?
[14-22] See, heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, and everything in it belongs to Yahweh your God. Only Yahweh was happy to love your ancestors, and chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as at today. So cut the foreskin of your heart, and don’t be so stubborn. Yahweh your God is God of gods, and Ruler of rulers, the great God, the great and awesome God, who doesn’t think about who a person is, nor can be bribed. God gets justice for orphans and death survivors, and loves to give foreigners food and clothing. So love foreigners because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Respect and serve Yahweh your God; and hold on to God, and make your promises by God’s Name. Yahweh is your praise, and your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down into Egypt with seventy people and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky you’re so many.
God Loves Israel
11[1-6] So you’ll love Yahweh your God, and do what God says, “and keep God’s judgments, rules, and laws always. Know today: for I don’t speak with your children who haven’t known, and who haven’t seen the greatness, the power, and the strength, of the punishment of Yahweh your God, and the signs and works, which God did in the middle of Egypt to Ruler of Egypt the ruler of Egypt, and to all his land; and what God did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how God made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they chased after you, and how Yahweh has destroyed them to today; and what God did to you in the countryside, until you came to this place; and what God did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben; how the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their families, and their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the middle of all Israel.
[7-12] But your eyes have seen all the great work which Yahweh did. So keep all the judgments which I tell you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take the land, where you go for your own; and that you may live long in the land, which Yahweh promised to your ancestors to give to them and to their descendants, a land full of milk and honey. For the land, where you go to take for your own, isn’t as the land of Egypt, from where you came out, where you sowed your seed, and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs; but the land, where you go over for your own, is a land of hills and valleys, and is watered by the rain of the sky, a land which Yahweh your God cares for: Yahweh your God always watches over it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of it.
[13-17] If You listen carefully to My Laws which I tell you today, to love and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, then I’ll give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your new wine, and your oil. I’ll give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you’ll eat and be full. Be careful, in case your heart is misled, and you turn away, and serve false gods, and worship them; and Yahweh gets angry with you, and shuts up the sky, so that there’s no rain, and the land won’t give its harvest; and you die quickly from off the good land which Yahweh gives you.
[18-21] So lay up My words in your heart and in your soul and bind them for a sign on your hand, and they’ll be for symbols between your eyes. Teach them to your children, talking of them, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. Write them on the door posts of your house, and on your cities; that you and your children may live a long time, in the land which Yahweh promised to your ancestors to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.
[22-25] For if you’ll carefully keep all these judgments which I tell you to do, to love Yahweh your God, to follow God’s ways, and to hold on to God; then will Yahweh drive out all these nations from before you, and you’ll take ownership of nations greater and stronger than yourselves. Every place where the sole of your foot will walk will be yours: from the countryside, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the sea will be your border. No one will be able to stand before you: Yahweh your God will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you’ll walk on, as God has told you.
[26-32] See, I set before you today a blessing and a punishment: the blessing, if you’ll listen to the Laws of Yahweh your God, which I tell you today; and the punishment, if you don’t listen to the Laws of Yahweh your God, but turn away from what I tell you today, to go after false gods, which you’ve not known. And when Yahweh your God brings you into the land where you go for your own, that you’ll set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the punishment on Mount Ebal. Aren’t they across the Jordan, to the west, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah desert, next to Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh? Pass over the Jordan to go in and take the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and take ownership of it, and live in it. Keep all the laws and the rules which I set before you today.
Worship God and Be Happy
12[1-3] These are the laws and the rules which you’ll keep and do in the land which Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has given you for your own, as long as you live on the earth. You’ll without a doubt destroy all the places in which the nations that you’ll take ownership served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree. Break down their altars, and chop their posts in pieces, and burn down the trees used to worship Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal). Cut down the carved images of their false gods; and destroy their name out of that place.
[4-7] Don’t do so to Yahweh your God. But you’ll come regularly to the place which Yahweh your God chooses out of all your family groups, for God’s name to be, even to God’s house; and there you’ll bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and give your ten percent, and the wave offering of your hand, and your promises, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. You’ll eat there before Yahweh your God, and you’ll be happy in all that you put your hand to, you and your family, in which Yahweh your God has blessed you.
[8-11] Don’t do what we do here today, everyone doing whatever is right in their own eyes; You haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which Yahweh your God gives you. But when you go over the Jordan, and live in the land which Yahweh your God causes you to inherit, and gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety; then you’ll go to the place which Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be, and there you’ll bring all that I tell you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, and give your ten percent, and the wave offering of your hand, and all your special promises which you promise to Yahweh.
[12-16] You’ll be happy before Yahweh your God, you and your children, and your workers, and the Levite who’s where you live, who has no part of the inheritance with you. Be careful that you don’t offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but only in the place which Yahweh chooses in one of your family groups, there you’ll offer your burnt offerings, and there you’ll do all that I tell you. But you may kill and eat meat such as the antelope and deer wherever you live, whatever you want, according to the blessing of Yahweh your God which God has given you and both the unfit and the fit may eat it. Only don’t eat the blood; but pour it out on the earth as water.
[17-20] You may not eat where you live what you bring of your grain, or of your new wine, or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flock, nor any of your promises which you promise, nor your freewill offerings, nor the wave offering of your hand; but you’ll eat them before Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh your God chooses, you, and your children, and your workers, and the Levite who’s where you live: and you’ll be happy before Yahweh your God in all that you do. Be careful not to stop taking care of the Levite as long as you live in your land. When Yahweh your God adds to your land, as was promised, and you say, I’ll eat meat, because you want to eat meat; you may eat as much meat as you want.
[21-25] If the place which Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be, is too far from you, then you’ll kill of your herd and of your flock, which Yahweh has given you, as I’ve told you; and you may eat where you live, as much as you want. Just as the antelope and deer are eaten, so you’ll eat it. The unfit and the fit may eat of it alike. Only be sure that you don’t eat the blood, because the blood is the living soul of the animal; and don’t eat the living soul with the meat. Don’t eat it; but pour it out on the earth as water. Don’t eat it; that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, when you do what’s right to Yahweh.
[26-28] Only your holy things, and your promises, you’ll take, and go to the place which Yahweh chooses: and you’ll offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of Yahweh your God; and the blood of your sacrifices will be poured out on the altar of Yahweh your God; and you’ll eat the meat there. Keep and listen to all these words which I tell you, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you forever, when you do what’s good and right to Yahweh your God.
[29-32] When Yahweh your God will cut off the nations from before you, where you go in to take ownership of them, and you take ownership of them, and live in their land; be careful to not be trapped into following after them, after they’re destroyed from before you. Don’t ask questions about their gods, saying, “‘How do these nations serve their gods? I’ll do the same as they did.’ Don’t do this to Yahweh your God, because every wrong to God, which Yahweh hates, they’ve done for their gods because they even burn their children in the fire to their gods. Whatever I tell you, that you’ll do: Don’t add to it, or take away from it.
God will Test You
13[1-5] If a great preacher, or a dreamer of dreams comes to you, and gives you a sign or an amazing thing, and it comes to pass what was told you, saying, “Let’s go after other gods,” Which you’ve not known, and “ Let’s serve them;” Don’t listen to the words of that great preacher, or to that dreamer of dreams because Yahweh your God will test you, to know whether you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You’ll follow after and respect Yahweh your God, and keep God’s Laws, and obey God’s voice, and you’ll serve and hold on to Yahweh. That great preacher or dreamer of dreams will be put to death, who has said against Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and freed you out of the place of hard work and slaving, to draw you away from what Yahweh your God told you to go in. So you’ll put away the evil from you.
[6-10] If your kin or sister, the child of your mother, or your own child, or the wife that you love, or your friend, who’s as your own soul, tempt you secretly, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods, which you’ve not known, you, nor your ancestors; of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near to you, or far away from you, from one end of the earth to the other; Don’t agree to it, nor listen. Don’t pity that person, nor spare them, nor hide them, but you’ll, without a doubt, kill him; your hand will be first to put that person to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people. Put them to death with stones, because they’ve tried to draw you away from Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of hard work and slaving.
[11-16] All Israel will listen, and fear, and won’t do any more such evil as this which is done where you are. If you’ll hear about one of your cities, which Yahweh your God gives you to live there that some base evil people have gone out from you, and have drawn away the people of their city, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods, which you’ve not known; then you’ll look into it, and search and ask carefully; and see, if it’s true that such wrong has been done there. If so, then you’ll without a doubt kill the people of that city in war, destroying it completely, and everything that’s in it, including the livestock in the war. You’ll gather all its stuff into the middle of the street, and burn the city and everything in it with fire, to Yahweh your God. It’ll be a heap forever and never be built again.
[17-18] Don’t take anything of what is to be dedicated to God; that Yahweh may not be angry, and will show you mercy, have compassion on you, and let you have many children as was promised to your ancestors; when You listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and keep all God’s Laws which I tell you today, and do what’s right by Yahweh your God.
God’s Chosen People
14[1-2] You’re the people of Yahweh your God. Don’t cut yourselves, nor shave your head for the dead. You’re a holy people to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be God’s own people, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.
[3-8] Don’t eat anything that’s bad for you. These are the animals which you may safely eat: the tame bull, sheep, and goat, the deer, and the antelope, and the roebuck, the mountain goat, the wild ox, and the mountain sheep. You may eat every animal that has a parted hoof that splits in two, and chews the cud, among the animals. But don’t eat those that re-chew their food, or of those who have the split hoof like the camel, the hare, and the rabbit; because they re-chew their food but don’t have a split hoof, so they’re unfit for you. Don’t eat the pig, because it has a split hoof but doesn’t re-chew its food, so it’s unfit for you. Don’t eat of their meat, and don’t touch their dead bodies.
[9-21] These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales may you eat; and whatever doesn’t have fins and scales don’t eat; It’s unfit for you. All fit birds you may eat. But don’t eat the eagle, vulture, buzzard, hawk, the falcon, and raven after its kind, male or female ostriches, cuckoo, or any kind of bird of prey, owl, seagull, ibis, pelican, bustard, stork, heron, desert lark, and bat. Every insect with wings is unfit for you, so don’t eat them, but all fit birds you may eat. Don’t eat anything that dies naturally. You may give it to the foreigner living among you to eat who’s where you live; or you may sell it to a foreigner, but you’re a holy people to Yahweh your God. Don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk.
[22-26] Give ten percent of everything grown by your seed in the field each year. You’ll eat before Yahweh your God, in the place God chooses for God’s name to be, ten percent of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to respect Yahweh your God always. If the place is too long and too far from you so that you’re not able to carry it to where Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be, when Yahweh your God blesses you; then you’ll sell it for money, and take the money and go to the place where Yahweh your God chooses. There you’ll give the money for whatever you want, for bulls, sheep, wine, alcohol, or whatever else your soul asks of you; and you’ll eat there before Yahweh your God, and you and your family will be happy.
[27-29] Don’t leave the Levite who’s where you live because he has no part nor inheritance with you. At the end of every three years you’ll bring the one whole ten percent of what you have in the same year, and will save it up where you live. So the Levite, because he has no part nor inheritance with you, and the foreigner living among you, and the orphan, and the death survivor, who are where you live, will come, and eat and be satisfied; so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work that you do.
Help the Poor
15[1-6] At the end of every seven years you’ll make a release. This is the kind of release where every creditor will release what they’ve lent to their neighbor; and not demand it of the neighbor or a family member; because Yahweh’s release has been made known. You may demand it of a foreigner, but whatever of yours is with one of your own people, you’ll release it. If you carefully listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep and do all these judgments which I tell you today, there won’t be any poor with you because Yahweh will without a doubt bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for your own. Yahweh your God will bless you, as was promised you: and you’ll lend to many nations, but won’t borrow; you’ll rule over many nations, but they won’t rule over you.
[7-11] If there’s a poor person with you, one of your kin, where you live in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, don’t be hardhearted, nor shut your hand from your poor people; but you’ll without a doubt give to them, and lend them whatever they need. Don’t let there not be an evil thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand;” And you think evil against your poor. If you give them nothing and they cry to Yahweh against you, a sin to you. You’ll without a doubt give to them, and your heart won’t be grieved when you give to them; because Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to for what you did. For the poor will never be completely out of the land, so I tell you, saying, “you’ll without a doubt open your hand to your kin, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
[12-18] If your kin, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, and serves you for six years; then in the seventh year you’ll let them go free from you. When you let them go free from you, don’t let them go empty handed. Provide for them well out of your animals, and out of your gardens, and out of your winepress; as Yahweh your God has blessed you, so give to them. Remember that you were workers in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God freed you: so I tell you this thing today. But if they tell you, I won’t leave you; because they love you and your family, because they’ve been well taken care of with you; then you’ll pierce their ear, and they’ll be your worker forever. Do this to your male and female workers. It won’t seem hard to you, when you let them go free from you because they were worth double the price of hired worker and have served you six years, and Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.
[19-23] All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you’ll set apart for Yahweh your God. Do not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. You and your family will eat it before Yahweh your God each year in the place which Yahweh chooses. Don’t sacrifice it to Yahweh your God if it has anything at all wrong with it, as if it’s lame or blind, or has anything else wrong with it. You’ll eat it where you live. Both the unfit and the fit will eat it alike, just as an antelope or a deer. Only don’t eat its blood, but pour it out on the ground as water.
Keep the Passover
16[1-4] Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God in the month of Abib (March-April) because in the month of Abib Yahweh your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Sacrifice the Passover offering to Yahweh your God, out of the flock and the herd, in the place where Yahweh chooses for God’s name to be. You’ll eat no bread made with yeast with it because seven days you’ll eat flat bread, even the bread of trouble because you came out of the land of Egypt in a hurry, so that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt as long as you live. There will be no yeast seen with you wherever you live for seven days; nor will any of the meat, which you sacrifice the first day at evening, be left over until the morning.
[5-8] You may not sacrifice the Passover where you live, which Yahweh your God gives you; but at the place which Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be, you’ll sacrifice the Passover at evening, at sun set, at the season that you came out of Egypt. You’ll roast and eat it in the place which Yahweh your God chooses: and in the morning, go back to your tents. Six days you’ll eat flat bread; and on the seventh day will be a sacred assembly to Yahweh your God, in which you won’t do any work.
[9-12] Count seven weeks from the time you begin to cut the grain. You’ll keep the feast of weeks to Yahweh your God with a gift of a freewill offering of your hand, which you’ll give, according to how Yahweh your God blesses you. Then you’ll be happy before Yahweh your God, you, and your children, and your workers, and the Levite who’s where you live, and the foreigner, and the orphan, and the death survivor, who are with you, in the place where Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be. Remember that you were workers in Egypt, so keep and do these laws.
[13-17] You’ll keep the Celebration of Shelters seven days, after you’ve gathered in your harvest and made your wine: and you’ll be happy in your feast, you, and your children, and your workers, and the Levite, and the foreigner, and the orphan, and the death survivor, who are where you live. Seven days you’ll keep a feast to Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh chooses; because Yahweh your God will bless you in everything you grow, and in all the work of your hands, and you’ll be altogether happy. Three times a year your males will go before Yahweh your God in the place which God chooses, in the feast of flat bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the Celebration of Shelters. You won’t go before Yahweh empty-handed, but everyone will give as you’re able, according to the blessing Yahweh your God has given you.
[18-22] Make judges and officers where you live that Yahweh your God gives you, according to your family groups. They’ll judge the people with good judgment. Don’t be unfair. Don’t think about who a person is, nor take a bribe from anyone because a bribe closes the eyes of the wise, and changes the words of the good. Do only what’s fair so that you may live, and keep the land which Yahweh your God gives you. Don’t plant a grove of any kind of tree used for false worship beside the altar of Yahweh your God, which you’ll make, nor set up any false god, which Yahweh your God hates.
Don’t Worship False Gods
17[1-7] Don’t sacrifice to Yahweh your God a bull, or a sheep, which has something wrong with it, because that’s wrong to Yahweh your God. If there’s found with you, where you live which Yahweh your God gives you, someone who does what’s evil to Yahweh your God, in disobeying the promised agreement, and has gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the heavenly bodies, which I haven’t told you to do; and it’s told you, and you’ve heard of it, then you’ll carefully ask about it; and see, if it’s true. If you’re sure that such wrong was done in Israel, then you’ll bring forth that person, who has done this evil thing, to your courts, and you’ll put them to death with stones. At the word of two or three witnesses, will the one who’s to die be put to death; at the word of only one witness They won’t be put to death. The witnesses will be the first ones to put them to death, and afterward all the rest of the people. So you’ll put the evil away from you.
[8-13] If there’s anything too hard for you to judge as to who’s guilty in a death, or who’s right or wrong, or who hit who first in a fight, and there’s a difference of opinion where you live; then you’ll go up to the place which Yahweh your God chooses; and you’ll come to the preachers, the Levites, and to the judge who’s ruling at that time: and you’ll ask; and they’ll give the sentence of judgment. Do whatever the sentence which they give you is from that place which Yahweh chooses; and do whatever they say to you. Do just what the law which they teach you means, and according to the judgment which they tell you. Don’t change from the sentence which they give you. Anyone who thinks they know better and doesn’t listen to the preacher who stands to minister before Yahweh your God, or to the judge, will die; so put away that evil from Israel. All the people will hear about it, and fear God’s judgment, and won’t do this anymore.
[14-20] When you come to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and take ownership of it, and live in it, and say, “I’ll set a ruler over me, like all the nations that are around me;” You’ll without a doubt set a ruler over you, whom Yahweh your God chooses. When you set a ruler over you, it must be one of your kin; you may not put a foreigner over you, who isn’t of your kin. Only the ruler must not have many horses, nor cause the people to go back to Egypt to get many horses; because Yahweh has told you, “From now on you won’t go back there anymore.” Nor will the ruler have many wives that will turn his heart away; nor will the ruler have much silver and gold. When the ruler takes power on the throne, a copy of this law will be written in a book, from what’s before the preachers, the Levites. The ruler will keep it, and read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to respect Yahweh God, to keep all the words of this law and to do these laws, so that he won’t believe himself to be better than his people, and won’t turn away from the judgments, and so he may prolong his rule, he and his children, in Israel.
The Promised One
18[1-8] The preachers, the Levites, all the family group of Levi, will have no part, nor inheritance with Israel. They’ll eat God’s share of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. They’ll have no inheritance among their kin: Yahweh is their inheritance, as God has told them. The shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach muscles will be the preachers’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it’s a bull or a sheep that they give to the preacher. Give the first part of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first of the wool of your sheep. For Yahweh your God has chosen these out of all your family groups, to stand to minister in the name of Yahweh forever. If a Levite comes from anywhere in Israel, where he lives as a foreigner, and comes to the place which Yahweh chooses and wants to serve with all his heart; then he’ll minister in the name of Yahweh God, as all his kin, the Levites do, who stand before Yahweh. They’ll eat the same parts as the others do, besides what comes of the sale of whatever he owns.
[9-14] When you come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, don’t learn to do the wrongs of those nations. Don’t let there be found with you anyone who kills their children for a sacrifice, anyone who seeks knowledge by supernatural means, or uses witchcraft, or casts spells, or uses magic, or magic charms, a fortune teller or anyone who talks to the dead, or prays to a false god. For whoever does these things wrongs Yahweh; and because of these wrongs, Yahweh your God drives them out from before you. Let Yahweh your God be enough for you to be complete. For these nations that you’ll take ownership of listen to those who practice witchcraft, and try to get knowledge by supernatural means; but as for you, Yahweh your God won’t let you do so.
[15-19] Yahweh your God will raise up for you a great Preacher from you, out of your own kin, like me; who you’ll listen to; just like you wanted of Yahweh your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Don’t let us hear the voice of Yahweh God again, nor let us see this great fire any more, that we don’t die.” So Yahweh said to me, “What they’ve said is good. I’ll raise them up a great Preacher from among their kin, like you; who I’ll give My words to, and who will tell them all that I say. And whoever won’t listen to My words which are said in My name by that Preacher, will be responsible for it.
[20-22] But the great preacher, who speaks a word in My name without knowledge, which I haven’t told him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, will die. If you say in your heart, “How will we know the word which Yahweh hasn’t spoken?” When a great preacher speaks in the name of Yahweh, if what’s said doesn’t happen, that’s what Yahweh hasn’t spoken and that preacher has said it without knowledge, so Don’t be scared of him.
Cities of Refuge
19[1-6] When Yahweh your God will cut off the nations, whose land Yahweh your God gives you, and you take their place, and live in their cities, and in their houses; set apart three cities for you with your land, which Yahweh your God gives you for your own. Make roads, and divide your land which Yahweh your God gives you into three parts, that every killer may run there. The killer, who kills someone by accident, and didn’t hate them in the past, should go there to live. An example would be when someone goes into the forest with a friend to cut wood, and he swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the head of the axe flies off the handle, and hits the friend, who dies. That person will run to one of these cities and live, in case someone whose angry wants revenge and chases the killer and catches them, because it takes them too long to get there, and kills them when they weren’t worthy of death, because they didn’t hate the person who was killed in the past.
[7-13] So I tell you, set apart three cities for you. If Yahweh your God adds to your land, as God has promised your ancestors, and gives you all the land which was promised to your ancestors; and if you’ll keep all these judgments and do them, which I tell you today, to love Yahweh your God, and to follow God’s ways; then you’ll add three more cities for you, besides these three, so that innocent blood won’t be shed in your land, which Yahweh your God gives you for your own, and so you won’t be guilty of innocent blood. But if anyone hates someone, and plans to kill them, and rises up against them, and kills them, and runs into one of these cities; then the elders of the city where it happened will send for and bring that person back, and turn them over to the one who wants revenge to be killed. Don’t pity that person, but put away the one who took innocent blood from Israel, so that you’ll be blessed.
[14-21] Don’t remove someone’s landmark, which they’ve set up in the past, in your land which you’ll inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God gives you for your own. One witness won’t rise up against someone for any fault or sin, in any sin that’s done. Only at the word of two or three witnesses will anything be thought to be true. If a liar rises up against anyone to testify against them of wrong-doing, then both of those who are fighting will stand before Yahweh, before the preachers and the judges who rule at the time. The judges will carefully ask questions and see if the person is lying, and has testified falsely against the other; then you’ll do to that person what they planned to do to the other, so you’ll put away the evil from you. Those who are left will hear about it, and fear judgment, and won’t do such evil anymore. Don’t pity them; whatever they planned to do to the other, do to them.
Various Laws
20[1-8] When you go to war against your enemies, and see all their equipment, and that they’ve more people than you, Don’t be scared of them because Yahweh your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. When you go near to the battlefield, the preacher will go up and speak to the people, and will tell them, “Listen, Israel, today you’re going to fight your enemies: don’t be fainthearted; Don’t be scared, nor shake in fear, nor be scared of them because Yahweh your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and save you.” The officers will speak to the people, saying, “Who is there who has built a new house, and hasn’t dedicated it? Let them go home, in case they die in the battle, and someone else dedicate it. Who is there who has planted a garden, and hasn’t gathered in its harvest? Let them go home, in case they die in the battle, and another gets it. Who is there who has promised to be married, and hasn’t done it? Let them go home, in case they die in the battle, and someone else marries their promised one. The officers will speak further to the people, and say, Who is there who’s scared and fainthearted? Let them go home, in case they influence the others.
[9-15] When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they’ll appoint troop leaders to lead the people. When you near a city to fight against it, then try to make peace to it. If it makes peace, and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it will pay taxes to you, and will serve you. If it won’t make peace with you, but make war against you instead, then you’ll surround it. When Yahweh your God gives it into your power, you’ll kill every male, but the women, and the little ones, and the livestock, and all the stuff that’s in the city, you’ll take for yourself; and you’ll eat the food of your enemies, which Yahweh your God has given you. Do this to all the cities which are very far away from you, which aren’t of the cities of these nations.
[16-20] But of the cities of these peoples, that Yahweh your God gives you for your own, don’t save alive anything that breathes; but completely destroy them: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; as Yahweh your God has told you so that they won’t teach you to do the wrong things, which they’ve done for their gods; so you would sin against Yahweh your God. When you surround a city to take it for a long time, while making war against it, don’t destroy the trees around it by taking an axe to them. You may eat of them, so don’t cut them down. The tree of the field isn’t a person that it should be destroyed by you. Destroy and cut down only the trees which you know aren’t trees for food; and you’ll build towers to attack the city that makes war with you, until it falls.
Various Laws
21[1-4] If someone is found killed in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for your own, lying in the field, and it isn’t known who has attacked them; then your elders and your judges will come forth, and they’ll measure to the cities which are around the one who’s been killed and the elders of that city which is nearest to the killed one will take a cow of the herd, which hasn’t been worked with or pulled a yoke; and the elders of that city will bring down the cow to a valley with a running creek, which isn’t used for farming, and will break the cow’s neck there in the valley.
[5-9] The preachers, the sons of Levi, will come near because they’ve been chosen by Yahweh your God to minister to God, and to bless in the name of Yahweh; and every argument and every fight will be decided by them. All the elders of that city, who are nearest to the killed one, will wash their hands over the cow whose neck was broken in the valley; and they’ll say, “Our hands haven’t shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it. Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you’ve freed, and don’t let your people Israel be guilty of innocent blood.” Then the blood will be forgiven them. So you’ll put away the innocent blood from you, when you do what’s right to Yahweh.
[10-14] When you go to battle against your enemies, and Yahweh your God gives them into your power, and you take them captive, and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you want her, and would take her as a wife; then you’ll bring her home to your house; and she’ll shave her head, and cut her nails; and she’ll take off her clothing that she was captured in, and will stay in your house, and mourn her family a full month. After that you can have sex with her, and be her husband, and she’ll be your wife. If you don’t like her, then you’ll let her go wherever she wants to; but don’t sell her at all for money. Don’t deal with her as a slave, because you’ve disgraced her.
[15-17] If someone has two wives, one loved, and the other hated, and both the loved and the hated have had children; and if the firstborn child belongs to the one who was hated; then when the children inherit what the father has, he may not make the child of the loved get the inheritance of the firstborn over the child of the hated, who’s the firstborn. He’ll acknowledge the firstborn, the child of the hated, by giving that child a double part of everything because the firstborn is the first of his strength and has the right of the firstborn.
[18-21] If someone has a stubborn and rebellious child, who won’t obey the parents, and though they discipline the child, the child won’t listen to them; then the parents will bring the child to the elders of the city, to a public place and tell the elders of the city, “This child is stubborn and rebellious, and won’t obey our voice and is worthless, and lives for pleasure.” Then everyone of the city will put the child to death. So you’ll put away the evil from you; and all Israel will Listen, and fear that judgment.
[22-23] If someone has done a sin worthy of death, and they’re put to death by hanging; the body won’t be left hanging all night, but you’ll without a doubt bury it the same day because the one who’s hanged is punished by God. Do this so that you don’t make your land unfit which Yahweh your God gives you for your own.
Various Laws
22[1-4] Don’t watch another’s bull or sheep go astray, and look the other way. You’ll without a doubt bring them back. If they don’t live near you, or if you don’t know them, then you’ll bring it home to your house until they come after it, and then you’ll give it back. Do this with a donkey as well; and with a piece of clothing; and anything else that’s lost by someone that you’ve found. You may not look the other way. Don’t see your kin’s donkey or his bull fallen down somewhere, and look the other way. Without a doubt, you’ll help it get up again.
[5] A woman won’t wear men’s clothing, nor will a man wear women’s clothing because whoever does these things does a wrong to Yahweh God.
[6-7] If you find a bird’s nest before you somewhere, in a tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, don’t take the hen with the young. Without a doubt, let the hen go, but you may take the young for yourself; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.
[8] When you build a new house, make a rail around your roof, so that you won’t be guilty of blood, if anyone falls from there.
[9-10] Don’t plant your garden with two kinds of seed, in case the seed which you’ve planted, and what the garden would have made be lost. Don’t plow with a bull and a donkey together.
[11-12] Don’t wear clothes with wool and linen mixed. Make tassels on the four corners of your outer coat.
Various Sexual Laws
[13-17] If a man takes a wife, and has sex with her, and hates her, and says shameful things about her, and gives her a bad name, and says, “I married this woman, and when I came to her, she wasn’t a virgin;” Then the parents of the young lady will bring the sheet of the young lady’s virginity to the elders of the city in the gate; and the young lady’s father will tell the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man to wife, and he hates her; and has said shameful things about her, saying, “‘She wasn’t a virgin;’ and yet here is the sheet of my daughter’s virginity.” And they’ll spread the sheet before the elders of the city.
[18-21] Then the elders of that city will take the man and punish him; and fine him one hundred silver coins, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has brought a bad name on a virgin of Israel. She’ll be his wife and he may never divorce her. But if it’s true, that the sheet of her virginity wasn’t found for the young lady; then they’ll bring the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city will put her to death, because she’s done wrong in Israel to be unfaithful in her father’s house. So you’ll put away evil from you.
[22-27] If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both the man who slept with the woman and the woman will die. So put away the evil from Israel. If there’s a young lady who’s a virgin that’s promised to be married to a husband, and another man finds her in the city, and has sex with her; then you’ll bring them both out to a public place of that city, and put them to death; the lady, because she didn’t scream for help, being in the city; and the man, because he’s disgraced another man’s promised wife. So put away the evil from you. But if a man finds a lady who’s promised to be married out in the countryside, and forces her to have sex; then only he will die. Do nothing to her because she’s done no sin worthy of death. This matter is like when someone comes against another to kill them because he found the lady who was promised to be married out in the countryside, but when she screamed for help there wasn’t anyone there to save her.
[28-29] If a man finds a lady who’s a virgin, but who’s not promised to be married, and has sex with her, and they’re caught; then the one who lay with her will give to the lady’s father fifty silver coins, and she’ll be his wife, because he has disgraced her and he may never divorce her.
[30] A man won’t have sex with his stepmother or shame his father by having sex with a woman belonging to his father.
Various Worship Laws
23[1-2] A man who’s wounded in the testicles, or has his private part cut off, won’t go into the assembly of Yahweh. An illegitimate child won’t go into the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation will none of their children go into the assembly of Yahweh.
[3-5] An Ammonite or a Moabite won’t go into the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation let none belonging to them go into the assembly of Yahweh, because they didn’t meet you with bread and water when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, against you to punish you. But Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam and turned the punishment into a blessing for you, because Yahweh your God loved you. So don’t try to make peace with them, nor help them at all, forever.
[7-8] Don’t hate an Edomite because they’re your kin. Don’t hate an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in their land. The people who are born of the third generation to them will go into the assembly of Yahweh.
[9-14] When you go against your enemies, then keep from everything that’s evil. If there’s anyone among you, who’s not fit because of something that happened at night, then they’ll go out of the camp, and not come back. But when evening comes at sun down, they’ll take a bath and come back to camp. Also, have a place outside of camp, where you’ll go to relieve yourself. Have a shovel among your weapons and when you sit down, dig a hole, and cover up your waste, because Yahweh your God walks with you in your camp to save you, and to put your enemies into your power. So your camp will be holy, that God may not see anything unfit in you, and turn away from you.
[15-16] Don’t give back a worker who ran away from the owner to you. They’ll live with you, wherever they want to live on your property. Don’t abuse them.
[17-18] Don’t let there be prostitutes among the daughters of Israel, nor let there be homosexual prostitutes among the sons of Israel. Don’t bring the money of a prostitute, or a homosexual prostitute, into the house of Yahweh your God for any promise because both of these are wrong to Yahweh your God.
[19-20] Don’t lend on interest to your kin; interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that’s lent on interest. You may lend to a foreigner on interest, but don’t lend to your kin on interest, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you do in the land where you go to take for your own.
[21-23] When you make a promise to Yahweh your God, don’t neglect to do it, because Yahweh your God will, without a doubt, hold you responsible for it; and it would be a sin to you not to keep it. But if you don’t make any promises, you won’t sin. Whatever you say you’ll keep and do; just as you’ve promised to Yahweh your God, an offering of your own freewill, which you’ve promised with your own mouth.
[24-25] When you come into someone’s vineyard, then you may eat your fill of grapes at your own pleasure; but don’t take any away with you. When you come into someone’s garden, then you may pick the crop with your hand; but don’t go in to use a tool to harvest their crop.
Various Marital Laws
24[1-4] When someone takes a wife, and marries her, then if she isn’t loved, because he has found something wrong with her, then he’ll write her a bill of divorce, and give it to her, and send her out of his house. When she has left his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. If the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorce, and give it to her, and send her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife; her first husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she’s been made unfit because that’s wrong to Yahweh. Don’t cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for your own.
[5] When someone takes a new wife, he’ll not go out in the army, nor will he be given a job to do, but he’ll be free at home one year, and will make the wife he has taken happy.
[6] No one will take what someone needs to make a living for a promise; then you would take someone’s life for a promise.
[7] If someone is found taking any of his kin of the people of Israel, and treats them as a slave, or sells them; then that thief will die. So put away the evil from you.
[8-9] Be careful with the disease of leprosy, that you carefully keep, and do all that the preachers, the Levites, teach you. Just as I told them, so you’ll do. Remember what Yahweh your God did to Miriam, on the way as you came out of Egypt.
[10-13] When you lend someone any kind of loan, don’t go into their house to get what was promised. You’ll stand outside, and the one to whom you lend will bring out what was promised to you. If it’s a poor person, don’t keep their property overnight; you’ll without a doubt give back what they own when the sun goes down, so that they may have use of it, and bless you: and you will be thought of as good by Yahweh your God.
[14-15] Don’t abuse hired workers who are poor and needy, whether they’re your kin or a foreigner who is in your land where you live. Give them what they earn each day, and don’t let the sun go down on it because they’re poor, and set their heart on it: in case they cry against you to Yahweh. It’s sin to you.
[16] The parents won’t be put to death for the children, nor will the children be put to death for the parents, but everyone will be put to death for their own sin.
[17-18] Don’t judge a foreigner, or an orphan’s case wrongly, nor take a death survivor’s clothing for a pledge; but remember that you were workers in Egypt, and Yahweh your God freed you there: so I tell you to do this.
[19-21] When you gather in your harvest, and have forgot a sheaf in the field, don’t go back to get it, but leave it for the foreigner, the orphan, and the death survivor; so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you do. When you beat your olive tree, don’t go over the branches again, but leave what’s left for the foreigner, the orphan, and the death survivor. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, don’t pick it again afterwards. Leave it for the foreigner, the orphan, and the death survivor.
[22] Remember that you were workers in the land of Egypt. This is why I tell you to do this.
The Laws Continue
25[1-3] If there’s an argument between two people, and they come to judgment, and the judges judge them; then they’ll justify the one who’s right, and punish the one who’s wrong. If the one who’s wrong deserves to be beaten, the judge will make them lie down, and be beaten in front of him, the number of times the wrong deserves. He may give no more than forty stripes; in case, if he should go over this, and give many more stripes, then you would be ashamed of one of your people.
[4] Don’t keep the bull from eating from the grain when it works in it.
[5-10] If brothers live together, and one of them dies, and has no children, the wife of the dead won’t be married outside the family to a stranger, but her brother-in-law will marry her, and have sex with her, and do the duty of a brother-in-law to her, so that the firstborn whom she has will take the name of the one who died, so that his name won’t be lost to Israel. If the brother-in-law doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife will go to a public place before the elders, and say, “My brother-in-law refuses to give me a child in his brother’s name for Israel; he won’t do the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” Then the elders of the city will call him, and speak to him and if he still says, “I don’t want to take her; then his brother’s wife will come to him along with the elders, and shame him, and spit in his face; and say, “So it will be done to the one who doesn’t build up his brother’s family.” And his name will be called in Israel, “The house of him who has been shamed.”
[11-12 ] When men fight with one another, and the wife of one comes to save her husband from the one who’s fighting him, and grabs him by the private part; then you’ll cut off her hand, and have no pity.
[13-16] Don’t practice dishonesty either in business or at home. Be fair so that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. For all who do dishonest things, do evil, and are wrong to Yahweh God.
[17] Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt; how he met you on the road, and attacked all those in the rear, all those who were weak who fell behind you, when you were faint and tired; and he didn’t fear God. So when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for your own, wipe Amalek’s memory from off the face of the earth; Don’t forget.
Be Happy in What God Gives You
26[1-10] When you come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you for your own, and take ownership of it, and live in it, take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you bring in from your land that Yahweh your God gives you; and put it in a basket, and go to the place which Yahweh your God chooses for God’s name to be. Come to the preacher who will rule at that time, and tell him, “I say today to Yahweh my God, that I’m come to the land which Yahweh promised to our ancestors to give us.” The preacher will take the basket out of your hand, and set it down before the altar of Yahweh your God. Then say before Yahweh your God, “My father was a Syrian ready to die; and he went down into Egypt, and stayed there, few in number; and he became a nation there, great and strong, with many people. The Egyptians treated us badly and troubled us, and gave us hard work to do: and we cried to Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, and Yahweh heard our voice, and saw our troubles, hard work, and abuse; and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with great power, and force, and with great terror, and with signs, and with amazing things; and he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land full of milk and honey. Now, See, I’ve brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, Yahweh, have given me.” Then you’ll set it down before Yahweh your God, and worship Yahweh God.
[11-15] Be happy in all the good which Yahweh your God has given to you and your family, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who’s with you. When you’ve given ten percent of what you have in the third year, which is the year when this is done, then you’ll give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the death survivor, that they may eat where you live, and be filled. You’ll say before Yahweh your God, “I’ve brought the holy things out of my house, and have given them to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the death survivor, according to all Your judgments which you’ve told me: I haven’t disobeyed any of your Laws, nor have I forgotten them. I haven’t eaten of it when in mourning, nor have I taken any of it for use when unfit, nor given any of it for the dead. I’ve listened to the voice of Yahweh my God; I’ve done all that you’ve told me. Look down from your holy place in heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you’ve given us, as you promised to our ancestors, a land full of milk and honey.”
[16-19] Today Yahweh your God tells you to do these laws and rules, so keep and do them with all your heart and soul. You’ve told Yahweh today to be your God, and said that you would follow God’s ways, and keep God’s laws, judgments, and rules, and listen to God’s words: and Yahweh has told you today to be a people worthy to be called God’s own, as was promised you, and that you should keep all God’s Laws. So God will put you high above all nations that God has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, so that you may be a holy people to Yahweh your God, just as God said.
Write the Laws
27[1-3] Moses and the elders of Israel told the people, saying, “Keep all the judgments which I tell you today. On the day that you pass over the Jordan to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, set up great stones, and plaster them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law, when you pass over; so that you may go in to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, a land full of milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.
[4-8] When you pass over the Jordan, set up these stones, which I tell you today, in Mount Ebal, and you’ll plaster them with plaster. There you’ll build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. Don’t use any kind of iron tool on them. Build the altar of Yahweh your God of uncut stones; and offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God. Sacrifice your peace offerings, and eat there; and you’ll be happy before Yahweh your God. Clearly write all the words of this law on the stones.”
[9-10] Moses and the preachers, the Levites, told all Israel, saying, “Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you’ve become the people of Yahweh your God. So obey the voice of Yahweh your God, and do God’s Laws and rules, which I tell you today.”
[11-13] Moses told the people the same day, saying, “These will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you’ve passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali will stand on Mount Ebal for the punishment.”
[14-15] The Levites will tell all the people of Israel with a loud voice, “Punishment will come to the one who makes a false god, which is a wrong to Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsperson, and sets it up in secret. All the people will answer and say, Amen.
[16] Punishment will come to the one who dishonors his father or mother. All the people will say, Amen.
[17] Punishment will come to the one who removes someone’s landmark. All the people will say, Amen.
[18] Punishment will come to the one who makes the blind go astray. All the people will say, Amen.
[19] Punishment will come to those who are unfair in judgment to the foreigner, orphan, and death survivor. All the people will say, Amen.
[20] Punishment will come to the one who has sex with his step mother, because he has shamed his father. All the people will say, Amen.
[21] Punishment will come to the one who has sex with any kind of animal. All the people will say, Amen.
[22] Punishment will come to the one who has sex with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. All the people will say, Amen.
[23] Punishment will come to the one who has sex his mother-in-law. All the people will say, Amen.
[24] Punishment will come to the one who kills someone in secret. All the people will say, Amen.
[25] Punishment will come to the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person. All the people will say, Amen.
[26] Punishment will come to the one who doesn’t agree to do the words of this law. All the people will say, Amen.
The Blessing and the Punishment
28[1-2] If you’ll listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep and do all God’s Laws which I tell you today, then Yahweh your God will set you above all the nations of the earth and all these blessings will come on you, and overtake you, if you’ll listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
[3] You’ll be blessed in the city, and you’ll be blessed in the field.
[4] Blessed will be your children, and the crops you grow in your ground, and the offspring of your animals, the young of your herd, and the young of your flock.
[5] Blessed will be your food supply.
[6] You’ll be blessed when you come in, and you’ll be blessed when you go out.
[7] Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be punished before you. They’ll come against you one way, but will run from you seven ways.
[8] Yahweh will put a blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you do; and will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
[9-10] Yahweh will make you a holy people for God’s own self, as was promised to you; if you’ll keep the Laws of Yahweh your God, and follow God’s ways. All the peoples of the earth will see that you’re called by the name of Yahweh; and they’ll be scared of you.
[11-12] Yahweh will make you have plenty of everything good, your children, the offspring of your animals, and in the crops you grow in your ground, in the land which Yahweh promised to your ancestors to give you. Yahweh will open to you the riches of heaven, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You’ll lend to many nations, and won’t borrow.
[13-14] Yahweh will make you the first, and not the last; and you’ll be above everyone, and won’t be beneath anyone; if you’ll listen to the Laws of Yahweh your God, which I tell you today, to keep and do them, and don’t turn away from any of the words which I tell you today, to go after and serve other gods.
[15] But it will happen, if you won’t listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep and do all God’s Laws and rules which I tell you today, that all these punishments will come on you, and overcome you.
[16] You’ll be punished in the city, and you’ll be punished in the field.
[17] Punished will be your food supply.
[18] Punished will be your children, and the crops you grow in your ground, and the offspring of your animals, and the young of your flock.
[19] You’ll be punished when you come in, and when you go out.
[20] Yahweh will send on you punishment, confusion, and correction, in all that you set out to do, until you’re destroyed, and until you die quickly; because of the evil of what you do, by which you’ve been unfaithful to Me.
[21-22] Yahweh will make you have diseases, until you’re destroyed from off the land, where you go in for your own. Yahweh will hit you with disease, fever, swelling, burning pain, war, and with fungus and mildew; which will come to you until you die.
[23-24] Your sky that’s over your head will be as hot and shining as brass, and the earth that’s under you will be as hard as iron. Yahweh will make the rain of your land clouds of dust, which will come down on you from the sky, until you’re destroyed.
[25] Yahweh will cause you to be punished before your enemies; you’ll come against them one way, and will run from them seven ways; and you’ll be spread all over the earth.
[26] Your dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth; and there won’t be anyone to scare them away.
[27] Yahweh will give you the swelling sores of Egypt, tumors, scabs, and an itch, of which you can’t be healed.
[28] Yahweh will make you go crazy, and blind you, and shock your heart; you’ll be searching in broad daylight like a blind person feels around in dark; you won’t do well in anything you do; you’ll always be abused and ruined, and there won’t be anyone to save you.
[30] You’ll get engaged and another will have sex with your mate. You’ll build a house and won’t live in it. You’ll plant a garden and won’t use any of the food from it. Your bull will be killed before your eyes, and you won’t eat any of it. Your donkey will be violently taken away from you and won’t be given back to you. Your animals will be given to your enemies and you won’t have anyone to save you.
[32] Your children will be given to another people; and your eyes will look and fail with longing for them all day long; and you’ll have no control over anything.
[33-34] A nation which you don’t know will eat the crops of your ground, and destroy all of your work; and you’ll always be abused and ruined; so that you’ll be crazy from what your eyes see.
[35] Yahweh will give you swelling sores, of which you can’t be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head.
[36-37] Yahweh will bring you and your ruler whom you set over you, to a nation that you’ve not known, you nor your ancestors, where you’ll serve false gods of wood and stone. All the peoples where Yahweh will lead you away will be shocked by you, have bad sayings about you, and will make fun of you.
[38-40] You’ll plant many seeds in the field, but will gather little in because the locust will eat it. You’ll plant vineyards and keep them, but you won’t drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes because the grubs will eat them. You’ll have olive trees all over your land, but won’t rub the oil on yourself because your olive tree will drop its fruit.
[41] You’ll father children, but they won’t be yours because they’ll be taken by others.
[42] The locusts will take over all your trees and the fruit of your ground.
[43] The foreigner who lives with you will become more and more powerful than you; while you have less and less control. They’ll lend to you, and you won’t be able to lend to them. They’ll be first, and you’ll be last.
[45-48] All these punishments will come on you, and will chase you, and overtake you, until you’re destroyed because you didn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep God’s Laws and rules which God told you. These punishments will come to you and your children forever as a sign and an amazing thing because you didn’t serve Yahweh your God with happiness, and weren’t pleased in your hearts because of all the things you had. So you’ll serve your enemies whom Yahweh will send against you, in hunger, thirst, nakedness, and in need of all things. God will take complete control of you until you’re destroyed.
[49-52] Yahweh will bring a far nation against you, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies; a nation whose language you won’t understand; a nation that looks harshly at you and won’t respect the old, nor show kindness to the young, and will eat the offspring of your animals, and the fruit of your ground, until you’re destroyed; that also won’t leave you grain, new wine, or oil, the offspring of your livestock, or the young of your flock, until they’ve caused you to die. They’ll surround you in all your cities, until your high and strongly built walls come down, in which you trusted, throughout all your land; and they’ll make war against you in all your cities throughout all your land, which Yahweh your God has given you.
[53] You’ll eat the meat of your own children which come from your own body, whom Yahweh your God has given you, in the time of war and trouble when your enemies will abuse you.
[54-55] The men who’s the gentlest and kindest among you, will turn against their own siblings, and against their own wives, and what’s left of their children; and won’t share with them any of the meat of the children they eat, because they don’t have anything left, in the war and trouble when your enemy abuses you in all your cities.
[56-57] The gentlest and kindest woman among you, who wouldn’t even set the sole of her foot on the ground for gentleness and kindness, will turn against her husband who she loved, and her children, and even her own babies. Yes, she’ll turn against her own children whom she’ll hold and secretly eat them out of need, in the war and in the trouble when your enemy will abuse you in your cities.
[58-59] If you won’t do all the words of this law that are written in this book, so that you may respect this well-known and fearful name, YAHWEH YOUR GOD; then Yahweh will make your troubles shocking, and the problems of your children will be very great troubles that last a long time, and they’ll have great sicknesses that last a long time.
[60-62] God will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, which you were scared of; and they’ll come on you. Also every sickness and trouble, which isn’t written in the book of this law, Yahweh will bring on you, until you’re destroyed. You’ll be left few in number, while you had as many people as the stars in the sky; because you didn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
[63-64] As Yahweh is happy to do good to you, and to make you grow, so Yahweh will be happy to cause you to die, and to destroy you; and you’ll be taken from off the land where you go in to take for your own. Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other; and there you’ll serve false gods, which you’ve not known, you nor your ancestors, of wood and stone.
[65-66] You won’t have any peace among these nations, and there’ll be no rest for you. There, Yahweh will give you great fear, and you’ll lose all hope, and have no spirit left. You won’t know if you’ll live or die; and you’ll be scared night and day, and won’t have any guarantee of your life.
[67-68] In the morning you’ll say, I wish it were evening! and at evening you’ll say, I wish it were morning! for the fear you have in your heart, and for the things you see with your eyes. Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the road of which I said to you, “You won’t see it anymore.” There you’ll offer yourselves to work for your enemies, and no one will hire you.
Keep the Agreement with Yahweh
29[1-4] These are the words of the promised agreement which Yahweh told Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the promised agreement which was made with them in Horeb. Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “You’ve seen all that Yahweh did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Ruler of Egypt, and to all his workers, and to all his land; the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and the great amazing things. But Yahweh hasn’t given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to listen, until today.
[5-6] I’ve led you forty years in the countryside. Your clothes haven’t grown old on you, and your shoes haven’t grown old on your feet. You haven’t eaten bread, nor drunk wine or alcohol, so that you may know that I’m Yahweh your God.
[7-8] When you came to this place, Sihon the ruler of Heshbon, and Og the ruler of Bashan, came out against us to fight, and we attacked them and took their land, and gave it to you, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and to the half-family group of the Manassites.
[9-10] So keep the words of this promised agreement, and do them, that you may do well in all that you do. All of you stand today before Yahweh your God; your leaders, your family groups, your elders, and your officers, and all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and your foreigner who’s with your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who gets your water; that you may make the promised agreement with Yahweh your God, and accept God’s promise, which Yahweh your God makes with you today; that God may make you today a people to be God’s own people, and that Yahweh may be to you a God, as was told you, and as was promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
[14-19] Not with you only do I make this promised agreement, but with all those who stand here with us today before Yahweh our God, and also with those who’s not yet here with us today (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the nations through which you passed. You’ve seen their wrongs, and their false gods of wood, stone, silver and gold, which were among them. I tell you this in case there should be anyone among you, man or woman, family or family group, whose heart turns away today from Yahweh our God, to go and serve the false gods of those nations; And in case there should be among you a poisoned root of anger, who hears the words of this punishment, and says to themselves in their hearts, “I’ll have peace, even though I do what I want to do” , which would destroy us all.
[20-21] Yahweh won’t spare them, but the anger of Yahweh’s jealousy will burn against that one, and all the punishment that’s written in this book will fall on them, and Yahweh will wipe out their name from the earth. Yahweh will set them apart for punishment out of all the family groups of Israel, according to all the punishments of the promised agreement that’s written in this Book of the Law.
[22-24] The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land, will ask, when they see the troubles of that land, and the sicknesses with which Yahweh has made it sick; and that the whole land is sulfur, and salt, and burning, that it’s not planted, nor grows anything, nor has any grass growing in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Yahweh angrily overthrew in God’s great anger; Yes, all the nations will ask, “Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”
[25-28] Then they’ll say, “It was because they didn’t keep the promised agreement of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, which was made with them when God brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went and served other gods, and worshiped them, false gods that they didn’t know, and that God hadn’t given to them. So Yahweh was angry at this land, and brought on it all the punishment that’s written in this book; and Yahweh rooted them out of their land in anger and in rage, being greatly offended, and sent them into another land, as at today.”
[29] Yahweh our God doesn’t tell us everything; but what God has told us is ours and our children’s forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Choose Life
30[1-3] When all these things are come on you, the blessing and the punishment, which I’ve set before you, and you remember them among all the nations, where Yahweh your God has driven you, if you’ll go back to Yahweh your God, and obey God’s words according to all that I tell you today, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; then Yahweh your God will turn these things around for you, and have compassion on you, and will gather you back from all the peoples, where Yahweh your God has scattered you.
[4-5] If any of you are in the farthest parts of the universe, Yahweh your God will gather you from there, and bring you back: and Yahweh your God will bring you back into the land which your ancestors took ownership of, and you’ll take ownership of it; and God will do good to you, and make you have more people than your ancestors.
[6] Yahweh your God will break your heart, and the heart of your children, to make you love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, so that you may live.
[7] Then Yahweh your God will put all these punishments on your enemies, and on those who hate you, who abused you.
[8] You’ll go back and obey the voice of Yahweh, and do all God’s Laws which I tell you today.
[9-10] Yahweh your God will make you have plenty from all that you do. You’ll have many children, and many offspring from your animals, and plenty of food from your ground, for your good. Yahweh will again be happy over you for good, as God was happy over your ancestors; if you obey the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep God’s Laws and rules which are written in this Book of Law; if you turn to Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.
[11-14] This judgment, which I tell you today, isn’t too hard for you to do, nor is it far away. It’s not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, and make us hear it, that we may do it?” Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and make us hear it, that we may do it?” But the word is very near you. You can say the word with your mouth, and you know it in your heart, that you may do it.
[15-16] See, today, I’ve set before you life and good, death and bad; in that I tell you today to love Yahweh your God, to follow God’s ways, and to keep God’s Laws, judgments, and rules, that you may live and grow, and that Yahweh your God may bless you in the land where you go to take for your own.
[17-18] But if your heart turns away, and you won’t listen, but follow after those who tempt you to worship other gods, and serve them; I tell to you today, that you’ll, without a doubt, die and won’t stay long in the land, where you pass over the Jordan to take for your own.
[19-20] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I’ve set before you life and death, the blessing and the punishment: so choose life, so that you and your children may live. Love Yahweh your God and obey God’s words, and hold on to God, who is your very life, and will give you long life; that you may live in the land which Yahweh promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Last Words of Moses
31[1-3] Moses said these words to all Israel, I’m 120 years old today; I can’t come and go any more. Yahweh has said to me, “Don’t go over the Jordan.” Yahweh your God will lead you and will destroy the nations from before you, and you’ll take ownership of them: and Joshua will lead you, as Yahweh has said.
[4-5] Yahweh will do to them as Sihon and Og, the rulers of the Amorites, and their land; whom God destroyed. Yahweh will give them to you, and you’ll do to them all the judgments which I’ve told you.
[6] Be strong and brave, Don’t be scared or scared of them because Yahweh your God is the One who goes with you and won’t fail you, nor leave you.
[7-8] Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in front of all Israel, “Be strong and brave. You’ll go with this people into the land which Yahweh has promised to their ancestors to give them; and you’ll cause them to inherit it. Yahweh is the One who goes before you and will be with you. God won’t fail you, nor leave you. Don’t be scared, nor be discouraged.
[9-13] Moses wrote this law, and gave it to the preachers, the sons of Levi, who carried the bull of the promised agreement of Yahweh, and to all the elders of Israel. Moses told them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the Celebration of Shelters, when all Israel has come to go before Yahweh your God in the place which God chooses, you’ll read this law in the hearing of all Israel. Gather the people, the men, women, little ones, and the foreigner who’s where you live, that they may Listen, and that they may learn, and respect Yahweh your God, and keep and do all the words of this law; and that their children, who haven’t known, may Listen, and learn to respect Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan for your own.
[14-15] Then Yahweh said to Moses, “See, your day is coming that you must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Meeting Place, that I may give him My orders.” So Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Meeting Place. Yahweh went in the Holy Tent in a pillar of cloud, which stayed over the door of the Holy Tent.
[16-18] Yahweh said to Moses, “See, you’ll die with your ancestors; and this people will rise up, and be unfaithful, going after the false gods of the land, where they go to be among them, and will leave me, and break My promised agreement which I’ve made with them. Then I will be angry with them in that day, and I’ll leave them, and I won’t look on them, and they’ll be destroyed, and many evils and troubles will come on them; so that they’ll say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our God isn’t with us?’ I’ll without a doubt not look on them in that day for all the evil they’ve done, because they turned to other gods.
[19-21] So now write this song, and teach it the people of Israel. Make them sing it, that this song may be a witness for Me against the people of Israel. For when I’ve brought them into the land which I promised to their ancestors, full of milk and honey, and they’ve eaten and are full, and grown fat; then they’ll turn to other gods, and serve them, and hate me, and break My promised agreement. When many evils and troubles come on them, this song will testify against them as a witness because it won’t be forgotten and will still be sung by their descendants. I know what they’re thinking today, before I’ve even brought them into the land which I promised.”
[22-23] So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the people of Israel. He gave Joshua the son of Nun an order, and said, “Be strong and brave because you’ll bring the people of Israel into the land which I promised to them and I’ll be with you.”
[24-27] When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, and they were finished, Moses told the Levites, who carried the bull of the promised agreement of Yahweh, saying, “Take this Book of the Law, and put it by the side of the bull of the promised agreement of Yahweh your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. I know your stubborn rebelliousness. See, while I’m still alive with you today, you’ve disobeyed Yahweh; so how much more after my death?
[28-30] Gather to me all the elders of your family groups, and your officers, that I may speak these words to them, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. I know that after my death you will completely ruin yourselves, and turn from the way which I’ve told you; and evil things will happen to you in the end times; because you will do what’s evil right in front of Yahweh, provoking God’s anger through everything you do.” So Moses told all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.
Moses Condemns Israel’s Sins
32[1-4] Listen, you heavens, and I’ll speak. Let the earth listen to my words. My teaching will fall as the rain. My words will drop as the dew, as the rain drops on the tender grass, as the showers on the plants. I’ll make known the name of Yahweh. I’ll make known the greatness of our God! The Rock, whose work is perfect, for all God’s ways are fair. God is a God of faithfulness and without fault, just and right.
[5-9] They’ve been unfaithful to God, and aren’t God’s children; It’s their own fault. They are an evil and twisted generation. Is this the way you act toward Yahweh, you stupid and unwise people? Isn’t God like your parent who has bought you? God has made you, and kept you. Remember the old days. Think about the years of many generations. Ask your parents, who will show you; your elders, and they’ll tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when God separated the people, God set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel. Yahweh’s part is God’s people. Jacob is the lot of God’s inheritance.
[10-14] God found you in a desert land, in the empty howling countryside. God surrounded you and cared for you. God kept you as a favorite. As an eagle that stirs up her nest that flutters over her young, God’s wings spread abroad and took them, and God’s feathers carried them. Yahweh alone led you. There was no foreign god that helped. God made you ride on the high places of the earth and eat the increase of the field. God caused you to eat honey out of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock; Butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, with fat of the lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest of the wheat. Of the juice of the grape you drank wine.
[15-18] But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked. You’ve grown fat. You’ve grown thick. You’ve become sleek. Then you left the God who made you, and hardly valued the Rock of your salvation. They moved God to jealousy with false gods. They provoked God to anger with their wrongs. They sacrificed to demons, which were no god, to gods that they didn’t know, to new gods that came up of late, which your ancestors didn’t dread. Of the Rock who became like your parent, you’re unmindful, and have forgotten the One who gave you birth.
[19-27] Yahweh saw it, and hated God’s own children, because they provoked God. God said, “I won’t look on them. I’ll see what happens to them because they’re a very evil generation, children who aren’t faithful. They’ve made Me jealous with what’s not a god. They’ve made Me very angry with their empty worship. I’ll move them to jealousy with those who aren’t a people. I’ll make them angry with a stupid nation. My anger is like a fire that burns to the lowest parts of hell, and destroys the earth as it grows, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire. I’ll pile up many evils on them. I’ll shoot My arrows at them. They’ll die of hunger, and be destroyed with burning heat and terrible destruction. I’ll send the animals on them to attack them, and poison them with the crawling things of the dust. Outside the war will take their loved ones, and in their rooms, terror will come on young men and young women, the nursing babies and the old. I said, “I’d scatter them afar. I’d make the memory of them be forgotten; were it not that I feared the enemy would provoke Me, in case their enemies should judge wrongly, in case they should say, “We are strong, Yahweh hasn’t done all this.”
[28-34] They’re a nation with no purpose. They don’t have any understanding. Oh that they were wise and understood this, that they would think about their latter end! How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yahweh had given up on them? Their rock isn’t as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous grapes, with bitter clusters. Their wine is the poison of dragons, the cruel venom of snakes. Isn’t this laid up in store with Me, sealed up among My treasures?
[35-38] Revenge is mine and I will punish when they slip up because the day of their trouble is near. What’s to come on them will soon happen. Yahweh will judge God’s people, and have compassion on God’s workers, when Yahweh sees that their power is gone, and there’s none left, shut up or left unknown. God will say, “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took safety; Which ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise up and help you! Let them protect you.”
[39-44] See now that I, even I, am God, and there’s no god other than Me. I kill, and I make alive. I wound, and I heal. There’s no one who can take anything out of My hand. I lift up My hand to heaven, and say, As I live forever, if I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment; I’ll get revenge on My enemies, and will punishment those who hate Me. I’ll make My arrows drunk with their blood. My sword will destroy them, and that with the blood of those killed and the captives, from the head of the leaders of the enemy. Be at peace, you nations, with God’s people, because Yahweh will get revenge for the blood of God’s workers. Yahweh will get revenge on the enemies of God, and will forgive the sins of the land, for God’s people. Moses came and told the words of this song to the people with Joshua the son of Nun.
[45-47] Moses finished speaking these words to all Israel and said to them, “Set your heart to do all the words which I tell you today, which you’ll tell your children to keep and do, even all the words of this law. It’s not useless for you, because it’s your very life, and through this thing you’ll prolong your days in the land, where you go over the Jordan for your own.
[48-52] Yahweh told Moses that same day, Go up into this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that’s next to Jericho; and see the land of Canaan, which I give to the people of Israel for their own; and die on the mountain where you go up, and be taken to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor, and was taken to his people, because you sinned against Me in front of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the countryside of Zin; and because you didn’t show Me respect in front of the people of Israel. You’ll see the land before you; but you won’t go there into the land which I give the people of Israel.
Moses’ Blessing on the People of Israel
33[1-5] This is the blessing, with which Moses, the one of God, blessed the people of Israel before his death. He said, “Yahweh came from Sinai, and came from Seir to them. God shined from Mount Paran and came with ten thousands of holy ones with a fiery law for them. Yes, God loves the people. All God’s saints are in Your hand. They sat down at Your feet and everyone will listen to Your words. Moses told us a law, Your own for the assembly of Jacob, who was ruler in Jeshurun, when the leaders of the people were gathered, and all the family groups of Israel were together.
[6] Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his people be few.
[7] This is the blessing of Judah: and Moses said, “Listen, Yahweh, to the voice of Judah. Bring him in to his people. With his hands he fought for himself. You’ll be a help against his enemies.”
[8-11] Of Levi he said, “Let your Judgment Stones be with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you fought at the waters of Meribah; who said of his parents, I haven’t seen them; Nor did he acknowledge kin, Nor did he know his own children. They kept your word, and your promised agreement. They’ll teach Jacob your rules, and Israel your law. They’ll put incense before you, and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Yahweh, bless everything they’ve and accept their work. Destroy those who rise up against them, of those who hate them, so that they won’t come against them again.
[12] Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of Yahweh will live in safety by God, who covers him all day long. God lives in his heart.
[13-17] Of Joseph he said, “His land is blessed by Yahweh, for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew, for the sea that stretches out below, for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, for the precious things of the growth of the moons, for the oldest things of the ancient mountains, for the precious things of the everlasting hills, for the precious things of the earth and its fullness, the good will of the one who lived in the bush. Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of the one who was separated from his kin. His beauty is like the firstborn of his herd. His horns are like the horns of the wild bull. With them he’ll push all of the peoples, even to the ends of the earth: They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh.
[18-19] Of Zebulun he said, “Be happy, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents. They’ll call the peoples to the mountain. There they’ll offer sacrifices of goodness, for they’ll draw out of the riches of the seas, the hidden treasures of the sand.
[20-21] Of Gad he said, “The one who makes room for Gad is blessed. He lives as a lion, and tears the arm, yes, the crown of the head. He got the first part for himself, where the lawgiver’s part was saved for him. He came with the leaders of the people and got justice for Yahweh, and kept God’s rules with Israel.
[22] Of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps out of Bashan.
[23] Of Naphtali he said, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of the blessing of Yahweh, take ownership the west and the south.
[24-25] Of Asher he said, “Asher is blessed with children. Let him be acceptable to his kin. Let him dip his foot in oil. You’ll be as strong as iron and brass. You’ll be strong as long as you live.
[26-29] There’s none like God, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, looking wonderful on the skies. The eternal God is where you’ll live, who will hold you in the everlasting arms. God will throw out the enemy from before you, and say, “Destroy.” Israel lives in safety; the fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of grain and new wine. Yes, the heavens drop down dew. You’re happy, Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the greatness of your strength! Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You’ll walk on their high places.
The Death of Moses
34[1-4] Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Mount Pisgah, that’s next to Jericho. Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan, and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the sea, and the South, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, to Zoar. And Yahweh said to him, “This is the land which I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “‘I’ll give it to your children.’ I’ve caused you to see it with your own eyes, but you won’t go over there.
[5-8] So Moses the worker of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Yahweh. He was buried in the valley in the land of Moab next to Beth Peor, but no one knows where his tomb is to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died. He wasn’t blind, nor was his strength weakened. The people of Israel cried for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, then the days of crying and mourning for Moses came to an end.
[9-12] Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. The people of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh told Moses. There hasn’t been a great preacher like Moses in Israel since then, whom Yahweh knew face to face, in all the signs and the amazing things, which Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Ruler of Egypt, his workers, and his land, and in all the great strength and horror, which Moses did in front of all Israel.
Joshua
1[1-4] After the death of Moses, the follower of Yahweh, Yahweh said to Joshua, of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, “Moses my worker is dead; so now get up and go over the Jordan with all these people to the land which I’m giving to the people of Israel. Wherever the sole of your foot walks I’ve given it to you, as I said to Moses. From the countryside of Lebanon to the great river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea on the west, will be your border.
[5-9] No one will be able to stand up to you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I’ll be with you; I won’t fail you, nor leave you. Be strong and brave because you’ll make these people inherit the land which I promised to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very brave, to keep and do all the law, which Moses my worker told you. Don’t turn away from it in any way, so that you may do well wherever you go. Don’t let the words of your mouth stop saying this book of the law, but think about it day and night, that you may keep and do what’s written in it because then you’ll make progress, and do well. I’ve told you this before. Be strong and brave; don’t be scared, nor be worried because Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
[10-11] Then Joshua told the leaders of the people, “Pass through the middle of the camp, and tell the people to get the food ready because within three days you’re to pass over the Jordan, to go in and take the land, which Yahweh your God is giving you for your own.”
[12-15] Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half of the people of Manasseh, “Remember the word which Moses the follower of Yahweh told you, saying, “Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give you this land. Your wives, children, and livestock, will stay in the land which Moses gave you across the Jordan; but all the strong experienced soldiers will go over armed with your family, and help them; until Yahweh has given your family rest, as God has given you, and they also have taken the land which Yahweh your God gives them; then you’ll go back to your own land, and keep it, which Moses the follower of Yahweh gave you across the Jordan toward the east.”
[16-18] They answered Joshua, saying, “We’ll do everything that you’ve told us, and we’ll go wherever you send us. Just as we listened to Moses in everything, so we’ll listen to you. Yahweh your God be with you, as God was with Moses. Whoever doesn’t do what you tell them, and won’t listen to every word you say will be killed, so Be strong and brave.”
2[1-3] Joshua of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, see the land, and Jericho.” So they went and came into the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there. It was told the Ruler of Jericho, saying, “Look, two men came in here tonight from the people of Israel to spy out the land.” Then the Ruler of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring those who’ve come to you, in your house because they’ve come to spy out all the land.”
[4-7] But the woman took them, and hid them; saying, “Yes, the men came to me, but I don’t know where they went. At the time when the gate was shut, at dark, they went out; but where they went I don’t know. Chase after them quickly and you’ll catch them.” But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had put out on the roof. So the men chased after them all the way to the Jordan to the crossings and as soon as those who chased after them had gone out, they shut the gate.
[8-13] She had come up to them on the roof before they hid saying to them, “I know that Yahweh has given you the land, and that everyone is scared of you, and that all the people of the land will die at your hands. We’ve heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two Rulers of the Amorites, who were across the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you completely destroyed. As soon as we had heard it, our hearts fainted, nor did anyone have any more spirit in them, because of you and Yahweh your God, who is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath. So, please promise me by Yahweh, since I’ve been kind to you, that you‘ll be kind to my family’s house, and give me a sign of your promise; and that you’ll save my parents, and my brothers and sisters, and what they’ve, and will save our lives from death.”
[14-16] Then they said to her, “Our life for yours, if you don’t tell any of our business; and when Yahweh gives us the land, we’ll be kind and honest with you.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window because the house that she lived in was on the side of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the mountain or those who are chasing you’ll catch you; and hide there for three days, until they come back and then go on.”
[17-20] Then they said to her, We’ll be guiltless of this promise which you’ve made us promise. See when we come into the land, tie this thread of scarlet string in the window which you let’s down by and gather into your house your parents, and brothers and sisters, and anyone else in your family. Whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street will be responsible for their own death, and we’ll be guiltless; and whoever stays with you in this house, we’ll be responsible for, if anybody kills them. But if you tell any of our business, then we’ll be guiltless of your promise which you’ve made us promise.
[21-24] So she said, “Just as you say, so it will be.” Then she sent them away, and they left; and she tied the scarlet string in the window. They went, and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days, until those who were chasing them had gone back, who had searched for them all along the way, but didn’t find them. Then they went down from the mountain, and crossed over, and came to Joshua of Nun; and told him what had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “Truly Yahweh has given all the land to us; and what’s more, all the people of the land are scared to death of us.”
3[1-4] Joshua got up early in the morning; and left from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, with all the people of Israel, and camped there before they crossed over. Then after three days, the leaders went through the middle of the camp and told the people, saying, “When you see the Chest of the Law of Yahweh your God, and the Levite preachers carrying it, then you’ll get up from your place, and follow it. But leave a space of about 3,000 feet between you and it. Don’t come close to it, so that you may know the way you’re to go because you haven’t come this way before.”
[5-6] Then Joshua said to the people, “Dedicate yourselves because tomorrow Yahweh will do amazing things among you.” Then he said to the preachers, “Pick up the Chest of the Law, and pass over before the people.” So they took up the Chest of the Law, and went before the people.
[7-8] Then Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today I’ll begin to make you great in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I’ll be with you. Tell the preachers who carry the Chest of the Law when they come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, to stand still in the Jordan.”
[9-13] Then Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of Yahweh your God. By this you’ll know that the living God is with you, who will without fail drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and the Jebusites from before you. See, the Chest of the Law of the God of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan. So take 12 men out of the peoples of Israel, one for each people. When the soles of the feet of the preachers who carry the Chest of God, the God of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, then the waters of the Jordan will be stopped, and the waters that come down from above will pile up and stand like a wall.”
[14-17] When the people left from their tents, to pass over the Jordan, with the preachers who carried the Chest of the Law being before the people; and when those who carried the Chest had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the preachers who carried the Chest were standing in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks at the time of harvest), the waters which came down from above stood up like a wall in a pile, a great way off, at Adam, the city that’s beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah Desert, which was the Salt Sea, were completely stopped, and the people crossed over right next to Jericho. So the preachers who carried the Chest of the Law of Yahweh stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until the whole nation had completely gone over the Jordan.
4[1-3] So when all the nation had completely crossed over the Jordan, Yahweh said to Joshua, “Take 12 men out of the people, one out of every people, and tell them to take out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the preachers’ feet stood still, 12 stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.”
[4-7] Then Joshua called the 12 men, whom he had taken out of the people of Israel, one out of every people saying to them, “Pass over before the Chest of God your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone on your shoulder, one for each of the people of Israel; that this may be a sign among you, so that when your children ask in the future, saying, “‘What do these stones mean?’ then you’ll tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were stopped before the Chest of the Law of Yahweh when it crossed over the Jordan’ and these stones will be a reminder to the people of Israel forever.”
[8-10] So the people of Israel did as Joshua told them, and took up 12 stones out of the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh had told Joshua, one for each of the people of Israel; and they carried them over with them, and laid them down in the place where they camped. Then Joshua put up the 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the preachers who carried the Chest of the Law stood and they’re still there today. So the preachers who carried the Chest stood in the middle of the Jordan, until everything was done that Yahweh had told Joshua to say to the people, just as Moses had told Joshua. So the people hurried and crossed over.
[11-13] Then when all the people had completely crossed over, the Chest of God crossed over, with the preachers, in the presence of the people. So the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-people of Manasseh, crossed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them, about 40,000 ready and armed for war crossed over before Yahweh to fight, to the fields of Jericho.
[14-18] On that day Yahweh made Joshua great in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. Then Yahweh said to Joshua, “Tell the preachers who carry the Chest of the Law to come up out of the Jordan. So Joshua told the preachers to come up out of the Jordan. Then when the preachers who carried the Chest of the Law of Yahweh had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the preachers’ feet were up on the shore, the waters of the Jordan fell back in their place, and went back over all its banks, just as before.
[19-24] The people came up out of the Jordan on the 10th day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April), and camped at Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho. Those 12 stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua put up in Gilgal. He said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their parents in the future, saying, “‘What do these stones mean?’ then you’ll tell your children, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.’ For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan in front of you, until you had crossed over, as Yahweh your God did at the Red Sea, which was dried up in front of us, until we had crossed over; so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of Yahweh is strong; and that you may respect Yahweh your God forever.”
5[1-5] Then when all the Rulers of the Amorites, who were across the Jordan westward, and all the Rulers of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the people of Israel, until we had crossed over, they were scared to death, and they had no spirit left in them anymore because of the people of Israel. At that time Yahweh said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and cut off the foreskins again of the people of Israel the second time.” So Joshua made some flint knives, and cut off the foreskins of the people of Israel at the Hill of Foreskins. This is why Joshua cut their foreskins off; all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, all the soldiers, died in the countryside by the way, after they came out of Egypt and all the people who came out had their foreskins cut off; but all the people who were born in the countryside along the way as they came out of Egypt, hadn’t had their foreskins cut off.
[6-8] The people of Israel walked 40 years in the countryside, until all the soldiers of the nation who had come out of Egypt, were dead, because they didn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh. So Yahweh had promised not to let them see the land which Yahweh promised to their ancestors to give us, a land full of milk and honey. God put their children in their place, and Joshua cut their foreskins off because they hadn’t been cut along the way. So when they had cut the foreskins off the whole nation, they stayed in their camp, until they were well.
[9-12] Then Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today have I rolled away the shame of Egypt from off you;” so the name of that place was called Gilgal, even until today. So the people of Israel camped at Gilgal; and they kept the Passover on the 14th day of the month at sundown in the fields of Jericho. They ate of the grain of the land on the next day after the Passover, pancakes and roasted grain, in the same day. The manna stopped on the next day, after they had eaten of the grain of the land. So the people of Israel didn’t eat the bread of heaven anymore; but they ate of the food of the land of Canaan that year.
[13-15] Then when Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up and saw anyone standing over next to him with his sword drawn in his hand. So Joshua went to him, and asked, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” He said, “No; but I’ve come now as the Leader of Yahweh’s troops. Joshua dropped to the floor to the earth, and worshiped, saying to him, “What does my God say to me, who am Yahweh’s worker?” So the Leader of Yahweh’s troops said to Joshua, “Take your shoes from off your feet because the place where you’re standing is holy.” So Joshua did it.
6[1-5] Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the people of Israel; no one went out, and no one came in. Then Yahweh said to Joshua, See, I’ve given Jericho to you, and its Ruler and the strong experienced soldiers. You’ll surround the city, all the soldiers, walking around the city once. Do this for six days. Seven preachers will carry seven horns of rams’ horns before the Chest; and the seventh day you’ll walk around the city seven times and the preachers will blow the horns. When they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the horn, all the people will shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the soldiers will go up straight in front of them.
[6-10] Joshua, son of Nun, called the preachers, saying to them, Pick up the Chest of the Law, and let seven preachers carry seven horns of rams’ horns before the Chest of God. They said to the people, Go on, and surround the city, and let the soldiers go on before the Chest of God. So when Joshua had said to the people, the seven preachers carrying the seven horns of rams’ horns before Yahweh went on, and blew the horns; and the Chest of the Law of Yahweh followed them. The soldiers went before the preachers who blew the horns, and the rearward followed the Chest, the preachers blowing the horns as they went. Then Joshua told the people, saying, “You won’t shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither will any word come out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout; then you’ll shout.
[11-14] So he caused the Chest of God to go around the city, walking around it once; and they came into the camp, and camped there. Joshua got up early in the morning, and the preachers took up the Chest of God. The seven preachers carrying the seven horns of rams’ horns before the Chest of God went on continually blowing the horns; and the soldiers went before them; and the rearward came after the Chest of God, the preachers blowing the horns as they went. The second day they went around the city once, and went back into the camp; and they did this for six days.
[15-19] On the seventh day, they got up early at dawn, and went around the city the same way seven times; only on that day they went around the city seven times. At the seventh time when the preachers blew the horns, Joshua said to the people, Shout! Yahweh has given you the city! The city will be dedicated, both it and what’s in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab, the prostitute, will live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. But as for you, don’t take anything that is dedicated, or when you’ve dedicated it, and you take it; you’ll make the camp of Israel be punished, and trouble it. But all the silver, gold, and pots of brass and iron, are holy to Yahweh; they’ll come into the treasury of Yahweh.
[20-25] So the people shouted, and the preachers blew the horns; and when the people heard the sound of the horn, they shouted with a loud shout, and the wall fell down flat, so they went up into the city, everyone straight in front of them, and they took the city. They completely destroyed what was in the city, both human beings and woman, young and old, and cow, sheep, and donkey, with the blade of the sword. Then Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, Go into the prostitute’s house, and bring out the woman, and whatever she has, as you promised her. So the soldiers, the spies, went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father and mother, and her brothers, and whatever she had; and they brought out all her relatives also; and they put them outside of the camp of Israel. Then they burnt the city with fire, and what was in it; only the silver, gold, and the pots of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. But Rahab, the prostitute, and her father’s household, and everything she had, Joshua saved alive; and they live in Israel even until today, because she hid the messengers, whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
[26-27] So Joshua made a promise with them at that time, saying, “anyone that get ups up and builds this city Jericho will be punished by Yahweh; with the loss of his firstborn will he lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son will he put up its gates. So Yahweh was with Joshua, who became famous in all the land.
7[1-5] But the people of Israel sinned and took some of the dedicated things because Achan, of Carmi, of Zabdi, of Zerah, of the people of Judah, took some of the dedicated things and Yahweh was angry at the people of Israel. Then Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, saying to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land. So they went up and spied out Ai. They went back to Joshua, saying to him, Don’t let all the people go up; but let about two or 3,000 go up and fight Ai; don’t make all the people go there, because they’re only a few. So about 3,000 soldiers went up there of the people; and they ran from the people of Ai. The people of Ai killed about 36 men and chased them from the gate to Shebarim, and fought them at the bottom; and they were scared, and became very weak.
[6-9] So Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the Chest of God until evening, he and all the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Then Joshua prayed, Yahweh God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan, to give us into the power of the Amorites, to let’s die? I wish that we had been happy and lived on the other side of the Jordan! Oh, God, what can I say, after Israel has run from their enemies! The Canaanites and all the people of the land will hear about it, and will surround us, and destroy our name from the earth; and what will You do for Your great name then?
[10-15] So Yahweh said to Joshua, Get up; why have you fallen on your face this way? Israel has sinned; yes, they’ve even broken My promised agreement which I made with them; yes, they’ve even taken of the dedicated things, and have stolen them, and taken them away also, and put it among their own stuff. So the people of Israel can’t face their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they’ve been punished; and I won’t be with you anymore, unless you destroy the dedicated things from among you. Get up, and dedicate the people, and say, Dedicate yourselves for tomorrow, because Yahweh, the God of Israel, says there’s a dedicated thing in the midst of you, Israel; you can’t face your enemies, until you take away the dedicated thing from among you. So in the morning you’ll be brought up by your families and the people who Yahweh takes will come up by families; and the family which Yahweh will take will come up by households; and the household which Yahweh will take will come up one person at a time. Whoever is taken with the dedicated thing will be burnt with fire, both the person and whatever they’ve; because they’ve sinned against the promised agreement of Yahweh, and because they’ve done ungodly sins in Israel.
[16-21] So Joshua got up early in the morning, and brought Israel up by their families; and the people of Judah were chosen. And he brought near the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zerahites and he brought near the family of the Zerahites one person at a time; and Zabdi was taken. So he brought near his household one person at a time; and Achan, of Carmi, of Zabdi, of Zerah, of the people of Judah, was taken. So Joshua said to Achan, My child, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and admit to God and to me what you’ve done; don’t hide it from me. Then Achan answered Joshua, saying, “It’s true; I’ve sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I’ve done; when I saw among the stuff a very good Babylonian cape, and 200 coins of silver, and a bar of gold of 50 coins weight, then I wanted them, and took them; and they’re hid in the earth under my tent, and the silver with it.
[22-26] So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and it was hid under his tent, and the silver with it. They took them from under the tent, and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel; and they laid them down before Yahweh. Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan of Zerah, and the silver, and the cape, and the wedge of gold, and his children, and his cows, donkeys, and sheep, and his tent, and everything he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. Then Joshua asked, “Why have you troubled us?” Yahweh will trouble you today. So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them all with fire, and stoned them with stones. And they made a great pile of stones over him, until today; and Yahweh was no longer angry. So the name of that place was called “The valley of Achor” until today.
8[1-2] Yahweh said to Joshua, Don’t be scared, or worry; take all the soldiers with you, and get up, go up to Ai; See, I’ve given to you the Ruler of Ai, the people, the city, and the land; You’ll do to Ai and its Ruler as you did to Jericho and its Ruler; You’ll only take its stuff, and the livestock, for a reward for yourselves. Set up an ambush for the city behind it.
[3-8] So Joshua got up along with all the soldiers, to go up to Ai. Joshua chose out 30,000 strong experienced soldiers, and sent them out by night. He told them, saying, “See, you’ll lie in ambush against the city, behind the city; don’t go very far from the city, but be ready and I, and all the people who are with me, will go toward the city. When they come out against us, as at the first, we’ll run from them; and they’ll come out after us, until we’ve drawn them away from the city because they’ll say, they run away from us, as at the first; so we’ll run away from them; and you’ll get up from the ambush, and take the city because Yahweh your God will hand it over to you. When you’ve taken the city, you’ll set the city on fire; You’ll do it by the word of Yahweh. See, I’ve told you.
[9-11] So Joshua sent them ahead; and they went to put up the ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua camped that night among the people. Joshua got up early in the morning, and gathered the people, and went up, he and all the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. All the people, even the soldiers who were with him, went up, and came up the city, and camped on the north side of Ai; now there was a valley between him and Ai.
[12-14] He took about 5,000 soldiers, and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. So they set the troops which were on the north of the city, and their ambush on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the middle of the valley. When the Ruler of Ai saw it, they hurried and got up early, and the people of the city went out against Israel to fight, he and all his people, at the set time, before the Arabah Desert; but he didn’t know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
[15-17] Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten by them, and ran away into the countryside. All the people who were in the city were called together to chase after them; and they chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There wasn’t anyone left in Ai or Bethel, who didn’t go out after Israel; and they left the city open, and chased after Israel.
[18-20] Yahweh said to Joshua, Stretch out the lance that’s in your hand toward Ai because I’ll give it to you. So Joshua stretched out the lance that was in his hand toward the city. The ambush got up quickly out of their hiding place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and went into the city, and took it; and they hurried and set the city on fire. When the people of Ai looked behind them, they saw the smoke of the city rising up into the sky, and they had no power to run this way or that way; and the people who ran to the countryside turned back on those who chased them.
[21-24] When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned again, and killed the people of Ai. The others came out of the city against them; so they were in the middle of Israel, some on one side, and some on the other side; and they fought them, so that none of them were left or escaped. The Ruler of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. When Israel had killed all the people of Ai in the field, in the countryside in which they chased them, and they were all fallen by the blade of a sword, until they were all gone, all Israel went back to Ai, and fought it with the blade of the sword.
[25-29] What fell that day, both of men and women, were 12,000, including all the people of Ai. For Joshua didn’t drop his hand, with which he stretched out the lance, until he had completely destroyed all the people of Ai. Only the livestock and the stuff of that city Israel took for themselves, by the word of Yahweh which he told Joshua. So Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a pile of ruins forever, completely destroyed even until today. The Ruler of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening; and at sundown Joshua told them to take his body down from the tree, and throw it at the city gate, and they made a great pile of stones on it until today.
[30-32] Then Joshua built an altar to Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal, as Moses the follower of Yahweh told the people of Israel, as it’s written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, on which no one had used a tool; and they offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on it, and sacrificed peace offerings. He wrote there on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he wrote, in the presence of the people of Israel.
[33-35] All Israel, their elders and leaders, and their judges, stood on each side of the Chest before the Levite preachers, who carried the Chest of the Law of Yahweh, the foreigner as well as the native; half of them in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal; as Moses the follower of Yahweh had said, “ at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel. Afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the punishment, by what’s written in the Book of the Law. There wasn’t a word of what Moses said, “which Joshua didn’t read before all the assembly of Israel, along with the women, the babies, and the foreigners who were with them.
9[1-5] When all the Rulers who were across the Jordan, in the hillsides, the lowland, and on all the shore of the Great Sea by Lebanon, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard about it; they agreed to gather together to fight with Joshua and with Israel. But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they planned to trick them, and went and pretended to be messengers from another country, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn and tied up, and old and patched shoes on their feet, and old clothes on them; and all their bread was dry and moldy.
[6-10] They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying to him, and to the people of Israel, We’ve come from another country, so please make an agreement with us. The people of Israel said to the Hivites, What if you live among us; and how will we make an agreement with you? They answered Joshua saying, “We’ll do whatever you ask. So Joshua said to them, “Who are you? and from where do you come? They answered him, “We’ve come from a very far country for the name of Yahweh your God because we’ve heard about what your God did in Egypt, and to the two Rulers of the Amorites, who were across the Jordan, to Sihon Ruler of Heshbon, and to Og Ruler of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.”
[11-13] Our elders and all the people of our country said to us, “Take whatever you need for the journey, and go to meet them, and tell them, ‘We’ll do whatever you ask so make an agreement with us.’ This our bread we took hot for our needs out of our houses on the day we came to come to you; but now, see, it’s dry and moldy; and these wineskins, which we filled, were new; and see, they’re torn; and these clothes and our shoes are old because of the very long journey.”
[14-20] So the men took some of their stuff, and didn’t ask Yahweh what they should do and Joshua made peace with them, making an agreement with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the people made a promise to them. At the end of three days after they had made an agreement with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived in the same country with them. So the people of Israel traveled, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. But the people of Israel didn’t fight them, because the leaders of the people had promised to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the people complained against the leaders. But all the leaders said to all the people, We’ve promised to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, so we won’t touch them. But we’ll do this to them, and let them live; or God will be angry with us, because of the promise which we made to them.
[21-23] The leaders said to them, “Let them live, so they became woodcutters and water haulers to all the people, as the leaders had said to them. Joshua called for them, and asked them, saying, “Why have you lied to us, saying, “We live very far from you; when you live near us? So you’ll be punished, and you’ll always be our workers, both woodcutters and water haulers for the house of my God.
[24-27] They answered Joshua, saying, “Because it was certainly told us, how Yahweh your God told Moses, the follower of God, to give you all the land, and to destroy all the people of the land from before you; so we were very scared for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. See, we’re in your hand, so do whatever seems good and right to you to do to us. So he did to them what he said, “and freed them from the people of Israel, so that they wouldn’t kill them. That day Joshua made them woodcutters and water haulers for the people, and for the altar of Yahweh, until today, wherever God would choose.
10[1-4] Now when Adoni-Zedek Ruler from Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had completely destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and its Ruler, so he had done to Ai and its Ruler; and how the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were with them; that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were strong. So Adoni-Zedek Ruler from Jerusalem sent to Hoham Ruler of Hebron, Piram Ruler of Jarmuth, Japhia Ruler of Lachish, and Debir Ruler of Eglon, saying, “Come up to me, and help me, and let’s fight Gibeon because it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.
[5-7] So the five Rulers of the Amorites, the Ruler from Jerusalem, the Ruler of Hebron, the Ruler of Jarmuth, the Ruler of Lachish, the Ruler of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their troops, and camped against Gibeon, and went to war against it. So the people of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, “Don’t forget we’re Your followers; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us because all the Rulers of the Amorites that live in the hillsides are gathered together against us. So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he, and all the soldiers with him, and all the strong experienced soldiers.
[8-11] Yahweh said to Joshua, Don’t be scared of them because I’ve given them to you; there won’t anyone of them face you. So Joshua came on them suddenly because he marched from Gilgal all night long. And Yahweh confused them before Israel, and killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the road of the get up of Beth Horon, and fought them to Azekah, and to Makkedah. As they ran from Israel, while they were at the bottom of Beth Horon, Yahweh threw down huge hailstones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died; and there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the people of Israel killed with the sword.
[12-15] Then said, “ Joshua to Yahweh in the day when Yahweh handed the Amorites over to the people of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand still on Gibeon; You, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still, and the moon stayed in its place, until the nation had put down their enemies. This is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stayed high in the sky, and didn’t go down about a whole day. There was no day like that before or after it, when Yahweh listened to the voice of anyone because Yahweh fought for Israel. Then Joshua went back, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
[16-21] These five Rulers ran and hid in the cave at Makkedah. It was told Joshua, saying, “The five Rulers are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua said, “Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them; but don’t stay there; chase after your enemies, and fight those in the rear; don’t let them go into their cities because Yahweh your God has handed them over to you. When Joshua and the people of Israel had killed them with a very great slaughter, until they were all gone, and what was left of them had gone into the protected cities, all the people went back to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; and no one said, “ a word against any of the people of Israel.
[22-25] Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five Rulers out of the cave to me. They did so, and brought the five Rulers to him out of the cave, the Ruler from Jerusalem, the Ruler of Hebron, the Ruler of Jarmuth, the Ruler of Lachish, and the Ruler of Eglon. When they brought the Rulers to Joshua, Joshua called for all the people of Israel, saying to the leaders of the soldiers who went with him, Come near, put your feet on the necks of these Rulers. So they came up, and put their feet on their necks. Joshua said to them, “Don’t be scared, nor worry; be strong and brave because Yahweh will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight.
[26-30] Afterward Joshua put them to death, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. At sundown, Joshua told them to take them down off the trees, and throw them into the cave in which they had hidden, and put great stones on the mouth of the cave, to this very day. Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and fought it and its Ruler with the blade of a sword; he completely destroyed them and all who were in it; he left no one; and he did to the Ruler of Makkedah as he had done to the Ruler of Jericho. Joshua went from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah; and Yahweh handed it over also, and its Ruler, to Israel; and he fought it with the blade of a sword, and all those who were in it; he left no one in it; and he did to its Ruler as he had done to the Ruler of Jericho.
[31-35] Joshua went from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish, and camped against it, and fought against it; and Yahweh handed Lachish over to Israel; and he took it on the second day, and fought it with the blade of a sword, and all those who were in it, just as he had done to Libnah. Then Horam Ruler of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua fought him and his people, until he had left no one to him. Joshua, and all Israel with him, went from Lachish to Eglon; and they camped against it, and fought against it; and they took it on that day, and fought it with the blade of a sword; and all those who were in it he completely destroyed that day, just as he had done to Lachish.
[36-39] Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it; and they took it, and fought it with the blade of a sword, and its Ruler, and all its towns, and all those who were in it; he left none left, just as he had done to Eglon; but he completely destroyed it, and all those who were in it. Then Joshua went back, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it; and he took it, and its Ruler, and all its towns; and they fought them with the blade of a sword, and completely destroyed all those who were in it; he left none left; just as he had done to Hebron, he did to Debir, and to its Ruler; just as he had done also to Libnah, and to its Ruler.
[40-43] So Joshua fought all the land, the hillsides, the South, the lowland, the slopes, and all their Rulers; he left none, and completely destroyed whatever breathed, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, said. Joshua fought them from Kadesh Barnea all the way to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, all the way to Gibeon. All these Rulers and their land Joshua took at one time, because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. So Joshua went back, and all Israel with him, to camp Gilgal.
11[1-5] When Jabin Ruler of Hazor heard it, he sent to Jobab Ruler of Madon, the Ruler of Shimron, the Ruler of Achshaph, to the Rulers who were on the north, in the hillsides, and in the Arabah Desert south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the hills of Dor on the west, to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the hillsides, and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. They went out, they and all their troops with them, very many people, even as the sand on the seashore in number, with very many horses and war vehicles. All these Rulers met together; and they came and camped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
[6-9] Yahweh said to Joshua, Don’t be scared because of them because tomorrow at this time I’ll kill them all before Israel; and you’ll cripple their horses, and burn their war vehicles with fire. So Joshua came, and all the soldiers with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and fought them. Yahweh handed them over to Israel, and they fought them, and chased them to great Sidon, to Misrephoth Maim, and to the valley of Mizpah eastward; and they fought them, until none were left. Joshua did to them as Yahweh told him; he crippled their horses, and burnt their war vehicles with fire.
[10-15] Joshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and fought its Ruler with the sword because Hazor was the capital of all those countries. They killed everyone who was in it with the blade of a sword, completely destroying them; there was no one left who breathed; and he burnt Hazor with fire. Joshua took all the cities of those Rulers, and all their Rulers, and killed them with the blade of a sword, and completely destroyed them; as Moses the follower of Yahweh had said. But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; Joshua burnt that one. All the stuff of these cities, and the livestock, the people of Israel took for a reward to themselves; but everyone they fought with the blade of a sword, until they had destroyed them, neither did they leave any who breathed. As Yahweh told Moses, God’s follower, so Moses told Joshua; and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of what Yahweh told Moses.
[16-20] So Joshua took that land, the hillsides, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah Desert, the hillsides of Israel, and the lowland of the same; from Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, all the way to Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon; and all their Rulers he took, and fought them, and put them to death. Joshua went to war a long time with all those Rulers. There wasn’t a city that made peace with the people of Israel, except the Hivites, the people of Gibeon; they took all in battle. For it was of Yahweh to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that Joshua could completely destroy them, that they would have no favor, but that Joshua might destroy them, as Yahweh told Moses.
[21-23] Joshua came at that time, and stopped the Anakim (a family of giants, descendants of Anak, which lived in southern Canaan) from the hillsides, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hillsides of Judah, and from all the hillsides of Israel; Joshua completely destroyed them along with their cities. There was none left of the Anakim in the land of the people of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, were some left. So Joshua took the whole land, just as Yahweh said to Moses; and Joshua gave it to Israel for their own by their peoples. The land had rest from war.
12[1-5] Now these are the Rulers of the land, whom the people of Israel fought, and took their land across the Jordan toward the east, from the valley of Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah Desert eastward; Sihon Ruler of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that’s in the middle of the valley, and half of Gilead, all the way to the river Jabbok, the border of the people of Ammon; and the Arabah Desert to the sea of Chinneroth, eastward, to the sea of the Arabah Desert, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth Jeshimoth; and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah; and the border of Og Ruler of Bashan, of those left of the Rephaim (family of giants), who lived at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half of Gilead, the border of Sihon Ruler of Heshbon.
[6-24] Moses the follower of Yahweh and the people of Israel fought them; and Moses the follower of Yahweh gave it to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half of the people of Manasseh. These are the Rulers of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel fought across the Jordan westward, from Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon all the way to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir; and Joshua gave it to the families of Israel for their own by the divisions of their families; in the hillsides, in the lowland, in the Arabah Desert, in the slopes, in the countryside, and in the South; the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; the Ruler of Jericho; the Ruler of Ai, which is beside Bethel; the Ruler from Jerusalem; the Ruler of Hebron; the Ruler of Jarmuth; the Ruler of Lachish; the Ruler of Eglon; the Ruler of Gezer; the Ruler of Debir; the Ruler of Geder; the Ruler of Hormah; the Ruler of Arad; the Ruler of Libnah; the Ruler of Adullam; the Ruler of Makkedah; the Ruler of Bethel; the Ruler of Tappuah; the Ruler of Hepher; the Ruler of Aphek; the Ruler of Lasharon; the Ruler of Madon; the Ruler of Hazor; the Ruler of Shimron Meron; the Ruler of Achshaph; the Ruler of Taanach; the Ruler of Megiddo; the Ruler of Kedesh; the Ruler of Jokneam in Carmel; the Ruler of Dor in the height of Dor; the Ruler of Goiim in Gilgal; and the Ruler of Tirzah; 31 Rulers in all.
13[1-6] Now Joshua was very old and on up in years; and Yahweh said to him, “You’re old and on up in years, and there’s still very much land to be taken. This is the land that’s still left; all the areas of the Philistines, all the Geshurites; from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, all the way to the border of Ekron northward, which belongs to the Canaanites; the five Rulers of the Philistines ; the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avvim, on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the east, from Baal Gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath; all the people of the hillsides from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, even all the Sidonians; I’ll drive them out from before the people of Israel; only divide it out to Israel for an inheritance, as I’ve told you.
[7-14] So divide this land for an inheritance to the nine families, and half of the people of Manasseh. With him the Reubenites and the Gadites got their inheritance, which Moses gave them, across the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the follower of Yahweh gave them; from Aroer, that’s on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, the city that’s in the middle of the valley, all the field of Medeba to Dibon; and all the cities of Sihon Ruler of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, to the border of the people of Ammon; and Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah; all the countries of Og in Bashan, who ruled in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, which was left of the giants of Rephaim, because Moses fought them, and drove them out. But the people of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, or the Maacathites; but Geshur and Maacath live in the middle of Israel until today. Joshua gave no inheritance to the people of Levi because the offerings of Yahweh, the God of Israel, made by fire are their inheritance, as God told them.
[15-23] Moses gave to the people of the people of Reuben by their families. Their border was from Aroer, that’s on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, the city that’s in the middle of the valley, all the field by Medeba; Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the field; Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar in the mount of the valley, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth, all the cities of the field, and all the land of Sihon Ruler of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, whom Moses fought with the captains of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the leaders of Sihon, who lived in the land. Balaam also of Beor, the false preacher, the people of Israel killed with the sword among the rest of the dead. The border of the people of Reuben was the Jordan, and its border. This was the inheritance of the people of Reuben by their families, their cities and towns.
[24-28] Moses gave an inheritance to the people of Gad, to the people of Gad by their families. Their border was Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, half the land of the people of Ammon, to Aroer that’s before Rabbah; from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah, Betonim; from Mahanaim to the border of Debir; and in the valley, Beth Haram, and Beth Nimrah, Succoth, Zaphon, the rest of the land of Sihon Ruler of Heshbon, the Jordan and its border, to the front part of the sea of Chinnereth across the Jordan eastward. This is the inheritance of the people of Gad by their families, their cities and towns.
[29-33] Moses gave an inheritance to a half of the people of Manasseh; and it was for a half of the people of the people of Manasseh by their families. Their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the countries of Og Ruler of Bashan, all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, 60 cities in all; and half of Gilead, Ashtaroth, Edrei, the cities of the land of Og in Bashan, were for the people of Machir of Manasseh, even for half of the people of Machir by their families. These are the inheritances which Moses divided up in the fields of Moab, across the Jordan at Jericho, eastward. But Moses gave no land to the people of Levi because Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as God told them.
14[1-5] These are the inheritances which the people of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the preacher, and Joshua of Nun, and the heads of the leaders of the people of Israel, gave out to them, by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh told Moses, for the nine families, and for the half-people. For Moses had given the inheritance of the two families and the half-people across the Jordan, but he gave no inheritance to the Levites with them. For the people of Joseph were two families, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they gave no part to the Levites in their land, except cities to live in, with their outskirts for their livestock and their stuff. So the people of Israel did as Yahweh told Moses; and they divided the land.
[6-9] Then the people of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal; and Caleb of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the thing that Yahweh said to Moses, the follower of God, about me and you in Kadesh Barnea. I was 40 years old when Moses the follower of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the people scared; but I wholly followed Yahweh my God. Moses promised on that day, saying, “Truly the land where your foot has stepped will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you’ve wholly followed Yahweh my God.
[10-12] Now see, I’m still alive, as Yahweh said, “These 45 years from the time that Yahweh said this to Moses while Israel walked in the countryside; and now, see, I’m today 85 years old. As yet I’m as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, and to go out and come in. So give me this hillside, of which Yahweh said in that day because you heard in that day how the Anakim (a family of giants, descendants of Anak, which lived in southern Canaan) were there, and great protected cities; it may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I’ll drive them out, as Yahweh said.
[13-15] Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb, of Jephunneh, for an inheritance. So Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb, of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite until today; because those wholly followed Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba; which Arba was the greatest human beings among the Anakim (a family of giants, descendants of Anak, which lived in southern Canaan). And the land had rest from war.
15[1-4] The lot for the people of the people of Judah by their families was to the border of Edom, all the way to the countryside of Zin southward, at the farthest part of the south. Their south border was from the farthest part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward; and it went out southward toward the get up of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh Barnea, and passed along by Hezron, and went up to Addar, and turned toward Karka; and it passed along to Azmon, and went out at the River of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea; this will be your south border.
[5-11] The east border was the Salt Sea, all the way to the end of the Jordan. The border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan; and the border went up to Beth Hoglah, and passed along by the north of Beth Arabah Desert; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan, of Reuben; and the border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and northward, looking toward Gilgal, that’s next to the get up of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river; and the border passed along to the waters of En Shemesh, and ended at En Rogel; and the border went up by the valley of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite southward, which is Jerusalem; and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the farthest part of the valley of Rephaim (giants) northward; and the border stretched from the top of the mountain to the creek of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border stretched to Baalah, which is Kiriath Jearim; and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north, which is Chesalon, and went down to Beth Shemesh, and passed along by Timnah; and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward; and the border stretched to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the end of the border was at the sea.
[12-19] The west border was to the Great Sea, and its border. This is the border of the people of Judah by their families. To Caleb, of Jephunneh, he gave a part among the people of Judah, by the word of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, which Arba (greatest of the family of giants) was who had Anak, which is Hebron. Caleb drove out there the three sons of Anak; Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the people of Anak. He went up there against the people of Debir; now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher. Caleb said, “Whoever fights Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, I’ll give to him Achsah, my daughter, as wife.” Othniel, of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him Achsah, his daughter, as wife. When she came to him, she moved him to ask of her father a field; and she got off her donkey; and Caleb said, “What do you want? She said, “Give me a blessing because you’ve set me in the land of the South, so give me also creeks of water.” He gave her the upper creeks and the lower creeks.
[20-32] This is the inheritance of the people of the people of Judah by their families. The farthest cities of the people of the people of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth, Hezron , which is Hazor), Amam, Shema, Moladah, Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, Baalah, Ijim, Ezem, Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon; there were 29 cities in all with their towns.
[33-47] In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim; 14 cities in all with their towns. Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish, Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah; 16 cities in all with their towns. Libnah, Ether, Ashan, Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities in all with their towns. Ekron with its cities and towns; From Ekron all the way to the sea, and what were by the side of Ashdod with their towns. Ashdod, its cities and towns; Gaza, its cities and towns; to the River of Egypt, and the coast of the Great Sea.
[48-60] In the hillsides, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, Dannah, Kiriath Sannah, which is Debir, Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their towns. Arab, and Dumah, and Eshan, and Janim, and Beth Tappuah, and Aphekah, and Humtah, and Kiriath Arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their towns. Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their towns. Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their towns. Kiriath Baal, which is Kiriath Jearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their towns.
[61-63] In the countryside, Beth Arabah Desert, Middin, Secacah, Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their towns. As for the Jebusites, the people from Jerusalem, the people of Judah couldn’t drive them out, so the Jebusites live with the people of Judah at Jerusalem until today.
16[1-4] The lot came out for the people of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the countryside, going up from Jericho through the hillsides to Bethel; and it went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth; and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, all the way to Gezer; and ended at the sea. The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
[5-10] The border of the people of Ephraim by their families was this; the border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper; and the border went out westward at Michmethath on the north; and the border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah; and it went down from Janoah to Ataroth, and to Naarah, and reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan. From Tappuah the border went along westward to the Kanah River; and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the people of the people of Ephraim by their families; together with the cities which were set apart for the people of Ephraim in the middle of the inheritance of the people of Manasseh, all the cities with their towns. They didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites live in the middle of Ephraim until today, and are their workers.
17[1-4] This was the lot for the people of Manasseh, who was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, who had Gilead, he was anyone of war, so he had Gilead and Bashan. So the lot was for the rest of the people of Manasseh by their families, for the people of Abiezer, for the people of Helek, for the people of Asriel, for the people of Shechem, for the people of Hepher, and for the people of Shemida; these were the male people of Manasseh, of Joseph by their families. But Zelophehad , of Hepher, of Gilead, of Machir, of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters; and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came to Eleazar the preacher, and Joshua of Nun, and the leaders, saying, “Yahweh told Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers; so by the word of Yahweh he gave them land among the brothers of their father.
[5-10] Manasseh got ten parts, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is across the Jordan; because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. The border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is before Shechem; and the border went along to the right, to the people of En Tappuah. The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh; but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim. The border went down to the Kanah River, southward of the river; these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh; and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the river, and it ended at the sea; southward was Ephraim’s, and northward was Manasseh’s, and the sea was the border; and they reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east.
[11-13] Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth Shean with its towns, and Ibleam with its towns, and the people of Dor with its towns, and the people of Endor with its towns, and the people of Taanach with its towns, and the people of Megiddo with its towns, even the three hills. Still the people of Manasseh couldn’t drive out the people of those cities; but the Canaanites would live in that land. When the people of Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to hard work, and didn’t completely drive them out. The people of Joseph said to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me only one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I’m a great people, because up to now Yahweh has blessed me?
[15-18] So Joshua said to them, “If you’re a great people, go up to the forest, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants of Rephaim; since the hillsides of Ephraim is too small for you. The people of Joseph said, “The hillsides isn’t enough for us; and all the Canaanites who live in the land of the valley have war vehicles of iron, both they who are in Beth Shean with its towns, and those who are in the valley of Jezreel. Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, You’re a great people, and have great power; you won’t have one lot only; but the hillsides will be yours because though it’s a forest, you’ll cut it down, and in the end, it will be yours because you’ll drive out the Canaanites, though they’ve war vehicles of iron, and though they’re strong.
18[1-7] The whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered together at Shiloh, and put up the Place of Worship there; and the land was under their control. There were seven families among the people of Israel left, which hadn’t still divided their inheritance. Joshua said to the people of Israel, How long will you wait to go in to take the land, which Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has given you? Appoint for you three people of each people; and I’ll send them, and they’ll go up, and walk through the land, and describe it by their inheritance; and they’ll come to me. They’ll divide it into seven parts; Judah will stay in his border on the south, and the house of Joseph will stay in their border on the north. You’ll describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me; and I’ll throw judgment stones for you here before Yahweh our God. For the Levites have no part among you because the work of the preachers of Yahweh is their inheritance; and Gad, Reuben, and the half-people of Manasseh have got their inheritance across the Jordan eastward, which Moses the follower of Yahweh gave them.
[8-10] So the men got up, and went; and Joshua told those who went to describe the land, saying, “Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come back to me; and I’ll throw judgment stones for you here before Yahweh in Shiloh. Then the men went through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book; and they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh. Joshua threw the judgment stones for them in Shiloh before Yahweh; and Joshua divided the land to the people of Israel by their family divisions.
[11-14] The lot of the people of the people of Benjamin came up by their families; and the border of their lot went out between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph. Their border on the north quarter was from the Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, through the hillsides westward; and ended at the countryside of Beth Aven. The border passed along from there to Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border went down to Ataroth Addar, by the mountain that lies on the south of Beth Horon the lower. The border stretched there, and turned about on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth Horon southward; and ended at Kiriath Baal , which is Kiriath Jearim), a city of the people of Judah; this was the west quarter.
[15-19] The south quarter was from the farthest part of Kiriath Jearim; and the border went out westward, out to the creek of the waters of Nephtoah; and the border went down to the farthest part of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom, which is in the valley of the giants of Rephaim northward; down to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite southward, down to En Rogel; and stretched northward, going out at En Shemesh, and to Geliloth, which is next to the get up of Adummim; down to the stone of Bohan of Reuben; and passed along to the side next to the Arabah Desert northward, down to the Arabah Desert; passed along to the side of Beth Hoglah northward; and ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan; this was the south border.
[20-25] The Jordan was its border on the east quarter. This was the inheritance of the people of Benjamin, by its borders all around, by their families. Now the cities of the people of Benjamin by their families were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz, Beth Arabah Desert, Zemaraim, Bethel, Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, Chephar Ammoni, Ophni, and Geba; 12 cities with their towns: Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, Mizpah, Chephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, Zelah, Eleph, the Jebusite, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kiriath; 14 cities with their towns. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin by families.
19[1-9] The second lot came out for Simeon, for the people of Simeon by their families; and their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of the people of Judah. They had for their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, Moladah, Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah, Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; 13 cities with their towns; Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their towns; and all the towns that were around these cities to Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the people of Simeon by their families. The inheritance of the people of Simeon came out of the part of the people of Judah because the part of the people of Judah was too much for them; so the people of Simeon had land in the middle of their inheritance.
[10-16] The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun by their families; and the border of their inheritance was to Sarid; going up westward, all the way to Maralah, reaching to Dabbesheth; and to the river that’s before Jokneam; turned from Sarid eastward toward the east to the border of Chisloth Tabor; and it went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia; and from there it passed along eastward to Gath Hepher, to Ethkazin; and at Rimmon which stretches to Neah; turned about on the north to Hannathon; and ended at the valley of Iphtah El; and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem; 12 cities with their towns. This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun by their families, these cities with their towns.
[17-23] The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the people of Issachar by their families. Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez; and the border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, Beth Shemesh; and ended at the Jordan; 16 cities with their towns. This is the inheritance of the people of the people of Issachar by their families, the cities with their towns.
[24-31] The fifth lot came out for the people of Asher by their families. Their border was Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal; reaching to Carmel westward, to Shihorlibnath; turned toward the east to Beth Dagon, reached to Zebulun, to the valley of Iphtah El northward to Beth Emek and Neiel; and going out to Cabul on the left hand, and Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, all the way to great Sidon; turned to Ramah, and to the protected city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah; and ended at the sea by the area of Achzib; Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob; 22 cities with their towns. This is the inheritance of the people of Asher by their families, these cities with their towns.
[32-39] The 6th lot came out for the people of Naphtali, even for the people of Naphtali by their families. Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adaminekeb, Jabneel to Lakkum; and ended at the Jordan; and the border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor, went out from there to Hukkok; reached to Zebulun on the south, to Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan toward the east. The protected cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, Kedesh, Edrei, and En Hazor, Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh; 19 cities with their towns. This is the inheritance of the people of Naphtali by their families, the cities with their towns.
[40-48] The 7th lot came out for the people of the people of Dan by their families. The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon, Me Jarkon, and Rakkon with the border next to Joppa (modern Tel Aviv-Yafo, or also known as Tel Aviv-Jaffa). The border of the people of Dan went out beyond them because the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and fought it with the blade of a sword, taking it, and living in it, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. This is the inheritance of the people of Dan by their families, these cities with their towns.
[49-51] So they finished distributing the land for inheritance by their borders; and the people of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua of Nun in the middle of them; by the word of Yahweh they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hillsides of Ephraim; and he built the city, and lived in it. These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the preacher, and Joshua of Nun, and the heads of the ancestors’ houses of the people of Israel, gave out for inheritance by the Judgment stones in Shiloh before Yahweh, at the door of the Place of Worship. So they finished dividing the land.
20[1-6] Yahweh said to Joshua, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, “Name the cities of refuge, of which I said to you by Moses, that those who kill someone by accident without thinking may run there; and they’ll be for a refuge from the avenger of blood. They’ll run to one of those cities, and stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and make their case to the elders of that city; and they’ll take that person into the city with them, and give them a place to live with them. If the avenger of blood chases after that person, then they won’t hand over the killer to them; because it was an accident, and they didn’t hate the person before. So that person will live in that city, until they face the people for judgment, until the death of the lead preacher that will be in those days; then the killer will go back to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from where he ran.
[7-9] So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hillsides of Naphtali, Shechem in the hillsides of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba, which is Hebron, in the hillsides of Judah. Across the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they named Bezer in the countryside in the field out of the people of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead out of the people of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the people of Manasseh. These were the set cities for all the people of Israel, and for the stranger who stays with them, that whoever kills anyone by accident strength run there, and not be killed by the avenger of blood, until they’ve stood before the people.
21[1-3] Then came up the heads of ancestors’ houses of the Levites to Eleazar the preacher, to Joshua of Nun, and to the heads of ancestors’ houses of the people of Israel; and they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “Yahweh told Moses to give us cities to live in with their outskirts for our livestock. So the people of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, by the word of Yahweh, these cities with their outskirts.
[4-7] The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites; and the people of Aaron the preacher, who were of the Levites, had by the Judgment stones out of the family of Judah, the family of the Simeonites, and the family of Benjamin, 13 cities. The rest of the people of Kohath had by the Judgment stones out of the families of Ephraim, the family of Dan, and out of half of the family of Manasseh, ten cities. The people of Gershon had by the Judgment stones out of the families of Issachar, the family of Asher, the family of Naphtali, and out of half of the family of Manasseh in Bashan, 13 cities. The people of Merari by their families had out of the family of Reuben, the family of Gad, and the family of Zebulun, 12 cities.
[8-12] The people of Israel gave by the Judgment stones to the Levites these cities with their outskirts, as Yahweh told Moses. They gave out of the people of Judah and Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name; and they were for the people of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the people of Levi because theirs was the first lot. They gave them Kiriath Arba, and Arba was who had Anak the giant, which is Hebron, in the hillsides of Judah, with the outskirts around it. But the fields of the city with its towns, they gave to Caleb of Jephunneh for his own.
[13-19] To the people of Aaron the preacher they gave Hebron with its outskirts, the city of refuge for the killer, Libnah with its outskirts, Jattir with its outskirts, Eshtemoa with its outskirts, Holon with its outskirts, Debir with its outskirts, Ain with its outskirts, Juttah with its outskirts, and Beth Shemesh with its outskirts; nine cities out of those two families. Out of the people of Benjamin, Gibeon with its outskirts, Geba with its outskirts, Anathoth with its outskirts, and Almon with its outskirts; four cities. All the cities of the people of Aaron, the preachers, were 13 cities with their outskirts.
[20-26] The people of Kohath, the Levites, all the rest of the people of Kohath, had the cities of their lot out of the people of Ephraim. They gave them Shechem with its outskirts in the hillsides of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the killer, Gezer with its outskirts, Kibzaim with its outskirts, and Beth Horon with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the people of Dan, Elteke with its outskirts, Gibbethon with its outskirts, Aijalon with its outskirts, Gath Rimmon with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the half-people of Manasseh, Taanach with its outskirts, and Gath Rimmon with its outskirts; two cities. All the cities of the families of the rest of the people of Kohath were ten with their outskirts.
[27-33] To the people of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of half the people of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with its outskirts, the city of refuge for the killer, and Be Eshterah with its outskirts; two cities. Out of the people of Issachar, Kishion with its outskirts, Daberath with its outskirts, Jarmuth with its outskirts, En Gannim with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the people of Asher, Mishal with its outskirts, Abdon with its outskirts, Helkath with its outskirts, and Rehob with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the people of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its outskirts, the city of refuge for the killer, Hammothdor with its outskirts, and Kartan with its outskirts; three cities. There were 13 cities with their outskirts in all of the Gershonites by their families.
[34-40] To the people of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the people of Zebulun, Jokneam with its outskirts, Kartah with its outskirts, Dimnah with its outskirts, and Nahalal with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the people of Reuben, Bezer with its outskirts, Jahaz with its outskirts, Kedemoth with its outskirts, and Mephaath with its outskirts; four cities. Out of the people of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its outskirts, the city of refuge for the killer, Mahanaim with its outskirts, Heshbon with its outskirts, and Jazer with its outskirts; four cities in all. All these were the cities of the people of Merari by their families, all the rest of the families of the Levites; and their lot was 12 cities.
[41-45] All the cities of the Levites in the middle of the land of the people of Israel were 48 cities with their outskirts. These cities with their outskirts around them; so it was with all these cities. So Yahweh gave to Israel all the land which was promised to their ancestors; and they took it, and lived in it. Yahweh gave them rest all around, and what was promised to their ancestors; and not one of all their enemies stood before them; Yahweh gave all their enemies into their power. Everything happened which Yahweh had told the house of Israel; nothing failed of it.
22[1-5] Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and half of the people of Manasseh, saying to them, You’ve done what Moses the follower of Yahweh told you, and have listened to Me in what I told you; you haven’t left your family these many days until today, but have kept the word of Yahweh your God. Now Yahweh your God has given rest to your family, as was told them; so now turn, and get to your tents, to your land, which Moses the follower of Yahweh gave you across the Jordan Only be very careful to do the word and the law which Moses the follower of Yahweh told you, to love Yahweh your God, and to walk in all the ways of God, to keep all God’s words, to hold on to God, and to serve God with all your heart and with all your soul.
[6-8] So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents. Now to half of the people of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan; but to the other half Joshua gave among their brothers across the Jordan westward; so when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them, saying to them, saying, “Go back with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, gold, brass, and iron, and with very much clothing; divide the stuff of your enemies with your family.
[9-11] The people of Reuben and the people of Gad and half of the people of Manasseh went back, and left from the people of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to their own land, by the word of Yahweh by Moses. When they came to the area near the Jordan, that’s in the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and half of the people of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a great altar to look on. The people of Israel heard say, See, the people of Reuben, the people of Gad and half of the people of Manasseh have built an altar at the edge of the land of Canaan, in the area near the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.
[12-16] When the people of Israel heard it, the whole group of the people of Israel gathered together at Shiloh, to go to war against them. The people of Israel sent to the people of Reuben, to the people of Gad, and to half of the people of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas, of Eleazar the preacher, and with him ten leaders, one head of an ancestors’ house for each of the families of Israel; and they were each head of their ancestors’ houses among the thousands of Israel. They came to the people of Reuben, to the people of Gad, and to half of the people of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead, and they said, “ with them, saying, “The whole people of Yahweh asks, What sin is this that you’ve done against the God of Israel, to turn away today from following Yahweh, in that you’ve built an altar, to rebel today against Yahweh?
[17-20] Is the sin of Peor too little for us, from which we haven’t cleansed ourselves until today, although there came a disease on the people of Yahweh, that you must turn away today from following Yahweh? And seeing you rebel today against Yahweh, tomorrow God will be angry with the whole people of Israel. But, if the land of your possession be unfit, then pass over to the land of the possession of Yahweh, in which Yahweh’s tent is, and take possession among us; but don’t rebel against Yahweh, nor rebel against us, in building an altar Besides this, the altar of Yahweh our God. Didn’t Achan of Zerah commit a sin in the dedicated things, and anger fell on all the people of Israel? and that man didn’t die alone in his sin.
[21-25] Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and half of people of Manasseh answered, saying to the heads of the thousands of Israel, Yahweh God of gods, Yahweh God of gods, knows; and Israel will know if it be in rebellion, or if it was done in sin against Yahweh (don’t save us today), that we’ve built an altar to turn away from following Yahweh; or if to offer a burnt offering or meal offering on it, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings on it, let Yahweh judge us; and if we haven’t rather out of carefulness done this, and of purpose, saying, “In the future your children strength speak to our children, saying, “What do you’ve to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel? Yahweh has made the Jordan a border between us and you, you people of Reuben and Gad have nothing to do with Yahweh; so your children strength make our children stop worshiping Yahweh.
[26-29] So we said, “Let’s now build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice; but as a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the work of Yahweh with our burnt offerings, and our sacrifices, and our peace offerings; that your children may not tell our children in the future, You have nothing to do with Yahweh. So we said, “When they tell this to us or to our generations in the future, we’ll say, See the plan of the altar of Yahweh, which our ancestors made, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice; but it’s a witness between us and you. Far be it from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and turn away today from following Yahweh, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, Besides this, the altar of Yahweh our God that’s in the Place of Worship.
[30-34] When Phinehas, the preacher, and the leaders of the people, the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the people of Manasseh said, “it pleased them well. Phinehas, of Eleazar, the preacher, said to the people of Reuben, to the people of Gad, and to the people of Manasseh, today we know that Yahweh is here with us, because you haven’t done this sin against Yahweh; now you’ve taken the people of Israel from Yahweh. Phinehas, of Eleazar, the preacher, and the leaders went back from the people of Reuben, and Gad, out of the land of Gilead, to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought them word again. It pleased the people of Israel; and the people of Israel blessed God, saying no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land in which the people of Reuben and Gad lived. The people of Reuben and Gad called the altar Ed because, they said, “It’s a witness between us that Yahweh is God.
23[1-5] After many days when Yahweh had given rest to Israel from all their enemies around them, and Joshua was old and on up in years; Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, their heads, their judges, and their leaders, saying to them, I’m old and on up in years; and you’ve seen what Yahweh your God has done to all these nations for you, because Yahweh, your God, is who has fought for you. See, I’ve given you these nations that are left, to be an inheritance for your families, from the Jordan with all the nations that I’ve stopped, all the way to the Great Sea toward the west. Yahweh your God will throw them out before you, and drive them out of your sight; and you’ll take their land, as Yahweh your God said to you.
[6-10] So be very brave to keep and do what’s written in the Book of the Law of Moses, that you don’t turn away from it in any way; that you don’t come among these nations, these that are left among you; Don’t say the name of their false gods, nor make promises by them, neither serve them, nor worship them; but hang on to Yahweh your God, as you’ve done until today. For Yahweh has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has stood before you until today. One of you will chase a thousand because it’s Yahweh your God who fights for you, as was told you.
[11-16] Be careful to love Yahweh your God. Or else if you do at all go back, and live with those who are left of these nations, even these who are left among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you; know for a certainty that Yahweh your God won’t drive these nations from out of your sight anymore; but they’ll be a trap to you, and a pain in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you die from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you. See, today I’m going the way of all the earth; and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which Yahweh your God said to you about; all has happen to you, not one thing has failed to happen. As all the good things have come on you of which Yahweh your God said to you, so will Yahweh bring on you all the evil things, until you’re destroyed from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you. When you disobey the promised agreement of Yahweh your God, which was told you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them; then Yahweh will be very angry with you, and you’ll die quickly from off the good land which God has given to you.
24[1-5] Joshua gathered all the families of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, their heads, their judges, and their leaders; and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “Your ancestors lived of old time across the River, even Terah, who had Abraham, and of Nahor; and they served false gods. I took your father Abraham from across the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and grew his family, and gave him Isaac. I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau; and I gave to Esau Mount Seir, to take it; and Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. I sent Moses and Aaron, and I troubled Egypt, by what I did there; and afterward I brought you out.
[6-10] I brought your ancestors out of Egypt; and you came to the sea; and the Egyptians chased after your ancestors with war vehicles and with riders to the Red Sea. When they shouted to Yahweh, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea back on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt; and you lived in the countryside many days. I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who lived across the Jordan; and they fought with you; and I put them into your power, and you took their land; and I destroyed them from before you. Then Balak of Zippor, Ruler of Moab, got up and fought against Israel; and he sent and called Balaam of Beor to curse you; but I wouldn’t listen to Balaam; so he blessed you still; so I freed you out of his hand.
[11-15] You went over the Jordan, and came to Jericho; and the people of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I handed them over to you. I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two Rulers of the Amorites; not with your sword, nor with your bow. I gave you a land which you hadn’t worked for, and cities which you didn’t build, and you live in it; and you eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn’t plant. So respect Yahweh, and worship God in sincerity and truth; and put away the false gods which your ancestors worshiped across the River, and in Egypt; and serve Yahweh. If it seem evil to you to serve Yahweh God, choose today whom you’ll serve; whether the false gods which your ancestors served across the river, or the false gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. As for me and my house, we’ll serve Yahweh God.
[16-20] The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should leave Yahweh, to serve other gods; It’s Yahweh our God, who brought us and our ancestors up out of the land of Egypt, from all the hard work we did, and who did those great signs in our sight, and saved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land; so we also will serve Yahweh, Who is our God.” Joshua answered them, “You can’t serve Yahweh, Who is a holy God; and a jealous God, who won’t forgive your disobedience or your sins. If you leave Yahweh, and worship false gods, then God will turn and punish you, and destroy you, who has done good things for you up till now.”
[21-25] The people said to Joshua, “No; but we’ll serve Yahweh.” And Joshua answered the people, “You’re witnesses against yourselves that you’ve chosen to serve Yahweh.” They said, “We’re witnesses.” He said, “So put away the false gods which are among you, and turn your heart to Yahweh, the God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “We’ll serve Yahweh our God, and listen to God’s Word.” So Joshua made an agreement with the people that day, and set a rule of law for them in Shechem.
[26-30] Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh. Joshua said to all the people, See, this stone will be a witness against us because it has heard all the words Yahweh said to us; so it’s a witness against you, in case you deny your God. So Joshua sent the people away, everyone to their land. Afterward, Joshua of Nun, the follower of Yahweh, died, being 110 years old. They buried him on the edge of his land in Timnathserah, which is in the hillsides of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash.
[31-33] Israel served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, and had known what all Yahweh had done for Israel. They buried the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up out of Egypt, in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the descendants of Hamor, who had Shechem, for a hundred coins; and they became the inheritance of the people of Joseph. Eleazar, of Aaron, died; and they buried him in the hill of Phinehas, who had, which was given him in the hillsides of Ephraim.
Judges
1[1 -5] After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel asked Yahweh, saying, “Who will go up first against the Canaanites for us, to fight against them?” Yahweh said, “Judah will go up; see I’ve handed over the land to him.” Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into my land to fight against the Canaanites; and I’ll go with you into your land.” So Simeon went with him. Judah went up; and Yahweh handed over the Canaanites and the Perizzites to them; and they fought 10,000 of them in Bezek. They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him, and they fought the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
[6-8] But Adoni-Bezek ran; and they chased after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy Rulers, having their thumbs and big toes cut off, gathered their food under my table; God has repaid me for what I’ve done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. Then the people of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and fought it with the blade of a sword, and set the city on fire.
[9-15] Afterward the people of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hillsides, in the South, and in the lowland. Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba); and they fought Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. From there he went against the people of Debir (the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher). Then Caleb said, “Whoever fights Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, I’ll give to him Achsah, my daughter, as wife.” Othniel, of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; and he gave him Achsah, his daughter, as wife. When she came to him, she moved him to ask of her father a field; and she got off from her donkey; and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you’ve put me in the land of the South, give me creeks of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper creeks and the lower creeks.
[16-20] Moses’ brother-in-law went up out of the city of palm trees with the people of Judah into the countryside of Judah which is in the south of Arad; and they went and lived with the Kenites. Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they fought the Canaanites who lived in Zephath, and completely destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. Also Judah took Gaza with its border, Ashkelon with its border, and Ekron with its border. Yahweh was with Judah; and drove out the people of the hillsides; but he couldn’t drive out the people of the valley, because they had iron war vehicles. They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had said; and he drove out there the three sons of Anak, the giant.
[21 -26] The people of Benjamin didn’t drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem; but the Jebusites live with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem until today. The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel; and Yahweh was with them. The house of Joseph sent some to check out Bethel (the name of the city before was Luz). The spies saw someone come out of the city, and they said to him, “Show us the entrance into the city, and we’ll deal kindly with you. He showed them the entrance into the city; and they fought the city with the blade of a sword; but they let that man and all his family go. They went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called it Luz, which is its name today.
[27-30] Manasseh didn’t drive out the peoples of Beth Shean with its towns, Taanach with its towns, Dor with its towns, Ibleam with its towns, nor the people of Megiddo with its towns; but the Canaanites would live in that land. When Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to hard work, and didn’t completely drive them out. Ephraim didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites lived in Gezer with them. Zebulun didn’t drive out the people of Kitron, or the people of Nahalal; but the Canaanites lived with them, and became their workers.
[31-36] Asher didn’t drive out the people of Accho, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, nor of Rehob; but the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the people of the land; and they didn’t drive them out. Naphtali didn’t drive out the people of Beth Shemesh or Beth Anath; but he lived among the Canaanites, the people of the land; But the people of Beth Shemesh and of Beth Anath became their workers. The Amorites forced the people of Dan into the hillsides because they wouldn’t let them come down to the valley; but the Amorites would live in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalabbin; still the hand of the house of Joseph was strong, so they became their workers. The border of the Amorites was from the rise of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
Thorns in Israel’s Side
2[1-5] The angel of Yahweh came up from Gilgal to Bochim saying, “I made you come up out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I promised to your ancestors; and I said, “I’ll never break My promised agreement with you; and you won’t make any promised agreement with the people of this land; you’ll break down their altars. But you haven’t listened to Me; why have you done this? So I also said, “I won’t drive them out from before you; but they’ll be as thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap to you.” When the angel of Yahweh said these words to all the people of Israel, the people screamed and cried. They called the name of that place Bochim; and they sacrificed there to Yahweh.
[6 -10] Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the people of Israel went to their inheritance to take the land. The people served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work Yahweh had done for Israel. Joshua of Nun, the follower of Yahweh, died, being 110 years old. They buried him in the border of the People of God in Timnath Heres, in the hillsides of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. Also all that generation died; and another generation came after them, who didn’t know Yahweh, or the work which God had done for Israel.
[11 -15] The people of Israel did what Yahweh said was evil, and worshiped the Baals (false gods); and they stopped worshiping Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, the false gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; and they made Yahweh angry. They left Yahweh, and followed Baal and the fertility goddess Ashtaroth. So Yahweh was angry at Israel, and gave them into the hands of raiders who stole from them, and sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they couldn’t face their enemies anymore. Wherever they went out, the hand of Yahweh was against them for evil, as Yahweh had said, “and as Yahweh had promised to them; and they were very upset.
[16 -19] But Yahweh sent judges, who saved them from those who tried to ruin them. Still they didn’t listen to their judges; and were unfaithful, worshiping other gods, and bowing down to them; they turned quickly from the way in which their ancestors followed, who obeyed the words of Yahweh; but they didn’t do so. When Yahweh sent judges, then Yahweh was with the judge, and saved them from their enemies all the days of the judge because it upset Yahweh to hear their crying because of those who abused them and troubled them. But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and did worse than their ancestors, in worshiping other gods, and bowing down to them; they didn’t stop doing it, nor turn from their stubborn ways.
[20-23] Yahweh was angry at Israel saying, “Because this nation has sinned against My promised agreement which I told their ancestors, and haven’t listened to Me; From now on, I also won’t drive out any of their enemies from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died; that by them I may prove Israel, whether they’ll keep the way of Yahweh and follow it, as their ancestors did, or not. So Yahweh left those nations without driving them out quickly; and didn’t hand them over to Joshua.
God Proves Israel
3[1 -6] Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as hadn’t known all the wars of Canaan; only that the generations of the people of Israel would know about war, at least those who knew nothing about it before; namely, the five leaders of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. They were left, to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the words of Yahweh, which was given to their ancestors by Moses. The people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites; and they took their daughters for wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods.
[7-11] The people of Israel did what Yahweh said was evil, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal). So Yahweh was angry at Israel, and sold them into the power of Cushan Rishathaim, Ruler of Mesopotamia; and the people of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. When the people of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a hero to the people of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of Yahweh came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh handed over Cushan Rishathaim, Ruler of Mesopotamia, to him; and his hand was strong against Cushan Rishathaim. The land had rest 40 years, and then Othniel of Kenaz died.
[12-15] The people of Israel again did what Yahweh said was evil; and Yahweh strengthened Eglon, the Ruler of Moab, against Israel, because they had done what Yahweh said was evil. He gathered the people of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and fought Israel, and they took the city of palm trees. The people of Israel served Eglon, the Ruler of Moab, 18 years. But when the people of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised them up a hero, Ehud, of Gera, the Benjamite, who was left-handed. The people of Israel sent taxes by him to Eglon, the Ruler of Moab.
[16-21] Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, about 18” long; and he tied it under his clothing on his right thigh. He offered the taxes to Eglon, Ruler of Moab; now Eglon was very fat. When he had given him the taxes, he sent away the people who brought the taxes. But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, saying, “I have come on a secret errand to you, Ruler.” He said, “Be quiet.” All who stood by him went out from him. Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upstairs room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” Then he got up out of his seat. Ehud raised his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and stuck it into his body; and the hilt also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t take the sword out of his body; and it came out behind him.
[23 -26] Then Ehud went into the porch, and shut the doors of the upstairs room on him, and locked them. Now when he had gone out, his workers came; and they saw that the doors of the upstairs room were locked; and they said, “Truly he’s resting quietly in the upstairs room.” So they waited until they were ashamed; and he didn’t open the doors of the upstairs room; so they took the key, and opened them, and he was fallen down dead on the earth. Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirah.
[27-31] When he had come, he blew a battle horn in the hillsides of Ephraim; and the people of Israel went down with him from the hillsides and he led them. He said to them, “Follow me because Yahweh has given your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” They went down after him and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn’t let anyone across. They fought of Moab at that time with about 10,000 soldiers, every brave fighter; and no one escaped. So Moab was taken that day by the hand of Israel. The land had rest 80 years. After him was Shamgar of Anath, who fought of the Philistines 600 soldiers with an animal prodding stick; and he also saved Israel.
Deborah, the Preacher
4[1-3] The people of Israel did what Yahweh said was evil again when Ehud died. Yahweh handed them over to Jabin, Ruler of Canaan, who ruled in Hazor; the captain of whose troops was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth of the Gentiles. The people of Israel cried to Yahweh because he had 900 iron war vehicles; and for 20 years he greatly abused the people of Israel.
[4-7] Now Deborah, a preacher, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time. She lived under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hillsides of Ephraim; and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. She sent and called Barak of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, saying to him, “Hasn’t Yahweh, the God of Israel, said, “‘Go to Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 of the people of Naphtali and of the people of Zebulun? I’ll draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s troops with his war vehicles and his number; and I’ll give him to you.’”
[8-10] Barak said to her, “If you’ll go with me, then I’ll go; but if you won’t go with me, I won’t go.” She said, “I’ll go with you; though the journey that you take won’t be for your honor because Yahweh will give Sisera into the power of a woman.” Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh; and 10,000 soldiers went up with him; and Deborah went up with him.
[11-13] Now Heber, the Kenite, had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the people of Hobab, the brother-in-Law of Moses, and had made his home as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh. They told Sisera that Barak of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. Sisera gathered together all his war vehicles, all 900 iron war vehicles, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the other peoples, to the river Kishon.
[14-17] Deborah said to Barak, “Get up because this is the day in which Yahweh has given Sisera to you; hasn’t Yahweh gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor and 10,000 soldiers with him. Yahweh troubled Sisera, and all his war vehicles, and all his troops with the blade of a sword before Barak; and Sisera got off his war vehicle, and ran away on foot. But Barak chased after the war vehicles and after the troops to Harosheth of the other peoples; and all the troops of Sisera fell by the blade of a sword; there wasn’t anyone left. But Sisera ran away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite because there was peace between Jabin, the Ruler of Hazor, and the house of Heber, the Kenite.
[18-21] Jael went out to meet Sisera, saying to him, “Turn in, sir, turn in to me; don’t be scared.” He came in to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; I’m thirsty.” So she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink, and covered him. He said to her, “Stand in the door of the tent, and if anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there anyone hiding here?’ say No.” Then Jael, Heber’s wife took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand, and went quietly to him, and pounded the peg into the side of his head, and it pierced all the way through and into the ground because he was in a deep sleep; so he fainted and died.
[22 -24] As Barak chased Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, saying to him, “Come and I’ll show you the one for whom you look. He came to her; and Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his head. So God defeated Jabin, the Ruler of Canaan, on that day before the people of Israel. The hand of the people of Israel was stronger and stronger against Jabin, until they had destroyed him.
The Victory of Israel
5[1-3] Then Deborah and Barak of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, and the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh! Listen, you Rulers! Listen, you leaders! I, yes I’ll sing to Yahweh. I’ll sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
[4-9] Yahweh, when You came out of Seir, when You marched out of the field of Edom, the earth shook, and the sky dropped. Yes, the clouds rained. The mountains quaked at the presence of Yahweh, even Sinai, at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through the streets. The rulers died out in Israel. They died out until I, Deborah, got up; Until I stood up, a mother, in Israel. They chose new gods. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among 40,000 in Israel? My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless Yahweh!
[10-12] Tell it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way. Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they’ll repeat the good acts of Yahweh, yes the good acts of God’s rule in Israel. Then the people of Yahweh went down to the gates. Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Get up, Barak, and lead away your prisoners, you son of Abinoam.
[13-16] Then what was left of the leaders and the people came down. Yahweh came down for me against the strong. Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among Your peoples. Governors came down out of Machir. Those who handle the Ruler’s workers came out of Zebulun. The leaders of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the rivers of Reuben, there were heart-filled thoughts. Why did you sit quietly among the animal pens, to hear the whistling for the flocks? At the rivers of Reuben, there were heart-filled thoughts.
[17 -20] Gilead lived across the Jordan. Why did Dan stay in their ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by the creeks. Zebulun was a people that risked their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the hills of the field. The Rulers came and fought, and then the Rulers of Canaan fought at Taanach by the rivers of Megiddo, taking no pay. From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.
[21-23 ] The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. I, myself, march on with strength. Then the horse hoofs pounded because of the galloping of their war horses. Punishment will come to Meroz, said the angel of Yahweh. Punish its people greatly, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the strong.
[24-27] Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite, will be blessed above women; she’ll be blessed above women who live in the tent. He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a beautiful dish. She took the tent peg and the worker’s hammer in her hands. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She nailed through his head. Yes, she pierced and struck through his head. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
[28-31] She looked out through the window, and cried; Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his war vehicle so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his war vehicles stand still?’ Her wise ladies answered her, ‘Yes,’ she even said to herself, ‘Haven’t they found and divided the stuff by now? A woman or two for every man; some dyed clothes for Sisera, some beautifully embroidered dyed clothes, yes, dyed clothes embroidered on both sides, and on the necks of all the stuff?’ So let all your enemies die, Yahweh, but let those who love You be as the sun when it rises at midday.” So the land had rest 40 years. `
Israel Rebels against God
6[1-5] Then the people of Israel did what Yahweh said was evil; and Yahweh gave them into the power of Midian seven years. Midian was strong against Israel; and because of Midian the people of Israel lived in the dens in the mountains, among the caves, and the strongholds. So when Israel had planted, the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the east came up against them; and they camped against them, and destroyed the produce of the earth, until you come to Gaza, and left no food in Israel, neither sheep, cow, nor donkey. They came up with their livestock and their tents like a swarm of locusts; neither they nor their camels could be counted; and they came to destroy the land.
[6-10] Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the people of Israel cried to Yahweh. When the people of Israel cried to Yahweh because of Midian, Yahweh sent a preacher to the people of Israel, who said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the place of hard work; and I freed you from the Egyptians, and from all who abused you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land; and I said to you, I Am Yahweh your God; you won’t worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live. But you haven’t listened to Me.’”
Gideon is Called
[11 -14] The angel of Yahweh came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite; and his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The angel of Yahweh appeared to him, saying to him, “Yahweh is with you, brave fighter.” So Gideon asked, “If Yahweh is with us, why has all this happened to us? and where are all the wondrous works which our ancestors told us about, saying, “‘Didn’t Yahweh bring us out of Egypt?’ but now Yahweh has thrown us away, and given us into the power of Midian.” Yahweh looked at him, saying, “Go bravely, and you’ll save Israel from the hand of Midian; haven’t I sent you?”
[15 -19] Then Gideon asked, “Oh, Yahweh, how will I save Israel? See, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I’m the least important in my father’s house.” But Yahweh said to him, “Truly I’ll be with you, and you’ll fight the Midianites as one.” Then Gideon asked, “If I’ve pleased You, then show me a sign that it’s really You who talks with me. Please don’t go away, until I come to you, and bring out my gift, and lay it before You.” So Yahweh said, “I’ll wait until you come back.” Gideon went in, and got a young goat ready, and some pancakes of about 6 gallons of meal; the meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out and gave it to the angel under the oak.
[20-24] The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the pancakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” He did so. Then the angel of Yahweh held out the end of the walking stick, and touched the meat and the pancakes; and fire came up out of the rock, and burned up all the meat and the pancakes; and the angel of Yahweh disappeared. So Gideon knew that it was the angel of Yahweh; and Gideon said, “Ah, Yahweh God! I’ve seen the angel of Yahweh face to face.” So Yahweh said to him, “Be at peace; don’t be scared; you won’t die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it Yahweh is Peace; until today it’s still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
[25-28] The same night, Yahweh said to him, “Take your father’s bull, even the second bull of seven years old, and throw down the altar of that false god Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), that is by it; and build an altar to Yahweh your God on the top of this stronghold, in the orderly way, and take the second bull, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah, which you’ll cut down.” Then Gideon took ten of his workers and did as Yahweh had said to him; and because he feared his father’s household and the people of the city, so that he couldn’t do it by day, he did it by night. When the people of the city got up early in the morning, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah was cut down that was by it, and the second bull was offered on the altar that was built.
[29-32] They asked each other, “Who has done this?” When they asked around, it was told them, “Gideon of Joash has done this.” Then the people of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has broken down the altar of Baal, and has cut down the Asherah.” So Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you fight for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever will fight for him, let him be killed while it’s still morning; if Baal is a god, let him fight for himself, because someone has broken down his altar.” So on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal fight against him, because he has broken down his altar.”
[33-35] Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people of the east gathered together; and they came through, and camped in the valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of Yahweh came on Gideon; and he blew a battle horn; and Abiezer followed behind him. He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; and they also followed behind him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali; and they came to meet them.
[36-40] Gideon said to God, “If You’ll save Israel by my hand, as You’ve said, “I’ll put a piece of wool on the ground; if there’s dew only on the wool, and it’s dry on all the ground, then I’ll know that You’ll save Israel by my hand, as You’ve said.” And as he got up early on the next day, he squeezed the wool together, and wrung the dew out of the wool, making a bowl full of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Don’t be angry with me, and I’ll ask one more thing; Please let me make a trial just one more time with the wool; let it now be dry only on the wool, and let there be dew on all the ground.” And God did so that night; as it was dry only on the wool, and there was dew all over the ground.
Gideon’s Army
7[1-5] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, got up early and camped beside Harod Creek; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by Moreh Hill, in the valley. Yahweh said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their power, or Israel will lift themselves up against Me, saying, “my own hand has saved me. So say to the people, ‘Whoever is scared and shaking, go home from Mount Gilead.’ So 22,000 people went home; and there were 10,000 left. Then Yahweh said to Gideon, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I’ll test them for you there; and whoever I tell you, ‘these will go with you’, they’ll go with you; and whoever I tell you, ‘these won’t go with you’, they won’t go.” So he brought down the people down to the water; and Yahweh said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you’ll separate from those who bow down on their knees to drink.”
[6-11] The number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth was 300 soldiers; but all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water. Yahweh said to Gideon, “By these 300 soldiers who lapped I’ll save you, and give the Midianites to you; and let everyone else go home.” So the people took food in their hand, and their horns; and he sent all the people of Israel home except the 300 soldiers; and the camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley. The same night Yahweh said to him, “Get up, go down into the camp because I’ve given it to you. But if you fear to go down, go with Purah, your follower, down to the camp, and you’ll hear what they say; and afterward you’ll be strengthened to go down into the camp.” Then he went down with Purah, his worker, to the edge of the soldiers who were in the camp.
[12 -14] The Midianites, Amalekites, and all the people of the east lay along in the valley like a swarm of locusts; and their camels couldn’t be counted, as the sand on the seashore. When Gideon had come, there was someone telling a dream to another; and he said, “See, I dreamed a dream; and a loaf of barley bread rolled into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and hit it so hard that it fell, and turned upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” Then the other person answered, “This isn’t anything else but the sword of Gideon, of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and the troops to him.”
[15 -18] So when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and its interpretation, he worshiped God; and he went back to the camp of Israel, saying, “Get up because Yahweh has given to you the troops of Midian.” He divided the 300 soldiers into three companies, and he gave them all horns and empty pitchers with torches in them. He said to them, “Look at me, and do what I do; and when I come to the edge of the camp, just as I do, so you’ll do. When I blow the horn, I and all who are with me, then blow your horns also on every side of the camp, and yell, ‘For Yahweh and for Gideon’.”
[19 -22] So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the guards, they blew the horns, and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands. The three companies blew the horns, broke the pitchers, held the torches in their left hands, and the horns in their right hands with which to blow; and they cried, “The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon.” Then everyone in the camp jumped up; and all the troops shouted and ran. They blew the 300 horns and Yahweh set everyone’s sword against each other, and against all the troops; and the troops ran as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
[23-25] The people of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, and chased after Midian. Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hillsides of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against Midian and take before them the waters, as far as Beth Barah to the Jordan.” So all the people of Ephraim were gathered together and took the waters as far as Beth Barah to the Jordan. They took the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb, and chased Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan.
Gideon Leads Israel Astray
8[1-3] The people of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done us this way, and didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They spoke to him angrily. He answered them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Isn’t picking the last few grapes of Ephraim better than the wine of Abiezer? God has given to you the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger cooled toward him when he had said that.
[4-9] Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 soldiers who were with him, faint, still running. He said to the people of Succoth, “Please give some loaves of bread to the people who follow me because they’re faint, and I’m chasing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the Rulers of Midian.” The leaders of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your troops?” So Gideon said, “When Yahweh has given Zebah and Zalmunna to me, then I’ll tear your flesh with the thorns and briars of the countryside.” He went up there to Penuel, saying to them the same thing; and the people of Penuel answered him as the people of Succoth had answered. So he said also to the people of Penuel, “When I come back in peace, I’ll break down this tower.”
[10 -12] Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their troops, about 15,000 soldiers, all who were left of all the troops of the people of the east; because 120,000 soldiers who fought had died. So Gideon went up by the road of those who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and fought the troops because the camp was safe. Zebah and Zalmunna ran; and he chased after them; and he took the two Rulers of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and confused all the troops.
[13 -17] Gideon of Joash went back from the battle from the rise of Heres. He caught a young man of the people of Succoth, and asked him; and he described for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, 77 in all. He came to the people of Succoth, saying, “See Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, “‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are tired?’” So he took the elders of the city, and beat them with the thorns and briars of the countryside, and punished the leaders of Succoth. Then he broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed those in that city.
[18-21] Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they; each one looked like the people of a Ruler.” He said, “They were my brothers, the descendants of my mother; as Yahweh lives, if you had let them live, I wouldn’t kill you.” He said to Jether his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the youth didn’t draw his sword, because he was scared and still young. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us because as the man is, so is his strength.” Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on their camels’ necks.
[22-30] Then the people of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you, and your son, and your son’s son also because you’ve saved us from Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “I won’t rule over you, neither will my son rule over you; Yahweh will rule over you.” Gideon said to them, “I ask you, that you’d give me all the earrings out of your stuff.” (For they all had golden earrings, because those who they killed were Ishmaelites – Arabs.) They answered, “We’ll willingly give them.” So they spread out a piece of cloth and threw in it all the earrings out of their stuff. The weight of the golden earrings that he asked for was 1,700 gold coins, besides the crescents, the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the Rulers of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks. Gideon made a golden breastplate, and put it in his city, in Ophrah; and all Israel unfaithfully worshiped it there; and it became a trap to Gideon and to his house. So Midian was beaten by the people of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. The land had rest 40 years in the days of Gideon.
[29-32] So Jerubbaal of Joash went and lived in his own house. And Gideon had 70 sons from his own body because he had many wives. His mistress who was in Shechem also had him a son and he named him Abimelech. Gideon of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the grave of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
[33 -35] As soon as Gideon was dead the people of Israel turned again, and were unfaithful to God following after the Baals, and made Baal Berith their god. The people of Israel didn’t remember Yahweh their God, Who had freed them from all their enemies on every side; neither did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, for all the goodness which he had done for Israel.
Sons of Gideon Killed
9[1-4] Abimelech of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, saying to them and to all the family of the house of his mother’s father, “Please ask all the people of Shechem, whether it’s better for you that all the descendants of Jerubbaal, who are 70 persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you? Remember also that I’m your flesh and bone.” His mother’s brothers said to him in the ears of all the people of Shechem all these words; and their hearts turned to follow Abimelech because they said, “He is our brother.” So they gave him 70 silver coins out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men who did whatever he wanted.
[5 -7] He went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his family, the 70 sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone; but Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, hid himself and escaped. All the people of Shechem gathered themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech their Ruler, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem. When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and shouted, saying, “Listen to me, you people of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
[8 -15] Once upon a time, the trees came to anoint a Ruler over them; and they said to the olive tree, Rule over us. But the olive tree said to them, “Should I leave my oil with which by me they honor God and human beings, and go to wave back and forth over the trees? The trees said to the fig tree, You come, and rule over us. But the fig tree said to them, “Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees? The trees said to the vine, Come, and rule over us. The vine said to them, “Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and human beings, and go to wave back and forth over the trees? Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come, and rule over us. So the bramble said to the trees, If in truth you anoint me Ruler over you, then come and rest in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and burn the cedars of Lebanon.
[16-21] So now, if you’ve dealt truly and rightly, in that you’ve made Abimelech Ruler, and if you’ve dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him what he deserved, (for my father fought for you, risked his life, and freed you from Midian, and you’ve come up against my father’s house today and killed his 70 sons on one stone, and have made Abimelech, son of his mistress, Ruler over the people of Shechem, because he is your brother); if you then have dealt truly and rightly with Jerubbaal and with his house today, then be happy with Abimelech, and let him also be happy with you, but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and burn the people of Shechem and Millo; and let fire come out from the people of Shechem and Millo, and burn Abimelech.” Jotham ran away and went to Beer, and lived there for fear of Abimelech, his brother.
[22-25] When Abimelech ruled over Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the people of Shechem; and the people of Shechem acted unfaithfully with Abimelech, so that the violence done to the 70 sons of Jerubbaal would come, and their blood would be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the people of Shechem, who helped to kill his family. The people of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains and they robbed all who came along that way by them; and it was told Abimelech.
[26-28] Gaal of Ebed came with his family and went over to Shechem; and the people of Shechem put their trust in him. They went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, crushing the grapes, and had their celebration, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech. Gaal of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve them? Isn’t he of Jerubbaal and Zebul is his official? Serve the people of Hamor, Shechem’s father; but why should we serve him?
[29 -33] I wish that this people were in my control! Then I’d take Abimelech down.” So he said to Abimelech, “Get your troops ready, and come fight.” When Zebul the Ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal of Ebed, he was very angry. He sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “See, Gaal of Ebed and his family have come to Shechem; and they push the city to fight against you. So come up by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field; and in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you’ll get up early, and rush on the city; and when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then you can do to them whatever you want to do.”
[34-38] Abimelech went with all the people who followed him, by night, and they set up an ambush against Shechem in four companies. Gaal, of Ebed, went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abimelech got up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush. When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You only see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” Gaal said again, “See, people are coming down the middle of the land, and one company comes by the road of the oak of Meonenim.” Then Zebul said to him, “What do you say now, you who said, “Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? isn’t this the people that you’ve hated? Go out now, I say, and fight them.”
[39-43] So Gaal went out before the people of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. Abimelech chased him and he ran before him, and many wounded fell all the way to the entrance of the gate. Abimelech stayed at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his family, so that they couldn’t stay in Shechem. On the next day, the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. He took the people and divided them into three companies, and set up an ambush in the field; and he looked and saw the people come out of the city; He came up against them and fought them.
[44-49] Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field and fought them. Abimelech fought against the city that day; and he took the city, and killed all the people who were in it; and he beat down the city, and spread salt all through it. When all the people of the tower of Shechem heard it, they went into the stronghold of the house of Elberith. It was told Abimelech that all the people of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a branch from the trees, picked it up, and put it on his shoulder; and he said to the people who were with him, “What you’ve seen me do, quickly, do as I’ve done.” So all the people cut down a branch, and followed Abimelech, and put them on the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire with them; so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
[50-54] Then Abimelech went to Thebez and camped against it and took it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women ran into it, and all those of the city, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower. Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and came to the door of the tower to burn it. But a certain woman threw a heavy millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man who was his armor bearer, saying to him, “Draw your sword, and kill me, that men won’t say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his young men stabbed him, and he died.
[55-57] When the people of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone went home. So God punished the evil of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in killing his 70 brothers; and God punished all the evil of the people of Shechem; and brought on them the punishment that Jotham of Jerubbaal said would come to them.
False Worship in Israel
10[1-5] After Abimelech, Tola, son of Puah, came to power to save Israel, who was of Dodo, from Issachar; and he lived in Shamir in the hillsides of Ephraim. He judged Israel 23 years and died, and was buried in Shamir. After him, Jair, the Gileadite came to power; and he judged Israel 22 years. He had 30 sons who rode on 30 donkey colts, and they had 30 cities, which are called Havvoth Jair until today, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.
[6 -8] The people of Israel again did what Yahweh said was evil, and worshiped the false gods of the Baals, and the fertility goddess Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they stopped worshiping Yahweh. So Yahweh was angry at Israel and handed them over to the Philistines, and to the people of Ammon. They troubled and abused the people of Israel that year; and for 18 years they abused all the people of Israel that were across the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
[9-16] The people of Ammon crossed over the Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was very troubled. The people of Israel called out to Yahweh, saying, “We’ve sinned against You, because we’ve left our God, and have served the Baals.” So Yahweh said to the people of Israel, “Didn’t I save you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the people of Ammon, and from the Philistines? And also the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites, who troubled you; and you cried to Me, and I saved you out of their power. Still you’ve left Me, and served other gods; so I won’t save you anymore. Go and cry to the gods which you’ve chosen; let them save you in the time of your trouble.” The people of Israel said to Yahweh, “We’ve sinned; do to us whatever seems right to you; only save us, we ask, today.” And they put away all the false gods from them and served Yahweh; and God’s soul was upset for the misery of Israel.
[17-18] Then the people of Ammon were gathered together and camped in Gilead. So the people of Israel gathered themselves together, and camped in Mizpah. The people, the leaders of Gilead, said to each other, “Who will fight against the people of Ammon? He’ll be head over all the people of Gilead.”
Jephthah the Gileadite
11[1-3] Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a brave fighter, and he was born of a prostitute; and Gilead had Jephthah. Gilead’s wife had him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah, saying to him, “You won’t inherit in our father’s house because you’re born of another woman. Then Jephthah ran from his family, and lived in the land of Tob where worthless persons came to him, and they went out to fight with him.
[4 -10] After a while, the people of Ammon went to war against Israel. When the people of Ammon went to war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob; and they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our leader that we may fight with the people of Ammon.” So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me out of my father’s house? So why are you coming to me now when you’re in trouble?” But the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “We’ve turned again to you now, so that you may go with us and fight with the people of Ammon; and you’ll be our head over all the people of Gilead.” Then Jephthah asked the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the people of Ammon, and Yahweh hands them over to me, I’ll be your leader?” And the elders of Gilead answered Jephthah, “Yahweh will be witness between us; Truly we’ll do whatever you tell us to do.”
[11-13] Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and leader over them; and Jephthah said all his words before Yahweh in Mizpah. Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ruler of the people of Ammon, saying, “What do you have to do with me, that you’ve come to me to fight against my land?” The Ruler of the people of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel took away my land, when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon all the way to the Jabbok and the Jordan; so give back those lands again peaceably.”
[14 -27] Then Jephthah sent messengers again to the Ruler of the people of Ammon; and said to him, “This says Jephthah; Israel didn’t take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the people of Ammon, but when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the countryside to the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh; then Israel sent messengers to the Ruler of Edom, saying, “‘Please let me pass through your land’; but the Ruler of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way he sent to the Ruler of Moab, but he wouldn’t listen either; and Israel stayed in Kadesh. Then they went through the countryside, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped on the other side of the Arnon; but they didn’t come within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab. Israel sent messengers to Sihon Ruler of the Amorites, the Ruler of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, “ ‘Let us pass, we ask, through your land to my place.’ But Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; so Sihon gathered all his people together and camped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel. Yahweh, the God of Israel, handed Sihon and all his people over to Israel, and they fought them; so Israel took all the land of the Amorites, and the people of that country. They took all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon all the way to the Jabbok, and from the countryside all the way to the Jordan. So now Yahweh, the God of Israel, has taken the land of the Amorites and has given it to the people Israel, and should you take it back from them? Won’t you take whatever Chemosh your god gives you to take? So whoever Yahweh our God has taken from before us, we’ll take them. Now are you anything better than Balak of Zippor, Ruler of Moab? Did he ever come against Israel, or did he ever fight against them? While Israel lived in Heshbon with its towns, and in Aroer with its towns, and in all the cities that are along by the side of the Arnon, 300 years; why didn’t you take it back during that time? So we haven’t sinned against you, but you’re wrong to war against me; Yahweh, the Judge, will be judge today between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon.”
[28-33] But the Ruler of the people of Ammon didn’t listen to the words of Jephthah which he sent. Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah, and he crossed over Gilead and Manasseh, and crossed over Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he crossed over to the people of Ammon. Jephthah made a promise to Yahweh, saying, “If you’ll truly give the people of Ammon to me, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me, when I go back in peace from the people of Ammon, it will be Yahweh’s, and I’ll offer it up for a burnt offering. So Jephthah crossed over to the people of Ammon to fight against them; and Yahweh handed them over to him. He fought them from Aroer until you come to Minnith, 20 cities, and to Abelcheramim with a very great slaughter. So the people of Ammon were beaten by the people of Israel.
[34 -40] Then Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and dances; and she was his only child; Besides her, he had no other son or daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes, saying, “Oh, my daughter! You’ve made me very sad, and you’re one of those who trouble me because I’ve made a (rash) promise to Yahweh, and I can’t go back on it.” So she said to him, “My father, you’ve made a promise to Yahweh; so do to me whatever you’ve said, “because Yahweh has taken vengeance for you on your enemies, on the people of Ammon.” Then she said to her father, “Let this one thing be done for me; let me alone for two months, that I may leave and go up on the mountains and mourn my virginity, I and my friends.” So he said, “Go.” He sent her away for two months; and she left, her and her friends, and mourned her virginity on the mountains. At the end of two months, she went back to her father, who did to her what he had promised; and she was a virgin. It was a tradition in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly to mourn the daughter of Jephthah, the Gileadite four days in a year. “ Note: God never requires child sacrifice, but he does require promises made, even rash ones.
Various Judges in Israel
12[1-3] The people of Ephraim gathered together and went northward; and they said to Jephthah, “Why did you go to fight against the people of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We’ll burn your house down on you with fire.” And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were in great trouble with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn’t come to help us. When I saw that you didn’t help me, I put my life in my own hand, and went against the people of Ammon, and Yahweh handed them over to me; so why have you come up to me today, to fight against me?”
[4-7] Then Jephthah gathered together all the people of Gilead and fought with Ephraim; and the people of Gilead fought Ephraim because they said, “You’re fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim, and in the midst of Manasseh.” So the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the people of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No;” then they said to him, “Say now Shibboleth;” and he said, “Sibboleth” because he couldn’t pronounce it right; then they grabbed him, and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim. Jephthah the Gileadite judged Israel six years and died, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
[8-10] After him Ibzan from Bethlehem judged Israel. He had 30 sons; and 30 daughters he sent abroad, and 30 daughters he brought in from abroad for his sons. He judged Israel seven years. Ibzan died, and was buried at Bethlehem.
[11-12] After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
[13 -15] After him Abdon of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons who rode on 70 donkey colts; and he judged Israel eight years. Abdon of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hillsides of the Amalekites.
God Hands Israel Over to the Philistines
13[1-5] The people of Israel again did what Yahweh said was evil; and Yahweh handed them over to the Philistines 40 years. Now there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife couldn’t have any children. The angel of Yahweh appeared to the woman, saying to her, “See now, you haven’t been able to have children up to now; but you’ll get pregnant and have a son. So please beware and drink no wine or alcoholic drink, and don’t eat anything unfit; because you’ll get pregnant and have a son; and you’re never to cut his hair because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he’ll begin to save Israel from the Philistines.”
[6-7] Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, “An angel of God came to me, whose face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn’t ask where the angel came from, nor was I given a name; but the angel said to me, “See, you’ll get pregnant and have a son; so now don’t drink wine or alcoholic drink, and don’t eat anything unfit because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb to death.”
[8-10] Then Manoah prayed to Yahweh, “Oh, Lord, please let the angel of God whom you sent come back to us, and teach us what to do to the child who will be born.” And God listened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field; but Manoah, her husband, wasn’t with her. The woman hurried, and ran and told her husband, “See, the angel has appeared to me who came to me the other day.”
[11-16] So Manoah got up and followed his wife, and came to the angel, saying, “Are you the one who spoke to this woman?” The angel said, “I Am.” Then Manoah said, “Now, let what you said happen; what will be the ordering of the child, and what will we do to him?” The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, “Of what I said to the woman let her beware. She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or alcoholic drink, nor eat anything unfit; what I told her let her do.” Then Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, “I ask, stay with us so that we may get a young goat ready for you.” The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, “Though you keep me, I won’t eat of your bread; and if you get a burnt offering ready, you must offer it to Yahweh.” Manoah didn’t know that it was the angel (messenger) of Yahweh.
[17-20] Then Manoah asked the angel of Yahweh, “What’s your name, that when your words happen we may honor you?” But the angel of Yahweh said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it’s not to be known?” So Manoah took the kid with the meal offering and offered it on the rock to Yahweh; and the angel did awesome things as Manoah and his wife watched. When the flame went up toward the sky from off the altar, the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar; and as Manoah and his wife looked on, they fell facedown to the ground.
[21-25] But the angel of Yahweh didn’t appear to Manoah or his wife anymore. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Yahweh. Manoah said to his wife, “We’ll truly die, because we’ve seen God.” But his wife said to him, “If Yahweh wanted to kill us, God wouldn’t have got a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, nor shown us all these things, nor told such things as these.” So the woman had a son, and named him Samson; and the child grew, and Yahweh blessed him. Then the Spirit of Yahweh began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Sampson
14[1-4] Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. He came up and told his father and mother, saying, “I’ve seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; so get her for me as a wife.” Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your family, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the unbelieving Philistines?” Samson said to his father, “Get her for me because she pleases me well.” But his father and mother didn’t know that it was of Yahweh, who looked for an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel.
[5 -9] Then Samson went down, along with his father and mother, to Timnah, and came to the vineyards of Timnah; and a young lion roared at him. The Spirit of Yahweh came greatly on him and he tore it as he would have torn a young goat; and he didn’t even have anything in his hand; but he didn’t tell his parents what he had done. He went down and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson well. After a while he went back to take her; and he turned around to see the carcass of the lion; and there was a swarm of bees and honey in the body of the lion. He took it into his hands and went on, eating as he went; and he came to his parents, and gave some to them, and they ate; but he didn’t tell them that he had taken the honey out of the body of the lion.
[10 -14] His father went down to the woman; and Samson made a celebration there because that’s what they used to do. When they saw him, they brought 30 friends to be with him. Then Samson said to them, “Let me now tell you a riddle; if you can tell me the answer within the seven days of the celebration, and find it out, then I’ll give you 30 linen clothes and 30 changes of clothing; but if you can’t tell it to me, then you will give me 30 linen clothes and 30 changes of clothing.” They said to him, “Tell us your riddle, that we may hear it.” So he said to them, “Food comes out of the eater. Sweetness comes out of the strong.” In three days they still couldn’t answer the riddle.
[15-18] On the seventh day, they said to Samson’s wife, “Trick your husband, that he may tell us the riddle, or we’ll burn you and your father’s house with fire; haven’t you called us here to make us poor? Isn’t it so?” So Samson’s wife cried before him, saying, “You hate me and don’t love me; you’ve told a riddle to my people, and haven’t told it to me.” He said to her, “Look, I haven’t told it to my parents, so should I tell you?” She cried before him the seven days, while their celebration lasted; and on the seventh day, he told her, because she pressed him very much; and she told the riddle to her people. Then the people of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, “What’s sweeter than honey? What’s stronger than a lion?” So Samson said to them, “If you hadn’t plowed with my cow, you wouldn’t have found out my riddle.”
[19-20] Then the Spirit of Yahweh came greatly on him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and fought 30 of their men, and took their stuff, and gave the changes of clothing to those who told him the riddle. He was very angry and he went up to his father’s house. But Samson’s wife was given to one of his friends.
Sampson and the Philistines
15[1-5] But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat; and he said, “I’ll go in to see my wife into the room.” But her father wouldn’t let him to go in. Her father said, “I most certainly thought that you completely hated her; so I gave her to your friend; isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her, instead.” But Samson said to them, “This time I’ll be without fault more than the Philistines, when I hurt them.” So Samson went and caught 300 foxes, and took firebrands, and turned them tail to tail, and put a firebrand in between each two. When he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the olive groves.
[6 -8] Then the Philistines said, “Who has done this?” They said, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife, and given her to his friend.” Then the Philistines came and burnt her and her father with fire. So Samson said to them, “Though you’ve done this, truly I’ll get you back, and then I’ll stop.” He fought them hand to hand with a great slaughter; and then he went down and lived in the cave of the rock of Etam.
[9-13] Then the Philistines went and camped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. The people of Judah said, “Why have you come up against us?” They said, “We’ve come to take Samson, to do to him as he has done to us.” Then 3,000 people of Judah went down to the cave of the rock of Etam, saying to Samson, “Don’t you know that the Philistines are Rulers over us? What then is this that you’ve done to us?” He said to them, “As they did to me, so have I done to them.” They said to him, “We’ve come to take you that we may hand you over to the Philistines.” Samson said to them, “Promise me that you won’t kill me yourselves.” They said to him, “No; but we’ll tie you up, and hand you over to them; but truly we won’t kill you.” They tied him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.
[14-17] When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him; and the Spirit of Yahweh came greatly on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his ropes dropped from off his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and grabbed it, and fought a thousand men with it. And Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, I’ve piled them up. With the jawbone of a donkey I’ve killed a thousand men.” When he had finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone; and that place was called Ramath Lehi (Mount of the Jawbone).
[18 -20] He was very thirsty and called on Yahweh, saying, “You’ve given this great victory by the hand of Your follower; and now I’ll die of thirst, and fall into the power of the unbelievers.” But God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out. When he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived; so its name was called En Hakkore (Creek of One Calling), which is in Lehi, until today. He judged Israel in the days of the Philistines 20 years.
Sampson and Delilah
16[1-3] Samson went to Gaza, and saw a prostitute there, and went to her for sex. It was told the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here.” They surrounded him, and set up an ambush for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, “Wait until morning light, then we’ll kill him.” Samson lay until midnight, and got up at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.
[4-7] Afterward, he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. So the leaders of the Philistines came up to her, saying to her, “Trick him and see what makes him so strong, and how we may overcome him, that we may tie him up him to punish him; and we’ll each give you 1100 silver coins.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me, please, what makes you so strong, and how you could be tied up to punish you.” Samson said to her, “If they tie me with seven green ropes that were never dried, then I’ll become weak, and be as anyone else.”
[8 -9] Then the leaders of the Philistines brought her seven green ropes which hadn’t been dried, and she tied him with them. Now she had an ambush waiting in the inner room. She said to him, “The Philistines have come for you, Samson!” And he broke the ropes, as a string of flax is broken when it touches the fire. So what made him strong wasn’t discovered.
[10-12] Then Delilah said to Samson, “See, you’ve mocked me, and told me lies; now tell me, please, with what can you be tied?” So he said to her, “If they only tie me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then I’ll become weak, and be as any other human being.” So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with it, saying to him, “The Philistines have come for you, Samson.” The ambush was waiting in the inner room, but he broke them off his arms like a thread.
[13-15] Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you’ve mocked me, and told me lies; so tell me with what you could be tied.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with an unfinished web of a weaver’s loom.” So she weaved his hair and fastened it with a pin, saying to him, “The Philistines have come for you, Samson.” He awakened out of his sleep, and jumped up with the pin of the beam, and the web of the weaver’s loom. So she said to him, “How can you say, I love you, when your heart isn’t with me? You’ve mocked me these three times, and haven’t told me what makes you so strong.”
[16 -18] When she pressed him daily with her words, and begged him, so that his soul was troubled to death, he told her everything in his heart, saying to her, “My hair has never been cut because I’ve been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my hair is cut, then I’ll lose my strength, and I’ll become weak, and be like any other human being.” When Delilah saw that he had told her everything in his heart, she sent and called for the leaders of the Philistines, saying, “Come now, he’s told me everything!” Then the leaders of the Philistines came up to her, and brought the money in their hand.
[19-22] She made him fall asleep on her knees; and she called for them, and cut off the seven locks of his head; and she began to hit him, and he had no strength. She said, “The Philistines have come for you, Samson.” He awoke out of his sleep, and thought, “I’ll go out as at other times, and shake myself free.” But he didn’t know that Yahweh had gone from him. The Philistines grabbed him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and tied him with fetters of brass; and he ground at the mill in the prison. But the hair of his head began to grow again after it was cut.
[23 -26] The leaders of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to celebrate because they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy to us.” When the people saw him, they praised their god and said, “Our god has given our enemy to us, the destroyer of our country, who has killed many of us.” When their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson, that he may make sport for us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he made sport before them. They set him between two pillars; and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean on them.”
[27-31] Now the house was full of people; and all the leaders of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about 3,000 people, who watched while Samson made sport. Then Samson called to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh God, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be avenged at once of the Philistines for my two eyes.” So Samson grabbed the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and pushed on them, one with each hand. Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He bowed himself with all his strength; and the house fell on the leaders, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he had killed in his life. Then his family and all the house of his father came and took him, and brought him and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel 20 years.
False Worship in Israel
17[1-5] There was someone of the hillsides of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. He said to his mother, “The 1100 silver coins that were taken from you, about which you cursed in my hearing, see, I have the silver; I took it.” His mother said, “You are blessed by Yahweh.” He gave back the 1100 silver coins to his mother; and his mother said, “I most certainly dedicate this silver to Yahweh from my hand for my child, to make an carved god and a metal god; so I’ll give it back to you.” When he gave back the money to his mother, his mother took 200 silver coins, and gave them to the metal worker who made it a carved god and a metal god; and it was in the house of Micah. Micah had a house of gods, and he made a breastplate, and a family idol, and dedicated one of his sons who became his preacher.
[6-10] In those days there was no Ruler in Israel, so everyone did whatever they thought was right. There was a young man out from Bethlehem Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he stayed there. He left the city, from Bethlehem Judah, to stay wherever he could find a place, and he came to the hillsides of Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he traveled. Micah said to him, “Where do you come from? He said to him, “I’m a Levite from Bethlehem Judah, and I go to stay wherever I find a place.” Micah said to him, “Live with me, and be a father and a preacher to me, and I’ll give you ten silver coins by the year, and a suit of clothing, and your food.” So the Levite went in.
[11-13] The Levite was content to live with the man; and the young man was to him as one of his sons. Micah dedicated the Levite, and the young man became his preacher, and lived in the house of Micah. Then Micah said, “Now I know that Yahweh will do good to me, seeing I have a Levite for my preacher.”
No Ruler in Israel
18[1-4] In those days there was no Ruler in Israel; and in those days the family group of the Danites searched for their land to live in because to that day their inheritance hadn’t fallen to them among the family groups of Israel. The people of Dan sent five men out of their family, experienced soldiers, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said to them, “Go, search the land.” They came to the hillsides of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and stayed there. When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young Levite man; and they turned around there, saying to him, “Who brought you here? and what do you have to do with this place? and what business do you have here?” He said to them, “Micah has done this and this with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his preacher.”
[5-10] They said to him, “Ask counsel, we ask, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go will be well.” The preacher said to them, “Go in peace; the way you go is before Yahweh.” Then the five men left and came to Laish, and saw the people who were in it, how they lived in safety, like the Sidonians, quiet and safe because there was no one in the land in authority, that could put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone. They came to their brothers to Zorah and Eshtaol; and their brothers asked them, “What do you say?” They said, “Get up, and let’s go up against them because we’ve seen the land, and it’s very good; Why are you standing still? Don’t be lazy! Go in to take the land. When you go, you’ll come to a people safe, and the land is large because God has given it to you, a place where you’ll never want for anything on earth.”
[11-13] So 600 soldiers set out from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol. They went and camped in Kiriath Jearim, in Judah; so they called that place Mahaneh Dan, until today; It’s behind Kiriath Jearim. They passed there to the hillsides of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah.
[14 -16] Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered, saying to their brothers, “Do you know that there’s a golden breastplate, a family idol, a carved false god, and a metal false god in these houses? So now think about what you have to do. They turned around there and came to the house of the Levite, even to the house of Micah, and asked him of his welfare. The 600 soldiers, who were of the people of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
[17-19] The five men who went to spy out the land went and came in there, and took the carved false god, the golden breastplate, the family idol, and the metal false god; and the preacher stood by the entrance of the gate with the 600 soldiers. When they went into Micah’s house, and got the carved false god, the golden breastplate, and the family idol, and the metal false god, the preacher said to them, “What are you doing?” They said to him, “Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a preacher; is it better for you to be preacher to the house of one, or to be a preacher to a whole family group in Israel?”
[20 -24] The preacher’s heart was glad, and he took the golden breastplate, the family idol, and the carved false god, and went with them. So they turned and left, and put the babies and the livestock and the goods before them. When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near to Micah’s house gathered together, and overtook the people of Dan. They called to the people of Dan. They turned around, saying to Micah, “What troubles you that you come with such a company?” He said, “You’ve taken away my gods which I made, and the preacher, and have gone away, and what more do I have? How then do you say to me, What troubles you?”
[25-28] The people of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard among us, or angry people will attack you, and you’ll lose your life, along with the lives of your household.” The people of Dan went on; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house. They took what Micah had made, and the preacher whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and safe, and fought them with the blade of a sword; and they burnt the city with fire. There was no one to save them, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else; and it was in the valley that lies by Beth Rehob. They built the city, and lived in it.
[29-31] They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born to Israel (Jacob); But the name of the city was Laish at the first. The people of Dan put up for themselves the carved false god; and Jonathan, of Gershom, of Moses, he and his sons were preachers to the family group of the Danites until the day the land of Israel was taken prisoner. So they set up Micah’s carved false god which he made, the whole time that the Place of Worship was in Shiloh.
Sexual Sin in Israel
19[1-4] In those days when there was no Ruler in Israel, there was a certain Levite staying on the farther side of the hillsides of Ephraim, who took a mistress out from Bethlehem Judah. His mistress was unfaithful to him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there for four months. So her husband went up, and followed her, to speak kindly to her, to bring her back again, having his worker with him, and a couple of donkeys; and she brought him into her father’s house; and when the father of the young woman saw him, he was happy to meet him. His father-in-law, the young woman’s father, kept him with them for three days; so they ate and drank, and stayed there.
[5-10] On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning, and started to leave; and the young woman’s father said to his son-in-law, “Strengthen yourself with a little bread, and afterward go on.” So they sat down, and ate and drank together; and the young woman’s father said to him, “Please stay all night, and enjoy yourselves.” Then he started to leave; but his father-in-law urged him, and he stayed there again. He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to leave; and the young woman’s father said, “Please strengthen yourself and stay until the day ends;” and they both ate. When he started to leave with his mistress and his worker, his father-in-law, said to him, “See now the day is almost over, please stay all night; see the day comes to an end, stay here, that your heart may be merry; and tomorrow get up early on your way, that you may go home.” But he wouldn’t stay that night, and got up and left, and came to Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him a couple of donkeys saddled, and his mistress also was with him.
[11 -15] When they were by Jebus, the day was almost over; and the worker said to him, “Please come and let’s turn around into this city of the Jebusites, and stay in it.” He said to him, “We won’t turn around into the city of foreigners, who aren’t of the people of Israel; but we’ll pass over to Gibeah.” He said to his worker, “Come and let’s go near to one of these places; and we’ll stay in Gibeah, or in Ramah.” So they went on; and the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. They turned around there to go in to stay in Gibeah; and he went in and sat down in the street of the city, because no one had taken them into their house to stay.
[16-19] Then an old man came from his work out of the field at evening, who was of the hillsides of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah; but the people of the place were Benjamites. He looked up and saw the travelers in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where do you come from?” He answered him, “We’re passing through from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hillsides of Ephraim, where I’m from. I went to Bethlehem Judah; and I’m now going to the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and no one has taken me into their house. Still, we have both straw and feed for our donkeys; and bread and wine also for me, the young woman, and the young man with me; we don’t need anything.”
[20-25] The old man said, “Be at peace; but let all your needs be on me; only don’t stay out in the street.” So he brought them into his house, and gave the donkeys feed; and they washed their feet, and ate and drank. As they were enjoying themselves, the people of the city, some homosexuals, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they said to the homeowner, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may have sex with him.” The homeowner went out to them, saying to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so evil; seeing that this man has come into my house, don’t do this evil thing. See, here’s my daughter, who’s never had sex, and his mistress; I’ll bring them out now, and you may disgrace them, and do with them whatever you want; but to this man don’t do any such evil. But they wouldn’t listen to him; so the man grabbed his mistress, and threw her out to them; and they gang raped her and abused her all night until the morning; and when dawn came, they let her go.
[26-30] Then the woman came at dawn, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her husband was, until it was light. He got up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go; and the woman, his mistress, had fallen down at the door of the house with her hands on the doorway. He said to her, “Get up, and let’s go;” but she didn’t answer him. Then he put her on the donkey; and the man got up, and went home. When he was at his house, he took a knife, and divided his mistress, limb by limb, into 12 pieces, and sent her body parts throughout all the borders of Israel. All who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever been done or seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until today; think about it, talk to each other, and speak.”
War in Israel
20[1-3] Then all the people of Israel went out, and the people were gathered as one, from Dan all the way to Beersheba with the land of Gilead, to Yahweh at Mizpah. The captains of all the people, of all the family groups of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 foot soldiers. (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The people of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil thing happen?”
[4-7] The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my mistress, to stay. The people of Gibeah came against me, and surrounded the house by night; they wanted to kill me, and my mistress they raped, and she is dead. I took my mistress, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel because they’ve done sexual sin and disgrace in Israel. See, all of you people of Israel, give your advice and counsel.”
[8-10] All the people spoke as one, saying, “None of us will go to our tent, nor turn in to our house. But now this is the thing which we’ll do to Gibeah; we’ll go up against it as God chooses; and we’ll take ten men out of 100 throughout all the family groups of Israel, and 100 out of 1,000, and 1,000 out of 10,000, to get food for the people, that when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, they may do what’s deserved for all the disgrace that they’ve done in Israel.”
[11-14] So all the people of Israel gathered together against the city, coming together as one. The family groups of Israel sent men through all the family group of Benjamin, saying, “What evil thing is this that has happen among you? Now give up the men, those homosexuals who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away this evil from Israel.” But Benjamin wouldn’t listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. The people of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities to Gibeah, to go out to fight against the people of Israel.
[15-19] The people of Benjamin were counted on that day out of the cities, 26,000 soldiers, besides the people of Gibeah, who were counted, 700 of the best soldiers. Among all these people there were 700 of the best left-handed soldiers; everyone could sling stones at a hair-width, and not miss. The people of Israel, besides Benjamin, were counted 400,000 soldiers; all these were soldiers of war. The people of Israel got up, and went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God; and they said, “Who will go up for us first to fight against the people of Benjamin?” Yahweh said, “Judah will go up first.” The people of Israel got up in the morning, and camped against Gibeah.
[20-23] The people of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin; and the people of Israel got ready for battle against them at Gibeah. The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and killed 22,000 Israelites on that day. The people of Israel encouraged themselves, and got ready for battle again in the same place where they got ready the first day. The people of Israel went up and cried before Yahweh until evening; and they asked Yahweh, saying, “Will we go back to fight against the people of Benjamin, our own family?” Yahweh said, “Go up against them.”
[24-28] The people of Israel came against the people of Benjamin the second day. Benjamin came against them out of Gibeah the second day and killed 18,000 of the people of Israel; all these soldiers of war. Then all the people of Israel went up, and came to Bethel, and cried, and sat there before Yahweh, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. The people of Israel asked of Yahweh (for the Chest of Promise of God was there in those days, and Phinehas, of Eleazar, of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, “Will I still go out again to fight against the people of Benjamin, my brother, or should I stop? Yahweh said, “Go up because tomorrow I’ll give them to you.”
[29-32] Israel set ambushes all around Gibeah. The people of Israel went up against the people of Benjamin on the third day, and set themselves in order against Gibeah, as at other times. The people of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to fight and kill the people of Israel, as at other times, in the highways that go up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about 30 people of Israel. The people of Benjamin said, “They’re beaten by us, like the first time.” But the people of Israel said, “Let’s run and draw them away from the city to the highways.”
[33-36] All the people of Israel got up out of their place, and got ready for battle at Baal Tamar; and the soldiers of Israel came out of their place, even out of Maareh Geba. There came next to Gibeah 10,000 of the best soldiers out of all Israel, and the battle was very bad; but they didn’t know that evil was about to take them. Yahweh fought Benjamin before Israel; and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 soldiers of Benjamin that day; all soldiers of war. So the people of Benjamin saw that they were beaten; and the people of Israel left space between them and Benjamin, because they trusted the ambush that they had set against Gibeah.
[37-40] The soldiers hurried, rushing on Gibeah, and moved forward, and fought the whole city with the blade of a sword. Now the set sign between the people of Israel and the soldiers was that they would make a great cloud of smoke go up out of the city. The people of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to fight and kill about 30 people of Israel because they said, “Truly they’re beaten by us, as in the first battle.” But when the cloud began to go up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and saw the whole city going up in smoke to the sky.
[41-45] The people of Israel turned, and the people of Benjamin were troubled because they saw that evil had taken them. So they turned their backs before the people of Israel and ran out into the countryside; but the battle caught up with them; and those who came out of the cities killed them. They surrounded the Benjamites, and chased them, and easily brought them down at their resting place, near Gibeah toward the east. Benjamin lost 18,000 experienced soldiers. They turned and ran toward the countryside to the rock of Rimmon; and they picked 5,000 of them off in the highways, and followed hard after them to Gidom, and fought 2,000 of them.
[46-48] So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 experienced soldiers. But 600 soldiers turned and ran toward the countryside to the rock of Rimmon, and stayed in the rock of Rimmon four months. The people of Israel turned again on the people of Benjamin, and fought them with the blade of a sword, all the people, the livestock, and whatever they found; and they set all the cities on fire.
Wives for Benjamin
21[1-5] Now the people of Israel had promised in Mizpah, saying, “None of us will give our daughters to the people of Benjamin as wives.” The people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and screamed and cried very much. They said, “Yahweh, God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that there should be today one family lacking in Israel?” On the next day, the people got up early, and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. The people of Israel said, “Who is there among all the family groups of Israel who didn’t come up in the assembly to Yahweh?” For they had made a solemn promise about anyone who didn’t come up to Yahweh to Mizpah, saying, “They’ll truly be killed.”
[6-11] The people of Israel were upset about Benjamin, who was their own family, saying, “There is one family group gone from Israel today. What will we do for wives for those who are left, seeing we’ve promised Yahweh that we won’t give them any of our daughters for wives?” So they said, “Who is there of the family groups of Israel who didn’t come up to Yahweh to Mizpah?” It was found that no one came to the camp from Jabesh Gilead to the assembly. For when the people were counted, there were none of the people of Jabesh Gilead there. The people sent there 12,000 of the best soldiers, and told them, saying, “Go and fight the people of Jabesh Gilead with the blade of a sword, along with the women and the babies. This is the thing that you’ll do; you’ll completely destroy every male, and every woman who has had sex with anyone.”
[12-15] So they found among the people of Jabesh Gilead 400 young women, who hadn’t had sex with anyone; and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. All the people sent word to the people of Benjamin who were in the rock of Rimmon and called peacefully to them. Benjamin went back at that time; and they gave them the young women whom they had saved alive from the women of Jabesh Gilead; and there still weren’t enough for them. The people were upset about Benjamin, because Yahweh had made a breach in the family groups of Israel.
[16-18] Then the elders of the people said, “What will we do for wives for those who are left, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?” They said, “There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped out of Benjamin, that a family group not be lost from Israel. But we may not give them wives out of our daughters, for the people of Israel had promised, saying, “‘Anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin will be punished by God.’”
[19 -22] Then they said, “See, there’s a celebration of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. They told the people of Benjamin, saying, “Go and set an ambush in the vineyards, and when the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards, and catch a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. When their families come to complain to us, we’ll say to them, ‘Give them graciously to us, because we didn’t take each man a wife in battle, neither did you give them to them, or you’d be guilty.’”
[23 -25] So the people of Benjamin did so, and took wives, according to their number, of those who danced, whom they carried off; and they went back to their inheritance, and built the cities, and lived in them. The people of Israel left there at that time, everyone going back to his group and to his family, and they went out from there everyone to their land. In those days there was no Ruler in Israel; everyone did whatever they thought was right.
Ruth
1[1-2] When the judges ruled in Israel, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to stay in the country of Moab with his wife and two sons. The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem-judah. And they came to the country of Moab and stayed there.
[3-5] Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died, and she and her sons were left. They took wives of the women of Moab, whose names were Orpah and Ruth. They lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion died; and only the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
[6-9] Then she left with her daughters-in-laws to go back from the country of Moab because she had heard in the country of Moab how Yahweh had given God’s people food. So she left from that place where she was with her two daughters-in-laws. They were on their way back to the land of Judah, when Naomi said to her daughters-in-laws, “Each of you go back to your mothers’ houses. May Yahweh be kind to you as you have been to the dead and to me. May Yahweh let you find rest, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them and they all cried.
[10-14] And they told her, ”No, we’ll go back with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters; why do you want to go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Go back, my daughters, go back home; I am too old to have another husband. If I were to say I had hope, even if I had a husband tonight and had sons, would you wait for them until they were grown? Would you wait for them, not having husbands? No, my daughters, I’m very sorry for your sakes that Yahweh has turned against me.” And they all cried again. So Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth hung on to her.
[15-18] She said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth told her, “Don’t ask me to leave you, or to go back from following you. Where you go, I’ll go; where you live, I’ll live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die, I’ll die, and be buried there. Yahweh may do so to me and more also if anything but death separates you and me.” So when she saw that she had made her mind up to go with her, she stopped asking her to go.
[19-22] So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they got to Bethlehem, the whole city was talking about them, and the people were asking, ”Is this Naomi?” And she answered ” Don’t call me Naomi any more, but call me Mara because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full and Yahweh has brought me home again empty. So why do you call me Naomi, seeing that Yahweh has spoken against me and the Almighty has troubled me?” So Naomi came back with Ruth, the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who came from the country of Moab and came with her to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Boaz
2[1-3] And Naomi had a kin person of her husband’s, a very rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and glean the grain in whoever’s field I find grace.” So she told her, ”Go, my daughter.” So she went to glean in the field following the reapers. She happened to come up on the part of the field that belonged to Boaz, who was kin to Elimelech.
[4-7] And Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, ”Yahweh be with you.” And they answered him, ”Yahweh bless you.” Then Boaz asked the worker who was over the reapers, ”Whose girl is this?” And the worker who was over the reapers answered, “It’s the Moabitess girl that came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she asked me, ‘Please, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves; so she came and stayed from morning till now, so she has come to rest a little in the house.”
[8-14] Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter, don’t go to any other field, nor go away from here, but stay close by my girls. Stay in the field where they’re reaping and follow them. I’ve told the young men not to touch you. When you’re thirsty, go to the water jars and drink some of what the young men have poured.” Then she bowed down to the ground on her face, and said to him, “Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should notice me, a stranger?” And Boaz answered, “I’ve been told everything that you’ve done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband and how you’ve left your parents and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you didn’t even know before now. So Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose protection you’ve come to trust, will pay you back for your work and give you a full reward.” Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, sir, because you’ve comforted me and spoken friendly to me, even though I’m not like one of your own girls.” Then Boaz said to her, ”At dinner time come here and eat some bread and dip your piece in the vinegar.” And she sat beside the reapers and he gave her some parched grain. She ate until she was full and then left.
[15-17] When she got up to go back to work, Boaz told his young men, “Let her work even among the sheaves and don’t get on to her. And let some of the handfuls fall on purpose for her and leave them so she may glean them and don’t get on to her.” So she worked in the field until evening and beat out what she had gleaned and it was about 3 quarts of barley.
[18-23] So she took it up and went back to the city. When her mother-in-law saw how much she had gleaned, she took out and gave her what she had saved after she was full. So her mother-in-law asked her, ”Where did you glean today? Where did you go work? Happy is the one who noticed you.” And she told her mother-in-law who she had worked with and said, “The man’s name who I worked with today is Boaz.” And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Happy is the one of Yahweh, who hasn’t forgotten to be kind to the living and the dead.” Then Naomi said to her, ”The man is near kin to us, one of our next kin.” And Ruth, the Moabitess, said, “He also said to me, “‘Stay close by my young men until they’ve finished my harvest.’“ And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, ”This is good, my daughter, that you go with his girls, and that they don’t find you in any other field.” So she stayed close by the girls of Boaz to glean until the end of the barley harvest and of the wheat harvest and stayed with her mother-in law.
Ruth Proposes to Boaz
3[1-6] Then Naomi, her mother-in-law told her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I try to find rest for you so that you’ll be well? Isn’t Boaz, with whose girls you were, our kin? See, he’s winnowing barley tonight in the harvest field. So wash yourself, put on some fragrant oil, put on your best clothes and go down to the barn; but don’t let yourself be seen by the man, until he’s finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, see where he sleeps, and go uncover his feet and lay down. He’ll tell you what you should do.” So she answered, ”I’ll do everything you’ve told me to do.” Then she went down to the barn and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
[7-13] When Boaz had eaten and drunk and was happy, he went to sleep at the end of the heap of grain, so she quietly went and uncovered his feet and laid down there. At midnight he was startled awake and turned around and there was a woman at his feet. He asked her, ”Who are you?” So she answered, ”I am Ruth, your worker. Spread your cover over me because you’re a near kin.” And he said, “May Yahweh bless you, my daughter. You’ve shown more kindness in the end than at the first, because you haven’t chased after young men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, Don’t be scared; I’ll do to you what you ask, because the whole city of my people knows you’re a good woman. It’s true that I’m your near kin, but there’s someone who is nearer kin than I. Stay tonight, and in the morning we’ll see if he’ll do what a kin person should do, but if not, then I’ll do it, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until morning.”
[14-18] So she lay at his feet until morning and got up before anyone could see each other. He said, “Don’t let anyone know that a woman came to the barn.” Then he said, “Bring the veil that you have and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley and gave it to her, and then she went back to the city. When she got to her mother-in-law, she said, “Who are you, my daughter?” And she told her everything that the man had said to her. And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley and said to me, “‘Don’t go empty handed to your mother-in-law.’“ Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how it will turn out. He won’t rest until he’s done this today.”
Boaz Takes Ruth as Wife
4[1-6] So Boaz went to the city gate and sat down there. Then the kin person Boaz had spoken of came by, so he said, “Come here and sit down.” Then he gathered ten men of the leaders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. Then he said to the kin person, ”Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling a piece of land which belonged to our kin Elimelech. And I thought I should tell you that you should buy it before the people and the leaders of our people. If you’ll buy it, then buy it, but if you won’t buy it, then tell me so that I may know, because there’s no one else to buy it besides you and I am next after you.” So he said, “I’ll buy it.” Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead for his people on his land.” But the kin person said, “Then I can’t buy it for myself, or I’ll hurt my own inheritance. Buy my right for yourself, because I can’t do it.”
[7-10] Now this was the way things were bought and sold in the old days in Israel to confirm the sale: Someone took off their shoe and handed it to the other and this was a witness in Israel. So the kin person said to Boaz, ”Buy it for yourself,” And took off his shoe. Then Boaz said to the leaders and the people, ”Today, you’re witnesses that I’ve bought everything that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahon from Naomi. So Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I’ll take to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on the land of his people, so that the name of the dead won’t be lost from among his people and from the city where he lived. You’re witness of this today.”
[11-12] And the leaders and all the people that were at the gate said, “We’re witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman that is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who built up the house of Israel; and be worthy for you in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem. And let your house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar had for Judah, of the children which Yahweh shall give you by this young woman.”
[13-17] So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they had sex, Yahweh let her get pregnant, and she had a son. And all the women said to Naomi, “Happy is Yahweh, who hasn’t left you without a kin person, today, whose name will be famous in Israel. And he shall restore your life and take care of you in your old age because your daughter-in-law, who loves you, which is better to you than seven sons, has born him.” So Naomi took the child and laid it on her breast, and became its nurse. And her neighbor’s gave it a name saying, “A son is born to Naomi;” And they called him, “Obed.” He’s the father of Jesse, who is the father of David.
[18-22] These are the descendants of Pharez. Pharez had Hezron; Hezron had Rom. Rom had Aminadab; Aminadab had Nashon. Nashon had Salmon; Salmon had Boaz. Boaz had Obed; Obed had Jesse. Jesse had David.
I Samuel
1[1-6] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hillsides of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah, son of Jeroham, of Elihu, of Tohu, of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives who were named Hannah and Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Elkanah went up out of his city each year to worship and sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of All Creation, in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, preachers of Yahweh, were there. When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave some to Peninnah his wife, and to all her children; but to Hannah he gave twice as much because he loved her, but Yahweh hadn’t let her have children. Her rival troubled her very much to upset her, because Yahweh hadn’t let her have children.
[7-9] As Elkanah did this each year, when she went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, so Peninnah troubled Hannah; so she cried, and didn’t eat. Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, Why are you crying? And why don’t you eat? And why are you so upset? Am I not better to you than ten children? So Hannah got up after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the preacher was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the Place of Worship of Yahweh.
[10-16] She was so sad in her soul that she prayed to Yahweh, and cried very much. She made a promise, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, if you’ll truly look on my trouble, and remember me, and not forget me, but will give me a boy, then I’ll give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor will come on his head.” As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth move. Now Hannah talked in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice wasn’t heard; so Eli thought she was drunk. He said to her, “How long will you stay drunk? Put your alcohol away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, sir, I’m a sorrowful woman; I’ve drunk no wine nor alcoholic drink, but I poured out my troubles to Yahweh. Don’t think of me as a sinful woman, because out of my great complaint and my frustration have I spoken up to now.”
[17-20] Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked.” She said, “Let me be approved in your sight.” So the woman went away, and ate; and her face wasn’t sad anymore. They got up early in the morning, and worshiped before Yahweh, and went back home, and came to their house in Ramah; and Elkanah had sex with Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her. When the time had come, Hannah got pregnant, and had a son; and named him Samuel, saying, “Because I’ve asked him of Yahweh.”
[21-23] Elkanah and all his family went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and make a promise. But Hannah didn’t go up because she said to her husband, I won’t go up until the child is weaned; and then I’ll bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and stay there forever. Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what you want; wait until you’ve weaned him; only let Yahweh’s Word stand. So the woman waited and breastfed her son, until she weaned him.
[24 -27] When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with three cows, and 6 gallons of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the Place of Worship of Yahweh in Shiloh; and the child was still young (about 3-5). They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli. She said, “Oh, sir, as your soul lives, sir, I’m the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh. I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me what I asked; so I’ve also given him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is given to Yahweh. So he worshiped Yahweh, staying there.
2[1-6] Hannah prayed, saying, “My heart triumphs in Yahweh! I blow my horn in praise to Yahweh. My words have won out over my enemies, and I’m happy in Your saving grace. There is no one as holy as Yahweh, for there’s no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. Don’t talk so proudly anymore. Don’t let bragging come out of your mouth, for Yahweh is a God who knows and weighs our actions. The weapons of the soldiers are broken. Those who stumbled are strongly tied. Those who were full have gone to work for their bread. Those who were hungry aren’t hungry anymore. Yes, those who had no children will have seven children. Those who have many children will suffer. Yahweh brings death, and Yahweh brings life, who brings down to hell, and brings up to heaven.
[7-10] Yahweh makes poor and makes rich, who brings low, and also lifts up, and raises up the poor out of the dust. Yahweh lifts up the needy from the pile of ruins, to make them sit with high leaders, and be well known, for the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s, who has set the world on them. You‘ll keep those who are holy safe, but the sinful will be put to silence in darkness because no one will triumph by their own strength. Those who struggle with Yahweh will be broken to pieces. You’ll thunder against them in the sky. Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. You’ll give strength to Your Ruler, and empower Your chosen one.”
[11-17] Elkanah went home to Ramah and the child stayed to minister to Yahweh with Eli the preacher. Now the sons of Eli were evil and didn’t know God. It was the practice of the preachers, that when anyone offered a sacrifice, the preacher’s worker came with a three toothed fork in his hand while the meat was boiling; and he stuck it into the pot; and whatever the fork brought up the preacher took with it. They did this in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Yes, before they burnt the fat, the preacher’s worker came, saying to those who sacrificed, “Give us meat to roast for the preacher because he won’t take boiled meat from you, but raw. If the person said to him, “Burn the fat first, and then take as much as you want;” Then he would say, “No, give it to me now; and if you won’t, I’ll take it by force.” So their sin was very bad to Yahweh because they hated the offering Yahweh had given them.
[18-21] But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, tied with a linen breastplate. Besides this, his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him each year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, saying, “Yahweh will give you more children of this woman for the prayer she asked of Yahweh. Then they went home. Yahweh visited Hannah, and she got pregnant, and had three sons and two daughters. Samuel, her first child, grew up before Yahweh.
[22-26] Now Eli was very old; and he heard what his sons did to all Israel, and how they had sex with the women who served at the door of the Place of Worship. He said to them, “Why do you do these things? I hear of the evil you do from all these people. No, my sons, it’s not good what I hear; you make Yahweh’s people disobedient. If one person sins against another, God will judge them; but if anyone sins against Yahweh, who will pray for them? They didn’t listen to the words of their father, because Yahweh thought to kill them. But the child Samuel kept growing, and was thought well of by both Yahweh and people.
[27-36] A follower of God came to Eli, saying to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Did I reveal myself to your ancestors when they were in Egypt in slavery to Ruler of Egypt’s house? And did I choose them out of all the family groups of Israel to be My preachers, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to wear a golden breastplate before Me? And did I give to them all the offerings the people of Israel made by fire? Why do you turn your nose up at My sacrifices and offerings which I’ve told them to make in My Place of Worship, and honor your sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel, My people? So Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “I said truly that your family would walk before Me forever; but now Yahweh says, “Be it far from Me! Those who respect me I’ll respect, and those who hate me I’ll hate. See, the days come, that I’ll put an end to your power, and to the power of your ancestor’s house, that there won’t be an old man in your family. You’ll see the trouble this causes in My Place of Worship, in spite of all the wealth which I give to Israel; and there won’t be an old man in your family forever. Your children, whom I won’t stop from coming to My altar, will be there to blind your eyes and to upset your heart; and all your descendants will die at a young age. This will be a sign to you, which will come on your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they’ll both die. I’ll raise Me up a faithful preacher, who will do what’s in My heart and mind; and I’ll build him a safe house; and he’ll minister to My chosen ones forever. Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him to ask for money and a loaf of bread, and will say, ‘Please put me into one of the preachers’ offices, so that I may buy food to eat.’“
3[1 -6] The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh under Eli. The word of Yahweh was rare in those days; there were hardly any visions. At that time, when Eli had laid down to sleep (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he couldn’t see), and the lamp of God hadn’t gone out yet, and Samuel had laid down to sleep in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, where the Chest of God was; Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli, saying, “Here I am; you called me?” He said, “I didn’t call you; go lie down again.” So he went and lay down again. Then Yahweh called again, “Samuel.” Samuel got up and went to Eli, saying, “Here I am; you called me!” He answered, “I didn’t call, my child; go lie down again.”
[7-14] Now Samuel still didn’t know Yahweh, nor was the word of Yahweh made known to him yet. Yahweh called Samuel again a third time. He got up and went to Eli, saying, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli understood that Yahweh had called the child. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if God calls you, say, ‘Speak, Yahweh, Your follower hears You.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Yahweh came and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel, Samuel.” Then Samuel said, “Speak, Your follower hears You.” Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “See, I’ll do something in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day, I’ll do against Eli what I’ve said about his house, from the beginning to the end. I’ve told him that I’ll judge his house forever, for the sin which he knew, because his sons brought punishment on themselves, and he didn’t stop them. So I’ve promised to the house of Eli, that the sin of Eli’s house won’t be covered up with sacrifice nor offering forever.”
[15-21] Samuel lay until morning, and opened the doors of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Samuel was scared to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, saying, “Samuel, my child.” Samuel said, “Here I am.” Then Eli said, “What did Yahweh say to you? Please don’t hide it from me. God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that God said to you.” Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. He said, “It’s truly Yahweh; let God do what’s right.” So Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him, and everything he said came true. All Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew that Samuel was called to be a preacher of Yahweh. Yahweh was seen again in Shiloh because God made known to Samuel the Word of Yahweh in Shiloh.
4[1 -4] The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to fight, and camped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines camped in Aphek. The Philistines got ready to fight against Israel; and when they started fighting, Israel was losing to the Philistines; and they killed 4,000 soldiers of the troops in the field. When the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has Yahweh defeated us today with the Philistines? Let’s bring the Chest of Promise of Yahweh out of Shiloh to us, so that it may come among us, and save us from our enemies. So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who sits above the cherubim (angelic winged creatures); and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were there with the Chest of Promise of God.
[5 -9] When the Chest of Promise of Yahweh came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that it echoed. When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does all this noise of shouting mean in the camp of the Hebrews? They understood that the Chest of God had come into the camp. The Philistines were scared, and they said, “God is in the camp. We’ll be sorry! Nothing like this has ever happened before! We’ll be sorry! Who will save us from these Israelites? These are the ones that killed the Egyptians with all kinds of troubles in the countryside. Be strong, and act like men, you Philistines, that you won’t be workers to the Hebrews, as they’ve been to you; act like men and fight.”
[10 -14] The Philistines fought, and Israel lost, and everyone ran to their tent; and there was a very great slaughter because Israel had lost 30,000 foot soldiers. The Chest of God was taken by the Philistines; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were killed. A man of Benjamin ran out of the troops, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn and with earth on his head in mourning. When he came, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road, watching, because his heart feared for the Chest of God. When the man came into the city, and told it, the whole city shouted. When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, “What does this great noise of crying mean?” So the man hurried, and came and told Eli.
[15-18] Now Eli was 98 years old; and his eyes were blinded, so that he couldn’t see. The man said to Eli, “I’m the one who came out of the troops, and I ran today out of the troops.” He said, “How went the matter, my child?” The one who brought the news answered, “Israel has been defeated by the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people also, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, too, and the Chest of God has been taken.” When he mentioned the Chest of God, Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died because he was a very fat old man. He had judged Israel for 40 years.
[19-22] His daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife was pregnant, near to be delivered and when she heard the news that the Chest of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and had the child because her pains came on her. About the time of her death, the women who stood by her said to her, “Don’t be scared because you’ve had a son.” But she didn’t answer, nor know it. She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory is gone from Israel; because the Chest of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The glory is gone from Israel because the Chest of God is taken.”
5[1 -5] Now the Philistines had taken the Chest of God, and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. The Philistines took the Chest of God, and brought it into the Place of Worship of Dagon, and set it by their false god Dagon. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, Dagon had fallen down on its face before the Chest of God. They picked Dagon up, and set it in place again. When they got up early the next morning, Dagon had fallen down on its face before the Chest of God; and the head and both the hands of Dagon lay broken on the doorway; only the stump of Dagon was left. So neither the preachers of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon’s house, step on the doorway of Dagon in Ashdod, until today.
[6-9] But the hand of Yahweh was hard on the people of Ashdod, who destroyed them, and punished them with swelling sores, Ashdod and its outskirts. When the people of Ashdod saw that, they said, “The Chest of the God of Israel won’t stay with us because God’s hand is very hard on us, and on Dagon, our god. So they sent and gathered all the leaders of the Philistines to them, saying, “What should we do with the Chest of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the Chest of the God of Israel be carried out to Gath.” So they carried the Chest of the God of Israel there. After they had carried it out, the hand of Yahweh was against that city, causing a deadly disease; and God punished the people of that city, from the least to the greatest; and swelling sores broke out on them.
[10 -12] So they sent the Chest of God to Ekron, and as the Chest of God came to Ekron, the Ekronites shouted, saying, “They’ve brought the Chest of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people.” So they sent and gathered together all the leaders of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the Chest of the God of Israel away, and let it go back to its own place, that it not kill us and our people. For there was a deadly disease throughout the whole city; the hand of God was very hard on them there. The men who didn’t die were punished with the swelling sores; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
6[1 -9] The Chest of God was in the country of the Philistines seven months. The Philistines called for their preachers and fortune tellers, saying, “What should we do with the Chest of God? Show us how to send it back to where it belongs.” They answered, “If you send the Chest of the God of Israel back, don’t send it back empty; but go back it to God with a sin offering, of course; then you’ll be healed, and it will be known to you why God’s hand hasn’t lifted from off you.” Then they said, “What should be the sin offering which we’ll go back to God?” They answered, “Make five golden sores, and five golden mice, according to the number of the leaders of the Philistines because one disease was on you all, and on your leaders. So make likenesses of your sores, and of the mice that hurt the land; and you’ll give glory to the God of Israel, who will take this trouble from you and your gods, and from your land. So why are you as stubborn as the Egyptians and the Ruler of Egypt was? When God had done amazing things to them, didn’t they let the people go, and they left? So now make a new cart, and take two milk cows, which have never been yoked; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; and take the Chest of God, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you send God for a sin offering, in a Chest beside it; and send it away, that it may go. If it goes toward its own border to Beth Shemesh, then God has done us this great evil; but if not, then we’ll know that it’s not God’s hand that troubled us; it was only a coincidence.”
[10-12] So they did this, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home; and they put the Chest of God on the cart, and the Chest with the golden mice and the likenesses of their sores. The cows took the straight road toward Beth Shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn around right or left; and the leaders of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth Shemesh.
[13-15] The people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat crop in the valley; and they looked up, and saw the Chest, and were happy to see it. The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there where there was a great stone; and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh. The Levites took down the Chest of God, and its Chest, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone; and the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to Yahweh.
[16-18] When the five leaders of the Philistines had seen it, they went back to Ekron the same day. These are the golden sores which the Philistines sent back for a sin offering to Yahweh, one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron; and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five leaders, both of protected cities and their outskirts, all the way to the great stone where they set down the Chest of God, which stone is still there today in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.
[19 -21] God punished the people of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the Chest of God, and killed 50,070 men; and the people mourned, because Yahweh had killed the people with a great slaughter. The people of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to face Yahweh, this holy God? and to whom will God go up from us? They sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought back the Chest of God; come down and get it.”
7[1-6] The people of Kiriath Jearim came and got the Chest of God, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and dedicated Eleazar, his son, to keep the Chest of God. The Chest stayed in Kiriath Jearim for twenty long years; and all the house of Israel shouted to Yahweh. Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you go back to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the false gods and the fertility goddess Ashtaroth from among you, and turn your hearts to God, and serve Yahweh only; who will save you from the Philistines. Then the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Yahweh only. Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I’ll pray for you to Yahweh.” So they gathered together at Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, saying, “We’ve sinned against Yahweh.” Samuel judged the people of Israel in Mizpah.
[7 -11] When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the leaders of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the people of Israel heard it, they were scared of the Philistines. The people of Israel said to Samuel, “Don’t stop praying to Yahweh our God for us, to save us from the Philistines.” So Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh; and Samuel prayed to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines came to fight against Israel; but Yahweh sent a great thunder on the Philistines that day, and confused them so much that they were beaten by Israel. The people of Israel went out of Mizpah, and chased the Philistines, and fought them, until they came to Beth Kar.
[12 -17] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Ebenezer, saying, “Up to now has Yahweh helped us. So the Philistines were defeated, and they didn’t come within the border of Israel anymore; and the hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were given back to Israel. From Ekron to Gath and its border, Israel took back from the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites. Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He went each year in a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. He went back to Ramah, where his house was; and he judged Israel and built an altar to Yahweh there.
8[1 -6] When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel. Now his firstborn was named Joel; and his second was named Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. His sons didn’t keep his ways, but turned around after money, and took bribes, and didn’t do what was right Then all the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel to Ramah; and they said to him, “See, you’re old, and your sons don’t keep your ways; now make us a Ruler to judge us like all the nations.” But it made Samuel unhappy when they said, “Give us a Ruler to judge us,” So Samuel prayed to Yahweh.
[7 -9] Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to what the people say in what they tell you, because they’ve not rejected you, but they’ve rejected Me, that I shouldn’t be Ruler over them. According to all the things they’ve done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even until today, they’ve left Me, and served other gods, so they do also to you. So listen to them; but warn them solemnly and show them how the Ruler will rule over them.”
[10 -18] So Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who asked for him to give them a Ruler. He said, “This will be how the Ruler who will rule over you; he’ll take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his war vehicles, and to be his riders; and they’ll run before his war vehicles; and he’ll appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he’ll set some to plow his ground, and to harvest his crops, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his war vehicles. He’ll take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He’ll take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his workers. He’ll take a tenth of your seed, and your vineyards, and give to his officials, and to his workers. He’ll take your male and female workers, and your best soldiers, and your donkeys, and put them to work. He’ll take a 10th of your flocks; and you’ll be his workers. You’ll cry out in that day because of your Ruler whom you have chosen; and Yahweh won’t answer you in that day.
[19 -22] But the people refused to listen to Samuel; and they said, “No; but we want a Ruler over us, that we may also be like all the rest of the nations, and that our Ruler may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. Samuel heard all the words of the people, and told them to Yahweh. Yahweh said to Samuel, Listen to them, and make them a Ruler. Samuel said to the people of Israel, “Go to your cities.”
9[1-3] Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, son of Abiel, of Zeror, of Becorath, of Aphiah, of a Benjamite, a brave warrior. He had a son, whose name was Saul, an extraordinary young man; and there wasn’t anyone better than him among all the people of Israel. From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul, his son, “Take one of the workers with you, and go look for the donkeys.”
[4 -10] He passed through the hillsides of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them; then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there either; and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them. When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his worker who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, in case my father stops caring for the donkeys, and worries about us. He said to him, “See now, there’s in this city a follower of God, and he’s held in great honor; what he says comes true; now let’s go there and see if he can tell us where to go on our journey.” Then Saul said to his worker, “But if we go, what will we bring him? The bread is gone in our bags, and there isn’t a present to bring to the follower of God; what do we’ve?” The worker answered Saul again, saying, “See, I have in my hand a quarter of a silver coin; that I’ll give to the follower of God, to tell us which way to go.” (In earlier times in Israel when anyone went to ask of God, he said, “Come and let’s go to the seer because those who are now called a preacher (prophet) was before called a Seer.) Then Saul said to his worker, Good idea; come, let’s go. So they went to the city where the follower of God was.
[11-17] As they went up the road to the city, they found young girls going out to draw water, saying to them, “Is the preacher here? They answered them, saying, “He is; see, he’s coming to you; quickly now, for he has come into the city because the people have a sacrifice in the Place of Worship today; as soon as you get into the city, you’ll find him, before he goes up to the Place of Worship to eat; the people won’t eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice; and afterward those who are invited eat. So go quickly, because you’ll find him there now.” They went up to the city; and as they came into the city, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the Place of Worship. Now Yahweh had told Samuel a day before Saul came, “Tomorrow, about this time, I’ll send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you’ll anoint him to be Ruler over My people Israel; and he’ll save My people from the Philistines because I’ve looked on My people, and I hear their cries.” When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, “See, the one of whom I told you! He’ll rule over My people.
[18 -21] Then Saul came to Samuel in the gate, saying, “Tell me, please, where the preacher’s house is?” Samuel answered Saul, saying, “I’m the preacher; go up before me to the Place of Worship, for you’ll eat with me today; and in the morning I’ll let you go, and will tell you what’s in your heart. As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, don’t worry about them because they’ve been found. And whom does Israel want? Isn’t it you, and all your father’s house?” Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest family group of Israel? And my family, the least of all the family groups of Benjamin? So why do you say this to me?”
[22 -27] Samuel took Saul and his worker, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited who were about 30 people. Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the part which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it by you.’“ The cook took up the thigh, and what was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “See, what has been saved for you! Set it before you and eat; because it been kept for you for this time, for I said, “I’ve invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. When they had come down from the Place of Worship into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. They got up early; and about dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul got up, and both of them went out, both he and Samuel. As they were going down at the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell your worker to go on before us (and he went on), but you stay here, that I may tell you the word of God.”
10[1 -8] Then Samuel took the bottle of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, saying, “Yahweh has anointed you to be Ruler over the people of God. When you’ve left from me today, then you’ll find two men by Rachel’s grave, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they’ll tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for are found; and your father has stopped caring for the donkeys, and is worried about you, saying, “‘What should I do for my child?’” Then you’ll go on from there, and you’ll come to the oak of Tabor; and you’ll meet there three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine; and they’ll speak to you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you’ll take from them. After that you’ll come to the hill of God, where the fort of the Philistines is; and when you come there to the city, you’ll meet a troop of preachers coming down from the Place of Worship with a psaltery, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp with them; and they’ll be preaching; and the Spirit of Yahweh will come over you strongly, and you’ll preach with them, and you’ll be turned into another man. When these signs have come to you, do as the occasion will serve you because God is with you. You’ll go down before me to Gilgal; and I’ll come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to make sacrifices of peace offerings; wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what to do.”
[9-12] When he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all those signs happened that day. When they came to the hill, a troop of preachers met him; and the Spirit of God came over him strongly, and he preached with them. When all who knew him before saw that he preached with the preachers, then they said to each other “What’s this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the preachers? Someone of the same place answered, “Who is their father?” So it became a saying, “Is Saul also among the preachers?”
[13-21] When he had finished preaching, he came to the Place of Worship. Saul’s uncle said to him and his worker, “Where did you go?” He answered, “To look for the donkeys; and when we couldn’t find them we went to Samuel. Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me, please, what Samuel said to you.” Saul said to his uncle, “He told us clearly that the donkeys were found. But about the matter of the nation, of which Samuel said, “he didn’t tell him. Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah; and he said to the people of Israel, Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I freed you from the Egyptians, and from all the countries that abused you; but today you’ve rejected your God who saves you out of all your disasters and your troubles; and you’ve said to me, “No, but set a Ruler over us. So now present yourselves before Yahweh by your family groups, and by your thousands. So Samuel brought all the family groups of Israel up, and the family group of Benjamin was chosen. He brought the family group of Benjamin up by their families; and the family of the Matrites was chosen; and Saul of Kish was chosen; but when they searched for him, they couldn’t find him.
[22-27] So they asked of Yahweh further, “Has the man come here yet?” Yahweh answered, “See, he has hidden among the baggage.” They ran and fetched him there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders up. Samuel said to all the people, “You see him whom Yahweh has chosen, that there’s no one like him among all the people?” All the people shouted, saying, “Long live the Ruler.” Then Samuel told the people how the nation would be ruled, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people home. Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and the troops whose hearts God had touched went with him. But certain worthless persons said, “How will this man save us?” They hated him, and didn’t bring him a present, but Saul didn’t say anything.
11[1-3] Then Nahash, the Ammonite came up and camped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the people of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make an agreement with us, and we’ll serve you.” Nahash said to them, “On this condition I’ll make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I’ll do it to bring shame on all Israel. The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ relief, so that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then if no one comes to save us we’ll come out to you.
[4 -7] Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, saying these words in the hearing of the people; and all the people screamed, and cried. Then Saul came from following the cows out of the field; and Saul said, “What is troubling the people and makes them cry? They told him what the people of Jabesh had said. The Spirit of God came on Saul strongly when he heard those words, and he was very angry. He took a yoke of cows, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever doesn’t come and follow Saul and Samuel, this will be done to their cows. The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one person.
[8-11] He counted them in Bezek; and the people of Israel were 300,000, and the people of Judah 31,000. They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the people of Jabesh Gilead, “Tomorrow, about noon, you’ll have victory.” The messengers came and told the people of Jabesh; and they were glad. So the people of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we’ll come out to you, and you’ll do with us what you want. On the next day, Saul put the people in three troops; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and fought the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who are left were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
[12-15] The people said to Samuel who are the ones who said, “Will Saul rule over us? Bring them, that we may put them to death. Saul said, “No one will be killed today because today Yahweh has won a great victory in Israel. Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, and let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the nation there. So all the people went to Gilgal; and they made Saul Ruler there before Yahweh in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and Saul and all the people of Israel were very happy.
12[1-5] Samuel said to all Israel, “See, I’ve listened to your voice in what you said to me, “and have made a Ruler over you. Now, see, the Ruler walks before you; and I’m old and gray-headed; and my children are with you; and I’ve walked before you from my youth until today. Here I am; witness against me before Yahweh, and before God’s people; whose cow have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I cheated? whom have I abused? or of whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind Me with it? and I’ll give back it you. They said, “You haven’t cheated us, nor abused us; neither have you taken anything from anyone. He said to them, “Yahweh is witness against you, and God’s people are my witness today, that you haven’t found any wrong in me. They said, “God is your witness.”
[6-10] Samuel said to the people, “It’s Yahweh who set up Moses and Aaron, and brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. So now stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh about all the good acts Yahweh did to you and your ancestors. When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your ancestors cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron who brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and made them live in this place. But they forgot Yahweh their God, who sold them into the power of Sisera, captain of the troops of Hazor, and into the power of the Philistines, and into the power of the Ruler of Moab; and they fought against them. They cried to Yahweh, saying, “We’ve sinned, because we’ve left Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the fertility goddess Ashtaroth; but now save us from our enemies, and we’ll serve you.
[11-15] Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and saved you from your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety. When you saw that Nahash, the Ruler of the people of Ammon, came against you, you said to me, “No, but we want a Ruler to rule over us; when Yahweh your God was your Ruler. So now see the Ruler whom you’ve chosen, and whom you’ve asked for; and see, Yahweh has set a Ruler over you. If you’ll respect Yahweh, and serve God, and listen to God’s voice, and not rebel against the word of Yahweh, and both you and also the Ruler who rules over you are followers of Yahweh your God well; but if you don’t listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the Word of God, then the hand of Yahweh be come against you, as it was against your ancestors.
[16 -19] So now stand still and see this great thing which Yahweh will do before your eyes. Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I’ll call to Yahweh to send thunder and rain; and you’ll know and see that this thing is a great evil which you’ve done to Yahweh, in asking for a Ruler.” So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. They all said to Samuel, “Pray for Your followers to Yahweh your God, so that we not die because we’ve added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a Ruler.”
[20 -25] Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be scared; you’ve truly done all this evil; still don’t stop following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart; and don’t turn away because then you would go after worthless things which can’t profit nor save you, for they’re worthless. Yahweh won’t leave you, who are God’s people, for God’s great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you God’s own people. Besides this, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in not praying for you; but I’ll teach you the good and right way. Only respect Yahweh, and serve God in truth with all your heart. Just think about all the great things God has done for you! But if you still do evil, you’ll be destroyed, both you and your Ruler.”
13[1-4] Saul was 40 years old when he began to rule; and when he had ruled two years over Israel, Saul chose 3,000 soldiers of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent home. Jonathan fought the fort of the Philistines that was in Geba; and the Philistines heard it. Saul blew the horn throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” All Israel heard that Saul had fought the fort of the Philistines, and also that Israel was hated by the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
[5-7] The Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, 30,000 war vehicles, and 6,000 riders, and as many people as the sand on the seashore; and they came up, and camped in Michmash, east of Beth Aven. When the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were upset), then they hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, hidden places, and pits. Some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him shaking.
[8-12] He stayed seven days, according to the time that Samuel had set; but Samuel hadn’t come to Gilgal yet; and the people were scattered from him. Saul said, “Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings;” and he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, to welcome him. Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come at the time set, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash; so I said, “Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t asked for Yahweh’s help; so I made myself offer the burnt offering.
[13-16] Samuel said to Saul, “You’ve done an ungodly thing; you haven’t kept the word of Yahweh your God, which God told you. Yahweh would have set up your rule of Israel forever. But now your rule won’t last; Yahweh has searched for someone to follow God’s own heart, and Yahweh has set him to be head over his people, because you haven’t done what Yahweh told you. Samuel got up, and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul counted the people who were there with him, about 600 soldiers. Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were there with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines camped in Michmash.
[17-23] The soldiers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three troops; one turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; another turned the way to Beth Horon; and another turned toward the border that looks over the valley of Zeboim toward the countryside. Now there was no blacksmith in all the land of Israel because the Philistines said, “‘In case the Hebrews make themselves weapons;’ but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles; still they had a file for the mattocks, plowshares, forks, and axes, and to set the goads. So in the day of battle, none of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan had any weapons; but Saul and Jonathan his son had three. The fort of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
14[1 -5] Now one day, Jonathan, son of Saul, said to the young man who had his armor, “Come, and let’s go over to the Philistines’ fort, that is on over there. But he didn’t tell his father. Saul stayed in the farthest part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron. He had about 600 soldiers with him; and Ahijah, son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas, of Eli, the preacher of Yahweh in Shiloh, was wearing a golden breastplate. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone. Between the passes, by which Jonathan searched to go over to the Philistines’ fort, there was a rocky crag on each side; and the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The first crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
[6 -10] Jonathan said to the young man who had his armor, “Come, and let’s go over to the fort of these unbelievers; it may be that Yahweh will work for us because it’s no problem for Yahweh to save by many or by few.” His armor bearer said to him, “Do whatever you want; go; I’m with you whatever you want to do.” Then Jonathan said, “See, we’ll pass over to the men, and we’ll show ourselves to them. If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you;’ then we’ll stand still in our place, and won’t go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us;’ then we’ll go up because Yahweh has given them into our hand; and this will be the sign to us.”
[11-14] Both of them showed themselves to the fort of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “See, the Hebrews come out of the holes where they’ve hid themselves. The people of the fort answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, saying, “Come up to us, and we’ll show you something.” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me because Yahweh has handed them over to Israel.” Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer came after him; and Jonathan began to kill them; and his armor bearer killed some of them after him. That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about 20 soldiers within a half-acre of land.
[15-19] There was an earthquake in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the fort and the raiders also shook; and the earth quaked with a very great shaking. The guards of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and saw that the people ran away, and they went here and there. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, Make a count now, and see who has left us. When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer weren’t there. Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring here the Chest of God.” For the Chest of God was there at that time with the people of Israel. While Saul talked to the preacher, the uproar in the camp of the Philistines went on and got worse; and Saul said to the preacher, “Remove your hand.”
[20-23] Saul and all the people who were with him gathered together, and came to the battle; and saw that all the Philistines fought each other, and there was a very great confusion. Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp from the country all around, even they also turned to fight with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the people of Israel who had hid themselves in the hillsides of Ephraim when they heard that the Philistines ran, they also followed hard after them in the battle. So Yahweh saved Israel that day; and the battle crossed over by Beth Aven.
[24 -27] The people of Israel were upset that day because Saul had said to the people, “Anyone who eats any food until evening, and I am avenged on my enemies will be punished. So none of them ate any food. All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground. When the people had come to the forest, the honey dropped; but no one put his hand to his mouth because the people feared they would be punished. But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father had made the people promise; so he put forth the end of the walking stick that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his spirit lifted.
[28-32] Then one of the people said, “Your father directly told the people, making them promise, saying, “Anyone who eats food today will be punished.” But the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Please look how my spirit is lifted, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if the people had eaten freely today of the stuff of their enemies which they found? Now there’s been no great slaughter among the Philistines. They fought of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint; and the people flew on the stuff, and took sheep, and cows, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
[33-35] Then they told Saul, saying, “See, the people sin against Yahweh, in that they eat the meat with the blood.” He said, “You’ve acted unfaithfully; roll a great stone to me today. Saul said, “Scatter yourselves among the people, and tell them, ‘Bring me here all the cows, and sheep, and kill them here, and eat; but don’t sin against Yahweh in eating your meat with the blood. So all the people brought their cows that night, and killed them there. Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
[36 -39] Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines by night, and take all the stuff with them until the morning light, and let’s not leave any of them. They said, “Do whatever you want.” Then the preacher said, “Let’s come close here to God.” Saul asked God, “Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the power of Israel?” But he didn’t answer him that day. Saul said, “Come close here, all you leaders of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been today. As Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he’ll truly die. But there wasn’t anyone among all the people who answered him.
[40 -44] Then he said to all Israel, “Be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. The people said to Saul, “Do what you want.’ So Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Show who’s right.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen by the Judgment stones; but the people escaped. Saul said, “Throw judgment stones between me and Jonathan my son. Jonathan was chosen. Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you’ve done.” Jonathan told him, “I did taste a little honey with the end of the walking stick that was in my hand; so see, I must die.” Saul said, “God do so and more also because you’ll truly die, Jonathan.”
[45 -48] The people said to Saul, Will Jonathan die who has saved Israel? Far from it; as Yahweh lives, there won’t one hair of his head fall to the ground because he has worked with God today. So the people rescued Jonathan, so that he didn’t die. Then Saul went up from chasing the Philistines; and the Philistines went back home. Now when Saul had taken rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the Rulers of Zobah, and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he fought them down. He did bravely, and fought the Amalekites, and freed Israel out of the hands of those who stole from them.
[49 -52] Now the descendants of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were Merab, the oldest, and Michal, the youngest; and the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The captain of his troops was Abner, son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. Kish had Saul; and Ner, who had Abner, was the son of Abiel. There was war against the Philistines all of Saul’s life; and when Saul saw any strong or brave man, he took him to him.
15[1-5] Samuel said to Saul, “Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be Ruler over his people, over Israel; So now listen to the words of Yahweh. Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “I’ve noticed what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against Israel in the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and fight Amalek, and completely destroy everything they’ve, and don’t spare any of them; but kill both man and woman, baby and child, cow and sheep, camel and donkey. Saul called the people, and counted them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers, and 10,000 people of Judah. So Saul went to the city of Amalek, and set up an ambush in the valley.
[6-9] Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, get away from among the Amalekites, in case I destroy you with them because you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites went away from the Amalekites. Saul fought the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt. He took Agag, the Ruler of the Amalekites alive, and completely destroyed all the people with the blade of a sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cows, fatlings, lambs, and whatever else was good, and didn’t completely destroy them; but everything that was bad or trash, that they destroyed completely.
[10-16] Then the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying, “It grieves me that I’ve made Saul Ruler because he won’t follow me, and hasn’t kept my words. Samuel was angry; and he cried to Yahweh all night. Samuel got up early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul came to Carmel and set up a monument, and turned, and went on, and went down to Gilgal. Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you by Yahweh; I’ve done the word of Yahweh. Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of cows which I hear?” Saul said, “They’ve brought them from the Amalekites because the people spared the best of the sheep and cows, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God; and the rest we’ve completely destroyed.” Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stay and I’ll tell you what Yahweh has said to me this night.” He said to him, “Tell me.”
[17-21] Samuel said, “Though you were nothing in your own sight, weren’t you made the leader of the family groups of Israel? Yahweh anointed you Ruler over Israel; and Yahweh sent you on a journey, saying, “’Go, and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they’re all gone.’ So why didn’t you obey the voice of Yahweh, but flew on their stuff, and did what Yahweh said was evil?” Saul said to Samuel, “Yes, I’ve obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and I’ve done what Yahweh sent me to do, and have brought Agag, the Ruler of Amalek, and have completely destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took the stuff, the sheep and cows, the best of the dedicated things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.”
[22-26] Samuel said, “Does Yahweh enjoy burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as when you obey the voice of Yahweh? See, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as worshiping a false god. Because you’ve rejected the word of Yahweh, Yahweh has also rejected you from being Ruler. Saul said to Samuel, I’m a sinner, because I’ve sinned against the word of Yahweh, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. So please forgive my sin, and come back with me, that I may worship Yahweh. Samuel said to Saul, I won’t go back with you because you’ve rejected the word of Yahweh, and Yahweh has rejected you from being Ruler over Israel.
[27-31] As Samuel turned around to go away, Saul laid hold on the skirt of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, “Yahweh has torn the rule of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you. Also the Strength of Israel won’t lie nor change, who isn’t a man that should repent. Then he said, “I’ve sinned; still honor me now, please, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn back with me, that I may worship Yahweh your God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped Yahweh.
[32-35] Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag, the Ruler of the Amalekites, to me. So Agag came to him happily, thinking, “Truly the punishment of death is past.” But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.” Then Samuel cut Agag in pieces before Yahweh in Gilgal. Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. Samuel didn’t come to see Saul anymore until the day of his death because Samuel mourned for Saul; and Yahweh was troubled to have made Saul Ruler over Israel.
16[1-5] Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I’ve rejected him from being Ruler over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I’ll send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite because I’ve picked me a Ruler among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he’ll kill me.” Yahweh said, “Take a cow with you, and say, I’ve come to sacrifice to Yahweh.” Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I’ll show you what to do; and you’ll anoint to me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what Yahweh said, “and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him shaking, saying, “Do you come peaceably? He said, “Peaceably; I’ve come to sacrifice to Yahweh; dedicate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. He dedicated Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
[6 -10] When they had come, he looked at Eliab, saying, “Truly Yahweh’s anointing is on him.” But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look at his face, or how tall he is; because I’ve rejected him; Yahweh doesn’t see as a person sees; people look at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him come before Samuel. He said, “Nor has Yahweh chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah to come. He said, “Nor has Yahweh chosen this one. Jesse made seven of his sons to come before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, Yahweh hasn’t chosen these.
[11-13] Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There is still the youngest left, who is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him because we won’t sit down until he comes here. He sent, and brought him in. Now he had light skin, and was very good looking. Yahweh said, “Get up, anoint him because this is the one. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his family members; and the Spirit of Yahweh came strongly on David from that day forward. So Samuel got up, and went to Ramah.
[14-18] Now the Spirit of Yahweh left from Saul and an evil spirit sent from Yahweh troubled him. Saul’s workers said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. Let our leader now tell Your followers who are before you, to look out for anyone who is a skillful player on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he’ll play with his hand, and you’ll be well. Saul said to his workers, “Find me someone who can play well now, and bring him to me.” Then one of the servants answered, saying, “I’ve seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, who plays well, and who’s a brave warrior, and speaks sensibly, and is a good looking young man; and Yahweh is with him.
[19-23] So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send me David, your son, who is with the sheep.” Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul. David came to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me because he has found favor to me.” When the evil spirit from God was on Saul, David played the harp; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit left him.
17[1-7] Now the Philistines gathered together their troops to fight; and they were gathered together at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. Saul and the people of Israel were gathered together, and camped in the valley of Elah, and got ready for battle against the Philistines. The Philistines stood on one side of the mountain, and Israel stood on the other side; and there was a valley between them. A champion came out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath who was 9½’ tall. He had a helmet of brass on his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail that weighed as much as 5,000 coins of brass. He had brass armor on his legs and a brass lance between his shoulders. The stick of his spear was as long as a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s iron head weighed as much as 600 coins; and the one who carried his shield went before him.
[8 -11] He stood and shouted to the troops of Israel, saying to them, Why have you come out to get your troops in order? Am I not a Philistine, and you workers of Saul? Choose someone to fight for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then we’ll be your workers; but if I triumph against him, and kill him, then you’ll be our workers, and serve us.” The Philistine said, “I defy the troops of Israel today; give me someone to fight. When Saul and all Israel heard the words of the Philistine, they were troubled, and very scared.
[12-18] Now David was of the Ephrathite from Bethlehem Judah whose name was Jesse, who had eight sons and was very old in the days of Saul. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle; and their names were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest; and the three oldest followed Saul. Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. The Philistine came morning and evening, and showed up for 40 days. Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers 6 gallons of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry it quickly to the camp to them; and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their 1,000, and see how your brothers are doing, and bring news of them.
[19-24] Now Saul, and they, and all the people of Israel were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David got up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and went as Jesse had told him and came to the camp, as the troops were going to fight shouting for the battle. Israel and the Philistines put their troops in order, troop against troop. David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the troops, and came to meet his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came out of the ranks of the Philistines, saying the same words; and David heard them. All the people of Israel when they saw the giant, ran from him, and were very scared.
[25-30] The people of Israel said, “Have you seen this giant who has come up? Truly to defy Israel he has come up; and the one who kills him, the Ruler will give great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. David said to the men who stood by him, asking, “What will be done to the one who kills this Philistine, and ends this shame on Israel? Who is this unbelieving Philistine, that he defy the troops of the living God?” The people answered him, “So all this will be done to the one who kills him.” Eliab, his oldest brother, heard what he said to the men; and Eliab’s was angry at David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the countryside? I know how proud you are, and the mischief of your heart; you’ve come down just to see the battle.” David said, “What have I done now? Isn’t there cause?” He turned away from him toward another, saying the same thing; and the people answered him, saying the same thing.
[31-37] When the words were heard which David said, “They told it to Saul; and he sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no one’s heart fail because of him; I’ll go and fight with this Philistine. Saul said to David, “You’re not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; you’re so young, and he’s a man of war from his youth. Then David said to Saul, I was keeping my father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and fought him, and took it out of its mouth; and when it came up against me, I caught it by its hair, and fought it, and killed it. Your follower fought both the lion and the bear; and this unbelieving Philistine will be as one of them, seeing he has defied the troops of the living God.” Then David said, “Yahweh, who saved me from the paw of the lion, and the bear, will save me from this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and Yahweh will be with you.”
[38-47] Then Saul put his own armor on David, and put a helmet of brass on his head, and dressed him in a coat of mail. David tied his sword on him, and he tried to go but he hadn’t tested it. So David said to Saul, “I can’t go with these; I haven’t tested them. So David took them off. He took his walking stick in his hand, and chose five smooth stones out of the river, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, in his pouch; and his sling was in his hand; and he came to the Philistine. The Philistine came up and came to David; and a man who had his shield went before him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he hated him because he was but a youth, and had light skin, and was good looking. The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his false gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I’ll throw your body to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, spear, and lance; but I come to you in the Name of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of the troops of Israel, Whom you’ve defied. Today Yahweh will give you to me; and I’ll fight you, and take your head off; and I’ll give the dead bodies of the troops of the Philistines today to the birds of the sky, and to the wild animals of the earth; that all the earth may know that there’s a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn’t save with sword and spear because the battle is Yahweh’s, who’ll give you into our hand.”
[48-51] When the Philistine came to meet David, David hurried, and ran toward the troops to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, and took a stone, and slang it, and hit the Philistine right in the forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he dropped to the floor to the earth. So David overcame the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and fought the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut his head off with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they ran.
[52-58] The people of Israel and Judah went up, and shouted, and chased the Philistines, until you come to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. The wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, all the way to Gath, and to Ekron. The people of Israel went back from chasing after the Philistines, and they took the stuff from their camp. David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it back to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent. When Saul saw David go against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the troops, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” Abner said, “As your soul lives, O Ruler, I can’t tell.” The Ruler said, “Ask whose son the young man is!” As David went back from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” David answered, “I’m the son Jesse, the Bethlehemite.”
18[1 -5] When he had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan and David became best friends, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made an agreement, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped off the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even to his sword, bow, and belt. David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely; and Saul set him over the soldiers, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s workers.
[6 -12] As they came when David went back from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet Ruler Saul with tambourines with great happiness, and with instruments of music. The women sang to each other as they played, saying, “Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry, and this saying made him mad; and he said, “They’ve credited to David ten thousands, and to me they’ve only credited thousands;” And what can he have more but the rule of the nation? Saul watched David closely from that day forward. On the next day, an evil spirit from God came over Saul, and he preached in the midst of the house; and David played his harp, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand and threw it, thinking, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” David left him twice. Saul was scared of David, because Yahweh was with him, and had left Saul. So Saul stayed away from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
[14 -21] David behaved wisely in all he did; and Yahweh was with him. When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he went out and came in before them. Saul said to David, “See, my oldest daughter Merab, I’ll give her to you as wife; only be brave for me, and fight Yahweh’s battles. Saul thought, “Don’t let my hand kill him, but let the Philistines kill him.” David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what’s my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the Ruler?” But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel, the Meholathite, as wife. So Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and it pleased him. So Saul said, “I’ll give her to him that she may be a trap to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Today you’ll be my son-in-law a second time.”
[22-30] Saul told his workers, saying, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘The Ruler likes you, and all the people love you; So now be the Ruler’s son-in-law.’“ Saul’s workers said that to David and David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to be the Ruler’s son-in-law, seeing that I’m just a poor man, and of little respect?” The workers told Saul what David said. Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The Ruler doesn’t want any dowry except 100 foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of his enemies.” Now Saul thought make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. When his workers told David this, it pleased David well to be the Ruler’s son-in-law. The days weren’t over; and David went, he and his men, and killed 200 Philistine soldiers; and David brought their foreskins, and gave the full number to the Ruler, in order to be the Ruler’s son-in-law. Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife. Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him. Saul was all the more scared of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually. Then the leaders of the Philistines came; and as often as they came, David behaved himself more wisely than all the workers of Saul; so that he became well known.
19[1 -5] Saul said to Jonathan his son, and to all his workers, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, loved David. Jonathan told David, “Saul my father wants to kill you; So now, please take care of yourself in the morning, and go to a secret place, and hide yourself; and I’ll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I’ll talk with my father of you; and if I hear anything, I’ll tell you. Jonathan said good things of David to Saul his father, saying to him, “Don’t let the Ruler sin against his worker, David; he hasn’t sinned against you, and he has been very good toward you and has risked his life, and fought the Philistine, and Yahweh won a great victory for all Israel; you saw it, and was happy; so why would you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?
[6-10] Saul listened to Jonathan and promised, “As Yahweh lives, he won’t be killed.” Jonathan called David, and told him what Saul had said. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in him, as before. There was war again; and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and killed them with a great slaughter; and they ran before him. Then an evil spirit from Yahweh was on Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing his harp. Saul tried to find a way to pin David to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away from Saul, and he threw the spear into the wall; and David ran, and escaped that night.
[11-17] Saul sent messengers to David’s house, to watch him, and kill him in the morning; and Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you don’t save your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through the window; and he ran and escaped. Michal took the family idol, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with the blanket. When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He’s sick.” Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” When the messengers came in, the family idol was in the bed with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head. Saul said to Michal, “Why have you lied to me like this, and let my enemy go, so that he is escaped?” Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, “‘Let me go; why should I kill you?’”
[18-24] Now David ran, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him what Saul had done to him. He and Samuel went and lived in Naioth. It was told Saul, “David is at Naioth in Ramah.” Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of the preachers preaching, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul, and they also preached. When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also preached. Saul sent messengers again the third time and they also preached. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu; and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” Someone said, “They’re at Naioth in Ramah.” He went there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came on him also, and he went on, and preached until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He also stripped off his clothes, and preached before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and night. So they say, “Is Saul also among the preachers?”
20[1-10] David ran from Naioth in Ramah, and came saying to Jonathan, “What have I done? What’s my sin?” And “What’s my sin before your father that he wants to take my life?” He said to him, “Far from it; you won’t die; my father doesn’t do anything either great or small, without telling me; and why would my father hide this from me? It’s not so.” Besides this, David promised saying, “Your father knows well that we are friends; and he says, “’Don’t let Jonathan know this, in case he get upset’ but truly as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, there’s only a step between me and death.” Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want, I’ll do it for you.” David said to Jonathan, “See, tomorrow is the new moon, and I shouldn’t fail to eat with the Ruler; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening. If your father miss me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he could run to Bethlehem his city because it’s the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ If he says, “’It’s okay;’ I’ll have peace; but if he’s angry, then know that he has planned something evil. So be good to me because you’ve made an agreement with me to Yahweh; but if there’s sin in me, kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?” Jonathan said, “Far be it from you because if I should at all know that evil were planned by my father to kill you, then wouldn’t I tell you that?” Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?”
[11-15] Then Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let’s go out into the field;” so they both went out into the field. Jonathan said to David, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, be witness; when I’ve asked my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, if there is good toward David, I won’t send to you, and tell it to you? Yahweh do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to hurt you, if I don’t tell it to you, and send you away, that you may go in peace; and Yahweh be with you, who has been with my father. You won’t only show me the loving kindness of Yahweh, while I still live, that I not die; but also you won’t keep your kindness from my house forever; no, not when Yahweh has destroyed all the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
[16-23] So Jonathan made an agreement with the house of David, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” Jonathan made David promise again, for the love that he had for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon; and you’ll be missed, because your seat will be empty. When you’ve waited three days, go down quickly, and come to the place where you hid yourself when this business first started, and stay by the stone Ezel. I’ll shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark. I’ll send the boy, saying, “‘Go find the arrows.’ If I tell the boy, ‘The arrows are on this side of you; take them, and come because there’s peace toward you and no hurt, as Yahweh lives. But if I say to the boy, ‘The arrows are beyond you; go on,’ then Yahweh has sent you away. As touching the matter which you and I have spoken of, Yahweh is our witness forever.”
[24-29 ] So David hid in the field; and when the new moon had come, the Ruler sat down to eat. The Ruler sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side; but David’s place was empty. Saul didn’t say anything that day because he thought, “Something has happened to him. He isn’t fit. Truly he isn’t fit.” On the next day after the new moon, which was the second day, David’s place was still empty; and Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why doesn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, neither yesterday, nor today?” Jonathan answered Saul, “David sincerely asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem; and said, “‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he has told me to be there; and now, if it’s okay with you, let me get away, I ask, and see my brothers.’ So he hasn’t come to the Ruler’s table.”
[30-34] Then Saul was very angry with Jonathan, and said to him, “You son of a disobedient rebellious woman, don’t I know that you’ve chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to your mother’s shame? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you won’t rule the nation. So bring him to me now, for he’ll truly die!” Jonathan answered Saul his father, saying to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?” Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. By this, Jonathan knew that his father planned to put David to death. So Jonathan got up from the table, being very angry, and ate no food the second day of the month because he was upset because his father had shamed David.
[35- 42] In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field at the set time with David, and a little boy with him. He said to his boy, “Run, find the arrows which I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan shouted to the boy, saying, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” Jonathan shouted to the boy, “Go fast! Hurry! Don’t wait!” Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came back to him. But the boy didn’t know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the matter. Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy, saying to him, “Go carry them to the city. As soon as the boy was gone, David got up out of a place toward the South, and dropped to the floor to the ground, and bowed himself three times; and they kissed, and cried together, until David was done. Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we’ve promised both of us in the Name of Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will be between me and you, and between my children and your children, forever. He got up and left; and Jonathan went back to the city.
21[1-6] Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the preacher; and Ahimelech came to meet David shaking, saying to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” David said to him, “The Ruler has given me some business to do, and has said to me, “Let no one know about the business on which I send you, and what I’ve told you; and I’ve sent the soldiers to such and such a place. So what do you have? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever there is here. The preacher answered David, saying, “There’s no common bread here, but there’s holy bread; if only the soldiers have kept themselves from women. Then David answered the preacher, saying, “It’s true, we haven’t had women for three days since I came out, and the soldiers are holy, though it was only a common journey; how much more then will they be holy today? So the preacher gave him holy bread because there was nothing there except the holy bread that was taken from before Yahweh, to put fresh bread in when it was taken away.
[7-11] Now a certain man of the workers of Saul was there that day, delayed before Yahweh, who was Doeg, the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul. David said to Ahimelech, “Isn’t there here with you a weapon? I’ve neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the Ruler’s business needed to be done quickly.” The preacher said, “The sword of Goliath, the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the golden breastplate; if you’ll take that, take it, because there’s no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that; give it me.” David ran that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish, the Ruler of Gath. The workers of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the Ruler of the land? Didn’t they sing to each other about him in their dances, saying, “’Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands’?”
[12-15] David laid up these words in his heart, and was very scared of Achish, the Ruler of Gath. He changed his behavior before them, and pretended to be crazy in their hands, and scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his spit fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his workers, “Look, you see he’s crazy; so why have you brought him to me? Do I lack crazy people, that you’ve brought this idiot to act crazy in my presence? Will this person come into my house?
22[1-4] So David left there, and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his family and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in trouble, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was unhappy, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them; and there were with him about 400 soldiers. David went there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the Ruler of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come here, and be with you, until I know what God will do for me. He brought them before the Ruler of Moab; and they lived with him while David was in the stronghold.
[5 -8] The preacher Gad said to David, “Don’t stay in the stronghold; leave, and go to the land of Judah. Then David left, and came into the forest of Hereth. When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him were discovered, he was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah with his spear in his hand, and all his workers were standing about him. Saul said to his workers who stood there, “Listen now, you Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, that you all have schemed against me, and there’s no one who tells me when my son makes an agreement with the son of Jesse, and there’s none of you who’s sorry for me, or tells me that my son has stirred up my worker against me, to set an ambush, as it is today?
[9 -15] Then Doeg the Edomite answered, who stood by the workers of Saul, saying, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech of Ahitub. He asked of Yahweh for him, and gave him food, and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” Then the Ruler sent to call Ahimelech, the preacher, of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the preachers who were in Nob; and all of them came to the Ruler. Saul said, “Now listen, son of Ahitub.” He answered, “Here I am, sir.” Saul said to him, “Why have you schemed against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you’ve given him bread, and a sword, and have prayed to God for him, so that he can come against me, to set an ambush, as it is today?” Then Ahimelech answered the Ruler, saying, “Who among all your workers is so faithful as David, who is the Ruler’s son-in-law, and is taken into your council, and is honorable in your house? Have I just today begun to ask of God for him? Be it far from me; don’t let the Ruler blame anything on his worker, nor to all the house of my father because your worker knows nothing of all this.
[16-23] The Ruler said, “You’ll truly die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father’s house.” The Ruler said to the guard who stood near him, “Kill the preachers of Yahweh; because they are also with David, and because they knew that he ran, and didn’t tell me.” But the workers of the Ruler wouldn’t lay a hand on them, to kill the preachers of Yahweh. The Ruler said to Doeg, “Kill the preachers.” So Doeg, the Edomite, killed the preachers, and he killed on that day 85 persons who wore a linen robe and a golden breastplate. Nob, the city of the preachers, he killed with the blade of a sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and cows, donkeys, and sheep, with the blade of a sword. One of the descendants of Ahimelech, of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and ran after David. Abiathar told David that Saul had killed Yahweh’s preachers. David said to Abiathar, I knew on that day when Doeg, the Edomite, was there, that he would tell Saul; I’ve caused the death of all the people of your father’s house. Stay with me, and don’t be scared, because those who want to take my life also want to take your life, but you’ll be safe with me.
23[1-4] They told David, “The Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are taking their harvest.” So David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Should I go and fight these Philistines?” Yahweh said to David, “Go, and fight the Philistines, and save Keilah.” David’s men said to him, “We’re scared here in Judah; how much more then, if we go to Keilah against the troops of the Philistines?” Then David asked of Yahweh again. Yahweh answered him, saying, “Get up, go down to Keilah because I’ll hand over the Philistines to you.”
[5-12] So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and took their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. David saved the people of Keilah. When Abiathar of Ahimelech ran to David to Keilah, he came down with a golden breastplate in his hand. It was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has given him to me because he’s trapped, by going into a town that has gates and bars.” Then Saul called all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to surround David and his men. When David knew that Saul was secretly planning against him, he said to Abiathar the preacher, “Bring here the golden breastplate.” Then David said, “O Yahweh, God of Israel, Your follower has heard that Saul wants to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the people of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down, as Your follower has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I ask you, tell Your follower.” Yahweh said, “He’ll come down.” Then David said, “Will the people of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” Yahweh said, “They’ll hand you over.”
[13-18]Then David and his men, who were about 600, got up and left Keilah, and went wherever they could go. It was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; and he didn’t go there. David went to the countryside in the mountains, and stayed in the hillsides near Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God didn’t let him fall into his hand. David saw that Saul had come out to take his life; and David was in the countryside of Ziph in the woods. Jonathan, Saul’s son, went to David in the woods, and encouraged him in the Name of God. He said to him, “Don’t be scared because Saul, my father, won’t find you; and you’ll be Ruler over Israel, and I’ll be next to you; and Saul, my father, knows this.” They made an agreement together before Yahweh; and David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went home.
[19 -23] Then the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah which is on the south of the desert? So now, O Ruler, come down and do whatever you want; and we’ll hand him over to you.” Saul said, “You are blessed of Yahweh because you’ve had compassion on me. Please go make sure you know, and see where his hiding place is, and who has seen him there because it’s been told me that he’s very sneaky. So find all the lurking places where he hides, and come to me again and let me know for sure, and I’ll go with you; and if he’s in the land, I’ll search for him out all the thousands of Judah.”
[24-29] They got up, and went to Ziph before Saul; but David and his men were in the countryside of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert. Saul and his men went to look for him. When David was told that, he went down to the rock, and stayed in the countryside of Maon. When Saul heard that, he chased after David in the countryside of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David hurried to get away for fear of Saul because Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have made a raid on the land. So Saul stopped chasing after David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. David went up from there, and lived in the mountains of En Gedi.
24[1 -4] When Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, it was told him, “David is in the countryside of En Gedi.” Then Saul took 3,000 of the best soldiers out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave. The people of David said to him, “This is the day of which Yahweh said to you, ‘See, I’ll give your enemy to you, and you’ll do to him as it seems good to you.’“ Then David got up, and cut the bottom of Saul’s robe secretly.
[5 -15] Afterward, David’s heart bothered him, because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to the Ruler, Yahweh’s anointed, to turn my hand against him, seeing he’s Yahweh’s anointed.” So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t let them go up against Saul. Saul got up out of the cave, and went on. David also got up afterward, and went out of the cave, and shouted to Saul, saying, “Ruler.” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and paid him respect. Then David said to Saul, “Why do You listen to men’s words, who say, ‘See, David wants to hurt you?’ You see today with your own eyes, how Yahweh had given you to me in the cave today; and some told me kill you; but I spared you; and I said, “I won’t turn my hand against the Ruler because he is Yahweh’s anointed. Besides this, my father, see, yes, see the bottom of your robe in my hand because I cut the bottom of your robe, and didn’t kill you, know and see that there’s neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I haven’t sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it. Yahweh judge between me and you, and Yahweh will avenge me of you; but my hand won’t touch you. As the saying of the ancients says, “‘Out of the sinful comes evil; but my hand won’t touch you. Who are you chasing after, Ruler of Israel? Who are you chasing? After a dead dog, after a flea. Yahweh will be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and plead my case, and take me out of your hand.”
[16-22] When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this truly your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice, and cried. He said to David, “You’re better than Because you’ve done good to me when I’ve done evil to you. You’ve told me today how that you’ve been good to me, because when Yahweh had given me to you, you didn’t kill me. For if anyone finds his enemy, will he let him go away unhurt? So may Yahweh reward you good for what you’ve done to me today. Now I know that you’ll truly be Ruler, and that the rule of Israel will be put in your hand. So promise me now by Yahweh, that you won’t kill my children after me, and that you won’t destroy my name out of my father’s house. So David promised Saul and Saul went home; but David and his men went back up to their stronghold.
25[1 -8] Samuel died; and all Israel gathered together, and cried for him, and buried him at his home at Ramah. David went down to the countryside of Paran. There was a man in Maon who had many possessions in Carmel, and had 3,000 sheep, and 1,000 goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the man’s name was Nabal; and his wife’s name was Abigail; and the woman was very smart and beautiful; but the man was rude and evil; and he was of the house of Caleb. David heard in the countryside that Nabal was shearing his sheep. David sent ten soldiers, and said to the soldiers, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and meet him in My Name; and tell him who lives well, ‘Be at peace, and may peace come to your house, and peace be on what you have. Now I’ve heard that you have shearers; your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t hurt them, neither did we take anything from them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask your workers, and they’ll tell you; so do us a favor because we come on a good day. Please give whatever you have on hand to us and to your son David.”
[9-13] When David’s soldiers came, they said to Nabal all those words in the name of David, and waited. Nabal answered David’s workers, saying, “Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? There are many workers who quit working for their bosses these days. Should l then take my bread and water, and my meat that I’ve killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from? So David’s soldiers turned and went back, and came and told him all these words. David said to his men, “Everyone put on your sword.” They tied on their swords; and David also tied on his sword; and there went up after David about 400 soldiers; and 200 stayed by the baggage.
[14-22] But one of the workers told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “See, David sent messengers out of the countryside to meet our boss; and he mocked at them. But the men were very good to us, and we weren’t hurt, nor missed anything, as long as we went with them. When we were in the fields; they were a wall to us both night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. So now know and think about what to do because evil is decided against our boss, and against all his house because he is such a worthless person that no one can even speak to him. Then Abigail hurried, and took 200 loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep already dressed, and 15 bushels of parched grain, and 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 loaves of figs, and laid them on donkeys. She said to her workers, “Go on before me; I will come after you. But she didn’t tell her husband, Nabal. As she rode on her donkey, and came down by the hidden side of the mountain, David and his men came down toward her; and she met them. Now David had said, “Truly it was useless that I kept what this person has in the countryside safe, so that nothing was missed of what belonged to him; and he has went back on me evil for good. God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave so much as one boy of what belongs to him by the morning light.”
[23-31] When Abigail saw David, she hurried, and got off of her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. She fell at his feet, saying, “On me, sir, on me, be this sin; and please let me speak to you. Listen to me. Please don’t think of this worthless person, Nabal because as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and disgrace is with him; but I, your servant didn’t see your soldiers, whom you sent. So now, sir, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, seeing Yahweh has kept you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now let your enemies, and those who look for evil to you, be as Nabal. Now this present which I have brought you, let it be given to the soldiers who follow you. Please forgive the sin of your servant because Yahweh will certainly make you a sure house, because you fight the battles of Yahweh; and evil won’t be found in you all your days. Though men chase you, and want to take your life, still your life will be safe with Yahweh your God; and the souls of your enemies, God will sling out, as from the hollow of a sling. When Yahweh has done to you all the good that was promised about you, and has made you head over Israel, this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to you, either that you’ve killed people without cause, or that you have avenged yourself. When Yahweh has done well with you, then remember your servant.”
[32-35] David said to Abigail, “Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me; and you are blessed for your good judgment, that has kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand. For in truth, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from hurting you, except you had hurried and come to meet me, truly there wouldn’t have been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one boy. So David got from her hand what she had brought him; and he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house; I’ve listened to you, and I give you respect.”
[36-38] Abigail went back to Nabal; and he held a celebration in his house, like the celebration of a Ruler; and Nabal’s heart was merry because he was very drunken; so she told him nothing, until morning. In the morning, when Nabal had come back to his senses, his wife told him these things, and he had a heart attack, and he became as stiff as a stone. About ten days later, Yahweh punished Nabal, and he died.
[39 -44] When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Happy is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my shame from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his follower from evil; and the wrongdoing of Nabal Yahweh has turned back on his own head. David sent word to Abigail that he wanted to marry her. When the workers of David had come to Abigail to Carmel, they said to her, David has sent us to you, to tell you that he wants to marry you. She got up, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, saying, “See, your servant is a worker to wash the feet of the workers of David. Abigail hurried, and rode on a donkey along with five ladies of hers who followed her; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they both became his wives. Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti of Laish, who was of Gallim.
26[1 -5] The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah, which is in the desert.” Then Saul got up, and went down to the countryside of Ziph, having 3,000 of the best soldiers of Israel with him, to look for David in the countryside of Ziph. Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is by the desert road. But David stayed in the countryside, and he saw that Saul came after him into the countryside. So David sent out spies, and knew that Saul had come for sure. David came to the place where Saul had camped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner of Ner, the captain of his troops; and Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were camped around him.
[6-11] Then David said to Ahimelech, the Hittite, and to Abishai, of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” Abishai answered, “I’ll go down with you.” So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has handed over your enemy to you today; so now please let me stab him with the spear to the earth in one stroke, and I won’t have to fight him again.” David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him because who can put their hand on Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?” David said, “As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will fight him; or his day will come to die; or he’ll go down into battle and die. Yahweh forbid that I should put my hand on Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let’s go.”
[12 -16] So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head; and they went away; and no one saw it, nor knew it, neither did anyone awake because they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them. Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain very far away with a great space being between them; and David cried to the people, and to Abner of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner said, “Who are you who calls to the Ruler? Then David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a brave soldier? Who is like you in Israel? So why haven’t you kept watch over your leader, the Ruler? One of the people came in to kill the Ruler your leader. What you’ve done isn’t good. As Yahweh lives, you’re worthy to die, because you haven’t kept watch over your leader, Yahweh’s anointed. Now see where the Ruler’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.”
[17-20] Saul knew David’s voice, saying, “Is it you who speaks, my son David?” David said, “It’s me, Ruler.” He said, “Why do you chase after me? What have I done? Or what evil is in my hand? So now, please hear what I have to say. If it be Yahweh that has stirred you up against me, let God accept an offering; but if it’s a person, let them be punished by Yahweh because they’ve driven me out today that I can’t stay in Yahweh’s land, saying, “‘Go, serve other gods.’ So now, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Yahweh because the Ruler of Israel is come out to look for a flea, as if hunting a partridge in the mountains.”
[21-25] Then Saul said, “I’ve sinned; go back, my son David because I won’t hurt you anymore, because my life was precious to you today; I’ve been the ungodly person, and have wronged you greatly. David answered, “See the spear, O Ruler! So let one of the soldiers come over and get it. Yahweh is good and faithful to all of us; because Yahweh gave you to me today, and I wouldn’t turn my hand against Yahweh’s anointed. See, as your life was valued greatly today in Me, so let my life be valued to Yahweh, and let God save me out of all this abuse. Then Saul said to David, “Happy is my son David; you’ll both do greatly, and will truly triumph. So David went on and Saul went back home.
27[1-4] David said in his heart, I’ll now die one day by the hand of Saul; there isn’t anything better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will lose hope of finding me, and won’t look for me anymore in all the borders of Israel; so I’ll escape out of his hand. So David got up and crossed over with the 600 soldiers who were with him, to Achish of Maoch, Ruler of Gath. David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, everyone in his household, David with his two wives, Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife. It was told Saul that David had run to Gath; and he stopped looking for him.
[5-7] David said to Achish, “If now I’ve pleased you, give me a place in one of the cities in the nation that I may live there. Why should Your follower live in the royal city with you? Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day; Ziklag belongs to the Rulers of Judah today. David lived in the country of the Philistines a year and four months.
[8-12] Then David and his men went up, and made a raid on the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites. Those nations were the native people of the land, as you go to Shur, all the way to the land of Egypt. David fought them, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took the sheep, cows, donkeys, camels, and clothing; and he went back, and came to Achish. Achish said, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David said, “Against the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites. David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, “In case they should tell on us, saying, “‘So David did this, and has been doing this all the while he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel completely hate him; so he’ll be my worker forever.”
28[1-6] In those days, the Philistines gathered their troops together for war, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly, that you’ll go out with me in the troops, you and your men.” David said to Achish, “So you’ll know what your worker will do?” Achish said to David, “So I’ll make you my personal guard forever.” Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had cried for him, and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. Saul had put away all those who spoke to evil spirits, and all those who practice witchcraft out of the land. The Philistines gathered together, and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped in Gilboa. When Saul saw the troops of the Philistines, he shook in fear. When Saul prayed to Yahweh, Yahweh didn’t answer him, neither by dreams, nor by the Judgment stones, nor by preachers.
[7 -14] Then Saul said to his workers, “Look for me a woman who speaks to evil spirits, that I may go to her, and ask of her. His workers said to him, “There’s a woman who speaks to an evil spirit at Endor.” Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went with two men, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Please foretell my future by the evil spirit, and bring up whoever I tell you. The woman said to him, “You know what Saul has done, how he has put away those who speak to evil spirits, and those who practice witchcraft, out of the land; why do you lay a trap for my life, to make me die?” But Saul promised her by Yahweh, saying, “As Yahweh lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.” Then the woman said, “Who do you want me to bring up for you?” He said, “Bring me up Samuel.” When the woman saw Samuel, she shouted loudly; and the woman said to Saul, “Why have you lied to me? You’re Saul.” The Ruler said to her, “Don’t be scared. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a spirit coming up out of the grave.” He asked her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up; and he’s covered with a shawl.” Saul understood that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face down, and paid respect.
[15-19] Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I’m very upset because the Philistines make war against me, and God has left me, and won’t answer me anymore, neither by preachers nor dreams; so I’ve called you, so that you may make known to me what to do.” Samuel said, “So why do you ask me, seeing Yahweh has left you, and is your enemy? Yahweh has done to you, just as God said, “ by me; and Yahweh has torn the rule out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David. Because you didn’t obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn’t judge Amalek for God’s great anger, so Yahweh has done this thing to you today. Besides this, Yahweh will give Israel along with you into the power of the Philistines; and tomorrow, you and your sons will be with me; Yahweh will put the troops of Israel also into the power of the Philistines.”
[20-24] Then Saul immediately fell flat on the earth, and was very scared, because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength left in him because he had eaten nothing all that day or night. The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was very troubled, saying to him, “See, your servant has listened to you, and I’ve risked my life, and have obeyed your words which you said to me. So now, please listen also to me, and let me give you something to eat that you may have strength when you go.” But he refused, saying, “I won’t eat.” But his workers, together with the woman, pushed him; and he listened to them. So he got up from the earth, and sat on the bed. The woman had a fattened calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked flat bread; and she brought it to Saul and his men; and they ate. Then they got up, and went away that night.
29[1-5] Now the Philistines gathered together all their troops to Aphek; and the Israelites camped by the creek which is in Jezreel. The leaders of the Philistines went on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men went on in the back with Achish. Then the leaders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?’ Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines, “This is David, the worker of Saul, the Ruler of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I’ve found no fault in him since he came to me until today?” But the leaders of the Philistines were angry with him; and the leaders of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man go back, that he may go back home where you’ve put him, and let him not go down with us to fight, in case in the battle he become an enemy to us. What if this person should go back to his leader? Wouldn’t it be with the lives of these men? Isn’t this the David, of whom they sang to each other in dances, saying, “Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands?”
[6 -11] Then Achish called David, saying to him, “As Yahweh lives, you’ve been good, and your going out and coming in with me in the troops is good to me and I haven’t found any evil in you since the day you came to me until today; But the leaders don’t want you. So now, go back, and go in peace, that you not make the leaders of the Philistines mad. David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What wrong have you found in me as long as I’ve been with you until today, that I can’t go and fight against your enemies?” Achish answered David, I know that you’re good to me, as an angel of God; but the leaders of the Philistines have said, “‘He won’t go with us to the battle.’ So now, get up early in the morning, with the workers of your leader who have come with you; and as soon as you’re up early in the morning, and have light, leave.” So David got up early, he and his men, to leave in the morning, to go back into the land of the Philistines. Then Philistines went up to Jezreel.
30[1 -4] When David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid on the South, and on Ziklag, and had destroyed Ziklag, and burned it with fire, and had taken prisoner the women and all who were in it, from the least to the greatest. They didn’t kill anyone, but carried them all off, and left. When David and his men came to the city, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their children were taken prisoner. Then David and the people who were with him screamed and cried, until they couldn’t cry anymore.
[5 -8] David’s two wives were taken prisoner, Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal, the Carmelite. David was greatly upset because the people talked of killing him, because everyone was upset and worried about their children; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh God. David said to Abiathar, the preacher, son of Ahimelech, “Please bring me here the golden breastplate.” So Abiathar brought the golden breastplate (containing the Judgment stones) to David. David asked of Yahweh, saying, “If I chase after this troop, will I catch them?” God answered him, “Chase them and you’ll truly overtake them, and will without fail recover all.”
[9-15] So David went with his 600 soldiers, and came to the river Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. But David chased after them with 400 soldiers and 200 stayed behind, who were so faint that they couldn’t go over the river Besor. They found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he ate; and they gave him water to drink. They gave him a piece of a loaf of figs, and two clusters of raisins; and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him because he had eaten nothing, nor drunk any water, three days and nights. David said to him, “To whom do you belong? Where are you from?” He said, “I’m a young man of Egypt, worker to an Amalekite; and my boss left me, because three days ago I fell sick. We made a raid on the South of the Cherethites and on what belongs to Judah, and on the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.” David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this troop?” He said, “Promise me by God, that you’ll neither kill me, nor hand me over to my boss, and I’ll bring you down to this troop.”
[16 -20] When he had brought him down, they were spread out over all the ground, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great stuff that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. David fought them from the dusk to the evening of the next day; and not one of them escaped, except 400 soldiers, who rode on camels and ran. David took back what the Amalekites had taken and rescued his two wives. There wasn’t anything lacking to them, whether small or great, not children, nor stuff, nor anything that they had taken from them; David brought it all back. David took all the flocks and the herds which they drove before the other livestock, saying, “This is my stuff.”
[21-25] David came to the 200 soldiers, who were so faint that they couldn’t follow him, whom also they had made to stay at the river Besor; and they came to meet David, and to meet the people who were with him; and when David came up to them, he greeted them. Then all the sinners and evil ones who went with David, said, “Because they didn’t go with us, we won’t give them anything of the stuff that we got back, except to each his wife and his children, that he may take them away, and leave.” Then David said, “You won’t do that, my people, with what Yahweh has given to us who has saved us, and put the troop that came against us into our hand. Who will listen to you in this matter? The share of those who go down to the battle will be the same as the share of those who wait by the baggage; they’ll share alike. From that day forward, he made it a law and a rule for Israel until today.
[26 -31] When David came to Ziklag, he sent of the stuff to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, “See, I have a present for you of the stuff of the enemies of Yahweh. To those who were in Bethel, Ramoth of the South, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, and Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites and Kenites, and to those who were in Hormah, Borashan, Athach, and Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men had stayed.
31[1-6] 1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the people of Israel ran from the Philistines, and fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines chased Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. The battle went very bad against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was wounded badly by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and stab me with it, in case these unbelievers come and stab me, and abuse me.” But his armor bearer wouldn’t do it because he was very scared. So Saul took his sword, and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also stabbed himself, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
[7-13] When the people of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were across the Jordon, saw that the people of Israel ran, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they left the cities, and ran; and the Philistines came and lived in them. On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to the place of their false gods, and to the people. They put his armor in the house of the fertility goddess Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard about what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the soldiers got up, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. They took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
2 Samuel
1[1-10] After the death of Saul when David had gone back from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag; on the third day, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes torn, and earth on his head; and when he came to David, he fell to the earth, and paid him respect. David said to him, “Where are you from?” He said to him, “I’ve escaped out of the camp of Israel.” David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people ran from the battle, and many of them have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. David said to the young man who told him this, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?” The young man who told him said, “As I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, Saul was leaning on his spear; and the war vehicles and the riders chased hard after him. When he looked behind him and saw me, he called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’ He said to me, “‘Who are you?’ I answered, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’ He said, “‘Stand, I ask, beside me, and kill me because I am suffering, yet am still alive.’ So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he couldn’t live after he was wounded; and I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to you.’
[11-16] Then David grabbed his clothes, and tore them; and also all the men who were with him; and they mourned, and cried, and fasted until even, for Saul and Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen in war. David said to the young man who had told him, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I’m a foreigner, an Amalekite.” David said to him, “How were you not scared to kill Yahweh’s anointed?” David called one of the soldiers, saying, “Go and kill him. So he killed him.” David said to him, “Your blood be on your head because your mouth has testified against you, saying, “I’ve killed Yahweh’s anointed.”
[17-21] David cried with this mourning song over Saul and Jonathan his son (and he told them to teach the people of Judah the song of the bow (It’s written in The Book of Jashar); Your glory, Israel, has fallen on your mountains! How the strong have fallen! Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, in case the daughters of the Philistines are happy, in case the daughters of the unbelievers triumph. You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of harvests because there the shield of the strong was evilly thrown away, the shield of Saul wasn’t anointed with oil.
[22-27] From the blood of the dead, from the fat of the strong, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t go back clean. Saul and Jonathan were loved and enjoyed in their lives. In their death, they weren’t separated. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions. You daughters of Israel cry over Saul who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. How the strong are fallen in the middle of the battle! Jonathan is killed on the mountain. I’m so upset for you, my brother Jonathan. You’ve been very enjoyable to me. Your love was more amazing to me than the love of women. How the strong are fallen and the weapons of war gone!
2[1-3] After this, David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Should I go into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where should I go?” God said, “To Hebron.” So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal, the Carmelite. David also brought his men who were with him and everyone with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.
[4-7] The people of Judah came there, and they anointed David Ruler over the house of Judah. They told David, “The people of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.” David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh Gilead, saying to them, “You are blessed of Yahweh, that you’ve shown this kindness to your leader, Saul, and have buried him. Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you; and I also will repay you this kindness, because you’ve done this. So now, be strong and brave, because Saul, your leader, is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me Ruler over them.”
[8-11] Now Abner of Ner, captain of Saul’s troops, had taken Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he made him Ruler over Gilead, Ashur, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbosheth, Saul’s son was 40 years old when he began to rule over Israel, and ruled two years. But the house of Judah followed David. David ruled in Hebron over the house of Judah seven years and six months.
[12-17] Abner of Ner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth, son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. Joab, of Zeruiah, and the soldiers of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, one on each side of the pool. Abner said to Joab, “Please let the soldiers get up and fight before us. Joab said, “Let them fight.” Then they got up and went over by number; 12 soldiers for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth of Saul, and 12 of the soldiers of David. They caught each other by the head, and stabbed each other in the side; so they died together; so that place was called The Field of Sharp Swords (Helkath Hazzurim), which is in Gibeon. The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the people of Israel, before the soldiers of David.
[18 -23] Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, the three sons of Zeruiah, were there; and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. Asahel chased after Abner; and he didn’t turn right nor left as he went chasing Abner. Then Abner looked behind him, saying, “Is it you, Asahel?” He answered, “It’s me.” Abner said to him, “Turn around, and take hold of one of the soldiers, and take his armor.” But Asahel wouldn’t stop chasing him. Abner said again to Asahel, “Stop chasing me; why should I kill you? How could I hold up my head to Joab, your brother? But he refused to turn around; so Abner with the back end of the spear hit him in the stomach, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down and died there; and whoever came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
[24-26] Joab and Abishai chased after Abner; and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that is near Giah by the road to the countryside of Gibeon. The people of Benjamin gathered together to follow Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill. Then Abner called to Joab, saying, “Will we continue to fight and die? Don’t you know that this fighting won’t end well? How long will it be then, before you tell your people to stop chasing their brothers?”
[27-32] Joab said, “As God lives, if you hadn’t said it, truly then, by morning the people would have gone away, and not continued chasing them. So Joab blew the horn; and all the people stood still and stopped chasing after Israel, and didn’t fight them anymore. Abner and his men went that night through the Arabah desert and crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. Joab stopped chasing Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, David has lost 19 soldiers and Asahel. But the soldiers of David had killed of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, 360 soldiers. They took Asahel, and buried him in the grave of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men walked all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.
3[1 -5] Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. David had children in Hebron; and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess; and his second was Chileab, of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, the Carmelite; and the third was Absalom, of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, Ruler of Geshur; and the fourth was Adonijah, of Haggith; and the fifth was Shephatiah, of Abital; and the sixth was Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
[6-11] While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David; Abner became strong in the house of Saul. Now Saul had a mistress, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you had sex with my father’s mistress?” Then Abner was very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, saying, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul, your father, to his family and friends, and haven’t handed you over to David; and still you charge me today with a fault about this woman. God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has promised to David, I don’t turn over the rule from the house of Saul to set up the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan all the way to Beersheba.” He couldn’t say another word to Abner, because he feared him.
[12 -16] Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land? Make an agreement with me, and my hand will be with you, to hand all Israel to you. He said, “Good, I’ll make an agreement with you; but one thing I want from you; that is, you won’t see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see me.” David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for 100 foreskins of the Philistines. Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, from Paltiel of Laish. Her husband went with her crying as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back; and he went back.”
[17-21] Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In the past you wanted David to be Ruler over you; now then do it because Yahweh has said, “ of David, “By the hand of my follower, David, I’ll save My people Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, and all their enemies.” Abner also said this to Benjamin; and then Abner went also to speak to David in Hebron what seemed good to Israel, and to those of whole house of Benjamin. So Abner came to David to Hebron with 20 soldiers. David made Abner and the men who were with him a celebration. Abner said to David, I’ll get up and go, and gather all Israel to you sir, the Ruler, that they may make an agreement with you, and that you may rule over all that you want. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
[22 -25] Then the soldiers of David and Joab came in from an attack, and brought in a lot of stuff with them; but Abner wasn’t with David in Hebron because he had sent him away, and he had left in peace. When Joab and all the troops who were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner of Ner, came to the Ruler, and he has sent him away, and he has left in peace. Then Joab came to the Ruler, saying, “What have you done? Abner came to you; why have you sent him away, and now he’s gone? You know that Abner of Ner came to mislead you, and to know when you go and when you come, and to know whatever you do.”
[26 -30] When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it. When Abner had gone back to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and stabbed him there in the stomach, killing him, for the blood of Asahel, his brother. Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my rule are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner of Ner; let it be on the head of Joab, and all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a disease, or is a leper, or leans on a walking stick, or falls in war, or lacks bread. So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel, at Gibeon, in the battle.
[31-39] David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and put on mourning clothes, and mourn for Abner. Ruler David followed the casket. They buried Abner in Hebron; and the Ruler lifted up his voice, and cried at the grave of Abner; and all the people cried. The Ruler cried for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as an ungodly person dies? Your hands weren’t tied, nor your feet put into fetters. You fell as someone falls before a sinner.” All the people cried again over him. All the people tried to get David to eat while it was yet day; but David promised, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down.” All the people took notice, and it pleased them; as whatever the Ruler did pleased all the people. So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it wasn’t the Ruler who had Abner of Ner killed. The Ruler said to his workers, “Don’t you know that a leader and a great man has fallen today in Israel? I’m weak today, though anointed Ruler; and these men, the descendants of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evil-doer according to his evil.”
4[1 -4] When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became weak, and all the Israelites were troubled. Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, had two men, who were captains of the troops; one was Baanah, and the other was Rechab, the descendants of Rimmon, the Beerothite, of the people of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is part of Benjamin, as the Beerothites ran to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until today). Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse took him up, and ran; and as she hurried to run, he fell, and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
[5 -8] The descendants of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went about midday to the house of Ishbosheth, as he took his rest at noon. They came there into the house, as though they wanted some wheat; and they stabbed him in the stomach; and Rechab and Baanah, his brother, escaped. Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they stabbed him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the road of the Arabah all night. They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, saying to the Ruler, “See, the head of Ishbosheth, of Saul, your enemy, who tried to take your life; and Yahweh has avenged the Ruler today of Saul, and of his descendants.”
[9-12] David answered Rechab and Baanah, his brother, the descendants of Rimmon the Beerothite, saying to them, “As Yahweh lives, who has saved me out of all difficulty, when one told me, “See, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good news, I grabbed of him, and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more, when sinners have killed a good person in his own house on his bed, won’t I now require his blood of your hand, and take you from the earth?” David told his soldiers to kill them, and they cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.
5[1 -5] Then all the family groups of Israel came to David to Hebron, saying, “We’re your flesh and bone. In the past when Saul was Ruler over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel; and Yahweh said to you, “You’ll be shepherd of My people Israel, and you’ll be head over Israel.” So all the elders of Israel came to the Ruler to Hebron; and Ruler David made an agreement with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David Ruler over Israel. David was 30 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled 40 years. In Hebron he ruled over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he ruled 33 years over all Israel and Judah.
[6-9] The Ruler and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the people of the land, who said to David, “Unless you take away the lame and the blind, you won’t come in here;” Thinking, “David can’t come in here.” But David took the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David. David said on that day, “Whoever fights, let him go up to the watercourse, and fight those lame and blind Jebusites, who I hate.” So they say, “There are the blind and the lame (Jebusites); he can’t come into the house. So David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. David built around from Millo and inward.
[10-16] David grew greater and greater because Yahweh, the God of all Creation, was with him. Hiram, Ruler of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, woodworkers, and stone builders; and they built David a house. David knew that Yahweh had made him Ruler over Israel, and that he had uplifted his rule over the people of God, for the sake of Israel. David took more mistresses and wives out from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and had more children. These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem; Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
[17-20] When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David Ruler over Israel, they all went up to look for David; and David heard it, and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; I’ll certainly hand the Philistines over to you.” So David came to Baal Perazim, and fought them there; and he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the division of waters.” So he called that place Baal Perazim.
[21-25] They left their false gods there; and David and his men took them away. The Philistines came up still again, and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. When David asked of Yahweh, God said, “You won’t go up; circle behind them, and come up on them next to the mulberry trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you’ll move because then is Yahweh gone out before you to fight the troops of the Philistines. David did so, as Yahweh told him, and fought the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.
6[1-5] David again gathered together 30,000 of the best soldiers of Israel. David got up, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the Chest of God, which is called by the Name of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who sits above the cherubim (angelic winged creatures). They set the Chest of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the descendants of Abinadab, drove the new cart. They brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill with the Chest of God; and Ahio went before the Chest. David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, with harps, lyres, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.
[6 -10] When they came to the place of harvest of Nacon, Uzzah reached out to catch the Chest of God, and grabbed it because the cows stumbled. Yahweh was angry at Uzzah and killed him there for his error by the Chest of God. David was unhappy, because Yahweh had broken out on Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, until today. David was scared of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How will the Chest of God come to me?” So David wouldn’t bring the Chest of God to him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
[11 -15] The Chest of God was left in the house of Obed-Edom, the Gittite, three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom, and all his house. It was told Ruler David, saying, “Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and everything that belongs to him, because the Chest of God is there.” So David went and brought up the Chest of God from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with great happiness. When those who had the Chest of God had gone six paces, he sacrificed a cow and a fattened calf. David danced before Yahweh with all his strength; and David wore a golden linen breastplate. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the Chest of God with shouting, and with the horn sounding.
[16-19] As the Chest of God came into the city of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked out the window, and saw Ruler David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she hated him in her heart. They brought in the Chest of God, and set it in its place, in the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of Yahweh, the God of All Creation. He gave out to all the people, among the whole number of Israel, both to men and women, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people left and went home.
[20-23] Then David went back to bless his household. Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet David, saying, “How wonderful was the Ruler of Israel today who uncovered himself in front of the young women of his people, as one of the worthless men shamelessly uncovers himself!” David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, Who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of Yahweh, over Israel; so I’ll play before Yahweh.” I’ll be worse than this, and will be evil in my own sight; but of the servants of whom you’ve spoken, they’ll honor me. So Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child by David to the day of her death.
7[1 -3] When the Ruler lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies around, the Ruler said to Nathan the preacher, “See now, I live in a house of cedar, but the Chest of God lives in nothing but curtains. Nathan said to the Ruler, “Go, do what’s in your heart because Yahweh is with you.”
[4-11] That same night, the Word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my follower David, Yahweh says, “Will you build me a house to live in? I haven’t lived in a house since the day that I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt, even until today, but have moved around in a tent and a Chest. In all the places I’ve walked with all the people of Israel, did I say a word to any of the family groups of Israel whom I told to be shepherd of My people Israel, saying, “‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?’ So now, tell my follower David, Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “I took you from the sheep pen, from watching the sheep, that you would be Ruler over My people, over all Israel; and I’ve been with you wherever you went, and have taken all your enemies from before you; and I’ll make your name well known, like the names of the great ones who are buried in the earth. I’ll make a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may live in their own place, and never be moved again. Nor will evil people trouble them anymore, as at the first, when I told the judges to be over My people Israel; and I’ll cause you to rest from all your enemies. Besides this, Yahweh tells you, ‘I will make you a house.’
[12-17] When your days are over, and you’re buried with your ancestors, I’ll set up your descendant after you, who will come from your body, and I’ll set up his rule. He’ll build a house for My Name, and I’ll set up the throne of his rule forever. I’ll be like a parent to him, and he’ll be my child; if he sins, I’ll use men and peoples to punish him; but my loving kindness won’t leave from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. Your house and your rule will be made sure forever before you; your throne will be set up forever.” So Nathan spoke all these words, and all this vision, to David.
[18-25] Then David the Ruler went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, “Who am I, Yahweh God, and what’s my house, that you’ve brought me this far? This was a small thing to you, Yahweh God; but You’ve spoken also of Your follower’s house for a great while to come; and this too after the way of men, Yahweh God! What can David say more to You? You know Your follower, Yahweh God. For Your Word’s sake, and for Your own heart, You’ve done all this greatness, to make Your follower know it. You’re so great, Yahweh God, there’s none like you, nor is there any God besides You, like what we’ve heard with our ears. What nation in the earth is like Your people, even like Israel, whom You saved for Yourself a people, and to make Yourself a name, and to do great things for You, and awesome things for Your land, before Your people, whom you saved for Yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods? You made Your people Israel to be Your people for You forever; and You, Yahweh, became their God.
[25 -29] Now, Yahweh God, the word that You’ve said about Your follower, and about my house, settle it forever, and do as You’ve said. Let Your Name be made well known forever; let the people say, ‘Yahweh, the God of All Creation, is God over Israel;’ and the house of Your follower David will be set up before You. For You, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, have made it known to Your follower, saying, “‘I’ll build you a house;’ so has Your follower found in his heart to pray this prayer to You. Now, O Yahweh God, You are God, and Your Word is truth, and You’ve promised this good thing to Your follower; so now let it please You to bless the house of Your follower, that it may continue forever before You! You, Yahweh God, have said it; and with Your blessing, let the house of Your follower be blessed forever.
8[1-8] After this, David fought the Philistines, and defeated them; and David took control of the mother city (Metheg Ammah) from the Philistines. He fought Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became workers to David, and paid taxes to him. David fought also Hadadezer of Rehob, Ruler of Zobah, as he went to recover his rule at the Euphrates River. David took from him 1,000 war vehicles, 700 riders, and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David disabled all the horses, but saved enough of them for 100 war vehicles. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer Ruler of Zobah, David killed 22,000 Syrian soldiers. Then David put protected cities in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became workers to David, and paid taxes. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold that were on the soldiers of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Ruler David took a great deal of brass from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer.
[9-18] When Toi, Ruler of Hamath heard that David had killed all the troops of Hadadezer, he sent Joram, his son, to Ruler David to meet him, and bless him, because he had killed Hadadezer because Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought pots of silver, gold, and brass; so Ruler David dedicated them to Yahweh with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations he defeated; of Syria, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek, and of the stuff of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, Ruler of Zobah. David became famous when he came back from killing 18,000 Syrian soldiers in the Valley of Salt. He put protected cities throughout all Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s workers. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went, so David ruled over all Israel; and did justice and goodness to all his people. Joab of Zeruiah was over the troops; Jehoshaphat of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok of Ahitub, and Ahimelech of Abiathar were preachers; Seraiah was secretary; and Benaiah of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were head ministers.
9[1 -4] David said, “Is there still any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show them kindness for Jonathan’s sake? There was a worker of the house of Saul, whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the Ruler said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “I am he.” The Ruler said, “Is there not still any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to them? Ziba said to the Ruler, “Jonathan still has a son, who can’t walk.” The Ruler said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the Ruler, “He is in the house of Machir of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
[5-8] Then Ruler David sent, and got him out of the house of Machir of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, of Saul, came to David, and dropped to the floor, and paid respect. David said, “Mephibosheth.” He answered, “I am he!” David said to him, “Don’t be scared! I’ll truly show you kindness for Jonathan, your father’s sake, and will give you back the land of Saul your father; and you’ll eat bread at my table continually.” He paid respect, saying, “Who am I that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?”
[9-13] Then the Ruler called to Ziba, Saul’s worker, saying to him, “What belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your boss’s son. You’ll till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your workers; and you’ll bring in the fruits, that your boss’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your boss’s son will eat bread always at my table.” Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 workers. Then Ziba said to the Ruler, I’ll do just what you tell me to do. Then the Ruler said, “As for Mephibosheth, he’ll eat at my table, as one of the Ruler’s sons.” Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. Whoever lived in the house of Ziba were workers to Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he ate continually at the Ruler’s table. He was lame in both his feet.
10[1-5] After this, the Ruler of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun, his son, ruled in his place. David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun of Nahash, as his father has shown kindness to me. So David sent by his workers to comfort him about his father. David’s workers came into the land of the people of Ammon. But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their leader, “Do you think that David honors your father by sending comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his workers to you to search and spy out the city to overthrow it?” So Hanun took David’s workers, and shaved off half of their beards, and ripped their clothes in half, showing their buttocks, and sent them away. When they told it to David, he sent to meet them because the men were greatly ashamed. The Ruler said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards are grown, and then go back.”
[6 -8] When the people of Ammon saw that they were hated by David, they sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and Zobah, with 20,000 foot soldiers, and the Ruler of Maacah with 1,000 soldiers, and the people of Tob with 12,000 soldiers. When David heard it, he sent Joab, and all the troops of the soldiers. The people of Ammon came out, and put the troops in order at the entrance of the gate; and the Syrians of Zobah and Rehob, and the people of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
[9-14] Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and back, he chose of all the best soldiers of Israel, and put them in order against the Syrians; the rest of the people he put under control of Abishai his brother; and he put them in order against the people of Ammon. He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you’ll help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I’ll come and help you. Be brave, and let’s fight for our people, and for the cities of our God; and Yahweh will do what’s right. So Joab and the people who were with him went to battle against the Syrians; and they ran before him. When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians had run, they also ran before Abishai, and went back into the city. Then Joab went back from the people of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
[15 -19] When the Syrians saw that they were beaten by Israel, they gathered themselves together. Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians, who were across the river; and they came to Helam with Shobach, the captain of the troops of Hadadezer at their head. It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and crossed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in order against David, and fought with him. The Syrians ran before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the riders of 700 war vehicles, and 40,000 horse riders, and fought Shobach, the captain of their troops, who died there. When all the Rulers who were workers to Hadadezer saw that they were beaten by Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians were scared to help the people of Ammon anymore.
11[1-5 ] At the first of the year, when Rulers go out to fight, David sent Joab, and his followers, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon, and surrounded Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. At evening, David got up from bed, and walked on the roof of his house, where he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look at. David sent and asked about the woman. Someone said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he had sex with her (for she had bathed after her period); and she went back to her house. The woman got pregnant; and she sent and told David, saying, “I’m pregnant.
[6-11] David sent to Joab, saying, “Send me Uriah, the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah had come to him, David asked him how Joab was doing, and how the people did, and how the war was going. David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.” Uriah left out of the Ruler’s house, and the Ruler sent with him a mess of food. But Uriah slept at the door of the Ruler’s house with all the workers of his leader, and didn’t go down to his house. When they had told David, Uriah didn’t go down to his house, David said to Uriah, “Haven’t you come home from a long journey? Why didn’t you go down to your house?” Uriah said to David, “The Chest, and Israel, and Judah, stay in tents; and Joab, and your workers, are camped in the open field; should I then go into my house, to eat and drink, and to have sex with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I won’t do it.”
[12-21] David said to Uriah, “Stay here today also, and tomorrow I’ll let you leave.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day, and the next day. When David had called him, he ate and drank with him; and he got him drunk; and at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the workers of his leader, but didn’t go down to his house. In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. He wrote in the letter, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the heat of the battle, and leave him, that he may be killed. When Joab kept watch on the city, he sent Uriah to the place where he knew that soldiers were. The people of the city went out, and fought with Joab; and some of the people died of the workers of David; and Uriah, the Hittite, died also. Then Joab sent and told David all the things about the war; and he told the messenger, saying, “When you’ve finished telling all the things about the war to the Ruler, if the Ruler gets angry, and he asks you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn’t you know that they would shoot from the wall? Who killed Abimelech of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman throw a big stone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you’ll say, ‘Your soldier, Uriah, the Hittite, is dead also.’“
[22-27] So the messenger went, and came and told David what Joab had sent him to tell him. The messenger said to David, “The soldiers were strong against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them all the way to the entrance of the gate. The shooters shot at us from off the wall; and some of the Ruler’s workers are dead, and your soldier, Uriah, the Hittite, is dead also. Then David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab, “Don’t let this displease you, for the sword destroys one as well as another; make your battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it;” And encourage him. When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she cried for her husband. When she stopped crying, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and had him a son. But the thing that David had done made Yahweh angry.
12[1 -6] Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, saying, “There were two men in one city; one rich, and the other poor. The rich one had very many flocks and herds, but the poor one didn’t have anything except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him and his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his lap, and was like a daughter to him. A traveler came to the rich man, and he didn’t want to take of his own flock and herd, to make for the traveling man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb, and cooked it for the one who had come to him.” David was very angry at the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, that man who has done this is worthy to die! He’ll give back the lamb fourfold, because he did this, and because he had no pity!”
[7-14] Then Nathan said to David, “You’re the one who did this. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says ; ‘I anointed you Ruler over Israel, and I took you from Saul. I gave you your boss’s house and wives, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that wasn’t enough, I’d have given you much more. Why have you hated the Word of Yahweh, to do what’s evil in My sight? You’ve killed Uriah, the Hittite, in the war, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him in the war with the people of Ammon. So now wounding and death will never leave from your house, because you’ve hated Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Yahweh says; ‘See, I’ll make evil come against you out of your own house; and I’ll take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he’ll lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it secretly, but I’ll do this before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’“ David said to Nathan, “I’ve sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has forgiven your sin. You won’t die. But, because by this act of sin, you’ve given a great chance to Yahweh’s enemies to mock God, the child, who is born to you, will truly die.”
[15 -23] Nathan left and went home. Yahweh made the child that Uriah’s wife had for David very sick. David begged God for the child and fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. The elders of his house got up, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he wouldn’t, nor did he eat with them. On the seventh day, the child died. The workers of David feared to tell him that the child was dead because they said, “See, while the child was yet alive, we talked to him, and he didn’t listen to us; so how will he hurt himself, if we tell him that the child is dead!” But when David saw that his workers were whispering together, he understood that the child was dead; and David said to his workers, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He’s dead.” Then David got up from the earth, and bathed in oil, and changed his clothes; and he came into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and worshiped; then he came back to his own house; and when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his workers said to him, “What have you done? You wouldn’t eat and cried for the child while it was alive; but when the child died, you got up and ate!” He said, “While the child was still alive, I went without food and cried because I said, “ who knows whether Yahweh won’t show grace to me, that the child may live? But now he’s dead, so why should I go without food? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he won’t come back to me.”
[24 -31] David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and had sex with her; and she had a son, and he named him Solomon. Yahweh loved him and sent word by Nathan the preacher, and named him Jedidiah (loved by Yahweh), for Yahweh’s sake. Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the people of Ammon, and took the royal city. Joab sent messengers to David, saying, “I’ve fought against Rabbah and taken the water supply of the city. So gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; in case I take the city, and it be credited to me. So David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. He took the crown of their Ruler from off his head; and its weight was 75 lbs. of gold, and it had precious stones set in it; and it was set on David’s head. He brought a lot of stuff out of the city. He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws, and tillers of iron, and axes, and made them go to the brick kiln; and he did this to all the cities of the people of Ammon. David and all the people went back to Jerusalem.
13[1-5] After this, Absalom, son of David, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon, son of David, loved her. Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar because she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very sneaky man. He said to him, “Why are you, son of the Ruler, becoming thinner by the day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick; and when your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat, and fix the food for me, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.’”
[6-10] So Amnon lay down, and pretended to be sick; and when the Ruler had come to see him, Amnon said to David, “Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of loaves, that I may eat them from her hand.” Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and fix him some food.” So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made loaves in his sight, and baked them. She took the pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Have everyone leave from me. So everyone left from him. Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, so that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the loaves which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon, her brother.
[11-16] When she had brought them close to him to eat, he grabbed her, saying to her, “Come, have sex with me, my sister.” She answered him, “No, my brother, don’t force me, because nothing like this should ever be done in Israel. Don’t disgrace me this way. How will I stand my shame? and as for you, you’ll be as one of the ungodly people in Israel. So please speak to the Ruler because he won’t keep me from you.” But he wouldn’t listen to her; and being stronger than she, he raped her forcefully. Then Amnon hated her very much. The hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her, so Amnon said to her, “Get up, and get out! She said to him, “No, this great wrong in putting me out is worse than the other that you did to me! But he wouldn’t listen to her.
[17-20] Then he called his worker who took care of him, saying, “Put this woman out from me and bolt the door after her.” She had a clothes of various colors on her because with such robes were the Ruler’s daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his worker brought her out, and bolted the door after her. Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her colorful clothes that she wore; and she laid her hand on her head, and went home, crying aloud as she went. Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon, your brother, had sex with you? Hold your peace, my sister; he is your brother; don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar was left heart broken in her brother Absalom’s house.
[21 -27] But when Ruler David heard of all this, he was very angry. Absalom said, “ nothing to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon, who had raped his sister Tamar. After two full years, Absalom had his sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the Ruler’s sons. Absalom came to the Ruler, saying, “See, I have my sheepshearers here; let the Ruler, I ask, and his workers go with me.” The Ruler said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, in case we are too many for you.” He pressed him, but David wouldn’t go, but blessed him. Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother, Amnon, go with us.” The Ruler said to him, “Why should he go with you?” But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the Ruler’s sons go with him.
[28-31] Absalom told his workers, saying, “Watch for when Amnon is drunk with wine; and when I tell you, hit him, then kill him; don’t be scared; haven’t I told you to do this? Be brave and heroic.” The workers of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had told them. Then all the Ruler’s sons got up, and everyone got on their mules, and ran. While they were on the way, the news came to David that Absalom had killed all the Ruler’s sons, and there wasn’t one of them left. Then the Ruler got up, and tore his clothes, and lay on the earth; and all his workers stood by with their clothes torn.
[32-39] Jonadab, of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “Don’t think that they’ve killed all the Ruler’s sons because Amnon only is dead. This has been decided by Absolom from the day that Amnon raped his sister Tamar. So don’t take this thing to heart, to think that all the Ruler’s sons are dead because Amnon only is dead. But Absalom ran. The young men who kept watch looked up, and saw many people were coming by the road on the hillside behind him. Jonadab said to the Ruler, “See, the Ruler’s sons have come. It’s just like I said. As soon as he had finished speaking, the Ruler’s sons came, and screamed, and cried; and the Ruler also and all his workers cried very much. But Absalom ran, and went to Talmai of Ammihur, Ruler of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom ran, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. Ruler David really wanted to go to Absalom because he was comforted about Amnon, seeing he was dead.
14[1 -11] Now Joab of Zeruiah understood that the Ruler’s heart was toward Absalom. Joab sent to Tekoa for a wise woman, saying to her, please, act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothes, and don’t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman mourning for a long time for the dead; and go to the Ruler, and speak this way to him. So Joab told her what to say. When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the Ruler, she fell to the ground, and paid him respect, saying, “Help me, O Ruler.” The Ruler said to her, “What’s troubling you?” She answered, “Truly, I’m a death survivor, and my husband is dead. Your servant had two sons, and they fought together in a field, and no one was there to separate them, but one killed the other. Now the whole family has turned against your servant, and they say, “Give him who fought his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother, whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also. So they would put out my flame that is left, and will leave to my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth.” The Ruler said to the woman, “Go home, and I’ll give orders about you.” The woman of Tekoa said to the Ruler, “O Ruler, let the sin be on me, and on my father’s house; and the Ruler and his throne be guiltless.” The Ruler said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he won’t touch you anymore.” Then she said, “Please let the Ruler remember Yahweh your God, so that the avenger of blood not destroy anymore, in case they destroy my child.” He said, “As Yahweh lives, there won’t one hair of your son fall to the earth.”
[12-20] Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak one word to you, O Ruler.” He said, “Tell me.” The woman said, “So why have you planned such a thing against the people of God? In speaking this word the Ruler is as one who is guilty, in that you don’t bring home again your son who has been put out. For we’ll die, and be like water split on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but makes a way for those who are separated from God to not be put away forever. So now, seeing that I’ve come to speak this word to you, sir, it’s because the people have made me scared; and your servant said, “I’ll now speak to the Ruler; it may be that he’ll do what I ask. The Ruler will Listen, and save his worker from those who would destroy me and my child together, and take the inheritance of God. Then your servant said, “‘Please let the word of the Ruler be comforting, because the Ruler knows what’s good and bad like an angel of God; and Yahweh your God be with you.’“ Then the Ruler said to the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.” The woman said, “Let the Ruler speak now.” The Ruler said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As your soul lives, O Ruler, no one can turn to the right or left from anything that the Ruler has said, “because your follower Joab, he told me what to say to you; Your follower Joab has done this thing to change the fact of the matter; and you sir are as wise as an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
[21 -24] Then the Ruler said to Joab, “See now, I’ll do this thing; so go bring the young man Absalom back home.” Joab fell to the ground on his face, and paid respect to David, and blessed the Ruler; and Joab said, “Today I know that I’ve pleased you sir, O Ruler, in that you’ve done what I’ve asked. So Joab got up and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. The Ruler said, “Let him go to his own house, but don’t let him come to see me.” So Absalom went to his own house, and didn’t come to see the Ruler.
[25-30] Now in all Israel, there wasn’t anyone praised as much as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no fault in him. When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at each year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy); he weighed the hair of his head at 200 coins (about 5 lbs.), after the Ruler’s weight. Absalom had three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; and she was a beautiful woman. Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and didn’t see the Ruler’s face. Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the Ruler; but he wouldn’t come to him; and he sent again a second time, but he wouldn’t come. So he said to his workers, “See, Juab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s workers set the field on fire.
[31-33] Then Joab got up, and came to Absalom to his house, saying to him, “Why have your followers set my field on fire?” Absalom answered Joab, “See, I sent to you, saying, “‘Come here, that I may send you to the Ruler, to say, ‘Why am I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.’ So now, let me see the Ruler; and if there be sin in me, let him kill me.” So Joab came to the Ruler, and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the Ruler, and bowed face down before the Ruler; and the Ruler kissed Absalom.
15[1-6] After this, Absalom got a war vehicle ready and horses, and 50 soldiers to run before him. Absalom got up early, and stood beside the road of the gate; and when anyone had a suit which should come to the Ruler for judgment, then Absalom called to them, saying, “What city are you from?” They would answer, “Your follower is of one of the family groups of Israel;” And Absalom would say, “See, your matters are good and right; but there’s no one to act on behalf of the Ruler to hear you.” Besides this, Absalom said, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause could come to me, and I’d do right by them!” When anyone came to pay him respect, he reached out, and grabbed them, and kissed them. Absalom did this to all Israel who came to the Ruler for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
[7-12] After 40 years, Absalom said to the Ruler, “Please let me go to keep a promise which I’ve made to Yahweh, in Hebron. I made a promise while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, “‘If Yahweh will truly bring me home again to Jerusalem, then I’ll serve Yahweh.’“ The Ruler said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the family groups of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, then call out, ‘Absalom is Ruler in Hebron.’“ There were 200 soldiers who went with Absolom out from Jerusalem, who were invited, and went innocently, not knowing anything. Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong because the people turned to Absalom more and more.
[13-16] A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom. David said to all his workers who were with him at Jerusalem, “Get up, and let’s run or else none of us will escape from Absalom; we must quickly leave, in case he overtake us quickly, and fight the city and make war on us. The Ruler’s workers said to the Ruler, “See, your followers are ready to do whatever you choose.” The Ruler went, and all his household followed him. The Ruler left ten women, who were his mistresses, to keep the house.
[17-22] The Ruler came with all his people; and they stayed in Beth Merhak. All his workers went on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, and 600 soldiers who came after him from Gath went on before the Ruler. Then the Ruler said to Ittai, the Gittite, “Why do you go with us, too? Go back, and stay with the Ruler because you’re a foreigner, and also an exile; go back to your own place. Since you came only yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, seeing I go wherever I can? Go back, and take back your family; mercy and truth be with you.” But Ittai answered the Ruler, saying, “As Yahweh lives, and as you sir, the Ruler lives, truly wherever you go, whether in death or life, I’ll also go. David said to Ittai, “Go and cross over.” So Ittai, the Gittite, crossed over, with all his people, and all the young children with them.
[23 -29] All the country shouted, and all the people crossed over; the Ruler also himself crossed over the Kidron River, and all the people crossed over, toward the road of the countryside. Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the Chest of Promise of God; and they set down the Chest of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had left the city. The Ruler said to Zadok, “Carry back the Chest of God into the city; if I find favor to Yahweh, he’ll bring me there again, and show me both it, and the Place of Worship; but if God says, “I’m not happy with you; here I am, let God do to me whatever is right.” The Ruler said also to Zadok, the preacher, “Aren’t you a preacher? Go back into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz, your son, and Jonathan, son of Abiathar. I’ll stay at the fords of the countryside, until word comes from you to inform me.” So Zadok and Abiathar carried the Chest of God back to Jerusalem; and they stayed there.
[30-37] David went up by the road of the Mount of Olives, and cried as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot; and all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up crying as they went up. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into stupidity.” When David had come to the top of the road where God was worshiped, Hushai, the Archite, came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head. David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you’ll only trouble me; but if you go back to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I’ll be your worker, O Ruler; as I’ve been your father’s worker in the past, so I’ll now be your worker;’ then you’ll defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. Don’t you have Zadok and Abiathar, the preachers, there with you? So whatever you hear out of the Ruler’s house, you’ll tell it to Zadok and Abiathar, the preachers. They’ve there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you’ll send word to me everything you hear. So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
16[1 -4] When David was a little past the top of the mountain, Ziba, the worker of Mephibosheth, met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them 200 loaves of bread, and 100 clusters of raisins, and 100 summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. The Ruler said to Ziba, “What does all this mean?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the Ruler’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the soldiers to eat; and the wine, for those who are faint in the countryside that they may drink. The Ruler said, “Where is your boss’s son?” Ziba said to the Ruler, “He lives at Jerusalem because he said, “Today, the house of Israel will give back to me the rule of my father.” Then the Ruler said to Ziba, “What belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I pay my respect; may I please you sir, O Ruler.
[5 -8] When Ruler David came to Bahurim, someone of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei, of Gera. He came out, cursing as he came. He threw stones at David, and at all the workers of Ruler David; and all the people and all the soldiers were on his right and on his left. Shimei said, “when he cursed, “Leave, leave, you man of blood, and evil person; Yahweh has left from you for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you’ve ruled; and Yahweh has given the rule to Absalom, your son; and see, you’re taken in your own misdeeds, because you’re a man of blood.”
[9 -14] Then said, “Abishai of Zeruiah to the Ruler, “Why should this dead dog curse you sir, the Ruler? Please let me go over and take off his head.” The Ruler said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? He curses because Yahweh has told him to curse David; who then will say, “Why have you done this?” Then David said to Abishai, and to all his workers, “See, my child who came from my own body, wants to take my life; how much more may this Benjamite now do it? Let him alone, and let him curse because Yahweh has told him to do it. It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will repay me good for his cursing of me today.” So David and his men went on up the road; and Shimei went along on the hillside next to him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones and dirt at him. The Ruler, and all the people who were with him, came up tired; and he refreshed himself there.
[15-19] Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. When Hushai, the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the Ruler, long live the Ruler.” Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?” Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whom Yahweh, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, I’ll be his, and I’ll stay with him. So whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I’ve served your father, so I’ll serve you.
[20 -23] Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “What do you think we should do?” Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in and have sex with your father’s mistresses that he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you’re hated by your father; then all those who are with you will be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom had sex with his father’s mistresses in the sight of all Israel. The counsel of Ahithophel which he gave in those days was as if someone had asked at the inner sanctuary of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was with both David and Absalom.
17[1 -5] Besides this, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 soldiers, now, and I’ll go and chase after David tonight; and I’ll come on him while he is tired and exhausted, and will scare him; and all the people who are with him will run; and I’ll fight only the Ruler; and I’ll bring back all the people to you. If all come back except the man you look for; all the people will be at peace. This pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai, the Archite, also now, and let’s hear what he says, “Too.
[6 -13] When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him what Ahithophel has said, “; and asked, “Should we do what he says? If not, speak up. Hushai said to Absalom, “What Ahithophel has said isn’t good at this time. You know your father and his men, that they’re soldiers with brutal minds, as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and won’t stay with the people. See, he has hid now in some pit, or in some other place; and when some of them are fallen at the first, whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ Even those who are brave, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will completely melt, because all Israel knows that your father is a heroic warrior, and those who are with him are strong soldiers. But I say that all Israel should be gathered together to you, from Dan all the way to Beersheba, as many as the sand that is by the sea; and that you go to fight in person. So we’ll find him in some place where he is, and we’ll kill him as the dew falls on the ground; and we won’t leave so much as one of him or all those who are with him. Besides this, if he has gone into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we’ll pull it into the river, until there not be one small stone found there.”
[14-16] Absalom and all the people of Israel said, “What Hushai, the Archite, said, “ is better than what Ahithophel said.” For Yahweh had planned to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, in order to bring evil on Absalom. Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar, the preachers, “Ahithophel said such and such to Absalom and the elders of Israel; and such and such is what I have told them. So now send quickly, and tell David, “Don’t stay tonight at the fords of the countryside, but by all means cross over the river; in case the Ruler and all the people with you be overtaken.”
[17-22] Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female worker used to go and tell them news; and then they went and told it to Ruler David, so they wouldn’t be seen coming into the city. But a boy saw them, and told Absalom; and they both went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard; and they went down in it. The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and strewed cracked grain on it; and nothing was known. Absalom’s workers came to the woman at the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They’ve gone over the river of water.” When they had searched and couldn’t find them, they went back to Jerusalem. After they had left, they came up out of the well, and went and told Ruler David; and they said to David, “Go, and cross quickly over the water because Ahithophel has counseled this against you.” Then David and all the people who were with him got up and crossed over the Jordan; by the morning light they had all gone over the Jordan.
[23-29] When Ahithophel saw that his plan wasn’t followed, he saddled his donkey and went home to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he was buried in the grave of his father. Then David came to Mahanaim and Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel with him. Absalom set Amasa over the troops instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of Ithra, the Israelite, who went in to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi, son of Nahash, of Rabbah, of the people of Ammon, and Machir, son of Ammiel, of Lodebar, and Barzillai, the Gileadite, son of Rogelim, brought beds, bowls, and earthen pots, and wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched pulse, and honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat because they said, “The people are tired, and hungry and thirsty in the countryside.
18[1-8] David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. David sent out the people, a third under Joab, and a third under Abishai of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third under Ittai, the Gittite. The Ruler said to the people, “I’ll truly go out with you myself, too.” But the people said, “You won’t go out because if we run away, they won’t care for us; neither if half of us die will they care for us; but you’re worth 10,000 of us; so now it’s better that you’re ready to help us in the city.” The Ruler said to them, “Whatever seems best to you, I’ll do.” The Ruler stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. The Ruler told Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Be kind, for my sake, to the young man, Absalom.” All the people heard when the Ruler gave all the captains orders about Absalom. So the people went out into the battlefield against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. The people of Israel were beaten there before the soldiers of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of 20,000 soldiers. The battle was spread there all over the countryside; and the forest killed more people that day than the war killed.
[9-17] Then Absalom happened to meet the soldiers of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his hair got caught in the limbs, and he hung in the air; and the mule that was under him went on. Someone saw it, and told Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak. Joab said to the one who told him, “You saw it, and didn’t kill him there till he fell to the ground? I’d have given you ten silver coins, and a belt.” They said to Joab, “Though I’d have gotten a thousand silver coins in my hand, I still wouldn’t put my hand against the Ruler’s son because I heard when the Ruler told you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise if I had taken his life against those words (and there’s no matter hid from the Ruler), then you yourself would have been against me.” Then Joab said, “I can’t wait with you like this.” He took three spears in his hand, and threw them through the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive hanging in the oak. Ten soldiers who had Joab’s armor surrounded him and stabbed Absalom, and killed him. Joab blew the horn, and the people went back from chasing after Israel because Joab held back the people. They took Absalom, and threw him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a huge pile of stones; and all Israel ran back to their tents.
[18 -23] Now Absalom, in his lifetime, had taken and reared up for himself a monument, which is in the Ruler’s valley because he said, “I don’t have a son to keep my name in memory; and he called the monument after his own name; and it’s still called Absalom’s monument, today. Then Ahimaaz of Zadok said, “Let me now run, and tell the Ruler this news, how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.” Joab said to him, “You won’t tell this news today, but you’ll tell the news another day; but today you’ll bring no news, because the Ruler’s son is dead.” Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the Ruler what you’ve seen.” The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran. Then Ahimaaz of Zadok said, “ still again to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me run after the Cushite, too.” Joab said, “Why do you want to run, my son, seeing that you’ll get nothing good for the news?” He said, “But whatever happens, I’ll run.” He said to him, “Run then.” So Ahimaaz ran by the road of the valley, and outran the Cushite.
[24 -27] Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the guard went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and looked and saw someone running alone. The guard shouted, and told the Ruler. The Ruler said, “If he’s alone, there’s news. He ran quickly, and came to them. Then the guard saw another runner; and the guard called to the gatekeeper, saying, “Another one is running alone.” The Ruler said, “He also brings news.” The guard said, “I think the first runner is running like Ahimaaz of Zadok.” The Ruler said, “He’s a good man, and brings good news.
[28-33]Ahimaaz called out, saying to the Ruler, “Everything is okay.” Then he bowed himself before the Ruler with his face to the earth, saying, “Happy is Yahweh, your God, who has handed over the men who lifted up their hand against the Ruler.” The Ruler said, “Is the young man Absalom okay?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the Ruler’s worker, even me, your follower, I saw a great uproar, but I don’t know what it was about.” The Ruler said, “Turn around, and stand here.” So he turned around, and stood still. Then the Cushite came and said, “I have news for you sir, the Ruler, because Yahweh has avenged you today of all those who went up against you.” Then the Ruler said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom okay?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of the Ruler, and all who went up against you to hurt you, be as that young man is.” The Ruler was overcome, and went up to the room over the gate, and cried; and as he went, he said, “My son, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I’d have died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!
19[1-7] It was told Joab, “The Ruler cries and mourns for Absalom.” The victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people because the people heard that day, “The Ruler grieves for his son.” The people snuck back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from a battle. The Ruler covered his face, and shouted, “My son, Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!” Joab came into the house to see the Ruler, saying, “Today, you’ve shamed the faces of all your followers, who have saved your life today, and the lives of your wives and children, and the lives of your mistresses; in that you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. For you’ve acted today as if leaders and workers aren’t anything to you and I think that if Absalom had lived, and all of us had died today, then you would be very happy. So now, get up, go out, and speak kindly to your followers because I promise by Yahweh, if you don’t go out, no one will stay with you tonight; and that will be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”
[8 -10] Then the Ruler got up, and sat in the gate. They told to all the people, saying, “See, the Ruler is sitting in the gate; and all the people came before the Ruler, because all Israel had run to their tents. All the people were troubled throughout all the family groups of Israel, saying, “The Ruler saved us out of the power of our enemies, and he saved us out of the power of the Philistines; and now he has been run out of the land from Absalom. But now, Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. So now, why don’t you say anything about bringing the Ruler back?”
[11-15] Ruler David sent to Zadok and Abiathar, the preachers, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, “‘Why are you the last to bring the Ruler back to his house, seeing that all Israel’s words have come to the Ruler, to bring him back to his house? You’re my brothers, my own flesh and bone; so why are you the last to bring back the Ruler?’ Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and bone? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the troops before me continually in the place of Joab.’“ He bowed the heart of all the people of Judah, even as the heart of one person; so that they sent to the Ruler, saying, “Go back, with all Your followers.” So the Ruler went back, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the Ruler, to bring the Ruler over the Jordan.
[16-23] Shimei, son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the people of Judah to meet Ruler David. There were a thousand people of Benjamin with him, and Ziba, the worker of the house of Saul, and his 15 sons and his 20 workers with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the Ruler. A ferry boat went to bring over the Ruler’s household, and to do whatever he thought was good. Shimei, of Gera, fell down before the Ruler when he had come over the Jordan. He said to the Ruler, “Don’t blame me with sin, nor remember what Your follower did wrong the day you went out from Jerusalem that you would take it to heart. Your follower knows that I’ve sinned; so, see, I’ve come today, the first of all the house of Joseph, to go down to meet you sir, the Ruler.” But Abishai, of Zeruiah, answered, “Won’t Shimei be killed for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?” David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should today be enemies to me? Will anyone be killed today in Israel? Don’t I know that I’m today Ruler over all Israel?” Then the Ruler said to Shimei, “You won’t die.” The Ruler promised him.
[24 -30] Mephibosheth, son of Saul, came down to meet the Ruler; and he had neither put shoes on his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the Ruler left until the day he came home in peace. When he had come to Jerusalem to meet the Ruler, the Ruler said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Sir, O Ruler, my worker lied to me because Your follower said, “I’ll saddle me a donkey, that I may ride on it, and go with the Ruler; because Your follower is lame. He has lied about Your follower to you sir, the Ruler; but sir the you are as an angel of God; so do what’s good to you. For all my father’s house were but dead men before the Ruler; still you set your follower among those who ate at your own table. So what right do I have that I should cry anymore to the Ruler?” The Ruler said to him, “Why do you keep on talking about your own matters? I say, You and Ziba divide the land.” Mephibosheth said to the Ruler, “Yes, let him take it all, because my Ruler has come back in peace to your own house.”
[31-37] Barzillai, the Gileadite, came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the Ruler, to conduct him over the Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very old man, being 80 years old; and he had given the Ruler supplies while he was at Mahanaim because he was a very wealthy man. The Ruler said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I’ll provide for you while you’re with me in Jerusalem.” Barzillai said to the Ruler, “How much longer can I live, that I should go up with the Ruler to Jerusalem? I’m now 80 years old; can I know what’s good and bad? can Your follower taste what I eat or drink? can I hear anymore the voice of singing men and women? So why should Your follower still trouble you sir, O Ruler? Your follower would just go over the Jordan with the Ruler; and why should the Ruler repay me with such a reward? Please let your follower turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and mother. But see, your follower Chimham; let him go over with you sir, the Ruler; and do to him what will seems good to you.”
[38-43] The Ruler answered, Chimham will go over with me, and I’ll do to him what will seem good to you; and whatever you ask of me, that I’ll do for you. All the people went over the Jordan, and the Ruler went over; and the Ruler kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he went back to his own place. So the Ruler went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him; and all the people of Judah brought the Ruler over, and also half the people of Israel. See, all the people of Israel came to the Ruler, saying to the Ruler, “Why have our brothers, the people of Judah, stolen you away, and brought the Ruler and his household over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?” All the people of Judah answered the people of Israel, “Because the Ruler is a close relative to us; so why are you angry for this matter? have we eaten at all at the Ruler’s cost? or has he given us any gift?” Then the people of Israel answered the people of Judah, saying, “We’ve ten parts in the Ruler, and have more right in David than you do; so why do you hate us, that our advice wasn’t first taken in bringing back our Ruler?” The words of the people of Judah were stronger than those of the people of Israel.
20[1-3] There happened to be there an evil man whose name was Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the horn, saying, “We’ve no part in David, nor do we’ve any inheritance in a son of Jesse; everyone go home, Israel.” So all the people of Israel stopped following David, and followed Sheba, of Bichri; but the people of Judah stayed with their Ruler, from the Jordan to Jerusalem. David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the Ruler took his ten mistresses, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in confinement, and provided for their needs, but didn’t have sex with them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, being as death survivors.
[4-10] Then the Ruler said to Amasa, “Call the people of Judah together within three days, and be here present.” So Amasa went to call the people of Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time, which he had told him. David said to Abishai, Now Sheba of Bichri will hurt us more than Absalom did; take your leader’s workers, and chase after him, in case he goes into a protected city, and escapes out of our sight. Then Joab’s men went out after him, and the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the soldiers went out from Jerusalem, to chase after Sheba, of Bichri. When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was tied with his armor that he had put on, and on it was a belt with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he came it fell out. Joab said to Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa didn’t see that the sword was in Joab’s hand; so he stabbed him in the stomach with it, and spilled his guts on the ground, and didn’t stab him again; and he died.
[11-15] So Joab and Abishai, his brother, chased on after Sheba, of Bichri. One of Joab’s soldiers stood by him, saying, “Those who favor Joab, and those who are for David, let them follow Joab. Amasa lay writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway. When they saw that all the people stood there, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and threw some clothes over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. When he was moved out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to chase after Sheba. He went through all the family groups of Israel to Abel, Beth Maacah, and all the Berites; and they gathered together, and also chased after Sheba. They surrounded him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and built up a mound of rubble against the city wall; and all those with Joab battered the wall to break it down.
[16-22] Then a wise woman called out of the city, “Listen! Listen! Please say to Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’“ He came up to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Can You listen to me.” He answered, “I hear you.” Then she said, “They used to say in the old days, ‘They’ll truly ask counsel at Abel; and so they ended their disagreements.’ I’m one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel; do you want to destroy a city and a mother in Israel; why will you destroy the inheritance of Yahweh?” Joab answered, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should destroy you. It isn’t so; but a man of the hillsides of Ephraim, Sheba, of Bichri, by name, has come against David, the Ruler; give him to us, and I’ll leave from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “See, his head will be thrown to you over the wall. Then the woman told all the people what she knew. They beheaded Sheba of Bichri, and threw his head out to Joab. He blew the horn, and they left from the city, everyone going home. Joab went back to Jerusalem to the Ruler.
[23-26] Now Joab was over all the troops of Israel; and Benaiah of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites; and Adoram was over the pay of their workers; and Jehoshaphat of Ahilud was the recorder; and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were preachers; and also Ira, the Jairite, was head minister to David.
21[1 -6] There was a famine in the days of David for three years in a row; and David asked Yahweh for answers. Yahweh said, “It’s for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.” The Ruler called the Gibeonites, saying to them (now the Gibeonites weren’t of the people of Israel, but of what was left of the Amorites; and the people of Israel had promised to them; and Saul killed them in his passion for the people of Israel and Judah); and David said to the Gibeonites, “What can I do for you? And how can I ask forgiveness, that you may bless the inheritance of Yahweh?” The Gibeonites said to him, “It’s not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put anyone to death in Israel.” He said, “Whatever you say, I’ll do for you.” They said to the Ruler, “The one who destroyed us, and who planned against us, that we would be destroyed from all of the borders of Israel, let seven people of his sons be given to us, and we’ll hang them up to Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Yahweh.” The Ruler said, “I’ll give them.”
[7-9] But the Ruler spared Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s promise between them, which was between David and Jonathan. But the Ruler took the two sons of Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, whom she had with Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul, whom she had to Adriel of Barzillai, the Meholathite; He gave them to the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the mountain before Yahweh, and they all seven died together. They were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
[10-14] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took mourning clothes, and spread them out on a rock, from the beginning of harvest until it rained on them. She neither let the birds of the sky rest on them by day, nor the animals of the field by night. David was told what Rizpah, the mistress of Saul, had done. David went and took the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son from the people of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, in the day that the Philistines killed Saul in Gilboa; and he brought them up from there; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father; and they did what the Ruler told them. After that God was asked about the land.
[15-22] The Philistines went to war again with Israel; and David went down with his soldiers, and fought against the Philistines. David grew faint; and Ishbibenob, who was of the descendants of the giant, whose spear weighed the same as 300 coins of brass, having a new sword, thought to have killed David. But Abishai of Zeruiah helped him, and fought the Philistine, and killed him. Then the people of David promised him, saying, “You won’t go out with us to fight anymore, so that you don’t outshine David, the lamp of Israel. After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob; then Sibbecai, the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the descendants of the giant. There was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan, of Jaareoregim, the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite’s brother, whose spear was as long as a weaver’s beam. There was war at Gath again, where there was a giant who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, 24 in all; and he was born to the giant also. When he defied Israel, Jonathan of Shimei, David’s brother, killed him. These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and his soldiers.
22[1-4] David said to Yahweh the words of this song when Yahweh saved him from Saul and all his enemies; he said, “Yahweh is my rock, my refuge which surrounds me, and my own Savior; God, my strength, in whom I trust; My shield that protects me, and the horn I blow to save me, my safe haven; my savior, who saves me from violent people. I’ll call on Yahweh, Who is worthy to be praised; So I’ll be saved from my enemies.
[5-7] The sorrows of death overtook me and the rush of ungodly people made me scared. The sorrows of Hell overtook me. The traps of death caught me. In my trouble I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God, Who heard me in the Place of Worship and listened to my cry.
[8-11] Then the earth quaked. The foundations of the hills were opened and shaken, because You were angry. Then You exhaled smoke and fire, in which the flames burned everything started by them. You opened the heavens also, coming down with dark smoke underneath You, riding on a heavenly thing, and flying on the wind. Yes, You were seen riding on the wings of the wind.
[12-15] You made darkness the hiding place of God; with a cloak of dark waters, and the thick clouds of the skies all around. The brightness that surrounded You, was followed by flashes of lightning. Yahweh thundered in the heavens. The Most High spoke through the flashes of lightning, and You scattered and confused them with Your lightning.
[16-19] Then the outlets of water were opened. The heart of the earth was uncovered by the Word of Yahweh, from the blast of Your exhaust. You sent from above, taking hold of me, pulling me up out of deep water. You saved me from my strong enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They came on me in the day of my trouble, but Yahweh helped me.
[20-25] You brought me out into a large place and saved me, because You were happy with me. Yahweh rewarded me according to my goodness. You rewarded me according to the cleanness of my heart. I’ve kept the ways of Yahweh, and haven’t done evil by not worshipping my God. All Your words were with me. As for Your laws, I didn’t break them. I was also good before You and I kept myself from sin. So Yahweh, You have rewarded me for my goodness, according to the cleanness of my heart in Your eyes.
[26-28] With the merciful You show yourself to be merciful. With those who do what’s right, You show Yourself to be perfectly good. With the blameless, You show yourself to be blameless. With those who won’t change their evil ways, You’ll show yourself to be unmercifully just. You’ll save the people who are abused, and bring down those who think they’re better than others.
[29-31] You burn like a candle in my soul! Yahweh, My God, brightens my darkness. By you, I run through many enemies. By my God, I jump over many barriers. The way of God is perfect. The Words of Yahweh have been tested. You are a shield to all those who trust in You.
[32-37] Who is God but Yahweh? Who is a rock but our God? God gives me strength, and makes me go the right way. You make my feet like a deer’s hoofs, and keep me safe on the mountaintops. You teach my hands to fight, so that my arms are strong. You cover me with your saving grace. You help me and have made me great. You’ve enlarged my steps under me, so that my feet haven’t slipped.
[38-43] I’ve chased my enemies and overtaken them. I didn’t turn back until they were all gone. I’ve wounded those that they couldn’t get up. Yes, they’ve fallen under my feet. You’ve given me strength for all my struggles. You’ve put under me those who came against me. You’ve also given me power over my enemies, that I could stop those who hate me. They looked, but there wasn’t anyone to save them; even to Yahweh, but You didn’t answer them. Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed and scattered them as dust in the street.
[44-46] You also have saved me from the fighting of My people. You’ve made me the head of the nations. A people whom I haven’t known serve me. The foreigners do what I say. As soon as they Listen, they obey me. The foreigners will run away, and come shaking out of their hiding places.
[47-51] Yahweh lives! Praise to my rock! Let the God who saved me be praised! Praise the God who takes revenge for me, who puts the people under me, who saves me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who come against me. You save me from violent people. So I’ll give thanks to You, Yahweh, among the people. I’ll sing praises to Your Name. You give great victory, and show loving kindness to Your chosen Ruler, David and my descendants, forevermore.
23[1-7] Now these are the last words of David. David, son of Jesse, the man who was made a Ruler, the chosen of the God of Jacob, the sweet song writer of Israel says, “The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me, Whose word was on my tongue. The God of Israel, the Rock of Israel said to me, “one who rules over people rightly, who rules with respect to God, will be as the light of the morning sun when it rises, a morning with no clouds when the new grass grows out of the ground, through clear sunshine after the rain. Most certainly my family has failed God in this, still God has made an everlasting promised agreement with me, ordered in all things, and sure, for it’s my saving grace, and all I want, so won’t God make it happen. But all of the ungodly people will be as thorns to be thrown away, because they can’t be uprooted with the hand, but the one who touches them must have strong armor and a long stick. They’ll be completely burned with fire wherever they are.”
[8-12] These are the names of the soldiers whom David had; Josheb Basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, leader of the captains; who was called Adino, the Eznite, because he fought against 800 soldiers killed at one time. After him was Eleazar, son of Dodai, of an Ahohite, one of the three soldiers with David when they challenged the Philistines who were gathered together to fight, and the people of Israel had run away. He got up, and fought the Philistines until his hand was tired, and had stuck to the sword; and Yahweh won a great victory that day; and the people went back after him only to take stuff. After him was Shammah, son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a plot of ground full of lentils (flat peas); and the people ran from the Philistines. But he stood in the middle of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh won a great victory.
[13-17] Three of the 30 leaders went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was camped in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold; and the fort of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. David longed, saying, “Oh, I wish that someone would give me a drink of water from the well by the gate from Bethlehem! The three soldiers broke through the troops of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well from Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David; but he wouldn’t drink it, but poured it out to Yahweh. He said, “Far be it from me, Yahweh, that I should do this; I’d be drinking the blood of the men who risked their lives? So he wouldn’t drink it. The three soldiers did these things.
[18-23] Abishai, the brother of Joab, of Zeruiah was leader of the three. He fought against 300 and killed them, and had a name among the three. He was the most praiseworthy of the three, so he was made their captain; but he didn’t belong to the first three. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, son of a brave man of Kabzeel, who had done heroic acts, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab; he went down also and killed a lion in the middle of a pit when it was snowing! He killed an Egyptian, a famous man; and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a walking stick, and knocked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah did these things and had a name among the three soldiers. He was more honorable than the 30, but he didn’t belong to the first three. David set him over his guard.
[24-39] Asahel, the brother of Joab, was one of the 30; Elhanan, son of Dodo, from Bethlehem, Shammah, the Harodite, Elika, the Harodite, Helez, the Paltite, Ira, son of Ikkesh, the Tekoite, Abiezer, the Anathothite, Mebunnai, the Hushathite, Zalmon, the Ahohite, Maharai, the Netophathite, Heleb, son of Baanah, the Netophathite, Ittai, son of Ribai, of Gibeah, of the people from Benjamin, Benaiah, a Pirathonite, Hiddai, from the rivers of Gaash. Abialbon, the Arbathite, Azmaveth, the Barhumite, Eliahba, the Shaalbonite, of the descendants of Jashen, Jonathan, Shammah, the Hararite, Ahiam, son of Sharar the Ararite, Eliphelet, son of Ahasbai, of the Maacathite, Eliam, son of Ahithophel, the Gilonite, Hezro, the Carmelite, Paarai, the Arbite, Igal, son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani, the Gadite, Zelek, the Ammonite, Naharai, the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab, son of Zeruiah, Ira, the Ithrite, Gareb, the Ithrite, and Uriah, the Hittite; 37 in all.
24[1 -4] Again Yahweh was angry at Israel, and moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.” The Ruler said to Joab, the captain of the troops, who was with him, “Go now through all the family groups of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know how many people there are.” Joab said to the Ruler, “May Yahweh, your God, add to the people a hundred times more; and may your eyes see it; but why does the Ruler want this thing?” But the Ruler’s word overcame Joab’s doubts, and the troop leaders. Joab and the troop leaders left the presence of the Ruler, to count the people of Israel.
[5-9] They crossed over the Jordan, and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer; then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; and they came to Dan Jaan, and around to Sidon, and came to the stronghold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah, at Beersheba. So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the Ruler; and there were in Israel 800,000 brave soldiers; and the people of Judah were 500,000 soldiers.
[10-14] David’s heart troubled him after he had counted the people. David said to Yahweh, “I’ve sinned greatly in what I’ve done; but now, Yahweh, forgive, I ask you, the sin of Your follower. I was so wrong.” When David got up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the preacher Gad, David’s preacher, saying, “Go tell David, Yahweh says, “‘I give you three choices; choose one of them, which I’ll do to you.” So Gad came to David, and told him, “Will seven years of no food come to you in your land? or will you run three months before your enemies while they chase you? or will there be three days’ disease in your land? Now tell me, and think about what I’ll say to God, who sent me. David said to Gad, I’m greatly troubled; but we’ll put ourselves into the power of Yahweh, whose mercy is great; and don’t let me fall into the power of human beings.
[15-17] So Yahweh sent a disease on Israel from the morning to the set time; and 70,000 men of the people died from Dan to Beersheba. When the angel pointed toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh stopped the deadly disease, saying to the angel who destroyed the people, “It’s enough; stop now.” The angel of Yahweh was by the place of harvest of Araunah, the Jebusite. David said to Yahweh, when he saw the angel who destroyed the people, “See, I’ve sinned, and I’ve done wrong; but what have these people done? Please let your hand be against me, and against my family.”
[18-25] Gad came that day to David, saying to him, “Go up, build an altar to Yahweh in the place of harvest of Araunah, the Jebusite. David went to do what Gad had told him, as Yahweh had said. Araunah looked up, and saw the Ruler and his soldiers coming toward him; and Araunah went out, and bowed down before the Ruler to the ground. Araunah said, “Why has the Ruler come to me?” David said, “To buy the place of harvest from you, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the disease will come to an end in the people. Araunah said to David, “Let the Ruler take and offer up whatever seems good to him; see, the cows for the burnt offering, and the plows, and the yokes, of the cows for the wood; all this, Ruler, does Araunah give to you.” Araunah said to the Ruler, “May Yahweh, your God, accept you.” The Ruler said to Araunah, “No; but I’ll most certainly buy it from you for what it’s worth. Nor will I offer anything to Yahweh, my God, which cost me nothing.” So David bought the place of harvest and the cows for 50 silver coins. David built there an altar to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So Yahweh was asked for mercy on the land, and the disease came to an end in Israel.
The Book of the Rulers (Kings) 1
1[1-4] Now Ruler David was old and weakened in years; and they covered him with blankets, but he couldn’t get warm. So his workers said to him, “Let us search for the Ruler a young woman whose never had sex; and let her face the Ruler, and love you; and let her sleep with you, that the Ruler may keep warm.” So they searched for a beautiful young woman throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag, the Shunammite, and brought her to the Ruler. The young woman was very beautiful; and she loved the Ruler, and took care of him; but the Ruler didn’t have sex with her.
[5-10] Then Adonijah, son of Haggith uplifted himself, saying, “I’ll be Ruler; and he prepared him war vehicles and riders, and 50 soldiers to run before him. His father hadn’t ever disciplined him at any time and said, “Why have you done this?” He was also very good looking and was born after Absalom. He talked with Joab, of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar, the preacher; and they following Adonijah, helped him. But Zadok, the preacher, and Benaiah, of Jehoiada, and Nathan, the preacher, and Shimei, and Rei, and the soldiers who belonged to David didn’t agree with Adonijah. Adonijah killed sheep and cows and young fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his family, the Ruler’s sons, and all the people of Judah, the Ruler’s soldiers; but he didn’t call Nathan, the preacher, Benaiah, the soldiers, and Solomon his brother.
[11-14] Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah, son of Haggith rules, and David, our Ruler doesn’t know it? So come now, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life, and the life of your son, Solomon. Go and see the Ruler David, and tell him, “Didn’t you, Ruler, promise to your servant, saying, “‘Certainly Solomon, your son, will rule after me, and he’ll sit on my throne?’ So why does Adonijah rule?’ While you are there talking with the Ruler, I also will come in after you, and confirm your words.
[15-21] Bathsheba went to see the Ruler in his room; and the Ruler was very old; and Abishag, the Shunammite, was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed, and paid respect to the Ruler. The Ruler said, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Sir, you promised by Yahweh, your God, to your wife, saying, “Certainly, Solomon, your son, will rule after me, and he’ll sit on my throne. Now, see, Adonijah rules; and you, the Ruler, don’t know it; and he has killed many cows, fatlings, and sheep, and has called all the descendants of the Ruler, and Abiathar, the preacher, and Joab, the captain of the troops; but he hasn’t called Solomon, Your follower. All Israel watches you, the Ruler, to tell them who will sit on your throne after you. Otherwise when you die, I and my son, Solomon, will be counted as enemies.”
[22 -27] While she was talking with the Ruler, Nathan, the preacher came in. They told the Ruler, “Nathan, the preacher, is here to see you.” When he had come in before the Ruler, he bowed to the Ruler with his face down. Nathan said, “Ruler, have you said, “Adonijah will rule after me, and he’ll sit on my throne?” For he has gone down today, and has killed cows, fatlings, and sheep in wealth, and has called all the Ruler’s sons, and the troop leaders, and Abiathar, the preacher; and see, they’re eating and drinking before him, and say, ‘Long live Ruler, Adonijah.’ But he hasn’t called me, Your follower, Zadok, the preacher, Benaiah, of Jehoiada, or Your follower, Solomon. Have you done this, and not told your followers who should sit on your throne after the Ruler?”
[28-31] Then Ruler David answered, “Call to me Bathsheba.” She came into the Ruler’s presence, and stood before the Ruler. The Ruler promised, saying, “As Yahweh lives, who has saved myself out of all difficulty, most certainly, as I promised to you, by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, “‘Certainly, Solomon, your son, will rule after me, and will sit on my throne in my place; most certainly, I’ll do so today.’ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid respect to the Ruler, saying, “Let Ruler David live forever.”
[32-37] Ruler David said, “Call Zadok and Nathan, the preachers, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada.” They came before the Ruler. The Ruler said to them, “Take with you the soldiers of your Ruler, and let Solomon, my son, ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon; and let Zadok and Nathan, the preachers, anoint him there Ruler over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, “Long live Ruler Solomon. Then you’ll come up after him, and he’ll come and sit on my throne and he’ll be Ruler in my place; I’ve made him Ruler over Israel and Judah.” Benaiah answered the Ruler, saying, “So be it; Yahweh, the God of the Ruler, say so too.” As Yahweh has been with the Ruler, even so God will be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of Ruler David.”
[38 -40] So Zadok and Nathan, the preachers, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites went down, and let Solomon ride on Ruler David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. Zadok, the preacher, took the horn of oil out of the Place of Worship, and anointed Solomon. They blew the horn; and all the people said, “Long live Ruler Solomon. All the people followed him, and the musicians with pipes, and celebrated with great happiness, so that the earth shook with noise.
[41 -48] Adonijah and all the guests, who were with him, heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab, heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why does it sound like the city is in an uproar?” While he was still talking, Jonathan, of Abiathar, the preacher, came; and Adonijah said, “Come in, you’re a worthy man, and bring good news.” Jonathan told Adonijah, “Most certainly, Ruler David has made Solomon Ruler; and the Ruler has sent with him Zadok and Nathan, the preachers, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites; and they’ve let him ride on the Ruler’s own mule; and Zadok and Nathan, the preachers, have anointed him Ruler in Gihon; and they’ve come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you’ve heard. Solomon sits on the throne of the nation. Besides this, the Ruler’s soldiers came to bless our leader, Ruler David, saying, “‘Your God make the name of Solomon better than Your Name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the Ruler bowed himself on the bed. The Ruler said also, “Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given us someone to sit on my throne today, and let me see it.”
[49-53] All the guests of Adonijah were scared, and got up and went home. Adonijah feared Solomon; and he went and took hold on the horns of the altar. It was told Solomon, “Adonijah fears Ruler Solomon and has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, “Let Ruler Solomon promise to me first that he won’t kill me.” Solomon said, “If he’ll show himself a worthy man, there won’t a hair of his head fall to the earth; but if evil is found in him, he’ll die. So Ruler Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and paid respect to Ruler Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go home.”
2[1 -5] Now the time came for David to die; and he told Solomon, his son, “I’m going the way of all the earth; so be strong, and show yourself a man; and keep the charge of Yahweh, your God, to follow God, to keep God’s Word, the laws, rules, and judgments, what’s written in the Law of Moses, that you may do well in what you do, and wherever you go. That Yahweh’s word may prove what God said about me, saying, “‘If your children be careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and soul, there won’t fail to be someone in your line to sit on the throne of Israel. Besides this, you know also what Joab, of Zeruiah, did to me, even what he did to the two troop leaders of Israel, to Abner, of Ner, and to Amasa, of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his belt that hung on his waist, and in the shoes on his feet.
[6 -10] So do what you think best, and don’t let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. But show kindness to the descendants of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and let them be of those who eat at your table, because they came to me, when I ran from Absalom, your brother. See, there’s with you Shimei, of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a horrible curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I promised to him by Yahweh, saying, “‘I won’t kill you.’ So now don’t hold him guiltless, for you’re a wise man; and you’ll know what you should do to him, and you’ll bring his gray head down to Hell with blood. So David died, and was buried in the city of David.
[11-24] David ruled over Israel 40 years. He ruled in Hebron 7 years, and in Jerusalem 33 years. Solomon sat on the throne of David, his father; and his nation was strong. Then Adonijah, of Haggith, came to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. She said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably.” He said, “I have something to tell you.” She said, “Tell me.” He said, “You know that the rule was mine, and that all Israel had set their hearts on me, that I should rule; But the rule was changed, and has been given to my brother because it was given him from Yahweh. Now I ask one thing of you; please don’t deny me.” She said to him, “Tell me.” He said, “Please speak to Solomon, the Ruler (for he won’t tell you ‘no’), that he give me Abishag, the Shunammite, as wife.” Bathsheba said, “Okay; I’ll speak to the Ruler for you.” So Bathsheba went to Ruler Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. The Ruler got up to meet her, and bowed to her, and sat down on his throne, and made a throne to be brought for the Ruler’s mother; and she sat on his right side. Then she said, “I ask one small thing of you; please don’t deny me.” The Ruler said to her, “Ask, my mother, because I won’t deny you. She said, “Let Abishag, the Shunammite, be given to Adonijah, your brother, as wife.” Ruler Solomon answered his mother, Why do you ask Abishag, the Shunammite, for Adonijah? You might as well ask for him the rule also because he is my older brother; even for him, and for Abiathar, the preacher, and for Joab, of Zeruiah.” Then Ruler Solomon promised by Yahweh, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah hasn’t said this against his own life. So now, as Yahweh lives, Who has set me up, and put me on the throne of David, my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, truly Adonijah will be killed today.”
[25-34] Ruler Solomon sent Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, who killed him. To Abiathar, the preacher, the Ruler said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields because you’re worthy of death; but I won’t kill you at this time, because you carried the Chest of God before David my father, and because you were troubled in all in which my father was troubled. So Solomon threw out Abiathar from being preacher to Yahweh, so that he could fulfill the word of Yahweh, which was said about the house of Eli in Shiloh. The news came to Joab, because Joab had followed Adonijah, though he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab ran to the House of Yahweh, and took hold of the horns of the altar. It was told Ruler Solomon, Joab has run to the House of Yahweh, and is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah, saying, “Go, kill him.” Benaiah came to the House of Yahweh God, saying to him, the Ruler says, “Come out!” He said, “No; I’ll die here.” Benaiah brought the Ruler word again, saying, “Joab said this, and answered me this way.” The Ruler said to him, “Do as he has said, “and kill him, and bury him; that you may take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and my father’s house. Yahweh will make his blood fall on his own head, because he killed two men who were better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn’t know it, that is, Abner, of Ner, captain of the troops of Israel, and Amasa, of Jether, captain of the troops of Judah. So their blood will fall on the head of Joab, and on the head of his family forever; but to David, and to his family, and to his house, and to his throne, there will be peace forever from Yahweh.” Then Benaiah went up, and attacked him, and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the countryside.
[35-40] The Ruler put Benaiah in his place over the troops; and Zadok, the preacher, the Ruler put in the place of Abiathar. The Ruler sent and called for Shimei, saying to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem, and live there, and don’t go out from there anywhere. On the day you go out, and cross over the Kidron River, know for certain that you’ll truly die; your blood will be on your own head.” Shimei said to the Ruler, “What you say is good; as the Ruler has said, “so I’ll do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem a long time. At the end of three years, two of the workers of Shimei ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, Ruler of Gath. They told Shimei, saying, “Your workers are in Gath.” Shimei got up, and saddled his donkey, and went to Gath to Achish, to look for his workers; and Shimei went, and brought his workers from Gath.
[41-46] It was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and had come back. The Ruler sent and called for Shimei, saying to him, “Didn’t I make you promise by Yahweh, and warn you, saying, “‘Know for certain, that on the day you go out, and walk out anywhere, you’ll truly die?’ and you said to me, “‘What you say is good.’ So why haven’t you kept the promise you made by Yahweh, and the word that I’ve told you?” Besides this, the Ruler said to Shimei, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to David, my father; so Yahweh will turn your evil back on your own head. But Ruler Solomon will be blessed, and the throne of David will be set up before Yahweh forever.” So the Ruler told Benaiah to kill him. The rule was made sure for Solomon.
3[1-3] Solomon made an agreement with the Ruler of Egypt, and took his daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house, and the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the wall of Jerusalem that surrounded it. Only the people sacrificed in the other places of worship in the mountains, because there was no house built for the name of Yahweh until those days. Solomon loved Yahweh, following the laws of David his father; only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the other places of worship in the mountains.
[4 -10] The Ruler went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because that was the great Place of Worship; Solomon made a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. In Gibeon, Yahweh came to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for whatever you want and I’ll give it to you.” Solomon said, “You’ve shown to Your follower David, my father, great loving kindness, as he walked before you in truth, and in goodness, and his heart being right with you; and you’ve continued this great loving kindness for him, and given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. Now, Yahweh my God, you’ve made Your follower Ruler, instead of David, my father; and I’m like a little child; I don’t even know how to go out or come in. Your follower is in the middle of Your people, which you’ve chosen, a great many people, that can’t even be counted for number. So give Your follower an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may know the difference between good and evil because who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” What he said pleased Yahweh, that Solomon had asked this.
[11-14] God said to him, “Because you’ve asked this, and haven’t asked for yourself long life, nor have asked wealth for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to know right from wrong; I’ll do what you ask; I’ll give you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, nor will anyone come like you after you. I’ll also give you what you haven’t asked, both wealth and honor, so that there won’t be any among the Rulers like you, all your days. If you’ll follow Me, to keep My laws and My Word, as your father David did, then I’ll give you long life.” Then Solomon awoke; and it was a dream; and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a celebration for all his workers.
[16-28] Then two women, who were prostitutes, came to the Ruler, and stood before him. The first woman said, “Oh, sir, I and this woman live in one house; and I had a child with her in the house. On the third day after I had given birth, this woman also had given birth; and we were together; there was no one with us in the house, except the two of us. This woman’s child died in the night, because she lay on it. She got up at midnight, and took my child from beside me, while I slept, and put it next to her, and laid her dead child next to me. When I woke up in the morning to breastfeed my child, it was dead; but when I looked at it in the morning, it wasn’t my child, which I had.” Then the other woman said, “No; but the living child is my child, and the dead is yours.” Then the first woman said, “No; but the dead is yours, and the living is mine.” This they said, “before the Ruler. Then the Ruler said, “This one says, “‘This is my child who lives, and your son is the dead; and the other says, “No; but your son is the dead, and my child is the living.’“ Then the Ruler said, “Go get me a sword.” They brought a sword before the Ruler. The Ruler said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.” Then the woman, whose the living child really was, said to the Ruler, because her heart was broken over her child, “Oh, sir, give her the living child, and please don’t kill it.” But the other said, “It will be neither mine nor yours; divide it.” Then the Ruler answered, “Give her (the first woman) the living child, and don’t kill it; she is its mother. All Israel heard of the judgment, which the Ruler had made; and they respected the Ruler, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do what’s right.
4[1-6] Ruler Solomon was Ruler over all Israel. These were the leaders whom he had; Azariah, son of Zadok, the preacher; Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, secretaries; Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, the recorder; and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was over the troops; Zadok and Abiathar were preachers; Azariah, son of Nathan was over the officials; Zabud, son of Nathan was head minister, and the Ruler’s friend; Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram, son of Abda was over their workers.
[7-19] Solomon had 12 officials over all Israel who gave food for the Ruler and his household; each one had to give it for a month in the year. These are their names; Ben Hur, in the hillsides of Ephraim; Ben Deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan; Ben Hesed, in Arubboth (to whom belonged Socoh, and all the land of Hepher); Ben Abinadab, in all the mountains of Dor (who had Taphath, the daughter of Solomon, as wife); Baana of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth Shean, which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as the far side of Jokmeam; Ben Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (to whom belonged the towns of Jair of Manasseh, which are in Gilead and the area of Argo in Bashan, 60 big cities with walls and brass bars on their gates); Ahinadab, son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (who also took Basemath, the daughter of Solomon, as wife); Baana, son of Hushai, in Asher and Aloth; Jehoshaphat, son of Paruah, in Issachar; Shimei, son of Ela, in Benjamin; Geber, son of Uri, in Gilead, the country of Sihon, Ruler of the Amorites, and of Og, Ruler of Bashan; and he was the only official who was in the land.
[20-23] Judah and Israel had as many people as the sand by the sea, eating, drinking, and celebrating. Solomon ruled over all the countries from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, to the border of Egypt; they paid taxes, and served Solomon all the days of his life. Solomon’s needs for one day was 180 bushels of finely ground flour, and 360 bushels of meal, ten fat cows, and 20 cows out of the pastures, and 100 sheep, Besides this, deer, bucks, antelopes, and chickens.
[24-28] He ruled over all the area on this side the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah all the way to Gaza, over all the Rulers on this side of the Euphrates River; and he had peace on every side of him. Judah and Israel lived safely, everyone happily under their own vine and fig tree, from Dan all the way to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his war vehicles, and 12,000 riders. These officials gave food for Ruler Solomon, and all who came to Ruler Solomon’s table, each in their month; they left nothing lacking. They also brought barley and straw for the horses and stallions to the place where the officials were living, everyone according to his charge.
[29-33] God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and great compassion, even as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else; than Ethan, the Ezrahite, or Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. Solomon was famous in all the nations around him. He spoke 3,000 sayings and made 1,005 songs. He told of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; he told also of animals, birds, small animals, and fish. People came from everywhere to hear the Solomon’s wisdom, all the rulers of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
5[1-6] Hiram Ruler of Tyre sent his workers to Solomon because he had heard that they had anointed him Ruler in place of his father because Hiram was a good friend of David. Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, “You know how David, my father, couldn’t build a house for the Name of Yahweh God for the wars which were around him on every side, until Yahweh put them under his power. But now Yahweh, my God, has given me rest on every side; there’s neither enemy, nor evil things happening. See, I plan to build a house for the Name of Yahweh, my God, as Yahweh said to David my father, saying, “‘Your son, whom I’ll set on your throne in your place, will build the house for My Name.’ So now, tell them to cut cedar trees out of Lebanon for me; and my workers will be with Your followers; and I’ll pay you for your workers whatever you say because you know that there isn’t among us any who knows how to cut wood like the Sidonians.”
[7-11] When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he was very happy, saying, “Happy is Yahweh today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people. Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I’ve heard the message which you’ve sent to me; I’ll do everything you want about the cedar and fir wood. My workers will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I’ll make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you tell me, and will make them break them up there, and you’ll get them; and pay me, in giving food for my household. So Hiram gave Solomon wood of cedar and fir as much as he wanted. Solomon gave Hiram 120,000 bushels of wheat for food to his household, and 1,200,000 gallons of pure oil; this Solomon gave to Hiram each year.
[12 -18] Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as was promised; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they made an agreement together. Ruler Solomon raised a work force out of all Israel of 30,000 workers. He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month by shifts; they were in Lebanon a month, and at home two months; and Adoniram was over the workers. Solomon had 70,000 who moved the materials, and 80,000 who were stonecutters in the mountains; Besides 3,300 of Solomon’s head officials who were over the work, who had rule over the people who did the work. The Ruler told them to cut out large, expensive stones, to lay the foundation of the house with carved stone. Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the wood and stones to build the house.
6[1-3] In the 480th year after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the 4th year of Solomon’s rule over Israel (966 BC), in the month Ziv, which is the 2nd month (Iyar, Apr-May), he began to build the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The house which Ruler Solomon built for Yahweh, was 90’ long, 30’ wide, and 45’ high. The porch in front of the house of the Place of Worship, was 30’ long, like the width of the house; and 15’ wide in front of the house. He made windows for the house of slanted lattice work.
[5-10] Against the wall of the house he built stories around, against the walls of the house all around, both of the Place of Worship and of the inner sanctuary; and he made side rooms all around. The first story was 7½’ wide, the middle was 9’ wide, and the third was 10½’ wide because on the outside he made offsets in the outside wall of the house all around, that the beams wouldn’t be put in the walls of the house. When the house was being built, it was built of stone got ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was being built. The door for the middle side rooms was in the right side of the house; and they went up by winding stairs into the middle story, and out of the middle into the third. So he built the house, and finished it; and he covered the house with posts and planks of cedar. He built the stories against all the sides of the house, each 7½‘ high; and they rested on the house with cedar beams.
[11-16] The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying, “About this house which you’re building, if you’ll keep My laws, and follow My rules, and keep all My words to follow them; then I’ll confirm My word with you, which I said to David, your father. I’ll live among the people of Israel, and won’t leave My people Israel.” So Solomon built the house, and finished it. He built the walls of the house inside with posts of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood; and he covered the floor of the house with planks of fir. He built a 30’ room on the back side of the house with posts of cedar from the floor to the walls of the ceiling; he built them for it inside, for an inner sanctuary, for the Most Holy Place.
[17-22] The house, that is, the Place of Worship, in front of the inner sanctuary was 60’ long. There was cedar on the inside, carved with buds and open flowers; all of it was cedar; no stone was seen. He made an inner sanctuary in the middle of the house inside, to put the Chest of Promise of Yahweh. Within the inner sanctuary was a space 30’ long, 30’ wide, and 30’ high; and he covered it with pure gold; and he covered the altar with cedar. Solomon covered the house inside with pure gold; and he pulled chains of gold across in front of the inner sanctuary and covered it with gold. The whole house he covered with gold, until all the house was finished; also the whole altar that was in the inner sanctuary he covered with gold.
[23-29] In the inner sanctuary he made two angelic winged creatures (cherubim) of olive wood, each 15’ high. Each wing of the cherub was 7½’ long; from the tip of the one wing to the tip of the other was 15’. The other cherub was 15’; both the angelic winged creatures were the same measure and form. They were 15‘ high. He set the cherubim within the inner room; and their wings were stretched out, so that the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of the other touched the other wall; and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room. He covered the cherubim with gold. He carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, inside and outside.
[30-37] The floor of the house he covered with gold, inside and outside. For the entrance of the inner sanctuary he made doors of olive wood; the top beam and door posts were a fifth of the wall. So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and covered them with gold; and he spread the gold on the cherubim, and on the palm trees. So he made for the entrance of the Place of Worship door posts of olive wood, in a fourth of the wall; and two doors of fir wood; the two leaves of each door folded in the middle to make two folding doors. He carved on it cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers; and he covered them with gold fitted on the engraved work. He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar posts. In the 4th year the foundation of the Place of Worship of Yahweh was laid, in the 2nd month Ziv. In the 11th year, in the month Bul (Cheshvan, Oct-Nov), which is the 8th month, the house was completely finished, according to its design. So he spent seven years building it.
7[1 -5] Solomon was building his own house 13 years, and he finished all his house. He built the house with wood from the forest of Lebanon; it was150’ long, 75’ wide, and 45’ high, on four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars. It was covered with cedar above over the beams, that were on the 45 pillars; 15 to a row. There were posts in three rows, and window was opposite window in three stories. All the doors and posts were made square with the beams; and window was opposite window in three stories.
[6-12] He made the hall of pillars; it was 75’ long and 45’ wide; and a porch in front of them with pillars and a doorway in front. He made the throne room where he was to judge, the hall of judgment; and it was covered with cedar from floor to ceiling. His house where he was to live, the other court within the hall, was of the same work. He also made a house for the Ruler of Egypt’s daughter (whom Solomon had taken as wife), like this one. All these were of costly stones, of stone cut to size, sawed with saws, inside and outside, even from the foundation to the cap stones, and so on the outside to the great court. The foundation was of costly stones, very large stones, some 15’, and some 12’. Above them were costly stones, stones cut to size, and cedar wood. The great court had three courses of cut stone around it, and a course of cedar posts; like the inner court of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the porch of the house.
[13-18] Ruler Solomon sent for Hiram out of Tyre. He was the son of a death survivor of the family group of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass; and he was very knowledgeable and skillful to make all kinds of things in brass. He came to Ruler Solomon, and did all his work. He designed the two pillars of brass, 27’ high; and an 18’ line around them. He made two capitals of molded brass, to set on the tops of the pillars; each capital was 7 ½’ high. There were nets of lattice, and circles of chain work, for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; seven for each capital. So he made the pillars with two rows around on the lattice, to cover each of the capitals that were on top of the pillars.
[19 -22] The capitals that were on the top of the pillars in the porch were 6’ and shaped like a lily. The two capitals above the two pillars had pomegranates close by the rounded belly which was beside the lattice; and there were 200 pomegranates in rows around each. He put up the pillars at the porch of the Place of Worship; and he put up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin; and he put up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz. The top of the pillars was shaped like a lily; so the work of the pillars was finished.
[23-26] He made the molded sea of 15’ from brim to brim, round, and it was 7½’ high; and it was 45’ around it. Under its brim, raised cows surrounded it, ten every 18” , surrounding the sea; the cows were put in two rows when it was made. It stood on 12 sculpted cows, three each looking north, west, south, and east; and the sea was set on top of them, and all their hinds were inward. It was a 3”Thick; and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily; it held 12,000 gallons.
[27-39] He made the ten bases of brass; 6’ long, 6’ wide, and 4 ½’ high. The bases were made this way; they had borders, which were between the ledges; and on the borders that were between the ledges were lions, cows, and cherubim (angelic winged creatures); and on the ledges there was a pedestal above; and beneath the lions and cows were loops of hanging work. Every base had four brass wheels and axles; and its four feet had supports; beneath the bowl were the supports decorated with loops at the side of each. The mouth of the capital was 18”And was round like the base, but 27” ; and also on its mouth were engravings, and their borders were square, not round. The four wheels were underneath the borders; and the axles of the wheels were in the base; and the wheels were 27” high. The wheels were made like a war vehicle wheel; their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs were all molded brass. There were four supports at the four corners of each base; its supports were of the base itself. In the top of the base, it was a rounded 18” high; and on the top of the base its ledges and borders were the same. On the plates of its ledges and borders, he engraved cherubim (angelic winged creatures), lions, and palm trees, where there was space for each with the loops around it. In this way, he made the ten bases; all of them had one molding, one size, and one form. He made ten bowls of brass; one bowl contained 240 gallons; and every bowl was 6’; and on each of the ten bases one bowl. He set the bases, five on each side of the house; and he set the sea on the right side of the house in the southeast corner.
[40- 47] Hiram also made the pots, shovels, and bowls. So Hiram finished doing all the work that he did for Ruler Solomon in the Place of Worship of Yahweh; the two pillars, and the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; and the two lattices to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; and the 400 pomegranates for the two lattices; two rows of pomegranates for each lattice, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars; and the ten bases, and the ten bowls on the bases; and the sea, and the 12 cows under the sea; and the pots, shovels, and bowls; all the tools which Hiram made for Ruler Solomon, in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, were of bronzed brass. The Ruler made them in the field of the Jordan in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. Solomon didn’t weigh all the pots because there were so many; the weight of the brass couldn’t be measured.
[48 -51] Solomon made all the tools that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh; the golden altar, the golden tables where the holy bread was kept, and the lampstands, five on each side in front of the inner sanctuary, all of pure gold; and the flowers, lamps, and tongs, all of gold; and the cups, snuffers, bowls, spoons, and fire pans, all of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, and for the doors of the main hall, that is, of the Place of Worship, all of gold. So all the work that Ruler Solomon did in the Place of Worship of Yahweh was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated, the silver, gold, and pots, and put them in the treasuries of the Place of Worship of Yahweh.
8[1-4] Then Ruler Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the family groups, the leaders of the ancestors’ houses of the people of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the Chest of Promise of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion. All the people of Israel came to Ruler Solomon at the celebration, in the month Ethanim (Tishri, Sept. -Oct.), which is the 7th month. All the elders of Israel came, and the preachers took up the Chest. They brought up the Chest of God, and the Place of Worship, and all the holy pots that were in the Holy Tent; the preachers and Levites brought all these up.
[5-11] Ruler Solomon and all the people of Israel, who were gathered to him, were together before the Chest, sacrificing so many sheep and cows, that they couldn’t all be counted. The preachers brought in the Chest of Promise of Yahweh to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, even under the angelic winged creatures (cherubim). The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the Chest, and the cherubim covered the Chest and its poles. The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary; but they weren’t seen outside; and there they’re until today. There wasn’t anything in the Chest except the two slabs of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made an agreement with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt. When the preachers had come out of the holy place, the cloud filled the Place of Worship of Yahweh, so that the preachers couldn’t stand to minister because the cloud which surrounded the glory of Yahweh filled the Place of Worship.
[12 -21] Then Solomon said, “Yahweh, You have said, “‘I will live in the dark cloud.’“ I’ve truly built You a house to live in, a place for You to stay forever.” The Ruler turned around, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood. He said, “Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel, Who said to David, my father, and has done it, saying, “‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the family groups of Israel to build a house, that My Name would be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’ Now it was in the heart of David, my father, to build a house for the Name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. But Yahweh said to David, my father, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart; but you won’t build the house; your son who will come out of your own body, he’ll build the house for My Name.’ Yahweh’s word is proven because I’m sitting in the place of David, my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the house for the Name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. I’ve set a place there for the Chest, in which is the promised agreement of Yahweh, which was made with our ancestors when God brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
[22-30] Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said, “Yahweh, God of Israel, there’s no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keeps promises and shows loving kindness to Your followers, who walk before you with all their heart. You have kept what You promised to Your follower David, my father; yes, You said it, and have done it, as it is today. So now, Yahweh, God of Israel, keep the promise You made with Your follower David, my father, saying, “There won’t fail to be someone to sit on the throne of Israel before me for you, if only your children be careful to watch their way, to follow me as you’ve followed me. So now, God of Israel, please let Your word be proven, which you said to Your follower, David, my father. But will God, in fact, live on the earth? See, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain You; how much less this house that I’ve built! But still have respect for the prayer of Your follower, and for his prayer, Yahweh, my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your follower prays before you today; that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which You’ve said, “‘My Name will be there;’ to listen to the prayer which Your follower will pray toward this place. Listen to the prayer of Your follower, and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; yes, hear in heaven, where You are; and when You listen, forgive them.
[31-40] If anyone sins against their neighbor, and they are made to make a promise, and they come and make a promise before Your altar in this house; then hear them in heaven, and do, and judge Your followers, punishing the sinful, to bring their sin on their own head, and clearing the good, to give them what their goodness deserves. When Your people Israel are beaten by the enemy, because they’ve sinned against You; if they turn back to You, and call on Your Name, and pray and say their prayers to You in this house; then hear them in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which You gave to their ancestors. When the sky is shut up, and there’s no rain, because they’ve sinned against You; if they pray toward this place, and call on Your Name, and turn from their sin when You trouble them; then hear them in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your followers, and of Your people Israel when you teach them the good way they should go; and send rain on your land, which You’ve given to Your people for an inheritance. If there’s a lack of food in the land, if there’s disease, if there’s blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemy takes their cities in the land; whatever disease, whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer and request is made by someone, or by all Your people Israel, who will know the sin sickness of their own heart, and spread out their hands toward this house; then hear them in heaven, where You are, and forgive, and do, and give to everyone what their ways deserve, whose hearts you know; (for You, and You only, know the hearts of all people;) that they may respect You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our ancestors.
[41-53] Besides this, about the foreigner who isn’t of Your people Israel, when they come out of another country for Your Name’s sake (for they’ll hear of Your Great Name, and of Your strong hand, and of Your outstretched arm); when they come and pray toward this house; hear them in heaven, where You are, and do what the foreigner asks You; that all the peoples of the earth may know Your Name, to respect You, as does Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I’ve built is called by Your Name. If Your people go out to fight against their enemy, by whatever way You send them, and they pray to Yahweh toward the city which You’ve chosen, and toward the house which I’ve built for Your Name; then hear in heaven their prayer and request, and take their case. If they sin against You (for there’s no one who doesn’t sin), and You’re angry with them, and hand them over to the enemy, so that they take them away prisoner to the land of the enemy, far away or near; still if they change their ways in the land where they’re taken prisoner, and turn back, and pray to You in the land of those who took them prisoner, saying, “‘We’ve sinned, and have done wrong, we’ve done evil;’ if they come back to You with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies, who took them prisoner, and pray to You toward their land, which You gave to their ancestors, the city which You’ve chosen, and the house which I’ve built for Your Name; then hear their prayer and request in heaven, where You are, and take their case; and forgive Your people, who have sinned against You, and all their sins which they’ve sinned against you; and give them compassion by those who took them prisoner, that they may have compassion on them (for they’re Your people, and Your inheritance, which you brought out of Egypt, from the middle of the iron furnace); that Your eyes may be open to the prayer of Your follower, and to the prayer of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you. You set them apart from among all the peoples of the earth, to be Your inheritance, as You said, “ by Moses Your follower, when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Yahweh God.”
[54-66] When Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and making requests to Yahweh, he got up from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward heaven. He stood, and blessed all the assembly of Israel loudly, saying, “Happy is Yahweh, who has given rest to the people of Israel, like what God promised; there hasn’t failed one word of all God’s good promise which was promised to Moses, God’s follower. Yahweh our God is with us, like with our ancestors; let God not leave us, nor turn from us; and turn our hearts toward God, to follow God’s ways, and to keep God’s Words, laws, and rules, which God told our ancestors. Let these words, which I’ve prayed before Yahweh, be near to Yahweh, our God, day and night, Who will maintain the cause of God’s follower, and the cause of God’s people Israel, as everyday needs; that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh is God; and that there’s no one else. Let your heart be true to Yahweh our God, to keep God’s laws, and to keep God’s words, as today. The Ruler and all Israel offered sacrifices before Yahweh. Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to Yahweh, 22,000 cows, and 120,000 sheep. So the Ruler and all the people of Israel dedicated the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The same day, the Ruler made the middle of the court holy that was before the Place of Worship of Yahweh because there he offered the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brass altar that was before Yahweh was too little to receive the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the fat of the peace offerings. So Solomon and all Israel held the celebration at that time, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the River of Egypt, before Yahweh our God, seven days and seven more days, fourteen days in all. On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the Ruler, and went home happy and glad hearted for all the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, God’s follower, and to Israel, God’s people.
9[1 -9] When Solomon had finished building the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the Ruler’s house, and all that Solomon wanted to do, Yahweh appeared to Solomon a second time, who had appeared to him at Gibeon. Yahweh said to him, “I’ve heard your prayer and request that you’ve made before me; I’ve made this house holy, which you’ve built, to put My Name there forever; and Me and My heart will be there continually. As for you, if you follow Me, as David your father followed Me, with a true heart, and in goodness, to do what I’ve told you, and will keep My laws and rules; then I’ll set up your throne over Israel forever, like I promised to David your father, saying, “‘There won’t fail to be someone for you on the throne of Israel.’ But if you turn away from following me, you or your children, and don’t keep My words and laws which I’ve set before you, but go and serve the false gods, and worship them; then I’ll take Israel out of the land which I’ve given them; and this house, which I’ve made holy for My Name, I’ll put out of My sight; and Israel will be a saying and a byword among all peoples. Though this house stands high, still everyone who passes by it will be shocked, and will mock; and they’ll say, ‘Why has Yahweh done this to this land, and to this house?’ and they’ll answer, ‘Because they left Yahweh their God who brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and took other gods, and worshiped them, and served them; so Yahweh has brought all this evil on them.’“
[10-14] At the end of 20 years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the Place of Worship of Yahweh and the Ruler’s house (now Hiram, the Ruler of Tyre, had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with all the gold he wanted), then Ruler Solomon gave Hiram 20 cities in the land of Galilee. Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities, which Solomon had given him; and he didn’t like them. He said, “What cities are these which you’ve given me, my brother? He called them the land of Cabul (Good for Nothing) until today. Hiram sent to the Ruler 9,000 lbs. of gold.
[15-19] This is the reason for the work force, which Ruler Solomon made, to build the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. The Ruler of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and killed the Canaanites, who lived in the city, and gave it for a present to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. Solomon built Gezer, and Beth Horon the lower, and Baalath, and Tamar in the countryside in the land of Judah, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and the cities for his war vehicles, and the cities for his riders, and what Solomon wanted to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land he ruled.
[20-28] As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who weren’t of the people of Israel; their children who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel weren’t able to completely destroy, Solomon made a work force until today. But Solomon made no workers of the people of Israel; but they were the soldiers, his personal workers, his leaders, his captains, and the drivers and riders of his war vehicles. These were the leading officials who were over Solomon’s work, 550 who had rule over the people who did the work. But the Ruler of Egypt’s daughter came up out of the city of David to her house, which Solomon had built for her; then he built Millo. Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar, which he built to Yahweh, burning incense with it, on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he finished the house. Ruler Solomon also made a navy of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom. Hiram sent his workers and sailors, who had knowledge of the sea for the navy to work with the workers of Solomon. They came to Ophir, and got 31,000 lbs. of gold from there, and brought it to Ruler Solomon.
10[1-5] When the Ruler of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon about the Name of Yahweh, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan of camels that had spices, much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him of what was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; Solomon didn’t keep any secrets from her. When the Ruler of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the food on the table, and the seating of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, and his cup bearers, and the steps by which he went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her.
[6-10] She said to the Ruler, “It was true what I heard in my own land about your acts, and your wisdom. But I didn’t believe their words until I came, and I had seen it; and see, the half wasn’t told me; your wisdom and wealth are more famous than I had heard. Happy are your people and your followers, who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom. Happy is Yahweh, your God, who was pleased to set you on the throne, to be Ruler for Yahweh, your God; because your God loved Israel, to set them up forever, so God made you Ruler over them, to do what’s right and good.” She gave the Ruler 9,000 lbs. of gold, and many spices and precious stones; nor was there any treasure of spices like the Ruler of Sheba gave to the Ruler Solomon.
[11 -13] The navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir a great many algum trees and precious stones. The Ruler made of the algum trees porches for the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and for the Ruler’s house, and harps and lyres for the singers; and there were none seen like this ever before. Ruler Solomon gave to the Ruler of Sheba everything she wanted, whatever she asked for, besides what Solomon gave her of his royal treasures. So she went back to her own land, she and her workers.
[14 -20] Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 49,950 lbs. (666 talents) of gold, besides what the traders and traders brought; and all the Rulers of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. Ruler Solomon made 200 shields of beaten gold with 600 gold coins going into each shield. He also made 300 smaller shields of beaten gold with 300 gold coins going into each one; and the Ruler put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. Besides this, the Ruler made a great throne of ivory, and covered it with pure gold; and there were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was rounded behind the seat, and it had armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside them. There were 12 lions that stood on each side of the six steps; there wasn’t anything like it made in any country.
[21 -25] All Ruler Solomon’s drinking cups were of gold, and all the dishes of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver wasn’t of any value in the days of Solomon. For the Ruler had merchant ships that went to Tarshish with the ships of Hiram; the ships of Tarshish came once every three years, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So Ruler Solomon was greater than all the Rulers of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the Rulers of the earth went to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. They brought their taxes, pots of silver and gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate each year.
[26-29] Solomon gathered together war vehicles and riders; and he had 1,400 war vehicles, and 12,000 riders, that he put in the war vehicle cities, and with the Ruler at Jerusalem. The Ruler made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; and the Ruler’s traders got them in herds, each at a set price. A war vehicle was bought out of Egypt for 600 silver coins, and a horse for 150; and so they sold them by their traders to all the Rulers of the Hittites, and the Syrians.
11[1 -6] Now Ruler Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of the Ruler of Egypt, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; of the nations about which Yahweh said to the people of Israel, “You won’t go with them, neither will they come among you because, truly, they’ll turn your heart away from Me after their false gods;” But Solomon love them and married them. He had 700 wives who were princesses, and 300 mistresses; and his wives turned his heart away from God. When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart to other gods; and his heart wasn’t right with Yahweh God, as was the heart of David his father. Solomon followed Ashtoreth (Canaanite false goddess of love and war) the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the false god of the Ammonites. Solomon did what Yahweh said was evil, and didn’t go fully after Yahweh, as did David his father.
[7-13] Then Solomon built a Place of Worship for Chemosh, the evil false god of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech (worshiped with child sacrifice by fire), the evil false god of the people of Ammon. So he did for all his foreign wives who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods. Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, Who had appeared to him twice, and had warned him about this thing, that he shouldn’t worship other gods; but he didn’t do what Yahweh had told him. So Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because you’ve done this, and you haven’t kept My promised agreement and My laws which I’ve told you, I’ll truly tear the nation from you, and give it to your worker. Though I won’t do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I’ll tear it away from your son. I won’t tear away all the people; but I’ll give one family group to your son, for David, My follower’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I’ve chosen.”
[14 -22] Yahweh stirred up an enemy of Solomon, Hadad, the Edomite, who was a relative of the Ruler of Edom. When David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the troops was gone up to bury the dead, and had fought every male in Edom (for Joab and all Israel were left there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom); that Hadad ran, he and certain Edomites of his father’s workers with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being still a little child. They went out of Midian, and came to Paran, taking men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, to the Ruler of Egypt, who gave him a house, food, and land. Hadad was well liked by the Ruler of Egypt, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes, the queen. The sister of Tahpenes had him Genubath, his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Ruler of Egypt’s house; and Genubath was in Ruler of Egypt’s house among the descendants of the Ruler of Egypt. When Hadad heard in Egypt that David died, and that Joab, the captain of the troops was dead, Hadad said to the Ruler of Egypt, “Let me go back to my own country.” Then the Ruler of Egypt said to him, “But what have you lacked with me, that you want to go to your own country?” He answered, “Nothing; but let me go.”
[23-25] God stirred up another enemy of his, Rezon, son of Eliada, who had run from his leader Hadadezer, Ruler of Zobah. He gathered men to him, and became captain over a troop when David killed those of Zobah; and they went to Damascus, and lived and ruled there in Damascus. He was an enemy to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the trouble that Hadad stirred up; and he hated Israel, and ruled over Syria.
[26-28] Jeroboam of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a worker of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a death survivor, also came against the Ruler. This was the reason why he came against the Ruler; Solomon built Millo, and fixed the breach of the city of David, his father. Jeroboam was a brave man of courage; and Solomon saw that the young man was a hard worker, and he put him in charge over all the work of the house of Joseph.
[29-39] At that time, when Jeroboam went out from Jerusalem, the preacher Ahijah, the Shilonite, met him on the road; now Ahijah had put on a new clothes; and they were alone in the field. Ahijah, took hold of the new clothes that was on him, and tore it in 12 pieces. He said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces, because Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “See, I’ll tear the countries from Solomon, and will give ten family groups to you (but he’ll have one family group, for my follower David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I’ve chosen out of all the family groups of Israel); because they’ve left me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth, the false goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh, the false god of Moab, and Milcom, the false god of the people of Ammon; and they’ve not kept My ways, to do what’s right to Me, and to keep My laws and My rules, as did David his father. But I won’t take the whole nation from him; but I’ll make him head all the days of his life, for David, My follower’s sake, whom I chose, who kept My words and My laws; but I’ll take the countries from his son, and will give it to you, ten family groups. To his son I’ll give one family group, so that David, My follower, may have a light always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I’ve chosen to put My Name. I’ll take you, and you’ll rule however you want, and will be Ruler over Israel. If You listen to what I tell you, and follow Me, and do what’s right to Me, to keep My laws and My words, as David my worker did, I’ll be with you, and will let your family rule, as I did for David, and will give Israel to you. I’ll trouble the descendants of David for this, but not forever.”
[40-43] So Solomon searched to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam went to Egypt, to Shishak, Ruler of Egypt, and was in Egypt until Solomon died. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and what he did, and his wisdom, are written in The Book of the Acts of Solomon. Solomon ruled 40 years in Jerusalem over all Israel. Solomon died, and was buried in the city of David, his father; and Rehoboam, his son, ruled in his place.
12[1-5] Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel had come to Shechem to make him Ruler. When Jeroboam of Nebat heard it (for he was still in Egypt where he had run from Ruler Solomon, and Jeroboam lived in Egypt, and they sent and called him), so that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, saying to Rehoboam, “Your father made our work very hard; So now make that very hard work of your father, and the hard jobs he put on us, easier, and we’ll serve you. So he said to them, “Come back to me after three days;” and the people left.
[6-11] Ruler Rehoboam counseled with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he still lived, saying, “What answer can you give me to say to these people?” They said to him, “If you’re kind to these people, and do what they want, and speak kindly to them, then they’ll be your workers forever.” But he didn’t take the advice of the old men which they had given him, and asked the young men, who had grown up with him, who stood before him. He said to them, “What answer can you give me that we may say to these people, who have said to me, “‘Make the work that your father put on us easier?’” The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “You should tell the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our work hard, but make it easier to us;’ you should say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s penis. Now while my father gave you hard work, I’ll add more work to you; my father punished you with whips, but I’ll punish you with scorpions.’“
[12-19] So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the Ruler had said, “Come back to me the third day.” The Ruler answered them roughly; and he refused the advice of the old men, saying to them what the soldiers had said, “My father made your service hard, but I’ll add to it; my father punished you with whips, but I’ll punish you with scorpions.” So the Ruler didn’t listen to the people because it was brought about of God that Yahweh would prove the word which was said, “ by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam of Nebat. When all Israel saw that the Ruler didn’t listen to them, the people answered him, saying, “What part do we’ve in David? nor do we’ve any part in the son of Jesse; everyone go home, Israel; now see to your own house, David.” So all Israel went home. But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam ruled over them. Then Ruler Rehoboam sent Hadoram who was over their workers; and the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. Ruler Rehoboam quickly got into his war vehicle, and ran to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David until today.
[20-24] When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had gone back, they sent and called him to the people, and made him Ruler over all Israel; there was no one who followed the house of David, but the family group of Judah only. When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 of the best soldiers, who were soldiers, to fight against Israel, to take the country back for Rehoboam, son of Solomon. But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, the follower of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam, son of Solomon, Ruler of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, “Yahweh says, “You won’t go up, nor fight against your family members; everyone go back home because this thing is of Me. So they listened to the words of Yahweh, and went back home as Yahweh told them.
[25-28 ] Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and lived in it; and he went out from there, and built Penuel. Jeroboam said in his heart, “The countries will go back to the house of David if the people go up to offer sacrifices in the Place of Worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem, and their hearts will turn back to their leader, Rehoboam, Ruler of Judah; and they’ll kill me, and go back to Rehoboam, Ruler of Judah. So the Ruler spoke with his counselors, and made two calves of gold; and he said to them, “It’s too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; see these are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
[29 -33] He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. This thing was a sin because the people went to worship it in Dan. He made places of false worship, and made preachers from among all the people, who weren’t of the descendants of Levi. Jeroboam called for a celebration on the 15th day in the 8th month (Cheshvan, Oct-Nov), like the celebration that is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; and he did so in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made; and he placed the preachers of the places of false worship that he had made in Bethel. He went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the 15th day in the 8th month, in the time which he had planned in his own heart; and he called for a celebration for the people of Israel, and went up to the altar, to burn incense.
13[1 -5] A follower of God came out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Bethel; and Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. He cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh says ‘Altar, altar, a son will be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you will he sacrifice the preachers of the places of false worship who burn incense on you, and men’s bones will they burn on you.’“ He gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which Yahweh has said, “See, the altar will be broken, and the ashes that are on it will be poured out.” When the Ruler heard what the follower of God had said which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam reached out from the altar, saying, “Grab him. His hand which he put out against him, dried up, so that he couldn’t bring it back to him again. Then the altar was broken, and the ashes poured out from the altar, just like the sign which the follower of God had given them by the word of Yahweh.
[6 -10] The Ruler answered the follower of God, “Ask Yahweh your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be healed again.” The follower of God asked Yahweh, and the Ruler’s hand was healed again, and became as it was before. The Ruler said to the follower of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I’ll give you a reward.” The follower of God said to the Ruler, “If you gave me half your house, I wouldn’t go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place because it was told me by the word of Yahweh, saying, “‘You’ll eat nothing, nor drink water, nor go back the same way that you came.’“ So he went another way and didn’t go back the way that he came to Bethel.
[11-18] Now there lived an old preacher in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the follower of God had done that day in Bethel; the words which he had said to the Ruler, they told to their father. Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen which way the follower of God went who came from Judah. He said to his sons, “Saddle me the donkey.” So they saddled him the donkey; and he rode on it. He followed the follower of God, and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, “Are you the follower of God who came from Judah?” He said, “I am.” Then he said to him, “Come home with me, and eat.” He said, “I can’t go back with you, nor go in with you; neither could I eat bread or drink water with you in this place, because it was said to me by the word of Yahweh, ‘You’ll eat nothing nor drink water there, nor turn back to go the way that you came.’ He said to him, “I also am a preacher as you are; and an angel said to me by the word of Yahweh, saying, “‘Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat and drink water.’ But he lied to him.
[19 -24] So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. As they sat at the table, the word of Yahweh came to the preacher who brought him back; he said to the follower of God who came from Judah, “Yahweh says, “‘Because you’ve been disobedient to the word of Yahweh, and haven’t kept the word which Yahweh your God told you, but came back, and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place which God said to you, ‘Don’t eat or drink anything; your body won’t be buried in the grave of your ancestors.’ After he had eaten and drunk, he saddled for him the donkey, that is, for the preacher whom he had brought back. When he was gone, a lion met him on the road, and killed him; and his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood by it; and the lion also stood by the body.
[25-30] Then some men passed by, and saw the body in the road, and the lion standing by it; and they came and told it in the city where the old preacher lived. When the preacher who brought him back from the road heard it, he said, “It’s the follower of God who was disobedient to the Word of Yahweh; so Yahweh has given him to the lion which has torn him, and killed him, as Yahweh had told him. He said to his sons, “Saddle me the donkey.” They saddled it. He went and found his body lying in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the body; and the lion hadn’t eaten the body, nor hurt the donkey. The old preacher took the body of the follower of God, and laid it on the donkey, and brought it back; and he came back to his city to mourn and bury him. He laid the preacher’s body in his own grave and mourned over him, saying, “Ah, my brother!”
[31-34] After he had buried him, he said to his sons, “When I’m dead, then bury me in the grave in which the follower of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. The saying which he cried by the word of Yahweh against the altar in Bethel, and against all the places of false worship which are in the cities of Samaria, will truly happen.” After this, Jeroboam didn’t turn from his evil ways, but made again from all the people, preachers for the places of false worship; he dedicated whoever would, so that there would be preachers for the places of false worship. This thing was a sin to the house of Jeroboam, to end it, and to destroy it from the face of the earth.
14[1-5] At that time Abijah, son of Jeroboam fell sick. Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please go and disguise yourself, that you not be known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and go to Shiloh, where Ahijah, the preacher, is, who said about me that I’d be Ruler over this people. Take with you ten loaves, and loaves, and a jar of honey, and go to him; he’ll tell you what will happen to the child. So Jeroboam’s wife did so, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah couldn’t see because his eyes were blind because of his age. Yahweh said to Ahijah, “See, the wife of Jeroboam comes to ask of you about her son because he is sick; this and this will you tell her because when she comes in, she’ll pretend to be another woman.”
[6-16] When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you pretend to be another? I have bad news for you. Go, tell Jeroboam, Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “‘Because I uplifted you from among the people, and made you head over My people Israel, and tore the countries away from the house of David, and gave it you; and still you haven’t been as my follower David, who kept my words, and who followed me with all his heart, to do only what was right to Me, but have done evil above all who were before you, and have gone and made other false gods, to make Me angry, and have thrown me behind your back; so, see, I’ll bring evil on the house of Jeroboam, and will take from Jeroboam every boy, those who are imprisoned and those who are free in Israel, and will completely throw away the house of Jeroboam, as someone throws away waste, until it’s all gone. Those who die of Jeroboam in the city the dogs will eat; and those who die in the field the birds of the sky will eat because Yahweh has said it.’ Get up, go to your house; and when your feet go into the city, the child will die. All Israel will mourn for him, and burn him as he is the only one of Jeroboam who will be buried, because there’s some good in him toward Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. Besides this, Yahweh will raise up a Ruler over Israel, who will put an end to the house of Jeroboham today; yes, even now. For Yahweh will fight Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and will root up Israel out of this good land, which God gave to their ancestors, and will scatter them across the river, because they’ve made their False fertility gods, the Asherim,, making Yahweh angry. He’ll give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has done, and with which he has made Israel to sin.”
[17-20] Jeroboam’s wife got up, and left, and came to Tirzah; and as she came to the doorway of the house, the child died. All Israel buried him, and mourned for him, as Yahweh had said, “ by Ahijah, the preacher, God’s follower. The rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he fought, and how he ruled are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. The days which Jeroboam ruled were 22 years; and he died and was buried, and Nadab his son ruled in his place.
[21-24] Rehoboam, of Solomon, ruled in Judah. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 17 years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the family groups of Israel, to put the Name of God there; and his mother’s name was Naamah, the Ammonitess. Judah did what Yahweh said was evil, and made God jealous with their sins which they had done, above what their ancestors had done. They also built them places of false worship, and pillars, and put up false fertility gods, the Asherim, on every mountain, and under the evergreen trees; and there were also Sodomites (homosexuals) in the land; they did all the horrible sins of the nations which Yahweh drove out before the people of Israel.
[25-31] In the fifth year of Ruler Rehoboam, Shishak, Ruler of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the treasures of the Ruler’s house; he took it all and took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Ruler Rehoboam made in their place shields of brass, and put them in the hands of the leaders of the guard, who kept the door of the Ruler’s house. As often as the Ruler went into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the guard had them, and brought them back into the guard room. Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. Rehoboam died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. His mother’s name was Naamah, the Ammonitess. Abijam, his son, ruled in his place.
15[1-8] Now in the 18th year of Ruler Jeroboam, son of Nebat, Abijam began to rule over Judah. He ruled three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. He did all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart wasn’t right with Yahweh God, as the heart of David, his ancestor. But for David’s sake, Yahweh God gave him a light in Jerusalem, to put up his son after him, and to set up Jerusalem; because David did what Yahweh said was right, and didn’t turn from anything that God had told him all his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. The rest of the acts of Abijam, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. Abijam died; and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son ruled in his place.
[9-15] In the 20th year of Jeroboam, Ruler of Israel, Asa began to rule over Judah, who ruled 41 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. Asa did what Yahweh said was right, as did David his ancestor. He put all the homosexuals out of the land, and took away all the false gods that his ancestors had made. Also Maacah, his mother, he removed from being queen, because she had made an evil Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal); and Asa cut down her idol, and burnt it at the Kidron River, though the places of false worship weren’t taken away; But the heart of Asa was right with Yahweh all his days. He brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh all the things that both he and his father had dedicated, silver, gold, and pots.
[16 -21] There was war between Asa, Ruler of Judah, and Baasha, Ruler of Israel, all their days. Baasha went up against Judah and built Ramah, so that no one could go out or come in to Asa. Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the treasures of the Ruler’s house, and gave it to his workers; and Ruler Asa sent them to Ben Hadad, son of Tabrimmon, of Hezion, Ruler of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying, “There is an agreement between me and you, between my father and your father; I’ve sent to you a present of silver and gold; go, break your agreement with Baasha, Ruler of Israel, to make him leave from me. Ben Hadad listened to Ruler Asa, and sent the captains of his troops against the cities of Israel, and fought Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. When Baasha heard it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.
[22 -24] Then Ruler Asa made an announcement to all Judah; no one was excused; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and its wood with which Baasha had built it; and Ruler Asa built with it Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. Now the rest of the acts of Asa, and all his strength, and what he did, and the cities which he built, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. But in the time of his old age, he had a disease that affected his feet. Asa died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David his father; and Jehoshaphat, his son, ruled in his place.
[25-34] Nadab, son of Jeroboam, began to rule over Israel in the 2nd year of Asa, Ruler of Judah; and he ruled over Israel two years. He did what Yahweh said was evil, and sinned like his father, making Israel sin. Baasha, son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, schemed against him; and Baasha fought him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, because Nadab and all Israel were trying to take Gibbethon. In the third year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, Baasha killed him, and ruled in his place. As soon as he was Ruler, he fought all the house of Jeroboam; he didn’t leave to Jeroboam any alive, until he had destroyed them all; according to what Yahweh had said, “by Ahijah, the Shilonite, God’s follower; for the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and with which he made Israel to sin, because of the evil with which he made Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry. Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. There was war between Asa and Baasha Ruler of Israel all their days. In the third year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, Baasha, son of Ahijah, began to rule over all Israel in Tirzah, and ruled 24 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil, and did sins like Jeroboam did, with which he made Israel to sin.
16[1 -6] The word of Yahweh came to Jehu of Hanani against Baasha, saying, “Because I uplifted you out of the dust, and made you head over My people Israel, and you’ve done like Jeroboam, and have made My people Israel to sin, to make Me angry with their sins, I’ll completely throw away Baasha and his house; and I’ll make your house like the house of Jeroboam of Nebat. Those who die of Baasha in the city the dogs will eat; and those who die of his in the field the birds of the sky will eat. Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his strength, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Baasha died, and was buried in Tirzah; and Elah his son ruled in his place.
[7-10] Besides this, by the preacher Jehu of Hanani, the word of Yahweh came against Baasha, and against his house, both because of all the evil that he did in Yahweh’s sight, to make God angry with what he did, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he killed him. In the 26th year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, Elah, son of Baasha, began to rule over Israel in Tirzah, and ruled two years. His worker Zimri, captain of half his war vehicles, schemed against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah; and Zimri went in and fought him, and killed him, in the 27th year of Asa, and ruled in his place.
[11-14] When he began to rule, as soon as he sat on his throne, he fought all the house of Baasha; he didn’t leave him a single boy, or any of his relatives, or any of his friends. So Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, as Yahweh had spoken against Baasha, by Jehu the preacher, for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah, his son, which they sinned, and with which they made Israel to sin, to make Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry with their false worship. Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel.
[15-22] In the 27th year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, did Zimri rule seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were camped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. The people who were camped heard say, Zimri has schemed, and has also killed the Ruler; so all Israel made Omri, the captain of the troops, Ruler over Israel that day in the camp. Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they surrounded Tirzah. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the tower of the Ruler’s house, and burnt the Ruler’s house over him with fire, and died for his sins which he sinned in doing what Yahweh said was evil, in doing what Jeroboam did, and doing the sins he had done, to make Israel to sin. Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Then the people of Israel were divided in half; half of the people followed Tibni of Ginath, to make him Ruler; and half followed Omri. But the people who followed Omri were stronger than the people who followed Tibni of Ginath; so Tibni died, and Omri ruled.
[23-28] In the 31st year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, OmrI began to rule over Israel, and ruled 12 years; he ruled six years in Tirzah. He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for 150 lbs. of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria. Omri did what Yahweh said was evil, and did more evil than all who were before him. He did what Jeroboam of Nebat did, and did the sins with which he made Israel to sin, to make Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry with their false worship. Now the rest of the acts of Omri and his strength that he showed are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. So Omri died, and was buried in Samaria; and Ahab, his son, ruled in his place.
[29-34] In the 38th year of Asa, Ruler of Judah, Ahab, son of Omri, began to rule over Israel; and Ahab ruled over Israel in Samaria 22 years. Ahab did what Yahweh said was evil more than those who were before him. As if it had been a light thing for him to do the sins of Jeroboam of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, Ruler of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, worshipping their false god. He put up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. Ahab made the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal); and Ahab did even more to make Yahweh, the God of Israel, angrier than all the Rulers of Israel who were before him. In his days, Hiel, the Bethelite, built Jericho; he laid its foundation with the loss of Abiram, his firstborn, and put up its gates with the loss of his youngest son, Segub, as Yahweh had said by Joshua, son of Nun.
17[1-5] Elijah, the Tishbite, who was of the foreigners of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there won’t be dew nor rain these years, unless I tell you.” The word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “Get away from here, and go east, and hide by the Cherith River, which is before the Jordan. You’ll drink of the river and I’ve told the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did as Yahweh had said, “going to live by the Cherith River, which is before the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and evening; and he drank of the river.
[7-15] After a while, the river dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “Get up, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; I’ve told a death survivor there to keep you. So he got up and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, a death survivor was there gathering sticks; and he called to her, saying, “Please get me a little water in a pot, so that I may drink.” As she was going to get it, he called to her, saying, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” She said, “As Yahweh, your God lives, I don’t have a loaf, but a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the jar; and see, I’m gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my child, that we may eat it, and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be scared; go and do as you’ve said, “but make me a little loaf first, and bring it to me, and afterward make for you and for your son. Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “The jar of meal won’t empty, neither will the jar of oil fail, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth.” She went and did what Elijah had told her; and she, and he, and her child, ate many days. The jar of meal didn’t empty, neither did the jar of oil fail, as Yahweh had said by Elijah.
[16-24] Afterwards, the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was very bad, so that he stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, follower of God? You’ve come to me to remind me of my sin, and to kill my child!” He said to her, “Give me your son.” He took him out of her lap, and carried him up into the room, where he stayed, and laid him on his own bed. He cried to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, my God, have you also brought evil on this death survivor with whom I stay, by killing her son?” He stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, my God, please let this child’s soul come into him again.” Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the room into the house, and gave him back to his mother; and Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you’re a follower of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is true.”
18[1 -5] After many days, the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I’ll send rain on the earth.” Elijah went to show himself to Ahab and there was a great lack of food in Samaria. Ahab called Obadia, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah respected Yahweh greatly for when Jezebel killed the preachers of Yahweh, Obadiah took a hundred preachers, and hid them fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land, to all the creeks of water, and to all the rivers; in case we might find grass and save the horses and mules, so that we won’t lose all the animals.
[6-14] So they divided the land between them to go throughout it; Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. As Obadiah was on the road, Elijah met him; and he knew him, and dropped to the ground, saying, “Is it you, Sir, Elijah? He answered him, “It’s me; go, tell your leader, Elijah is here.” He said, “How have I sinned, that you’d give Your follower into the power of Ahab, to kill me? As Yahweh, your God lives, there’s no nation or country where he hasn’t sent to look for you; and when they said, “‘He isn’t here,’ he made the countries and nation make a promise that they didn’t find you. Now you say, ‘Go, tell your leader, Elijah is here.’ As soon as I’m gone from you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you I don’t know where; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he can’t find you, he’ll kill me; but I Your follower respect Yahweh from my youth. Wasn’t it told sir what I did when Jezebel killed the preachers of Yahweh, how I hid a hundred people of Yahweh’s preachers by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? Now you say, ‘Go, tell your leader, Elijah is here;’ and he’ll kill me.
[15 -20] Elijah said, “As Yahweh, the God of All Creation lives, before whom I stand, I’ll truly show myself to him today.” So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troublemaker of Israel?” He answered, I haven’t troubled Israel; but you, and your father’s house, in that you’ve left the words of Yahweh, and you’ve followed the Baals. So now send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and the 450 preachers of Baal, and the 400 preachers of the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), who eat at Jezebel’s table. So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel, and gathered the preachers together to Mount Carmel.
[21-24] Elijah came up to all the people, saying, “How long will you waver between two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow God; but if Baal, then follow Baal. The people didn’t say a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, and I only, am left a preacher of Yahweh; but Baal has 450 preachers. So let them give us two cows; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it; and I’ll dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it. You call on the name of your god, and I’ll call on the Name of Yahweh; and the God who answers by fire, let him be God.” All the people answered, “What you’ve said is good.”
[25-29] Elijah said to the preachers of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first because you’re many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” So they took the bull which was given them, and they got it ready, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us.” But there was no voice, no one who answered. They jumped around the altar which was made. At noon, Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry louder! He is a god, isn’t he? Either he is deep in thought, or he is gone to shit, or he is on a trip, or maybe he’s asleep and must be awakened.” So they cried louder, and cut themselves in their way with knives and spears, until the blood ran on them. It was past midday, and they prayed until the time of the evening offering; but there was no voice, no answer, no one who listened to them.
[30-35] Elijah said to all the people, “Come close to me; and all the people came up to him. He built the altar of Yahweh that was knocked down. Elijah took 12 stones, according to the number of the family groups of the descendants of Jacob, to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, “Israel will be your name. With the stones he built an altar in the Name of Yahweh; and he made a trench around the altar, as great as would contain 12 bushels of seed. He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.” He said, “Do it again;” And they did it again. He said, “Do it a third time;” And they did it the third time. The water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
[36 -40] At the time of the evening offering, Elijah, the preacher, came up, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You’re God in Israel, and that I’m Your follower, and that I’ve done all these things at your word. Listen to me, Yahweh, Listen to me, that this people may know that You, Yahweh, are God, and that You’ve turned their heart back again. Then the fire of Yahweh fell, and burned up the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and licked up all the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell facedown; and they said, “Yahweh is God; Yahweh is God.” And Elijah said to them, “Take the preachers of Baal; don’t let one of them escape!” They took them; and Elijah brought them down to the river Kishon, and killed them there.
[41-45] Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink because I hear the sound of a heavy rain. So Ahab went up to eat and drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed down on the earth, and put his face between his knees. He said to his worker, “Go up now, look toward the sea. He went up, and looked, saying, “There isn’t anything.” He said, “Go back seven times.” At the 7th time, he said, “I see a small cloud, like a man’s hand, rising out of the sea.” He said, “Go up, tell Ahab, get ready your war vehicle, and get down, that the rain not stop you.” In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel; and the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah; and he tied up his clothes around his waist, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
19[1-4] Ahab told Jezebel what Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the preachers with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” When he saw that, he got up, and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, in Judah, and left his follower there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the countryside, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he asked to die, saying, “It’s enough; now, O Yahweh, take away my life because I’m no better than my ancestors.”
[5-12] He lay down and slept under the juniper tree; and an angel touched him, saying to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and saw at his head a loaf baked on the coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of Yahweh came again the second time, and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, because the journey is too long for you.” He got up, and ate and drink, and went on the strength of that food 40 days and nights to Horeb, the Mount of God. He came to a cave there, and stayed there; and the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I’ve been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of all Creation, because the people of Israel have left Your promised agreement, knocked down Your altars, and killed Your preachers; and I, and I only, am left; and they want to take my life.” God said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” Then Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke the rocks in pieces before Yahweh; but Yahweh wasn’t in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
[13-18] So when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cape, and went out, and stood in the opening of the cave. He heard a voice, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I’ve been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of all Creation, because the people of Israel have left Your promised agreement, thrown down Your altars, and killed all Your preachers; and I, and I only, am left; and they want to take my life.” Yahweh said to him, “Go, go back to the countryside of Damascus; and when you go, anoint Hazael to be Ruler over Syria; and anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi to be Ruler over Israel; and anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah to be preacher in your place. Those who escape from the sword of Hazael Jehu will kill; and those who escape from the sword of Jehu Elisha will kill. But I still have 7,000 in Israel, all the knees which haven’t bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hasn’t kissed him.
[19-21] So he left there, and found Elisha of Shaphat, who was plowing with 12 pairs of cows before him, and he with the 12th; and Elijah went to him, and threw his cape on him. He left the cows, and ran after Elijah, saying, “Let me, I ask, kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I’ll follow you. He said to him, “Go back; what have I done to you?” He went back from following him, and took the pairs of cows, and killed them, and boiled their meat with the equipment of the cows, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, and followed Elijah, and took care of him.
20[1-6] Ben Hadad, the Ruler of Syria, gathered all his troops together; and there were 32 Rulers with him, and horses and war vehicles; and he went and surrounded Samaria, and fought against it. He sent messengers to Ahab, Ruler of Israel, into the city, saying to him, Ben Hadad says, “Your silver and gold is mine; your wives and children also, even the best, are mine.” The Ruler of Israel answered, “Whatever you say, Oh Ruler; I’m yours, and whatever I have. The messengers came again, saying, “Ben Hadad,” says , “I truly sent to you, saying, “You’ll give me your silver and gold, and your wives and children; but I’ll send my workers to you tomorrow about this time, and they’ll search your house, and the houses of your followers; and it will be, that whatever is good to you, they’ll put their hands on it, and take it away.”
[7-11] Then the Ruler of Israel called all the elders of the land, saying, “Please notice how this man looks for trouble because he sent to me for my wives and children, and for my silver and gold; and I didn’t deny him.” All the elders and the people said to him, “Don’t listen, nor let him do it.” So he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Tell the Ruler, What you sent for to your follower at the first I’ll do; but this I won’t do.” The messengers left, and brought him word again. Ben Hadad sent to him, saying, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria will be enough for a handful for each of those who follow me.” The Ruler of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armor brag about himself as those who take it off.’“
[12 -15] When Ben Hadad heard this message as he and the Rulers were drinking in the tents, he said to his workers, Get ready. They got themselves ready to go against the city. Then a preacher came to Ahab, Ruler of Israel, saying, “Yahweh says, “Have you seen all this great number? I’ll hand it over to you today; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.” Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Yahweh says, “‘By the young people of the leaders of the countries.’“ Then he said, “Who will begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” Then he called the young people of the leaders of the countries, and they were 232; and after them he called all the people of Israel, who were 7,000.
[16-22] They went out at noon, but Ben Hadad was drinking himself drunk in the tents, he and the Rulers, the 32 leaders who helped him. The young people of the leaders of the countries went out first; and Ben Hadad sent out, and they told him, “There are men come out from Samaria.” He said, “Whether they’ve come out for peace or war, take them alive. So these went out of the city, the young people of the leaders of the countries, and the troops which followed them. They each killed a soldier; and the Syrians ran, and Israel chased them; and Ben Hadad, the Ruler of Syria, escaped on a horse with riders. The Ruler of Israel went out, and fought those with horses and war vehicles, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter. The preacher came to the Ruler of Israel, saying to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and mark, and see what you do because at the first of the year the Ruler of Syria will come against you again.
[23-27] The workers of the Ruler of Syria said to him, “Their god is a god of the hills; so they were stronger than we; but let’s fight against them in the field, and truly we’ll be stronger than them. Do this; take the Rulers away, everyone out of their place, and put captains in their place; and number you an army, like the troops that you’ve lost, horse for horse, and war vehicle for war vehicle; and we’ll fight against them in the field, and truly we’ll be stronger than them.” He listened to them, and did so. At the first of the year, Ben Hadad called the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. The people of Israel were called, and were given what they needed, and went against them; and the people of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
[28-32] A follower of God came saying to the Ruler of Israel, “Yahweh says, “‘Because the Syrians have said, “‘Yahweh is a god of the hills, but isn’t a god of the valleys,’ I’ll give all this great number to you, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.’“ They camped next to one another seven days. So in the seventh day the battle began; and the people of Israel killed 100,000 Syrian foot soldiers in one day. But the rest ran to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on the 27,000 soldiers who were left. Ben Hadad ran, and came into the city, into an inner room. His workers said to him, “See now, we’ve heard that the Rulers of the house of Israel are merciful Rulers; let’s ask for mercy, put on mourning clothes, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the Ruler of Israel; maybe he’ll save your life.” So they put on mourning clothes, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the Ruler of Israel, saying, “Your follower Ben Hadad says, “please let me live.” He said, “Is he still alive? He’s my brother.”
[33-34] Now the men watched carefully, and tried to catch whether it was his mind to show mercy; and they said quickly, “Your brother Ben Hadad.” Then he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben Hadad came out to him; and he made him come up into the war vehicle. Ben Hadad said to him, “The cities which my father took from your father I’ll give back; and you’ll make streets for you in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Ahab said, “I‘ll let you go with this agreement.” So he made an agreement with him, and let him go.
[35-43] A certain man of the descendants of the preachers said to another by the word of Yahweh, “Please hit me. The other refused to hit him. Then he said to him, “Because you haven’t obeyed the voice of Yahweh, as soon as you’ve left from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had left from him, a lion found him, and killed him. Then he found another man, saying, “Please hit me. That one hit him, wounding him. So the preacher left, and waited for the Ruler on the road, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. As the Ruler passed by, he called to the Ruler; and said, “Your follower went out into the midst of the battle; and see, a man turned around, and brought another to me, saying, “Keep this man; if by any means he is missing, then your life will be given for his life, or else you’ll pay 75 lbs. of silver. As Your follower was busy here and there, he was gone.” The Ruler of Israel said to him, “So your judgment will be as said; you yourself have decided it. He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the Ruler of Israel knew that he was of the preachers. He said to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Because you’ve let go out of your hand the man whom I had dedicated to destruction, so your life will go for his life, and your people for his people.” The Ruler of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria.
21[1-7] Afterwards, Naboth, the Jezreelite, had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the house of Ahab, Ruler of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it’s near to my house; and I’ll give you a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to you, I’ll give you what it’s worth in money. Naboth said to Ahab, “Yahweh forbids me to give the inheritance of my ancestors to you.” Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth had said to him because he had said, “I won’t give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay down on his bed, and turned his face away, and would eat nothing. But Jezebel, his wife, came to him, saying to him, “Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat nothing?” He said to her, “Because I asked Naboth, the Jezreelite, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it please you, I’ll give you another vineyard for it;’ and he answered, ‘I won’t give you my vineyard.’“ Jezebel, his wife, said to him, “Don’t you now rule the nation of Israel? Get up, and eat bread, and enjoy yourselves; I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth.”
[8 -13] So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the leaders who were in his city, and who lived with Naboth. She wrote in the letters, “Call a fast, and set Naboth in a place of honor among the people; and set two evil men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, “You cursed God and the Ruler.” Then carry him out, and stone him to death. The people of his city, the elders and leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them. They called for a fast, and set Naboth in a place of honor among the people. The two evil men, came in and sat before him; and they acted as witnesses against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the Ruler.” Then they carried him out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones.
[14-19] Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “We stoned Naboth, and he is dead. When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned, and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Get up, go take the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money because Naboth isn’t alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go to Naboth’s vineyard to take it. The word of Yahweh came to Elijah, the Tishbite, saying, “Get up, go down to meet Ahab, Ruler of Israel, who lives in Samaria; he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he is gone down to take it. You’ll speak to him, saying, “‘Yahweh says, “Have you killed and also taken it?’ You’ll speak to him, saying, “‘Yahweh says, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth will dogs lick your blood.”
[20-26] Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I’ve found you, because you’ve sold yourself to do what’s evil to Yahweh. Yahweh says, “‘See, I’ll bring evil on you, and will completely put an end to you and will kill every boy of your family, and those who are imprisoned and those who are free in Israel; and I’ll make your house like the house of Jeroboam of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha of Ahijah for how you’ve made Me angry, and have made Israel to sin.’ Of Jezebel, Yahweh also said, “‘The dogs will eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Those who die of Ahab in the city the dogs will eat; and those who die in the field the birds of the sky will eat.’“ (But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do what Yahweh said was evil, whom Jezebel, his wife, stirred up. He did very evil in worshipping false gods, like what the Amorites did whom Yahweh threw out before the people of Israel.) When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put mourning clothes on him, and fasted, and lay in mourning clothes, and went quietly. The word of Yahweh came to Elijah, the Tishbite, saying, “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I won’t bring the evil in his days; but in his son’s days I’ll bring the evil on his house.”
22[1- 5] They continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. In the third year, Jehoshaphat the Ruler of Judah came down to the Ruler of Israel. The Ruler of Israel said to his workers, “You know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, and we haven’t yet taken it from the Ruler of Syria?” He said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead to fight?” Jehoshaphat said to the Ruler of Israel, “I’m as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” Jehoshaphat said to the Ruler of Israel, “Please ask first for the word of Yahweh.”
[6-9] Then the Ruler of Israel gathered 400 preachers together, saying to them, “Should I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or should I wait?” They said, “Go up because Yahweh will put it into the power of the Ruler.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a preacher of Yahweh here besides these that we may ask of him?” The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, there’s still one more by whom we may ask of Yahweh, Micaiah, of Imlah; but I hate him because he doesn’t say anything good about me, but only evil.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t let the Ruler say so.” Then the Ruler of Israel called an official, saying, “Get quickly Micaiah of Imlah.”
[10-14] Now the Ruler of Israel and Jehoshaphat the Ruler of Judah were sitting each on his throne, clothed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the preachers were preaching before them. Zedekiah of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, saying, “Yahweh says, “With these you’ll push the Syrians, until they’re all gone.” All the preachers agreed, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and do well because Yahweh will put it into the power of the Ruler.” The messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, “See now, the words of the preachers foretell good to the Ruler with agreement; please let your word be like the word of one of them, and say something good.” Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, I’ll say whatever Yahweh says to me.”
[15-18] When he had come to the Ruler, the Ruler said to him, “Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead to fight, or should we wait?” He answered him, “Go up and do well; and Yahweh will put it into the power of the Ruler.” Then the Ruler said to him, “How many times must I tell you that you say to me nothing but the truth in the Name of Yahweh?” He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and Yahweh said, “‘These have no guide; let them go back home in peace.’“ The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he wouldn’t preach anything good about me, but only evil?”
[19-28] Then Micaiah said, “So hear the word of Yahweh; I saw Yahweh sitting on a throne, and all the troops of heaven standing on the right and on the left. Yahweh said, “’Who will trick Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One said this; and another said that. Then a spirit came, and stood before Yahweh, saying, “’I’ll trick him.’ Yahweh said to him, “ ‘How?’ The spirit said, “’I’ll go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his preachers.’ God said, “’You’ll trick him, and will triumph also; go out, and do so.’ So now, see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your preachers; and Yahweh has foretold evil about you.” Then Zedekiah of Chenaanah came up, and hit Micaiah on the cheek, saying, “When did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak to you?” Micaiah said, “See, you’ll see on the day when you go into an inner room to hide yourself.” The Ruler of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the Ruler’s son; and say, the Ruler says, “Put this person in prison, and feed him with bread and water of trouble, until I come back in peace.” Micaiah said, “If you come back at all in peace, Yahweh hasn’t spoken by me.” Then he said, “Listen, you peoples, all of you.”
[29-34] So the Ruler of Israel and Jehoshaphat the Ruler of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I’ll disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put on your own robes.” The Ruler of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. Now the Ruler of Syria had told the 32 captains of his war vehicles, saying, “Fight neither with small nor great, but only with the Ruler of Israel.” When the leaders of the war vehicles saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Truly it’s the Ruler of Israel; and they turned around to fight him; and Jehoshaphat shouted. When the leaders of the war vehicles saw that it wasn’t the Ruler of Israel, they turned back from chasing him. A certain man drew his bow by chance, and hit the Ruler of Israel between the joints of the armor; so he said to the driver of his war vehicle, “Turn around, and carry me out of the troops because I’m severely wounded.
[35-40] The battle increased that day; and the Ruler stayed in his war vehicle fighting against the Syrians, and died at evening; and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the war vehicle. A cry went out through the troops about sundown, saying, “Everyone, go to your city, and everyone, go to your country. So the Ruler died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the Ruler in Samaria. They washed the war vehicle by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood while the prostitutes bathed there, as Yahweh had said. Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and what he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. So Ahab died; and Ahaziah his son ruled in his place.
[41-47] Jehoshaphat, son of Asa began to rule over Judah in the 4th year of Ahab, Ruler of Israel. Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. He did what Asa his father had done; He didn’t turn back from doing what Yahweh said was right; But the places of false worship weren’t taken away; and the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship. Jehoshaphat made peace with the Ruler of Israel. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his strength that he showed, and how he fought, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. What was left of the homosexuals that were left in the days of his father Asa, he put away out of the land. There was no Ruler in Edom; only an assistant ruled.
[48-51] Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold; but they didn’t go because the ships were broken at Ezion Geber. Then Ahaziah, son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my people go with your people in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat wouldn’t do it. Jehoshaphat died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, his ancestor; Jehoram, his son, ruled in his place. Ahaziah began to rule over Israel in Samaria in the 17th year of Jehoshaphat Ruler of Judah, and he ruled two years over Israel. He did what Yahweh said was evil, and did like his father and mother, and Jeroboam of Nebat, in doing the sins with which he made Israel to sin. He served and worshipped that false god Baal, and made Yahweh, the God of Israel, very angry, like what his father had done.
Rulers (Kings) 2
1[1-4] Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upstairs room that was in Samaria, and was sick; and he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go, ask of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I’ll recover of this sickness.” But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, the Tishbite, “Get up, go up to meet the messengers of the Ruler of Samaria, and tell them, ‘Is it because there’s no God in Israel, that you go to ask of Baal Zebub, the false god of Ekron?’ So now Yahweh says, “‘You won’t get up from the bed where you’re at, but will truly die.’“ Elijah left.
[5-8] The messengers went back to him, and he said to them, “Why have you come back?” They said to him, “Someone came to meet us, saying to us, ‘Go, turn back to the Ruler who sent you, and tell him, Yahweh says, “Is it because there’s no God in Israel, that you send to ask of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ so you won’t get up from the bed where you’re at, but will truly die.’“ He said to them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you, and told you these words?” They answered him, “He was a hairy man, and had a belt of leather around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah, the Tishbite.”
[9-14] Then the Ruler sent to him a captain of 50 with his troop. He went up to him; and he was sitting on the top of the hill. He said to him, “Follower of God, the Ruler has said, “‘Come down.’“ Elijah answered to the captain of 50, “If I am a follower of God, let fire come down from the sky, and burn up you and your troop. Fire came down from the sky, and burned up him and his troop. Again he sent to him another captain of 50 and his troop. He said to him, “Follower of God, the Ruler has said, “‘Come down quickly.’“ Elijah answered them, “If I am a follower of God, let fire come down from the sky, and burn up you and your troop. The fire of God came down from the sky, and burned up him and his troop. Again he sent the captain of a third 50 with his troop. The third captain of 50 went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, saying to him, “Follower of God, please let my life, and the life of these 50, your followers, be precious to you. See, fire came down from the sky, and burned up the two former captains of 50 with their troops; but now let my life be precious to you.”
[15-18] The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, “Go down with him; don’t be scared of him.” He got up and went down with him to the Ruler. He said to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Because you’ve sent messengers to ask of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there’s no God in Israel to ask?’ So you won’t get up from the bed where you’re at, but will truly die.” So he died as Yahweh had said which Elijah had told them. Jehoram began to rule in his place in the 2nd year of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Judah; because he had no son. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel.
2[1 -6] When Yahweh was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me as far as Bethel.” Elisha said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I won’t leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The descendants of the preachers who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, saying to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your boss from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it; hold your peace.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to Jericho.” He said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I won’t leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The descendants of the preachers who were at Jericho came to Elisha, saying to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your boss from you today?” He answered, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.” Elijah said to him, “Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to the Jordan.” He said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I won’t leave you.” So they went on together.
[7-11] Fifty of the descendants of the preachers went, and stood watching them very far away; and they two stood by the Jordan. Elijah took his cape, and folded it together, and hit the water, and it divided here and there, so that they two went over on dry ground. When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask me what I should do for you, before I’m taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please put double your spirit on me.” He said, “You’ve asked a hard thing; but if you see me when I’m taken from you, it will be so to you; but if not, it won’t be.” As they still went on, and talked, there appeared a war vehicle of fire, and horses of fire, which separated them; and Elijah went up by a tornado into heaven.
[12 -17] Elisha saw it, and he cried, “My father, my father, the war vehicles of Israel and its riders!” He saw him no more; and he grabbed his own clothes, and tore them in half. Then he took up the cape of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the cape of Elijah that fell from him, and hit the water, saying, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had hit the water, it divided here and there; and Elisha went over. When the descendants of the preachers who were at Jericho which were close by saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah is on Elisha.” They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. They said to him, “See now, there are with your followers 50 soldiers; let them go, we ask, and look for your boss, in case the Spirit of Yahweh has taken him up, and thrown him on some mountain, or into some valley. He said, “You won’t send them.” When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” So they sent the 50 soldiers; and they searched three days, but didn’t find him.
[18-25] They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go?’“ The people of the city said to Elisha, “We ask, the situation of this city is pleasant, as you see; but the water is bad, and the women miscarry. He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” They brought it to him. He came to the creek, and threw salt in it, saying, “Yahweh says, “‘I’ve healed these waters; there won’t be any more death or miscarriages in them.” So the waters were healed until today, just like Elisha had said. He went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the road, some teenagers came out of the city and mocked him, saying to him, “Go up, you old baldy; go up, you baldhead.” He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the Name of Yahweh. Then two mama bears came out of the woods, and killed 42 of those young people. He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he went back to Samaria.
3[1-5] Now Jehoram, son of Ahab, began to rule over Israel in Samaria in the 18th year of Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Judah, and ruled 12 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil, but not like his father and mother, because he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. But he stuck to the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; he didn’t stop doing it. Now Mesha, Ruler of Moab, was a sheep breeder; and he gave to the Ruler of Israel the wool of 100,000 lambs, and of 100,000 rams. But when Ahab was dead, the Ruler of Moab rebelled against the Ruler of Israel.
[6 -12] Ruler Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and called all Israel. He went and sent to Jehoshaphat the Ruler of Judah, saying, “The Ruler of Moab has rebelled against me; will you go with me against Moab to fight?” He said, “I’ll go; I’m as you are, My people as Your people, my horses as your horses.” He said, “Which way will we go?” He answered, “The road to the countryside of Edom.” So the Ruler of Israel, the Ruler of Judah, and the Ruler of Edom went; and they made a trip of seven days’ journey; and there was no water for the troops, nor for the animals that followed them. The Ruler of Israel said, “Ah! for Yahweh has called these three Rulers together to give them into the power of Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a preacher of Yahweh here that we may ask of Yahweh by him?” One of the leaders of Israel ‘s workers answered, “Elisha of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” Jehoshaphat said, “The word of Yahweh is with him.” So the Ruler of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the Ruler of Edom went down to him.
[13-19] Elisha said to the Ruler of Israel, “What have I to do with you?” Go to the preachers of your father and mother. The Ruler of Israel said to him, “No, because Yahweh has called these three rulers together to hand them over to Moab.” Elisha said, “As Yahweh, the God of All Creation lives, before whom I stand, truly were it not that I think of the presence of Jehoshaphat, the Ruler of Judah, I wouldn’t look toward you, nor see you. Now bring me a minstrel. When the minstrel played, the hand of Yahweh came on him. He said, “Yahweh says, “‘Make this valley full of trenches.’ Yahweh says, “‘You won’t see wind, nor will you see rain; still the valley will be filled with water, and you’ll drink, both you and your livestock and your animals.’ This is only a little thing to Yahweh, who will also give the Moabites to you. You’ll fight every protected city, and every choice city, and will cut down every good tree, and stop up all the creeks of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.”
[20-23] In the morning, about the time of making the offering, water came from Edom, and the country was filled with water. Now when all the Moabites heard that the Rulers had come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were old enough to be able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border. They got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water next to them as red as blood; and they said, “This is blood; the Rulers are truly destroyed, and they’ve fought each other; So now, Moab, to the stuff.”
[24-27] When they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites got up and fought the Moabites, so that they ran before them; and they went forward into the land killing the Moabites. They went down to the cities; and on every good piece of land they threw stones, and filled it; and they stopped up all the creeks of water, and cut down all the good trees, until in Kir Hareseth they only left its stones; but the men armed with slings went around it, and fought it. When the Ruler of Moab saw that the battle was too severe for him, he took with him 700 soldiers to break through to the Ruler of Edom; but they couldn’t do it. Then he took his oldest son who would have ruled in his place, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. There was great anger against Israel; and they left from him, and went back to their own land.
4[1 -6] Now a certain woman, a preacher’s wife, came crying to Elisha, saying, “Your follower, my husband, is dead; and you know that he respected Yahweh; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be workers.” Elisha said to her, “What can I do for you? Tell me; what do you have in the house?” She said, “I don’t have anything in the house, except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow empty jars from all your neighbors, and don’t borrow just a few. Then go in and shut the door on you and your sons, and pour out the oil you have into all those jars; and set aside what’s full.” So she went from him and shut the door on her and her sons; they brought the jars to her and she poured out. When the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another jar.” He said to her, “There isn’t another jar;” and the oil stopped. Then she came and told the follower of God and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your sons live off the rest.”
[8-16] One day, Elisha passed to Shunem, where there was a great woman; and she tried to get him to eat. So as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat. She said to her husband, “See, I know that this is a holy follower of God that passes by us continually. Please, let’s make a little room on the wall; and let’s put a bed, a table, a seat, and a lampstand there for him; and when he comes to us, he’ll turn in there.” One day, when he came there, he turned into the room and lay there. He said to Gehazi, his worker, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. He said to him, “Say now to her, “See, you’ve been careful for us with all this care; what’s to be done for you? Would you be spoken for to the Ruler, or to the captain of the troops?” She answered, “I live among my own people.” He said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door. He said, “At this season, when the time comes round, you’ll hold a son.” She said, “No, sir, follower of God, don’t lie to your servant.”
[17-24] The woman got pregnant, and had a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said to her. When the child was grown, one day he went out to his father to the reapers. He said to his father, “My head, my head.” He said to his worker, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. She went up and laid him on the bed of the follower of God, and shut the door on him, and went out. She called to her husband, saying, “Please send me one of the workers, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the follower of God, and come back.” He said, “Why will you go to him today? It’s neither a new moon nor a Seventh Day.” She said, “It will be alright.” Then she saddled a donkey, saying to her worker, “Drive, and go on; don’t slacken off the riding for me, unless I tell you.”
[25-31] So she went, and came to the follower of God to Mount Carmel. When the follower of God saw her very far away, he said to Gehazi his worker, “See, yonder is the Shunammite; please run now to meet her, and ask her, “Is it well with you? is it well with your husband? is it well with the child?” She answered, “It’s well.” When she came to the follower of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came up to throw her away; but the follower of God said, “Let her alone because her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hid it from me, and hasn’t told me.” Then she said, “Did I ask for a son of you, sir? Didn’t I say, ‘Don’t mislead me?’” Then he said to Gehazi, “Put on your belt, and take my walking stick in your hand, and go your way; if you meet anyone, don’t say hello to him; and if anyone says hello to you, don’t answer him back; and lay my walking stick on the face of the child.” The mother of the child said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I won’t leave you.” He got up, and followed her. Gehazi went on before them, and laid the walking stick on the face of the child; but there was no voice, nor hearing. So he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child hasn’t awakened.
[32-37] When Elisha had come into the house, the child was dead, and put in his bed. He went in and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh. He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself on him; and the body of the child grew warm. Then he got up, and walked in the room once back and forth; then he went and stretched himself out on him; and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. He called Gehazi, saying, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Get your son.” Then she went in, and fell at his feet, bowing herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.
[38-41] Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a drought in the land; and the families of the preachers were sitting before him; and he said to his worker, “Put on the big pot, and boil a stew for the families of the preachers. One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered his lap full of wild gourds, and came and shred them into the pot of stew because they didn’t recognize them. So they dished out for the people to eat, and as they were eating the stew, they shouted, saying, “Follower of God, there’s death in the pot.” They couldn’t eat it. But he said, “Then bring meal.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it for the people, that they may eat,” And there was no harm in the pot.
[42-44] Someone came from Baal Shalishah, and brought the follower of God bread of the firstfruits, 20 loaves of barley bread, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, “Give it to the people that they may eat.” His worker said, “What, should I put this before a hundred people? But he said, “Give it to the people that they may eat, because Yahweh says, “‘They’ll eat and have some left over.’“ So he set it before them, and they ate, and had some left, as Yahweh had told them.
5[1-6] Now Naaman, captain of the troops of the Ruler of Syria was a great man with his boss, and honorable, because by him, Yahweh had given victory to Syria; he was also a very brave soldier, but he was a leper. The Syrians had gone out in troops, and had taken a young girl away prisoner out of the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, I wish that sir were with the preacher who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his skin disease. Someone went in, and told his leader, saying, “This and this said the girl who is of the land of Israel. The Ruler of Syria said, “Go now, and I’ll send a letter to the Ruler of Israel.” He left, and took with him 750 lbs. of silver, and 6,000 gold coins, and ten changes of clothing. He brought the letter to the Ruler of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter comes to you, I’ve sent Naaman, my soldier to you, that you may heal him of his skin disease.”
[7-10] When the Ruler of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, saying, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal someone of a skin disease? But think about it, I ask, and see how he’s looking for a quarrel against me. When Elisha, the follower of God, heard that the Ruler of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the Ruler, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he’ll know that there’s a preacher in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and with his war vehicles, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your skin will come back to you, and you’ll be well.”
[11-13] But Naaman was angry, and went away, saying, “See, I thought he would at least come out to me, and stand, and call on the Name of Yahweh God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal me.” Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be healed? So he turned and went away in great anger. His workers came, saying to him, “Sir, if the preacher had bid you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much more then, when he only says to you, “Wash, and be healed?”
[14 -19] Then he went down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, as the follower of God had said; and his skin came again like the skin of a little child, and he was well. He went back to the follower of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there’s no god in all the earth, but in Israel; So now, please take a present from Your follower.” But he said, “As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I’ll take nothing from you.” He urged him to take it; but he refused. Naaman said, “If not, still, please let there be given to your follower two mules’ loads of earth because your follower will from here on out offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh only. In this thing Yahweh will forgive your follower; when my boss goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Yahweh will forgive your follower in this thing.” He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he left from him, going a little way.
[20-27] But Gehazi, the worker of Elisha, the follower of God, thought, “My boss has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands what he brought; so as Yahweh lives, I’ll run after him, and take something from him.” So Gehazi chased after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the war vehicle to meet him, saying, “Is everything okay?” He said, “Everything is okay.” My boss has sent me, saying, “See, just now there have come to me from the hillsides of Ephraim, two young people of the descendants of the preachers; please give them 75 lbs. of silver, and two changes of clothing.” Naaman said, “Be pleased to take 150 lbs. He urged him, and tied 150 lbs. of silver in two bags with two changes of clothing, and gave it to two of his workers; and they walked with it before him. When he came to the hill, he took it from their hand, and put it in the house; and he let the men go, and they left. But he went in and stood before his boss. Elisha said to him, “Where have you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your follower went nowhere.” He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his war vehicle to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and clothes, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cows, and male and female workers? So the skin disease of Naaman will stick to you, and to your descendants forever. He went out from him with leprosy, as white as snow.
6[1 -7] The descendants of the preachers said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we live before you is too small for us. Let us go, we ask, to the Jordan, and everyone take a beam there, and let us make a place there, where we may live.” He answered, “Go.” One said, “Be pleased, I ask, to go with your followers.” He answered, “I’ll go.” So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was cutting a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he shouted, saying, “Ah, boss!” Because it was borrowed. The follower of God said, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. Elisha cut down a stick, and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, “Get it.” So he reached out his hand, and took it.
[8-13] Now the Ruler of Syria was at war against Israel; and he counseled with his people, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” The follower of God sent to the Ruler of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass such a place because the Syrians are coming down there. The Ruler of Israel sent to the place which the follower of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once nor twice. The heart of the Ruler of Syria was very troubled for this thing; and he called his workers, saying to them, “Show me which of us is for the Ruler of Israel?” One of his workers said, “No, sir, O Ruler; but Elisha, the preacher who is in Israel, tells the Ruler of Israel the words that you speak in private.” He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him, saying, “He’s in Dothan.”
[14 -19] So he sent horses, and war vehicles there, and a great troop; and they came by night, and surrounded the city. When the worker of the follower of God had gotten up early, and gone out, an army with horses and war vehicles was around the city. His worker said to him, “Ah, boss! What will we do?” He answered, “Don’t be scared because those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, saying, “Yahweh, Please open his eyes, so that he may see.” Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and war vehicles of fire around Elisha. When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So God made them blind according to the word of Elisha. Elisha said to them, “This isn’t the way, nor is this the city; follow me, and I’ll bring you to the one for whom you look.” He led them to Samaria.
[20-23] When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “Yahweh, give these men their sight, that they may see.” Yahweh gave them their sight, and they saw that they were in the midst of Samaria. The Ruler of Israel said to Elisha, “When he saw them, “Preacher, should I fight them? Should I fight them?” He answered, “Don’t fight them; would you fight those whom you’ve taken prisoner with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and go to their leader.” He made a great meal for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their leader. The troops of Syria didn’t come into the land of Israel anymore.
[24 -29] After this, Benhadad, Ruler of Syria gathered all his troops, and went up, and surrounded Samaria. There was a great lack of food in Samaria; and they surrounded it, until a donkey’s head was sold for 80 silver coins, and a pint of dove’s waste for five silver coins. As the Ruler of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman shouted to him, saying, “Help, sir, O Ruler.” He said, “If Yahweh doesn’t help you, how can I help you, either out of the place of harvest, or out of the winepress?” The Ruler said to her, “What’s the matter?” She answered, “This woman said to me, “Give your child, that we may eat today, and we’ll eat my child tomorrow.” So we boiled my child, and ate; and I said to her on the next day, “Give your child, that we may eat; and she has hid hers’.”
[30-33] When the Ruler heard what the woman said, “he tore his clothes in grief (now he was passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and he had mourning clothes inside on his skin. Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha of Shaphat will stay on him today.” But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him; and the Ruler sent someone from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “See how this murderer has sent to cut off my head? When the messenger comes, shut the door, and lock it against him; his leader is right behind him!” While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him, followed by the Ruler, who said, “See, this evil is of Yahweh; why should I wait for Yahweh to help us any longer?”
7[1 -4] Elisha said, “Listen to the word of Yahweh; Yahweh says, “‘Tomorrow about this time, 6 bushels of finely ground flour and 12 bushels of barley will be sold for a silver coin, in the gate of Samaria.” Then the captain on whose hand the Ruler leaned answered the follower of God, saying, “If Yahweh should make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” Elisha said, “You’ll see it with your eyes, but you won’t eat it.” Now there were four men who had a skin disease at the entrance of the gate; and they said to each other, “Why do we sit here until we die? If we say we’ll go into the city, then there is a lack of food in the city, and we’ll die there; and if we sit here we’ll still die. So come, and let’s go to the troops of the Syrians; if they save us alive we’ll live; and if they kill us, we’ll only die.”
[5 -8] They got up in the dusk, to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, there was no one there. Yahweh had made the troops of the Syrians to hear a noise of war vehicles, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great troop; and they said to each other, “The Ruler of Israel has hired against us the Rulers of the Hittites and the Egyptians, to come against us.” So they got up and ran in the dusk, and left their tents, their horses and donkeys, and left the camp just as it was, and ran for their life. When the sick men came to the edge of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold, and clothes, and went and hid it; and they came back, and went into another tent, and took stuff from there also, and went and hid it.
[9 -13] Then they said to each other, We aren’t doing right. Today is a day of good news, and we haven’t told anyone; if we wait until the morning light, we’ll be punished; So come, let’s go and tell the Ruler’s household. So they came and called to the guard of the city; and they told them, saying, “We came to the camp of the Syrians, and there was no one there, nor the voice of a human being, but the horses and donkeys were tied up, and the tents were left just as they were. He called the doorkeepers; and they told it to the Ruler’s household inside. The Ruler got up in the night, saying to his workers, “I’ll tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we’re hungry; so they’ve gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, “‘When they come out of the city we’ll take them alive, and get into the city.’“ One of his workers answered, “Please let some take five of the horses that are left in the city (they’re just as the people of Israel who are left in it; they’re just as the people of Israel, who are as good as dead); and let’s go and see.”
[14-20] So they took two war vehicles with horses; and the Ruler sent after the troops of the Syrians, saying, “Go and see.” They followed them to the Jordan; and all the road was full of clothes and pots, which the Syrians had thrown away in their hurry. The messengers went back, and told the Ruler. The people went out, and took everything from the camp of the Syrians. So 6 bushels of finely ground flour and 12 bushels of barley was sold for a silver coin, as Yahweh had said. The Ruler put the captain on whose hand he leaned in charge of the gate; and the people trampled on him in the gate, and he died as the follower of God had said, “ when the Ruler came down to him. It happened just as the follower of God had said to the Ruler, 12 bushels of barley and 6 bushels of finely ground flour will be sold for a silver coin tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria; and the captain had answered the follower of God, saying, “If Yahweh made windows in heaven, could this really happen?” And just as he said, “You’ll see it with your eyes, but won’t eat it; it happened to him because the people trampled on him in the gate, and he died.
8[1 -6] Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Get up, and go you and your household, and stay wherever you can stay because Yahweh has called for a famine; and it will also come on the land seven years.” The woman did what the follower of God told her; and she went with her household, and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years. At the end of seven years, the woman went back out of the land of the Philistines; and she came to cry to the Ruler for her house and land. Now the Ruler was talking with Gehazi the worker of the follower of God, saying, “Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done. As he was telling the Ruler how he had brought back to life him who was dead, the woman whose son he had brought back to life, cried to the Ruler for her house and land. Gehazi said, “O Ruler, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha brought back to life.” When the Ruler asked the woman, she told him. So the Ruler told an official, saying, “Give back what was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land until now.”
[7-15] Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad, the Ruler of Syria, was sick; and it was told him, saying, “The follower of God is here. The Ruler said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the follower of God, and ask of Yahweh by him, saying, “‘Will I recover of this sickness?’” So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, some of everything good of Damascus, 40 camels’ loads, and came and stood before him, saying, “Benhadad, Ruler of Syria, has sent me to you, saying, “‘Will I recover of this sickness?’” Elisha said to him, “Go, tell him, ‘You’ll truly recover; But Yahweh has shown me that he’ll truly die.’“ He looked straight at him, until he was ashamed; and the follower of God began to cry. Hazael said, “Why do you cry, sir?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you’ll do to the people of Israel; you’ll set on fire their forts, and you’ll kill their soldiers, and will cut in pieces their babies, and rip up their pregnant women.” Hazael said, “But what am I, who am nothing but a dog, that I could do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “Yahweh has shown me that you’ll be Ruler over Syria.” Then he left from Elisha, and came to his boss; who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” He answered, “He told me that you’ll truly recover.” On the next day, he took the cover, and dipped it in water, and put it on his face, and smothered him to death; and Hazael ruled in his place.
[16 -22] In the 5th year of Joram, son of Ahab, Ruler of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then Ruler of Judah, Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Judah, began to rule. He was 32 years old when he began to rule, and ruled eight years in Jerusalem. He did like the Rulers of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, because he had the daughter of Ahab as wife; and he did what Yahweh said was evil. But Yahweh wouldn’t destroy Judah, for David, God’s follower’s sake, as God promised to give him a lamp for his children always. In his days, Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a ruler over themselves. Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his war vehicles with him; and he got up by night, and fought the Edomites who surrounded him, and the leaders of the war vehicles; and the people ran to their tents. So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah until today. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
[23 -29] The rest of the acts of Joram, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. Joram died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David; and Ahaziah, his son, ruled in his place. In the 12th year of Joram, son of Ahab, Ruler of Israel, Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, Ruler of Judah, began to rule. Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began to rule, and ruled one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri, Ruler of Israel. He did like the house of Ahab, and did what Yahweh said was evil, as did the house of Ahab, because he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. He went with Joram to war against Hazael, Ruler of Syria, at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. Ruler Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael. Ahaziah, Ruler of Judah, went down to see Joram in Jezreel, because he was sick.
9[1 -10] Elisha, the preacher, called one of the descendants of the preachers, saying to him, “Put on your belt, and take this bottle of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, of Nimshi, and go in, and make him leave from among his family, and carry him to an inner room. Then take the bottle of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘Yahweh says, “I’ve anointed you Ruler over Israel.’ Then open the door, and run, and don’t wait.” So the young preacher went to Ramoth Gilead. When he came, the troop leaders were sitting; and he said, “I have an errand to you, captain.” Jehu said, “To which of us all?” He said, “To you, captain.” He got up, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “‘I’ve anointed you Ruler over the people of Yahweh, over all Israel. You’ll fight the house of Ahab, your boss, that I may avenge the blood of My followers, the preachers, and the blood of all the followers of Yahweh, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab will die; and I’ll put an end to every boy from Ahab, both him who is shut up and him who is free in Israel. I’ll make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam, of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha, of Ahijah. The dogs will eat Jezebel in Jezreel, and there won’t be anyone to bury her.” He opened the door and ran.
[11 -15] Then Jehu came out to the workers of his leader; and one said to him, “Is everything okay? Why did this crazy person come to you?” He said to them, “You know the man and what he said.” They said, “That’s not true; tell us now.” He said, “This and this he said to me, “and Yahweh says, “‘I’ve anointed you Ruler over Israel.’“ Then they hurried, and took their clothes, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew the horn, saying, “Jehu is Ruler.” So Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, of Nimshi, schemed against Joram. (Now Joram was keeping Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael, Ruler of Syria; but Ruler Joram had gone back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him when he fought with Hazael.) Jehu said, “If this be your minds, then let no one escape and go out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel.”
[16-20] So Jehu rode in a war vehicle, and went to Jezreel because Joram lay there. Ahaziah, Ruler of Judah, had come down to see Joram. Now the guard was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the group of Jehu as he came, saying, “I see a group.” Joram said, “Send a rider to meet them, and ask, “Do you come in peace?” So there went someone on horseback to meet him, saying, “The Ruler asks, ‘Do you come in peace?’” Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Get behind me.” The guard said, “The messenger came to them, but he isn’t coming back.” Then he sent out a second one on horseback who came to them, saying, “The Ruler asks, ‘Do you come in peace?’” Jehu answered, “What do you have to do with peace? Get behind me.” The guard said, “He came to them, and isn’t coming back; and the driving is like that of Jehu of Nimshi, because he drives furiously.”
[21 -28] Joram said, “Get ready.” They got ready his war vehicle. Joram, Ruler of Israel, and Ahaziah, Ruler of Judah, went out in their war vehicles to meet Jehu, and reached him in the land of Naboth, the Jezreelite. When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Do you come in peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the whoring of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft continues?” Joram turned his hands, and ran, saying to Ahaziah, “There is treason, Ahaziah.” Jehu drew his bow with all his strength, and hit Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his war vehicle. Then Jehu said to Bidkar, his captain, “Take him and throw him in the field of Naboth, the Jezreelite, because remember when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, what Yahweh said about him; ‘Truly I’ve seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons,’ says Yahweh; ‘and I’ll punished you in this place,’ says Yahweh. So now take and throw him into that plot of ground, as Yahweh has said. But when Ahaziah, the Ruler of Judah, saw this, he ran by the road of the garden house. Jehu followed after him, saying, “Shoot him also in the war vehicle; and they shot him at the rise of Gur, which is by Ibleam. He ran to Megiddo, and died there. His workers carried him in a war vehicle to Jerusalem, and buried him in his grave with his ancestors in the city of David.
[29-36] In the 11th year of Joram of Ahab, Ahaziah began to rule over Judah. When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard it; and she put on her makeup, and fixed her hair, putting on her crown, and looked out the window. As Jehu went in the gate, she said, “Had Zimri peace, who murdered his boss?” He looked up to the window, saying, “Who is on my side?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down; and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses; and he trampled her under foot. When he had come in, he ate and drank; and he said, “Go take care of that accursed woman, and bury her because she is a Ruler’s daughter.” They went to bury her; but they found nothing left of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. So they came back, and told him. He said, “This is the word of Yahweh, Who said by his worker Elijah, the Tishbite, ‘In Jezreel, the dogs will eat the body of Jezebel; and the body of Jezebel will be as waste on the ground in Jezreel, so that they won’t be able to say, “This is Jezebel.”
10[1-5] Now Ahab had 70 sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters, and sent them to Samaria to the Rulers of Jezreel, all the elders, and to those who brought up the children of Ahab, saying, “Now as soon as this letter comes to you, seeing your boss’s sons are with you, and there are with you war vehicles and horses, a protected city also, and armor; look out the best and strongest of your boss’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your boss’s house.” But they were very scared, saying, “See, the two Rulers didn’t face him; how then will we stand?” Those who were over the household, and those who were over the city, the elders also, and those who brought up the children sent to Jehu, saying, “We’re your followers, and will do what you tell us; we won’t make anyone Ruler; you do whatever you see is good.
[6 -10] Then he wrote a second letter to them, saying, “If you’re on my side, and if you’ll listen to me, take the heads of your boss’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the Ruler’s sons, being 70 persons, were with the leaders of the city who brought them up. When the letter came to them, they took all 70 of the Ruler’s sons, and killed them, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him to Jezreel. A messenger came and told him, saying, “They’ve brought the heads of the Ruler’s sons.” He said, “Lay them in two piles at the entrance of the gate until the morning. In the morning, he went out and stood saying to all the people, “You’re good people; see, I schemed against my boss and killed him; but who killed all these? Know now that nothing of the word of Yahweh, which Yahweh said about the house of Ahab will fail because Yahweh has done what we were told by God’s follower Elijah.”
[11-14] So Jehu fought what was left of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, all his great men, his best friends, and his preachers until none were left. He left and went to Samaria. As he was at the shearing house of the shepherds in the way, Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah, Ruler of Judah, saying, “Who are you?” They answered, “We’re the brothers of Ahaziah; and we go down to meet the people of the Ruler and the queen.” He said, “Take them alive.” They took them alive, and killed them at the pit of the shearing house, he killed all 42 soldiers, leaving none of them.
[15 -19] When he had left there, he came up on Jehonadab, son of Rechab, coming to meet him; and he greeted him, asking him, “Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?” Jehonadab answered, “It is. If it’s so, give me your hand.” He gave him his hand and took him up to him into the war vehicle. He said, “Come with me, and see my passion for Yahweh.” So they made him ride in his war vehicle. When he came to Samaria, he fought all who were left to Ahab in Samaria, until he had destroyed them, as Yahweh told them by Elijah. Jehu gathered all the people together, saying to them, “Ahab worshiped Baal only a little; but Jehu will serve him much. So now call to me all the preachers of Baal, all his worshippers, and all his preachers; let no one be missing because I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whoever is missing won’t live. But Jehu was secretly planning to destroy all the worshippers of Baal.
[20 -29] Jehu said, “Dedicate a solemn assembly for Baal.” They called for it. Jehu sent through all Israel; and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there wasn’t anyone left that didn’t come. They came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other. He said to the one who was over the robes, “Bring out the robes for all the worshippers of Baal.” He brought them out. Jehu and Jehonadab, son of Rechab, went into the house of Baal; and he said to the worshippers of Baal, “Search and make sure that there aren’t here with you any of the workers of Yahweh, but only the worshippers of Baal.” They went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had put 80 soldiers outside, saying, “If anyone whom I bring to you escapes, those who let him go will give their life for his.” As soon as he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and captains, “Go in and kill them; let no one escape.” They stabbed them with the blade of a sword; and the guard and the captains threw them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. They brought out the pillars that were in the house of Baal, and burned them. They broke down the pillar of Baal and the house of Baal and made it a public toilet until today. So Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. But from the sins of Jeroboam of Nebat with which he made Israel to sin, Jehu didn’t stop doing them, that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and Dan.
[30 -36] Yahweh said to Jehu, “Because you’ve done well in doing what’s right to Me, and have done to the house of Ahab like what was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation will sit on the throne of Israel.” But Jehu wasn’t careful to follow the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he didn’t stop the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin. In those days, Yahweh began to take land from Israel; and Hazael fought them in all the borders of Israel; from the Jordan going east, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan. Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and what he did, and all his strength, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Jehu died; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz, his son, ruled in his place. Jehu ruled over Israel in Samaria for 28 years.
11[1-3] Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she got up and killed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of Ruler Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, son of Ahaziah, and hid him from among the Ruler’s sons who were killed, both him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he wasn’t killed; He was hid with her in the Place of Worship of Yahweh for six years. Athaliah ruled over the land.
[4-8] In the 7th year, Jehoiada sent for the captains over hundreds of the soldiers of the guard, and brought them to him into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and he made an agreement with them, and made them make a promise in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and showed them the Ruler’s son. He told them, “This is what you’ll do; a third of you who come in on the Seventh Day, will be guards of the Ruler’s house; a third will be guards at the gate Sur; and a third at the gate behind the guard; so you’ll keep watch of the house, and be a barrier. The two companies of you, all who go out on the Seventh Day, will keep watch of the Place of Worship of Yahweh around the Ruler. You’ll surround the Ruler with your weapons in hand; and those who come within the ranks, let them be killed; and be with the Ruler when he goes out, and when he comes in.”
[9-12] The captains over hundreds did what Jehoiada, the preacher, said; and they each took their guards, those who were to come in on the Seventh Day, with those who were to go out on the Seventh Day, and came to Jehoiada. The preacher gave the spears and shields that had been Ruler David’s, which were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh to the captains over hundreds. The guard stood with their weapons in hand, from the right to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, surrounding the Ruler. Then he brought out the Ruler’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the Word of God; and they made him Ruler, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, saying, “Long live the Ruler.”
[13-16] When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and when she looked, the Ruler stood by the pillar, as the way was, and the captains and the horns by the Ruler; and all the people of the land were happy and blew horns. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and shouted, “Treason! treason!” Jehoiada, the preacher, told the captains of hundreds who were set over the troops, “Have her go between the ranks; and whoever follows her kill her.” The preacher said, “Don’t let her be killed in the Place of Worship of Yahweh.” So they made way for her; and she went by the road of the horses’ entry to the Ruler’s house; and there she was killed.
[17-21] Jehoiada made an agreement between Yahweh and the Ruler and the people, that they should be Yahweh’s people; between the Ruler also and the people. All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down; they completely broke the altars and images in pieces, and killed Mattan, the preacher of Baal before the altars. The preacher set officials over the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He took the captains over hundreds, and the soldiers of the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought the Ruler down from the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and came by the road of the gate of the guard to the Ruler’s house. He sat on the throne of the Rulers. So all the people of the land were happy, and the city was quiet. They killed Athaliah with the sword at the Ruler’s house. Joash was seven years old when he began to rule.
12[1-5] In the 7th year of Jehu, Joash began to rule, and ruled 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what Yahweh said was right all his days in which Jehoiada, the preacher, taught him. But the places of false worship weren’t taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship. Joash said to the preachers, “All the money that is dedicated that is brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, in tax money that is owed, and all the money that anyone plans to give and brings into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, let the preachers take it, each from their people; and they’ll fix whatever is broken of the house, wherever anything broken is found.
[6-10] But in the 23rd year of Ruler Joash, the preachers hadn’t fixed what was broken of the house. Then Ruler Joash called for Jehoiada, the preacher, and for the other preachers, saying to them, “Why don’t you fix what’s broken of the house? So now, take no more money for your people, but give it to fix whatever’s broken of the house. The preachers agreed to take no more money for their people, but to use it to fix what was broken of the house. But Jehoiada took a chest, and had a hole put in the lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as you come into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and the preachers who kept the doorway put in it all the money that was brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. It was planned when they saw that the money filled the chest, that the Ruler’s secretary and the lead preacher came, and they put the money in bags and counted what was taken from the Place of Worship of Yahweh.
[11-16] They gave the money that was counted to those who did the work, who had the oversight of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they paid it out to the woodworkers and builders, who worked on the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and to the stone builders and stonecutters, and for buying wood and hewn stone to fix what was broken of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and for what was planned for the house to fix it. But cups of silver, snuffers, bowls, horns, any pots of gold, or pots of silver weren’t made of the money that was brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; but they gave that to those who did the work, and built with it the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Besides this, they didn’t ask an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to give to those who did the work because they did what was right. The money for the sin and guilt offerings wasn’t brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; it was given to the preachers.
[17-21] Then Hazael, Ruler of Syria, went and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael made up his mind to go up to Jerusalem. Joash, Ruler of Judah, took all the holy things that Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his ancestors, Rulers of Judah, had dedicated, and his own holy things, and all the gold that was in the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the Ruler’s house, and sent it to Hazael; and he went away from Jerusalem. Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. His workers made a plan, and killed Joash at the house of Millo on the road that goes down to Silla. Jozacar of Shimeath, and Jehozabad of Shomer, his workers, killed him; and they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David; and Amaziah, his son, ruled in his place.
13[1-9] In the 23rd year of Joash, son of Ahaziah, Ruler of Judah, Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, began to rule over Israel in Samaria, and ruled 17 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil, and followed the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; he didn’t stop doing it. Yahweh was angry at Israel, and handed them over to Hazael, Ruler of Syria, and into the power of Benhadad, son of Hazael, continually. Jehoahaz begged Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him and saw how the Ruler of Syria abused Israel. (Yahweh gave Israel a hero, so that they came out from under the power of the Syrians; and the people of Israel lived in peace as before. But they didn’t stop doing the sins of the house of Jeroboam with which he made Israel to sin, but followed it; and left the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal) also in Samaria.) Yahweh God only left Jehoahaz 50 riders, ten war vehicles, and 10,000 foot soldiers because the Ruler of Syria killed them, and made them like dust in the wind. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and what he did, and his strength, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Jehoahaz died; and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son ruled in his place.
[10-13] In the 37th year of Joash, Ruler of Judah, Joash, son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in Samaria, and ruled 16 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil; he didn’t stop doing all the sins of Jeroboam of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he followed in it. Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and what he did, and his strength with which he fought against Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Joash died; and Jeroboam sat on his throne; and Joash was buried in Samaria with the Rulers of Israel.
[14-19] Now Elisha was sick with the sickness of which he died; and Joash, Ruler of Israel came down to him, and cried over him, saying, “My father, my father, the war vehicles of Israel and its riders!” Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows;” And he took a bow and arrows. He said to the Ruler of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow;” And he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the Ruler’s hands and said, “Open the east window;” And he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot;” And he shot. He said, “Yahweh’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria because you’ll fight the Syrians in Aphek, until you’ve killed them all.” He said, “Take the arrows;” And he took them. He said to the Ruler of Israel, “Hit on the ground;” And he hit three times, and stopped. The follower of God was angry with him, saying, “You should have hit five or six times; then you would have fought Syria until you had destroyed it, but now you’ll fight Syria but three times.”
[20-25] Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the troops of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming of the new year. As they were burying him, they saw a troop; and they threw a body into the grave of Elisha; and as soon as the body touched the bones of Elisha, the man revived, and stood up. Hazael, Ruler of Syria, abused Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But Yahweh was graceful to them, and had compassion on them, and showed respect to them, because of the promised agreement with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and wouldn’t destroy them, nor did God throw them away yet. Hazael died; and Benhadad his son ruled in his place. Joash, son of Jehoahaz, took again from Benhadad, son of Hazael, the cities which he had taken from Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash fought him, and took back the cities of Israel.
14[1-6] Amaziah, son of Joash, Ruler of Judah, began to rule in the 2nd year of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, Ruler of Israel. He was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin from Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was right, still not like David his ancestor; he did like what Joash, his father, had done. The places of false worship weren’t taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship. As soon as the country was put in his control, he killed his workers who had killed the Ruler, his father; but the families of the murderers he didn’t put to death; like what’s written in the book of The Law of Moses, as Yahweh had told them, saying, “The fathers won’t be killed for the children, nor the children killed for the fathers; but everyone will die for their own sin.”
[7-10] He killed 10,000 of Edom in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, until today. Then Amaziah sent messengers to Joash, son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, Ruler of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s face each other.” Joash, the Ruler of Israel, sent to Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, “‘Give your daughter to my son as wife; and a wild animal passed by that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thistle. You’ve truly fought Edom, and your heart has lifted you up; You have your glory; stay at home. Why should you mess with trouble and fall, you, and Judah with you?”
[11-15] But Amaziah wouldn’t listen. So Joash, Ruler of Israel, went up; and he and Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, faced each other at Beth Shemesh, in Judah. Judah was beaten by Israel; and they all ran home. Joash, Ruler of Israel, took Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, son of Joash, son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, 600 feet in length. He took all the gold and silver, and all the pots that were found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the Ruler’s house, hostages also, and went back to Samaria. Now the rest of the acts of Joash, which he did, and his strength, and how he fought with Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel.
[16-20] Joash died and was buried in Samaria with the Rulers of Israel; and Jeroboam, his son, ruled in his place. Amaziah, son of Joash, Ruler of Judah, lived after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, Ruler of Israel, 15 years. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. They came together against him in Jerusalem; and he ran to Lachish; but they sent after him there, and killed him. They brought him on horses and buried him at Jerusalem with his ancestors in the city of David.
[21-25] All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was 16 years old, and made him Ruler in place of his father, Amaziah. He built Elath, and gave it back to Judah, after the Ruler died. In the 15th year of Amaziah, son of Joash, Ruler of Judah, Jeroboam, son of Joash, Ruler of Israel, began to rule in Samaria, and ruled 41 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil; he didn’t stop doing all the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. He gave back the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had said by his worker Jonah, son of Amittai, the preacher, who was of Gath Hepher.
[26 -29] For Yahweh saw the trouble of Israel was very hard because there was no one, whether imprisoned or free, to help Israel. Yahweh wouldn’t wipe out the name of Israel from under heaven, but saved them by the hand of Jeroboam, son of Joash. Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and what he did, and his strength, how he fought, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Jeroboam died along with the Rulers of Israel; and Zechariah, his son, ruled in his place.
15[1-7] Azariah, son of Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, began to rule in the 27th year of Jeroboam, Ruler of Israel. He was 16 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was right, like what his father, Amaziah, had done. But the places of false worship weren’t taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship. Yahweh made the Ruler a leper to the day of his death, who lived in a separate house. Jotham, the Ruler’s son, was over the household, judging the people of the land. Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. Azariah died; and they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David; and Jotham, his son, ruled in his place.
[8-16] In the 38th year of Azariah, Ruler of Judah, Zechariah, son of Jeroboam, ruled over Israel in Samaria six months. He did what Yahweh said was evil, as his ancestors had done; he didn’t stop doing the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. Then Shallum, son of Jabesh, schemed against him, and fought him before the people, and killed him, and ruled in his place. Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. This was the word of Yahweh, which was said to Jehu, saying, “Your sons to the fourth generation will sit on the throne of Israel.” Shallum, son of Jabesh, began to rule in the 39th year of Uzziah, Ruler of Judah, and ruled for a month in Samaria. Menahem of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and fought Shallum of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him, and ruled in his place. Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his scheme, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Then Menahem fought Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its borders from Tirzah; because they didn’t open to him, so he fought it; and all the pregnant women in it he ripped open.
[17-22] Menahem, son of Gadi, began to rule over Israel in the 39th year of Azariah, Ruler of Judah, and ruled ten years in Samaria. He did what Yahweh said was evil; he didn’t stop all his days from doing the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. Pul, the Ruler of Assyria, came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul 750,000 lbs. of silver, that he would be with him to confirm the countries in his hand. Menahem taxed Israel, all the people of great wealth, of each one 50 silver coins, to give to the Ruler of Assyria. So the Ruler of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land. Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel. Menahem died; and Pekahiah, his son, ruled in his place.
[23-26] Pekahiah, son of Menahem, began to rule over Israel in Samaria in the 50th year of Azariah, Ruler of Judah, and ruled two years. He did what Yahweh said was evil; he didn’t stop doing the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. Pekah, son of Remaliah, his captain, schemed against him, and fought him in Samaria, in the tower of the Ruler’s house, with Argob and Arieh and 50 of the Gileadites; and he killed him, and ruled in his place. Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel.
[27-31] Pekah, son of Remaliah began to rule over Israel in Samaria in the 52nd year of Azariah, Ruler of Judah, and ruled 20 years. He did what Yahweh said was evil; he didn’t stop doing the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. In the days of Pekah, Ruler of Israel, Tiglath Pileser, Ruler of Assyria, came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he took them prisoner to Assyria. Hoshea, son of Elah, came together against Pekah, and fought him, and killed him, and ruled in his place, in the 20th year of Jotham, son of Uzziah. Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Israel.
[32-38] Jotham, son of Uzziah, Ruler of Judah, began to rule in the 2nd year of Pekah, son of Remaliah, Ruler of Israel. He was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. He did what Yahweh said was right like what his father Uzziah had done. But the places of false worship weren’t taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense in the places of false worship. He built the upper gate of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and what he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. In those days, Yahweh began to send Rezin, the Ruler of Syria, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, against Judah. Jotham died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David; and Ahaz, his son, ruled in his place.
16[1-5] In the 17th year of Pekah, son of Remaliah, Ahaz, son of Jotham, Ruler of Judah, began to rule. Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 16 years in Jerusalem; and he didn’t do what Yahweh God said was right, like David his father. But he did like the Rulers of Israel, yes, and sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the horrible sins of the nations, whom Yahweh threw out from before the people of Israel. He sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship, and on the hills, and under evergreen trees. Then Rezin, Ruler of Syria, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, Ruler of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to fight; and they surrounded Ahaz, but couldn’t overcome him.
[6-11] At that time, Rezin got Elath back for Syria, and drove the Jews away from it; the Syrians came and lived in Elath, until today. So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser, Ruler of Assyria, saying, “I’m your follower and as your son; come up, and save me from the Ruler of Syria, and from the Ruler of Israel, who are fighting against me. Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the Ruler’s house, and sent it for a present to the Ruler of Assyria. The Ruler of Assyria listened to him; and went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried its people prisoner to Kir, and killed Rezin. Ruler Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and Ruler Ahaz sent to Urijah, the preacher, the design of the altar, and its plan, according to all its workmanship. Urijah built an altar; like what Ruler Ahaz had sent from Damascus, making it for the coming of Ruler Ahaz from Damascus.
[12 -16] When the Ruler had come from Damascus, he saw the altar, and came, and offered on it. He made his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, on the altar. The brass altar, which was before Yahweh, he brought from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and put it on the north side of his altar. Ruler Ahaz told Urijah, the preacher, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening meal offering, and the Ruler’s burnt offering, and meal offering with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the brass altar will be for me to pray on.” So Urijah did what Ruler Ahaz told him.
[17-20] Ruler Ahaz took the borders of the bases, and took the bowl from off them, and took down the sea from off the brass cows that were under it, and put it on a pavement of stone. The covered walkway for the Seventh Day that they had built in the house, and the Ruler’s entry outside, he took from the Place of Worship of Yahweh, because of the Ruler of Assyria. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. Ahaz died, and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David; and Hezekiah, his son, ruled in his place.
17[1-4] Hoshea, son of Elah, began to rule in Samaria over Israel in the 12th year of Ahaz, Ruler of Judah, and ruled nine years. He did what Yahweh said was evil, still not as the Rulers of Israel who were before him. Shalmaneser, Ruler of Assyria, came to fight against him; and Hoshea became his subject, and brought him taxes. The Ruler of Assyria caught Hoshea making plans against him, because he had sent messengers to the Ruler of Egypt, and offered no taxes to the Ruler of Assyria, as he had done each year; so the Ruler of Assyria shut him up in prison.
[5-12] Then the Ruler of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and surrounded it for three years. In the 9th year of Hoshea, the Ruler of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because the people of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of the Ruler of Egypt, and had worshiped other gods, and followed the laws of the nations, whom Yahweh threw out from before the people of Israel, and the laws of the Rulers of Israel, which they had made. The people of Israel secretly did things that weren’t right against Yahweh their God; and they built places of false worship in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the protected city; and they set up pillars and false fertility gods, the Asherim, on every high hill, and under evergreen trees; and they burnt incense in all the places of false worship, as did the nations whom Yahweh threw out before them; and they did sinful things to make Yahweh very angry; and they served false gods, of which Yahweh had said to them, “Don’t do this thing.”
[13-17] Still, Yahweh spoke to Israel and Judah, by every preacher, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My words and laws, according to all that I told your ancestors, and which I sent to you by My followers, the preachers. They wouldn’t listen though, but became stubborn, like the neck of their ancestors, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God. They rejected God’s laws and judgments, which were given them, and the promised agreement that God made with their ancestors; and they followed false gods, and became useless, and followed the nations that were around them, about whom Yahweh had told them that they shouldn’t do like them. They left all the words of Yahweh their God, and made false gods, the two golden calves, and made an Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), and worshiped all the stars of the sky, and served Baal. They made their sons and daughters be sacrifices in the fire, and used witchcraft and cast spells, and sold themselves to do what Yahweh said was evil, to make God angry.
[18 -23] So Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and took them away; there was no one left but the family group of Judah. Also Judah didn’t keep the words of Yahweh God, but followed the laws of Israel which they made. Yahweh threw out all the people of Israel, and troubled them, and handed them over to raiders, until he had thrown them all out of God’s presence. God tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam, son of Nebat, Ruler; and Jeroboam stopped Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. The people of Israel followed all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t stop doing them; until Yahweh took Israel out of the presence of God, as all God’s followers, the preachers, had told them. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria until today.
[24-29] The Ruler of Assyria brought men from Babylon (Iraq, Iran), Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel; and they took Samaria, and lived in its cities. So when they first began to live there, they didn’t respect Yahweh; so Yahweh sent lions on them, which killed some of them. So they said to the Ruler of Assyria, “The nations which you’ve carried away, and placed in the cities of Samaria, don’t know the law of the God of the land, who has sent lions on them, and they kill them, because they don’t know the law of the God of the land. Then the Ruler of Assyria told them, “Carry one of the preachers, whom you brought from there; and let them go and live there, and let him teach them the law of the God of the land. So one of the preachers, whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they should worship Yahweh. But every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the places of false worship which the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities where they lived.
[30-33] The people of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the people of Cuth made Nergal, the people of Hamath made Ashima, the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the false gods of Sepharvaim. So they worshiped Yahweh, and made preachers for themselves for all the places of false worship, who made sacrifices for them in the places of false worship. So they worshiped Yahweh, and served their own gods, after the way of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
[34-41] Today they do what they did before; they don’t respect Yahweh, neither do they follow God’s judgments, or rules, or after the law or the word which Yahweh told the people of Jacob, whom God named Israel; with whom Yahweh had made an agreement, and told them, “Don’t worship other gods, nor bow down to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them; but only Yahweh, Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. Worship and bow yourselves down to Yahweh God, and sacrifice to Me only; and follow the judgments and rules, and the law and word, which I wrote for you, keep and do them forever; and don’t fear other gods; and don’t forget the promised agreement that I’ve made with you; don’t fear other gods; but show respect to Yahweh your God; and I’ll save you from all your enemies.” But they didn’t listen, and they did what they did before. So these nations worshiped Yahweh, and served their false gods; their children and their grandchildren, did as their ancestors did, and so they do today.
18[1-8] Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, Ruler of Judah, began to rule in the 3rd year of Hoshea, son of Elah, Ruler of Israel. He was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what Yahweh said was right, like what David his ancestor had done. He took down the places of false worship, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal); and he broke in pieces the brass serpent that Moses had made, because to those days, the people of Israel burned incense to it; and called it Nehushtan. He trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel; so that after him, no one among all the Rulers of Judah was like him, nor anyone before him. For he held on to Yahweh and never stopped following God, but kept God’s words, which Yahweh told Moses. Yahweh was with him; wherever he came he did well; and he rebelled against the Ruler of Assyria, and didn’t serve him. He fought the Philistines to Gaza and its borders, from the watchtower to the protected city.
[9-12] In the 4th year of Ruler Hezekiah, which was the 7th year of Hoshea, son of Elah, Ruler of Israel, Shalmaneser, Ruler of Assyria, came against Samaria, and surrounded it and at the end of three years they took it. In the 6th year of Hezekiah, which was the 9th year of Hoshea, Ruler of Israel, Samaria was taken. The Ruler of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria, and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they didn’t obey Yahweh God, but sinned against the promised agreement that Moses, the follower of Yahweh, had told them, and wouldn’t listen to it, nor do it.
[13-17] Now in the 14th year of Ruler Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria, came up against all the protected cities of Judah, and took them. Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, sent to the Ruler of Assyria, to Lachish, saying, “I’ve offended you; go away and whatever you tell me I’ll do.” The Ruler of Assyria sent to Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, 22,500 lbs. of silver and 2,250 lbs. of gold. Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the Ruler’s house. At that time, Hezekiah took the gold from off the doors of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and from the pillars which Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, had covered, and gave it to the Ruler of Assyria. The Ruler of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to Ruler Hezekiah with a great troop to Jerusalem. They went up to Jerusalem. When they had come up, they stood by the tunnel of the upper pool, which is in the highway of Fuller’s Field.
[18-27] When they had called to the Ruler, Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, came out to them, who was over the household, and Shebnah, the secretary, and Joah, son of Asaph, the recorder. Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah, the great Ruler, the Ruler of Assyria,” says , “What is this in which you trust? You say (but they’re useless words), ‘There is counsel and strength for the war.’ Now on whom do you trust, that you’ve rebelled against me? Now, see, you trust on the walking stick of this broken reed, Egypt; and if anyone leans on it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so the Ruler of Egypt is to all who trust on him. But if you tell me, “We trust in Yahweh, our God; isn’t that the One whose places of worship and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You’ll worship before this altar in Jerusalem?’ So now, promise allegiance to my boss, the Ruler of Assyria, and I’ll give you 2,000 horses, if you’re able on your part to put riders on them. How can you turn away the face of a captain of the least of my boss’s workers, and put your trust on Egypt for war vehicles and for riders? Am I now come up without Yahweh against this place to destroy it? Yahweh said to me, “‘Go up against this land, and destroy it.’“ Then Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to us in the Syrian language because we understand it; and don’t speak with us in the Jews’ language, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.” But Rabshakeh said to them, “Hasn’t my boss sent me to your boss, and to you, to speak these words? Hasn’t he sent me to those who sit on the wall, who will eat and drink their own waste along with you?”
[28-37] Then Rabshakeh stood, and shouted in the Jews’ language, saying, “Listen to the great Ruler of Assyria. The Ruler says, “Don’t let Hezekiah mislead you because he won’t be able to save you out of his hand; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “‘Yahweh will truly save us, and this city won’t be given into the power of the Ruler of Assyria.’ Don’t listen to Hezekiah because the Ruler of Assyria says, “Make peace with me, and come out to me; and everyone will eat of his own vine and fig tree, and everyone will drink the water of his own well; Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die; and don’t listen to Hezekiah, when he says to you, ‘Yahweh will save us.’ Have any of the gods of the nations ever saved their land from the Ruler of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they saved Samaria from me? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, which have saved their country from me, that Yahweh could save Jerusalem from me?” But the people held their peace, and answered not a word because the Ruler said, “Don’t answer him.” Then Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna, the secretary, and Joah, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
19[1 -7] When Ruler Hezekiah heard it, he tore off his clothes, and put on mourning clothes, and went into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna, the secretary, and the elders of the preachers, wearing mourning clothes, to Isaiah, the preacher, son of Amoz. They said to him, “Hezekiah says, “Today is a day of trouble, punishment, and rejection because the children have come to the birth, and there isn’t strength to deliver. It may be that Yahweh, your God, will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the Ruler of Assyria, his boss, has sent to defy the living God, and will punish the words which Yahweh your God has heard. So pray for those that are left. So the workers of Ruler Hezekiah came to Isaiah. Isaiah said to them, “Tell your boss, ‘Yahweh says, “Don’t be scared of the words that you’ve heard, with which the soldiers of the Ruler of Assyria have disrespected me. See, I’ll put a spirit in him, and he’ll hear news, and will go back to his own land; and I’ll cause him to fall in war in his own land.”
[8-13] So Rabshakeh went back, and found the Ruler of Assyria warring against Libnah because he had heard that he had left from Lachish. When he heard of Tirhakah, Ruler of Ethiopia, “See, he is come out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, “Tell Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, ‘Don’t let your God in whom you trust mislead you, saying, “Jerusalem won’t be given into the power of the Ruler of Assyria. See, you’ve heard what the Rulers of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them completely; so will you be saved? Have the gods of the nations saved them, which my ancestors have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden that were in Telassar? Where are the Rulers of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?”
[14-19] Hezekiah got the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; then he went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and spread it before God. Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, Who sits above the cherubim (angelic winged creatures), You alone are God, of all the countries of the earth; You’ve made heaven and earth. Listen, Yahweh, and hear; open your eyes, Yahweh, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib with which he has sent him to defy the living God. It’s true, Yahweh, the Rulers of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, and have thrown their gods into the fire because they were not gods, but only the work of men’s hands, made out of wood and stone; so they’ve destroyed them. So now, Yahweh, our God, save us, I pray, out of his hand, that all the countries of the earth may know that You, Yahweh, are God alone.”
[20-28] Then Isaiah, son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “Since you’ve prayed to me against Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria, I’ve heard you.” This is the word that Yahweh has said about him; “The virgin daughter of Zion has hated you and made fun of you; the daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you. Whom have you defied and disrespected? and against whom have you lifted up your voice and your eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. By your messengers you’ve defied Yahweh, and have said, “‘With the number of my war vehicles I’ll come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I’ll cut down its tall cedars, and its best fir trees; and I’ll go into its farthest lodging place, the forest of its fruitful field. I’ve dug and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet I’ll dry up all the rivers of Egypt.’ Haven’t you heard how I’ve made it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I’ve done it, that it would be yours to turn the protected cities into piles of ruins. So their people had little power, they were troubled and confused; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as grain dried up before it’s grown. But I know when you sit down, when you go out, when you come in, and when you rage against Me. Because of your raging against Me, and because I’ve heard your bragging, I’ll put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in your lips, and I’ll turn you back by the way by which you came.
[29-37] This will be the sign to you; You’ll eat this year what grows by itself, and in the second year what comes of it; and in the third year you’ll plant and harvest, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. Then what’s left of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and make fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem, out of Mount Zion, those who are left will escape; the passion of Yahweh will do this.’ So Yahweh says about the Ruler of Assyria, ‘He won’t come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither will he come before it with shield, nor throw up a mound against it. By the way that he came, he’ll go back, and he won’t come into this city,” says Yahweh. I’ll defend this city to save it, for My own sake, and for My follower David’s sake.’“ That night, the angel of Yahweh came, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000; and when the people got up early in the morning, these were all dead bodies. So Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria left, and went back, and stayed at Nineveh. As he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch, his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon, his son, ruled in his place.
20[1-10] In those days, Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah, the preacher, son of Amoz, came saying to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Set your house in order because you’ll die, and not live.’“ Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Remember now, Yahweh, I pray, how I’ve followed You in truth and with a good conscious, and have done what’s good to You.” Hezekiah cried very hard. Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle of the city, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah, the head of My people, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor,” says , “I’ve heard your prayer, I’ve seen your tears; I’ll heal you; on the third day you’ll go up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh. I’ll add to your days 15 years; and I’ll save you and this city from the Ruler of Assyria; and I’ll defend this city for My own sake, and for My follower David’s sake.” Isaiah said, “Take a loaf of figs.” They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I’ll go up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh the third day?” Isaiah said, “This will be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do what God has said; Will the shadow go forward, or go back ten steps?” Hezekiah answered, “It’s easy for the shadow to go forward ten steps; so let the shadow go backward ten steps.”
[11-15] Isaiah prayed to Yahweh; and God brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. At that time, Berodach Baladan, son of Baladan, Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), sent letters and a present to Hezekiah because he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his precious things in his house, the silver, gold, spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and whatever was found in his treasures; there wasn’t anything in his house, nor in all his land, that Hezekiah didn’t show them. Then Isaiah, the preacher, came to Ruler Hezekiah, saying to him, “What did these men say? and from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They’ve come from another country, from Babylon.” He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They’ve seen everything in my house; there isn’t anything among my treasures that I haven’t shown them.”
[16-21] Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to the word of Yahweh. The day is coming that both what’s in your house and what your ancestors have laid up in store until today, will be carried away to Babylon; nothing will be left,” says Yahweh. Of your sons who I will come from you, whom you’ll father, they’ll take away; and they’ll be eunuchs in the house of the Ruler of Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of Yahweh is good, which you’ve said.” Besides this, he said, “Won’t there be peace and truth in my days?” Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his strength, and how he made the pool, and the tunnel and brought water into the city, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. Hezekiah died; and Manasseh his son ruled in his place.
21[1 -3] Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did what Yahweh said was evil, after the horrible sins of the nations whom Yahweh threw out before the people of Israel. For he built again the places of false worship which Hezekiah, his father, had destroyed; and he put up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), as did Ahab, Ruler of Israel, and worshiped all the stars of the sky, and served them.
[4-9] He built altars in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, of which Yahweh said, “I’ll put My Name in Jerusalem.” He built altars for all the stars of the sky in the two courts of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He sacrificed his son in the fire, and practiced witchcraft, and cast spells, and dealt with those who had evil spirits, and with those who practice witchcraft; he did what Yahweh said was very evil, to make God angry. He set the false god Asherah that he had made in the house of which Yahweh said to David and Solomon his son, “I’ll put My Name forever in this house, and in Jerusalem, which I’ve chosen out of all the family groups of Israel; I won’t cause the feet of Israel to wander anymore out of the land which I gave their ancestors, if only they’ll do like what I’ve told them, and keep all the law that my follower Moses told them. But they didn’t listen; and Manasseh seduced them to do what’s evil more than did the nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the people of Israel.
[10-16] Yahweh said by God’s workers, the preachers, “Because Manasseh, Ruler of Judah, has done these horrible sins, and has done evil above what the Amorites did, who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his false gods; so Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “See, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears about it both his ears will tingle. I’ll stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab; and I’ll wipe Jerusalem as someone wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. I’ll throw away what’s left of My inheritance, and put them into the power of their enemies; and they’ll be plundered by all their enemies; because they’ve done what’s evil to Me, and have made Me very angry, since the day their ancestors came out of Egypt, even until today.” Besides this, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to the other; besides the sin which he made Judah to sin, in doing what Yahweh said was evil.
[17-26] Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and what he did, and his sin that he sinned, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. Manasseh died, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza; and Amon, his son, ruled in his place. Amon was 22 years old when he began to rule, and ruled two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. He did what Yahweh said was evil, as did Manasseh, his father. He did all the sins that his father did, and served the false gods that his father served, and worshiped them; and he left Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, and didn’t follow the way of Yahweh. The workers of Amon schemed against him, and put the Ruler to death in his own house. But the people of the land killed all those who had schemed against Ruler Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah, his son, Ruler in his place. Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. He was buried in his grave in the garden of Uzza; and Josiah, his son, ruled in his place.
22[1-7] Josiah was eight years old when he began to rule, and ruled 31 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah, son of Bozkath. He did what Yahweh said was right, and walked in all the way of David his ancestor, and didn’t turn away in any way. In the 18th year of Ruler Josiah, the Ruler sent Shaphan, son of Azaliah of Meshullam, the secretary, to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, saying, “Go up to Hilkiah, the lead preacher, that he may count the money which is brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, which the keepers of the doorway have gathered of the people; and let them give it to the workers who have the oversight of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and let them give it to the workers who are in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, to fix whatever’s broken of the house, to the woodworkers, the builders, and the stone builders, and for buying wood and hewn stone to fix the house. But they didn’t ask an accounting of the money that was given to them because they did what was right.
[8-13] Hilkiah, the lead preacher said to Shaphan the secretary, I’ve found the Book of the Law in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. Shaphan, the secretary, came to the Ruler, and brought the Ruler word again, saying, “Your followers have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have given it to the workers who have the oversight of the Place of Worship of Yahweh.” Shaphan, the secretary, told the Ruler, saying, “Hilkiah, the preacher, has given me a book.” Shaphan read it to the Ruler. When the Ruler had heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. The Ruler told Hilkiah, the preacher, and Ahikam, son of Shaphan, and Achbor, son of Micaiah, and Shaphan, the secretary, and Asaiah, the Ruler’s worker, saying, “Go, ask of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, about the words of this book that is found because Yahweh’s anger is great, that has begun against us, because our ancestors haven’t listened to the words of this book, to do what is written about us.”
[14 -20] So Hilkiah, the preacher, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah, the preacher, the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe, who lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter; and they talked with her. She said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “‘Tell the people who sent you to me, ‘Yahweh says, “I’ll bring evil on this place, and its people, all the words of the book which the Ruler of Judah has read. Because they’ve left me, and have burned incense to other gods, to make Me angry with all that they do, so My anger will begin against this place, and it won’t be stopped. But to the Ruler of Judah, who sent you to ask of Yahweh, tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “About the words which you’ve heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I said against this place, and against its people, that they should become as nothing and be punished, and have torn your clothes, and cried before Me; I also have heard you,” says Yahweh. So, I’ll gather you to your ancestors, and you’ll go to your grave in peace, and you won’t see all the evil which I’ll bring on this place.”’” They brought back word to the Ruler.
23[1-3] The Ruler sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. The Ruler went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, the leading preachers, the preachers, and all the people, from the least to the greatest; and he read all the words of the Book of Promise which was found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The Ruler stood by the pillar and promised to Yahweh, to follow Yahweh, and to keep the word of God, and the judgments, and laws, with all his heart and soul, to prove the words of this promised agreement that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to keep the promise.
[4-11] The Ruler told Hilkiah the lead preacher, the preachers of the second order, and the keepers of the doorway, to bring out of the Place of Worship of Yahweh all the pots that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal), and for all the stars of the sky, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the Kidron valley, and carried their ashes to Bethel. He took away the idolatrous preachers, whom the Rulers of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the places of false worship in the cities of Judah, and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, moon, and planets, and to all the stars of the sky. He brought out the Asherah from the Place of Worship of Yahweh, outside of Jerusalem, and burned it at the Kidron River, and beat it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. He broke down the houses of the homosexuals that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. He brought all the preachers out of the cities of Judah, and ruined the places of false worship where the preachers had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the places of false worship that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua, the governor of the city, which were on the left at the gate of the city. But the preachers of the places of false worship didn’t come up to the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem; they ate among their people.
[10-14] He destroyed Topheth in the valley of Hinnom (a place of false worship and human sacrifice outside the western wall of Jerusalem), so that no one could make their children burn in the fire as a sacrifice to Molech. He took away the horses that the Rulers of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, by the room of Nathan Melech, the official, who was in the court; and he burned their war vehicles with fire. The altars that were on the roof of the upstairs room of Ahaz, which the Rulers of Judah had made, and the altars, which Manasseh had made, in the two courts of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the Ruler broke down, and beat them, and threw their dust into the Kidron River. The Ruler destroyed the places of false worship that were in front of Jerusalem, which were on the right of the Mountain of Corruption, which Solomon, the Ruler of Israel, had built for Ashtoreth (Canaanite false goddess of love and war), the false god of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh, the false god of Moab, and for Milcom, the false god of the people of Ammon. He broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the false fertility gods, the Asherim, and scattered human bones where they were.
[15-20] Besides this, he broke down the altar that was at Bethel, and the place of false worship, which Jeroboam of Nebat had made, who made Israel sin; and he burned the place of false worship and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah. As Josiah turned around, he saw the graves that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the graves, and burned them on the altar, and destroyed it, as Yahweh told them, which the follower of God told them to do. Then he said, “What is that gravestone I see? The people of the city told him, It’s the grave of the follower of God, who came from Judah, and foretold these things that you’ve done against the altar of Bethel. So he said, “Leave it alone; don’t let anyone move his bones. So they left his bones alone, along with the bones of the preacher, who came out of Samaria. Josiah also took away all the houses of the places of false worship that were in the cities of Samaria, which the Rulers of Israel had made to make Yahweh angry, and did to them what he had done in Bethel. He killed all the preachers of the places of false worship that were there, on the altars, and burned their bones on them; and he went back to Jerusalem.
[21-28] The Ruler told all the people, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it’s written in this Book of Promise.” Truly, there wasn’t a Passover kept like this, from the days of the judges of Israel to the days of the Rulers of Israel, nor of the Rulers of Judah. This Passover was kept for Yahweh in Jerusalem in the 18th year of Ruler Josiah. Besides this, Josiah put to death all those with evil spirits, who practiced witchcraft, or worshiped family idols and false gods, and did all the horrible sins that were seen in the land of Judah and Jerusalem, to confirm the words of the law, written in the book that Hilkiah, the preacher, had found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Before Josiah, there was no Ruler like him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, soul, and strength, following all the Law of Moses; nor was there any like him after that. But Yahweh was still very angry at Judah, because of all the evil Manasseh had done. So Yahweh said, “I’ll destroy Judah as I’ve destroyed Israel, and I’ll throw away this city which I’ve chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, “‘My Name will be there.’“ Now the rest of the acts of Josiah are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah.
[29-37] In his days, Necoh, Ruler of Egypt, went up against the Ruler of Assyria to the river Euphrates; and Ruler Josiah went against him; and Ruler Necoh killed him at Megiddo, when he had seen him. His workers carried him in a war vehicle dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own grave. The people of the land took Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him Ruler in his father’s place. Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he began to rule, and ruled three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah, of Libnah. He did what Yahweh said was evil, like what his ancestors had done. Ruler Necoh put him in chains at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, so that he couldn’t rule in Jerusalem; and taxed the land 7,500 lbs. of silver and 75 lbs. of gold. Ruler Necoh made Eliakim, son of Josiah, Ruler in place of Josiah, his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away; and he went to Egypt, and died there. Jehoiakim gave the silver and gold to the Ruler of Egypt; but he taxed the land to give the money that the Ruler of Egypt wanted; he took the silver and gold from the people of the land, from everyone according to what they owed, to give it to Ruler Necoh. Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah, the daughter of Pedaiah, of Rumah. He did what Yahweh said was evil, like what his ancestors had done.
24[1-6] In his days, Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), came up, and Jehoiakim served him three years; then he turned and rebelled against him. Yahweh sent against him Chaldean, Syrian, Moabite, and Ammonite troops, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, as Yahweh had told them, Who spoke by the preachers. Truly, at the word of Yahweh, came this on Judah, to kill them for the sins of Manasseh, and also for the innocent blood that he shed in Jerusalem; and Yahweh wouldn’t forgive it. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Rulers of Judah. So Jehoiakim died; and Jehoiachin, his son, ruled in his place.
[7-9] The Ruler of Egypt didn’t come back out of his land anymore because the Ruler of Babylon had taken the River of Egypt to the river Euphrates that belonged to the Ruler of Egypt. Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he began to rule, and ruled in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan, from Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was evil, like what his father had done.
[10-14] At that time, the workers of Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon, came up to Jerusalem, and the city was surrounded. Ruler Nebuchadnezzar came to the city while his soldiers were taking it; and Jehoiachin, the Ruler of Judah, went out to the Ruler of Babylon, he, his mother, his soldiers, his leaders, and his officials; and the Ruler of Babylon took him in the 8th year of his rule. He carried out all the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh and the Ruler’s house, and cut in pieces all the pots of gold, which Solomon, Ruler of Israel, had made in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, as Yahweh had told them. He carried away all Jerusalem, all the leaders, and all the strong experienced soldiers, 10,000 prisoners, and all the artists and the blacksmiths; no one was left, except the poorest of the people of the land. He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon; and the Ruler’s mother, wives, officials, and the leaders of the land, he taken prisoner from Jerusalem to Babylon. All the people of power, 7,000 in all, and the artists and the blacksmiths 1,000 in all, even those who were strong and ready for war, the Ruler of Babylon took prisoner to Babylon.
[17-20] The Ruler of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s father’s brother, Ruler is his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah was 21 years old when he began to rule and ruled eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah, of Libnah. He did what Yahweh said was evil, like what Jehoiakim had done. It happened in Jerusalem and Judah because of Yahweh’s anger, until God had thrown them all out. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the Ruler of Babylon.
25[1-7] In the 9th year of his rule, on the 10th day of the 10th month (Tevet, Dec-Jan), Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran) came with all his troops, against Jerusalem, and camped against it; and they built forts around it. So the city was surrounded to the 11th year of Ruler Zedekiah. On the 9th day of the 4th month (Tammuz, June-July) the famine was very bad in the city, so that there was nothing for the people of the land. Then a breach was made in the city, and all the soldiers ran by night by the road of the gate between the two walls, which was by the Ruler’s garden (now the Chaldeans were around the city); and the Ruler went by the road of the Arabah. But the troops of the Chaldeans chased after the Ruler, and overtook him in the fields of Jericho; and all his troops was scattered from him. Then they took the Ruler, and carried him up to the Ruler of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment on him. They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and put him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
[8-12 ] Now on the 7th day in the 5th month (Av, July-Aug ), which was the 19th year of Ruler Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, a worker of the Ruler of Babylon, to Jerusalem. He burnt the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the Ruler’s house; and all the houses from Jerusalem, even all the great houses, he burnt with fire. All the troops of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls from Jerusalem. The rest of the people who were left in the city, and those who turned away to the Ruler of Babylon, and the rest of them, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried away prisoner. But he left the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
[13-17] The pillars of brass that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the bases and the brass sea that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried the brass to Babylon. The pots, shovels, snuffers, spoons, and all the pots of brass with which they ministered, they took away. The fire pans, and the bowls, and what was of gold, in gold, and what was of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away. The two pillars, the sea, and the bases, which Solomon had made for the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the brass of all these pots was without weight. The height of one pillar was 27’, and a capital of brass was on it; and the height of the capital was 4½’ with lattice and pomegranates around the capital, all of brass; and like these, the second pillar had lattice.
[18 -23] The captain of the guard took Seraiah, the leading preacher, and Zephaniah, the second preacher, and the three doorkeepers; and out of the city he took an official who was set over the soldiers; and five people of those who came to see the Ruler, who were found in the city; and the secretary, the captain of the troops, who called together the people of the land; and 60 men of the people of the land who were found in the city. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took them, and brought them to the Ruler of Babylon to Riblah. The Ruler of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away prisoner out of his land. As for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon, had left, he made Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, of Shaphan, governor over them.
[23-26] Now when all the troop leaders, and their men, heard that the Ruler of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, Ishmael of Nethaniah, Johanan of Kareah, Seraiah of Tanhumeth, the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah of the Maacathite, they and their men. Gedaliah promised them and their men, saying to them, “Don’t be scared because of the soldiers of the Chaldeans; live in the land, and serve the Ruler of Babylon, and it will be well with you. But in the 7th month (Tishri, Sept. -Oct.), Ishmael of Nethaniah, of Elishama, of the royal family came with ten men, and killed Gedaliah, and the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizpah. All the people, from the least to the greatest, and the troop leaders, got up and came to Egypt because they were scared of the Chaldeans.
[27-30] In the 37th year of the prisoners of Jehoiachin Ruler of Judah, on the 27th day of the 12th month (Adar, Feb-Mar), Evilmerodach, Ruler of Babylon, in the year he began to rule, took Jehoiachin, Ruler of Judah, out of prison; and he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the Rulers, who were with him in Babylon, and changed his prison clothes. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life; and for his living, a continual ration was given him by the Ruler each day, every day of his life.
1 Chronicles
1[1-4] Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
[5 -7] The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah. The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
[8-16] The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. Cush had Nimrod, who began to take power on the earth. Mizraim had Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim. Canaan had Sidon, his firstborn, Heth, the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite, the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
[17-27] The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. Arpachshad had Shelah, and Shelah had Eber. Eber had two sons; one was named Peleg because in his days the earth was divided (into continents); and his brother’s name was Joktan. Joktan had Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, Jobab. All these were the descendants of Joktan. Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram, which is Abraham.
[28-31] The descendants of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. These are their generations; the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the descendants of Ishmael.
[32-33] The descendants of Keturah, Abraham’s mistress were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah. The descendants of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah.
[34 -42] Abraham had Isaac. The descendants of Isaac were Esau and Jacob, who is Israel. The descendants of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. The descendants of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. The descendants of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. The descendants of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. The descendants of Lotan were Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister. The descendants of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. The descendant of Anah was Dishon. The descendants of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. The descendants of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The descendants of Dishan were Uz, and Aran.
[43 -54] Now these are the Rulers who ruled in the land of Edom, before there was any Ruler over the people of Israel; Bela, child of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. Bela died, and Jobab, of Zerah, of Bozrah ruled in his place. Jobab died, and Husham, of the land of the Temanites, ruled in his place. Husham died, and Hadad, who was of Bedad, who fought Midian in the field of Moab, ruled in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. Hadad died, and Samlah who was of Masrekah, ruled in his place. Samlah died, and Shaul, who was of Rehoboth by the river, ruled in his place. Shaul died, and Baal Hanan, who was of Achbor, ruled in his place. Baal Hanan died, and Hadad ruled in his place; and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Hadad died. The captains of Edom were the leaders Timna, Aliah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram. These are the captains of Edom.
2[1-8] These are the descendants of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The descendants of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter, the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn was sinful to Yahweh, who killed him. Tamar, his daughter-in-law, had him Perez and Zerah. All the descendants of Judah were five. The descendants of Perez; Hezron, and Hamul. The descendants of Zerah; Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara; five of them in all. The descendants of Carmi; Achar, the one who troubled Israel, who sinned in taking the dedicated thing. The descendant of Ethan was Azariah.
[9-17] Hezron had Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai. Ram had Amminadab, and Amminadab had Nahshon, head of the people of Judah; and Nahshon had Salma, and Salma had Boaz, and Boaz had Obed, and Obed had Jesse; and Jesse had his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem, David; and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The three descendants of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. Abigail had Amasa; whose father was Jether, the Ishmaelite.
[18 -24] Caleb, who was of Hezron, had children of Azubah, his wife, and of Jerioth; and these were her sons; Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who had Hur. Hur had Uri, and Uri had Bezalel. Afterward Hezron had sexual relations with the daughter of Machir, the father of Gilead, whom he took as wife when he was 60 years old; and she had Segub. Segub had Jair, who had 23 cities in the land of Gilead. Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them with Kenath, along with its 60 towns. All these were the descendants of Machir, who had Gilead. After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, then Abijah, Hezron’s wife, had Ashhur, who had Tekoa.
[25-41] The descendants of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram, the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. The descendants of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. The descendants of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The descendants of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur. The wife of Abishur was Abihail; and she had Ahban and Molid. The descendants of Nadab were Seled and Appaim; but Seled died without children. The descendant of Appaim was Ishi. The descendant of Ishi was Sheshan. The descendant of Sheshan was Ahlai. The descendants of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan; and Jether died without children. The descendants of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel. Now Sheshan had only daughters. Sheshan had an Egyptian worker, whose name was Jarha. Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha, his worker, as wife; and she had Attai. Attai had Nathan, and Nathan had Zabad, and Zabad had Ephlal, and Ephlal had Obed, and Obed had Jehu, and Jehu had Azariah, and Azariah had Helez, and Helez had Eleasah, and Eleasah had Sismai, and Sismai had Shallum, and Shallum had Jekamiah, and Jekamiah had Elishama.
[42-55] The descendants of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha, his firstborn, who had Ziph; and the descendants of Mareshah, who had Hebron. The descendants of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. Shema had Raham, who had Jorkeam; and Rekem had Shammai. Shammai had Maon; and Maon had Beth Zur. Ephah, Caleb’s mistress, had Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran had Gazez. The descendants of Jahdai were Regem, Jothan, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. Maacah, Caleb’s mistress, had Sheber and Tirhanah. She also had Shaaph, who had Madmannah, Sheva, who had Machbena, and Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. These were the descendants of Caleb, the people of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah; Shobal, who had Kiriath Jearim, Salma, who had Bethlehem, and Hareph, who had Beth Gader. Shobal who had Kiriath Jearim had Haroeh, and half of the Menuhoth (Manahathites), and the families of Kiriath Jearim; the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of whom came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites. The people of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half of the Manahathites, and the Zorites. The families of secretaries, who lived at Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Sucathites. These are the Kenites, who came of Hammath, the head of the house of Rechab.
3[1-9] Now these were the descendants of David, who were born to him in Hebron; the firstborn was Amnon, who was of Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess; the next was Daniel, who was of Abigail, the Carmelitess; then Absalom, who was of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, Ruler of Geshur; and Adonijah, who was of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, who was of Abital; the sixth was Ithream, by Eglah, his wife; six were born to him in Hebron, where he ruled seven and a half years. David also ruled in Jerusalem for 33 years; and these were born to him in Jerusalem; Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four in all, of Bathshua (Bathsheba), the daughter of Ammiel; and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine in all. All these were descendants of David, Besides this, the descendants of the mistresses; and Tamar was their sister.
[10-24] Solomon had Rehoboam, who had Abijah, who had Asa, who had Jehoshaphat, who had Joram, who had Ahaziah, who had Joash, who had Amaziah, who had Azariah, who had Jotham, who had Ahaz, who had Hezekiah, who had Manasseh, who had Amon, who had Josiah. The descendants of Josiah were the firstborn, Johanan, the second, Jehoiakim, the third, Zedekiah, and the fourth, Shallum. Jehoiakim had Jeconiah, who had Zedekiah. Jeconiah, the prisoner, had Shealtiel, who had, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. The descendants of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. The descendants of Zerubbabel were Meshullam and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister; and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab Hesed, five in all. The descendants of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the descendants of Rephaiah, the descendants of Arnan, the descendants of Obadiah, the descendants of Shecaniah. The descendant of Shecaniah was Shemaiah. The descendants of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six in all. The descendants of Neariah were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three in all. The descendants of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven in all.
4[1-8] The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah, of Shobal, had Jahath; and Jahath had Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites. The descendants of Etam were Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and their sister was Hazzelelponi; and Penuel had Gedor, and Ezer, who had Hushah. These are the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the head from Bethlehem. Ashhur, who had Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah. Naarah had him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah. The descendants of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Hakkoz had Anub and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel, of Harum.
[9-10] Now Jabez was more honorable than his family; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I had him in pain.” Now Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that You’d truly bless me, and expand my area, and that You’d be with me, and that You’d keep me from evil, so I won’t cause any more pain!” So God gave him what he asked.
[11-12] Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, had Mehir, who had Eshton. Eshton had Beth Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, who had Ir Nahash. These are the people of Recah.
[13-23] The descendants of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. The descendant of Othniel was Hathath. Meonothai had Ophrah; and Seraiah had Joab, who had Ge Harashim, who were artists. The descendants of Caleb, of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam; the descendant of Elah was Kenaz. The descendants of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. The descendants of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the descendants of Bithiah the daughter of the Ruler of Egypt, whom Mered took; and she had Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah who had Eshtemoa. His wife the Jewess, had Jered, who had Gedor, Heber, who had Soco, and Jekuthiel, who had Zanoah. The descendants of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the ancestors of Keilah, the Garmite, and Eshtemoa, the Maacathite. The descendants of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon. The descendants of Ishi were Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth. The descendants of Shelah, of Judah, were Er, who had Lecah, Laadah, who had Mareshah, and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the house of Ashbea; and Jokim, the people of Cozeba, Joash, and Saraph who ruled in Moab, and Jashubilehem. The records are ancient. These were the potters, and the people of Netaim and Gederah, who lived with the Ruler for his work.
[24-33] The descendants of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul, who had Shallum, who had Mibsam, who had Mishma. The descendants of Mishma were Hammuel, who had Zaccur, who had, Shimei. Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his family didn’t have many children, neither did all their family multiply like the people of Judah. They lived at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual, Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities when David began to rule. Their towns were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five cities; and all the towns that were around those cities, to Baal. These were their homes, and their genealogy.
[34-43] Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah, of Amaziah, Joel, Jehu, of Joshibiah, of Seraiah, of Asiel, Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, and Ziza, of Shiphi, of Allon, of Jedaiah, of Shimri, of Shemaiah–these mentioned by name were leaders in their families; and their ancestors’ houses increased greatly. They went to the entrance of Gedor, all the way to the east side of the valley, to look for pasture for their flocks. They found good pasture, and the land was large, quiet, and peaceable because those who lived there before were of Ham (Son of Noah). These written by name, came in the days of Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, and fought them, and the Meunim, who were found there, and destroyed them completely until today, and lived there in their place; because there was good pasture there for their flocks. Some of them, even of the descendants of Simeon, 500 soldiers went to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the descendants of Ishi. They fought what was left of the Amalekites, who escaped, and have lived there until today.
5[1-9] The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he had sex with his father’s wife, his birthright was given to the descendants of Joseph, of Israel; and the genealogy isn’t to be recognized after the birthright. Judah was greater than his family, and he became the leader; but the birthright was Joseph’s. The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. The descendants of Joel; Shemaiah who had Gog who had Shimei who had Micah who had Reaiah who had Baal who had Beerah whom Tilgath Pileser, Ruler of Assyria, carried away prisoner; he was head of the Reubenites. His family by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was recognized, were the leader, Jeiel, Zechariah, and Bethe, child of Azaz, of Shema, of Joel, who lived in Aroer to Nebo and Baal Meon, and eastward; he lived all the way to the entrance of the countryside from the river Euphrates, because their livestock were so many in the land of Gilead.
[10-17] In the days of Saul, they went to war with the Hagrites, who fell by their power; and they lived in their homes throughout all the land east of Gilead. The descendants of Gad lived next to them, in the land of Bashan to Salecah; Joel, was their the leader, Shapham was next, then Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. Their brothers of their ancestors’ houses; Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber, seven in all. These were the descendants of Abihail, of Huri, of Jaroah, of Gilead, of Michael, of Jeshishai, of Jahdo, of Buz; Ahi of Abdiel, of Guni, leader of their ancestors’ houses. They lived in Gilead in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the outskirts of Sharon, as far as their borders. All these were recognized by genealogies in the days of Jotham Ruler of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam Ruler of Israel.
[18-22] The descendants of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the family of Manasseh, of soldiers, men able to bear arms, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war were 44,760, that were able to go to war. They went to war with the Hagrites with Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were given into their power, and all who were with them because they cried to God in the battle, who they called on, because they put their trust in God. They took away their livestock; 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 people. Many were killed, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until they were taken prisoners in the exile.
[23-26] Half the family of Manasseh lived in the land; they filled the land from Bashan to Baal Hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. The heads of their ancestors’ houses were Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, strong experienced soldiers, well known, heads of their ancestors’ houses. They sinned against the God of their ancestors, and were unfaithful, following after the false gods of the peoples of the land whom God destroyed before them. The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, Ruler of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath Pileser, Ruler of Assyria, who carried them away, all the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the family of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the river of Gozan, until today.
6[1 -15] The descendants of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The descendants of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The descendants of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Eleazar had Phinehas, Phinehas had Abishua, Abishua had Bukki, Bukki had Uzzi, Uzzi had Zerahiah, Zerahiah had Meraioth, Meraioth had Amariah, Amariah had Ahitub, Ahitub had Zadok, Zadok had Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz had Azariah, Azariah had Johanan, and Johanan had Azariah (who did the preacher’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem), and Azariah had Amariah, Amariah had Ahitub, Ahitub had Zadok, Zadok had Shallum, Shallum had Hilkiah, Hilkiah had Azariah, Azariah had Seraiah, and Seraiah had Jehozadak, who became a prisoner when Yahweh carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
[16-30] The descendants of Levi were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. The descendants of Gershom were Libni and Shimei. The descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The descendants of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their ancestors’ houses. Of Gershom were Libni, who had Jahath, who had Zimmah, who had Joah, who had Iddo, who had Zerah, who had Jeatherai. The descendants of Kohath were Amminadab who had Korah, who had Assir, who had Elkanah, who had Ebiasaph, who had Assir, who had Tahath, who had Uriel, who had Uzziah, who had Shaul. The descendants of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth. As for Elkanah, the descendants of Elkanah were Zophai, who had Nahath, who had Eliab, who had Jeroham, who had Elkanah. The descendants of Samuel were the firstborn, Joel, and the second, Abijah. The descendants of Merari were Mahli, Libni who had Shimei, who had Uzzah, who had Shimea, who had Haggiah, who had Asaiah.
[31-48] These are the ones whom David set over the service of song in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, after the Chest of God came to rest. They ministered with song before the tent of the Place of Worship, until Solomon had built the Place of Worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem; and they served in their office in their order. These are those who served, and their children. The descendants of the Kohathites were Heman, the singer, who was of Joel, who was of Samuel, who was of Elkanah, who was of Jeroham, who was of Eliel, who was of Toah, who was of Zuph, who was of Elkanah, who was of Mahath, who was of Amasai, who was of Elkanah, who was of Joel, who was of Azariah, who was of Zephaniah, who was of Tahath, who was of Assir, who was of Ebiasaph, who was of Korah, who was of Izhar, who was of Kohath, who was of Levi, who was of Israel. His brother Asaph who stood on his right hand, even Asaph, who was of Berechiah, who was of Shimea, who was of Michael, who was of Baaseiah, who was of Malchijah, who was of Ethni, who was of Zerah, who was of Adaiah, who was of Ethan, who was of Zimmah, who was of Shimei, who was of Jahath, who was of Gershom, who was of Levi. On the left hand their brothers the descendants of Merari; Ethan who was of Kishi, who was of Abdi, who was of Malluch, who was of Hashabiah, who was of Amaziah, who was of Hilkiah, who was of Amzi, who was of Bani, who was of Shemer, who was of Mahli, who was of Mushi, who was of Merari, who was of Levi. Their brothers the Levites were set apart for all the service of the tent of the House of God.
[49-53] But Aaron and his family offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to ask forgiveness for Israel, like what Moses the follower of God had told them. The descendants of Aaron were Eleazar, who had Phinehas, who had Abishua, who had Bukki, who had Uzzi, who had Zerahiah, who had Meraioth, who had Amariah, who had Ahitub, who had Zadok, who had Ahimaaz.
[54-56] Now these are where they lived according to their communities in their borders; to the descendants of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (the first chosen), to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and the outskirts around it; but the fields of the city, with its towns, they gave to Caleb of Jephunneh. To the descendants of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Hilen, Debir, Ashan, Beth Shemesh, with their outskirts; and out of the family group of Benjamin, Geba, Allemeth, and Anathoth, with their outskirts. All their cities throughout their families were 13 cities.
[61-70] To the rest of the descendants of Kohath ten cities were chosen by the Judgment stones, out of the family group, out of half the family of Manasseh. To the descendants of Gershom, according to their families, out of the family group of Issachar, out of the family group of Asher, out of the family group of Naphtali, and out of the family group of Manasseh in Bashan, 13 cities. To the descendants of Merari were given by the Judgment stones, according to their families, out of the family group of Reuben, out of the family group of Gad, and out of the family group of Zebulun, 12 cities. The people of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their outskirts. They gave by the Judgment stones out of the family group of the people of Judah, out of the family group of the people of Simeon, and out of the family group of the people of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name. Some of the families of the descendants of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the family group of Ephraim. They gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem, in the hillsides of Ephraim, Gezer, Jokmeam, Beth Horon, Aijalon, Gath Rimmon, with their outskirts; and out of half the family of Manasseh, Aner and Bileam, with their outskirts, for the rest of the family of the descendants of Kohath.
[71-76] To the descendants of Gershom were given, out of half the family of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth, with their outskirts; and out of the family group of Issachar, Kedesh, Daberath, Ramoth, and Anem, with their outskirts; and out of the family group of Asher, Mashal, Abdon, Hukok, and Rehob, with their outskirts; and out of the family group of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, with their outskirts.
[77-81] To the rest of the Levites, the descendants of Merari were given, out of the family group of Zebulun, Rimmono and tabor, with their outskirts; and across the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan were given them, out of the family group of Reuben, Bezer in the countryside, Jahzah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath, with their outskirts; and out of the family group of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer, with their outskirts.
7[1-5] The descendants of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four in all. The descendants of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their ancestors’ houses, that is, of Tola; strong experienced soldiers in their generations; their number in the days of David was 22,600. The descendant of Uzzi was Izrahiah. The descendants of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah, five leaders in all. With them, by their generations, after their ancestors’ houses were 36,000 military troops for war; and they had many wives and children. Their relatives among all the families of Issachar were strong experienced soldiers, 87,000 recognized in all by genealogy.
[6-12] The descendants of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three in all. The descendants of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five in all; heads of ancestors’ houses, strong experienced soldiers; 22,034 recognized in all by genealogy. The descendants of Becher; Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the descendants of Becher. They were recognized by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their ancestors’ houses, 20,200 strong experienced soldiers. The descendant of Jediael was Bilhan. The descendants of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their ancestors’ houses, strong experienced soldiers, 17,200 who were able to fight in the war. Shuppim and Huppim, the descendants of Ir, Hushim, the descendant of Aher.
[13 -19] The descendants of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, who were the descendants of Bilhah. The descendant of Manasseh; Asriel, whom his mistress, the Aramitess had; she had Machir, who had Gilead; and Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maacah; and the name of the second was Zelophehad; and Zelophehad had daughters. Maacah, the wife of Machir, had a son, and she named him Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh, who had Ulam and Rakem. The descendant of Ulam was Bedan. These were the descendants of Gilead of Machir, who was of Manasseh. His sister Hammolecheth had Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. The descendants of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
[20-27] The descendants of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, Zabad, Shuthelah, and Ezer and Elead, whom the people of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock. Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his family came to comfort him. He had sex with his wife, and she got pregnant, and had a son, and he named him Beriah, because of the evil that had happened to his family. His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth Horon, and Uzzen Sheerah. He had Rephah and Resheph, who had Telah, who had Tahan, who had Ladan, who had Ammihud, who had Elishama, who had Nun, who had Joshua.
[28-29] Their land and homes were Bethel, with its towns, eastward Naaran, westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also, with its towns, to Azzah, with its towns; and by the borders of the people of Manasseh, Beth Shean, with its towns, Taanach, with its towns, Megiddo, with its towns, Dor, with its towns. The people of Joseph, who was of Israel, lived in these towns.
[30-40] The descendants of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The descendants of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who had Birzaith. Heber had Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister. The descendants of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the people of Japhlet. The descendants of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. The descendants of Helem, his brother, were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. The descendants of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. The descendants of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. The descendants of Ulla were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. All these were the people of Asher, heads of their ancestors’ houses, the best and strongest experienced soldiers, leaders of the leaders. The number of them was 26,000 soldiers recognized by genealogy for service in war.
8[1-28] Benjamin had Bene 1st, Ashbel 2nd, Aharah 3rd, Nohah 4th, and Rapha 5th. Bene Hadaddar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. These are the descendants of Ehud; these are the heads of their ancestors’ houses of the people of Geba, and they took them prisoner to Manahath; Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, he took them prisoner; and he had Uzza and Ahihud. Shaharaim had children in the area of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara, his wives. By Hodesh, his wife, he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his descendants, heads of the ancestors’ houses. By Hushim, he had Abitub and Elpaal. The descendants of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns; and Beriah and Shema who were heads of the ancestors’ houses of the people of Aijalon, who ran off the people of Gath; and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth. Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the descendants of Beriah. Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber (Hebrews), Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the descendants of Elpaal. Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the descendants of Shimei. Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the descendants of Shashak. Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the descendants of Jeroham. These were the heads of the ancestors’ houses throughout their generations, the leaders, who lived in Jerusalem.
[29-32] In Gibeon, Jeiel lived, who had Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah; and his firstborn was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. Mikloth had Shimeah. They also lived with their family in Jerusalem, next to their brothers.
[33-40] Ner had Kish; and Kish had Saul; and Saul had Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. Of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal had Micah. The descendants of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. Ahaz had Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah had Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri had Moza. Moza had Binea; Raphah had Eleasah, who had Azel. Azel had six sons whose names are Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the descendants of Azel. The descendants of Eshek, his brother, were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. The descendants of Ulam were strong experienced soldiers, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, 150 in all. All these were of the descendants of Benjamin.
9[1-10] So all Israel were recognized by genealogies; and they’re written in The Book of the Rulers of Israel (Kings); and Judah was carried away prisoner to Babylon (Iraq, Iran) for their disobedience. Now the first people who lived in their lands in their cities were Israel, the preachers, the Levites, and the Nethinim (church workers). The people of Judah lived In Jerusalem, of the people of Benjamin, and of the people of Ephraim and Manasseh; Uthai of Ammihud, who was of Omri, who was of Imri, who was of Bani, who was of the people of Perez, who was of Judah. Of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his children. The descendants of Zerah were Jeuel, and their family, 690 in all. The descendants of Benjamin were Sallu, who was of Meshullam, who was of Hodaviah, who was of Hassenuah, Ibneiah who was of Jeroham, Elah who was of Uzzi, who was of Michri, Meshullam who was of Shephatiah, who was of Reuel, who was of Ibnijah; and their families, according to their generations, 956 in all. All these were the heads of the ancestors’ houses by their families.
[10-13] Of the preachers were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, and Azariah, who was of Hilkiah, who was of Meshullam, who was of Zadok, who was of Meraioth, who was of Ahitub, the Ruler of the House of God; Adaiah who was of Jeroham, who was of Pashhur, who was of Malchijah; Maasai, who was of Adiel, who was of Jahzerah, who was of Meshullam, who was of Meshillemith, who was of Immer; and their families, heads of their ancestors’ houses, 1,760 capable men for the work of the service of the House of God.
[14-16] Of the Levites were Shemaiah, who was of Hasshub, who was of Azrikam, who was of Hashabiah, who was of the descendants of Merari; Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, Mattaniah, who was of Mica, who was of Zichri, who was of Asaph, Obadiah, who was of Shemaiah, who was of Galal, who was of Jeduthun, and Berechiah, who was of Asa, who was of Elkanah, who lived in the towns of the Netophathites.
[17-27] The doorkeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their family (Shallum was the leader), who up to now served in the Ruler’s east gate; they were the doorkeepers for the town of the people of Levi. Shallum who was of Kore, who was of Ebiasaph, who was of Korah, and his brothers from his family’s household, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the doorway of the tent; and their ancestors, who had been over the camp of Yahweh, keepers of the entryway. Phinehas, who was of Eleazar, was Ruler over them in the past, and Yahweh was with him. Zechariah, who was of Meshelemiah, was doorkeeper of the Place of Worship. All these, who were chosen to be doorkeepers in the doorways were 212. These were recognized by genealogy in their towns, whom David and Samuel, the preacher, ordained in their office of trust. So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, even the house of the tent, by division. On the four sides were the doorkeepers, toward the east, west, north, and south. Their families in their towns, were to come in every seven days, from time to time, to be with them because the four head doorkeepers, who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the rooms and over the treasuries in the House of God. They stayed around the House of God, because they were in charge of it, and opened it up each morning.
[28-32] Some of them had charge of the pots of service, which were brought in and out by count. Some of them also were set over the furniture, over all the pots of the sanctuary, over the finely ground flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices. Some of the descendants of the preachers prepared the mix of the spices. Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum, the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans. Some of their brothers, of the descendants of the Kohathites, were over the holy bread, to prepare it every Seventh Day.
[33-34] These are the singers, heads of the ancestors’ houses of the Levites, who lived in the rooms and were free from other service because they did their work day and night. These were heads of ancestors’ houses of the Levites, leaders throughout their generations, who lived at Jerusalem.
[35-44] In Gibeon, Jeiel lived, who had Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah; and his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. Mikloth had Shimeam. They also lived with their family in Jerusalem, next to their brothers. Ner had Kish; and Kish had Saul; and Saul had Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. Of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal had Micah. The descendants of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. Ahaz had Jarah; and Jarah had Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri had Moza; and Moza had Binea; and Rephaiah, who had Eleasah, who had Azel. Azel had six sons whose names are Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the descendants of Azel.
10[1-6] Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the people of Israel ran from the Philistines, and fell down dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. The battle went very bad against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was wounded by them. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and kill me, in case these unbelievers come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer wouldn’t do it because he was very scared. So Saul took his sword, and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword, too, and died. So Saul and his three sons died; his whole house died together.
[7-12] When all the people of Israel, who were in the valley, saw that Saul and his sons were dead, they ran and left their cities; and the Philistines came and lived in them. On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They stripped him, and took his head, and his armor, and sent it into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their false gods, and to the people. They put his armor in the house of their false gods, and hung his head in the house of Dagon. When all Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the soldiers went and took away the body of Saul and his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
[13-14] So Saul died for his sin which he did against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked counsel of a witch with an evil spirit, and didn’t ask counsel of Yahweh; so he let him be killed, and turned the countries over to David, who was of Jesse.
11[1-3] Then all Israel gathered together to go to David at Hebron, saying, “See, we’re your own flesh and bone. In times past, even when Saul was our Ruler, it was you who led Israel out and in; and Yahweh your God said to you, You’ll be the spiritual and political leader over My people Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the Ruler to Hebron; and David made an agreement with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David Ruler over Israel, according to the Word of Yahweh by Samuel.
[4-9] David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; and the Jebusites, the people of the land were there also. The people of Jebus said to David, “Don’t come in here!” But David took the stronghold of Zion, which is the same as the city of David. David said, “Whoever fights the Jebusites first will be leader and captain.” Joab of Zeruiah went up first, and was made leader. David lived in the stronghold; so they called it the city of David. He built the city up all around it, from Millo all around it; and Joab built the rest of the city. David grew greater and greater because Yahweh, the God of All Creation, was with him.
[10-14] Now these are the leaders of the soldiers whom David had, who proved their strength with him in his countries, together with all Israel, to make him Ruler, as Yahweh told them about Israel. This is the number of the soldiers whom David had; Jashobeam, of a Hachmonite, was the leader of the 30; he fought against 300 at one time and killed them all. After him was Eleazar of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three strongest soldiers. He was with David at Pasdammim, where the Philistines were gathered together to fight, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people ran from the Philistines. They stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory.
[15-21] Three of the 30 leaders went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the soldiers of the Philistines were camped in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the fort of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. David groaned, saying, “Oh that someone would give me a drink of water from the well from Bethlehem, which is by the gate! So the three broke through the troops of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well from Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David; but David wouldn’t drink it, but poured it out as an offering to Yahweh, saying, “My God forbid it me, that I should do this; I’ll drink the blood of these men, who have put their lives on the line? for with danger to their lives they brought it. So he wouldn’t drink it. These things did the three soldiers. Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was leader of the three because he fought against 300 and killed them, and had a name among the three. Of the three, he was more honorable than the other two, and was made their captain; But he wasn’t part of the first three.
[22-25] Benaiah, who was of Jehoiada, who was born of a brave man of Kabzeel who had done very brave things, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab; he also went down and killed a lion in the bottom of a pit in the snow. He also killed an Egyptian of great height, who was 7 ½ feet tall; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear as long as a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a walking stick, and knocked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three soldiers, so he was more honorable than the 30, but he wasn’t part of the first three; and David set him over his guard.
[26-47] Also the strongest of the troops were Asahel, the brother of Joab, Elhanan of Dodo, from Bethlehem, Shammoth, the Harorite, Helez, the Pelonite, Ira of Ikkesh, the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled of Baanah, the Netophathite, Ithai of Ribai, of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hurai of the rivers of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the people of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan of Shagee, the Hararite, Ahiam of Sacar, the Hararite, Eliphal of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai of Ezbai, Joel, the brother of Nathan, Mibhar of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Zabad of Ahlai, Adina of Shiza, the Reubenite, a leader of the Reubenites, and 30 with him, Hanan of Maacah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael of Shimri, Joha his brother, the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai, and Joshaviah of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
12[1-7] Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he still kept himself close because of Saul of Kish; and they were among the soldiers, his helpers in war. They were armed with bows and arrows, and could use both the right and left hand in slinging stones and in shooting; they were of Saul’s brothers of Benjamin. The leader was Ahiezer; then Joash, who were of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, who were of Azmaveth, Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite, Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, the strongest among the 30, and leader over the 30, Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, Joelah, Zebadiah, of Jeroham of Gedor.
[8-15] Of the Gadites, there came over to David to the stronghold in the countryside, strong experienced soldiers, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were as fierce as lions, and they were as fast as the deer on the mountains; Ezer the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the 6th, Eliel the 7th, Johanan the 8th, Elzabad the 9th, Jeremiah the 10th, Machbannai the 11th. These of the descendants of Gad were troop leaders; Those who were least were equal to a hundred men, and the greatest to a thousand men. These are those who went over the Jordan in the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-Apr), when it had overflowed all its banks; and they ran off all those of the valleys, both toward the east and the west.
[16 -18] Some of the people of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peaceably to help me, I will welcome you wholeheartedly; but if you come to hand me over to my enemies, seeing I’ve done nothing wrong, the God of our ancestors will look on it, and punish you. Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was the leader of the 30, and he said, “We’re your people, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse; peace, be at peace, and we’re your helpers because your God helps you.” Then David took them, and made them troop leaders.
[19-22] Some of Manasseh also came to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to fight; but they didn’t help them because the leaders of the Philistines sent him away after talking with each other, saying, “He’ll turn against us back to his boss Saul to put our lives in danger. As he went to Ziklag, Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai came to him of Manasseh, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. They helped David against a troop of drifters because they were all strong experienced soldiers, and were captains in the troops. For from day today men came to David to help him, until there was a great troop, like the troops of God.
[23-37] These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the countries of Saul over to him, as Yahweh told them. The people of Judah who had shield and spear were 6,800, armed for war. Of the people of Simeon, 7,100 strong experienced soldiers for war. There were 4,600 of the people of Levi. Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron; and with him were 3,700, and Zadok, a young man very brave, and of his father’s house 22 captains. There were 3,000 of the people of Benjamin, the family of Saul because up to now most of them had been loyal to the house of Saul. Of the people of Ephraim 20,800, strong experienced soldiers, well known in their ancestors’ houses. Of the half family group of Manasseh 18,000 were mentioned by name, to come and make David Ruler. Of the people of Issachar, those who understood the times, and knew what Israel should do, there were 200 leaders; and all their families followed at their word. Of Zebulun, 50,000 were able to go out in the troops, who could outfit the troops with all kinds of weapons, and who could set everything in order for David with an undivided heart. Of Naphtali 1,000 captains, and with them 37,000 with weapons. Of the Danites, 28,600, who could march in battle. Of Asher, 40,000 were able to go out in the troops, who could march in battle. On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of half the family of Manasseh, 120,000 with all kinds of weapons of war for the battle.
[38-40] All these being soldiers, who could march in battle, came with a good conscious to Hebron, to make David Ruler over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel was of a heart to make David their Ruler also. They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking because their people had prepared for them. Besides this, those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought on donkeys, camels, mules, and cows, food of cornbread, loaves of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, and oil, and cows and sheep in wealth because there was great happiness in Israel.
13[1 -8] David consulted with every leader, with the captains of thousands and hundreds. David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it’s what you want, and if it’s the will of Yahweh our God, let’s send everywhere to our families who are in all the land of Israel with whom the preachers and Levites are in their cities with their outskirts, that they may come to us; and let’s bring back the Chest of our God to us because we didn’t go after it in the days of Saul.” All the assembly said that they would do so because the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from the Shihor, the River of Egypt, all the way to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the Chest of God from Kiriath Jearim. David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the Chest of God that sits above the cherubim (angelic winged creatures), upon which God’s Name is called. They carried the Chest of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. David and all Israel played before God with all their strength, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals, and horns.
[9-14] When they came to the place of harvest of Chidon, Uzza reached out to hold the Chest because the cows stumbled. Yahweh was angry at Uzza, and killed him, because he touched the Chest; so he died before God. David was unhappy, because Yahweh had killed Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, until today. David was scared of God that day, saying, “How will I bring the Chest of God home to me?” So David didn’t bring the Chest to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The Chest of God was left with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months; and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and whatever he had.
14[1-7] Hiram, Ruler of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and gave him cedar trees, stone builders, and woodworkers to build him a house. David understood that Yahweh had made him Ruler over Israel because his land was uplifted, for his people Israel ‘s sake. David took more wives at Jerusalem and had more children. These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
[8-12] When the Philistines heard that David was anointed Ruler over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to look for David; and David heard it, and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim; So David asked of God, saying, “Should I go up against the Philistines? and will you put them in my power?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up; I’ll put them into your power.” So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David fought them there; and David said, “God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the waters were divided. So they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. They left their gods there; and David gave word, and they were burned with fire.
[13-17] Then the Philistines raided the valley again. David asked again of God; and God said to him, “You won’t chase after them; but turn away from them, and come up on them next to the mulberry trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you’ll go out to fight because I, your God, will go out before you to fight the troops of the Philistines.” David did as God told him; and they fought the troops of the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer. The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.
15[1-15] David built houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the Chest of God, and pitched a tent for it. Then David said, “No one should carry the Chest of God but the Levites because Yahweh has chosen them to carry it, and to minister to him forever. David gathered all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the Chest of God to its place, which he had prepared for it. David gathered together the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites; of the descendants of Kohath, Uriel the leader, and 120 family members; of the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader, and 220 family members; of the descendants of Gershom, Joel the leader, and 130 family members; of the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the leader, and 200 family members; of the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader, and 80 family members; of the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab the leader, and 112 family members. David called for Zadok and Abiathar, the preachers, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, saying to them, “You’re the heads of the ancestors’ houses of the Levites; dedicate yourselves, both you and your family, that you may bring up the Chest of God, the God of Israel, to the place that I’ve made for it. Because you didn’t carry it at the first, the power of Yahweh our God broke out on us, because we didn’t watch out for God according to the rule.” So the preachers and the Levites dedicated themselves to bring up the Chest of God, the God of Israel. The people of the Levites had the Chest of God on their shoulders with the poles on it, as Moses told them as Yahweh told them.
[16 -25] David said to the leader of the Levites to appoint their families the singers with instruments of music, lyres, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with great happiness. So the Levites set Heman of Joel; and his family members, Asaph of Berechiah; and of the descendants of Merari their families, Ethan of Kushaiah; and with them their families of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were set with cymbals of brass to sound aloud; and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah with lyres set to Alamoth; and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead. Chenaniah, head of the Levites was over the song; he taught the singing, because he was skillful. Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the Chest. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the preachers, blew the horns before the Chest of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the Chest.
[25 -29] So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the Chest of Promise of Yahweh out of the house of Obed-Edom with great happiness. When God helped the Levites who had the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, they sacrificed seven cattle and seven rams. David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who had the Chest, and the singers, and Chenaniah the boss of the song with the singers; and David had on him a golden breastplate of linen. So all Israel brought up the Chest of Promise of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, horns, cymbals, and sounding aloud with lyres and harps. As the Chest of Promise of Yahweh came to the city of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked out at the window, and saw the Ruler David dancing and playing; and she hated him in her heart.
16[1-3] They brought in the Chest of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.
[4-36] He set some of the Levites to take care of the Chest of God, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel; Asaph the leader, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel with lyres and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; and Benaiah and Jahaziel the preachers with horns continually, before the Chest of Promise of God. Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his family.
Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on God’s name. Make the acts of God known among the peoples. Sing to God. Sing praises to God. Tell of all God’s wonderful works. Glory in God’s holy name. Let the heart of those who pray to Yahweh be happy. Turn to Yahweh, who is your strength. Turn to God forevermore. Remember the wonderful works God has done, God’s wonders, and God’s Word, you people of Israel, God’s workers, you people of Jacob, God’s chosen ones. Yahweh is our God, whose judgments are in all the earth. Remember God’s promised agreement forever, God’s Word is for a thousand generations, the promised agreement which God made with Abraham, and promised to Isaac. God confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting promised agreement, saying, “I’ll you give the land of Canaan, the land of your inheritance, when you were but a few in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it. They went about from nation to nation, from one country to another people. God wouldn’t let anyone do them wrong. Yes, God reproved Rulers for their sakes, saying, “Don’t touch my anointed ones! Don’t hurt my preachers. Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display God’s saving grace from day today. Tell of God’s glory among the nations, and God’s wonderful works among all the peoples. For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, who also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are false gods, but Yahweh made the heavens. God is honorable and awesome. Where God is, there’s strength and happiness. Give credit to Yahweh, you peoples, credit to Yahweh glory and strength! Credit to Yahweh the glory due to God’s name. Bring an offering, and come to God. Worship Yahweh in holy display. Shake in fear before God, all the earth. The world also is set up that it can’t be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth be happy! Let them say among the nations, Yahweh rules. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field triumph, and whatever’s in it! Then the trees of the forest will sing for great happiness before Yahweh, who comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for God is good, whose loving kindness lasts forever. Say, Save us, God of our saving grace! Gather us together and bring us back from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise. Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “So be it, and praised Yahweh.
[37-43] So he left there, before the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, Asaph and his family, to minister before the Chest continually, as every day’s work required; and Obed-Edom with 68 family members; Obed-Edom also of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers; and Zadok the preacher, and his family the preachers, before the tent of Yahweh in the Place of Worship that was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even like what’s written in the law of Yahweh which God told to Israel; and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because God’s loving kindness lasts forever; and with them Heman and Jeduthun with horns and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the descendants of Jeduthun to be at the gate. All the people went home; and David went back to bless his house.
17[1-15] When David moved in his house, he said to Nathan the preacher, “See, I live in a house of cedar, but the Chest of Promise of Yahweh is under tent curtains. Nathan said to David, “Do what’s in your heart because God is with you.” The same night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell David My worker, ‘Yahweh says, “‘You won’t build Me a house to live in because I haven’t lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, until today, but have gone from one tent to another. In all the places in which I’ve walked with all Israel, have I said, “ a word to any of the judges of Israel whom I told to be shepherd of My people, saying, “Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ So now this will you tell my follower David, ‘Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, so that you would be head over My people Israel; and I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and have stopped all your enemies from before you; and I’ll make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are dead in the earth. I’ll appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may live in their own place, and be moved no more; neither will the evil people hurt them anymore, as at the first, and as from the day that I told the judges to be over My people Israel; and I’ll defeat all your enemies. Besides this, I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. When your days are done that you must go to be with your ancestors, I’ll put your child after you, who will be one of your sons; and I’ll set up his rule. He’ll build Me a house, and I’ll set up his throne forever. I’ll be like a parent to him, and he’ll be my child; and I won’t take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from Saul that was before you; but I’ll settle him in My house and in My land forever; and his throne will be set up forever.’“ So Nathan told David all these words, according to this vision.
[16 -27] Then David the Ruler went in, and sat before Yahweh and said, “Who am I, Yahweh God, and what’s my house, that You’ve brought me this far? This was a small thing to you, God; but You’ve told me of Your follower’s house for a great while to come, and have thought of me like someone of high degree, Yahweh God. What can David say more to You about the honor which is done to Your follower? for You know Your follower. Yahweh, for Your follower’s sake, and according to Your own heart, have You done this great thing, to make known all these great things. Yahweh, there’s none like You, nor is there any God Besides this, You, like what we’ve heard with our ears. What nation in the earth is like Your people Israel, whom You, God, went to save for Yourself for a people, to make You a name by great and awesome things, in driving out the nations from before Your people, whom You brought out of Egypt? For Your people Israel You made Your own people forever; and You, Yahweh, became their God. Now, Yahweh, let the word that You’ve said about Your follower, and about my house, being set up forever, and do as You’ve said. Let Your Name be lifted up and made well known forever, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David Your follower is set up before You. For You, my God, have made known to Your follower that You’ll build me a house; so has Your follower found in my heart to pray before You. Now, Yahweh, You’re God, and have promised this good thing to Your follower, and now it has pleased You to bless the house of Your follower, that it may continue forever before You because You, Yahweh, have blessed, and it’s blessed forever.
18[1-4] After this, David fought the Philistines, and defeated them, and took Gath with its towns from the Philistines. He fought Moab; and the Moabites became workers for David, and paid taxes to him. David fought Hadadezer, Ruler of Zobah Hamath, as he went to set up his rule by the river Euphrates. David took from him 1,000 war vehicles, 7,000 riders, and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David disabled all the war vehicle horses, but kept enough for 100 of them.
[5-8] When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer Ruler of Zobah, David defeated 22,000 Syrians. Then David put protected cities in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became workers for David, and brought him taxes. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold that were on the workers of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a whole lot of brass, with which Solomon made the brass sea, and the pillars, and the pots of brass.
[9-13] When Tou Ruler of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the troops of Hadadezer Ruler of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to Ruler David, to meet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; (for Hadadezer had many wars with Tou;) and he had with him all kinds of things of gold, silver, and brass. These also Ruler David dedicated to Yahweh with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, Moab, the people of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek. Besides this, Abishai of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put protected cities in Edom; and all the Edomites became workers to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
[14-17] So David ruled over all Israel; and he gave justice and equality to all his people. Joab of Zeruiah was over the troops; and Jehoshaphat of Ahilud was recorder; and Zadok of Ahitub, and Abimelech of Abiathar were preachers; and Shavsha was secretary; and Benaiah of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were leaders for him.
19[1-5] After this, Nahash the Ruler of the people of Ammon died, and his son ruled in his place. David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. So David sent messengers to comfort him about his father. David’s workers came into the land of the people of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, ‘Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Aren’t his workers come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?” So Hanun took David’s workers, shaved them, tore their clothes half off exposing their buttocks, and sent them away. Then some people went and told David how the men were treated. He went to meet them because the men were greatly ashamed. David said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then go back.”
[6 -9] When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves hateful to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent 7,500 pounds of silver to hire them war vehicles and riders out of Mesopotamia, out of Arammaacah, and out of Zobah. So they hired 32,000 war vehicles, and the Ruler of Maacah and his people who came and camped before Medeba. The people of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to fight. When David heard it, he sent Joab, and all the troops of soldiers. The people of Ammon came out, and got ready for battle at the gate of the city; and the Rulers who had come were by themselves in the field.
[10-15] Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose the best men of Israel, and put them in battle against the Syrians. The rest of the people he put into the power of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in battle against the people of Ammon. He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you’ll help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I’ll help you. Be brave, and let’s fight strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may Yahweh do what’s best. So Joab and the people who were with him came to fight the Syrians; and they ran before him. When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians had run, they likewise ran before Abishai his brother, and went into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
[16-19] When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew out the Syrians who were across the river with Shophach, the captain of the troops of Hadadezer, at their head. It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, crossed over the Jordan, and came on them, and went to fight against them. So when David had gone to fight against the Syrians, they fought with him. The Syrians ran before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the soldiers of 7,000 war vehicles, and 41,000 foot soldiers, and killed Shophach the captain of the troops. When the workers of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him; and the Syrians wouldn’t help the people of Ammon anymore.
20[1-3] At the beginning of the year, at the time when Rulers go out to fight, Joab led out the troops, and destroyed the country of the people of Ammon, and came and surrounded Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab fought Rabbah, and overthrew it. David took the crown of their Ruler from off his head, and found it to weigh 75 lbs. of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head; and he brought a lot of stuff out of the city. He brought out the people who were in it, and made them work with saws, tillers of iron, and axes. David did this to all the cities of the people of Ammon. David and all the people went back to Jerusalem.
[4-8] After this, a war started at Gezer with the Philistines; then Sibbecai, the Hushathite, killed Sippai, of the descendants of the giant; and they were defeated. There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, the Gittite, whose spear was as long as a weaver’s beam. There was again war at Gath where there was another giant, who was very tall and had 24 fingers and toes, six on each hand and foot, and who was born to the giant. When he defied Israel, Jonathan of Shimea, David’s brother killed him. These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his soldiers.
21[1 -8] Satan rose up against Israel, moving David to number Israel. David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan; and bring me word, so that I may know how many we’ve. Joab said, “Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are; but Ruler David, aren’t they all your workers? Why do you want to know this thing? Why will you be a cause of guilt to Israel? But the Ruler’s word was strong against Joab. So Joab left, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were 1,100,000 soldiers; and in Judah were 470,000 soldiers. But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin with them because the Ruler’s word was wrong to Joab. God was unhappy with this thing and so punished Israel. David said to God, I’ve sinned greatly, in that I’ve done this thing; but now, forgive, I ask you, the sin of Your follower because I’ve done a very ungodly thing.
[9-17] The messenger of Yahweh said to Gad, David’s preacher, saying, “Go and speak to David, saying, “‘Yahweh says, “I offer you three choices; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’“ So Gad came to David, saying to him, “Yahweh says, “‘Choose which you want, either three years of no harvests; or three months to be destroyed by your enemies, while they overtake you; or else three days by the hand of Yahweh, with disease in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel.’ Now think about it and tell me what answer I’ll give to the One who sent Me.” David said to Gad, I’m in great trouble; so let me fall, I pray, into the power of Yahweh because God’s mercies are very great; and let me not fall into the power of humans. So Yahweh sent a disease on Israel; and 70,000 soldiers of Israel fell. God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; and as it was about to be destroyed, Yahweh saw, and stopped the evil, saying to the destroying angel, “It’s enough; now stay your hand.” The angel of Yahweh was standing by the place of harvest of Ornan the Jebusite. David looked up, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in mourning clothes, fell facedown. David said to God, Isn’t it I who ordered the people to be counted? It’s I who has sinned and done very evil; but these people, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against Your people, that they should be troubled.
[18-27] Then the angel of Yahweh told Gad to tell David, that David should go up, and raise an altar to Yahweh in the place of harvest of Ornan the Jebusite. David went up at the word of Gad, which he said in the Name of Yahweh. Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the place of harvest, and bowed to David with his face down. Then David said to Ornan, Give me the place of this place of harvest, so that I may build on it an altar to Yahweh and I’ll pay you the full price to give it to me, that this disease may be stopped from the people. Ornan said to David, “Take it to you, and do whatever’s good to you; see, I give you the cows for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering; I give it all.” But David said to Ornan, “No; but I’ll most certainly buy it for the full price because I won’t take what’s yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost.” So David gave to Ornan for the place 600 gold coins by weight. David built there an altar to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh, who answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. Yahweh told the angel to put up the sword again into its sheath.
[28-30] At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the place of harvest of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. For the tent of Yahweh, which Moses made in the countryside, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time in the Place of Worship at Gibeon. But David couldn’t go before it to ask of God because he was scared of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.
22[1-5] Then David said, “This is the Place of Worship of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” David told them to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set stone builders to hew worked stones to build the House of God. David prepared much iron for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the hinges; and a whole lot of brass; and too many cedar trees to count because the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought a great many cedar trees to David. David said, “Solomon my child is young and immature, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be very wonderful, of great fame and well known throughout all countries; so I’ll make preparation for it. So David prepared a great deal before his death.
[6-10] Then he called for Solomon his son, and told him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the Name of Yahweh my God. But the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “‘You’ve killed many people, and have made great wars; so you won’t build a house in My Name, because you’ve shed much blood on the earth to me. See, a son will be born to you, who will be one of rest; and I’ll give him rest from all his enemies around; whose name will be Solomon, and I’ll give peace and quietness to Israel in his days; he’ll build a house for My Name; and he’ll be My child, and I’ll be like a parent to him; and I’ll set up the throne of his rule over Israel forever.’
[11-16] Now, my child, Yahweh will be with you; and you will do well, and build the Place of Worship of Yahweh your God, just as God has said about you. May Yahweh give you good judgment and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; so that you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. Then you’ll do well, if you keep the laws and the rules which Yahweh gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and brave. Don’t be scared, nor be worried. Now, see, I’ve gone through a lot of trouble to prepare for the Place of Worship of Yahweh 7,500,000 lbs. of gold, and 75,000,000 lbs. of silver, and more brass and iron than can be weighed because there’s so much; I’ve also gotten wood and stone; and you may add to them. There are also many workers for you, stonecutters and builders and woodworkers, and all kinds of skillful people in every trade; of the gold, silver, brass, and iron, there’s no number. Get up and get to work, and Yahweh be with you.
[17-19] David also told all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t God given you rest on every side? Who has given the people of the land to me; and the land is peaceful before Yahweh, and before God’s people. Now set your heart and your soul to look after Yahweh your God; Get up, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, and the holy pots of God, into the house that is to be built to the Name of Yahweh.
23[1-6] Now David was very old and near death; and he made Solomon his son Ruler over Israel. He gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the preachers and the Levites. The Levites were counted from 30 years old and up; and their number by their polls, was 38,000. Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and 6,000 were officials and judges; and 4,000 were doorkeepers; and 4,000 praised Yahweh with the instruments which David made for giving praise. David divided them into divisions according to the descendants of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
[7-11] Of the Gershonites were Ladan and Shimei. The descendants of Ladan were Jehiel the first, Zetham, and Joel, three in all. The descendants of Shimei were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three in all. These were the heads of the ancestors’ houses of Ladan. The descendants of Shimei were Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the descendants of Shimei. Jahath was the first, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah didn’t have many sons; so they became one house in counting.
[12-20] The descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four in all. The descendants of Amram were Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was set apart, that he should dedicate the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before Yahweh, to minister to God, and to bless the Name of God, forever. But as for Moses, the follower of God, his sons were named among the family group of Levi. The descendants of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. The descendant of Gershom was Shebuel the leader. The descendant of Eliezer was Rehabiah the leader; and Eliezer had no other sons; but Rehabiah had very many descendants. The descendant of Izhar was Shelomith the leader. The descendants of Hebron were Jeriah the leader, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. The descendants of Uzziel were Micah the leader, and Isshiah the second.
[21-23] The descendants of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The descendants of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died, and had no sons, but only daughters; and their cousins, the descendants of Kish, married them. The descendants of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three in all.
[24-32] These were the descendants of Levi after their ancestors’ houses, even the heads of the ancestors’ houses of the ones who were counted, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, from 20 years old and up. For David said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people and lives in Jerusalem forever; and also the Levites won’t have to carry the tent and all the pots for its service.” For by the last words of David, the descendants of Levi were counted, from 20 years old and up. For their office was to wait on the descendants of Aaron for the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, in the courts, the rooms, and the purifying of all the holy things, even the work of the service of the House of God, and for the holy bread also, and for the finely ground flour for meal offerings, whether its crackers made without yeast, or of what’s baked in the pan, or of what’s soaked, and for all kinds of measures and sizes; and to stand every morning and evening to thank and praise Yahweh; and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the Seventh Days, on the new moons, and on the set celebrations, in number according to the rule about them, continually before Yahweh; and that they should keep charge of the Place of Worship, and of the holy place, and charge of the descendants of Aaron, their family members, for the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh.
24[1-6] These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The descendants of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, having no children; so Eleazar and Ithamar served in the preacher’s office. David, with Zadok of the descendants of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, of the sons Ithamar, divided them according to their order in their service. There were more leaders found of the descendants of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and so they were divided in this way: there were sixteen of the descendants of Eleazar, heads of their ancestors’ houses; and eight of the sons Ithamar, according to their ancestors’ houses. They were divided impartially by drawing the judgment stones because they were leaders of the sanctuary, and leaders of God, both of the descendants of Eleazar, and of the sons Ithamar. Shemaiah of Nethanel, the secretary, who was of the Levites, wrote them down in the presence of the Ruler, the leaders, Zadok the preacher, Ahimelech of Abiathar, the heads of the ancestors’ houses of the preachers and of the Levites; one house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
[7-19] Now Jehoiarib was chosen first, Jedaiah 2nd, Harim 3rd, Seorim 4th, Malchijah 5th, Mijamin 6th, Hakkoz 7th, Abijah 8th, Jeshua 9th, Shecaniah 10th, Eliashib 11th, Jakim 12th, Huppah 13th, Jeshebeab 14th, Bilgah 15th, Immer 16th, Hezir 17th, Happizzez 18th, Pethahiah 19th, Jehezkel 20th, Jachin 21st, Gamul 22nd, Delaiah 23rd, and Maaziah 24th. This was their order in their service, to come into the Place of Worship of Yahweh according to the rule given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had told him.
[20-31] Of the rest of the descendants of Levi; of the descendants of Amram, Shubael; of the descendants of Shubael, Jehdeiah. Of Rehabiah; of the descendants of Rehabiah, Isshiah 1st. Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the descendants of Shelomoth, Jahath. The descendants of Hebron; Jeriah 1st, Amariah 2nd, Jahaziel 3rd, and Jekameam 4th. The descendants of Uzziel, Micah; of the descendants of Micah, Shamir. The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the descendants of Isshiah, Zechariah. The descendants of Merari; Mahli and Mushi; the descendants of Jaaziah; Beno. The descendants of Merari; of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. Of Mahli; Eleazar, who had no sons. Of Kish; the descendants of Kish; Jerahmeel. The descendants of Mushi; Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of the Levites after their ancestors’ houses. In the same way, these threw judgment stones, even as their family members, the descendants of Aaron, in the presence of David the Ruler, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the ancestors’ houses of the preachers and of the Levites; the ancestors’ houses of the leader even as those of his younger brother.
25[1-7] Besides this, David and the troop leaders set apart for the service some of the descendants of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who would serve with harps, lyres, and cymbals; and the number of those who did the work according to their service was; of the descendants of Asaph; Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the descendants of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph who served after the order of the Ruler. Of Jeduthun; the descendants of Jeduthun were Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who served in giving thanks and praising Yahweh. Of Heman; the descendants of Heman were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these were the descendants of Heman, the Ruler’s preacher, in the words of God, to sound the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these were under the hands of their father for song in the Place of Worship of Yahweh with cymbals, lyres, and harps, for the service of the House of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the Ruler. There were 288 skillful singers in number, along with their brothers, who were taught in singing to Yahweh.
[8-31] They threw judgment stones for their offices, all alike, from the least to the greatest, the teacher as well as the scholar. Now those chosen for Asaph was Joseph 1st; Gedaliah 2nd; and his family, 12; Zaccur 3rd, and his family, 12; Izri 4th, and his family, 12; Nethaniah 5th, and his family, 12; Bukkiah 6th, and his family, 12; Jesharelah 7th, and his family, 12; Jeshaiah 8th, and his family, 12; Mattaniah 9th, and his family, 12; Shimei 10th, and his family, 12; Azarel 11th, and his family, 12; Hashabiah 12th, and his family, 12; Shubael 13th, and his family, 12; Mattithiah 14th, and his family, 12; Jeremoth 15th, and his family, 12; Hananiah 16th, and his family, 12; Joshbekashah 17th, and his family, 12; Hanani 18th, and his family, 12; Mallothi 19th, and his family, 12; Eliathah 20th, and his family, 12; Hothir 21st, and his family, 12; Giddalti 22nd, and his family, 12; Mahazioth 23rd, and his family, 12; Romamtiezer 24th, and his family, 12.
26[1-11] For the divisions of the doorkeepers there were of the Korahites, Meshelemiah of Kore, of the descendants of Asaph. Meshelemiah had sons; Zechariah 1st , Jediael 2nd Zebadiah 3rd, Jathniel 4th, Elam 5th, Jehohanan 6th, and Eliehoenai 7th. Obed-Edom had sons; Shemaiah 1st, Jehozabad 2nd, Joah 3rd, Sacar 4th, Nethanel 5th, Ammiel 6th, Issachar 7th, and Peullethai 8th whom God blessed. Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled over the house of their father because they were strong experienced soldiers. The descendants of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were soldiers, Elihu and Semachiah. All these were of the descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their brothers, strong men for the service; Obed-Edom had 62 in all. Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, 18 soldiers in all. Also Hosah, of the people of Merari, had sons; Shimri 1st, (though he wasn’t the firstborn, still his father made him leader), Hilkiah 2nd, Tebaliah 3rd, Zechariah 4th; the sons and brothers of Hosah were 13 in all.
[12-19] Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the leaders, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. They threw judgment stones, from the least to the greatest, according to their ancestors’ houses, for every door. Shelemiah was chosen for the east. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they threw judgment stones; and he was chosen for the north. Obed-Edom was chosen for the south; and to his sons the storehouse. Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the west, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the highway that goes up, watch against watch. On the east were six Levites, on the north four a day, on the south four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. For the Parbar on the west, four at the highway, and two at Parbar. These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the descendants of the Korahites, and of the descendants of Merari.
[20-28] Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasury of the House of God, and over the treasury of the dedicated things. The descendants of Ladan, the descendants of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan were the heads of the ancestors’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, namely Jehieli. The descendants of Jehieli were Zetham and Joel his brother, over the treasury of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites; and Shebuel of Gershom, of Moses, was Ruler over the treasury. His family; of Eliezer came Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. This Shelomoth and his family were over all the treasury of the dedicated things, which David the Ruler, and the heads of the ancestors’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the troop leaders, had dedicated. They dedicated some of the stuff won in battle to fix the Place of Worship of Yahweh. What Samuel the preacher, Saul of Kish, Abner of Ner, and Joab of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was placed under the control of Shelomoth, and his family members.
[29-32] Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officials and judges. Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his family, 1,700 experienced soldiers, had the oversight of Israel across the Jordon westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the Ruler. Jerijah was the leader of the Hebronites, according to their generations by their ancestors’ houses. In the 40th year of the rule of David they were searched for, and there were found with them strong experienced soldiers at Jazer of Gilead. His family, 2,700 experienced soldiers, heads of ancestors’ houses, whom Ruler David made overseers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half the family of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the Ruler.
27[1 -15] Now the people of Israel after their number, the heads of ancestors’ houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officials who served the Ruler, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out monthly, every month of the year of every division were 24,000. Over the division for the 1st month was Jashobeam of Zabdiel; and in his division were 24,000. He was of the people of Perez, the head of all the troop leaders for the 1st month. Over the division of the 2nd month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the Ruler; and in his division were 24,000. The captain of the troops for the 3rd month was Benaiah, of Jehoiada the preacher, leader; and in his division were 24,000. This is that Benaiah, who was the strongest of the 30, and over the 30; and of his division was Ammizabad. The captain for the 4th month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 5th month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 6th month was Ira of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 7th month was Helez the Pelonite, of the people of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 8th month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 9th month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 10th month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 11th month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the people of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000. The captain for the 12th month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; and in his division were 24,000.
[16-24] Also over the family groups of Israel; the leader of the Reubenites was Eliezer of Zichri; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah who was of Maacah; of Levi, Hashabiah who was of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok; who was of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri who was of Michael; of Zebulun, Ishmaiah who was of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth who was of Azriel; of the people of Ephraim, Hoshea who was of Azaziah; of half the family of Manasseh, Joel who was of Pedaiah; of half the family of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo who was of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel who was of Abner; of Dan, Azarel who was of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the family groups of Israel. But David didn’t count those from 20 years old and under, because Yahweh had promised to increase Israel like the stars of the sky. Joab of Zeruiah began to count, but didn’t finish; and God’s anger came on Israel for this; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of the Ruler David.
[25-31] Over the Ruler’s stores was Azmaveth of Adiel; and over all the stores in the fields, the cities, the towns, and the towers was Jonathan of Uzziah; Over those who did the work of the field tilling the ground was Ezri of Chelub; and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the harvest of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite; and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash; and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat who was of Adlai; and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the heads of everything which was David’s, the Ruler.
[32-34] Also Jonathan, David’s uncle was a counselor, one of understanding, and a secretary; and Jehiel of Hachmoni was with the Ruler’s sons. Ahithophel was the Ruler’s counselor; and Hushai the Archite was the Ruler’s friend. After Ahithophel was Jehoiada of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the captain of the Ruler’s troops was Joab.
28[1-5] David gathered all the leaders of Israel, the leaders of the family groups, and the leaders of the companies who served the Ruler by division, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the heads over all the things of the Ruler and his family, along with the officials, and all the strong experienced soldiers, to Jerusalem. Then David, the Ruler, stood up on his feet, saying, “Listen to me, my brothers, and My people; as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the Chest of Promise of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our God; and I had got ready for the building. But God said to me, “You won’t build a house for My Name, because you’re a man of war, and have killed many people. But Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be Ruler over Israel forever, who has chosen Judah to be head; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the descendants of my father, God was pleased to make me Ruler over all Israel; of all my children (for Yahweh has given me many children), and has chosen Solomon, my child, to sit on the throne of the land of Yahweh over Israel.
[6-10] God said to me, “Solomon your son, will build my house and my courts because I’ve chosen him to be my child, and I’ll be like a parent to him. I’ll set up his countries forever, if he continues to do my words and my rules, as at today. So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, keep and search out all the words of Yahweh your God; that you may take this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. You, Solomon my child, know the God of your father, and serve God with a good conscious and with a willing mind because Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts; if you look for God, God will be found of you; but if you stop serving God, God will throw you away forever. Be careful now because Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”
[11-19] Then David gave to Solomon his son the plan of the house of the Place of Worship, and of its rooms, and of its storerooms, and of its upstairs rooms, and of its inner rooms, and of the place of the mercy seat; and the plan of what he had designed by the Spirit, for the courts of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the House of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; also for the divisions of the preachers and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and for all the pots of service in the Place of Worship of Yahweh; of gold by weight for the pots of gold, for all the pots of every kind of service; of silver for all the pots of silver by weight, for all pots of every kind of service; by weight also for the lampstands of gold and its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lampstand and its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver, silver by weight for every lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of every lampstand; and the gold by weight for the tables of holy bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; and the forks, and the bowls, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls, by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls, by weight for every bowl; and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the plan of the Chest, even the cherubim (angelic winged creatures), that spread out their wings, and covered the Chest of Promise of Yahweh.” All this, I’ve been made to understand by writing with the hand of Yahweh on me, even all the design of this plan,” David said.
[20-21] David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and brave, and do it; don’t be scared, nor be troubled because Yahweh God, even my God, is with you; who won’t fail you, nor leave you, until all the work for the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh is finished. See, there are the divisions of the preachers and the Levites, for all the service of the House of God; and there will be with you in all kinds of work every willing person who has skill, for any kind of service; also the captains and all the people will be completely under your control.
29[1-5] David the Ruler said to all the assembly, Solomon, my child, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and immature, and the work is great because the House isn’t for humans, but for Yahweh God. Now I’ve prepared with all my strength for the House of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, and of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones, and many marble stones. In addition, because I’ve set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above what I’ve prepared for the holy house, even 225,000 lbs. of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 525,000 lbs. of refined silver with which to overlay the walls of the houses; of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of the craftspeople. Who then offers willingly to dedicate their self today to Yahweh?”
[6-9] Then the leaders of the ancestors’ houses, and the leaders of the family groups of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds with the heads over the Ruler’s work, offered willingly; and they gave for the service of the House of God of gold 450,000 lbs. and 10,000 gold coins, and of silver 750,000 lbs. , and of brass 1,350,000 lbs. , and of iron 7,500,000 lbs. They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people were happy, because they offered willingly, because with a good conscious they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the Ruler also had great happiness.
[10-20] So David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You’re blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yahweh, Yours is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the awesomeness because everything that’s in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. The earth is Yours, Yahweh, and you’re greater than all. Both riches and honor come of You, and You rule over all; and in Your hand is power and strength; and it’s in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all. So now, our God, we thank You, and praise Your wonderful Name. But who am I, and what’s My people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come of You, and of Your own have we given You. For we’re strangers before You, and foreigners, as all our ancestors were; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there’s no living forever. Yahweh our God, all this store that we’ve prepared to build You a house for Your holy Name comes of Your hand, and is all Your own. I know also, my God, that You try the heart, and are pleased with goodness. As for me, in the goodness of my heart I’ve willingly offered all these things; and now I’ve seen with great happiness Your people, that are present here, offer willingly to You. Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and lead their heart to You; and give to Solomon my child a good conscious, to keep Your words, Your judgments, and your laws, and to do all these things, and to build the Ruler’s house, for which I’ve gave.” David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God.” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and bowed down their heads and humbled themselves before Yahweh and the Ruler.
[21-25] They made sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even 1,000 cattle, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in wealth for all Israel, and ate and drank before Yahweh on that day with great happiness. They made Solomon, the child of David, Ruler the second time, and anointed him to Yahweh to be head, and Zadok to be preacher. Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as Ruler instead of David his father, and did well; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders, the soldiers, and also all of the descendants of Ruler David pledged themselves to Solomon the Ruler. Yahweh made Solomon very well known in the sight of all Israel, and put on him such royal awesomeness as hadn’t been on any Ruler before him in Israel.
[26-30] Now David of Jesse ruled over all Israel. The time that he ruled over Israel was 40 years; he ruled seven years in Hebron, and 33 years in Jerusalem. He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son ruled in his place. Now the acts of David the Ruler, first and last, are written in the history of Samuel, the preacher, and in the history of Nathan, the preacher, and in the history of Gad, the preacher, with all his rule and strength, and the circumstances that came over him, and over Israel, and over all the nations of the countries.
2 Chronicles
1[1-5] Solomon, David’s son, was strengthened in his lands, and Yahweh God was with him, and made him very well known. Solomon ruled all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the ancestors’ houses. So Solomon and all the assembly went to the Place of Worship that was at Gibeon because that was the Place of Worship of God, which Moses, the follower of Yahweh, had made out in the countryside. But David had brought the Chest of God up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it because he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. Besides this, the brass altar Bezalel of Uri, of Hur, had made was there before the tent of Yahweh; and Solomon and the assembly went to it.
[6-10] Solomon went up there to the brass altar before Yahweh, which was at the Place of Worship, and offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it. That night God appeared to Solomon, saying to him, “Ask whatever you want and I’ll give it to you.” So Solomon said to God, “You’ve shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me Ruler in his place. Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David, my father, come to pass because you’ve made me Ruler over a people like the dust of the earth in number. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in before this people. Who can judge so many of Your people?”
[11 -12] Then God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you haven’t asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you, neither still have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people, over whom I’ve made you Ruler; I’ll give you wisdom and knowledge; and I’ll also give you riches, wealth, and honor, more than any of the Rulers have had who have come before you; neither will there be any after you like this.”
[13-17] So Solomon came from the Place of Worship at Gibeon, from the Place of Worship to Jerusalem and ruled over Israel. Solomon gathered war vehicles and riders; and he had 1,400 war vehicles, and 12,000 riders, that he placed in their cities, and with the Ruler at Jerusalem. The Ruler brought silver and gold to Jerusalem, as common as stones, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt from Kue; the Ruler’s traders purchased them from Kue. They brought up out of Egypt a war vehicle for 600 silver coins, and a horse for 150; and sold them to all the Rulers of the Hittites, and the Rulers of Syria.
2[1 -10] Solomon planned to build a house for the Name of Yahweh, and a house for himself. Solomon counted out 71,000 workers, and 81,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 overseers. Solomon sent word to Hiram the Ruler of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to live, even so deal with me. See, I’m about to build a house for the Name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to God, and to burn incense of sweet spices in worship, and for the continual holy bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Seventh Days, and on the new moons, and on the set celebrations of Yahweh our God. This is a law forever to Israel. The house which I build must be great because our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build a house for God, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t hold God in? Who am I then, that I should build a house for God, except to burn incense to God in worship? So send me anyone skillful to work in gold, silver, brass, iron, purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave all kinds of carvings, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father, gave. Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon because I know that Your followers know how to cut wood in Lebanon; and see, my workers will be with your workers, to prepare me much wood because the house which I’m about to build will be very great and wonderful. See, I’ll give to your workers, the cutters who cut wood, 120,000 bushels of beaten wheat, and 120,000 bushels of barley, and 120, 000 gallons of wine, and 120, 000 gallons of oil.
[11-16] Then Hiram, the Ruler of Tyre, answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because Yahweh loves the people of God, God has made you Ruler over them.” Hiram continued, “Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David, the Ruler, a wise son, gifted with good judgment and understanding, who can build a house for Yahweh, and a house for himself. Now I’ve sent a skillful worker, gifted with understanding, Huram-abi, the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was from Tyre. He’s skillful in the working of gold, silver, brass, iron, stone, wood, purple, blue, fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of carving, and to make anything; that there may be a place given to him with your skilled workers, and with the skilled workers of David your father. So the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which you’ve spoken of, send it to these workers; and we’ll cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you’ll need; and we’ll bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa (modern Tel Aviv-Yafo, or also known as Tel Aviv-Jaffa); and you’ll carry it up to Jerusalem.”
[17-18] Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had counted them; and they were found to be 153,600. He set 70,000 of them to be workers, and 80,000 who were stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 overseers to set the people to work.
3[1-5] Then Solomon began to build the Place of Worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he built in the place that David had set aside, in the place of harvest of Ornan, the Jebusite. He began to build on the 2nd day of the 2nd month (Ziv, Iyar, Apr-May), in the 4th year of his rule. Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the House of God. The first measure by feet was 90’x 30’. The porch that was before the house, its length, according to the width of the house was 30’, and the height 180’; and he covered the inside with pure gold. He made a ceiling for the greater house with fir wood, which he covered with fine gold, and decorated it with palm trees and chains.
[6-13] He decorated the house with precious stones for beauty; and the gold was gold of Parvaim. He covered the house, the posts, the doorways, the walls, and the doors with gold; and engraved cherubim (angelic winged creatures) on the walls. He made the Most Holy Place; its length equal to the width of the house was 30’, and its width 30’; and he covered it with fine gold, amounting to 45,000 lbs. The weight of the nails was equal to about the weight of 50 gold coins. He covered the upstairs rooms with gold. In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of carved work; and they covered them with gold. The wings of the cherubim were 30’ long; the wing of one cherub was 7½’, reaching to the wall of the room; and the other wing was also 7½’, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. The wing of the other cherub was 7½’, reaching to the wall of the room; and the other wing was 7½’ also, joining to the wing of the other cherub. All together, the wings of these cherubim spread 30’; and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the room.
[14-17] He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and decorated it with cherubim. Also he made in front of the house two pillars of 52½’ high, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was 7½’. He made chains in the inner sanctuary, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made 100 pomegranates, and put them on the chains. He put the pillars up before the Place of Worship, one on each side; and called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz.
4[1-5] Then he made an altar of brass, 30’ long, 30’ wide, and 15’ high. Also he made the molded sea of 15’ from brim to brim, round; and it was 7½’ high; and it was 45’ around it. Under it were raised cows, which surrounded the sea 10 every 18”All around it. The cows were put in two rows, when it was made. It stood on 12 sculpted cows, three each looking toward the north, west, south, and east; and the sea was set on top of them, and all their hinds were inward. It was 3”Thick; and the brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily; it held 12,000 gallons. He also made ten bowls, and put five on each side, to wash in them; they washed the things that were used for the burnt offering in them; but the sea was for the preachers to wash in.
[7-10] He made the ten lampstands of gold according to the rule about them; and he set them in the Place of Worship, five on each side. He made also ten tables, and placed them in the Place of Worship, five on each side. He made 100 bowls of gold. Also he made the court of the preachers, and the great court, and doors for the court, and covered all the doors with brass. He set the sea on the right side of the house in the southeast corner.
[11-16] Huram made the pots, the shovels, and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work that he did for Ruler Solomon in the House of God; the two pillars, the bowls, and the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars, and the two lattices to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, and the 400 pomegranates for the two lattices; two rows of pomegranates for each lattice, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars. He also made the bases, and he made the bowls on the bases; one sea, and the 12 cows under it. The pots, shovels, and forks, and all the tools, Huram-abi made for Ruler Solomon for the Place of Worship of Yahweh of bright brass.
[17-22] Solomon had them cast in the field of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. So Solomon made all these pots, so many, the weight of all the brass couldn’t be measured. Solomon made all the pots that were in the House of God, the golden altar also, the tables with the holy bread on them; and the lampstands with their lamps, to burn according to the rule before the inner sanctuary, of pure gold; the flowers, lamps, and tongs were of pure gold; and the snuffers, bowls, spoons, and fire pans were of pure gold; and as for the entry of the house, the inner doors for the Most Holy Place, and the doors of the main hall of the Place of Worship were of gold.
5[1-5] So all the work that Solomon did for the Place of Worship of Yahweh was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, all the silver and gold, and all the pots, and put them in the treasuries of the House of God. Then Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the family groups, the leaders of the ancestors’ houses of the people of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the Chest of Promise of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the people of Israel gathered themselves to the Ruler at the celebration, which was in the 7th month (Tishri, Sept. -Oct.). All the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the Chest; and they brought up the Chest, and the Place of Worship, and all the holy pots that were in the Holy Tent; all these the preachers, the Levites, brought up.
[6-10] Ruler Solomon and all the people of Israel, that were gathered to him were before the Chest, sacrificing sheep and cows, so many that they couldn’t be counted. The preachers brought in the Chest of Promise of Yahweh to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim (angelic winged creatures). They spread out their wings over the place of the Chest, and covered the Chest and its poles from above. The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Chest before the inner sanctuary; but they weren’t seen outside; and there it is until today. There wasn’t anything in the Chest except the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb when Yahweh made an agreement with the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt.
[11-14] When the preachers had come out of the holy place, (for all the preachers who were there had dedicated themselves, and didn’t keep their divisions; also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, clothed in fine linen with cymbals and lyres and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them 120 preachers sounding horns;) The horn players and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they screamed with the horns and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, sang, God is good, whose loving kindness lasts forever; then the House of God was filled with a cloud, the Place of Worship of Yahweh, so that the preachers couldn’t stand to minister because the cloud of the glory of Yahweh filled the House of God.
6[1 -6] Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said, “‘I will live in the thick darkness.’ But I’ve built a House of God, and a place for Yahweh to live in forever.” The Ruler turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood up. He said, “Happy is Yahweh, the God of Israel who said to David my father, and has done it, saying, “‘Since the day that I brought forth My people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the family groups of Israel to build a house in, that My Name would be there; neither chose I anyone to be head over My people Israel; but I’ve chosen Jerusalem, that My Name would be there; and have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
[7-11] Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the Name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. But Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Even though it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart; but you won’t build the house; your son who will come from your body, he’ll build the house for My Name.’ Yahweh has done what was said, “because I sit in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the House for the Name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. There I have set the Chest, in which is the Promised Agreement of Yahweh which God made with the people of Israel.”
[12-16] He stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands (for Solomon had made a brass scaffold, 7½ ‘ x 7½ ‘x 4½ ‘ high, and had set it in the middle of the court; and he stood on it, and kneeled down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;) and he said, “Yahweh, God of Israel, there’s no God like You, in heaven, or on earth; who keeps the Promised Agreement and shows loving kindness to Your followers who walk before You with all their heart; who have kept with Your follower David my father what You promised him; yes, You said, “ with Your mouth, and have fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is today. So now, Yahweh, God of Israel, keep with Your follower David my father what You’ve promised him, saying, “‘There won’t fail to be someone to me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children be careful to keep their way, to walk in My law as you’ve walked before Me.’
[17-21] So now, Yahweh, God of Israel, let Your word be done which You said to Your follower David. But will God truly live with human beings on the earth? See, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain You; how much less this house which I’ve built! Still, You have honored the prayer of Your follower, and my prayer, Yahweh my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your follower prays before You; that Your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place where You’ve said that You’d put Your Name; to listen to the prayer which Your follower will pray toward this place. Answer the prayers of Your follower, and Your people Israel when they’ pray toward this place; yes, hear from Your place in heaven; and when You listen, forgive us.
[22-25] If anyone sins against their neighbor, and an oath is put on them to cause them to make a promise, and they come and make a promises before Your altar in this house; then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your followers, bringing justice on the sinful, to bring their way on their own head; and clearing the good, to give them according to their goodness. If Your people Israel be beaten by the enemy, because they’ve sinned against You, and will turn back and call on Your Name, and pray before You in this house; then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which You gave to them and to their ancestors.
[26 -33] When the sky is shut up, and there’s no rain, because they’ve sinned against You; if they pray toward this place, and call on Your Name, and turn from their sin when You trouble them; then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your followers, and of Your people Israel when You teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land, which You’ve given to Your people for an inheritance. If there’s a lack of food in the land, if there’s disease, if there’s blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever disease or whatever sickness there’s; whatever prayer is prayed by any person, or by all Your people Israel, who will each know their own trial and their own sorrow, and will spread out their hands toward this house; then hear from Where You are in heaven and forgive, and give to everyone according to their ways, whose heart You know; (for You and You only know the hearts of the people;) that they may respect You, to walk in Your ways, so long as they live in the land which You gave to our ancestors. Besides this, about the foreigner who isn’t of Your people Israel, when they come from another country for Your great Name’s sake, and Your strong hand, and Your outstretched arm; when they come and pray toward this house; then hear from Where You are in heaven, and do what the foreigner asks of You; that all the peoples of the earth may know Your Name, and respect You, as does Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I’ve built is called by Your Name.
[34-39] If Your people go out to fight against their enemies, by whatever way You send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You’ve chosen, and the house which I’ve built for Your Name; then hear from heaven their prayers and requests, and take their case. If they sin against You (for there’s no one who doesn’t sin), and You’re angry with them, and give them to the enemy, so that they take them away prisoner to a land far away or near; still if they change their ways in the land where they’ve been taken prisoner, and turn back, and pray to You in the land where they’ve been taken, saying, “‘We’ve sinned, We’ve done wrong, and have acted evil;’ if they go back to You with all their heart and soul in the land where they’ve been taken, where they’ve been taken prisoner, and pray toward their land, which You gave to their ancestors, and the city which You’ve chosen, and toward the house which I’ve built for Your Name; then hear from heaven, even from where You are, their prayers and requests, and take their case, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.
[40-42] Now, my God, let, I ask you, Your eyes be open, and let Your ears pay attention, to the prayer that is made in this place. So now, come up, Yahweh God, into Your resting place, You, and the Chest of Your strength; let Your preachers, Yahweh God, be clothed with Your saving grace, and let Your saints be happy in goodness. Yahweh God, don’t turn away the face of Your anointed; remember Your loving kindnesses to David Your follower.”
7[1-5] Now when Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven, and burnt up the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the brightness of Yahweh’s glory filled the house. The preachers couldn’t go into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, because the brightness of Yahweh filled God’s house. All the people of Israel looked on when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, “God is good whose loving kindness lasts forever. Then the Ruler and all the people offered sacrifices before Yahweh.
[5-8] Ruler Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cows, and 120,000 sheep. So the Ruler and all the people dedicated the House of God. The preachers stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the Ruler had made to give thanks to Yahweh, whose loving kindness lasts forever, when David praised God by their ministry; and the preachers sounded horns before them; and all Israel stood. Besides this, Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the Place of Worship of Yahweh because there he offered the burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brass altar, which Solomon had made wasn’t able to hold the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the fat. So Solomon held the celebration at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the River of Egypt.
[9-11] On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly because they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the celebration seven days. On the 23rd day of the 7th month (Tishri Sept.-Oct.) he sent the people away to their tents, happy and glad hearted for the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David and Solomon, and to Israel God’s people. So Solomon finished the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the Ruler’s house; and whatever came into Solomon’s heart to make in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in his own house, he finished well.
[12-16] Then Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night, saying to him, “I’ve heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself for a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the sky so that there’s no rain, or if I tell the locust to destroy the land, or if I send disease among My people; If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray, and turn to Me, and turn from their sinful ways; then I’ll hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now Me will see and my ears will hear the prayer that is made in this place. For now I’ve chosen and made this house holy, that My Name may be there forever; and Me and My heart will be there continually.
[17-22] As for you, if you’ll follow me as David your father walked, and do like what I’ve told you, and will keep My laws and My rules; then I’ll set up the throne of your land, as I promised David your father, saying, “There won’t fail you someone to be Ruler in Israel. But if you turn away from My laws and My words which I’ve set before you, and go and serve false gods, and worship them; then I’ll pull the people up by the roots out of My land which I’ve given them; and this house, which I’ve made holy for My Name I’ll put out of My sight, and I’ll make it a saying and a mockery among all peoples. This house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it will be shocked, and say, ‘Why has Yahweh done this to this land and this house?’ And they’ll answer, ‘Because they left Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and grabbed of other gods, worshiping them and serving them; so God has brought all this evil on them.’“
8[1-6] At the end of 20 years, in which Solomon had built the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and his own house, the cities which Hiram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and made the people of Israel to live there. Solomon went to Hamath Zobah, and was strong against it. He built Tadmor in the countryside, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath. He also built Beth Horon, the upper and the lower, protected cities, with walls, gates, and bars; and Baalath, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his war vehicles, and the cities for his riders, and whatever Solomon wanted to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
[7-11] As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who weren’t of Israel; of their children who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel didn’t kill, Solomon made them workers and taxed them until today. But of the people of Israel, Solomon didn’t make any workers for his work; but they were soldiers, and leader of his captains, and Rulers of his war vehicles and of his riders. These were the head officials of Solomon, 250 who ruled over the people. Solomon brought the daughter of the Ruler of Egypt out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her because he said, “My wife won’t live in the house of David Ruler of Israel, because the places are holy, where the Chest of God has come.”
[12 -15] Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh, which he had built before the porch, as the duty of everyday required, offering according to the word of Moses, on the Seventh Days, on the new moons, and on the set celebrations, three times in the year, even in the celebration of flat bread, and in the celebration of weeks, and in the Celebration of Booths. He set, according to the rule of David his father, the divisions of the preachers to their service, and the Levites to their offices, to praise, and to minister before the preachers, as the duty of everyday required; the doorkeepers also by their divisions at every gate as David the follower of God had told him. They didn’t change the word of the Ruler to the preachers and Levites in any way, or change anything about the treasures.
[16-18] Now all the work of Solomon was done from the day of the foundation of the Place of Worship of Yahweh until it was finished. So the Place of Worship of Yahweh was finished. Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber, and to Eloth, on the seashore in the land of Edom (Arab nations). Hiram sent him by the hands of his workers ships, and workers who had knowledge of the sea; and they came with the workers of Solomon to Ophir, and picked up from there 33,750 lbs. of gold, and brought them to Ruler Solomon.
9[1-4] When the Ruler of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan of camels that had spices, and much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him of what was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; and Solomon didn’t keep any secrets from her. When the Ruler of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, the food on the table, the seating of the servants, the attendance of his ministers and their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing also, and the grand steps by which he went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her.
[5-9] She said to the Ruler, “It was true what I heard in my own land about your acts, and your wisdom. But I didn’t believe their words, until I came, and I had seen it; and see, the half of the greatness of your wisdom wasn’t told me; you’re more famous than what I had heard. Happy are your people and your followers, who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom. Happy is Yahweh, your God, who was pleased to set you on the throne, to be Ruler for Yahweh, your God; because your God loved Israel, to set them up forever, so God made you Ruler over them, to do what’s right and good.” She gave the Ruler 9,000 lbs. of gold, and many spices and precious stones; nor was there any spice like the Ruler of Sheba gave to the Ruler Solomon.
[10-12] The workers also of Hiram and of Solomon, who brought the gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees, and precious stones. The Ruler made of the algum trees porches for the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and for the Ruler’s house, and harps and lyres for the singers; and there were none seen like this ever before in the land of Judah. Ruler Solomon gave to the Ruler of Sheba everything she wanted, whatever she asked for, besides what Solomon gave her of his royal treasures. So she went back to her own land, she and her workers.
[13-19] Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 49,950 lbs. (666 talents) of gold, besides what the traders brought; and all the Rulers of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. Ruler Solomon made 200 shields of beaten gold with 600 gold coins going into each shield. He also made 300 smaller shields of beaten gold with 300 gold coins going into each one; and the Ruler put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. Besides this, the Ruler made a great throne of ivory, and covered it with pure gold; and there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside them. There were 12 lions that stood on each side of the six steps; there wasn’t anything like it made in any country before.
[20-24] All Ruler Solomon’s drinking cups were of gold, and all the dishes of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver wasn’t of any value in the days of Solomon. For the Ruler had ships that went to Tarshish with the workers of Hiram; the ships of Tarshish came once every three years, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So Ruler Solomon was greater than all the Rulers of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the Rulers of the earth went to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. They brought their taxes, pots of silver and gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules, a set rate year by year.
[25-31] Solomon had 4,000 stalls of horses and war vehicles, and 12,000 riders that he had in the war vehicle cities and with the Ruler at Jerusalem. He ruled over all the Rulers from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. The Ruler made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt, and out of all lands. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from the first to the last, are written in The History of Nathan the Preacher, and in The Preaching of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in The Visions of Iddo the Preacher about Jeroboam of Nebat. Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for 40 years. Solomon died and was buried with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son ruled in his place.
10[1-5 Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel had come to Shechem to make him Ruler. When Jeroboam of Nebat heard it, (for he was in Egypt, where he had run away from the Ruler Solomon), he came back from Egypt. They sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our work very hard; So now make that very hard work of your father, and the hard jobs he put on us, easier, and we’ll serve you. So he said to them, “Come back to me after three days;” and the people left.
[6-11] Ruler Rehoboam counseled with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he still lived, saying, “What answer can you give me to say to these people?” They said to him, “If you’re kind to these people, and do what they want, and speak kindly to them, then they’ll be your workers forever.” But he didn’t take the advice of the old men which they had given him, and asked the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. He said to them, “What answer can you give me that we may say to these people, who have said to me, “‘Make the work that your father put on us easier?’” The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “You should tell the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our work hard, but make it easier on us;’ you should say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s penis. Now while my father put hard work on you, I’ll add more work to you; my father punished you with whips, but I’ll punish you with scorpions.’“
[12-19] So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the Ruler had said, “Come back to me the third day.” The Ruler answered them roughly; and he refused the advice of the old men, saying to them what the young men had said, “My father made your work hard, but I’ll add to it; my father punished you with whips, but I’ll punish you with scorpions.” So the Ruler didn’t listen to the people because it was brought about of God that Yahweh would prove the word which was said by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam of Nebat. When all Israel saw that the Ruler didn’t listen to them, the people answered him, saying, “What part do we’ve in David? nor do we’ve any part in the son of Jesse; everyone go home, Israel; now see to your own house, David.” So all Israel went home. But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam ruled over them. Then Ruler Rehoboam sent Hadoram who was over their workers; and the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. Ruler Rehoboam quickly got into his war vehicle, and ran to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David until today.
11[1 -4] When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 of the best soldiers, who were soldiers, to fight against Israel, to take the country back for Rehoboam. But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, the follower of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam, son of Solomon, Ruler of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, “Yahweh says, “You won’t go up, nor fight against your family members; everyone go back home because this thing is of Me. So they listened to the words of Yahweh, and didn’t fight against Jeroboam.
[5-13] Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah. He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, all protected cities. He protected the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, and oil and wine. He put shields and spears in every city, and made them very strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. The preachers and the Levites who were in all Israel came to him out of all their borders.
[14-17] The Levites left their borders and their homes, and came to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons threw them out so that they couldn’t do the preacher’s office for Yahweh; and he set up his own preachers for the places of false worship, and for the false gods, and the golden calves which he had made. After them, out of all the family groups of Israel, those that set their hearts to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. So they strengthened the land of Judah, and made Rehoboam of Solomon strong for three years because they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.
[18 -23] Rehoboam took a wife, Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, son of David and Abihail, the daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse; and she had Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. After her he took Maacah, the daughter of Absalom; and she had Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. Rehoboam loved Maacah, the daughter of Absalom, more than all his other wives and his mistresses; (for he took 18 wives, and 60 mistresses, and had 28 sons and 60 daughters.) Rehoboam made Abijah, of Maacah, to be leader, even the head of his family because he thought to make him Ruler. He dealt wisely, and put all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, in every protected city; and he gave them much food. He searched for them many wives.
12[1-4] When Rehoboam had set up his country and he was strong, he stopped following the law of Yahweh, and all Israel with him. In the 5th year of Ruler Rehoboam, Shishak, Ruler of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem because they had sinned against Yahweh, with 1200 war vehicles, 60,000 riders, and so many people they couldn’t be counted, who came with him out of Egypt; the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. He took the protected cities which belonged to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
[5-8] Now Shemaiah, the preacher, came to Rehoboam, and to the leaders of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, saying to them, “Yahweh says, “You’ve left Me, so I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.” Then the leaders of Israel and the Ruler humbled themselves and said, “Yahweh is good.” When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, “They’ve humbled themselves, so I won’t destroy them; but I’ll give them some victory, and My anger won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. But they’ll be his workers, that they may know the difference between My service, and the service of the nations.
[9-12] So Shishak Ruler of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away all the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and all the treasures of the Ruler’s house; he also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Ruler Rehoboam made in their place shields of brass, and put them in the hands of the leaders of the guard, who kept the door of the Ruler’s house. As often as the Ruler went into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the guard came and had them, and brought them back into the guard room. When he humbled himself, the anger of Yahweh turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether; and everything went well in Judah.
[13-16] So Ruler Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and ruled. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled 17 years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the family groups of Israel, where God’s Name was. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. He did what was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to worship Yahweh Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are written in the histories of Shemaiah, the preacher, and of Iddo, the preacher, which lists the genealogies. There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. Rehoboam died, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son ruled in his place.
13[1-5] In the 18th year of Ruler Jeroboam, Abijah began to rule over Judah. He ruled three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. Abijah joined battle with a troop of brave soldiers, 400,000 of the best soldiers; and Jeroboam got ready to fight against him with 800,000 soldiers, who were strong experienced soldiers. Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hillsides of Ephraim, saying, “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel! Ought you not to know that Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave the rule of Israel to David forever, even to him and his descendants by an agreement of salt?”
[6 -12] Still Jeroboam of Nebat, the worker of Solomon, son of David, went up, and rebelled against his leader. There were worthless men gathered to him, evil people, who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam, son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and immature, and couldn’t resist them.” Now you think to withstand the rule of Yahweh in the hand of the descendants of David; and you’re a great number, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for false gods. Haven’t you driven out the preachers of Yahweh, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites, and made preachers like those of other lands? so that whoever comes to dedicate their self with a young bull and seven rams, the same may be a preacher of those who are no gods. But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we haven’t left worshiping God; and we’ve preachers taking care of Yahweh, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites in their work; and they burn to Yahweh every morning and evening burnt offerings and sweet incense; the holy bread also they set in order on the pure table; and the lampstand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening because we keep the charge of Yahweh our God; but you’ve left worshiping God. See, God is with us at our head, whose preacher’s horns will sound an alarm against you. People of Israel, don’t fight against Yahweh, the God of your ancestors because you won’t do well.”
[13-22] But Jeroboam sent an ambush to come up behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. When Judah looked back, the battle was in front and back of them; and they cried to Yahweh, and the preachers sounded the horns. Then the people of Judah gave a shout; and as the people of Judah shouted, God fought Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The people of Israel ran before Judah; and God put them into their power. Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter; so 500,000 of the best soldiers of Israel died. So the people of Israel were brought under control at that time, and the people of Judah were strong, because they depended on Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. Abijah chased after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with its towns, Jeshanah with its towns, and Ephron with its towns. Jeroboam didn’t recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and Yahweh punished him, and he died. But Abijah grew strong, and took to himself 14 wives, and had 22 sons and 16 daughters. The rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways and sayings, are written in the Book of the Preacher Iddo.
14[1-5] So Abijah died, and was buried in the city of David; and Asa his son ruled in his place. In his days the land was peaceful ten years. Asa did what was good and right to Yahweh God because he took away the foreign altars, and the places of false worship, and broke down the sacred pillars, and cut down the False fertility gods, the Asherim,, and told Judah to worship Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and to follow the law and the Word of God. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the places of false worship and the sun gods; and his rule was peaceful.
[6-7] He built protected cities in Judah because the land was peaceful, and no war was fought in those years, because Yahweh had given him rest. Asa said to Judah, “Let’s build these cities, and build walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is still before us, because we’ve served Yahweh our God; we’ve served God, who has given us rest on every side.” So they built the cities and did well. Asa had 300,000 armed troops out of Judah; and 280,000 out of Benjamin; all these were strong experienced soldiers.
[9-11] Then Zerah the Ethiopian came against them with a troop of a million soldiers, and 300 war vehicles; and he came to Mareshah. Then Asa went out to meet him, and they got ready for battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. Asa cried to Yahweh God, saying, “Yahweh, there’s no one Besides this, You to help, between the strong and those who have no strength; help us, Yahweh our God because we depend on You, and in Your Name do we fight against this great number. Yahweh, You’re our God; don’t let a human being triumph against You.”
[12-15] So Yahweh fought the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians ran. Asa and the people who were with him chased them to Gerar; and so many of the Ethiopians fell that they couldn’t recover and were destroyed before Yahweh and before the people of God; and they carried away very many valuables. They fought all the cities around Gerar because the fear of Yahweh came on them; and they took all the cities because there was much stuff in them. They took also the holds of livestock, and carried away many sheep and camels, and went back to Jerusalem.
15[1-7] The Spirit of God came on Azariah, son of Oded; and he went out to meet Asa, saying to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; Yahweh is with you while you’re with God; and if you look for God, you’ll find God; but if you leave God, God will leave you. Now for a long season Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching preacher, and without law; But when, in their trouble, they turned to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and searched for God, they found God. In those times there was no peace to those who went out, nor to those who came in; but great troubles were on all the people of the lands. They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city because God troubled them with all kinds of disasters. But be strong, and don’t quit because your work will be rewarded.”
[8-10] When Asa heard these words, and the preaching of Oded the preacher, he took courage, and put away the horrible false gods out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hillsides of Ephraim; and he fixed the altar of Yahweh, that was before the porch of Yahweh. He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who stayed with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon because many came to him out of Israel when they saw that Yahweh God was with him. So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the 3rd month (Sivan, May-June), in the 15th year of the rule of Asa.
[11-15] They sacrificed to Yahweh in that day, of the stuff which they had brought, 700 cows and 7,000 sheep. They made a promised agreement to worship Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul; and that whoever wouldn’t worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, would be killed, whether small or great, whether man or woman. They sealed the promise to Yahweh loudly of shouting, and with horns and cornets. All Judah was happy with the promise because they had made the promise with all their heart, and searched for God with all their soul; who was found of them; and Yahweh gave them rest all around.
[16-19] Also Maacah, the mother of Asa, the Ruler, was removed from being queen, because she had made an Asherah (wooden idol used for worship of Astarte, Canaanite fertility goddess, the wife of Baal); and Asa cut down her false god, and made it ash, burning it at the Kidron River. But all the places of false worship weren’t taken out of Israel, though Asa’s heart was right with God all his days. He brought into the House of God the things that he and his father had dedicated, the silver, gold, and pots. There was no more war until the 35th year of the rule of Asa.
16[1-5] In the 36th year of the rule of Asa, Baasha Ruler of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, so that he wouldn’t let anyone go out or come in to Asa Ruler of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh and of the Ruler’s house, and sent to Ben Hadad Ruler of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying, “We’ve an agreement between us, as there was between my father and your father. See, I’ve sent you silver and gold; go, break your agreement with Baasha Ruler of Israel, so that he’ll go away from me. So Ben Hadad listened to Ruler Asa, and sent the captains of his troops against the cities of Israel; and they fought Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. When Baasha heard it, he stopped building Ramah, and let the work stop.
[6-9] Then Asa the Ruler took all Judah; and they carried away the stones and wood of Ramah, with which Baasha had built; and he built Geba and Mizpah with it. At that time, Hanani, the preacher, came to Asa Ruler of Judah, saying to him, “Because you’ve depended on the Ruler of Syria, and haven’t depended on Yahweh your God, so the troops of the Ruler of Syria will escape out of your power. Weren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge troop, with very many war vehicles and riders? Still, because you did depend on Yahweh, God handed them over to you. For Yahweh looks back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show up strong in behalf of those whose hearts completely trust in God. In this you’ve done wrong, so from here on out you’ll have wars.”
[10-14] Then Asa was angry with the preacher, and put him in prison because he was very angry with him because of this thing. Asa abused some of the people at the same time. See, the acts of Asa, from the first to the last, are all written in The Book of the Rulers of Judah and Israel. In the 39th year of his rule Asa was diseased in his feet; his foot disease was terrible, but he still didn’t trust in Yahweh, but only the doctors. Asa died in the 41st year of his rule. They buried him in his own grave, which he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was full of perfumed oils mixed with various kinds of spices; and they made a very great burning for him.
17[1-6] Jehoshaphat, his son, ruled in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed troops in all the protected cities of Judah, and put protected cities in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa, his father, had taken. Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he did like his ancestor David, and didn’t worship the false Baal gods, but worshiped the God of his father, and followed him, and not the ways of Israel. So Yahweh let him rule; and all Judah brought Jehoshaphat taxes; and he had great riches and honor. His heart was set in the ways of Yahweh; and he also took away the places of false worship and the False fertility gods, the Asherim, out of Judah.
[7-9] Also in the 3rd year of his rule he sent his leaders Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and also with them Elishama and Jehoram, the preachers. They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of Yahweh with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
[10-13] The fear of Yahweh fell on all the countries of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for taxes; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 male goats. Jehoshaphat grew very powerful and built towers in Judah and storage cities. He had many buildings in the cities of Judah; and many strong experienced soldiers in Jerusalem.
[14 -19] This was their number according to their ancestors’ houses; Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Captain Adnah, and 300,000 strong experienced soldiers; next to him Captain Jehohanan, and 280,000; next to him Amasiah of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him 200,000 strong experienced soldiers. Of Benjamin; Eliada, a very brave soldier, and 200,000 armed soldiers; and next to him Jehozabad and 180,000 ready for war. These were those who served the Ruler, besides those whom the Ruler put in the protected cities throughout all Judah.
18[1-5] Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he joined forces with Ahab. After a few years, he went down to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cows for him, and for the people who were with him, and got him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. Ahab, Ruler of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?” He answered him, “I’m as you are, and my people as your people; and we’ll go with you to war.” Jehoshaphat said to the Ruler of Israel, “Please ask first for the word of Yahweh.” Then the Ruler of Israel gathered 400 preachers together, saying to them, “Will we go to Ramoth Gilead to fight or not?” They said, “Go up and God will put it into the power of the Ruler.”
[6-8] But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a preacher of Yahweh here Besides this, them, that we may ask of him?” The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There’s still one more by whom we may ask of Yahweh; but I hate him because he never says anything good about me, but always foretells evil. He is Micaiah of Imla.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t say that.” Then the Ruler of Israel called an official, saying, “Get Micaiah of Imla quickly.
[9-13] Now the Ruler of Israel and Jehoshaphat the Ruler of Judah sat each on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the preachers were speaking before them. Zedekiah of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, saying, “Yahweh says, “With these you’ll push the Syrians, until they’re all gone.” All the preachers said, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and you’ll do well because Yahweh will put it into the power of the Ruler.” Then the messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, “See, the words of the preachers all foretell good to the Ruler; so let your words be like theirs, and say good things to him.” But Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, what my God says, “That I’ll speak.”
[14 -22] When he had come to the Ruler, the Ruler said to him, “Micaiah, will we go to Ramoth Gilead to fight, or not?” He said, “Go up, and do well; and they’ll be given to you.” Then the Ruler said to him, “How many times must I tell you to say to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?” So he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and Yahweh said, “‘These have no leader; let everyone go home in peace.’“ The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he wouldn’t foretell anything good about me, but only evil?” Micaiah said, “So listen to the word of Yahweh; I saw Yahweh sitting on a throne, and all the troops of heaven standing on each side of God. Yahweh said, “’Who will trick Ahab Ruler of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One said, “ one thing, and another said, “ something else. Then a spirit came, and stood before Yahweh, saying, “’I’ll trick him.’ Yahweh said to him, “’How?’ He said, “’I’ll go and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his preachers.’ He said, “’You’ll trick him, and triumph also; go, and do it.’ So now, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of your preachers; and Yahweh has foretold evil for you.”
[23-29] Then Zedekiah of Chenaanah came and hit Micaiah on the cheek saying, “When did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak to you?” Micaiah said, “See, you’ll see on the day when you go into an inner room to hide yourself.” The Ruler of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the Ruler’s son; and say, “The Ruler says, “‘Put this man in prison, and feed him with the bread and water of trouble, until I go back in peace.” So Micaiah said, “If you go back in peace, Yahweh hasn’t spoken by me. Listen, you people, all of you.” So the Ruler of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the Ruler of Judah, went up to Ramoth Gilead. The Ruler of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I’ll disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes.” So the Ruler of Israel disguised himself; and they went into battle.
[30-34] Now the Ruler of Syria had told the captains of his war vehicles, Fight neither with small nor great, but only with the Ruler of Israel. When the leaders of the war vehicles saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It’s the Ruler of Israel. So they turned around to fight against him; but Jehoshaphat shouted, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to leave from him. When the leaders of the war vehicles saw that it wasn’t the Ruler of Israel, they stopped chasing him. Then a certain man drew his weapon by chance, and hit the Ruler of Israel between the joints of the armor. So he said to the driver of the war vehicle, “Turn around, and carry me out of the troops because I’m severely wounded. The battle grew harder that day; but the Ruler of Israel stayed in his war vehicle fighting against the Syrians until evening; and about sundown, he died.
19[1-3] Jehoshaphat, the Ruler of Judah, went back to his house in peace to Jerusalem. Jehu of Hanani the preacher went out to meet him, saying to Ruler Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the sinful, and love those who hate Yahweh? Yahweh is angry at you for this. But there are good things found in you, in that you’ve put away the Asheroth (Astarte, Canaanite goddess of fortune and happiness, the supposed consort of Baal) out of the land, and have set your heart to worship God.
[4-7] So Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hillsides of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. He set judges in the land throughout all the protected cities of Judah, city by city, saying to the judges, “Think about what you do because you don’t judge for human beings, but for Yahweh, who is with you in the judgment. So now, pay respect to Yahweh; be careful and do it because there’s no sin with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”
[8-11] Besides this, Jehoshaphat put the Levites, the preachers, and the heads of the ancestors’ houses of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for settling disagreements in Jerusalem. So they went back to Jerusalem. He told them, “You’ll do this in respect of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a good conscious.” Whenever any disagreement comes to you from your family who live in their cities, between blood kin, between the law and the Word of God, laws and rules, you’ll warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so let anger come on you and on your family; do this, and you won’t be guilty. Amariah the leading preacher is over you in all the matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah of Ishmael, the Ruler of the house of Judah, in all the Ruler’s matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Do this bravely, and may Yahweh be with the good.
20[1-4] After this, the people of Moab and Ammon, and others Besides this, the Ammonites with them, came against Jehoshaphat to fight. Then some people came who told Jehoshaphat, “A great number of people are coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria; and see, they’re in Hazazon Tamar,” (which is En Gedi). Jehoshaphat was scared, and prayed to Yahweh; and he called for all Judah to go without food to pray to God. The people of Judah gathered together, to ask for help from Yahweh; they came to pray to Yahweh out of all the cities of Judah.
[5-12] Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, before the new court; and he said, “Yahweh, God of our ancestors, aren’t You God in heaven? and aren’t You Ruler over all the Rulers of the nations? and in Your hand is power and strength, so that no one is able to withstand you. Didn’t You, our God, drive out the people of this land before Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Abraham, Your friend, forever? They lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your Name, saying, “‘If evil comes on us, either war, judgment, disease, or famine, we’ll turn to this house, and come before You, (for Your Name is in this house), and cry to You in our trouble, and You’ll hear and save us. Now, see, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You wouldn’t let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned around from them, and didn’t destroy them; see, how they reward us, to come to throw us out of Your possession, which You’ve given us to inherit. Our God, Won’t You judge them? We’ve no strength against this great army that comes against us; nor do we know what to do; but our eyes are on You.”
[13-17] All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their babies, their wives, and their children. Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel of Zechariah, of Benaiah, of Jeiel, of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the descendants of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly; and he said, “Listen you people, all Judah, and you people from Jerusalem, and you, Ruler Jehoshaphat; Yahweh says to you, Don’t be scared, nor be worried about this great army because the battle isn’t yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them; see, they come up by the rise of Ziz; and you’ll find them at the end of the valley, before the countryside of Jeruel. You won’t need to fight in this battle; set yourselves in order, stand still, and see the saving grace of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; don’t be scared, nor be troubled; tomorrow, go out against them because Yahweh is with you.”
[18-22] Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face down; and all Judah and the people from Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the people of the Kohathites and of the people of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel with a very loud voice. They got up early in the morning, and went to the countryside of Tekoa; and as they came, Jehoshaphat stood saying, “Listen to me, Judah, and you people from Jerusalem; believe in Yahweh your God, so you’ll be set up; believe his preachers, so you’ll do well.” When he had talked with the people, he set up those who would sing to Yahweh, and give praise in their holy clothes, as they went out before the troops, and say, “Give thanks to Yahweh whose loving kindness lasts forever.” When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh sent soldiers against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were overcome.
[23-26] For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the people of Mount Seir, and completely destroyed them; and when they had finished killing the people of Seir, they destroyed each other. When Judah came to the place overlooking the countryside, they looked at the troops and they were dead bodies fallen on the ground, and no one escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the stuff on them, they found great riches and precious stones on the dead bodies, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they spent three days taking the stuff, much. On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of Beracah, where they blessed Yahweh; so the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah until today.
[27-30] Then everyone went back, all those of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with great happiness because Yahweh had let them celebrate over their enemies. They came to Jerusalem with lyres, harps, and horns to the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The fear of God was on all the realms of the countries when they heard that Yahweh fought against the enemies of Israel. So the rule of Jehoshaphat was peaceful, whose God had given him rest all around.
[31-34] When Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah, he was 35 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. He did like Asa his father, and didn’t turn around from it, doing what Yahweh said was right. But the places of false worship weren’t taken away; nor as yet had the people set their hearts to worship the God of their ancestors. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from the first to the last, are written in The History of Jehu of Hanani, which is discussed in The Book of The Rulers of Israel.
[35-37] After this, Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Judah, joined up with Ahaziah, Ruler of Israel, who was very evil; he joined with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. Then Eliezer of Dodavahu of Mareshah preached against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you’ve joined up with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works.” The ships were broken, so that they weren’t able to go to Tarshish.
21[1-4] Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. Jehoram his son ruled in his place. He had brothers, the descendants of Jehoshaphat; Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the descendants of Jehoshaphat, Ruler of Israel. Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold, and of precious things, with protected cities in Judah; but he gave rule to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. Now when Jehoram ruled over the countries of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his family, and also various leaders of Israel.
[5-7] Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule, and ruled eight years in Jerusalem. He did like the Rulers of Israel, as did the house of Ahab because he had the daughter of Ahab as wife; and he did what Yahweh said was evil. But Yahweh wouldn’t destroy the house of David, because of the promised agreement God had made with David, and as God had promised to give a light to him and to his children always.
[8-11] In his days Edom revolted from the control of Judah, and made a Ruler over themselves. Then Jehoram crossed over with his captains and all his war vehicles; and he went up by night, fighting the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the war vehicles. So Edom revolted from under the control of Judah until today; then Libnah revolted at the same time from his control, because he had left Yahweh, the God of his ancestors. Besides that, he made places of false worship in the mountains of Judah, and made the people from Jerusalem become sexually unfaithful, and led Judah astray.
[12-15] There came a letter to him from Elijah, the preacher, saying, “Yahweh, the God of David, your ancestor,” says , “ ‘Because you haven’t did like Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa Ruler of Judah, but have did like the Rulers of Israel, and have made Judah and the people from Jerusalem to be sexually unfaithful, like the house of Ahab did, and also have killed your family of your father’s house, who were better than yourself; see, Yahweh will punish your people with a horrible disease, along with your wives and children, and all your stuff; and you’ll be very sick by an intestinal disease, until your guts fall out because of the sickness, a little each day.’“
[16-20] Then Yahweh stirred up the spirit of the Philistines against Jehoram, and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians; and they came up against Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the stuff that was found in the Ruler’s house, and his son’s also, and his wives; so that there wasn’t a son left him, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. After all this, Yahweh punished him with an incurable intestinal disease in his guts. At the end of two years, his guts fell out because of his sickness, and he died in great pain. His people made no burning for him, like the burning of his ancestors. He was 32 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled in Jerusalem eight years; and he died without being missed; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the graves of the Rulers.
22[1-5] The people from Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, Ruler in his place because the troop of soldiers who came with the Arabians to the camp had killed all the oldest. So Ahaziah of Jehoram Ruler of Judah ruled. Ahaziah was 42 years old when he began to rule, and ruled one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri. He also did like the house of Ahab because his mother taught him to do evil. He did what Yahweh said was evil, as did the house of Ahab because they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction. He took their advice, and went with Jehoram, son of Ahab, Ruler of Israel, to war against Hazael, Ruler of Syria, at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
[6 -9] He went back to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael, Ruler of Syria. Azariah, son of Jehoram, Ruler of Judah, went down to see Jehoram, son of Ahab, in Jezreel, because he was sick. Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram because when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to put an end to the house of Ahab. When Jehu was doing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the leaders of Judah, and the descendants of the brothers of Ahaziah, taking care of Ahaziah, and killed them. He searched for Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, who killed him; and they buried him, for they said, “He is of Jehoshaphat, who worshiped Yahweh with all his heart.” The house of Ahaziah had no one left in power to rule the nation.
[10-12] Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she went up and killed all the royal descendants of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the Ruler, took Joash, son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the Ruler’s sons who were killed, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of Ruler Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada, the preacher (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn’t kill him. He was hid in the House of God with them six years; and Athaliah ruled over the land.
23[1-7] In the 7th year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and made an agreement with the captains of hundreds, Azariah, son of Jeroham, and Ishmael, of Jehohanan, and Azariah, of Obed, and Maaseiah, of Adaiah, and Elishaphat, of Zichri. They went around in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of ancestors’ houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. All the assembly made an agreement with the Ruler in the House of God. He said to them, “See, the Ruler’s son will rule, as Yahweh has said about the descendants of David. This is what you’ll do; a third part of you, who come in on the Seventh Day, of the preachers and of the Levites, will be doorkeepers of the doorways; and a third part will be at the Ruler’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation; and all the people will be in the courts of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. But let no one come into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, except the preachers, and those who minister of the Levites; they’ll come in as they’re holy; but all the people will keep the charge of Yahweh. The Levites will surround the Ruler all around, everyone with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let them be killed; and be with the Ruler when he comes in, and when he goes out.”
[8 -11] So the Levites and all Judah did what Jehoiada the preacher told them; and they took all those who were to come in, along with those who were to go out, on the Seventh Day, because Jehoiada, the preacher, didn’t dismiss the shift. Jehoiada, the preacher, gave to the captains of hundreds all the weapons of war that had been Ruler David’s, which were in the House of God. He set up all the people with their weapons in hand, from the right side to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, and all around the Ruler. Then they brought out the Ruler’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the Word of God, and made him Ruler; and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and said, “Long live the Ruler.”
[12-15] When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the Ruler, she came to the people into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and she looked, and saw that the Ruler stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the horns by the Ruler; and all the people of the land were happy, and blew horns; the singers also played on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, crying, treason! treason! Jehoiada, the preacher, brought out the captains of hundreds, who were set over the troops, saying to them, “Bring her outside between the troops; and kill whoever follows her,” Because the preacher said, “Don’t kill her in the Place of Worship of Yahweh.” So they made way for her; and she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the Ruler’s house; and they killed her there.
[16-21] Jehoiada made an agreement between himself, and all the people, and the Ruler, that they should be Yahweh’s people. All the people went to the place of Baal worship, and tore it down, and broke the altars and idols in pieces, and killed Mattan, the preacher of Baal before the altars. Jehoiada set the officials of the Place of Worship of Yahweh under the hand of the preachers, the Levites, whom David had put in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it’s written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, according to the order of David. He set the doorkeepers at the gates of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, so that no one who was unfit in any way could go in. He took the captains of hundreds, and the leaders, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the Ruler from the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they came through the upper gate to the Ruler’s house, and set the Ruler on the throne to rule the land. So all the people of the land were happy, and the city was peaceful because they had killed Athaliah.
24[1 -5] Joash was seven years old when he began to rule, and ruled 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. Joash did what Yahweh said was right all the days of Jehoiada, the preacher. Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he had children. After this, Joash thought to fix the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He gathered together the preachers and the Levites, saying to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to fix the house of your God from year to year; and see that you do it quickly.” But the Levites didn’t hurry.
[6 -10] The Ruler called for Jehoiada, the leading preacher, saying to him, “Why haven’t you required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and Jerusalem the tax of Moses, the follower of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, for the House of God?” The descendants of Athaliah, that sinful woman, had broken up the House of God; and also they had given all the dedicated things of the Place of Worship of Yahweh to the false Baal gods. So the Ruler told them to make a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. They made an announcement throughout all Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses, the follower of God, put on Israel in the countryside. All the leaders and people were happy, and brought it in, and threw it into the chest, until they had collected it.
[11-14] Whenever the chest was brought to the Ruler’s officials by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was a lot of money, the Ruler’s secretary and the leading preacher’s official came and emptied the chest, and brought it back to its place again. They did this day by day, and gathered a good bit of money. The Ruler and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work for the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they hired stone builders, woodworkers, and also those who worked in iron and brass to fix it. So the workers did the work, and whatever was broken was done as they were able, and they put up the House of God like it was before, and strengthened it. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the Ruler and Jehoiada, of which were made pots for the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the tools with which to minister and to make offerings, and spoons, and pots of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the Place of Worship of Yahweh continually all the days of Jehoiada.
[15-18] But Jehoiada grew old and was at the end of his days, and he died; He was 130 years old when he died. They buried him in the city of David among the Rulers, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and God’s House. Now after the death of Jehoiada, the leaders of Judah came, and pledged allegiance to the Ruler. Then the Ruler listened to them. They left the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and served the False fertility gods, the Asherim, and the other false gods; and anger came on Judah and Jerusalem for their guiltiness.
[19-22] Still God sent preachers to them, to bring them back to Yahweh; and they testified against them; but they wouldn’t listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, the preacher; and he stood above the people, saying to them, “God says, “Why do you disobey the words of Yahweh, so that you can’t do well? Because you’ve left Yahweh, God has also left you.” They came together against him, and stoned him with stones at the word of the Ruler in the court of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Joash, the Ruler, didn’t remember the kindness which Jehoiada, his father, had done to him, but killed his sons. When Zechariah died, he said, “Yahweh will look on it, and punish it.”
[23-27] At the end of the year, the troops of the Syrians came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders from among the people, and sent all their stuff to the Ruler of Damascus. The troops of the Syrians came with a small troop; and Yahweh gave a very great troop into their power, because they had left Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. So they did judgment on Joash. When they had left from him (for they left him very sick), his own workers came together against him for the blood of the descendants of Jehoiada, the preacher, and killed him on his bed; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn’t bury him in the graves of the Rulers. These are those who came together against him; Zabad, of Shimeath, the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad, of Shimrith, the Moabitess. Now about his sons, and all the great acts he did, and the rebuilding of the House of God, they’re written in the words of The Book of the Rulers. Amaziah his son ruled in his place.
25[1- 4] Amaziah was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan, from Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was right, but not with a good conscious. Now when the he was given rule, he killed his workers who had killed the Ruler his father. But he didn’t put their children to death, but did like what’s written in the law in the book of Moses, as Yahweh told them, saying, “The fathers won’t die for the children, neither will the children die for the fathers; but everyone will die for his own sin.”
[5-9] Besides this, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their ancestors’ houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin; and he counted them from 20 years old and up, and found that there were 300,000 of the best soldiers, able to go to war, who could handle weapons. He hired also 100,000 strong experienced soldiers out of Israel for 7,500 lbs. of silver. But a follower of God came to him, saying, “O Ruler, don’t let the troops of Israel go with you because Yahweh isn’t with Israel, that is, with the people of Ephraim. But if you go, do so bravely, be strong for the battle; but God will throw you down before the enemy because God has power to help, and to throw down.” So Amaziah said to the follower of God, “But what will we do for the 7,500 lbs. which I’ve given to the troops of Israel?” The follower of God answered, “Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.”
[10-13] Then Amaziah separated them, that is, the troops that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again; so they were very angry at Judah, and they went back home in great anger. But Amaziah took courage, and led his people out, and went to the Valley of Salt, and fought 10,000 of the people of Seir. The people of Judah carried away alive another 10,000 and brought them to the top of a cliff, and threw them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces. But the people of the troops whom Amaziah sent back, wouldn’t let go with him to fight, attacked the cities of Judah, from Samaria all the way to Beth Horon, and fought 3,000 of them and took their stuff.
[14-16] Now after Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the people of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed himself down before them, and burned incense to them. So Yahweh was angry at Amaziah, and he sent to him a preacher, who said to him, “Why have you worshiped the gods of the people, which haven’t saved their own people out of your hand?” As he talked with him, the Ruler said to him, “Have we made you part of the Ruler’s counsel? Stop! Why should you be killed?” Then the preacher left, saying, “I know that God has decided to destroy you, because you’ve done this, and haven’t listened to my counsel.”
[17-20] Then Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, took advice, and sent to Joash, of Jehoahaz of Jehu, Ruler of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look each other in the face.” Joash, Ruler of Israel, sent to Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, “‘Give your daughter to my son as wife;’ and a wild animal passed by that was in Lebanon, and stomped down the thistle. You say, ‘See, you’ve fought Edom; and your heart lifts you up to brag; stay at home now; why should you butt in and get hurt, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?’” But Amaziah wouldn’t listen because it was of God, who wanted to hand them over to their enemies, because he had worshiped the gods of Edom.
[21-24] So Joash, Ruler of Israel, went up; and he and Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, looked each other in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. Judah was defeated by Israel; and they ran everyone back home. Joash, Ruler of Israel, took Amaziah, Ruler of Judah, of Joash, of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem 600’ from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate. He took all the gold, silver, all the pots that were found in the House of God with Obed-Edom, the treasures of the Ruler’s house, and some hostages, and went back to Samaria.
[25-28] Amaziah, of Joash, Ruler of Judah, lived after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, Ruler of Israel, 15 years. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from the first to the last, are written in The Book of The Rulers of Judah and Israel? Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh they came together against him in Jerusalem; and he ran to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there. They brought him on horses, and buried him with his ancestors in the city of Judah.
26[1-5] All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was 16 years old, and made him Ruler in the place of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth, and gave it back to Judah, after the Ruler had died. Uzziah was 16 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jechiliah, from Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was right, like what his father Amaziah had done. He chose to worship God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he worshiped Yahweh, God made him to do well.
[6 -10] He came and fought against the Philistines, and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim. The Ammonites gave taxes to Uzziah, whose name spread all the way to the entrance of Egypt because he grew very strong. Besides this, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and protected them. He built towers in the countryside, and dug out many wells because he had a lot of livestock; in the lowland also, and in the field; and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the gardens because he loved farming.
[11-15] Besides this, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, who went out to war by troops, according to their count made by Jeiel, the secretary, and Maaseiah, the official, under the command of Hananiah, one of the Ruler’s captains. The whole number of the heads of the ancestors’ houses, all the strong experienced soldiers was 2,600. Under their control was an army of 307,500, who went to war with strong power, to help the Ruler against the enemy. Uzziah made weapons for all the troops, along with helmets and armor. He made in Jerusalem war machines (catapults), invented by skilled workers, to be on the towers and on the corners with which to shoot many times and throw great stones. His name spread everywhere because he was wonderfully helped, until he was strong.
[16 -19] But when he was strong, his heart was proud, so that he acted wrongly, and he sinned against Yahweh God because he went into the Place of Worship of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah, the preacher, went in after him, and with him 80 preachers of Yahweh, who were soldiers; and they stood up to Uzziah, the Ruler, saying to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but only the preachers, the descendants of Aaron, who are dedicated to burn incense; go out of the sanctuary because you’ve sinned; nor will you be honored by Yahweh God for this. Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a pan in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the preachers, a severe skin disease broke out on his forehead in front of the preachers in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.
[20 -23] Azariah, the leading preacher, and all the preachers looked at him and saw that he was leprous on his forehead, and they threw him out quickly from there; yes, he himself hurried to go out also, because Yahweh had punished him. So Uzziah, the Ruler, was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house being a leper, because he couldn’t go into the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and Jotham his son ruled over the Ruler’s house, judging the people of the land. Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from the first to the last, Isaiah, the preacher, of Amoz, wrote. So Uzziah died; and they buried him with his ancestors in the field of burial, which belonged to the Rulers, because they said, “He had a severe skin disease;” And Jotham, his son, ruled in his place.
27[1-5] Jotham was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. He did what Yahweh said was right, like what his father Uzziah had done; but he didn’t go into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The people still did wrongly. He built the upper gate of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and he built much of the wall of Ophel. Besides this, he built cities in the hillsides of Judah, and in the forests he built protected cities and towers. He fought also with the Ruler of the people of Ammon, and was strong against them. The people of Ammon gave him taxes the same year of 7,500 lbs. of silver, and 60,000 bushels of wheat, and 60,000 bushels of barley. The people of Ammon gave him this much, and in the second and third year also.
[6-8] So Jotham became strong, because he kept the way of Yahweh God. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham and all his wars and ways are written in The Book of the Rulers of Israel and Judah. He was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. Jotham died, and they buried him in the city of David; and Ahaz, his son, ruled in his place.
28[1-5] Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 16 years in Jerusalem; and he didn’t do what Yahweh said was right like David his ancestor; but he did like the Rulers of Israel, and made also false Baal gods. Besides this, he burnt incense in the valley of Hinnom (a place of false worship and human sacrifice outside the western wall of Jerusalem), and sacrificed his children in the fire, according to the horrible sins of the nations whom Yahweh had thrown out before the people of Israel. He sacrificed and burnt incense in the places of false worship, and on the hills, and under the evergreen trees. So Yahweh God put him into the power of the Ruler of Syria; and they fought him, and carried away a great number of prisoners, and brought them to Damascus. He was also put into the power of the Ruler of Israel, who slaughtered a great many of them.
[6 -11] Pekah, of Remaliah, killed in Judah 120,000 in one day, all of them good soldiers; because they had stopped worshipping Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. Zichri, a strong soldier of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah, the Ruler’s son, Azrikam, the Ruler of the house, and Elkanah, who was next to the Ruler. The people of Israel carried away 200,000 women and children prisoners of their people, and also took much stuff away from them, and brought it to Samaria. But a preacher of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the troops that came to Samaria, saying to them, “See, because Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he has handed them over to you, and you’ve killed them in great anger, which is known in heaven. Now you plan to keep the people of Judah and Jerusalem for workers and servants to you; but aren’t there sins of your own against Yahweh your God? So Listen to me now, and send back those that you’ve taken prisoner of your family or Yahweh will be very angry with you.”
[12-15] Then some of the heads of the people of Ephraim, Azariah, of Johanan, Berechiah, of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah, of Shallum, and Amasa, of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war, saying to them, “You won’t bring the prisoners here because your plan will bring a sin against Yahweh on us, to add to our sins and guilt, and our guilt is great already, and God is very angry at Israel. So the soldiers left the prisoners and all the stuff with the leaders and all the assembly of people. Those who were mentioned by name took the prisoners, and clothed all who were naked with the stuff they’d taken, and put shoes on them, and gave them food and water, and anointed them with oil, and carried all the weak ones on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their family; then they went back to Samaria.
[16 -19] At that time, Ruler Ahaz sent to the Rulers of Assyria to help him. The Edomites had come again and fought Judah, and carried away more prisoners. The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its towns, Timnah with its towns, and Gimzo also with its towns; and they lived there. Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz, Ruler of Israel, who had done horribly in Judah, and sinned greatly against Yahweh.
[20 -23] Tilgath Pileser, Ruler of Assyria, came to him, and troubled him, but didn’t help him. Ahaz took part of the valuables out of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and out of the house of the Ruler and of the leaders, and gave it to the Ruler of Assyria; but it didn’t help him. In the time of his trouble, he sinned even more against Yahweh, this same Ruler, Ahaz. He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which had defeated him; and he said, “Because the gods of the Rulers of Syria helped them, I’ll sacrifice to them, so they’ll help me.” But they destroyed him, and all Israel.
[24-27] Ahaz gathered together the pots of the House of God and cut them in pieces, and shut the doors of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and he made altars in every part from Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he made places of false worship to burn incense to other gods, and made Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, very angry. Now the rest of his acts and ways, from the first to the last, are written in The Book of the Rulers of Judah and Israel. Ahaz died, and they buried him in Jerusalem, but they didn’t bring him into the graves of the Rulers of Israel; and Hezekiah, his son, ruled in his place.
29[1 -3] Hezekiah began to rule when he was 25 years old; and he ruled 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what Yahweh said was right, like what David his ancestor had done. In the 1st year of his rule (715 BC), in the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April), he opened the doors of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and fixed them.
[4-11] He brought in the preachers and the Levites, and gathered them together into the wide open space on the east, saying to them, “Listen to me, you Levites; now dedicate yourselves and make the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, holy and carry anything filthy out of the holy place. Our ancestors have sinned, and done what Yahweh said was evil our God, and haven’t worshipped God, and have turned away from the House of God. Also they’ve shut up the doors of the porch, put out the lamps, and haven’t burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. So Yahweh is angry at Judah and Jerusalem, who has let them be tossed back and forth, to be a shock, and a mockery, as you see with your eyes. See, our ancestors have fallen in war, and our wives and children have been taken prisoner for this. Now it’s in my heart to make an agreement with Yahweh, the God of Israel, whose anger may be turned away from us. My children, don’t neglect this now because Yahweh has chosen you to stand and minister before God, and that you should be ministers of God, and burn incense.”
[12 -16] Then the Levites got up, Mahath, of Amasai, and Joel, of Azariah, of the descendants of the Kohathites; and of the descendants of Merari, Kish, of Abdi, and Azariah, of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah, of Zimmah, and Eden, of Joah; and of the descendants of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the descendants of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; and of the descendants of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the descendants of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. They gathered their people, and dedicated themselves, and went in, at the word of the Ruler by the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The preachers went in to the inner part of the Place of Worship of Yahweh to cleanse it, and brought out everything unfit that they found in it into the court. The Levites took it all out to the Kidron River.
[17 -19] Now they began on the 1st day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April) to dedicate, and on the 8th day of the month they came to the porch of Yahweh; and they dedicated the Place of Worship of Yahweh in eight days; and on the 16th day of the 1st month they finished. Then they went in to Hezekiah, the Ruler, within the Ruler’s house, saying, “We’ve cleansed all the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the altar of burnt offering with all its tools, and the table of holy bread with all its tools. Besides this, all the pots which Ruler Ahaz threw away in his rule when he sinned, have we cleaned and dedicated; and they’re before the altar of Yahweh.
[20-24] Then Hezekiah, the Ruler, got up early and gathered the leaders of the city, and went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh. They brought seven cattle, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven male goats, for a sin offering for the nation and for the sanctuary and for Judah. He told the preachers, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of Yahweh. So they killed the cattle, and the preachers took the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar; then they killed the rams, and sprinkled their blood on the altar; then they also killed the lambs, and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They brought the male goats for the sin offering before the Ruler and the assembly and they laid their hands on them. The preachers killed them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to ask forgiveness for all Israel because the Ruler had told them that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
[25 -29] He set the Levites in the Place of Worship of Yahweh with cymbals, lyres, and harps, according to the word of David, and of Gad, the Ruler’s preacher, and Nathan, the preacher, because the word was of Yahweh by his preachers. The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the preachers with the horns. Hezekiah told them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, and the horns, together with the instruments of David, Ruler of Israel. All the assembly worshiped God, the singers sang, and the horn players sounded until the burnt offering was finished. When they had finished offering, the Ruler and all who were there with him bowed themselves and worshiped God.
[30-36] Besides this, Hezekiah, the Ruler, and the leaders told the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph, the preacher. They sang praises with great happiness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. Then Hezekiah said, “Now you’ve dedicated yourselves to Yahweh; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. The number of burnt offerings which the assembly brought was 70 cattle, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh. The dedicated things were 600 cows and 3,000 sheep. But there weren’t enough preachers, so they couldn’t slaughter all the burnt offerings; so their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished, and until the preachers had dedicated themselves because the Levites were more dedicated than the preachers. Also the burnt offerings were so much, with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh was set in order. Hezekiah and all the people were very happy, because of what God had done for the people so suddenly.
30[1-5] Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, telling them that they should come to the Place of Worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Ruler and his leaders, and all the assembly in Jerusalem agreed to keep the Passover in the 2nd month (Ziv, Iyar, April-May). They couldn’t keep it at that time, because the preachers hadn’t all dedicated themselves yet, nor had the people come together to Jerusalem. The thing was right in the eyes of the Ruler and of all the assembly. So they set up an order to make the announcement throughout all Israel, from Beersheba all the way to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem because they hadn’t kept it in great numbers in this way as it’s written.
[6-9] So the posts went with the letters from the Ruler and his leaders throughout all Israel and Judah, at the word of the Ruler, saying, “You people of Israel, turn back to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that God may go back to what’s left of us who have escaped out of the power of the Rulers of Assyria. Don’t be like your ancestors, and like your family members who sinned against Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, so that God gave them up to be ruined, as you see. Now don’t be stubborn, as your ancestors were; but give yourselves to Yahweh, and go into the sanctuary of God, which is dedicated forever, and serve Yahweh your God, whose great anger may turn away from you. If you turn back to Yahweh, your family and your children will find compassion before those who led them prisoner, and will come back into this land because Yahweh your God is full of grace and mercy, and won’t turn away from you, if you go back to God.”
[10-14] So the posts went from city to city throughout the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the way to Zebulun; but they ridiculed them, and mocked them. But some people of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the word of the Ruler and of the leaders by the word of Yahweh. Many people gathered at Jerusalem to keep the celebration of flat bread in the 2nd month, a very great assembly. They came and took away the unfit altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the unfit altars for incense, and threw them into the Kidron River.
[15-19] Then they killed the Passover on the 14th day of the 2nd month; and the preachers and the Levites were ashamed, and dedicated themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. They stood in their place after their order, according to the Law of Moses, the follower of God; the preachers sprinkled the blood which they got from the Levites. There were many in the assembly who hadn’t dedicated themselves; so the Levites had charge of killing the Passover sacrifices for everyone who wasn’t fit, to dedicate them to Yahweh. For many of the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun hadn’t dedicated themselves, still they ate the Passover meal other than how it’s written. Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “The good Yahweh forgive everyone, who sets his heart to worship God, Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, though not fit like the purification of the sanctuary.”
[20-23] Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. The people of Israel who were at Jerusalem kept the celebration of flat bread seven days with great happiness; and the Levites and the preachers praised Yahweh each day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. Hezekiah spoke kindly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the celebration for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and confessing their sins to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. The whole assembly agreed to stay another seven days; and they stayed another seven days with great happiness.
[24-27] Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, gave to the assembly for offerings 1,000 cattle and 7,000 sheep; and the leaders gave to the assembly 1,000 cattle and 10,000 sheep; and a great number of preachers dedicated themselves. All the assembly of Judah with the preachers and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Israel, with the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and those who lived in Judah, were very happy. So there was great happiness in Jerusalem because since the time of Solomon, of David, Ruler of Israel, there wasn’t a celebration like that in Jerusalem. Then the preachers, the Levites came and blessed the people; and their voice was heard, and their prayer went up to God’s holy place in heaven.
31[1-4] Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were there went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the False fertility gods, the Asherim,, and broke down the places of false worship and the altars out of all Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel went back home, into their own cities. Hezekiah set up the divisions of the preachers and Levites after their divisions, everyone according to their service, both the preachers and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise God in the gates of the House of Yahweh. He also set aside a part of his stuff for the burnt offerings, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Seventh Days, and new moons, and for the set celebrations, as it’s written in the law of Yahweh. Besides this, he told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give their part to the preachers and the Levites, so that they would obey the law of Yahweh.
[5 -10] As soon as the word came out, the people of Israel gave richly from the first of their grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and all of the produce of the field; a tenth of all things they brought in richly. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought in a tenth of their cows and sheep, and a tenth of all the things which were dedicated to Yahweh their God, and laid them in piles. In the 3rd month (Sivan, May-June), they began to lay the foundation of the piles, and finished them in the 7th month (Tishri, Sept.-Oct.). When Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw all the piles, they blessed Yahweh, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah asked the preachers and the Levites about the piles. Azariah the leading preacher, of the house of Zadok, answered him saying, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the Place of Worship of Yahweh we’ve eaten and had enough, and have plenty left because Yahweh has blessed his people; and what’s left is this great store.”
[11- 15] Then Hezekiah told them to make room in the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they got the store rooms ready. They brought in all the offerings, and the tenth of all the dedicated things faithfully; and Conaniah the Levite was in charge of them, and Shimei his brother was second. Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the power of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the choice of Hezekiah the Ruler, and Azariah, the leading preacher, of the House of God. Kore, of Imnah, the Levite, the doorkeeper at the east gate was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of Yahweh, and the most holy things. Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the preachers, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the least.
[16-18] Besides this, those who were recognized by genealogy of males, from three years old and up, everyone who went into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, as the duty of everyday required, for their service in their offices by their divisions; and those who were recognized by genealogy of the preachers by their ancestors’ houses, and the Levites from 20 years old and up, in their offices by their divisions; and those who were recognized by genealogy of all their wives and children, through all the people because in their office of trust they dedicated themselves in holiness.
[19-21] Also for the descendants of Aaron, the preachers, who were in the fields of the outskirts of every city, there were those who were mentioned by name, to give parts to all the males among the preachers, and to all who were recognized by genealogy among the Levites. Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah; and he did what was good and right and faithful before Yahweh God. In everything that he began in the service of the House of God, and in the law, and in the words, to worship God, he did it with all his heart, and did well.
32[1-4] After all this faithfulness, Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria, came and went into Judah, and camped against the protected cities, to take them for himself. When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he planned to fight against Jerusalem, he counseled with his leaders and his soldiers to dam the waters of the creeks which were outside of the city; and they helped him. So many people gathered together, and they dammed all the creeks, and the river that flowed through the land, saying, “Why should the Rulers of Assyria come and find much water?”
[5-8] He took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down up to the towers, and the outside wall, and strengthened the landfill in the city of David, and made many weapons and shields. He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide open space at the gate of the city, saying kindly to them, “Be strong and brave, don’t be scared, nor troubled, for the Ruler of Assyria, nor for all the number who is with him, because there’s One greater with us than with him; he is a human being; but Yahweh our God is with us to help us, and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah Ruler of Judah.
[9-15] After this, Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria, sent his soldiers to Jerusalem, (now he was about to take Lachish, and all his army was with him), to Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah, and to all Judah who were at Jerusalem, saying, “Sennacherib, Ruler of Assyria,” says , “On what do you trust, that you stay under the siege in Jerusalem? Doesn’t Hezekiah convince you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, “‘Yahweh our God will save us out of the power of the Ruler of Assyria?’ Hasn’t that same Hezekiah taken away the places of false worship and altars, and told Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You’ll worship before one altar, and on it only you’ll burn incense?’ Don’t you know what I and my ancestors have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of those nations in any way able to save their land from my power? Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my ancestors completely destroyed, that could save their people from my power, that your God would be able to save you from my power? So now, don’t let Hezekiah lie to you, nor persuade you in this way, nor should you believe him, because no god of any nation or country was able to save their people from my power, and from the power of my ancestors; how much less will your God save you from me?”
[16-19] His workers said, “ still more against Yahweh God, and against Hezekiah, God’s follower. He also wrote letters to mock and speak against Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, “As the gods of the nations of the lands, which haven’t saved their people from my power, so the God of Hezekiah won’t save these people from my power. They yelled loudly in the Jews’ language to the people from Jerusalem, who were on the wall, to scare and trouble them, so that they could take the city. They spoke of the God from Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of human hands.
[20-23] Hezekiah, the Ruler, and Isaiah, the preacher, of Amoz, prayed because of this, and shouted to heaven. Yahweh sent an angel who stopped all the strong soldiers, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the Ruler of Assyria. So he went back with shame to his own land. When he had come into the house of his god, his own children killed him there. So Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the people from Jerusalem from the power of Sennacherib, the Ruler of Assyria, and from the power of all others, and protected them on every side. Many brought gifts to Yahweh to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah, Ruler of Judah; so that he was uplifted in the sight of all nations from there on out.
[24-28] In those days, Hezekiah had a deadly sickness; and he prayed to Yahweh and God spoke to him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah didn’t give again according to what he had gained, because his heart was proud; so God’s anger was on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem. But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the people from Jerusalem, so that the anger of Yahweh didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah. Hezekiah had great wealth and honor; and he made himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and good pots; storehouses also for the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil; and stalls for all the animals, and folds for the flocks.
[29 -33] Besides this, he built himself cities, and had many flocks and herds because God had given him a lot of stuff. This same Hezekiah also dammed the upper creek of the waters of Sihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah did well in all his works. But in the matter of the messengers of the leaders of Babylon, who sent to him to ask of the amazing thing that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that God would know what was in his heart. Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good acts, are written in The Vision of Isaiah, the preacher of Amoz, in The Book of the Rulers of Judah and Israel. Hezekiah died, and they buried him in the graves of the descendants of David; and all Judah and the people from Jerusalem honored him at his death. Manasseh, his son, ruled in his place.
33[1 -4] Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and ruled 55 years in Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was evil, after the horrible sins of the nations whom Yahweh threw out before the people of Israel. He built again the places of false worship which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he put up altars for the false Baal gods, and made an Asheroth (Astarte, Canaanite goddess of fortune and happiness, the supposed consort of Baal), and worshiped all the stars and planets in the sky, and served them. He built their altars in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, of which Yahweh said, “In Jerusalem will My Name be forever.”
[5 -8] He built altars for all the stars and planets of the sky in the two courts of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He also sacrificed his children in the fire in the valley of Hinnom (a place of false worship and human sacrifice outside the western wall of Jerusalem); and he practiced sorcery and witchcraft, and cast spells, and used mediums who had evil spirits, and those who practice witchcraft; he did much evil to Yahweh, to make God very angry. He set the carved idol which he had made, in the House of God, of which God said to David and Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I’ve chosen out of all the family groups of Israel I’ll put My Name forever; nor will I ever take the foot of Israel from off the land which I’ve given to your ancestors, if only you’ll be careful to do what I’ve told you, all the laws, judgments, and rules given by Moses.”
[9 -13] Manasseh seduced Judah and the people from Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than the nations whom Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel. Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and his people; but they wouldn’t listen. So Yahweh brought on them the troop leaders of the Ruler of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and cuffed him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon (Iraq, Iran). When he was in trouble, he begged Yahweh God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. He prayed to God, who heard his begging, and answered his prayer, and brought him again to Jerusalem back to his country. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.
[14 -17] Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, all the way to the entrance at the fish gate; and he surrounded Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height; and he put brave captains in all the protected cities of Judah. He took away all the false gods, and the idol out of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in Jerusalem, and threw them out of the city. He built up the altar of Yahweh, and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and told Judah to serve Yahweh, the God of Israel. The people still sacrificed in the places of false worship, but only to Yahweh their God.
[18 -20] Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to God, and the words of the preachers, who spoke to him in the Name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, are written among the acts of The Rulers of Israel. His prayer also, and how God heard him, and all his sin and guilt, and the areas where he built places of false worship, and put up the False fertility gods, the Asherim, and the carved idols, before he humbled himself, are written in the history of Hozai. So Manasseh died, and they buried him in his own house; and Amon his son ruled in his place.
[21-25] Amon was 22 years old when he began to rule, and ruled two years in Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was evil, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed to all the carved idols which Manasseh his father had made, and served them. He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon sinned more and more. His workers schemed against him, and killed him in his own house. But the leaders of the land killed all those who had acted together against Ruler Amon; and they made Josiah, his son, Ruler in his place.
34[1 -7] Josiah was eight years old when he began to rule, and ruled 31 years in Jerusalem. He did what Yahweh said was right, and did like David his father, and didn’t turn away at all. In the 8th year of his rule, while he was still young, he began to follow the God of David his father; and in the 12th year he began to clean out Judah and Jerusalem of all the places of false worship, the False fertility gods, the Asherim,, the carved idols, and the false gods. They broke down the altars of the false Baal gods in him; and the incense altars that were on the mountains above them he cut down; and the False fertility gods, the Asherim,, the carved idols, and the other false gods, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and spread it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He burnt the bones of the preachers on their altars, and cleaned out Judah and Jerusalem. He did this in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali, in their ruins all around. He broke down the altars, and beat the False fertility gods, the Asherim, and the carved idols into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, and went back to Jerusalem.
[8-13] Now in the 18th year of his rule when he had cleaned out the land and the house, he sent Shaphan, of Azaliah, and Maaseiah, the governor of the city, and Joah, of Joahaz, the recorder, to fix the Place of Worship of Yahweh God. They came to Hilkiah, the leading preacher, and gave them the money that was brought into the House of God, which the Levites, the doorkeepers, had gathered from Manasseh, Ephraim, and of all that was left of Israel, and of all Judah, Benjamin, and the people from Jerusalem. They put it into the power of the overseers who had the oversight of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they gave it to those who did the work in the Place of Worship of Yahweh to fix and fix the house; they gave it to the woodworkers and the builders, to buy cut stone, and wood for hinges, and to make posts for the houses which the Rulers of Judah had destroyed. The workers did the work faithfully; and their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the descendants of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the descendants of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music. Also they were over those who carried all the wood and stone, and told all who did the work in every area of service what to do; and of the Levites there were secretaries, officials, and doorkeepers.
[14-18] When they brought out the money that was brought into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, Hilkiah the preacher found The Book of the Law of Yahweh given by Moses. Hilkiah told Shaphan the secretary, I’ve found The Book of the Law in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan. Shaphan carried the book to the Ruler, and besides this, brought back word to the Ruler, saying, “What was to be done by Your followers, they’re doing. They’ve emptied out the money that was found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and have given it into the power of the overseers, and into the hands of the workers.” Shaphan the secretary told the Ruler, saying, “Hilkiah, the preacher, has given me a book. Shaphan read it to the Ruler.
[19-21] When the Ruler had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes in grief. The Ruler told Hilkiah, Ahikam, of Shaphan, Abdon, of Micah, Shaphan, the secretary, and Asaiah, the Ruler’s worker, “Go ask of Yahweh for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, about the words of the book that is found because Yahweh’s anger is great toward us, because our ancestors haven’t kept the Word of Yahweh, to do what’s written in this book.”
[22 -25] So Hilkiah, and they whom the Ruler had told went to Huldah, the preacher, the wife of Shallum, of Tokhath, of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter;) and they said to her what the Ruler had told them. She said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “‘Tell the ones who sent you to me, Yahweh says, “See, I’ll bring evil on this place, and on its people, all the punishments that are written in the book which they’ve read before the Ruler of Judah. Because they’ve left me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they would make Me angry with all the things they’ve done; so I am very angry at this place, and it won’t be calmed.
[26-29] But to the Ruler of Judah, who sent you to ask of Yahweh, this will you tell him, Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “About the words which you’ve heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard My words against this place, and its people, and have humbled yourself before Me, and have torn your clothes, and cried before me; I also have heard you,” says Yahweh. See, I’ll gather you to your ancestors, and you’ll go to your grave in peace, nor will your eyes see all the evil that I’ll bring on this place, and on its people.’“ They brought back word to the Ruler. Then the Ruler sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
[30-33] The Ruler went up to the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and the preachers, the Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read to them all the words of The Book of Promise that was found in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The Ruler stood in his place, and made an agreement with Yahweh, to follow Yahweh, and to keep God’s Words, and judgments, and laws with all his heart, and with all his soul, to do the words of the promised agreement that were written in this book. He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to agree to it. The people from Jerusalem did according to the promised agreement of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah took away all the horrible false gods out of all the lands that belonged to the people of Israel, and made all who were found in Israel to serve, and worship Yahweh their God. All his days they didn’t stop following Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.
35[1 -6] Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem; and they killed the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April). He put the preachers in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, “Put the holy Chest in the house which Solomon of David, Ruler of Israel, built; you won’t carry it on your shoulders anymore; now serve Yahweh your God, and his people Israel. Prepare yourselves after your ancestors’ houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David, Ruler of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon, his son. Stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the ancestors’ houses of your family, the people, and let there be for each a part of the ancestors’ house of the Levites. Kill the Passover sacrifices, and dedicate yourselves, and get your family ready to do what the word of Yahweh says, “given by Moses.
[7-10] Josiah gave to the people 30,000 lambs and kids from the flock and 3,000 cattle, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were there; these were from the Ruler’s own stuff. His leaders gave a freewill offering to the people, the preachers, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the leaders of the House of God, gave to the preachers for the Passover offerings 2,600 from the small livestock, and 300 of the cows. Conaniah, and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings 5,000 of the small livestock, and 500 cows. So the service was ready, and the preachers stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the Ruler’s word.
[11-14] They killed the Passover sacrifices, and the preachers sprinkled the blood which they got from them, and the Levites slaughtered them. They took the burnt offerings to give them according to the divisions of the ancestors’ houses of the leaders of the people, to offer to Yahweh, as it’s written in the book of Moses. They did this with the cows also. They roasted the Passover with fire according to the rule; and they boiled the holy offerings in small pots, and in large pots, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the leaders of the people. Afterward they got their own meal ready, and for the preachers, because the preachers, the descendants of Aaron, were busy making the burnt offerings and the fat until night; so the Levites fixed for themselves and the preachers, the descendants of Aaron.
[15-19] The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were in their place, according to the word of David, along with Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, the Ruler’s preacher; and the doorkeepers were at every gate; they didn’t need to leave from their service because their family members, the Levites, fixed theirs. So all the service of Yahweh was done the same day, to keep the Passover, and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the word of Ruler Josiah. The people of Israel who were there kept the Passover at that time, and the celebration of flat bread seven days. There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel, the preacher; nor did any of the Rulers of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the preachers, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were there, and the people from Jerusalem. In the 18th year of the rule of Josiah this Passover was kept.
[20-22] After all this, when Josiah had prepared the Place of Worship, Neco, Ruler of Egypt, went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him. But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What do I have to do with you, Ruler of Judah? I’m not coming against you today, but against the house with which I’m at war; and God has told me to quickly stop you from meddling with God, who is with me, that God not destroy you. But Josiah wouldn’t turn from him, but disguised himself, that he could fight with him, and didn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
[23-26] The archers shot at Josiah; and the Ruler said to his workers, “Take me away because I’m wounded very badly. So his workers took him out of the war vehicle, and put him in the second one that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the graves of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Jeremiah mourned for Josiah; and all the singing men and women told of Josiah in their mourning until today; and they made it a tradition in Israel; and it’s written in the Mourning Song (Mourning songs). Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all his goodness, like what’s written in the law of Yahweh, all his acts from the first to the last are written in The Book of the Rulers of Israel and Judah.
36[1-4] Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, and made him Ruler in his father’s place in Jerusalem. Joahaz was 23 years old when he began to rule, and ruled three months in Jerusalem. The Ruler of Egypt dethroned him at Jerusalem, and fined the land a tax of 7500 lbs. of silver and 75 lbs. of gold. The Ruler of Egypt made Eliakim, his brother Ruler over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz, his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
[5-8] Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he began to rule, and ruled eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did what Yahweh said was evil God. Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), came against him and cuffed him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon (Iraq, Iran). Nebuchadnezzar also carried off the pots of the Place of Worship of Yahweh to Babylon (Iraq, Iran) and put them in his Place of Worship at Babylon. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his horrible sins which he did, and what was found in him, are written in The book of the Rulers of Israel and Judah; and Jehoiachin, his son, ruled in his place.
[9-10] Jehoiachin was 8 years old when he began to rule, and ruled three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and he did what Yahweh said was evil. At the go back of the year, Ruler Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon with the good pots of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah, his brother, Ruler over Judah and Jerusalem.
[11-14] Zedekiah was 21 years old when he began to rule, and ruled eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did what Yahweh said was evil God; he didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah, the preacher, speaking from the mouth of Yahweh. He also rebelled against Ruler Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him Promise by God; but he was stubborn and refused to turn back to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Besides this, all the leaders of the preachers and the people sinned very badly, doing all the horrible sins of the nations; and they ruined the Place of Worship of Yahweh which was holy in Jerusalem.
[15 -21] Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, sent messengers to them, the preachers God sent them from the beginning of their history, who had great compassion on them, and on the House of God; but they mocked the messengers of God, and hated God’s Words, and laughed at the preachers, until Yahweh was very angry at the people of Israel, until there was no way to bring them back. So he brought the Ruler of the Chaldeans, who killed their soldiers in war in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on the soldiers or women, old or gray-headed; God gave them all into his hand. All the pots of the House of God, big and small, and all the treasures of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and all the treasures of the Ruler, and of his leaders, all these the Chaldeans brought to Babylon (Iraq, Iran). They burnt the House of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all its great houses with fire, and destroyed all the best pots. Those who had escaped from the war he carried away to Babylon (Iraq, Iran); and they were workers to him and his sons until the rule of the land of Persia; to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Seventh Days, because as long as it lay empty, it kept the Seventh Day, to fulfill 70 years.
[22-23] Now in the 1st year of Cyrus (539 BC) Ruler of Persia, the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah would be completed, and Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, Ruler of Persia, so that he made an announcement throughout all his countries, and put it also in writing, saying, “Cyrus, Ruler of Persia,” says , “Yahweh, the God of heaven has given me all the countries of the earth; and has told me to build a Place of Worship in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all God’s people, Yahweh God will be with you, so go up.”
Ezra
1[1-3] Now in the 1st year of Cyrus Ruler of Persia, so that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah would happen, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus Ruler of Persia, so that he made an announcement throughout all his countries, and put it also in writing, saying, “Cyrus Ruler of Persia,” says this, All the countries of the earth Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me; who has told me to build a Place of Worship in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there’s among you of all God’s people, God will be with you, and let you go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, who is God, which is in Jerusalem.
[4-6] Whoever is left, in any place where they stay, let those of their place help them with silver, gold, goods, and animals, Besides this, the freewill offering for the House of God which is in Jerusalem. Then the heads of the ancestors’ of Judah and Benjamin, the preachers, and the Levites, God had stirred their spirits to go build the Place of Worship of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem. All those who were around them took in their powers pots of silver, gold, goods, animals, and precious things, Besides this, what was willingly offered.
[7-11] Also Cyrus the Ruler brought out the pots of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out from Jerusalem, and had put in the place of his gods; even those Cyrus Ruler of Persia brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the head of Judah. This is their number; 30 gold platters, 1,000 silver platters, 29 knives, 30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls of another kind, and 1,000 other pots. All the pots of gold and silver were 5,400. All these Sheshbazzar brought up when those of the prisoners were brought up from Babylon (Iraq, Iran) to Jerusalem.
2[1-2] Now these are the people of the country, who went up out of the prisoners of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran) had carried away to Babylon, and who went back to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to their own city; who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the people of the people of Israel:
[3-42] The people of Parosh, 2,172. The people of Shephatiah, 372. The people of Arah, 775. The people of Pahathmoab, of the people of Jeshua and Joab, 2812. The people of Elam, 1,254. The people of Zattu, 945. The people of Zaccai, 760. The people of Bani, 642. The people of Bebai, 623. The people of Azgad, 1,222. The people of Adonikam, 666. The people of Bigvai, 2,056. The people of Adin, 454. The people of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98. The people of Bezai, 323. The people of Jorah, 112. The people of Hashum, 223. The people of Gibbar, 95. The people from Bethlehem, 123. The people of Netophah, 56. The people of Anathoth, 128. The people of Azmaveth, 42. The people of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The people of Ramah and Geba, 621. The people of Michmas, 122. The people of Bethel and Ai, 223. The people of Nebo, 52. The people of Magbish, 156. The people of the other Elam, 1,254. The people of Harim, 320. The people of Lod, Had id, and Ono, 725. The people of Jericho, 345. The people of Senaah, 3,630. The preachers; the people of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The people of Immer, 1,052. The people of Pashhur, 1,247. The people of Harim, 1,017. The Levites; the people of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the people of Hodaviah, 74. The singers; the people of Asaph, 128. The doorkeepers; the people of Shallum, the people of Ater, the people of Talmon, the people of Akkub, the people of Hatita, the people of Shobai, 139 in all.
[43-58] The Nethinim (church workers); the people of Ziha, the people of Hasupha, the people of Tabbaoth, the people of Keros, the people of Siaha, the people of Padon, the people of Lebanah, the people of Hagabah, the people of Akkub, the people of Hagab, the people of Shamlai, the people of Hanan, the people of Giddel, the people of Gahar, the people of Reaiah, the people of Rezin, the people of Nekoda, the people of Gazzam, the people of Uzza, the people of Paseah, the people of Besai, the people of Asnah, the people of Meunim, the people of Nephisim, the people of Bakbuk, the people of Hakupha, the people of Harhur, the people of Bazluth, the people of Mehida, the people of Harsha, the people of Barkos, the people of Sisera, the people of Temah, the people of Neziah, the people of Hatipha, the people of Solomon’s workers; the people of Sotai, the people of Hassophereth, the people of Peruda, the people of Jaalah, the people of Darkon, the people of Giddel, the people of Shephatiah, the people of Hattil, and the people of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the people of Ami. All the Nethinim (church workers), and the people of Solomon’s workers were 392.
[59-60] These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they couldn’t show which family their ancestors were from, and their people, whether they were of Israel; the people of Delaiah, the people of Tobiah, the people of Nekoda, 652.
[61-62] Of the people of the preachers; the people of Habaiah, the people of Hakkoz, the people of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was called after their name. These looked for their names among those who were recognized by genealogy, but they weren’t found; so they were thought be of mixed race and weren’t allowed to be preachers.
[63-67] The governor said to them that they shouldn’t eat of the most holy things, until a preacher came with the Judgment Stones (Urim and Thummim). The whole assembly together was 42,360, Besides this, their male and female workers, of whom there were 7,337; and they had 200 singing men and women. They also had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
[68-70] When some of the heads of the ancestors’ houses came to the Place of Worship of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem, they offered willingly to put up the House of God in its place; they gave as they were able into the treasury of the work 61,000 gold coins, and 5,000 silver coins, and 100 sets of preachers’ clothes. So the preachers, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the doorkeepers, and the Nethinim (church workers), lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
3[1-5] When the 7th month (Tishri, Sept.-Oct.) had come, and the people of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua, of Jozadak, stood up along with his family the preachers, and Zerubbabel of Shealtiel, and his family, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on, as it’s written in the Law of Moses, the follower of God. They set the altar on its base; and even though they were scared of the peoples of the countries, they offered burnt offerings on it to Yahweh, both morning and evening burnt offerings. They kept the Celebration of Booths, as it’s written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the rule, as was called for by the duty of each day; and afterward the continual burnt offering, and the new moon offerings, and of all the set celebrations of Yahweh that were dedicated, and of everyone who willingly gave a freewill offering to Yahweh.
[6-9] From the 1st day of the 7th month (Tishri, Sept.-Oct.) they began to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh; but the foundation of the Place of Worship of Yahweh wasn’t laid still. They also gave money to the stone builders and the woodworkers; and food, drink, and oil to those of Sidon and Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea near Joppa (modern Tel Aviv-Yafo, or also known as Tel Aviv-Jaffa) according to the grant that they had of Cyrus (550-530 BC) Ruler of Persia. Now in the 2nd year of their coming to the House of God at Jerusalem, in the 2nd month (Ziv, Iyar, Apr-May), began Zerubbabel of Shealtiel, and Jeshua of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers, the preachers and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the prisoners to Jerusalem, and set the Levites, from 20 years old and up, to have the oversight of the work of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his family, Kadmiel and his sons, the descendants of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workers in the House of God; the descendants of Henadad with their sons and their brothers, the Levites.
[10-13] When the builders laid the foundation of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, they gave the clothed preachers horns, and the Levites, the descendants of Asaph, cymbals, to praise Yahweh, after the order of David Ruler of Israel. They sang to each other, praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, saying, “God is good, whose loving kindness lasts forever toward Israel. All the people shouted with a great shout when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of the Place of Worship of Yahweh was laid. But many of the preachers and Levites and heads of the ancestors’ houses, the old men who had seen the first one, when the foundation of this one was laid before their eyes, shouted; and many shouted out for great happiness; so that the people couldn’t tell the noise of the shout of great happiness from the noise of the crying of the people because the people all shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard very far away.
4[1-5] Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the prisoners were building a Place of Worship to Yahweh, the God of Israel; then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of ancestors’ houses, saying to them, Let’s build with you because we serve your God, as you do; and we sacrifice to God since the days of Esarhaddon, Ruler of Assyria, who brought us up here. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of ancestors’ houses of Israel, said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will build it for Yahweh, the God of Israel, as Ruler Cyrus (550-530 BC), the Ruler of Persia has told us. Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and made trouble for them while they built, and hired counselors against them, to discourage them, all the days of Cyrus, Ruler of Persia, even until the rule of Darius (538 BC), Ruler of Persia.
[6-10] In the rule of Ahasuerus (Xerxes?), in the beginning of his rule, they wrote an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his friends, wrote to Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) Ruler of Persia; and the letter was written in the Syrian alphabet and language (Aramaic). Rehum, the chancellor, and Shimshai, the secretary, wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes, the Ruler, in this way; Rehum, the chancellor, and Shimshai, the secretary, wrote the letter along with the rest of their friends, the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar (Ashurbanipal?) brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country across the river, and so forth.
[11-16] This is the copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes, the Ruler: Your followers, those across the river, and so forth. Let it be known to the Ruler, that the Jews who came up from you, have come to us to Jerusalem; they’re building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls, and built the foundations. Let it be known now to the Ruler that if this city is built, and the walls finished, they won’t pay taxes, sales tax, or fee, and in the end it will hurt the Rulers’ income. Now because we eat the salt of the Ruler’s house, and it’s not appropriate for us to see the Ruler’s dishonor, we’ve sent to inform the Ruler; so that you’ll search in the book of the records of your ancestors and find in it, and know that this city is a rebellious city, which has been hurtful to Rulers and countries, and that they’ve caused trouble in the past because which this city was destroyed. We inform the Ruler that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, in this way you’ll have no part across the river.
[17-22] Then the Ruler sent an answer to Rehum, the chancellor, and to Shimshai the secretary, and to the rest of their friends who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country across the river; Peace, and so forth. The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me. I ordered, and search has been made, and it’s found that this city in the past has rebelled against Rulers, and that rebellion and trouble making have come from it. There have been strong Rulers also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country across the river; and taxes, sales tax, and fee was paid to them. Order these men to stop, and that this city not be built, until an order is made by me. Be careful to not be slow in doing this or the damage will grow to the hurt of the Rulers.
[23-24] Then when the copy of Ruler Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the secretary, and their friends, they went quickly to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to stop by force and control. They stopped the work of the House of God which is at Jerusalem; and it stopped until the 2nd year of the rule of Darius, Ruler of Persia.
5[1-5] Now the preachers, Haggai, the preacher, and Zechariah, of Iddo, preached to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem; they preached to them in the name of the God of Israel. Then Zerubbabel of Shealtiel, and Jeshua of Jozadak, got up and began to build the House of God which is at Jerusalem; and the preachers of God were with them, helping them. At the same time Tattenai, the governor across the river, and Shetharbozenai, and their friends came to them, and asked them, Who gave you an order to build this house, and to finish this wall? Then we told them in this way what the names of the men were who were making this building. But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them stop, until the matter would come to Darius (538 BC), and then answer went back by letter about it.
[6-13] The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor across the river, and Shetharbozenai, and his friends the Apharsachites, who were across the river, sent to Darius the Ruler; they sent a letter to him, in which was written this; To Darius, the Ruler, all peace. Let it be known to the Ruler, that we went into the country of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and wood is laid in the walls; and this work is carefully done and does well in their powers. Then we asked the elders, saying to them this, Who gave you an order to build this house, and to finish this wall? We asked them their names also, to inform you that we could write the names of the men who were their leaders. So they answered us, saying, “We’re the workers of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great Ruler of Israel built and finished. But after our ancestors had made the God of heaven very angry, God gave them into the power of Nebuchadnezzar Ruler of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon (Iraq, Iran). But in the 1st year of Cyrus (539 BC) Ruler of Babylon, Cyrus the Ruler made an order to build this House of God.
[14-17] The gold and silver pots also of the House of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the Place of Worship that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the place of false worship of Babylon, those Cyrus (550-530 BC) the Ruler took out of the Place of Worship of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), and they were given to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; saying to him, take these pots, go, put them in the Place of Worship that is in Jerusalem, and let the House of God be built in its place. Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the House of God which is in Jerusalem; and since that time even until now has it been in building, and still it’s not completed. So, if it seem good to the Ruler, let there be search made in the Ruler’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it’s so, that an order was made by Cyrus, the Ruler, to build this House of God at Jerusalem; and let the Ruler send to us what he wants done about this matter.
6[1-5] Then Darius the Ruler made an order, and search was made in the house of records, where the treasures were held in Babylon (Iraq, Iran). There was found at Achmetha, in the Ruler’s house that is in the country of Media, a scroll, and in it was this written for a record: In the 1st year of Cyrus (539 BC) the Ruler, Cyrus the Ruler made an order about the House of God at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid; 90‘ high, and 90’ wide; with three courses of great stones, and a course of new wood; and let the expenses be given out of the Ruler’s house. Also let the gold and silver pots of the House of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the Place of Worship which is at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon (Iraq, Iran), be given back, and brought again to the Place of Worship at Jerusalem, each to its place; and you’ll put them in the House of God.
[6-12] So now, Tattenai, governor across the river, Shetharbozenai, and your friends the Apharsachites, who are across the river, get far away from there, and let the work of this House of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this House of God in its place. Besides this, I make an order what you’ll do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this House of God; that of the Ruler’s goods, even of the taxes across the river, expenses be given very carefully to these men, that they not be hindered. Whatever they need, both young cattle, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the preachers who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail; that they may offer good smelling sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the Ruler, and of his sons. Also I’ve made an order, that whoever changes this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a pile of ruins for this; and the God whose name is there will overthrow all Rulers and peoples who try to change the same, to destroy this House of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made an order; let it be done carefully.
[13-16] Then Tattenai, the governor across the river, Shetharbozenai, and their friends, because Darius the Ruler had sent to them, did everything carefully. The elders of the Jews built and did well, through the preaching of Haggai the preacher and Zechariah of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the word of the God of Israel, and according to the order of Cyrus (550-530 BC), and Darius, and Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) Ruler of Persia. This house was finished on the 3rd day of the month Adar (March/April), which was in the 6th year of the rule of Darius the Ruler. The people of Israel, the preachers, the Levites, and the rest of the people of the prisoners, kept the dedication of this House of God with great happiness.
[17-22] They offered at the dedication of this House of God 100 cattle, 200 rams, 400 lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, 12 male goats, according to the number of the family groups of Israel. They put the preachers in their sections and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God in Jerusalem; as it’s written in the book of Moses. The people of the prisoners kept the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April). For the preachers and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure; and they killed the Passover offerings for all the people of the prisoners, and for their brothers, the preachers, and for themselves. The people of Israel who had come back out of the prisoners, and all that had come to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, and separated themselves to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate, and kept the celebration of flat bread for seven days with great happiness because Yahweh had made them happy, and had turned the heart of the Ruler of Assyria to them, to strengthen their powers in the work of the House of God, the God of Israel.
7[1-6] Now afterward, in the rule of Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) Ruler of Persia, Ezra of Seraiah, of Azariah, of Hilkiah, of Shallum, of Zadok, of Ahitub, of Amariah, of Azariah, of Meraioth, of Zerahiah, of Uzzi, of Bukki, of Abishua, of Phinehas, of Eleazar, of Aaron the head preacher; this Ezra went up from Babylon (Iraq, Iran); and he was very knowledgeable in the Law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the Ruler given him all his request, according to the hand of Yahweh God on him.
[7-10] Some of the people of Israel went up, along with the preachers, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, and the Nethinim (church workers), to Jerusalem, in the 7th year of Artaxerxes the Ruler. He came to Jerusalem in the 5th month, which was in the 7th year of the Ruler. On the 1st day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April) he began to go up from Babylon; and on the 1st day of the 5th month (Av, Jul-Aug) he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him. For Ezra had set his heart to understand the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach the laws and rules in Israel.
[11-17] Now this is the copy of the letter that the Ruler Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the preacher, the secretary, even the secretary of the words of the Judgments of Yahweh, and of God’s laws to Israel. Artaxerxes, Ruler of Rulers, to Ezra the preacher, the secretary of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth. I make an order, that all those of the people of Israel, and their preachers and the Levites, in my realm who want to of their own free will go to Jerusalem, let them go with you. Because you’re sent by the Ruler and his seven counselors, to ask about Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand, and to carry the silver and gold, which the Ruler and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose is in Jerusalem, and all the silver and gold that you’ll find in all the country of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the preachers, offered willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; so you’ll very carefully buy with this money cattle, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and will offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
[18-23] Whatever will seem good to you and to your family to do with the rest of the silver and gold, do in the name of your God. The pots that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, give before the God from Jerusalem. Whatever more will be needful for the house of your God, which you’ll have occasion to give, give it out of the Ruler’s treasure house. I, even I Artaxerxes the Ruler, do make an order to all the treasurers who are across the river, that whatever Ezra the preacher, the secretary of the law of the God of heaven, will ask of you, it be done very carefully, to 7500 lbs. of silver, and to 600 bushels of wheat, and to 850 gallons of wine, and to 850 gallons of oil, and however much salt is needed. Whatever is said, “ by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven because why should there be judgment against the realm of the Ruler and his sons?
[24-28] Also we inform you, that touching any of the preachers and Levites, the singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim (church workers), or workers of this House of God, it won’t be lawful to charge taxes, sales tax, or fee, on them. You, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God who is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are across the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who don’t know them. Whoever won’t keep the law of your God, and the law of the Ruler, let judgment be made against him very carefully, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. May Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, be blessed, who has put such a thing as this in the Ruler’s heart, to beautify the Place of Worship of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem; and has showed loving kindness to me before the Ruler, and his counselors, and before all the Ruler’s strong leaders. I was strengthened according to the hand of Yahweh my God on me, and I gathered leaders together out of Israel to go up with me.
8[1-14] Now these are the heads of their ancestors’ houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon (Iraq, Iran), in the rule of Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) the Ruler; Of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons Ithamar, Daniel. Of the descendants of David, Hattush. Of the descendants of Shecaniah, of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah; and with him were recognized by genealogy 150 males. Of the descendants of Pahathmoab, Eliehoenai of Zerahiah; and with him 200 males. Of the descendants of Shecaniah, of Jahaziel; and with him 300 males. Of the descendants of Adin, Ebed of Jonathan; and with him 50 males. Of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah of Athaliah; and with him 70 males. Of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah, of Michael; and with him 80 males. Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah, of Jehiel; and with him 218 males. Of the descendants of Shelomith, of Josiphiah; and with him 160 males. Of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah, of Bebai; and with him 28 males. Of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan, of Hakkatan; and with him 110 males. Of the descendants of Adonikam, who were the last; and these are their names; Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah; and with them 60 males. Of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud; and with them 70 males.
[15-20] I gathered them all together to the river that runs to Ahava; and we camped there three days; and I looked at the people, and the preachers, and found none of the descendants of Levi there. Then sent I for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and for Meshullam, leaders; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, who were teachers. I sent them ahead to Iddo the leader at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo, and his family, the Nethinim (church workers), at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God. According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a very good teacher, of the descendants of Mahli, of Levi, of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his family, 18; and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the descendants of Merari, his family and their sons, 20; and of the Nethinim (church workers), whom David and the leaders had given for the service of the Levites, 220 Nethinim; all of them were mentioned by name.
[21-27] Then I called for us to willingly go without food there, at the river Ahava, that we would humble ourselves before our God, to ask for a clear path for us, and for our babies, and for all our stuff. I was ashamed to ask of the Ruler a troop of soldiers and riders to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had said to the Ruler, Yahweh is with all those who serve God, whose power and anger is against all those who won’t follow God. So we fasted and begged our God for this, who heard us. Then I set apart twelve of the leaders of the preachers, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them, and weighed to them the silver, gold, and pots, even the offering for the house of our God, which the Ruler, his counselors, his leaders, and all Israel there present, had offered; I weighed into their power 48,750 lbs. of silver, and 7500 lbs. worth of silver pots; 7500 lbs. of gold; and 20 bowls of gold, worth about 16 lbs. of gold; and two pots of fine bright brass, precious as gold.
[28-32] I said to them, “You’re holy to Yahweh, and the pots are holy; and the silver and gold are a freewill offering to Yahweh, the God of your ancestors. Watch, and keep them, until you weigh them before the leaders of the preachers and the Levites, and the leaders of the ancestors’ houses of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the rooms of the Place of Worship of Yahweh. So the preachers and the Levites weighed the silver and gold, and the pots, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God. Then we left from the river Ahava on the 12th day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April), to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was on us, who kept us safe from the hand of the enemy and the bandit on the way. We came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days.
[33-36] On the fourth day the silver and gold and the pots were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth, of Uriah, the preacher; and with him was Eleazar, of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad, of Jeshua, and Noadiah, of Binnui, the Levite; all of it by number and by weight; and all the weight was written at that time. The people of the prisoners, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, 12 cattle for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and 12 male goats for a sin offering; all this was a burnt offering to Yahweh. They gave the Ruler’s orders to the Ruler’s governors, and captains across the river; and they furthered the people and the House of God.
9[1-4] Now when these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the preachers and Levites, haven’t separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing evil just like them, even of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. They’ve taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy people have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands; yes, and the leaders and Rulers has been first in this sin. When I heard this thing, I tore my clothes and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confused. Then everyone who shook at the words of the God of Israel, because of the sin of those of the prisoners were gathered together to me; and I sat confused until evening offering.
[5-9] At evening offering I got up from my shame, even with my clothes and my robe torn; and I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to Yahweh my God; and I said, “my God, I’m ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God because our faults are over our head, and our guiltiness is up to the heavens. Since the days of our ancestors we’ve been very guilty until today; and for our faults have we, our Rulers, and our preachers, been given into the power of the Rulers of the lands, to war, to be prisoners, and to lose our stuff, and to confusion of face, as it is today. Now for just a moment grace has been shown from Yahweh our God, to help what’s left of us to escape, and to give us a nail in Your holy place, that our God may open our eyes, and revive us in our service. For we’re servants; still our God hasn’t left us in our service, but has shown loving kindness to us in the sight of the Rulers of Persia, to revive us, to put up the house of our God, and to fix its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
[10-15] Now, our God, What will we say after this? for we’ve left your words, which you’ve told by Your followers the preachers, saying, “The land, to which you go to take it, is an unfit land through the unfitness of the peoples of the lands, through their horrible sins, which have filled it from one end to the other with their filthiness; so don’t give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons, nor try to make peace or take their wealth forever; that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for your children forever. After what has come on us for our evil acts, and for our great guilt, seeing that you our God have punished us less than our faults deserve, and have given us such as what’s left, will we again ignore your words, and join together with the peoples that do these horrible sins? Wouldn’t you be angry with us until you had destroyed all of us, so that there wouldn’t be any left, nor any to escape? Yahweh, the God of Israel, you’re good because we’re only a few that have escaped, as it is today; See, we stand before you in our guiltiness because no one can face you because of this.
10[1-4] Now while Ezra prayed and confessed, crying and throwing himself down before the House of God, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men, women, and children because the people cried very much. Shecaniah, of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, answered Ezra, We’ve sinned against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land; still now there’s hope for Israel about this thing. So let’s make an agreement with our God to divorce all the wives, and all the children born to them, according to your counsel, and of those who shake in fear at the word of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Get up; you’re in charge of this, and we’re with you; be brave, and do it.
[5-9] Then Ezra made the leaders of the preachers, the Levites, and all Israel, to promise that they would do what this word said. So they promised. Then Ezra got up from before the House of God, and went into the room of Jehohanan, of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate nothing, nor drank water because he mourned because of the sin of those of the prisoners. They made an announcement throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the people of the prisoners, that they should gather themselves together to Jerusalem; and that whoever didn’t come within three days, according to the counsel of the leaders and the elders, all their stuff would be taken, and they themselves separated from the assembly of the prisoners. Then all the people of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days; it was the 20th day of the 9th month (Kislev, Nov-Dec); and all the people sat in the wide open space before the House of God, shaking in fear because of this matter, and for the great rain.
[10-15] Ezra the preacher stood up, saying to them, You’ve sinned, and have married foreign women, to increase the guilt of Israel. Now confess to Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, and do God’s will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the foreign women. Then all the assembly answered loudly, As you’ve said about us, so we must do. But the people are many, and it’s a time of much rain, and we’re not able to stand outside; neither is this a work of one or two days because we’ve greatly sinned in this matter. So let our leaders be set for all the assembly, and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign women come at set times, and with them the elders of every city, and its judges, until God’s anger is turned away from us, until this matter is finished. Only Jonathan, of Asahel and Jahzeiah of Tikvah stood up against this matter; and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
[16-19] So the people of the prisoners did this. Ezra, the preacher, with certain leaders of the heads of ancestors’ houses, and all of them by their names, were set apart; and they sat down in the 1st day of the 10th month (Tevet, Dec-Jan) to study the matter. They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the 1st day of the 1st month (Nissan, Mar-April). Among the descendants of the preachers there were found who had married foreign women; namely, of the descendants of Jeshua, of Jozadak, and his family, Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. They promised that they would divorce their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
[20-24] Of the descendants of Immer; Hanani and Zebadiah. Of the descendants of Harim; Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. Of the descendants of Pashhur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. Of the Levites; Jozabad, Shimei, and Kelaiah, which is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. Of the singers; Eliashib. Of the doorkeepers; Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
[25-44] Of Israel; Of the descendants of Parosh; Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah. Of the descendants of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. Of the descendants of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. Of the descendants of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. Of the descendants of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. Of the descendants of Pahathmoab; Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. Of the descendants of Harim; Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. Of the descendants of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. Of the descendants of Bani; Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Bani, Binnui, Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. Of the descendants of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo, Joel, and Benaiah. All these had taken foreign wives; and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
Nehemiah
1[1-5] These are the words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev (Kislev, Nov/Dec), in the 20th year, as I was in Shushan the Ruler’s house, Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and some men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the prisoners, and about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those few who are left of the prisoners there in the country are in great trouble and are blamed for it; the wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned up. When I heard these words, I sat down and cried, and mourned a few days; and I fasted and prayed to the God of heaven, saying, “I ask you, Yahweh, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the promised agreement and has loving kindness for those who love and keep God’s words.
[6-9] Listen and pay attention, so that you may hear the prayer of Your follower, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the people of Israel, Your followers, while I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we’ve sinned against you. Yes, I and My people have sinned; we’ve acted very badly against you, and haven’t kept the words, or the laws, or the rules which you told Your follower Moses. Remember, I ask you, the word that you told Your follower Moses, saying, “If you sin, I’ll scatter you out among the nations; but if you go back to Me, and keep My words and do them, though your outcasts were in the farthest part of the heavens, still I’ll gather them from there, and bring them to the place that I’ve chosen, to cause My Name to be there.
[10-11] Now these are Your followers and Your people, whom You’ve saved by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. Lord, I ask you, hear the prayer of Your follower, and the prayer of Your followers who enjoy worshiping Your Name; and please do well to Your follower today, and grant me mercy in the sight of this human beings. Now I was cup bearer to the Ruler.
2[1-3] In the month Nisan (March/April), in the 20th year of Artaxerxes the Ruler (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) when wine was before him, that I picked up the wine, and gave it to the Ruler. Now I had never been sad before in him. The Ruler said to me, “Why is your face so sad, seeing you’re not sick? This isn’t anything else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very scared. I said to the Ruler, Let the Ruler live forever; why shouldn’t my face be sad when the city, the place of my ancestors’ graves, is in ruins, and its gates are all burned up?
[4-8] Then the Ruler said to me, “So what do you want? So I prayed to the God of heaven and I said to the Ruler, If it please the Ruler, and if I have pleased you, I ask that you’d send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it. Then the Ruler said to me with the queen also sitting by him, How long will your journey be? and when will you go back? So it pleased the Ruler to send me; and I set him a time. Besides this, I said to the Ruler, If it please the Ruler, let letters be given to me for the governors across the river, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah; and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the Ruler’s forest, that he may give me wood to make posts for the gates of the tower of the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I’ll live in. The Ruler gave me everything I asked for, by the good hand of my God on me.
[9-11] Then I came to the governors across the river, and gave them the Ruler’s letters. Now the Ruler had sent with me troop leaders and riders. When Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite worker, heard it, it upset them greatly, because someone had come to help the people of Israel. So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
[12-15] I got up in the night, I and a few others with me; I told no one what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on. I went out by night by the valley gate, all the way to the dragon’s well, and to the waste gate, and looked at the walls from Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates that were all burned up. Then I went on to the creek gate and to the Ruler’s pool; but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the river, and looked at the wall; and I turned back, and went by the valley gate, and went back.
[16-18] The Rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the preachers, nor to the leaders, nor to the Rulers, nor to the rest who did the work. Then I said to them, “You see the evil case that we’re in, how Jerusalem is in ruins, and its gates are burned with fire; come, and let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, so we won’t be ridiculed anymore. I told them of the hand of my God which was good to me, as also of the Ruler’s words that he had said to me. They said, “Let’s get up and build it. So they strengthened their powers for the good work.
[19-20] But when Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah, the Ammonite worker, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and hated us, saying, “What are you doing? Will you rebel against the Ruler? Then I answered saying to them, the God of heaven will do well by us; so we workers will get up and build; but you have no part, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
3[1-5] Then Eliashib the lead preacher got up with his family the preachers, and they built the sheep gate; they dedicated it, and put up its doors; all the way to the tower of Hammeah, they dedicated it, to the tower of Hananel. Next to him built the people of Jericho. Next to them built Zaccur, of Imri. The descendants of Hassenaah built the fish gate; they put up its posts and doors, with its bolts and bars. Next to them built Meremoth, of Uriah, of Hakkoz. Next to them built Meshullam, of Berechiah, of Meshezabel. Next to them built Zadok, of Baana. Next to them, the Tekoites built; but their leaders didn’t lift a finger to help in the work of their leader.
[6-10] Joiada, of Paseah and Meshullam, of Besodeiah built the old gate; they put up its posts and doors, with its bolts and bars. Next to them, Melatiah, the Gibeonite and Jadon, the Meronothite, built, who were the people of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, that were ruled by the governor across the river. Next to him, Uzziel, of Harhaiah, built, who were goldsmiths. Next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, built; and they protected Jerusalem all the way to the wide wall. Next to them, Rephaiah, of Hur, built, who was the Ruler of half the district from Jerusalem. Next to them, Jedaiah, of Harumaph, built next to his house. Next to him, Hattush, of Hashabneiah, built.
[11-15] Malchijah, of Harim, and Hasshub, of Pahathmoab, built another part, and the tower of the furnaces. Next to him, Shallum, of Hallohesh, built, who was the Ruler of half the district from Jerusalem, he and his daughters. Hanun, and the people of Zanoah built the valley gate; they built it, and put up its doors, with its bolts and bars, and 1,500 feet of the wall to the waste gate. Malchijah, of Rechab, the Ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem built the waste gate; he built it, and put up its doors, with its bolts and bars. Shallun, of Colhozeh, the Ruler of the district of Mizpah built the creek gate; he built it, and covered it, and put up its doors, with its bolts and bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the Ruler’s garden, all the way to the stairs that go down from the city of David.
[16-20] After him, Nehemiah, of Azbuk, the Ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, built to the place next to the graves of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the soldiers. After him, the Levites, Rehum, son of Bani, built. Next to him, Hashabiah, the Ruler of half the district of Keilah, built for his district. After him, their brothers, Bavvai, of Henadad, the Ruler of half the district of Keilah, built. Next to him, Ezer, of Jeshua, the Ruler of Mizpah, built another part, next to the rise to the armory at the turning of the wall. After him, Baruch, of Zabbai, worked very hard on another part, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib, the lead preacher.
[21-24] After him, Meremoth, of Uriah, of Hakkoz, built another part, from the door of the house of Eliashib all the way to the end of the house of Eliashib. After him, the preachers, the people of the field, built. After them, Benjamin and Hasshub built next to their house. After them, Azariah, of Maaseiah, of Ananiah, built beside his own house. After him, Binnui, of Henadad, built another part, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall and to the corner.
[25-27] Palal, of Uzai, built next to the turning of the wall, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the Ruler, which is by the court of the guard. After him, Pedaiah, of Parosh, built. (Now the Nethinim (church workers) lived in Ophel, to the place next to the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.) After him, the Tekoites built another part, next to the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel.
[28-32] The preachers built above the horse gate, everyone next to his own house. After them, Zadok, of Immer, built next to his own house. After him, Shemaiah, of Shecaniah, built, who was the keeper of the east gate. After him, Hananiah, of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, built another part. After them, Meshullam, of Berechiah, built next to his room. After him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, built to the house of the Nethinim, and of the traders, next to the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the rise of the corner. Between the rise of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the traders built.
4[1-3] But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great offense, and mocked the Jews. He said, “ before his family and the troops of Samaria, What are these weak Jews doing? Will they protect themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish this in a day? Will they replace the stones out of the piles of rubble, seeing they’re burned? Now Tobiah, the Ammonite, was by him, and he said, “Even what they’re building, if a fox climbed up it, it would break down their stonewall.
[4-6] Listen, our God because we’re hated; and turn back their criticism on their own head, and hand them over as prisoners in a foreign land; don’t cover their guilt, and don’t forget their sin because they’ve angered You in the face of the builders. So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half its height because the people had chosen to work.
[7-12] But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls from Jerusalem were being fixed, and that the broken parts were being closed up, then they were very angry; and they planned together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion in it. But we made our prayer to our God, and set a guard against them day and night, because of them. The people of Judah said, “Our workers are worn out, and there’s so much rubble that we can’t build the wall. Our enemies said, “They won’t know, or even see, until we come right into the middle of them, and kill them, and make the work stop. When the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us at least ten times, Wherever you turn, there they are to attack us.
[13-18] So I set the people in each of their families with their weapons in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places. I looked, and got up, saying to the leaders, the Rulers, and the rest of the people, Don’t be scared of them; remember Yahweh God, Who is great and awesome, and fight for your families and your homes. When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their plans to nothing, we all went back to the wall to our work. From that time on, half of my workers did the work, and half of them held the weapons; and the Rulers supported all the house of Judah. They all built the wall and those who carried the stones worked in such a way as to do the work with one hand, and hold their weapon with the other; and all the builders had their weapon at their side, and so built. Those who sounded the warning horn was beside me.
[19-23] I said to the leaders, the Rulers, and the rest of the people, the work is great and so large that we’re separated on the wall, far from each other; so wherever you hear the sound of the horn, come there to us; our God will fight for us. So we did the work; and half of them held the weapons from sunrise until sunset. At the same time I said to the people, Let every leader and their workers stay in Jerusalem, so that they may guard us in the night, and may work in the day. So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my workers, nor the people of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes, and everyone went to get water with their weapon.
5[1-5] Then the poor of the people shouted greatly against the other Jews. For there were those who said, “We and our children are many; let’s go get grain, that we may eat and live.” There were also some who said, “We’ve to sell our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain, because of the drought.” There were also some who said, “We’ve borrowed money to pay the taxes on our land. Still now, we are the same flesh and blood as these others, and our children are as their children, but we must enslave our children to be their workers, and some of our daughters are enslaved by them already; neither is it in our power to help it because these others have our land.”
[6-11] I was very angry when I heard these words from their mouths. Then I thought about it, and fought with the leaders and the Rulers, saying to them, You make a profit off your own family members. Then I held a great assembly against them. I said to them, “We, as we are able, have saved the other Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your own family members that they would be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and didn’t say a word. Also I said, “The thing that you do isn’t good; shouldn’t you walk in respect to our God, because of the criticism of the nations our enemies? I likewise, My people, lend them money and grain. Please let’s stop charging them fees. Please give them back today, their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, and also one percent of the money, the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you have taken from them.
[12-14] Then they said, “We’ll give it all back them, and will require nothing of them; so we’ll all do as you say. Then I called the preachers, and made them promise that they would do according to this agreement. Also I shook out my lap, saying, “So God will shake out everyone from his house, and from his work, that doesn’t keep this promise; even like this, he’ll be shaken out, and emptied. All the assembly said, “So be it, and praised Yahweh. So the people did what they had promised. From the time that I was made their governor in the land of Judah, from the 20th year even to the 32nd year of Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC) the Ruler, that is, 12 years, I and My people haven’t eaten the food of the governor. But the governors who were before me were chargeable to the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides 40 silver coins; yes, even their workers had rule over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
[16-19] Yes, I also continued in the work of the wall, and we didn’t buy any land; and all my workers were gathered there to the work. Besides this, there were at my table of the Jews and the Rulers, 150 people, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us. Now what was prepared for one day was one cow and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once every ten days a store of all sorts of wine; still for all this I didn’t demand the bread of the governor, because the taxes were hard on this people. Remember me, my God, for good, and what I’ve done for this people.
6[1-4] Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no hole left in it; (though even to that time, I hadn’t put up the doors in the gates;) Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, meet us in one of the towns in the field of Ono. But they wanted to kill me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I’m doing a great work, so I can’t come down; why should the work stop, while I leave it, and come down to you? They sent to me four times like this; and I answered them in the same way.
[5-9] Then Sanballat sent his worker to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written, It’s reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel because which cause you’re building the wall; and you’d be their Ruler, according to these words. You’ve also set preachers to preach about you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a Ruler in Judah; and now I‘ll report it to the Ruler according to these words. So come now, and let’s meet together. Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things have been done as you say, but you make them up out of your own heart. For they all would have made us scared, saying, “They’ll stop their work, that it not be done. But now, God, strengthen my hands.
[10-14] Then I went to the house of Shemaiah, of Delaiah, of Mehetabel, who was locked up; and he said, “Let’s meet together in the House of God, within the Place of Worship, and let’s shut the doors of the Place of Worship because they’ll come to kill you; yes, they’ll come to kill you in the night. But I said, “Should such anyone as I run? and who is there that, being such as I, would go into the Place of Worship to save his life? I won’t go in. I saw that God hadn’t sent him; but he said this preaching against me; and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. This is why he was hired, so that I’d be scared, and do this, and sin, and that they would have something evil about me to report, so that they could criticism me. Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat for their evil works, and also the preacher Noadiah, and the rest of the preachers that would have put me in fear.
[15-19] So the wall was finished in the 25th day of the month Elul (August/September), in 52 days. When all our enemies heard it, all the nations that were around us feared, and were downcast in their own eyes because they understood that this work was done of our God. In those days, the leaders of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them. For there were many in Judah who were loyal to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, of Arah; and who had Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam, of Berechiah, as wife. Also they told of his good acts to me, and reported my words to him. So Tobiah sent letters to make me scared.
7[1-4] Now when the wall was built, and I had put up the doors, and the doorkeepers, singers, and Levites were set, I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah, the governor of the tower, charge over Jerusalem because he was a faithful human beings, and respected God more than many. I said to them, “Don’t let the gates from Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and bar them; and appoint guards from the people from Jerusalem, everyone in the time of their watch, and everyone to be next to their own house. Now the city was big and wide; but there were few people in it, and the houses weren’t still built.
[5-7] My God put into my heart to gather together the leaders, the Rulers, and the people, so that they would be recognized by their genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it; These are the people of the country, who went up from the prisoners of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar, the Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), had carried away, and who went back to Jerusalem and to Judah to their city; who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the families of the people of Israel:
[8-38] The people of Parosh, 2,172. The people of Shephatiah, 372. The people of Arah, 652. The people of Pahathmoab, of the people of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. The people of Elam, 1,254. The people of Zattu, 845. The people of Zaccai, 760. The people of Binnui, 648. The people of Bebai, 628. The people of Azgad, 2,322. The people of Adonikam, 667. The people of Bigvai, 2,067. The people of Adin, 655. The people of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98. The people of Hashum, 328. The people of Bezai, 324. The people of Hariph, 112. The people of Gibeon, 95. The people from Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. The people of Anathoth, 128. The people of Beth Azmaveth, 42. The people of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The people of Ramah and Geba, 621. The people of Michmas, 122. The people of Bethel and Ai, 123. The people of the other Nebo, 52. The people of the other Elam, 1,254. The people of Harim, 320. The people of Jericho, 345. The people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. The people of Senaah, 3,930.
[39-45] The preachers; The people of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The people of Immer, 1,052. The people of Pashhur, 1,247. The people of Harim, 1,017. The Levites; the people of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the people of Hodevah, 74. The singers; the people of Asaph, 148. The doorkeepers; the people of Shallum, the people of Ater, the people of Talmon, the people of Akkub, the people of Hatita, the people of Shobai, 138.
[46-60] The Nethinim (church workers); the people of Ziha, the people of Hasupha, the people of Tabbaoth, the people of Keros, the people of Sia, the people of Padon, the people of Lebana, the people of Hagaba, the people of Salmai, the people of Hanan, the people of Giddel, the people of Gahar, the people of Reaiah, the people of Rezin, the people of Nekoda, the people of Gazzam, the people of Uzza, the people of Paseah. The people of Besai, the people of Meunim, the people of Nephushesim, the people of Bakbuk, the people of Hakupha, the people of Harhur, the people of Bazlith, the people of Mehida, the people of Harsha, the people of Barkos, the people of Sisera, the people of Temah, the people of Neziah, the people of Hatipha. The people of Solomon’s workers; the people of Sotai, the people of Sophereth, the people of Perida, the people of Jaala, the people of Darkon, the people of Giddel, the people of Shephatiah, the people of Hattil, the people of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the people of Amon. All the Nethinim, and the people of Solomon’s workers were 392.
[61-65] These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they couldn’t show who their ancestors were, nor if their descendants were of Israel; The people of Delaiah, the people of Tobiah, the people of Nekoda, 642. Of the preachers; the people of Hobaiah, the people of Hakkoz, the people of Barzillai who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. These searched for their names among those who were recognized by genealogy, but they weren’t found; so were they thought be of mixed descent and not allowed to be preachers. The governor told them that they shouldn’t eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a preacher with the Judgment Stones.
[66-73] The whole assembly together was 42,360, Besides this, their workers, of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 singing men and women. They had 736 horses; 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. Some from among the heads of ancestors’ houses gave money for the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 gold coins, 50 bowls, and 530 outfits of preachers’ clothes. Some of the heads of ancestors’ houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold coins, and 2,200 silver coins. What the rest of the people gave was 20,000 gold coins, and 2,000 silver coins, and 67 outfits of preachers’ clothes. So the preachers, the Levites, the doorkeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim (church workers), and all Israel, lived in their cities. When the 7th month (Tishri, Sept.-Oct.) had come, the people of Israel were all living in their cities.
8[1-4] All the people gathered together into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they told Ezra, the secretary, to bring the book of the Law of Moses, which Yahweh had given to Israel. Ezra, the preacher, brought the Word of God before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could understand, on the 1st day of the 7th month (Tishri, Sept.-Oct.). He read it in the wide open space that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and all the people paid attention to the Word of God. Ezra, the secretary, stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for that purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right; and on his left, stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
[5-8] Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, being higher than all the people, and when he opened it, all the people stood up; and Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, So be it, So be it, and lifted up their powers; then they bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the law; and the people stood in their place. They read in the book, in the law of God, clearly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
[9-12] Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra, the preacher and secretary, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, today is holy to Yahweh your God; don’t mourn or cry. For all the people cried when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the meat, and drink the wine, and send parts to those who have nothing ready because today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be upset because the great happiness of Yahweh is your strength. So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy; don’t be upset. So all the people went to eat and drink, and to send some to the poor and celebrate, because they had understood the words that were told to them.
[13-15] On the 2nd day were gathered together the heads of ancestors’ houses of all the people, the preachers, and the Levites, to Ezra, the secretary, to listen carefully to God’s Word. They found written in the law, how that Yahweh had told by Moses, that the people of Israel should live in booths in the celebration of the 7th month; and that they should publish and tell God’s Word in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go to the mountain, and get olive branches, branches of wild olive, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it’s written.
[16-18] So the people came, and brought them, and made themselves booths on the roofs of their houses, and in their courts, and in the courts of the House of God, and in the wide open space in front of the water gate, and in the wide open space in front of the gate of Ephraim. All the assembly of those who had come out of the prisoners made booths, and lived in the booths because since the days of Joshua, of Nun, to that day, the people of Israel hadn’t done so. There was very great happiness. Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the Law of God. They kept the celebration seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
9[1-3] Now in the 24th day of this month the people of Israel were gathered together going without food, and wearing mourning clothes, and put dirt on them. The people of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the faults of their ancestors. They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a quarter of the day; and another quarter they confessed sins, and worshiped Yahweh their God.
[4-6] Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood up on the stairs of the Levites, and called out loudly to Yahweh their God. Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless Yahweh your God forever and ever; and blessed be Your wonderful Name, which we uplift above all blessing and praise. You are Yahweh, yes, You alone; You’ve made heaven, the heaven of heavens with all its creations, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and whatever is in them, and You keep them all; and everything in heaven worships You.
[7-10] You are Yahweh, the God Who chose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham, and found his heart faithful before You, and made an agreement with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his descendants, and have kept Your words because You are good. You saw the trouble of our ancestors in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea, and showed signs and did great wonders to Ruler of Egypt, and all his workers, and all the people of his land because You knew that they acted proudly against them, and made You name great, as it is today.
[11-15] You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on dry land; and You threw those who chased them into the depths, as a stone into the deep water. Besides this, in You led them by day in a column of smoke; and in a column of fire by night, to give them light in the way which they were to go. You also came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke to them from heaven, and gave them good rules and true laws, perfect laws and words, and made known to them that the Seventh Day is Your holy day, and gave them guides, and rules, and a law, by Moses Your follower, and gave them food from heaven for their hunger, and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and told them that they should go in to take the land which You had promised to give them.
[16-19] But they and our ancestors acted proudly and became stubborn, and didn’t listen to your words, and refused to obey You, nor thought about Your acts of wonder that You did for them, but became stubborn, and in their rebellion set a captain over them to lead them back to their hard lives in Egypt. But You’re a God who always forgives, full of grace and merciful, slow to anger, and great in loving kindness, and didn’t leave them. Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, saying, “This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt, and had treated You very disrespectfully; still You in Your great mercies didn’t leave them out in the countryside; the column of smoke didn’t leave from over them by day, to lead them in the way; nor the column of fire by night, to show them light, and the way they were to go.
[20-24] You also gave Your good Spirit to teach them, and didn’t withhold Your gift of food from their mouths, and gave them water for their thirst. Yes, You kept them safe for 40 years in the countryside, and they lacked nothing; their clothes didn’t grow old, and their feet didn’t swell. Besides this, You gave them countries and peoples, which You gave them each their parts; so they took the land of Sihon, even the land of the Ruler of Heshbon, and the land of Og, Ruler of Bashan. You multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land, which You told their ancestors about, and that they should go in to take it. So the children went in and took the land, and You defeated the people of the land, the Canaanites, before them and gave them over to them along with their Rulers, and the peoples of the land, that they could do with them as they wanted.
[25-27] They took protected cities, and a good land, and took houses full of all good things, wells dug out, vineyards, and olive groves, and many fruit trees; so they ate, and were filled, and became fat, and enjoyed themselves in Your great goodness. But then, they were disobedient, and rebelled against You, and ignored Your law, and killed Your preachers that spoke against them to turn them back to You, and they disrespected You horribly. So You handed them over to their enemies who troubled them; and in the time of their trouble when they cried to You, You heard from heaven; and in Your great mercies You gave them heroes who saved them from their enemies.
[28-31] But after they had rest, they did evil again in Your sight; so You left them in the control of their enemies, so that they had rule over them; still when they went back, and shouted to You, You heard from heaven; and many times You gave them according to Your mercies, and spoke against them, that You might bring them back to Your law. Still they acted proudly, and didn’t listen to Your words, but sinned against Your rules, (which if anyone does them, they’ll live safely by them), and turned their backs, and became stubborn, and wouldn’t listen. Still You put up with them for many years, and spoke against them by Your Spirit through Your preachers; still they wouldn’t listen; so You put them under the control of the peoples of the nations. But in Your great mercies You didn’t completely destroy them, nor leave them because You are a full of grace and merciful God.
[32-35] So now, our God, the great, the strong, and the awesome God, Who keeps the promised agreement and shows loving kindness, don’t let all the troubles seem little to You, that has come on us, on our Rulers, leaders, preachers, religious leaders, ancestors, and on all Your people, since the time of the Rulers of Assyria until today. But You’re fair in what’s come on us because you’ve dealt truly, but we’ve done evil; neither have our Rulers, leaders, preachers, nor ancestors, kept Your law, nor listened to Your words and Your evidence with which You spoke against them. For they’ve not served You in their countries, and in Your great goodness that You gave them, and in the large and good land which You gave them, nor did they turn from their sinful works.
[36-38] See, we’re Your followers today, and as for the land that You gave to our ancestors to eat its fruit and its goodness, see, we’re workers in it. It produces very much for the Rulers whom You’ve set over us because of our sins; also they’ve control over ourselves, and over our livestock, at their pleasure, and we’re in great trouble. Still for all this, we make a true promised agreement, and write it down; and our leaders, Levites, and preachers, seal it up.
10[1-13] Now those who sealed it were Nehemiah, the governor, of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah, who were the preachers. The Levites were namely, Jeshua, of Azaniah, Binnui, of the descendants of Henadad, Kadmiel; and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.
[14-27] The leaders of the people were Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai, Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, Malluch, Harim, and Baanah.
[28-31] The rest of the people, the preachers, the Levites, the doorkeepers, the singers, the Nethinim (church workers), and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to follow the Word of God, their wives, and their children, everyone who had knowledge and understanding, joined with the others, along with their leaders, and went into a promised agreement with a punishment, and a blessing, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses, the follower of God, and to keep and do all the words of Yahweh, our God, both the rules and laws; and that we wouldn’t give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons; and if the peoples of the land bring any food or other stuff on the Seventh Day to sell, that we wouldn’t buy of them on the Seventh Day, or on a holy day; and that we wouldn’t plant our land in the 7th year, and forgive every debt.
[32-36] Also we made rules for us, to charge ourselves a yearly tax of a third of a coin for the service of the house of our God because the holy bread, the continual meal offering, the continual burnt offering, the Seventh Days, the new moons, the set celebrations, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make up for the sins of Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. We throw judgment stones, the preachers, Levites, and people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our ancestors’ families, at set times, year by year, to burn on the altar of Yahweh our God, as it’s written in the law; and to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all kinds of fruit trees, year by year, to the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and also the firstborn of our sons, and of our livestock, as it’s written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the House of our God, to the preachers who minister in the House of our God; and that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our wave offerings, and all the fruit trees, the new wine and the oil, to the preachers, to the rooms of the House of our God; and the tenth of our ground to the Levites because they, the Levites, take the tenth in all plowed land of our cities.
[38-39] The preacher, of Aaron, will be with the Levites when the Levites take the tenth; and the Levites will bring up the tenth of a tenths to the House of our God, to the rooms, and put it into the treasury. For the people of Israel and the people of Levi will bring the wave offering of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, to the rooms where the pots of the sanctuary are kept, and the preachers who minister, the doorkeepers, and the singers; and we won’t stop coming to the House of our God.
11[1-2] The leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem; the rest of the people also threw judgment stones, to bring one of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine in the other cities. The people blessed all those who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. Now these are the leaders of the country who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah, everyone lived in their own land in their cities, that is, Israel, the preachers, the Levites, the Nethinim (church workers), and the people of Solomon’s workers.
[4-9] In Jerusalem lived some of the people of Judah and Benjamin. Of the people of Judah; Athaiah, of Uzziah, of Zechariah, of Amariah, of Shephatiah, of Mahalalel, of the people of Perez; and Maaseiah, of Baruch, of Colhozeh, of Hazaiah, of Adaiah, of Joiarib, of Zechariah, of the Shilonite. All the men of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 soldiers. These are the men of Benjamin; Sallu, of Meshullam, of Joed, of Pedaiah, of Kolaiah, of Maaseiah, of Ithiel, of Jeshaiah. After him, Gabbai, Sallai, 928 in all. Joel of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah of Hassenuah was second over the city.
[10-14] Of the preachers; Jedaiah of Joiarib, Jachin, Seraiah of Hilkiah, of Meshullam, of Zadok, of Meraioth, of Ahitub, the Ruler of the House of God, and their brothers who did the work of the house, 822 in all; and Adaiah, of Jeroham, of Pelaliah, of Amzi, of Zechariah, of Pashhur, of Malchijah, and his family, leaders of ancestors’ houses, 242 in all; and Amashsai, of Azarel, of Ahzai, of Meshillemoth, of Immer, and their brothers, strong experienced soldiers, 128 in all; and their overseer was Zabdiel, of Haggedolim.
[15-20] Of the Levites; Shemaiah, of Hasshub, of Azrikam, of Hashabiah, of Bunni; Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the leaders of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward service of the House of God; and Mattaniah, of Mica, of Zabdi, of Asaph, who was the leader to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his family; and Abda, of Shammua, of Galal, of Jeduthun. There were 284 Levites in the holy city in all. Besides this, the doorkeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were 172 in all. The rest of Israel, of the preachers and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in their own land.
[21-24] But the Nethinim (church workers) lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over them. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi, of Bani, of Hashabiah, of Mattaniah, of Mica, of the descendants of Asaph, the singers over the service of the House of God. At the Ruler’s word, the needs of the singers were met each day. Pethahiah of Meshezabel, of the people of Zerah of Judah was next to the Ruler in everything that concerned the people.
[25-36] As for the towns with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba with its towns, and in Dibon with its towns, and in Jekabzeel with its towns, and in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, Beersheba with its towns, Ziklag, Meconah with its towns, En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam, and their towns, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah with its towns. So they camped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, at Bethel with its towns, at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftspeople. Of the Levites, certain parts in Judah were given to Benjamin.
12[1-11] Now these are the preachers and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel, of Shealtiel, and Jeshua; Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the preachers and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua. Besides this, the Levites; Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving prayer, he and his family. Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brothers were next to them according to their offices. Jeshua had Joiakim, and Joiakim had Eliashib, and Eliashib had Joiada, and Joiada had Jonathan, and Jonathan had Jaddua.
[12-21] In the days of Joiakim were preachers, heads of ancestors’ houses; of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; and of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
[22-26] As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the heads of ancestors’ houses and also the preachers were recorded, in the rule of Darius the Persian. The descendants of Levi, the heads of ancestors’ houses were written in the book of the Chronicles, even until the days of Johanan, of Eliashib. The leaders of the Levites; Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua, of Kadmiel, with their brothers next to them, to give praise and thanks in their turns, according to the word of David, the follower of God. Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were doorkeepers keeping the watch at the storehouses of the gates. These were in the days of Joiakim, of Jeshua, of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah, the governor, and of Ezra, the preacher and secretary.
[27-30] At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they searched the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with happiness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps. The singers gathered together, both out of the field around Jerusalem, and from the towns of the Netophathites; also from Beth Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth because the singers had built them towns around Jerusalem. The preachers and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
[31-37] Then I brought up the leaders of Judah on the wall, and set two great companies who gave thanks and went in a line. One went to the right on the wall toward the waste gate; and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the leaders of Judah, Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, and some of the preachers’ sons with horns; Zechariah, of Jonathan, of Shemaiah, of Mattaniah, of Micaiah, of Zaccur, of Asaph; and his family, Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David, the follower of God; and Ezra, the secretary, was before them. By the creek gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the rising of the wall, above the house of David, all the way to the water gate eastward.
[38-43] The other company of those who gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the other half of the people, on the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, all the way to the wide wall, above the gate of Ephraim, by the old gate, by the fish gate, the tower of Hananel, the tower of Hammeah, all the way to the sheep gate; and they stood still in the gate of the guard. So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in the House of God, and I, and the half of the Rulers with me; and the preachers, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with horns; and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang very loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. They offered great sacrifices that day, and were happy because God had made them very happy; and the women and children were also happy; so that the great happiness from Jerusalem was heard even very far away.
[44-47] On that day leaders were set over the rooms for the treasures, for the wave offerings, the firstfruits, and a tenths, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the part set by the law for the preachers and Levites because Judah was happy for the preachers and Levites who worked. They kept charge of the things of their God, and of the purification, and so did the singers and doorkeepers, according to the word of David, and of Solomon his child. For in the days of David and Asaph of old, there was a leader of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave parts to the singers and the doorkeepers, for the needs of each day; and they set apart what was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart what was for the people of Aaron.
13[1-3] On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and in it was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite shouldn’t go into the assembly of God forever, because they didn’t meet the people of Israel with food and water, but hired Balaam speak evil against them; But our God turned the evil words into a blessing. When they had heard the law, they separated from Israel all those who had mixed with them.
[4-9] Now before this, Eliashib, the preacher, who was set over the rooms of the House of our God, being allied to Tobiah, had set aside for him a great room, where they had kept the meal offerings before, the frankincense, pots, tithes of the grain, new wine, and oil, which were given by word to the Levites, the singers, and the doorkeepers; and the wave offerings for the preachers. But in all this time I wasn’t at Jerusalem because in the 32nd year of Artaxerxes (son of Xerxes 465-424 BC), Ruler of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), I went to the Ruler; and after a few days, I asked permission of the Ruler, and came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done, in making Tobiah a room in the courts of the House of God. It upset me very much; so I threw out all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the room. Then I told them to clean the rooms; and I brought back the pots of the House of God, along with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
[10-14] I understood that what was due to the Levites hadn’t been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers who did the work were run off, each to their own land. Then I fought with the Rulers, saying, “Why is the House of God left empty? I gathered them together, and put them in their rightful place. Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, the new wine, and the oil to the treasuries. I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah, the preacher, Zadok, the secretary, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan, of Zaccur, of Mattaniah because they were counted faithful, and their business was to give the supplies to the others. Remember me, my God, for this, and don’t wipe out my good acts that I’ve done for the House of my God, and for its celebrations.
[15-22] In those days, I saw in Judah some people working winepresses on the Seventh Day, and bringing in sheaves of grain, and loading donkeys with it; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of things, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Seventh Day; and I spoke against them in the day in which they sold food. There were people of Tyre also in it, who brought in fish, and all kinds of stuff, and sold on the Seventh Day to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I fought with the leaders of Judah, saying to them, What evil thing is this that you do to ruin the Seventh Day? Didn’t your ancestors do this, and didn’t our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? Still you bring more judgment on Israel by disrespecting the Seventh Day. When it began to darken at the gates from Jerusalem before the Seventh Day, I told them to shut the doors, and not to open them until after the Seventh Day; and some of my workers, I set over the gates, so that nothing could be brought in to be sold on the Seventh Day. So the traders of all kind of wares stayed outside of Jerusalem once or twice. Then I spoke against them, saying to them, Why do you stay at the wall? I told the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to dedicate the Seventh Day. Remember me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your loving kindness.
[23-31] In those days, I also saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab; and their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod, and couldn’t speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. I fought with them, and punished them, and fought some of them, pulling out their hair, and made them promise by God, saying, “You won’t give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves. Didn’t Solomon, the Ruler of Israel, sin by these things? Still among many nations, there wasn’t a Ruler like him, and he was loved by God, and God made him Ruler over all Israel; But even him, these foreign women caused to sin. Will we then hear that you do all this great evil, to sin against our God in marrying these foreign women? One of the descendants of Joiada, of Eliashib, the lead preacher, was son-in-law to Sanballat, the Horonite; so I chased him from me. Remember them, my God, because they’ve ruined the office of the preacher, and the promised agreement of the preachers and the Levites. So I separated them from all foreigners, and gave orders for the preachers and the Levites, each in their work; and for the wood offering, at the set times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
Esther
1[1-5] Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over 127 provinces), when the Ruler Ahasuerus reigned in his realm, which was in the royal house at Shushan, in the 3rd year of his reign, he made a celebration for all his leaders and workers, who were in power in Persia and Media during this time, the rulers and leaders of the provinces, who sat before him. He showed them the wealth of his famous realm and the honor of his great dignity for 180 days. When these days were finished, he made a weeklong celebration for all the people who were at Shushan in the royal house, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of his royal house.
[6-9] There were white, green, and blue curtains, tied with purple ropes of fine linen to silver rods and marble posts. There were gold and silver couches on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble. They gave them drinks in all different kinds of golden cups, with a great amount of royal wine, as much as the Ruler had. As the law stated, no one had to drink because the Ruler had told all the workers of his house that they should do whatever each person wanted. Vashti, the queen, also made a celebration for the women in the royal house which belonged to Ruler Ahasuerus.
[10-15] On the seventh day, when the Ruler was drunk, he told Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven officers who served Ahasuerus, the Ruler, to bring Vashti the queen before the Ruler wearing her royal crown, to show the people and the leaders her beauty because she was very beautiful. But the queen Vashti refused to come when the Ruler called her by the officers, so he was very angry, and in a rage. Then the Ruler said to the educated men, who knew the times, (for it was the Ruler’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment, “What should we do to the queen Vashti according to the law, for not doing what I asked her to do by the officers?” And those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven leaders of Persia and Media, who sat in the Ruler’s presence, and sat first in the realm.
[16-20] Memucan answered before the Ruler and the leaders, “Vashti the queen hasn’t only done wrong to you, but also to all the leaders, and to all the people who are in all your provinces. What the queen has done will become known to all the women, causing them to disrespect their husbands, when it’s reported, ‘Ruler Ahasuerus told Vashti the queen to be brought to him, but she didn’t come.’ Today, the leaders of Persia and Media who have heard what the queen has done will tell all your other leaders. This will cause great disrespect and anger. If it please you, let a royal judgment go out from you, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it can’t be changed, so that Vashti may never come before you again; and give her royal place to another who is better than she. When your law is published throughout all your great realm, all the wives will give their husbands honor, from the greatest to the least.”
[21-22] This advice pleased the Ruler and the leaders, and the Ruler did what Memucan had said, “sending letters into all the Ruler’s provinces, into every province and people according to the language, that every man should rule his own house, and published it in the language of the people.
2[1-4] After these things, when the great anger of Ruler Ahasuerus was cooled, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what judgment was on her. Then the Ruler’s workers who served him said, “Let beautiful young girls who haven’t had sex be searched out for the Ruler. Let the Ruler appoint officers in all the provinces of his realm to gather together all the beautiful young girls to the royal house of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the Ruler’s officer, who keeps the women. Let whatever they need be given to them to get ready for you; and let the girl who pleases the Ruler most be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the Ruler, so it was done.
[5-9] There was a certain Jew in the royal house of Susa, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who had been forced out from Jerusalem with the prisoners who had been forced out with Jeconiah, Ruler of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, the Ruler of Babylon, had forced out. He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter because she was orphaned. The young girl was very beautiful; and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai took her for his own daughter. So when the Ruler’s judgment and his law was heard, and when many young girls were gathered together to the royal house of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the Ruler’s house also, to the custody of Hegai, who keeps the women. The young girl pleased him, and she was treated kindly by him. He gave her whatever she wanted and what belonged to her first, and seven of the best young girls were given her out of the Ruler’s house. He moved her and her young girls to the best place in the women’s house.
[10-14] Now Esther hadn’t told anyone about her people, nor who her relatives were, because Mordecai had told her that she shouldn’t say anything about it. Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was, and what would happen to her. Each young woman’s turn came to go in to Ruler Ahasuerus after a year of preparation (for this was the length of their preparation, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet perfumes and with preparations for beautifying women). The young woman then came to the Ruler after she was given whatever she wanted to take with her out of the women’s house to the Ruler’s house. In the evening she went, and on the next day she went into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the Ruler’s officer, who kept the wives. She didn’t come back to the Ruler any more, unless the Ruler liked her, and she was called by name.
[15-18] Now when Esther’s turn, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go to the Ruler, she didn’t want anything but what Hegai the Ruler’s officer, who kept the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her. So Esther was taken to Ruler Ahasuerus into his royal house in the 10th month, which is the month Tevet, in the seventh year of his reign. The Ruler loved Esther more than all the other young women, and she was his favorite. He was more kind to her than all the other young girls and set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the Ruler made a great celebration for all his leaders and workers; and he called for a celebration for Esther’s celebration in the provinces, and gave gifts out of all he had.
[19-23] When the young girls were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the Ruler’s gate. Now Esther hadn’t told anyone who her relatives or her people were, as Mordecai had told her because Esther still obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him. While Mordecai was sitting in the Ruler’s gate, two of the Ruler’s officers, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and wanted to kill the Ruler Ahasuerus. This thing became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther; and Esther told the Ruler in Mordecai’s name. When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the Ruler’s presence.
3[1-4] After this, the Ruler Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, advancing him, and setting him in power above all the leaders who were with him. All the Ruler’s workers, who were in the Ruler’s gate bowed down, and paid respect to Haman because the Ruler had told them to do so to him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or nor pay him any respect. Then the Ruler’s workers, who were in the Ruler’s gate, asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the Ruler’s judgment?” Now when they spoke to him every day about this, and he didn’t listen to them, they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand, because he had told them that he was a Jew.
[5-7] When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down, nor pay him any respect, he was very angry. But he hated the thought of killing just Mordecai alone, for they had told him who Mordecai’s people were. So Haman looked for a way to kill all the Jews who were in the whole realm of Ahasuerus, who were Mordecai’s people. In the 1st month, which is Nisan (March/April), in the 12th year of Ruler Ahasuerus, they threw Pur (judgment stones used like dice), that is, they gambled, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the 12th month Adar (Feb/Mar).
[8-11] Haman said to Ruler Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people who are scattered among all the peoples of the provinces of your realm, and their laws are different than the other people’s laws. They don’t keep your laws. So it’s not to your advantage to allow them to live. If it please the Ruler, let it be written that they’re killed; and I’ll pay 30,000,000 silver coins to those who are in charge of your work, to bring it into your treasuries.” So the Ruler took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy, and the Ruler said to Haman, “I give you the money and the people also to do whatever you think is right.”
[12-15] Then the Ruler’s educated writers were called in on the 13th of the 1st month Nisan (March/April); and all that Haman told them was written to the Ruler’s governors and supervisors who were over each province, and to the leaders of each people, to every province and people in their own written language. It was written in the name of Ruler Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the Ruler’s ring. Letters were sent by couriers into all the Ruler’s provinces, to kill, to murder, and to exterminate all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even on the 13th of the 12th month Adar (Feb/Mar), and to take whatever they owned. A copy of the letter was published to all the peoples, so that the law should be given out in every province, and that they should be ready for that day. By the Ruler’s judgment, the couriers quickly went, and the law was given out in the royal house of Susa. The Ruler and Haman sat down to have a drink; but the whole city of Shushan was in confusion.
4[1-4] Now when Mordecai found out what was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth covered with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and cried very loudly and bitterly. He even came before the Ruler’s gate, though no one was allowed inside the Ruler’s gate clothed with sackcloth. In every province where the Ruler’s judgment and law came, there was great sorrow among the Jews, with mourning and crying; and many lay fasting in sackcloth and ashes. Esther’s young girls and her officers came and told her this, and the queen was very upset. She sent some clothes to Mordecai, to replace his sackcloth; but he wouldn’t take it.
[5-8] Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the Ruler’s officers, whom he had appointed to attend her, and told him to go to Mordecai, to find out what was going on, and why he was acting like this. So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to the city square which was in front of the Ruler’s gate. Mordecai told him what had happened to him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the Ruler’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. He also gave him the copy of the writing of the law that was given out in Shushan to kill them, to show it to Esther, and to tell it to her, and to ask her to go in to the Ruler, to beg and plead with him to save her people.
[9-12] Then Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. When Esther spoke to Hathach, she gave him a message to Mordecai, saying, “Everyone in the Ruler’s provinces know, that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the Ruler into the inner court without being called, there is a law that they’re put to death, except those to whom the Ruler holds out the golden scepter, that they may live. I haven’t been called to come in to the Ruler for thirty days.” He told Mordecai what Esther said.
[13-16] Then Mordecai asked them return his answer to Esther, and said, “Don’t think to yourself that you’ll escape in the Ruler’s house any more than all the rest of the Jews. If you don’t speak up now, then safety and freedom will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will die. Who knows if you’ve come to the realm for just such a time as this?” Then Esther asked them to answer Mordecai, saying, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are here in Shushan, and fast for me, neither eating nor drinking for three days, night or day. My young girls and I will also fast the same way. Then I’ll go in to the Ruler, which is against the law; and if I die, I die.” So Mordecai went home, and did everything that Esther had told him.
5[1-5] Now on the 3rd day Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the royal house, next to their house. The Ruler sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the door of the house. When the Ruler saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was happy to see her and held out the golden scepter that was in his hand to Esther. So Esther came up, and touched the top of the scepter. Then the Ruler asked her, “What do you want, queen Esther? What do you ask? It’ll be given to you, even up to the half of the realm.” So Esther said, “If it seems good to you, let the Ruler and Haman come to the dinner that I have made for you, today.” Then the Ruler said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do what Esther has asked.” So the Ruler and Haman came to the dinner that Esther had made.
[6-10] The Ruler said to Esther at the dinner of wine, “What do you want? It’ll be given you. What do you ask? Even up to half of the realm it’ll be done.” Then Esther answered and said, “This is what I want and what I ask. If you’re happy with me, and if it please you to give me what I want and to do what I ask, you and Haman come to the dinner that I’ll make for you tomorrow, and I’ll tell you tomorrow.” Then Haman went out that day very happy and pleased in his heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the Ruler’s gate, and that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with great anger against Mordecai. But Haman controlled himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
[11-14] Haman told them all about his wealth, how many children he had, and all the things in which the Ruler had promoted him, and how the Ruler had advanced him above all his other leaders and workers. Haman also said, “Yes, even Queen Esther let no one come in with the Ruler to the dinner that she had made but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited back along with the Ruler by her. Yet all this gets me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the Ruler’s gate.” Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made 75’ high, and in the morning speak to the Ruler about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in happy with the Ruler to the dinner.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
6[1-5] On that night, the Ruler couldn’t sleep, so he asked for the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to him. It was written in it that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the Ruler’s officers, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to kill the Ruler Ahasuerus. So the Ruler asked, “What honor and dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the Ruler’s workers who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” Then the Ruler asked, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the Ruler’s house, to speak to the Ruler about hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had made for him. The workers said to the Ruler, “Behold, Haman is in the court.” So the Ruler said, “Tell him to come in.”
[6-10] So Haman came in and the Ruler asked him, “What should be done to someone whom the Ruler wants to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the Ruler want to honor more than myself?” So Haman said to the Ruler, “For the man whom the Ruler wants to honor, let royal clothing be brought which the Ruler has worn, and a horse that the Ruler has ridden on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set. Let the clothing and the horse be handed over to one of the Ruler’s most noble leaders, that they may clothe the man whom the Ruler wants to honor with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘This will be done to the one whom the Ruler wants to honor!'” Then the Ruler said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, just as you’ve said, “and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the Ruler’s gate. Do everything that you’ve said, “letting nothing fail.”
[11-14] Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and clothed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “This will be done to the one whom the Ruler wants to honor!” Then Mordecai came back to the Ruler’s gate, but Haman quickly went back home, having his head covered in shame. Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends what all had happened to him. Then his educated men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai is a Jew, before whom you’ve begun to fall, you won’t overcome him, but you’ll surely fall before him.” While they were still talking with him, the Ruler’s officers came, and hurried to bring Haman to the dinner that Esther had made.
7[1-4] So the Ruler and Haman came to dinner with Queen Esther. The Ruler asked Esther again on the second day at the dinner of wine, “What do you want, queen Esther? It shall be given you. What do you ask? Even to the half of the realm it shall be done.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If you’re happy with me, O Ruler, and if it please you, let my life and the lives of my people be given me at my request. For we’ve been sold, I and my people, to be killed, to be murdered, and to be exterminated. But if we had been sold only for workers, I’d have held my peace, although the enemy couldn’t have paid for the Ruler’s loss.”
[5-10] Then Ruler Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he who dared to imagine in his heart to do so?” Then Esther answered, “This wicked Haman is the enemy! Then Haman became very scared before the Ruler and the queen. Then the Ruler arose in his great anger from the dinner of wine and went out to the garden of the royal house. Haman stood up to beg for his life to Queen Esther because he saw that the Ruler was determined to punish him severely. Then the Ruler came back in from the garden of the royal house into the place of the dinner of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was sitting. Then the Ruler asked, “Will he even attack the queen in front of me in the house?” And as the word went out of the Ruler’s mouth, the officers covered Haman’s face. Then Harbonah, one of the officers who were with the Ruler said, “Look, the gallows that is 75‘ high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the Ruler, is standing at Haman’s house.” So the Ruler said, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had made for Mordecai. Then the Ruler’s great anger was calmed down.
8[1-6] On that day, Ruler Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews’ enemy, to Queen Esther. Mordecai was called before the Ruler because Esther had told him what he was to her. The Ruler took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Esther spoke again to the Ruler, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to stop the trouble caused by Haman the Agagite, and what he had planned against the Jews. Then the Ruler held out the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the Ruler. She said, “If it pleases the Ruler, and if you’re happy with me, and it seems right to you, and I am pleasing in your eyes, let it be written to change the letters written by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to have all the Jews who are in the Ruler’s provinces killed. How can I go on and see the evil that would come to my people? How can I go on to see the extermination of my family?”
[7-10] Then Ruler Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “See, I’ve given Esther the house of Haman, and they’ve hanged him on the gallows, because he planned to kill all the Jews. Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the Ruler’s name, and seal it with the Ruler’s ring because the writing which is written in the Ruler’s name, and sealed with the Ruler’s ring, may not be changed by anyone.” Then the Ruler’s scribes were called at that time, on the 23rd day in the 3rd month Sivan (May/June); and it was written according to all that Mordecai told the Jews, and to the supervisors, and the governors and leaders of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language. He wrote in the name of Ruler Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the Ruler’s ring, and sent the letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bred from the fastest steeds.
[11-14] In those letters, the Ruler let the Jews who were in every city gather themselves together, and defend their lives, to kill, to murder, and to exterminate, all the power of the people and province that would attack them, their little ones, and their women, and to take whatever they owned, on one day in all the provinces of Ruler Ahasuerus, on the 13th day of the 12th month Adar (Feb/Mar). A copy of the letter was published to all the peoples that the law should be given out in every province, so that the Jews would be ready for that day to fight against their enemies. So the couriers who rode on the royal horses went out quickly and pressed on by the Ruler’s order. The law was given out in the royal house of Susa.
[15-17] Mordecai went out of the presence of the Ruler in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine purple linen; and the city of Susa shouted with joy and was happy. The Jews were celebrated with happiness, joy, and honor. In every province, and in every city, wherever the Ruler’s judgment and his law came, the Jews had happiness and joy, a great celebration, and a good day. Many from among the other peoples of the land became Jews because the fear of the Jews was fallen on all of them.
9[1-4] Now on the 13th day in the 12th month Adar (Feb/Mar), when the Ruler’s judgment and his law was near to be put in action, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to conquer them, (but it turned out that the opposite happened, and that the Jews conquered those who hated them), the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the Ruler Ahasuerus, to kill those who wanted to harm them. No one could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen on all the people. All the leaders of the provinces, the supervisors, the governors, and those who did the Ruler’s business helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on all of them. Now Mordecai was great in the Ruler’s house, and his fame went throughout all the provinces because Mordecai had grown greater and greater.
[5-10] The Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with a great slaughter and destruction, and did what they wanted to those who hated them. In the royal house of Susa, the Jews killed 500 men. They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, the ten sons of Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Jew’s enemy, but they didn’t take anything that belonged to them.
[11-14] On that day, the number of those who were killed in the royal house of Susa was brought before the Ruler. The Ruler said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed 500 men in the royal house of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the Ruler’s provinces! Now what do you want? It shall be given you. What more do you ask? It shall be done.” Then Esther said, “If it pleases the Ruler, let it be given to the Jews who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to this day’s law, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.” The Ruler ordered this to be done. A law was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
[15-19] The Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the 14th day also of the month Adar (Feb/Mar), and killed 300 men in Shushan; but they didn’t take anything that belonged to them. The other Jews who were in the Ruler’s provinces gathered themselves together, defended their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed 75,000 of those who hated them; but they didn’t take anything that belonged to them. This was done on the 13th day of the month Adar (Feb/Mar); and on the 14th day of that month they rested and made it a day of celebration and happiness. But the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together on the 13th and 14th days of the month; and on the 15th day of that month, they rested, and made it a day of celebration and happiness. So the Jews of the towns, who live in the un-walled towns, make the 14th day of the month Adar (Feb/Mar) a day of happiness and celebration, a good day, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.
[20-25] Mordecai wrote all these things down, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the Ruler Ahasuerus, both near and far, to tell them to keep the 14th and 15th days of the month Adar (Feb/Mar) yearly, as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned from sadness to great happiness for them, and from sorrow into a good day; that they should make them days of celebration and happiness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy. The Jews kept the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them; because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to kill them, and had threw Pur (judgment stones used like dice), to kill and murder them; but when this became known to the Ruler, he told the people by letters that Haman’s evil plan, which he had plotted against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
[26-32] So they called these days “Purim,” from the word “Pur.” So because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen of this matter, and that which had come to them, the Jews kept, and obliged themselves, their descendants, and all those who joined with them, so that it wouldn’t fail, that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year; 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 shouldn’t fail from among the Jews, nor the memory of them be forgotten by their descendants. Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim. He sent letters to all the Jews, to 127 provinces of the realm of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed, and as they had obliged themselves and their descendants, in the matter of fasting and mourning. The judgment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
10[1-3] Then Ruler Ahasuerus put a tax on the land, and on the islands of the sea. All the acts of his power and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the Ruler advanced him, are written in the book of The Chronicles of the Rulers of Media and Persia. Mordecai the Jew was next to Ruler Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his descendants.
Job
1[1 -5] There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, who was without fault and good, and one who respected God, and turned away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 pair of cows, 500 female donkeys, and a very large household; so that he was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons went and held a party in the house of each one on his birthday; and they sent and called for their three sisters to come and join them. When the days of their celebrating were over, Job sent and dedicated them, getting up early in the morning, and offering burnt offerings for each of them. Job thought, “It may be that my children have sinned, and rejected God in their hearts.” Job did this every year.
[6 -12] Now on the day when the angels of God came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan (the accuser) also came with them. Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered Yahweh, saying, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you thought about my worker, Job? For there’s no one like him on earth, without fault and good, who respects God, and turns away from evil.” Then Satan answered Yahweh, saying, “Does Job serve You for nothing? Haven’t You put a protective barrier around him, and his house, and around everything he has, on every side? You’ve blessed the work of his hands, and all he owns has grown great in the land. But put Your hand out now, and touch what he has and he’ll reject You to Your face.” So Yahweh said to Satan, “See I give you power over whatever he has. But don’t touch him.” So Satan left the presence of Yahweh.
[13-19] On a day when his sons and daughters were celebrating at their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job, saying, “The cows were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans (southwest Arabia) attacked, and stole them. Yes, they’ve killed all the workers with their weapons, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came, saying, “Lightning struck, and has burned up the sheep and the workers, and destroyed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came also, saying, “The Chaldeans (Iraq), who were divided into three groups, have taken all the camels, and killed all the workers with their weapons; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came also, saying, “Your sons and daughters were celebrating at their oldest brother’s house, and a tornado came from the countryside, and collapsed the house, and it fell on the children, and they’re dead. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
[20-22] Then Job got up, ripped his robe, and shaved his head, then fell down on the ground, and worshiped, saying, “I came out of my mother’s womb naked, and I’ll go back to God naked. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Happy is the Name of Yahweh.” In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor reject God.
Satan Accuses Job
2[1-6] Again, on the day when the angels of God came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan (the accuser) came also with them to stand before Yahweh. Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Yahweh, saying, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you thought anymore on my worker Job? There is no one like him in all the earth, without fault and good, one who respects God, and turns away from evil, who still does what’s right, although you turned Me against him, to ruin him without cause.” Satan answered Yahweh, saying, “Skin for skin. Yes, anyone would give everything they’ve for their life! But put Your hand out now, and touch his flesh and bone, and he’ll reject You to Your face.” Yahweh said to Satan, “I put him in your power. Only spare his life.”
[7-10] So Satan left the presence of Yahweh, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. He took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself with, and sat among the ashes. Then his wife asked him, “Are you still going to try to do what’s right? Reject God, and die.” But he said to her, “You talk like an ungodly women. What? Will we take what’s good from God, and not take the bad, as well?” In all this, Job didn’t say anything wrong.
[11-13] Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, they each came from their homes; Eliphaz, the Temanite, Bildad, the Shuhite, and Zophar, the Naamathite, and set aside a time to come together to sympathize and comfort Job. When they looked up from a distance, and didn’t even recognize him, they hollered out, and cried; then they each tore their robe, and threw dust on their heads toward the sky. So they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and nights, and no one said a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
Job Speaks
3[1 -5] After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed the day of his birth, saying, “Let the day I was born cease to exist, and the night when I was got pregnant. Let that day be darkness. Let God above forget it, and don’t let God’s light shine on it. Let eternal darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a dark storm cloud cover it. Let whatever makes a day turn black terrify it.
[6 -10] As for that night, let the blackest darkness overcome it. Don’t let it be counted among the days of the year. Don’t let it come into the number of the months. Let no one be born on that night ever again. Let no happy voice be heard in it. Let those who curse, curse that day, who are ready to rouse up Leviathan (the sea monster) to swallow it. Let the stars of its dusk not shine. Let it look for light, but have none, nor let it see the morning, because it didn’t close my mother’s womb, nor hide this trouble from me.
[11 -16] “Why didn’t I die at birth? Why didn’t I give up the spirit when my mother had me? Why did I fall on her knees? Or why did I suck her breasts? I should have went limp and been quiet. I should have died, then I’d have been at rest, with Rulers and counselors of the earth, who built the old ruins for themselves; or with leaders who had gold, who filled their houses with silver; or buried as an unseen early birth, as a baby who never saw the light of day.
[17-19] There the sinful don’t trouble anyone anymore and those who are tired are at rest. There the prisoners are in peace and don’t hear the harsh voice of their guards. The rich and poor are there, and the workers are free from their bosses.
[20-23] “Why is light given to those who are in misery, life to those who suffer, who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, who are very happy, and are glad when they go to the grave? Why is light given to anyone who can’t find their way, whom God has put in their place?
[24-26] I sigh before I eat. My tears pour out like water. For the thing which I fear has come on me, and what I’m scared of has come to me. I’m not at peace, nor am I quiet, nor do I have rest; but trouble has come.”
Eliphaz Speaks
4[1 -5] Then Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered, “If someone tries to talk with you will you be upset? But who can keep from speaking? See, you’ve taught many, you’ve made strong those with weak hands. Your words have supported those who were falling, and you’ve made strong those with weak knees. But now it’s come to you, and you give up. It touches you, and you’re troubled.
[6-11] Isn’t your trust in God your confidence? Isn’t your right ways your hope? Remember, now, who was innocent and died? Or when were the good punished? Like what I’ve seen, those who plow sin, and plant trouble, reap the same. By the breath of God they die. By the blast of God’s anger they’re destroyed. The roaring of the lion, and the sound of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are all broken. The old lion dies for lack of food. The cubs of the lioness are scattered far away.
[12 -17] “Something secret has come to me. My ear has heard it whisper. In thoughts from the visions of the night when deep sleep falls on people, I was scared and shaking so that all my bones shook. Then a spirit passed before my face and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It stood still, but I couldn’t see what it was. But a form stood before me. There was silence, and then I heard a voice, saying, “’Can mortal human beings be more fair than God? Can anyone be more perfect than their Maker?’
[18 -21] See, God puts no trust in humanity. God has even judged the angels with error. How much more then, will God judge those who live in human bodies, whose were made of clay and dust, who are crushed easier than a moth! Between morning and evening they’re destroyed. They die forever without anyone even thinking about it. Isn’t their soul destroyed within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’
5[1 -5] “ Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the gods will you turn? For resentment kills the ungodly person and jealousy kills the stupid. I’ve seen the ungodly person doing well, but their house was suddenly punished. Their children are far from safety. They’re abused and there’s no one to defend them. The hungry will eat up their harvest, leaving nothing behind. The thief takes everything they’ve.
[6-14] For trouble doesn’t come from the dust, nor does trouble creep out of the ground; but humanity is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” But as for me, I’d look for God. I’d bring my cause to God, who does great things that can’t be grasped, wonderful things without number; who gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields; putting those who are low in places of false worship, and bringing those who cry out to safety; Who frustrates the plans of the sneaky, so that their powers can’t do what they think up. God takes those who are shrewd in their own sneakiness; their plans are turned upside down. They’re blindsided in the day time, and grope as if in the dark.
[15-21] But he saves those in need from the hand of the strong and from the words of their mouth. So the poor have hope, and justice is served. See, happy is the person whom God corrects. So don’t hate when God Almighty corrects you. who wounds, and bandages it; Who hurts, and makes whole again. When you’re in trouble, God will save you six times; yes, even the seventh will cause you no harm. In hunger, God will save you from death; in war, from the power of weapons. You’ll be safe from the harmful words of the mouth, nor will you be scared of troubles when they come.
[22-27] You’ll laugh at troubles and hunger, nor will you be scared of the wild animals of the earth. For you’ll be in peace with the stones of the field. The animals of the field will be at peace with you as well. You’ll know that where You are is in peace. You’ll visit your animal pens, and nothing will be missing. You’ll know also that you’ll have many children; Your descendants will be as the grass of the earth. You’ll come to your grave in a good old age, like a shock of grain is harvested when ripe, you won’t die until then. Look, we’ve seen this is true. Listen, and know it for your own good.”
Job Answers Eliphaz
6[1-7] Then Job answered, “Oh that my suffering were weighed, and all my trouble laid in the balances! Now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, so my words have been spoken too quickly. The Almighty has me targeted and my spirit is dying within me. I’m scared to death of what God will do to me. Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass? Or does the cow low over its feed? Will someone complain about the flavor of their food unless they’ve no salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? I refuse to touch them. They’re the worst food to me.
[8 -13] “ Oh that I might have what I ask, that God would give me what I want, even that God would finish me and let me die! It would still be my consolation, yes, my praise even in unending pain, that I haven’t denied the truth of the words of the Sacred God. How strong am I, that I should wait? What will happen in the end, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of a rock? Or is my body like brass? Isn’t it true that I can’t help myself, and that my wisdom has quite left me?
[14-20] “ Kindness should be shown from the friend of those who are troubled; but you haven’t shown respect to the Almighty. My own friends have treated me as falsely as a river, which dries up; which are darkened and full because of the thawing ice and melting snow. In the dry season, they disappear. When it’s hot, they’re completely gone from where they were. The people that travel beside them turn to go to them, but when they do, they find no water and die of thirst. The caravans of Tema looked for them. The people of Sheba hoped for them. They were upset because they were confident the river was there. But when they came there, they were confused.
[21-26] Now you’re just like them and are no help. You see my terrible troubles, and are scared. Did I ask you to give me anything or say that you should offer me a present from your stuff? Or did I ask you to save me from my enemy? Or save me from the power of the abusers? Tell me, and I’ll be quiet. Cause me to understand where I’ve gone wrong. How painful to hear what you truly believe! But of what does your argument accuse me? Do you intend to correct me for words spoken by someone who is desperate, and are as empty as wind?
[27-30] Yes, you’d even gamble over those without a parent, and sell your best friend. Now look at me, I wouldn’t lie to your face. Please, change your mind. Let there be no injustice here. Yes, think again. I’m right and haven’t said, “ anything wrong. Don’t I know what’s evil and what’s good?
7[1-6] “Isn’t everyone forced to work hard on earth? Aren’t a person’s life like the days of a hired hand? As a worker who desperately wants the end of the day to come, and as a hired hand who waits to be paid, so I’m made to take months of misery, and long nights are given to me. When I lie down, I say, ‘When will I get up, and the night Leave?’ I toss and turn until dawn. My skin is full of worms and dust clods. My skin heals, and breaks out again. My days pass quickly by, and are spent without hope.
[7-11] Oh remember that my life is as a breath and I won’t see any more good. Those who see me now will see me no more. Your eyes will see my body, but I won’t be there. As the cloud scatters and disappears, so those who go down to Hell will come up no more. They won’t come back to their house, nor will anyone see them again. So I won’t be quiet. I’ll tell of the suffering of my spirit. I’ll complain in the sorrow of my heart.
[12-16] Am I such a monster, that you watch over me like a guard? When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me. My couch will ease my troubles; ‘then you scare me to death with dreams and visions, so that I’d choose strangling, or death rather than keeping my body. I hate my life. I don’t want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
[17-21] What’s a human being, that you should watch them so carefully, and that you should think about them, and that you should visit them every morning, and test them every moment? How long will it be before You look away from me, and leave me alone and let me swallow down my spit? If I’ve sinned, what could I do to harm You, You watcher of humanity? Why have You set a mark on me, so that I’m unable to help myself? Why won’t you forgive my disobedience, and take away my sin? I’ll soon be laid in the dust. You’ll search for me carefully, but I won’t be here.”
Bildad Speaks
8[1-7] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, “How long will you say these things? Your words are like a blast of wind. Does God distort justice? Or does the Almighty distort goodness? If your children have sinned against God, God has punished them for their disobedience. If you want to look for God carefully, make your prayer to the Almighty. If you were pure and good, truly now God would awaken for you and make you and your house do well. Though you had little at first, still in the end it would greatly increase.
[8 -18] “Please ask of past generations. Find out what our ancestors believed. But we’re only born yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a like a passing shadow. Won’t they teach you, and tell you, and speak words from their heart? “ Can the papyrus grow up without mud? Can the rushes grow without water? While it’s still in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed. So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless human beings will die, whose confidence will fail, whose trust is like a fragile spider’s web. They may lean on it, but it won’t stand. They’ll hang on to it, but it will break. They are green in the sunshine, whose shoots grow all over their garden. Their roots are wrapped around the rock pile, looking for a place through the stones. If it’s uprooted from its place, then it’s never even missed.’ See, this is how God works; when that plant is gone, another will take its place.
[20 -22] “See, God won’t punish anyone without fault, nor uphold someone who does evil. God will still fill your mouth with laughter, and you’ll shout for great happiness. Those who hate you will be covered in shame. The house of the sinful will be gone.”
Job Answers Bildad
9[1 -10] Then Job answered, “Truly I know that it’s so, but how can human beings be right with God? If someone wanted to argue with God, they couldn’t answer one time in a thousand. God, who is wise in heart, and strong in strength; who has ever argued with God and done well? God shakes the mountains, and they don’t know it, when they are overturned in God’s anger. God makes the earth quake from its foundations. God speaks to the sun, and it doesn’t come up, and tells the stars not to shine. God stretches out the heavens, and walks on the waves of the sea. God makes the stars of the Bear, Orion, and Pleiades, and the constellations of the south. God does such wonderful things that we can’t even understand; yes, so many wonderful things that we can’t even count them all.
[11-18] See, God passes by me, who I don’t even see. God passes on also, and I never know it. See, if God snatches a life away, who can stop it? Who will ask God, ‘What are You doing?’“God won’t withdraw anger and even those who helped Rahab, the Sea Monster, bowed to God. So how much less could I answer and choose my words to argue with God? Though I were truly good, still I wouldn’t answer God. I’d pray and put myself in the mercy of my judge. If I had called, and God had answered me, still I wouldn’t believe that God had heard me, who destroys me with a storm, and multiplies my wounds without cause; who won’t even let me catch my breath, but fills me with resentment.
[19-24] If it’s a matter of strength, God is strong! If of justice, God says, “’Who will summon me?’ Though I’m good, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I’m without fault, it will prove me guilty. I’m without fault. I don’t think of myself. I hate my life. It’s all the same. So I say God destroys those without fault and the sinful as well. If a disease or wound suddenly kills, God will mock at the trial of the innocent. The earth is in the hands of the sinful. God blindfolds the eyes of the judges. If not God, then who is it?
[25-35] Now my days pass faster than a runner. They run away and see no good; they’ve passed by like the fast ships, like the eagle that swoops down on its prey. If I say, ‘I’ll forget my complaint, I’ll put off my sad face, and be happy;’ I’m scared of all my sorrows, I know that You won’t hold me innocent. I’ll be condemned. So why do I do these good works for nothing? If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, still You’ll throw me in the ditch. I’d be dirtier than my own clothes. God isn’t just a human being, as I’m, that I could answer and that we could come together in agreement. There is no one to come between us, who could lay a hand on us both. Oh God, stop this beating of me. Don’t keep me in a state of fear; then I’d speak, and not be scared, but now I’m scared.
10[1-7] I’m tired of my life. I’ll speak freely of my complaint. I’ll speak in my resentment. I’ll tell God, ‘Don’t condemn me. Show me why You are hurting me. Is it good to You that You abuse me, that You should hate the creation of Your own hands, and smile on the plans of the sinful? Do You see and think like a human being? Are Your days as the days of mortals, or Your years as human being’s years, that You ask after my sin, and search for my sin, even though you know that I’m not sinful, and there’s no one who can save me out of Your hand?
[8-14] Your own hands have made me and designed me, and still You destroy me. Remember, I ask you, that You’ve made me from clay. Will You bring me to dust again? Haven’t You poured me out like milk, and curdled me like cheese? You’ve clothed me with skin and muscles, and put me together with bones and tendons. You’ve given me life and loving kindness, watching over my spirit to keep me safe. Still, You hid these things in your heart. I know that this is what You think; if I sin, then You mark me. You won’t forgive me of my sin.
[15 -22] If I’m sinful, sorrow comes to me. If I’m good, I still won’t be able to lift up my head, being filled with disgrace, and conscious of my trouble. If my head is held high, You hunt me like a lion. Again You show me that You are very powerful. You bring new witnesses against me, and abuse me even more. You change Your tactics and start new wars with me. So why, then, have You brought me out of the womb? I wish I had died, and no one had ever seen me. I should have been as though I hadn’t ever been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Don’t I only have a few days to live? So stop then and leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort, before I go where I won’t come back from, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death; where it’s dark as midnight, and as the shadow of death comes without any order, where even the light is as dark as midnight.”
Zophar Speaks
11[1-6] Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, “Shouldn’t these many words be answered? Should anyone full of talk be thought right? Should your bragging make us be quiet? When you mock, will no one make you ashamed? You say, ‘My beliefs are right. I’m innocent in Your eyes.’ But oh that God would speak out against you, and show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. So know that God takes of you less than your sin deserves.
[7 -14] Can you grasp the mystery of God? Or can you explore the limits of the Almighty? They’re as high as heaven. What can you do? They’re deeper than Hell. What can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea. If God passes by, or imprisons, or holds a court, then who can fight God? God knows those who are false and sees sin also, even though God never thinks of it. Even an empty-headed person can become wise even though they’re born as wild as a donkey’s colt. If you get your heart right, stretch out your hands toward God. If sin is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let ungodliness stay in your house.
[15 -20] Truly then you’ll lift up your face without fault; Yes, you’ll be faithful, and won’t fear, forgetting your trouble. You’ll remember all this like water that flows away. Life will be brighter than the noonday. Even though it’s dark, it will be like morning. You’ll be safe, because there’s hope. Yes, you’ll search, and will take your rest in safety. Also you’ll lie down, and no one will make you scared. Yes, many will ask for your favor. But the sinful won’t know where they’re going. They’ll have nowhere to run. Their hope will be death.
Job Answers Zophar
12[1-5] Then Job answered, “No doubt, but you’re the wise ones, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I’m not any less wise than you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these? I’m nothing but a joke to my neighbors; Yes, I, who called on God, and God answered. Though I’m right, the one without fault is a joke. Those who are at ease look down on those having hardships. It’s just waiting for those whose feet slip.
[6-10] The homes of raiders even do well. Those who provoke God are safe, who carry their false gods in their powers. But ask the animals, now, and they’ll teach you; ask the birds of the sky, and they’ll tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will tell to you. Who doesn’t know that in all these, the hand of Yahweh God has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all humanity?
[11-15] Doesn’t the ear test words, even as the tongue tastes its food? With age comes wisdom, with long life comes understanding. With God is wisdom and strength, who has counsel and understanding. See, when God breaks down, it can’t be built again. When God imprisons someone, there can be no release. See, when God withholds the rains, everything dries up. Again, when God sends the rain, it floods the earth.
[16 -20] With God is strength and wisdom. Both those who are lied to and those who lie are in God’s power. God leads counselors away stripped of their wisdom. God makes judges seem stupid. God frees those whom Rulers imprison, making the Rulers ordinary workers. God leads great preachers away stripped of their wisdom, and overthrows the strong. God silences the speech of trusted people, and takes away the understanding of the elderly.
[21-25] God condemns leaders, and disarms the strong. God uncovers secret things out of darkness, and brings life back from the shadow of death. God make the nations great, and destroys them. God builds the nations up, and scatters them. God takes understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander lost in the countryside. They grope in the dark without light. God makes them stagger like a drunk.
13[1 -6] See, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I know also. I’m not less wise than you. Truly I’d like to speak to the Almighty. I want to reason with God. But you’re telling lies. You’re all useless doctors. Oh I wish that you’d be completely silent! Then you’d be wise. Listen to what I think. Listen to what I ask.
[7 -13] Will you say ungodly things for God, and put lies in God’s mouth? Will you take God’s side? Will you fight for God? What if God finds you out? Or will you lie to God? God will truly correct you if you secretly show partiality. Won’t God’s awesomeness make you scared, whose dread will fall on you? Your memorable sayings are nothing more than a pile of ashes, your defenses are as breakable as clay. Be quiet and leave me alone, that I may speak. Let happen to me whatever happens.
[14 -19] Why should I risk my own skin, and risked my life? See, even if God kills me, I will still hope in God. But, I’ll keep my ways even to God’s face. This also will be my saving grace, because a godless person won’t come into God’s presence. Listen carefully to what I say. Let my words ring in your ears. See now, I’ve put my case in order. I know that I’m good. Who will argue with me about that? Then I’d just be quiet and die.
[20-24] Only don’t do two things to me; then I won’t hide myself from Your face; don’t take Your hand far from me; and don’t let Your terrible power make me scared. Then call me, and I’ll answer; or let me speak, and You answer me. How many are my faults and sins? Make me to know my disobedience and my sin. Why do You hide Your face, and believe me to be Your enemy?
[25-28] Will you trouble a leaf blowing in the wind? Will you chase the dry straw? You write terrible things against me, and make me pay for the faults of my youth; You also punish me, and watch everywhere I go. You mark the path of the soles of my feet, though I’m rotting like a dead thing, like a clothes that are moth-eaten.
14[1 -6] Everyone born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. They come forth like a flower, and are cut down. They run like a shadow, and pass away. Do You open Your eyes on such a one, and bring me into judgment with You? Who can make an unfit thing fit? Not one. Seeing our days are decided, the number of our months is known to You, and You’ve set our time that we can’t pass; Look away from us, so that we may rest, until we’re finished with our work for the day.
[7-14] For there’s hope for a tree, if It’s cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender sprout won’t die. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground, still through the scent of water it will bud, and put out a new sprout like a plant. But human beings die, and are laid low. Yes, human beings give up the spirit, and where are they? As the waters evaporate from the sea, and the river drains and dries up, so human beings die and don’t get up. Until the heavens are gone, they won’t awake, nor be roused out of their sleep. Oh that You’d hide me in the grave, that You’d keep me secret, until your anger is gone, that you’d set me a time, and remember me! If someone dies, will they live again? I’d wait all the days of my troubled life, until I’m changed.
[15-22] You’d call, and I’d answer you. You’d want to see the work of Your hands. But now You number my steps. Don’t You watch over my sin? My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my sin. But the mountain falling comes to nothing. The rock loaves out of its place; The waters wear the stones away. The storms wash away the dust of the earth. So You destroy the hope of humanity. You have power over them forever, and they die. You change their face, and send them away. Their children come to show their respects, but they don’t know it. They’re very sad, but they don’t see it of them. But the body has pain, and the soul within mourns.
Eliphaz Answers Job
15[1-6] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, “Should a wise person answer with worthless knowledge, and fill their self with the east wind? Should they reason with useless talk, or with words that can do no good? Yes, you have no fear, and don’t respect God. Your sin teaches your mouth what to say, and you choose sneaky language. Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips speak against you.
[7-11] “Are you the first person to be born? Or were you brought forth before the hills? Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? What do you know, that we don’t know? What do you understand that we don’t? Both the gray-headed and the very aged are with us, much older than your father. Are the comforts of God not enough for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?
[12-16] Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash, so that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words come out of your mouth? How could a human ever be clean? How could someone, who is born of a woman, be good? God puts no trust even in the angels. Yes, the heavens aren’t even clean in the sight of God; how much less one who is evil and corrupt, who drinks sin like water!
[17-24] “I’ll show you, so listen to me; I’ll tell you what I’ve seen; (Which the wise have told by their ancestors, and haven’t hidden it; to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed with them); sinners suffer in pain all their days, even the number of years that are laid up for the abuser. They hear the sound of fear. When they do well, the destroyer will come on them. They don’t believe that they’ll go back out of darkness. They’re just waiting to die. They wander around looking for food, saying, “‘Where is it?’ They know that the day of darkness is soon coming. Trouble and suffering make them scared. It comes against them, as a Ruler ready for the battle.
[25-30] Because they’ve shook their fist at God, and behave proudly against the Almighty; they stubbornly fight against God; building a wall between them. They’ve covered their face with fatness, and gathered fat on their thighs, living in empty cities, in houses which no one lives, which are ready to cave in. They won’t be rich, nor will they last long, nor will their things be left on the earth. They won’t leave out of darkness. The flame will dry up their bones. They’ll be destroyed by the breath of God’s mouth.
[31-35] Don’t let them trust in their lies, lying to their self because lies will be their punishment. It will happen while they are still young. They’ll wither and die. They’ll have no fruit. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will burn the homes of those who take bribes. They conceive a lair, and bring a sinner into the world. Their heart is full of lies.”
Job Answers Eliphaz
16[1-5] Then Job answered, “I’ve heard many such things. You’re all miserable comforters! Will your worthless words ever end? Or what provokes you that you answer this way? I also could speak as you do. If you were in my place, I could say all this against you, and shake my head at you, but I’d strengthen you with my words. I’d do all I could to comfort you.
[6-9] Though I speak, my grief isn’t gone. But if I don’t speak how am I any better? But now, God, you’ve truly worn me out. You’ve made all my company of no use to me. You’ve shriveled me up as a witness against me. My weakness speaks against me to my face. Your anger has torn me, and troubled me. You’ve chewed me up and spit me out. You watch my every move.
[10-17] They’ve opened their mouth wide against me. They’ve critical words slap me in the face. They gather themselves together against me. God, You give me to the ungodly, and throw me into the hands of the sinful. I was at ease, and You broke me apart. Yes, You’ve taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. You’ve also set me up for a target. Your archers surround me. You split my body apart, and don’t spare me. You pour out my blood on the ground. You destroy me with wound after wound, coming after me like a giant. I’ve sewed mourning clothes on my skin, and have thrown my strength in the dust. My face is red with crying. Deep darkness is on my eyelids, even though I’ve done nothing wrong, and my prayer is honest.
[18-22] Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest. Even now, my witness is in heaven; the One who vouches for me is on high. My friends make fun of me. I pour out tears to God, to uphold a person’s right to bring their complaint to God, and of a person to speak with their neighbor! When a few years have passed, I’ll go where I won’t come back.
17[1-6] My heart is broken. My days are over, and the grave is ready for me. Truly, they make fun of me. I see nothing but their bitterness. Now promise me, that You’ll stand up for me Yourself. Who else is there who will fight with me? You’ve hidden their heart from understanding, so won’t You let them see. Those who accuse a friend for a reward, even the eyes of their children will fail to see. But You’ve made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
[7-12] My eye grows dim because of my sorrow. My whole body is passing like a shadow. Good people will be shocked at this. The innocent will stir themselves up against the godless. Still the good will hold on to their way. Those who have clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. But as for you all, come on now again; I won’t find a wise one among you. My days are over, my plans are ruined, as are the thoughts of my heart. They change the night into day, saying ‘The light is near’ when it’s still dark.
[13-16] If I look for the grave as my house, if I’ve made my bed in the darkness, if I’ve given myself up to rottenness, and to the worm, where then is my hope? As for my hope, who will see it? Will it go down with me to the gates of Hell, when we rest together in the dust?”
Bildad Answers Job
18[1-4] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, “How long before you stop talking? Think about it, and then we’ll talk. Why are we counted as animals, which are unfit in your sight? You, who destroy yourself in your anger, will the natural order of the world be changed for you? Or will the rock be shaken out its place?
[5-10] Yes, the light of the sinful will be put out, the spark of their fire won’t shine. The light will go out in that house. Their lamp above them will be put out. Their life will be shortened. Their own wisdom will make them fall. They’re thrown into a net by their own feet, and wander into its mesh. A trap will take them by the heel. A trap will catch them. A noose is hidden for them in the ground, a trap for them in the way.
[11-15] Fears will make them scared on every side and will chase at their heels. Their strength will give out. Trouble will follow them wherever they go. Their bodies will be destroyed. The firstborn of death (the destroyer, Satan) will destroy them. They’ll leave their bodies in which they trust and be brought the Ruler of Fears. There they’ll live in a place that was not meant for them. Sulfur will be scattered where they are.
[16-21] Their roots will be dried up beneath them. Their branches above will be broken. Their memory will die from the earth. They’ll have no name in the street. They’ll be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. They’ll have no children nor grandchildren among their people, nor are any left where they were. Those who come after will be shocked at what happened to them, as those who went before were scared of them. Truly, this is how the ungodly will be. This is the place of those who don’t know God.
Job Answers Bildad
19[1-7] Then Job answered, “How long will you torment me, and crush me with your words? You’ve criticized me ten times. You aren’t ashamed to attack me. If it’s true that I’ve done wrong, my errors stay with myself. Truly, if you believe you’re better than me, and bring your criticisms against me; know now that God has broken me, and caught me in a net. See, I cry out because I’ve been wronged, but I’m not heard. I cry for help, but there’s no justice.
[8-12] God has walled up my way so that I can’t pass, and has set darkness in my paths. God has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. God has broken me down on every side, and I’m done. God has plucked up my hope like a tree. God is angry with me and counts me as an enemy, sending troops to build a siege ramp against me, and encamp around my home.
[13-19] God has put my friends far from me. My acquaintances won’t come anywhere near me. My relatives have all gone away. Even my best friends have forgotten me. Those who live in my house, and my workers, count me as a stranger. I’m like a foreigner in their sight. I call to my workers, and they don’t answer. I pray them. My breath is offensive to my wife. I’m hated by my own family members. Even young children hate me. If I get up, they speak against me. All my best friends hate me. Those whom I loved have turned against me.
[20-24] My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh. I’ve escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, you my friends because the hand of God has touched me. Why do you trouble me as God, and aren’t satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in a rock forever!
[25-29] But as for me, I know that my Savior lives, and will stand upon the earth in the last days. After my body is destroyed by worms, yet in my body I’ll see God, whom I’ll see for myself, and not another. Me will see, and not as a stranger. My heart is broken within me. If you say, ‘How we’ll trouble him!’ because the root of the matter is found in me, be scared, for anger brings punishment, that you may know there’s a judgment.”
Zophar Answers Job
20[1-5] Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, “So my thoughts make me answer, even if I do so too quickly. I’ve heard the arguments which put me to shame. The spirit of my understanding makes me answer. Don’t you know this from the old days, since human beings were put on earth, that the success of the sinful is short, the happiness of the godless lasts only a moment?
[6-11] Though they grow and mount up to the heavens, and their head reaches to the clouds, still they’ll die forever like their own waste. Those who have seen them will say, ‘Where are they?’ They’ll fly away like a dream, and won’t be found. Yes, they’ll go away like a vision of the night. Those who saw them will see them no more, nor will their place see them anymore. Their children will look to the poor for favors. Their powers will give back their wealth. Their bones are full of youth, but youth will lie down with them in the dust.
[12-16] Though evil is sweet in their mouth, though they hide it under their tongue, though they spare it, and won’t let it go, but keep it still in their mouth; still their food in their guts is turned to poison like a cobra’s venom within them. They’ve swallowed down riches, and they’ll vomit them up again. God will throw them out of their bellies. They’ll suck cobra venom. And the snake’s tongue will kill them.
[17-21] They won’t look at the rivers of oil, the flowing streams of honey and butter. Whatever they worked for they’ll give back, and won’t swallow it down. They won’t be happy, no matter how much they get. They’ve abused and left the poor wanting. They’ve violently taken away a house, and won’t build it up. Because they knew no peace, they won’t be saved by anything of what they now enjoy. There wasn’t anything left that they didn’t use up, so their success won’t last.
[22-25] Even when they’ve much wealth, trouble will overtake them. The hand of everyone who is in misery will snatch at them. When they’re about to eat, God’s great anger will fall on them. It will rain on them while they eat. Though they run from the iron weapon, the brass arrow will stab them through. They pull it out, and it comes out of the body. Yes, the shining point comes out of their liver and fear overtakes them.
[26-29] All darkness is laid up for their treasures. A fire that isn’t fanned will destroy them. It will burn up what’s left in their house. The heavens will reveal their sin. The earth will come against them. The riches of their house will come to an end. They’ll rush away in the day of God’s anger. This is what God does to the sinner, the legacy given to them by God.”
Job Answers Zophar
21[1 -6] Then Job answered, “Listen carefully to my speech. Let this be your consolation. Let me, and I also will speak; After I’ve said, “ what I want to say, keep on mocking me. As for me, is my complaint to human beings? Why shouldn’t I am impatient? Look at me, and be shocked. Lay your hand on your mouth. When I remember, I’m troubled. Horror takes hold of my physical body.
[7 -15] Why do the sinful live, become old, yes, and grow strong in power? Their children are set up with them in their sight, their children before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the judgment of God upon them. Their cattle breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don’t miscarry. They send forth their babies like a flock. Their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and harp, and are happy at the sound of the flute. They spend their days richly, yet, in an instant, they go down to Hell. They tell God, ‘Leave us alone, we don’t want to know about your ways. Why should we serve God? What will it profit us, if we pray to God?’
[16-20] See, their wealth isn’t in their own power. The ways of the sinful is far from me. How often is it that the lamp of the sinful is put out, that their trouble comes on them, that God’s anger brings sorrows on them? How often is it that they’re as stubble before the wind, as straw that the storm blows away? You say, ‘God lays up their sin for their children.’ Let God send judgment on themselves, that they may know it. Let their own eyes see their destruction. Let them see the anger of the Almighty.
[21-26] For what do they care for their family after their gone, when their days come to an end? Will anyone teach God knowledge, seeing God judges those who do well for themselves? Some die in their full strength, being completely healthy and at peace. Their breasts are full of milk. Their bones are full of marrow. Another dies with a sorrowful soul, and never tastes of good. They both are buried alike in the earth. The worms cover them.
[27-34] See, I know your thoughts, the things which you imagine against me. You say, ‘Where is the house of the leader? Where is the home where the sinful lived?’ Haven’t you asked travelers? Don’t you know their evidences, that the evil ones are kept for the day of trouble, that they’re led to the day of God’s anger? Who will tell them to their face what they’ve done? Who will repay them for what they’ve done? Still they’ll be carried to the grave and others will keep watch over their grave. The dirt of the valley will be sweet to them. Everyone will follow after them, as there were countless numbers before them. So how can you comfort me with this nonsense, seeing that in your answers there’s only falsehood?”
Eliphaz Answers Job
22[1 -5] Then Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered, “Can anyone be useful to God? Truly, even though those who are wise are only of use to themselves. Does it please the Almighty if you’re good? Or does it benefit God, if you act well? Are you punished for worshiping God? Does God bring you to judgment for that? Isn’t your evil great? There’s no end to your faults.
[6 -11] You’ve taken from others what they didn’t owe, and stripped the naked of their clothing. You haven’t given water to those who were tired and thirsty, and you’ve withheld food from the hungry. But as for the strong, they had the land. The honorable ones lived in it. You’ve sent death survivors away empty handed, and the arms of those without a parent have no strength. So traps are all around you. Sudden fear troubles you, or darkness, so that you can’t see, and floods of waters cover you.
[12-17] Isn’t God in the heights of heaven? See the height of the stars, how high they’re! You say, ‘What does God know? Can God judge what isn’t seen? Thick clouds are a covering to God, who doesn’t see. God walks above the circle of the sky.’ Will you keep the old ways, which sinners have walked, who were snatched away before their time, whose lives were poured out as a stream, who said to God, ‘Leave us alone; ‘ and, ‘What can the Almighty do for us?’
[18-23] Still God filled their houses with good things, but the counsel of the sinful is far from me. The good see it and are glad. The innocent ridicule them, saying, “‘Truly those who came up against us are stopped. The fire has burned up what’s left of them.’ Get to know God now, and be at peace, and good will come to you. Please learn from God’s Word, and treasure them in your heart. If you go back to the Almighty, you’ll be restored, if you put away ungodliness far from your home.
[24-30] Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones of the rivers. The Almighty will be your treasure, and like precious silver to you. Then you’ll enjoy yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face to God. You’ll make your prayer to God, who will hear you. You’ll keep your promises. You’ll also say a thing, and it will happen to you. Light will shine on all your ways. When they throw down, you’ll say, ‘be lifted up.’ God will save the humble person. God will even free those who aren’t innocent. Yes, they’ll be freed through the cleanness of your hands.
Job Answers Eliphaz
23[1-5] Then Job answered, “Even today my complaint is rebellious. God’s hand is heavy in spite of my crying. Oh that I knew where I could find God! That I could come all the way to God’s throne! I’d set my case in order there, and fill my mouth with arguments. I’d know and understand the words which God would answer me. Would God fight with me with great power? No, but God would listen to me. There the good can reason with God, so I should be freed forever from my judge.
[8-12] If I go east, God isn’t there; if west, I can’t find God; God works to the north, but I can’t see God. God turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of God. But God knows the way that I take, and when God has tested me, I’ll come out shining like gold. I have followed God’s footsteps. I’ve kept God’s way, and not turned away. I’ve done everything I’ve said I’d do. I’ve treasured up God’s words more than my necessary food.
[13-17] But God stands alone, and who can fight God? Whatever God wants, even that is done. God does what’s planned for me. Many such things are with God. So I’m scared to death at God’s presence. When I think about it, I’m scared of God, who has made my heart faint. The Almighty has scared to death me. Because I wasn’t stopped before the darkness, neither did God keep the thick darkness from my face.
24[1-8] Why aren’t times set up by the Almighty? Why don’t those who know God see their days? There are people who take the landmarks. They violently take away flocks, and feed them. They drive away the donkey of those without a parent, and they take the death survivor’s cow for a pledge. They turn the needy out of the way. The poor of the earth all hide. See, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go to their work, looking carefully for their food. The countryside gives them food for their children. They cut their feed in the field. They gather in the vineyard of the sinful. They lie all night naked without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. They’re wet with the rain of the mountains, and hug the rock for lack of a shelter.
[9-12] There are those who take a child from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor, so that they go around naked without clothing. Being hungry, they carry the sheaves of wheat. They make oil within the walls of these evil people. They stomp the grapes in the winepresses, and suffer thirst. From out of the populous city, they groan. The soul of the abused shouts, still God doesn’t pay attention to their disgrace.
[13 -18] These are of those who rebel against the light. They don’t know its ways, nor walk in its paths. The murderer gets up with the light and kills the poor and needy, like a thief in the night. The unfaithful wait for dusk, saying, “‘No one will see me’ and disguises their face. In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They don’t know the light. The morning is to all of them like thick darkness, for they know the fears of the thick darkness. They disappear like foam on the surface of the waters. They’re punished in the earth. They don’t turn into the way of the vineyards.
[19-21] Drought and heat melt the snow waters, so does Hell those who have sinned. The womb will forget them. The worm will feed sweetly on them. They’ won’t be remembered anymore. Ungodliness will be broken like a tree. They destroy the woman who doesn’t have children and shows no kindness to the death survivor.
[22 -25] Still God saves the strong with power and lifts up those who have no hope of life. God gives them safety, and they rest in it. God watches all their ways. They’re uplifted; still a little while, and they’re gone. Yes, they’re brought low, they’re taken out of the way as all others, and come to an end like the tops of the ears of grain. If it isn’t so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech useless?”
Bildad Answers Job
25[1 -6] Then Bildad, the Shuhite, answered, “Power and fear are with him. God makes peace in the places of false worship. Can God’s troops be counted? On whom does God’s light not come up? How then can human beings be just with God? Or how can those who are born of a woman be fit? See, even the moon has no brightness, and the stars aren’t pure in God’s sight; How much less a human being, who is a worm, of human, who is a worm!”
Job Answers Bildad
26[1-6] Then Job answered, “How have you helped the one who has no power! How have you saved the one who has no strength! How have you counseled the one who has no wisdom, and plentifully told sound knowledge! To whom have you spoken these words? Whose spirit came from you? Those who are dead shake in fear, all those beneath the waters and who live in them. Hell is naked before God, and Abaddon, the place of destruction, has no covering.
[7-11] God stretches out the north over empty space, and hangs the earth on nothing. God takes up the waters in thick clouds, and the cloud doesn’t burst under them. The face of the throne of God is hidden by the clouds spread over it. God has set a boundary on the surface of the waters, and to the limits of light and darkness. The pillars of heaven shake in fear and are shocked at God’s word.
[12-14] God stirs up the sea with great power, and fights Rahab (the sea monster) with understanding. By God’s Spirit the stars decorate the sky. God’s hand has formed the twisting snake. See, these are only the beginnings of God’s ways. How small a whisper do we hear of God! But the thunder of God’s power who can understand?”
Job Speaks
27[1-6] Job spoke again, saying, “As God lives, Who has taken away my right, the Almighty, has made me bitter. For the length of my life is still in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; truly I won’t speak ungodliness, nor will I tell lies. Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I won’t lose the truth in my heart. I hold on to my goodness, and won’t let it go. My heart won’t condemn me so long as I live.
[7 -12] Let my enemy be as the sinful. Let those who come against me be as the ungodly. For what’s the hope of the godless when they’re finished, when God takes away their life? Will God hear their cry when trouble comes on them? Will they enjoy themselves in the Almighty, and call on God at all times? I’ll teach you about the hand of God. What’s with the Almighty I won’t hide. See, all of you’ve seen it for yourselves; so why have you become altogether worthless?
[13-18] This is what happens to a sinner with God, the heritage of abusers, which they receive from the Almighty. If their children are many, they’ll die. Their children won’t be satisfied with food. Those who are left of them will be buried in death. Their death survivors won’t mourn. Though they pile up silver as the dust, and have clothing as the clay; they may prepare it, but the just will put it on, and the innocent will divide the silver. They build their houses as the moth, as a booth which the guard makes.
[19-23] They lie down rich, but they won’t do so again. They open their eyes, and they’re dead. Fears overtake them like waters. A storm steals them away in the night. The east wind carries them away, and they leave. It scares them out of their place. It hurls at them, and doesn’t spare, as they run away from God’s hand. Others will clap their hands at them, and will hiss them out of their place.
28[1-4] Truly there’s a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine. Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted out of the ore. Human beings put an end to the darkness, and search out, to the furthest place, the stones of the hidden places of the darkness. They break open a shaft away from where people live. They’re forgotten by those who walk above them. They hang far from them, and swing back and forth.
[5-11] The earth gives us our food; Underneath it’s turned up as it were by fire. Sapphires come from its rocks. It has dust of gold. That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it. The proud animals haven’t stepped it, nor has the fierce lion passed by there. They put their power on the flinty rock, and overturn the mountains by the roots. They cut out caves among the rocks. Their eye see every precious thing. They keep the streams from flowing. The things that are hidden they bring to light.
[12-20] But where will wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding? Human beings don’t know its value; Nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, “‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, “‘It isn’t with me.’ It can’t be had for gold, nor will silver buy it. It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. Gold and glass can’t equal it, nor will it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is even above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia won’t equal it, nor will it be valued with pure gold. Then where does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?
[21-28] Seeing it’s hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept unseen by the birds of the sky. Destruction and Death say, ‘We’ve heard a rumor about it.’ God understands its way, and knows its place. God looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky. God makes the force of the wind. Yes, God weighs out the waters by measure. When God called for the rain, and made a way for the lightning of the thunder; then God saw it, and spoke it. God created it, yes, and found its way. God said to human beings, ‘See, the awe of Yahweh God, that is wisdom. To stop from doing evil is understanding.’“
29[1-7] Job spoke again, saying, “Oh that I were as I was in the old days, as in the days when God watched over me; when God’s lamp shone on my head, and by whose light I walked through darkness, as I was in the days of my youth when the friendship of God was in my home, when the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me, when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me, when I came to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.
[8 -14] The young saw me and hid themselves. The aged got up and stood. The leaders stopped talking, and put their power over their mouth. The voice of the rich was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. When they heard me, then I was blessed; and when they saw me, I was praised; because I freed the poor who shouted for help, and those without a parent, and those who didn’t have anyone to help them, I got a blessing from those who were about to die, and I caused the death survivor’s heart to sing for great happiness. I put on goodness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a crown.
[15-20] I was eyes to the blind, and feet to those who couldn’t walk. I was like a father to the needy. The case of those who I didn’t know, I searched out. I broke the jaws of the ungodly, and plucked the prey out of their teeth. Then I said, “’I’ll die in my own house, I’ll be as old as the sand. My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch. My honor is anew in me. My bow is always ready in my hand.
[21 -25] Others listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel. After my words they didn’t speak again. My words fell on them. They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as from a creek. I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn’t reject the light of my face. I guided their way, and sat as leader. I lived as a leader in the troops, as one who comforts the mourners.
30[1 -8] But now those who are younger than I make fun of me, whose ancestors I’d have hated to put with my sheep dogs. Of what use is the strength of their powers to me, those in whom youth has died? They’re thin from lack and famine. They eat the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and emptiness. They pick salt herbs by the bushes. The roots of the broom are their food. They’re driven out from the midst of humanity. They cry after them as after a thief; so that they live in dark valleys, and in caves of the earth and of the rocks. Among the bushes they bray like asses; and gather together under the thorn bushes. They’re children of ungodly persons, yes, children of evil people. They were run out of the land.
[9-14] Now I’ve become their song. Yes, I’m a byword to them. They hate me; they stand back from me, and don’t hesitate to spit in my face. They’ve taken off their belts and beaten me; they’ve thrown off all self-control before me. On my right hand the youth come up. They kick at my feet; they come against me with their destructive ways. They block my path, and move forward my trouble without anyone’s help. They come as through a wide opening, they run in through the break.
[15-19] Fears have turned on me. They chase my honor as the wind. My welfare has passed away as a cloud. Now my soul is poured out within me. Days of trouble have taken hold on me. In the night my bones ache, and the pains that gnaw at me don’t ever stop. By this horrible disease is my body is disfigured. It surrounds me as the collar of my coat. God has thrown me into the mud. I’ve become like dust and ashes.
[20-25] I cry to You, and You don’t answer me. I stand up, and You stare at me. You’ve turned to be cruel to me. With the strength of Your hand You trouble me. You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You soak me in the storm. I know that You’ll bring me to death, to the place set aside for all living. But doesn’t one stretch out a hand who falls? Or in their trouble cry for help? Didn’t I cry for those who were in trouble? Wasn’t I myself upset for the needy?
[26 -31] When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness. My heart is troubled, and doesn’t rest. Days of trouble have come on me. I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help. I live with jackals, and am a friend to ostriches. My skin rots and peels from me. My bones are burning with heat. So my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who cry.
31[1-8] I made an agreement with Me, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman? For what’s the reward from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high? Isn’t it trouble to the ungodly, and disaster to those who live in sin? Doesn’t God see my ways, and number all my steps? If I’ve walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to lies (let me be weighed in a fair balance, that God may know the truth of my heart); if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart has chased after what I see, if any evil thing has stuck to my hands, then let me plant, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be uprooted.
[9-15] If my heart has been tricked by a woman, and I’ve put up a trap at my neighbor’s door, then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her. For that would be a terrible sin. Yes, it would be n sin to be punished by the judges; It’s a fire that burns everything up, and would destroy everything I have. If I’ve hated the case of my workers when they argued with me; what then will I do when God comes? When God visits, what will I answer? Didn’t the One who made me in the womb make them as well? Didn’t God design us both in the womb?
[16 -22] If I’ve kept any need from the poor, or have caused the hope of the death survivor to fail, or have eaten my food alone, and haven’t fed those without a parent (no, from my youth they grew up with me as with a father, her have I guided from my mother’s womb); if I’ve seen any die for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering; if their heart hasn’t blessed me, if they haven’t been warmed with my sheep’s wool; if I’ve lifted up my hand against those without a parent, because I saw my help in the gate, then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.
[23-28] For trouble from God scares me to death. I can’t do anything for God’s awesomeness. If I’ve made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, ‘You’ll save me; ‘ If I was happy because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much; if I’ve seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in beauty, and my heart has been secretly tricked, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, this also would be a sin to be punished by the judges because I’d have denied the God who is above.
[29-35] If I was happy at the destruction of those who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found them; (yes, I haven’t let my mouth sin by asking for their life with a punishment); if the people of my house haven’t said, “’Who can find one who hasn’t been filled with his meat?’ (the foreigner hasn’t stayed in the street, but I’ve opened my doors to the traveler;) if like Adam I’ve covered my sins, by hiding my sin in my heart, because I feared the people, and the their disapproval scared me to death, so that I kept silence, and didn’t go out of the door– oh that I had one to listen to me! (see, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); let the accuser write my crime!
[36-38] Truly I’d carry it on my shoulder; and I’d wear it like a crown. I’d tell God the number of my steps. I’d go near to God like a prince. If my land shouts against me, and its furrows cry together; if I’ve eaten its fruits without money, or caused its owners to lose their life, let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are finished.
Elihu Answers Job
32[1-5] So these three men stopped arguing with Job, because he was good in his own eyes. Then the anger of Elihu, of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram was started against Job. He was angry because Job believed he was more right than God. Also Job was angry at his three friends, because they had found no answer, and still had condemned him. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. When Elihu saw that these three men had no answer, he was angry.
[6-12] Elihu, of Barachel the Buzite, answered, “I’m young, and you’re very old; So I held back, and didn’t dare tell you what I thought. I thought, ‘Days should speak, and number of years should teach wisdom.’ But there’s a spirit in human beings, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. It’s not only the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice. So I thought, ‘Listen to me; I also will tell you what I think.’ See, I waited for what you’d say, and I listened for your reasoning while you thought of what to say. Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
[13-17] Be careful not to say, ‘We’ve found wisdom, God may refute him, not human beings; ‘ for he hasn’t directed his words against me; nor will I answer him with your words. They’re amazed and say no more. They don’t have a word to say. Should I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer nothing more? I also will answer and tell you what I think.
[18-22] I’m full of words and the spirit within me pushes me to say them. See, my breast is like wine which has no vent; like new wineskins that are ready to burst. I’ll speak, that I may be refreshed. I’ll open my lips and answer. Please don’t let me give any respect to anyone’s person, nor will I flatter anyone with titles. I don’t even know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.
33[1-6] But Job, please hear what I say, and listen to all my words. See now, I’ve opened my mouth and spoken. My words will speak the goodness of my heart. What my lips know they’ll speak sincerely. The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. If you can, tell me. Put your words in order for me and stand up. See, I’m the same as you are before God. I’m also formed out of the same clay.
[7-13] See, fear of me won’t make you scared, neither will my pressure be heavy on you. Truly you’ve said in my hearing, I’ve heard the sound of your words, saying, “’I’m fit without disobedience. I’m innocent, nor is there sin in me. See, God finds occasions against me and counts me an enemy. God puts my feet in the stocks and watches me everywhere I go.’ See, I’ll answer you. In this you’re not just, for God is greater than a human being. Why do you fight against God; God doesn’t give account for anything?
[14-22] God speaks once, yes twice, though we pay no attention. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on us, while slumbering in the bed; then God opens our ears, and tells us what to do, to turn us away from our plans, and keep us from being proud. God keeps their souls from the pit, and their life from ending. They’re corrected also with pain on their bed with continual pain in their bones; so that they can’t even eat their food, and even their favorite foods. Their skin rots away, so that it can’t be seen. Their bones that weren’t seen stick out. Yes, their soul draws near to the grave, and their life to the destroyers.
[23-28] If an angel stands beside them, a mediator, one among a thousand, to show to human beings what’s right for them; then God is full of grace toward them, and says, “’Save them from Hell, I’ve paid the price.’ Their body will be newer than a child’s and they go back to the days of their youth. They pray to God, and God is favorable to them, so that they see God’s face with great happiness. God restores to human beings their goodness. They sing before others, and say, ‘I’ve sinned, and made wrong what was right, and it didn’t do me any good. God has saved my soul from going to Hell. My life will see the light.’
[29-33] See, God works all these things, twice, yes three times with everyone, to bring back their soul from Hell, that they may be enlightened with the light of the living. Pay attention, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I’ll speak. If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I want to justify you. If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I’ll teach you wisdom.
34[1-6] Then Elihu said, “Hear my words, you the wise. Listen to me, you who have knowledge. For the ear tests words, as the palate tastes food. Let’s choose for us what’s right. Let’s know among ourselves what’s good. Job has said, “’I’m good, God has taken away my right; even though I’m right I’m thought of as a liar. My wound is incurable, though I’m without disobedience.’ What human being is like Job who mocks God so freely, who goes along with those living in sin, and walks with evildoers? For he has said, “’It does no good if someone walks in great happiness with God.’
[10-15] So listen to me, you people of understanding; far be it from God to do such an evil thing, from the Almighty to sin. God will repay everyone for what they do, and cause everyone to be repaid for their ways. Yes Truly, God won’t do evil, nor will the Almighty bend justice. Who gave God a charge over the earth? or who has set God over the whole world? If God was selfish, and took the spirit and breath back, all humanity would die together, and human beings would turn to dust again.
[16 -20] If now you understand, hear this. Listen to the sound of my voice. Will even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn one who is good and strong? Who says to a Ruler, ‘ You are evil!’ or to the rich, ‘You are sinful!’? Who doesn’t respect the persons of leaders, nor think of the rich more than the poor because they’re all the work of God’s hands. Quickly they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The strong are taken away without a hand.
[21-28] God’s eyes are on the ways of everyone and sees all they do. There is no darkness, nor thick gloom where the sinful may hide themselves. God doesn’t need to think any further, that they should go before God in judgment. God breaks in pieces the strong in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place. So God knows their works and overturns them in the night, so that they’re destroyed. God fights them as sinners in the open sight of others; because they turned away from following God, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of God’s ways, so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to God, who heard the cry of the troubled.
[29-32] When God gives peace, who then can condemn? When the face of God is hidden, who then can see God? It’s the same whether to a nation, or to a person, so that the godless may not rule, so that there be no one to entrap the people. Has anyone said to God, ‘I’m guilty, but I won’t offend anymore. Teach me what I don’t see. If I’ve sinned, I won’t do it anymore’?
[33 -37] Should God repay as you want. God will repay whether you like it or not! You must choose, and not I. So say what you know. People of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise person who hears me says, “’Job speaks without knowledge, words with no wisdom. I wish that Job were tested to the end, because he speaks like sinners. He adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and says many words against God.”
Elihu Speaks Further
35[1-4] Then Elihu said, “Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My goodness is more than God’s,’ that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’ I’ll answer you, and your friends with you.
[5-11] Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you. If you’ve sinned, what effect do you have against God? If your sins are many, what do you do to God? If you’re good, what do you give God? Or what does God get from your hand? Your evil may hurt a human like you, and your goodness may help a human being. Because of the many abuses they cry out. They cry for help because of the arm of the strong. But no one says, “’Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
[12-16] There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil people. Truly, God won’t hear an empty cry, nor will the Almighty pay attention to it. How much less when you say you don’t see God. The case is before God, for whom you wait! But now, because God hasn’t visited in anger, nor pays attention to pride, so you open your mouth with empty talk, and say many words without knowledge.”
36[1-6] Elihu also continued, saying, “Put up with me a little, and I’ll show you because I still have something to Speak God’s behalf. I’ll get my knowledge from afar, and will credit goodness to my Maker. Truly, my words aren’t false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. See, God is strong, and doesn’t hate anyone. God has great wisdom. God doesn’t save the life of the sinful, but gives to the troubled their right.
[7-12] God doesn’t stop watching over the good, but God sets Rulers on the throne forever, and they’re uplifted. If they’re chained in fetters, and are taken in the ropes of troubles, then God shows them their work, and their sins, that they’ve behaved themselves proudly. He also opens their ears to teaching, and tells them that they must turn from sin. If they listen and serve God, they’ll spend their days doing well, and their years in happiness. But if they don’t listen, they’ll die in war; they’ll die without knowledge.
[13-17] But those who are godless in heart store up God’s anger. They don’t cry for help when God punishes them. They die in their youth. Their life is among the unfit. God frees the abused out of their troubles, and speaks to them in their abuse. Yes, God would have moved you out of trouble, into a wide open space where there’s no limit. What’s set on your table would be full of goodness. But you’re being judged as the sinful. Judgment and justice have caught up with you.
[18-24] Don’t let riches trick you into making a wrong judgment, nor let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth save you in trouble, or all the force of your strength? Don’t want the night when people die in their place. Be careful, don’t think of sin because you’ve chosen this rather than trouble. See, God has great power. Who can teach us like God? Who could tell God which way to go? Or who can say, ‘You’ve done ungodliness?’ Remember that you praise God’s works in which people have sung.
[25 -29] All men have looked on it. Human beings see it very far away. See, God is great, whom we can’t know. No one knows how old God is. God evaporates the drops of water which come down in rain from its vapor, which the skies pour down and which drop on human beings very much. Yes, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thundering of God’s house?
[30-33] See, God’s light shines out. God covers the bottom of the sea. By these God judges the people. God gives us much food. God’s hands hold the lightning bolts and tells it to strike the mark. Its noise tells us that God is near, and the livestock also about the storm that comes up.
37[1-5] Yes, at this my heart shake in fears, and is moved out its place. Listen, oh, hear the noise of God’s voice, the sound that goes out of God’s mouth. God sends it forth under the whole sky, and the lightning to the ends of the earth. After it, a voice roars. God thunders with an awesome voice. Nothing is held back when God’s voice is heard. God’s voice thunders wonderfully. God does great things, which we can’t understand.
[6 -14] God says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth; ‘ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the strong rain. God marks the hand of everyone, that all whom God has made may know it. Then the animals take cover, and are left in their dens. The storm comes out of its place, and cold out of the north. By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen. Yes, God loads the thick cloud with moisture, and spreads out the cloud with its lightning. God guides where they go, that they may do whatever God tells them on the face of the earth, whether it’s for correction, or for the land, or for loving kindness, that it comes. Listen to this, Job. Stand still and think about the wondrous works of God.
[15 -20] Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning to shine out of the cloud? Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of the One who is perfect in knowledge? You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you with God, spread out the sky, which is as strong as a cast metal mirror? Teach us what we’ll say to God, for we can’t make our case because of darkness. Will it be told God that I want to speak? Or should anyone wish that they were swallowed up?
[21-24] Now no one sees the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them. Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is wonderful awesomeness. We can’t reach the Almighty, who has great power. In justice and great goodness, God won’t abuse. So human beings respect God. God doesn’t consider any who are wise of heart.”
Yahweh Answers Job
38[1 -7] Then Yahweh answered out of the whirlwind, “Who is this who confuses My wisdom by words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man, for I’ll question you, then you answer Me! “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you understand. Who decided how big it would be, if you know? Or who measured it? On what were the foundations built? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all God’s angels shouted for great happiness?
[8-15] Or who made the boundaries of the sea when it burst from the womb of the deep, when I dressed it with clouds, and wrapped it in deep darkness, when I set its boundaries, and drew the lines of its shore, saying, “’Here you may come, but no further. Your proud waves will stop here.’ Have you told the morning to shine its light, and caused the sun to come up in the east; that it could shine its light to the ends of the earth, and expose what the sinful do? The days dawns as red clay under a seal, and clothes the morning. But the sinful see only darkness and the arm raised for trouble is broken.
[16-21] Have you gone into the fountains of the sea? Or have you walked in the deepest caves of the sea? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Do you even know how wide the earth is? Tell Me, if you know it all. Where is the way the light goes? As for darkness, where does it stay, that you could take it to its place, and that you could find the paths to where it is? Truly you know, for you were born then, and you’re very old!
[22-30] Have you seen the stores of snow and hail, which I’ve kept for the times of trouble, when I bring judgment on the earth in war? By what way does the lightning come, or does the east wind blow on the earth? Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm; to cause it to rain on land where no one lives; on the empty countryside; to satisfy the deserted lands, to cause the tender grass to grow? Where does the rain come from or the drops of dew? Where does the ice come from and the frost of the sky? The waters become hard like stone when the surface of the sea is frozen.
[31-35] Can you cluster together the stars of the Pleiades, or spread out those of Orion? Can you move the constellations in their seasons? Or can you guide the stars of the Bear with her cubs? Do you know the natural laws of the heavens? Can you understand its power over the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds that all the rain may fall on you? Can you make the lightning go away? Do they report to you, saying, “’Here we are?’
[36-41] Who has put wisdom and understanding into the mind of a human being? Who is wise enough to count the clouds? Or who can pour out the stores of water from the sky, when the dust hardens, and the clods of earth stick together? Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or feed the young lions till they’re full, when they crouch in their dens, and set an ambush in the thicket? Who gives the raven its food when its young calls to God, and wanders off for lack of food?
39[1-4] Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe have her fawns? Can you count the months that they complete? Or do you know the time when they give birth? They bow themselves and bring out their young, and end their labor pains. Their young become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go out, and don’t come back again.
[5-12] Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has untied it, whose home I’ve made the countryside, and the salt flats its home? It hates the noise of the city, nor does it like to hear the shouting of the driver. The mountain range is its pasture, where it searches after every green thing. Will the wild cow be happy to work for you? Or will it stay by your feeding trough? Can you hold the wild cow in the furrow with a harness? Or will it till the valleys following after you? Will you trust it for its great strength? Or will you leave it to do your work? Will you trust in it to bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your barn floor?
[13 -18] The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love? For she leaves her eggs in the earth, warms them in the dust, and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that a wild animal may stomp on them. She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they weren’t even hers. Though her labor is for nothing, she has no fear, because God hasn’t given her the wisdom to know better, nor given her any understanding. When she jumps up to run, she outruns the horse with its rider with ease.
[19-25] Have you given the horse its strength? Have you dressed its neck with a mane to blow in the wind? Have you made it to leap as a locust jumps? The sound of its snorting is terrible. It paws in the valley, and is happy in its strength. It goes out to meet the soldiers. It mocks at fear, and isn’t troubled, nor does it turn back from the weapons of war. The quiver rattles against it, along with the flashing spear and the lance. It tears up the ground with its rage and fierceness, nor does it stand still at the sound of the horn. As often as the horn sounds it snorts, ‘Aha!’ It smells the battle very far away, the shout of the captains, and the war cry.
[26 -29] Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches its wings toward the south? Is it at your word that the eagle mounts up, and makes its nest on high? It lives on the cliffs, and makes its home on the top of the cliff, and its stronghold. From there it spies out its prey, seeing it very far away. Its young ones also suck up blood. Where the dead are, there it is.”
Behemoth, the Dinosaur
40[1 -5] Besides this, Yahweh answered Job, “Will the one who argues correct the Almighty? Whoever argues with God, let them answer.” Then Job answered Yahweh, “See, I’m nothing. What could I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth. I’ve spoken once, but I won’t speak again; Yes, twice, but I’ll go no further.”
[6 -14] Then Yahweh spoke out of the tornado, “Now brace yourself like a man. I’ll question you, and you’ll answer me. Will you even discount My judgment? Will you condemn Me, that you could be right? Or do you have the power of God? Can you thunder with a voice like Mine? Now clothe yourself with perfection and brilliance. Array yourself with honor and grandeur. Show all the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring them down and humble them. Destroy the sinful in their place. Bury them in the dust together and bury their faces in the grave. Then I’ll also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
[15-22] “See now, behemoth (likely a brachiosaurus-type dinosaur), which I made as well as you. It eats grass like a cow. Look now, its strength is in its thighs, whose force is in the muscles of the belly. Its tail is as strait and strong as a cedar. The tendons of its thighs are joined together. Its bones are like strong tubes of brass. Its limbs are like bars of iron. It’s the largest of God’s creatures. The One who made it can destroy it as well. Truly the mountains make food for it, where all the animals of the field play. It lies under the lotus trees, hidden by the reeds, and the marshy waters. The trees cover it with their shade, the willows of the river all around it. See, if a river overflows, it isn’t scared. It’s confident, though the Jordan swells all the way to its mouth. Can anyone take it while it watches, when its nose breaks the traps?
Leviathan, the Sea Monster
41[1-7] “ Can you catch Leviathan (likely a plesiosaur-type dinosaur) with a fishhook, or drop a line down its throat? Can you put a ring into its nose, or pierce its jaw through with a hook? Will it beg you for mercy, or speak soft words to you? Will it make an agreement with you, that you should take it as a working animal forever? Will you play with it like a pet bird? Or will you tie it up for your girls? Will traders buy it? Will they divide it among the people for a feast? Can you fill its hide with iron spears, or its head with fish spears?
[8-11] Lay your hand on it, remember the battle, and never do it again. See, the hope of catching it is useless. Won’t you be thrown down even at the sight of it? No one is so fierce that they dare stir it up. Who then can face Me? Who has first given to Me, that I should repay him? Everything under the heavens is Mine.
[12 -17] I won’t be quiet about its great limbs, nor its great strength, nor its beautiful shape. Who can strip off its outer hide? Who will come near its jaws? Who can open the jaws of its mouth filled with huge teeth? Its strong scales are its strength, so close together nothing could break its seal. One is so near to another that no air can come between them. They’re joined to each other and stick together, so that they can’t be pulled apart.
[18-24] When it sneezes, it flashes out light. Its eyes are bright and shiny. Burning fire comes out of its mouth, with sparks of fire blowing out. Smoke comes out of its nostrils, like a boiling pot over a burning fire. Its breath starts the coals and a flame goes out of its mouth. It has a very strong neck, which scares anyone that sees it. The scales of its hide are joined together, so strongly, that they can’t be broken. Its heart is as hard as a rock, yes, harder than a very heavy stone.
[25 -29] When it raises itself up, even the strongest are scared. They retreat from its thrashing. If someone attacks it with a sword, it can’t kill it; nor can a spear, a dart, or any pointed weapon. It breaks iron like straw; and brass like rotten wood. The arrow can’t make it run. Sling stones are like chaff to it. Clubs are like stubble. It laughs at the speeding spear.
[30-34] Its underside is covered in sharp scales, leaving behind a trail of them in the mud. It makes the deep sea boil like a pot and makes it like a foaming pot of ointment. It leaves a shining path in its wake. You’d think the sea was covered in frost. There is nothing as great as it on earth; its fearless. It sees everything and rules over all who think themselves great.”
Job Answers Yahweh
42[1-6] Then Job answered Yahweh, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be stopped. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides my counsel without knowledge?’ so I’ve said, “ things I didn’t fully understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t even know. You said, “’Listen, now, and I’ll speak; I’ll question you, and you’ll answer me.’ I had heard of You by the spoken word, but now my eye sees You. So I hate myself, and will change my ways, covered in dust and ashes.”
[7-9] So after Yahweh had said, “ these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I’m angry at you, and against your two friends because you haven’t said, “ of Me what is right, as My worker has. So now, take for yourselves seven cattle and seven rams, and go to my worker Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my worker will pray for you, and I’ll accept him, that I not deal with you according to your disgrace. For you haven’t said, “ of me what is right, as my worker has.” So Eliphaz, the Temanite, Bildad, the Shuhite, and Zophar, the Naamathite went, and did what Yahweh told them, and Yahweh accepted Job’s prayer. Yahweh turned the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before.
[11-12] Then came all his family, and all those who had known him before, came and ate with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him about all the hard things that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone gave him some money, and a ring of gold, also. So Yahweh blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 pair of cows, and 1,000 female donkeys.
[13 -17 He had also seven sons and three daughters. He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. There were no women found In all the land so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. After this lived 140 years, and saw his children, and his grandchildren, up to four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.
The Old Hymns (Psalms)
Book 1
1[1-6] Happy are those who don’t stand with the ungodly or take the advice of unchanged sinners, nor sit with those who ridicule others, but their happiness is in the Word of Yahweh; they think on Your Word day and night. They’re like an evergreen tree growing by the river that yields fruit in season; whatever they do will do well. The ungodly aren’t so, but are like trash that blows away in the wind. The ungodly or sinful won’t stand in the judgment, or with good people. For Yahweh knows the way of godly people, but the way of the ungodly will come to an end.
2[1-9] Why do the ungodly fight in anger, and people imagine meaningless things? The rulers of the earth set themselves up, taking counsel together against Yahweh and against God’s Chosen One, saying, “Let’s break away from them, and reject what they say to us.” You, oh God, who sits in heaven, will laugh; Yahweh will hate them. Then You’ll speak to them in Your anger, and overcome them with great unhappiness, saying, “I’ve set My Savior on My holy hill of Jerusalem.” I’ll announce “Yahweh has said to me, “You are My Firstborn; Today, I’ve brought You forth. Ask of Me, and I’ll give You the peoples of the world for Your inheritance, and the furthermost parts of the earth for Your own. You’ll break them with a strong hand; You’ll break them in pieces like a broken jug.”
[10-12] So be wise now, you who are in power; learn, you judges of the earth. Minister to Yahweh and celebrate with fear and shaking, showing a reverent respect. Kiss the Firstborn, or God may become angry, and you’ll die in the way, when you make God angry only a little. Happy are all those that put their trust in the Firstborn of God.
3[1-4] A Hymn of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Yahweh, how they’ve multiplied that trouble me! There are so many that stand up against me. There are so many that say of me, “There’s no help for you in God.” Selah! But You, oh Yahweh, keep me safe; You are my light, for You lift my spirits. I shouted to Yahweh, who heard me from the holy hill of God. Selah!
[5-8] I lay down and slept, and then I awoke; for it was Yahweh who kept me safe. So I won’t be scared of all the people that have surrounded me and set themselves against me. Awake, oh Yahweh; save me, oh my God; for You’ve slapped all my enemies in the face; You’ve broken the teeth of the ungodly. Only Yahweh can save; Your blessings are on Your people. Selah!
4[1-3] To the first musician for stringed instruments, A Hymn of David. Listen to me when I call, oh God, who helps me to do what’s right; You’ve made me great when I was troubled; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. Oh children of humanity, how long will you turn my fame into shame? How long will you love meaningless things, and look for lies? Selah! But know that Yahweh has set apart those that are godly for God’s own people; Yahweh, You’ll Listen to me when I call on You.
[4-8] Stand in awe, and don’t sin; think with your own heart when you’re in your bed, and be still. Selah! Give your gifts of goodness, and put your trust in Yahweh. There are many that say, “Who will show us what’s good?” Yahweh, shine the light of Your face on us. You’ve made my heart glad, even more than when my money increased. I’ll lie down peacefully and sleep, because only You, oh Yahweh, can make me safe.
5[1-6] To the first musician for flutes, A Hymn of David. Listen to the words of my prayer, oh Yahweh, think on my plans. Listen to my voice, my Savior, and my God; for I’ll only pray to You. You’ll hear my voice in the morning, oh Yahweh; in the morning I’ll look up and pray to You, because You aren’t a God that enjoys sinfulness, nor will You allow unchanged sinners to come into Your presence. Stupid people won’t stand in Your sight, because You hate all those who do evil. You’ll destroy those who don’t tell the truth, hating those bloodthirsty and lying people.
[7-12] But as for me, I’ll come into the Place of Worship in the greatness of Your mercy, and in awe of You, I’ll worship in the holy Place of Worship. Lead me, oh Yahweh, show me the right way. Because of my enemies; make Your way clear to me. There’s no loyalty in their words; they’re sinful to the core of their being; their mouths are as open graves, flattering others with their words. Destroy them, oh God; let them fall by their own plans; throw them out for the sins they’ve stored up; for they’ve rebelled against You. But let all those that put their trust in You celebrate; let them shout for happiness always, because You defend them; let them that love Your Name be happy in You. You, oh Yahweh will bless godly people; with grace You’ll come to their defense.
6[1-5] To the first musician for stringed instruments, A Hymn of David. Oh Yahweh, don’t warn me in Your anger, nor punish me in Your great anger. Have mercy on me, oh Yahweh; for I’m weak; oh Yahweh, heal me; for my body is full of aches and pains. My soul is also very confused; oh Yahweh, but how long will You wait? Return, oh Yahweh, save my soul; oh save me for Your mercies’ sake. For in death there’s no memory of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?
[6-10] I’m tired of groaning; all night long I drench my bed with tears. Me are burning because of grief; they age because of all my enemies. Leave me alone, all you mean spirited people; for Yahweh has heard the sound of my crying. Yahweh has heard what I asked; Yahweh will accept my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and frustrated; let them turn back and be unexpectedly ashamed.
7[1-5] A poem of David, which he sang to Yahweh, about the words of Cush, the Benjamite. Oh Yahweh my God, in You I put my trust; free me and save me from all those that abuse me, in case they tear my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there’s no one to save me. Oh Yahweh my God, if I’ve done this thing; if there’s sin in my hands; if I’ve done evil to those that were at peace with me; then let my enemies destroy my soul, and take it; yes, let them take my life from the earth, and lay my respect in the dust, even though I’ve saved those who are my enemies without cause. Selah!
[6-8] Awake, oh Yahweh, in Your anger, raise Yourself up because of the great anger of my enemies, and awake for me to the judgment that You’ve allowed, so the congregation of the church will surround You and for their sakes take back Your power. Yahweh will judge the people; judge me, oh Yahweh, according to what I’ve done right, and according to my honesty.
[9-17] Oh let the evil of the sinful come to an end; but set up good people; for those who do what’s right, God tests the hearts and minds of godly people. My only defense is God, who saves good-hearted people. God judges godly people, but is always angry with the ungodly. If they don’t change their ways, You’ll sharpen and prepare Your weapons, making them ready. You’ve also prepared instruments of death; planning their aim against those who abuse me. See, they play with sin, having conceived trouble, and birthed lies. They made a grave, and dug it, and have fallen into the very hole they dug. The trouble they caused will come back to them, and their violence will be repaid to them. I’ll praise You, oh Yahweh according to Your goodness, and will sing praise to the Name of Yahweh, Most High.
8[1-4] To the first musician on harp, A Hymn of David. Oh Yahweh, our God, how amazing is Your Name in the whole world! You’ve made Your brightness brighter than the heavens! You’ve ordained praise to boldly come out of the mouths of babies and nursing children, because of Your enemies, to stop their sinful judgments. When I think of Your heavens, the creations of Your hands, the moon and the stars, which You’ve put into place, I wonder, “What are human beings that You think of us? And the children of human beings, that You come to them?”
[5-9] For You’ve made us a little lower than the angels, and have crowned us with victory and respect. You give us power over the creations of Your hands; You’ve put everything in our control, the wild animals of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever else lives in the seas. Oh Yahweh, our God, how amazing is Your Name in the whole world!
9[1-7] To the first musician, to the tune of; To Die for the Son, A Hymn of David. I’ll praise You, oh Yahweh, with my whole heart; I’ll tell of all Your awesome acts. I’ll be glad and celebrate in You; I’ll sing praise to Your Name, oh Yahweh, Most High. When my enemies are turned back, they fall down as dead at Your presence. For You’ve maintained my right and my cause; You judge rightly from Your throne. You’ve corrected the ungodly, You’ve destroyed the sinful, and You’ve erased their name forever. Everything You’ve destroyed will come to an everlasting end, and You’ve destroyed the cities of Your enemies and their memory has died with them, but Yahweh will live forever and has set up the throne for judgment.
[8-11] Yahweh will judge the world rightly, honestly ministering judgment to the people. Yahweh will be a place of safety for those who are kept down, a safe haven in times of trouble. And those that know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, oh Yahweh, haven’t abandoned those that look for You. We sing praises to Yahweh, who inhabits Jerusalem; Tell the people everything Yahweh does.
[12-15] When blood is called for, Yahweh remembers those who don’t think too much of themselves, never forgetting their cry. Have mercy on me, oh Yahweh; think on my trouble which I suffer of those that hate me, You, who have lifted me up from the doors of death, so that I can bring You praise in the public places of the people of Jerusalem; I’ll celebrate in how You saved me. The ungodly are put in the grave that they made; their own feet are taken in the trap which they hid.
[16-20] Yahweh, You are known by the judgment You make; the sinful are caught in the acts of their own hands. Selah! The sinful will have their share of Hell, along with all the nations that forget God. The needy won’t always be forgotten; the hopes of the poor won’t rest forever. Awake, oh Yahweh; don’t let evil people win; let the ungodly be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, oh Yahweh; that the leaders of nations will know themselves to be but human beings. Selah!
10[1-10] Why are You so far away, oh Yahweh? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? In their pride, the sinful abuse the poor, so let them be taken by their own plans that they expect to happen to others. The sinful bragged about what they wanted to happen, and approved the greedy ones, which Yahweh hated. The sinful, through their prideful ways, won’t look for God, who isn’t in their thoughts at all. Their ways are always terrible; they can’t understand Your judgments; they mocked at all of their enemies. They’ve said in their heart, I won’t be overcome; for I’ll never have any trouble. Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and fraud; trouble and emptiness are in their words. They sit in the hang outs of the cities; in secret places they murder the innocent. They watch the poor to take advantage of them. They secretly wait as a lion in a den to catch the poor, catching them when they lure them into their trap. They crouch, hiding themselves, so that the poor will fall by their strongest.
[11-18] They’ve said in their hearts, “God has forgotten; the face of God is turned away and will never see it.” Awake, oh Yahweh; oh God, lift up Your hand and don’t forget those who don’t think too much of themselves. Why do the sinful reject God? They’ve said in their hearts, “Yahweh won’t call for justice.” You’ve seen it; You watch the trouble they cause and their spite in order to pay them back for what they’ve done; the poor put themselves in Yahweh’s hands; You are the helper of the single parent’s child. Break the strength of the ungodly evil ones; look for their evil till You find none left. Yahweh is the Savior forever and ever; the ungodly will all die out of the land. Yahweh, You’ve heard what those who don’t think too much of themselves want. You get their heart ready; You listen, in order to do what’s right for the single parent’s child and those who are kept down, so that the people of the earth can’t keep them down any more.
11[1-3] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. I put my trust in Yahweh , so why do you say to me, “Fly away like a bird to the mountaintop?” See, the sinful get their weapons ready, taking aim, so that they can secretly shoot at godly people. If they won’t fight fair, what can godly people do?
[4-7] Yahweh, whose eyes see and watch humanity, is in the holy Place of Worship; yes, Yahweh’s throne is in heaven. Yahweh tests godly people, but hates the sinful and those that love violence. Yahweh will rain fire and burning sulfur with a horrible downpour to catch the sinful, which will be only what they deserve. Yahweh, who isn’t prejudiced, loves fairness; Certainly, God’s face sees godly people.
12[1-4] To the first musician on lyre, A Hymn of David. Help us, oh Yahweh; for the godly people are disappearing and the faithful are dying out from among humanity. Evil people lie to others, talking with flattering words and a double heart. Yahweh will shut up all flattering words and mouths that speak meaningless things, who have said, “We’ll win with our mouths; nothing but our own words rule over us! “
[5-8] Yahweh says, “Now I’ll awake, because of the poor who are kept down and the sighing of the needy, and I’ll make them safe from those that take advantage of them.” The Words of Yahweh are good words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth that has been purified seven times. You’ll keep Your Word, oh Yahweh; You’ll save them from this evil generation forever. When evil people are in power, the evil ones are everywhere.
13[1-2] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Will You forget me forever, oh Yahweh? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long will I counsel myself, my heart sorrowing daily? How long will my enemies have power over me?
[3-6] Listen to me and think about me, oh Yahweh, my God; lift up Me, before I die, or my enemy might say, “I’ve won against you;” And those that abuse me celebrate when I’m gone. But I’ve trusted in Your mercy; and my heart will celebrate in Your saving grace. I’ll sing praises to Yahweh, because You’ve been gracious to me.
14[1-3] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Stupid people have said in their heart, “There is no God.” They’re evil, and have done horrible things; none of them does any good. Yahweh looks down from heaven on humanity, to see if anyone understands, and searches for God. They’ve all turned away, and are all together filthy. No one does any good; no, not even one.
[4-7] Are all those who keep on sinning stupid, who consume my people like eating a piece of bread, and never call on Yahweh? They’re in great fear; for they know God only stays with godly people. The sinful shamefully disgrace all the plans of the poor, but Yahweh is their safe haven. Oh that the saving grace of Israel would come out of Jerusalem! When You, oh Yahweh, bring freedom back to Your people, they’ll all be glad and celebrate.
15[1-5] A Hymn of David. Yahweh, who will grace Your Place of Worship? Who will stay on Your holy hill? Those that are faultless, acting well, and who have honest hearts; Those that don’t backstab, nor act badly toward others, nor accuse others falsely; and in whose eyes evil persons are judged as evil; but those that respect Yahweh are respected; Those that keep their promises without changing their minds, even when it hurts them; Those that lend out their money without charging interest, and don’t take bribes against the innocent; Those that do these kinds of things will never be overcome.
16[1-4] A Poem of David. Keep me safe, oh God; for I place all my trust in You. Oh my soul, you’ve said to Yahweh, “You are my God; my goodness is nothing without You; But all my happiness is in the worthy ones, the saintly people, who are here on earth.” Those who worship other things will have much sorrow; I’ll never taste what they offer, nor speak their names with my mouth.
[5-11] Yahweh is my inheritance and my reward; You always keep what I’ve earned safe. The boundary lines are set for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a very good heritage. I’ll bless Yahweh, who talks to my heart all night long. I keep Yahweh always before me; God is at my side, so I won’t be overcome. So my heart is glad and my soul celebrates; my body will rest in hope also; for You won’t leave My soul in Hell; nor will You let Your Holy One decay. You’ll show me the path of life; in Your presence is complete happiness; at Your side is everlasting pleasure.
17[1-5] A Prayer of David. Listen, oh Yahweh, pay attention to the goodness of my cry, hear my prayer, words that aren’t made in untruthfulness. Let me be judged in Your presence; let Your eyes see that things are fair. You’ve proved my heart; You’ve visited me in my dreams; You’ve tried me, and have found nothing; I’ve settled in my heart that my mouth won’t sin. By Your Word, I’ve kept myself from the ways of the devil, as I thought about the words of other people. Keep me going in Your ways, so that my footsteps are sure.
[6-12] I’ve called on You, because I know You’ll listen to me, God; so listen to me, and hear my prayer. Show Your awesome loving kindness, God, who saves by Your strong hand those who put their trust in You, from all those that come against them. Let me be favored in Your sight and hide me in the shadow of Your Spirit, from the sinful who keep me down and from the deadly enemies that surround me. They speak proudly with their stubborn hearts. They’ve overcome me in my steps; crouching low; like young lions greedy for prey, and as if they were stalking in hidden places.
[13-15] Awake, oh Yahweh, disappoint them and overthrow them; save my soul from the sinful by Your judgment, from people which are in Your power, oh Yahweh, from the people of the world which have their portion in this life and whose belly You’ve filled with good things, who having many children, leave the rest of their inheritance to their grandchildren. As for me, I’ll see Your face because I’ve done what’s right, and I’ll be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.
18[1-3] To the first musician, A Hymn of David, the child of God, that spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that God saved him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, who said, “I love You, oh Yahweh, my strength.” Yahweh, You are my rock to stand on, and my refuge which surrounds me, and my deliverer from my enemies; my God, my strength, in whom I trust; my belt that protects me, the horn I blow to save me, and my safe haven. I’ll call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; so I’ll be saved from my enemies.
[4-15] The sorrows of death overtook me, and the rush of ungodly people made me scared. The sorrows of Hell overtook me; the traps of death captured me. In my trouble I called on Yahweh, and cried out to my God, who heard my voice out of the Place of Worship, and listened to my prayer. Then the earth quaked; the foundations of the hills were opened and shaken, because God was angry. Then God exhaled smoke and fire, in which the flames burned everything started by them. God opened the heavens, coming down with dark smoke underneath, riding on a heavenly thing, and flying on the wind, making darkness the hiding place of God, with a cloak of dark waters and the thick clouds of the skies all around. But the brightness that surrounded God was followed by the thick clouds that passed, with hail stones and flashes of lightning. The noise of Yahweh rumbled in the heavens, and then the voice of the Most High God spoke through the hail stones and flashes of light. Yes, God sent out bolts of electricity, scattering the enemies, shooting out like flashes of lightning, and destroyed them. Then the outlets of water were seen, and the heart of the earth was uncovered at Your Word, oh Yahweh, from the release of Your exhaust.
[16-24] God sent from above, taking hold of me, and drawing me up out of much water, delivering me from my strong enemies, and from those who hated me, which were too strong for me, and who had shamed me in the day of my misfortune, but You, oh Yahweh, were my stay. You brought me out into a large place and saved me, because You delighted in me. Yahweh, You rewarded me according to my goodness; according to the cleanness of my heart You’ve repaid me, because I’ve kept the ways of Yahweh, and haven’t done evil by not worshiping my God. For all Your Words were with me, and I didn’t put any of them away from me. I was also good before You, and I kept myself from my sin. So You, oh Yahweh, have repaid me according to my goodness, according to the cleanness of my heart in Your eyes.
[25-30] With the merciful, You show Yourself to be merciful; with those who do what’s right You show Yourself to be perfectly good; With the blameless You show Yourself to be blameless; and with those who won’t change their ways You’ll show Yourself to be unmercifully just. For You save the people who are abused; and bring down those who think they’re better than others. You burn like a candle in my soul; Yahweh, my God, brightens my darkness. For by You I’ve run through many enemies; and by my God I’ve jumped over many barriers. The way of God is perfect; the Words of Yahweh have been tried; You are a covering to all those that trust in You.
[31-40] For who is God but Yahweh? or who can be a rock but our God? God provides me with strength, and makes my way perfect. Yahweh makes my feet like a deer’s hoofs, and keeps me safe on my mountaintops. God teaches my hands to fight, so that my arms are strengthened. You’ve also covered me with Your saving grace, Your hand holds me up, and You come to my aid to make me great. You’ve multiplied my steps under me, so that my feet have never slipped. I’ve chased my enemies, and overtaken them and I didn’t turn back until they were all gone. I’ve wounded those that weren’t able to rise, who were fallen under my feet. For You’ve provided me with the strength for all my struggles; You’ve put down those that came against me. You’ve also given me the rulers of my enemies; that I might destroy those that hate me.
[41-45] They cried, but there was none to save them; they even cried to Yahweh, but You didn’t answer them. Then I beat them as small as the dust before the wind and I threw them out as dust in the street. You’ve saved me from the great anger of those people; and You’ve given me control over them; a people that I never would have thought would have to answer to me. As soon as they hear of me, they obey my orders; the ungodly obey me. The ungodly will lose heart, and be scared out of their hiding places.
[46-50] Yahweh lives; my rock is blessed; let praise come only to the God who saves me. It’s God that takes revenge for me, and disciplines the people under me. You free me from those of my enemies who keep me down; yes, You lift me up above those that come against me; You’ve taken me away from violent people. So I’ll give thanks to You, oh Yahweh, among the people, and we’ll sing praises to Your Name. You give great freedom and mercy to Your chosen ruler, David, and to his descendants forever.
19[1-6] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. The heavens show the wonder of God; and the environment reveals all Your creations. Daily, its story is told, and nightly it shows all its wonderful knowledge. There’s no dialect or language, where it can’t be understood. Its announcement goes out through the whole world and calls out to the end of the world. You’ve set in it a covering for the light, which is as a bridegroom coming out of the wedding room, and celebrates as a champion running a race, going from one end of heaven to the other, its course all the way to the end of the sky, and nothing is untouched by its rays.
[7-10] The Word of Yahweh God is perfect, changing the soul; the laws of Yahweh are sure, making the immature wise. The judgments of Yahweh are right, celebrating the heart; the Word of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The respect of Yahweh is holy, and lasts forever; the judgments of Yahweh are completely true and good. They’re to be wanted more than gold, yes, more than much fine gold; They’re sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
[11-14] In the same way, your children are warned by them, and there’s great reward in the keeping them. Who can understand their own errors? Cleanse me from my unknown faults. Keep me from the sins that I keep on doing also; don’t let them have power over me; then I’ll be good, and I’ll be innocent from great sins. Let the words of my mouth, and the prayers of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, oh Yahweh, my strength, and my Savior.
20[1-5] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Let Yahweh hear you in the day of trouble; Let the Name of God defend you; sending you help from the Place of Worship, and strengthening you out of Jerusalem; and remember all your offerings, fully accepting your holy sacrifices; Selah! May Yahweh give you the hopes of your heart, and perfect all your plans. We’ll celebrate when you’re saved, and set up our signs in the Name of our God; May Yahweh God give you everything you ask.
[6-9] Now I know that You save Your chosen ones and will answer from the holy heavens with a strong hand of lifesaving strength. Some trust in armored vehicles, and some in fast transportation, but we’ll trust in the Name of Yahweh, our God. They’re fallen down, but we’re raised up; and we’ll stand strong in goodness. Give victory, oh Yahweh, may You hear us when we call.
21[1-7] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. I’ll celebrate in Your strength, oh Yahweh; how greatly I’ll celebrate when You save me! You’ve given me the very thing my heart wanted, and haven’t withheld any of my requests. Selah! For You amaze me with blessings of goodness; You set a golden crown on my head. I asked life of You, and You gave it to me, even everlasting life. My name is made great in how You saved me; You’ve given me respect and fame. You’ve made me very happy forever; You’ve made me very glad with Your look of kindness. For I trust in Yahweh, and through the mercy of the Most High God, I won’t be overcome.
[8-17] Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your strong hand will find all those that hate You. You’ll make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; Yahweh, You’ll overcome them with Your anger, and the fire will burn them up. You’ll destroy their children from the earth, and their grandchildren from among humanity. For they intended evil against You; they made mischievous plans, which they weren’t able to do, so You’ll make them turn back, when You prepare Your weapons against them. May You be made well known, oh Yahweh, for Your strong power; so we’ll sing and praise Your victory.
22[1-5] To the first musician, to the tune of The Doe of the Dawn, A Hymn of David. My God, My God, why have You left Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the sound of My voice? Oh My God, I cry in the daytime, but You don’t hear; and in the night and I’m still not silent. But You are holy, the One who lives in the praises of Your people. Our parents trusted in You; they trusted, and You saved them. They cried to You, and were set free; they trusted in You, and were never confused.
[6-10] But I’m a spineless creature, and no human being; blamed and hated by these people. All those that see Me laugh at me; sticking out their lips, shaking their heads saying, “You trusted on Yahweh, thinking that God would save You; let Yahweh save You, seeing God is pleased with You.” But You are the One who took Me out of the womb; You made Me hope when I nursed on My mother’s breasts. I was dedicated to You from the womb; You are My God from My conception.
[11-21] Don’t be far from Me; for trouble is near; and there’s no one to help. Many strong ones have overtaken Me; and they’ve surrounded Me. Their mouths spread wide at Me, as ravenous, roaring lions. I’m poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax, melted in the middle of My bowels. My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery; and My mouth clings to My jaws; and You’ve brought Me into the dust of death. For these dogs have overtaken Me; the assembly of the sinful has surrounded Me; they pierced My hands and My feet. I can see all My bones as they look and stare at Me. They divided My clothes among them, and placed bets on My coat. But don’t be far from Me, oh Yahweh; oh My strength, help Me quickly. Deliver My soul from the blade; My very life from the power of these sinners. Save Me from these lion’s mouths; for You’ve heard Me cry out from the power of these monstrous wild animals.
[22-31] I’ll tell Your Name to My people; I’ll praise You in the congregation. You who respect Yahweh, all you children of God, praise, worship, and respect God. Yahweh, You haven’t hated them, nor hated the troubles of those who are abused; nor have You turned Your face away from them; but when they cried to You, You heard. So I’ll praise You in the great congregation; I’ll keep My promises before those that respect You. Those who don’t think too much of themselves will eat and be satisfied; those that look for Yahweh will praise God and their spirit will live forever. Everyone in the world will remember and turn to Yahweh, and all the people of the nations will worship before You. The ends of the earth are Yahweh’s, and God rules among all the nations. All those that are living on the earth will eat and worship; all those who are buried in the earth will bow before You, no one keeping their own soul alive. The children of generations yet to come will minister to You and be counted as children of God. They’ll come and speak of Your goodness to a people that’s still to be born in the future, saying that You alone have done all this.
23[1-4] A Hymn of David. Yahweh, You are my life saver, so I need nothing else. I rest in a peaceful land, for You bring me to calm and refreshing waters. You revive my soul, leading me in the right direction for Your Name’s sake. Yes, even if I walk through the deepest valley, in the darkest shadows, even to the brink of death, I won’t be scared of anything; for You always walk with me, leading, defending, and comforting me. You keep me safe in the sight of all my enemies, anointing me with Your Spirit as with oil; helping me until my blessings overflow. Your grace and mercy will certainly chase after me for the rest of my life, and I’ll stay in Your presence, oh Yahweh, forever.
24[1-5] A Hymn of David. The earth and everything it’s filled with is Yahweh’s; the whole world, and all those that live in it. For God has founded it on the seas, and settled it on the ocean floor. Who will climb the hill of Yahweh? Or who will stand in the Place of Worship? The One who has clean hands, and an innocent heart; that hasn’t been proud, or made lying promises. The One who will receive the blessing from Yahweh, and goodness from the God who saves.
[6-10] This is the generation of those that look for the Savior, that look for Your face, oh Jacob. Selah! Open the gates; open up the doors of eternity; and the wonderful Savior will come in. Who is this wonderful Savior? Yahweh, strong and powerful; Yahweh, victorious in crusades. Open the gates; open up the doors of eternity; and the wonderful Savior will come in. Who is this wonderful Savior? Yahweh, the God of All Creation, is the wonderful Savior. Selah!
25[1-5] A Hymn of David. Oh Yahweh, I lift up my soul to You. Oh my God, I trust in You; Don’t let me be ashamed, don’t let my enemies triumph over me. Yes, let none that pray to You be ashamed; only let those who are immoral and without excuse be ashamed. Show me Your paths, oh Yahweh; teach me Your ways. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for You are the God who saves me; I pray to You all day long.
[6-10] Remember, oh Yahweh, Your tender mercies and Your love; which are everlasting. Don’t remember the sins of my childhood, nor my rebellions; according to Your mercy, remember me for Your goodness’ sake, oh Yahweh. Yahweh, You are the Good and Perfect One, who teaches the sinful Your way. You guide those who don’t think too much of themselves in their good judgments, and teach them the way of godliness. All the ways of Yahweh are mercy and truth to those that keep the words of Your promises.
[11-16] For Your Name’s sake, oh Yahweh, forgive my sins; for they’re too many to count. Who are those that respect Yahweh? Yahweh, You’ll teach them in the way You choose. Their souls will do well; and their children will be given ownership of the land. Yahweh, Your secrets are with those that respect You, who makes known to them the truths of the Promise. Me are forever looking toward Yahweh; for You’ll bring me out of trouble. Turn to me, and have mercy on me; for I’m lonely and abused.
[17-22] The troubles of my heart are many; oh Yahweh, bring me out of my troubles. See all my suffering and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Think about my many enemies; who hate me with a cruel hatred. Oh keep my soul, and save me; Don’t let me be ashamed; for I put my trust in You. Let my goodness and my honesty save me; for I serve You. Redeem Your people, oh God, out of all their troubles.
26[1-7] A Hymn of David. Judge me, oh Yahweh; for I’ve done what was right; I’ve trusted in You so I won’t slip up. Watch me, oh Yahweh, and prove me; test my mind and my heart. For I see Your everlasting love, and I walk in Your truth. I haven’t sat with people who think they’re better than others, nor do I go with lying ones. I hate the gatherings of evildoers; and I won’t sit with unchanged sinners. I’ll wash my hands in innocence, so I may come to Your altar, oh Yahweh; So that I can publish with a voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all the wonderful things You’ve done.
[8-12] Yahweh, I’ve loved the environment of Your Place of Worship, and the place where You are made known. Don’t take my soul with the sinful, or my life with bloodthirsty people, whose hands are full of trouble and bribery. As for me, I’ll do what’s right, so save me and be merciful to me. My feet stand in a holy place; I’ll bless Yahweh God in the congregation of the people.
27[1-5] A Hymn of David. Yahweh is my light and the One who saves me; so who should I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life; so of what should I am scared? When the sinful, yes, my enemies and those who come against me, came to attack my body, they stumbled and fell. Though many come against me, my heart won’t fear; though disputes rise against me, in this I’ll be confident; I’ve wanted of Yahweh one thing and that I’ll look for; that I can come into the Place of Worship every day of my life, to ask for, and to see the loveliness of Yahweh God in the Place of Worship. For in the time of trouble You’ll hide me in Your shelter; in the safe haven of Your Place of Worship, You’ll hide me and set me up on a rock.
[6-11] And when I’m lifted up above my enemies who surround me, I’ll offer in Your Place of Worship, offerings of happiness; I’ll sing, yes, I’ll sing praises to Yahweh. Listen, oh Yahweh, when I cry aloud; have mercy also on me, and answer me. When You said, “Look for my face;” my heart said to You, “Your face, oh Yahweh, I’ll look for.” Don’t hide Your face far from me; Don’t put the one who worship’s You away in anger; You’ve been my help; Don’t leave me, or give up on me, oh God, for You are the One who saves me. When my parents give up on me, then Yahweh will take me up. Teach me Your way, oh Yahweh, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.
[12-14] Don’t hand me over to the will of my enemies; for false witnesses have risen up against me, along with those who speak cruelly of me. I’d have given up, if I hadn’t believed I’d see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living. Have courage and wait on Yahweh, and God will strengthen your heart. So wait, I say, on Yahweh.
28[1-5] A Hymn of David. Oh Yahweh, my rock, I’ll cry to You; Don’t be silent to me, because if You are, I’ll be just like those that are buried in a grave. Listen to the sound of my prayer when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands in Your holy Place of Worship. Don’t lead me away with the sinful, who speak peacefully to others, yet with lies and trouble waiting in their hearts. Punish them for what they’ve done, according to all the evil things they’ve done; reward them for their actions; give them just what they deserve. They don’t respect what You’ve done or the creations of Your hands, Yahweh, so destroy them forever.
[6-9] Yahweh, may You be blessed, because You’ve heard the sound of my prayer. Yahweh is my strength and my defense; my heart trusted in You, and I’m helped. So my heart greatly celebrates; and I’ll praise You with my song. Yahweh, You are the strength of Your people, and the saving strength of Your chosen. Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; provide for them and uphold them forever.
29[1-5] A Hymn of David. Give to Yahweh, You, who are strong, give to Yahweh, the praise of your strength. Give to Yahweh the praise due to the Name of God; worship Yahweh in the loveliness of holiness. The voice of Yahweh is heard across the oceans; the God of glory rumbles, echoing over the seas. The voice of Yahweh is strong and powerful. The voice of Yahweh snaps the cedars in half; yes, Yahweh snaps the cedars of Lebanon completely in half.
[6-11] Yahweh makes the volcanoes erupt. The voice of Yahweh spews fiery flames. The voice of Yahweh shakes the desert; the countryside rumbles. The voice of Yahweh makes the doe to have her young, and the forests to drop their leaves, and everybody tells of the beauty of God in the Place of Worship. Yahweh rules over the waves of the sea; yes, oh Yahweh sits a Savior forever. Yahweh, You give strength to Your people; Yahweh, You bless Your people with peace.
30[1-6] A Hymn sung at the dedication of the family of David. I’ll worship You, oh Yahweh; for You’ve held me up, and haven’t allowed my enemies to celebrate over me. Oh Yahweh my God, I cried to You, and You’ve healed me. Oh Yahweh, You’ve raised up my soul from death; You’ve kept me alive, that I wouldn’t be buried in the grave. Sing to Yahweh, You people of God, and give thanks when you remember the holiness of God. For God’s anger lasts only a little while; but in God’s grace is life; tears may last through the night, but happiness comes with the new dawn. When I did well, I said, “I’ll never be overcome.
[7-12] Yahweh, by Your grace You’ve made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried to You and prayed, oh Yahweh; What good is there in my death, when I die? Shall the dust praise You? Will it tell Your truth? Listen, oh Yahweh, and have mercy on my soul; Yahweh, help me. You’ve turned my sadness into dancing; You’ve taken my mourning clothes from me, and strengthened me with gladness; to the end that I can sing praise to You when I’m made known, and I won’t be silent. Oh Yahweh, my God, I’ll give thanks to You forever.
31[1-5] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. In You, oh Yahweh, I place my trust; let me never be ashamed; save me in Your goodness. Listen to me; save me quickly; be my rock, a safe haven to defend me. For You are my rock and my stronghold; so for Your Name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the trap that’s been secretly set for me; for You are my strength. I place My spirit into Your hands; You’ve bought Me back, oh Yahweh, God of truth.
[6-10] I’ve hated those that listen to empty lies, but I trust in Yahweh. I’ll be glad and celebrate in Your mercy; for You’ve thought about my trouble; You’ve known my soul in hard times and haven’t let me be caught by the hand of the enemy; You’ve let me go free. Have mercy on me, oh Yahweh, for I’m in trouble; Me are burning with grief, yes, my soul and my body. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails me because of my sin, and my body is destroyed.
[11-14] I was accused by my enemies, but especially by my neighbors, and all my acquaintances were scared of me; those that saw me outside fled from me. I’m forgotten as a dead person out of mind; I’m like a broken jar. I’ve heard the lies of many, fear being everywhere, while they all made their plans together against me, and planned how to take my life. But I trusted in You, oh Yahweh; I said, “You are my God.”
[15-20] My time is in Your hand; save me from the hand of my enemies, and from those that abuse me. Make Your face to shine on me; save me for Your mercies’ sake. Don’t let me be ashamed, oh Yahweh; for I’ve called on You; let the sinful be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let lying words be silenced; which proudly and critically speak terrible things against godly people. Oh how great are Your mercies, which You’ve laid up for those who respect You; which You’ve created for those people that trust in You! You’ll hide them in the shadow of Your Spirit from those who think they’re better than others, secretly keeping them in a safe haven from the troubles of evil words.
[21-24] May Yahweh be blessed; for You’ve shown me Your awesome kindness when I was attacked in my city. For I said in my haste, I’m hidden from Your eyes; Yet You heard the voice of my prayer when I cried to You. Oh love Yahweh, people of God; for Yahweh saves the faithful, and more than repays those who think they’re better than others. Have good courage, and God will strengthen Your heart, all You that hope in Yahweh.
32[1-5] A Hymn of David, A Poem of Teaching. Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Happy are the people to whom Yahweh doesn’t accuse of sin, and in whose spirit there’s no lies. When I kept silent, my body grew old through my loud crying all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my sweat turned into the drought of summer. Selah! I acknowledged my sin to You, my sin I haven’t hid. I said, “I’ll confess my sins to Yahweh;” And You forgave the wrongs of my sin. Selah!
[6-11] For this, everyone that’s godly should pray to You while You can still be found; surely when the flood waters of the ocean waves rises; it won’t Come close to them. You are my hiding place; You’ll save me from trouble; You’ll surround me with songs of Your saving grace. Selah! Yahweh says, “I’ll train You and teach You in the way which You should go; I’ll guide You with my watchful eye.” So don’t be like a horse or a mule, having no understanding, whose mouth must be harnessed with the bit and bridle, for anyone to come near you. The sinful will have many sorrows, but those that trust in Yahweh, will have mercy encamp around them. Be glad in Yahweh, and celebrate, you who are good, and shout for happiness, all you goodhearted people.
33[1-5] Celebrate in Yahweh, good people; for praises are pleasant for godly people. Praise Yahweh with the harp; sing to God with the violin and all the stringed instruments. Sing to Yahweh a new song, playing skillfully and loudly. For the Words of Yahweh are right; and all the acts of God are done in truth. God loves goodness and good judgment; the earth is full of the goodness of Yahweh.
[6-9] By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made, and everything in them by the breath of God. God set the boundaries of the seas and the oceans in their places. Let the whole world respect Yahweh; let all the people of the world stand in awe of You. For You spoke and it was done; You said it, and it stood fast.
[10-15] Yahweh brings the advice of the ungodly to naught, making their plans come to nothing. The counsel of Yahweh stands forever, the thoughts of God’s heart to all generations. Happy are the nations whose God is Yahweh, and the people that God has chosen for an inheritance. Yahweh looks from heaven and watches all humanity. From the heavens You look on all the people of the earth. You make their hearts alike and think about all their acts.
[16-22] There’s no ruler that’s saved by the greatness of an army, neither is a strong person saved by great strength. It’s an arrogant thing to depend on fast transportation for safety; and none will be saved by their great strength. See, the eyes of Yahweh are on those that respect God, on those that hope in God’s mercy to save their soul from death, and to keep them alive when there’s a lack of food. Our souls wait for Yahweh; You are our help and our defense. For our hearts will celebrate in You, because we’ve trusted in Your holy Name. Let Your mercy, oh Yahweh, be on us, according to our hope in You.
34[1-7] A Hymn of David, when God changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away when he left. I’ll bless Yahweh at all times; I’ll always sing Your praises. My soul will brag in Yahweh; those who don’t think too much of themselves will be glad when they hear it. Oh praise Yahweh with me, and let’s make God’s Name known together. I searched for You, oh Yahweh, and You heard me, and saved me from all my fears. Our hoping faces looked to God, and we weren’t ashamed. The poor people cried, and Yahweh heard them, and saved them out of all their troubles. The angel of Yahweh encamps around those that respect God, and saves them.
[8-14] Experience God and see that Yahweh is good; blessed are the people that trust in God. Respect Yahweh, people of God; for there’s no lack to those that give their respect to God. Even young lions may lack, and suffer hunger, but those that look for Yahweh won’t lack any good thing. Come, children, and listen to me; I’ll teach you the respect of Yahweh. Who are those that want life, and want many days, so that they can see good times? Keep your mouth from evil, and your words from speaking lies. Stop doing evil, do good things, and keep looking for peace.
[15-22] Yahweh watches over godly people and listens to their cry. Yahweh is against those that do evil, in order to remove any memory of them from the earth. Godly people cry, and Yahweh hears, and saves them out of all their troubles. Yahweh comes near to those that have broken hearts; and saves those that have changed spirits. Many are the troubles of godly people, but Yahweh saves them from them all. You keep safe all the bones of My body; none of them are broken. Evil will kill the sinful, and those that hate godly people will be separated from them. Yahweh saves the souls of the people of God, and none of those that trust in You will be lost.
35[1-9] A Hymn of David. Plead my case, oh Yahweh, with those that dispute with me; fight against those that attack me. Take hold of Your weapons, and stand up for my help. Draw them out, and block the way of those that abuse me; say to my soul, “I’ll save you.” Let them be confused and put to shame, all those that want my soul; make those that try to hurt me turn back and be brought to confusion. Let them be as trash in the wind, and let the avenging angel of Yahweh chase them. Let their way be dark and dangerous, and let the angel of Yahweh punish them. They’ve hid a trap for me in a grave for no reason, which they’ve dug for my soul without cause. Let destruction come on them unexpectedly; and let the trap that they’ve hid catch them; into that very destruction let them fall. And my soul will be happy in Yahweh; I’ll celebrate when You save me.
[10-16] My very soul will say, oh Yahweh, who is like You, who saves the poor from those who are too strong for them, yes, the poor and the needy from those that would ruin them? False witnesses rose up and accused me of things that I had nothing to do with. They rewarded me evil for good to the ruin of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, I mourned and brought low my soul with fasting; and when my prayers came back unanswered, I behaved myself as though they had been my best friend or family; I grieved, as those that mourn for their own parents. But in my trouble they celebrated, and gathered themselves together; yes, these abusive people gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it; they come at me to no end; Like hypocritical troublemakers at a feast, they grit their teeth at me.
[17-22] My God, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my very life from these wild animals. I’ll give You thanks in the great congregations; I’ll praise You among many people. Don’t let those that are my enemies wrongfully celebrate over me; or let them, who hate me with no reason wink their eye. They don’t speak peace, but make lying plans against the peaceful people in this land. Yes, they openly accused me, saying, “Aha, aha, we saw it. You’ve seen this, Yahweh, so don’t keep silent; oh God, don’t be far from me.
[23-28] Awake Yourself, awake to judge my case, my God, my Savior. Judge me, oh Yahweh my God, according to Your goodness; and don’t let them celebrate over me. Don’t let them say in their hearts, “Yes, this is exactly what we wanted:” Don’t let them say, “We’ve put you in your place.” Let those that celebrate my hurt be ashamed and brought together in confusion; let those who make themselves great against me be decorated with shame and disrespect. Let those who favor my good cause shout for happiness, and be glad; yes, let those who are pleased with the well-being of God’s worker, say always, “Let Yahweh be praised;” And my mouth will speak of Your goodness and of Your praise always.
36[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn of David, the worker of Yahweh. I say in my heart, concerning the evil of sinners, who have no respect for God in their eyes; “They flatter themselves in their own eyes, until people find out how disgusting their sin is. The words of their mouth are full of sin and lies; they’ve stopped trying to be wise, or to do anything good. They plan trouble on their bed, setting themselves up in ways that aren’t good; not hating evil.”
[5-9] Your mercy, oh Yahweh, is stretched out like the heavens; and Your faithfulness is as far reaching as the clouds. Your goodness is as high as the great mountains; Your judgments are as deep as the oceans; oh Yahweh, You save both people and wild animals. How excellent is Your love, oh God! So humanity put their trust in the shadow of Your Spirit. They’re greatly filled with the goodness of Your Place of Worship; and You’ll give them drink from the river of Your happiness. You are the fountain of life; for it’s by Your light that we see.
[10-12] Oh continue to love those that know You; and give Your goodness to goodhearted people. Don’t let the prideful come against me, and don’t let the sinful overcome me. See there, those who practice sin have fallen down; and when they’re down, they won’t be able to get up again.
37[1-7] A Hymn of David. Don’t worry because of evildoers, or be jealous of those who practice sin, for they’ll soon be cut down like the grass, and withered as a dry herb. Trust in Yahweh, and do good things; so that you’ll stay in the land and not be hungry. Celebrate also in Yahweh; and God will give you everything your heart wants. Give your plans to Yahweh; trusting in God; and God will bring it to pass, and bring forward your goodness and your judgment as the light of midday. Rest in Yahweh, waiting patiently; Don’t worry about those who do well in their sinful ways, bringing sinful plans to pass.
[8-15] Don’t be angry, and stop your ranting and raving; Don’t allow yourself to do evil in any way. For evildoers will be moved out of their place, but those that pray to Yahweh, will be given ownership of the land. Just a little while longer, and the sinful won’t exist; yes, you’ll carefully think about their place, and it won’t exist. But those who don’t think too much of themselves will be given ownership of the land; and will enjoy themselves in great peace. The sinful plot against good people, and grit their teeth at them. My God will laugh at them; for God sees that their day is coming. The sinful have drawn out blades, and have weapons ready, to keep down the poor and needy, and to destroy those who act well. Their blade will enter into their own heart, and their weapons will be broken.
[16-22] The little that a good person has is better than the riches of many sinful people. The sinful will lose their control, but Yahweh upholds godly people. Yahweh knows the days of godly people, and they’ll keep the land forever. They won’t be ashamed in evil times, and in the days of need They’ll be satisfied. But the sinful will die, and the enemies of Yahweh will be as a burning field; They’ll be smothered by smoke, and die out. The sinful borrows, and doesn’t pay it back, but godly people show mercy, and give. For those who are blessed will be given ownership of the land; and those that are punished will be moved out of it.
[23-28] The steps of godly people are ordered by Yahweh, who is pleased with their way. Though they fall, they won’t be all together disheartened; for You, oh Yahweh uphold them with Your strong hand. I’ve been young, and now I’m old; yet I haven’t seen godly people given up on, or their children begging for food. They’re always merciful, and lend to those in need; and their children are happy. Stop doing evil things, and do good things; and live forever, for Yahweh loves good judgment, and doesn’t give up on the people of God; they’re saved forever, but the children of the sinful will be moved out of their place.
[29-34] Godly people will be given ownership of the land, and stay in it forever. The mouth of godly people speaks wisdom, and their words have good judgment. The Word of God is in their heart; so none of their steps will slip. The sinful watch godly people, and try to destroy them, but Yahweh won’t leave them in their hand, nor let them be found guilty when they’re judged. Wait on Yahweh, and keep your way, and God will uplift you to be given ownership of the land when the sinful are moved out of their place; Wait, you’ll see it.
[35-40] I’ve seen the sinful in great power, and spreading themselves like an evergreen tree. Yet they passed away, and weren’t there anymore; yes, I searched for them, but they couldn’t be found. Mark the godly, and watch them; for those people will end with a peaceful life. The sinful will be destroyed together in the end; they’ll be completely moved out of their place. But the saving grace of godly people is of Yahweh; You are their strength in the time of trouble. Yahweh, You’ll help them and save them; You’ll save them from the sinful, and free them, because they trust in You.
38[1-7] A Hymn of David, to bring to remembrance. Oh Yahweh, don’t warn me in Your anger or discipline me in Your great anger. For You pierce my soul and Your hand puts great pressure on me. There’s no wellness in my body because of Your anger; nor is there any rest in my body because of my sin. For my sins are over my head; as a heavy load, they’re too heavy for me. My wounds have a stench and are rotten because of my stupidity. I’m troubled; I’m ashamed of myself; I go about mourning all day long. For my insides are filled with a horrible disease, and there’s no health in my body.
[8-12] I’m very tired and broken; I moan because of the bitterness of my heart. My God, I’ve asked for everything I need from You; and my complaints aren’t hidden from You. My heart pants, my strength fails me, and the light of Me is gone from me. My lovers and my friends stand away from me; and my family stand far away, as well. Those who want to end my life set traps for me, and those that try to hurt me speak mischievous things, while planning their lies all day long.
[13-22] But I, as a deaf person, didn’t hear; and I was as a dumb person that doesn’t speak. So I was as those that don’t listen, and in whose mouth is no shame. For I hope in You, oh Yahweh; You’ll Listen, oh Yahweh, my God. For I said, “Listen to me, or they’ll celebrate over me; whenever my foot slips, they’ll come against me. For I’m ready to break, and my sorrows are always before me. So, I’ll tell of my sin; I’ll be sorry for my sin.” But my enemies are lively and strong, and those that hate me wrongfully are many. They that give back evil for good are also my enemies; because I follow the things that are good. Don’t leave me, Yahweh; oh my God, don’t be far from me. Help me quickly, oh my God, my saving grace.
39[1-5] To the first musician, a laudatory, A Hymn of David. I said, “I’ll be careful of my ways that I don’t sin with my mouth; I’ll keep my mouth as if it was harnessed with a bridle, while the sinful are around me.” I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from speaking good things; and my sorrow troubled me. My heart was hot within me, and while I was thinking, I burned with great anger and then spoke, “Yahweh, make me to know my end, and the length of my days, whatever it is; so that I can know how frail I am. See, You’ve made my days short; and my age is as nothing before You; everybody at their best state is altogether dying.” Selah!
[6-11] Surely everybody walks around proudly showing off, uselessly storing up worldly goods, not knowing who will get them. And now, my God, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Save me from all my sins; don’t make me the blame of stupid people. I was dumb, and didn’t open my mouth; because it was You who did it. Remove this punishment from me, for I’m destroyed by the blow of Your hand. You make beauty grow old and disappear like a moth eaten piece of clothing, when with a warning, You correct people for sin, and surely everybody is worthless. Selah!
[12-13] Listen to my prayer, oh Yahweh, and hear my cry; don’t hold Your peace at my tears; for I’m like a stranger with You, and a wanderer, as all my ancestors were. Oh spare me, so that I can recover my strength, before I die, and live no more.
40[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. I waited patiently for You, oh Yahweh; and You listened to me, and heard my cry. You brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, and settled my way. You’ve put a new song in my mouth, even praises to my God; many will see it, and be warned, and will trust in Yahweh. Happy are the people who make Yahweh their trust, and don’t favor those who think they’re better than others, nor those who turn away to lies.
[5-10] Oh Yahweh, my God, many are the wonderful acts which You’ve done, and Your thoughts which are toward us can’t be recalled in order to You; for if I tried to tell them all, they’re more than I can count. You didn’t want sacrifice and offerings; You’ve opened my ears; sacrifice and offerings You never required. Then I said, “See, I come; in the volume of the book it’s written of me, I enjoy doing Your will, oh my God; yes, Your Words are within my heart. I’ve preached goodness in the great congregation, not holding back my words, oh Yahweh, for You know it. I haven’t hid Your goodness in my heart; I’ve told of Your faithfulness and Your saving grace; I haven’t hidden Your love and Your truth from the great congregation.
[11-17] Don’t withhold Your tender mercies from me, oh Yahweh; let Your love and Your truth always save me. More evils than I can count have overtaken me, my sins have taken hold of me so that I’m not able to look up; They’re more than the hairs of my head, so my heart fails me. Be pleased, oh Yahweh, to save me; oh Yahweh, hurry to help me. Let those who look for my soul to destroy it be ashamed and confused; let those that wish evil on me be driven back and put to shame. Let those that say to me, “Aha, aha” be deserted for the punishment of their shame. Let all those that look for You celebrate and be glad in You; let those who love the fact that You’ve saved them say always, “Oh Yahweh, let us make You well known.” But I’m poor and needy; yet my God thinks of me. You are my help and the One who saves me; Don’t be long, my God.
41[1-3] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Happy are those that have compassion on the poor; Yahweh will save them in their time of trouble. Yahweh will save them, keeping them alive and blessing them on the earth, and won’t leave them to the will of their enemies. Yahweh will strengthen them on the bed of suffering, making up their beds in their sickness.
[4-8] I said, “oh Yahweh, be merciful to me; heal my soul; for I’ve sinned against You. My enemies speak evil of me, so when will they die and their name die out? If they come to see me, they proudly speak lies, collecting sins in their hearts, and when they go away, they tell it all. All those that hate me whisper together against me, planning to hurt me. They say that I’ve got an evil disease; and now that I’m sick, they say I won’t live much longer.
[9-13] Yes, even My own close friend that I always trusted in, which ate of My food, has come against Me. But You, oh Yahweh, be merciful to Me, and raise Me up, that I can avenge Myself of them. By this I know, that You are gracious to Me, because My enemies won’t triumph over Me. And as for Me, You uphold Me in My goodness, and set Me before Your face forever. May Yahweh be blessed, God of Israel, from eternity, to eternity. So be it.
Book 2
42[1-4] To the first musician, A Poem of Teaching, for the children of Korah. As the deer pants after the waters of a stream, so my soul craves for You, oh God. My soul thirsts for You, for the living God; when will I come and appear before You? I have nothing but tears day and night, while they always say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour my soul out within me; for I had gone in with the congregation, I went with them into Your Place of Worship, Yahweh, with the voice of happiness and praise, with all those that kept Your day of worship.
[5-11] Why are you depressed, oh my soul? And why are you troubled in me? Hope in God; for I’ll yet praise You when You look at me and help me. Oh my God, I am so depressed, yet I’ll remember You all the times You helped me on my journey. Deep water calls to the rapids at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your misty waves are washing over me. Yahweh, the law of Your love is with me in the daytime, and in the night Your song will be with me, and my prayer is to the God of my life. I’ll say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because my enemy keeps me down?” As if I had a blade in my body, my enemies accuse me, saying daily to me, “Where is your God?” Why are you depressed, oh my soul? And why are you troubled within me? Hope in God; for I’ll yet praise You, who brings me health and happiness, You are my God.
43[1-5] Judge me, oh God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; oh save me from lying and unfair people. For You are the God of my strength; why do You throw me away? Why do I mourn because my enemy keeps me down? Oh send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill, and to Your Place of Worship. Then I’ll go to the altar of God, to Yahweh God with great happiness; yes, I’ll praise You on the harp, oh Yahweh God, my God. Why are You depressed, oh my soul? And why are You troubled within me? Hope in God; for I’ll yet praise You, who brings me health and happiness, You are my God.
44[1-3] To the first musician for the children of Korah, A Poem of Teaching. We’ve heard with our ears, oh God, our parents have told us of the acts You did before in their days. How You drove out the ungodly with Your hand, and planted them; how You troubled the people, and threw them out. For they didn’t take ownership of the land by their own weapons, nor did their own strength save them, but the strong hand of Your power, and the way You looked at them and shined on them, because You had mercy on them.
[4-8] You are my Savior, oh God; give freedom to Your people. Through You, we’ll push back our enemies; through Your Name we’ll stomp those that come against us. For I won’t trust in weapons, nor will my strength save me, but You’ve saved us from our enemies, and have put them to shame that hated us. We always brag about how God saved us, and we praise Your Name forever. Selah!
[9-14] But You’ve thrown us away, and shamed us; and You no longer go with our armies. You make us run from the enemy, and those who hate us take our things for themselves. You’ve let us become like animals going for butchering; and have scattered us among the ungodly. You sell Your people for nothing, and don’t increase Your wealth by their price. You make us an object of accusation to our neighbors, a ridicule and mockery to those that are around us. You make us an example among the ungodly, a shaking of the head among the other people.
[15-19] I’m always confused, and shame covers my face, because of the voice of those that accuse and curse me; because of my enemy and abuser. All this has come on us; yet we haven’t forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely with Your Promise. Our hearts haven’t left, nor have our steps left from Your way; though You’ve greatly broken us in a land of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
[20-26] If we’ve forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to make ungodly things our objects of worship won’t You know it? For You know all the secrets of the heart. Yes, for Your sake we’re destroyed all day long, counted as animals for the slaughter. Awake, why do You sleep, oh my God? Awake, don’t throw us away forever. Why do You hide Your face, and forget our suffering and keep us down? We lay in the dust; our bellies cling to the earth. Awake for our help, and free us for Your mercies’ sake.
45[1-7] To the first musician on trumpet, for the children of Korah, A Poem of Teaching, A Wedding Song of loves. My heart is trusted with a good thing; I speak of the things which I’ve written about the Savior. My words are from the pen of a poetic writer. You are most fair among humanity and grace is poured into Your Words, so God has blessed You forever. Fasten your weapon on your thigh, oh Most High, with Your brightness and Your fame. And in Your fame, do well because of Your truth, gentleness and goodness; and Your hands will teach You awesome things. Your weapons are sharp in the heart of the Savior’s enemies; by which the people fall under You. Your reign, oh God, is forever and ever; the reign of Your realm is a good reign. You love goodness, and hate evil; so God, Your God, has chosen You with the oil of gladness above all Your people.
[8-17] All your garments smell of spices, out of the great ivory houses, by which they’ve made You glad. Your children are among Your respectable people; Your bride will stand clothed in gold at Your side. Pay attention, oh children, think about it and listen; forget your own people, and your parent’s house; For the One who is your Savior greatly wants your loveliness; so you should respect the Savior. And the people of the mountain nations will be there with gifts; even the rich among the people will beg Your favor. The people of the Savior are all wonderful inside and out; their clothing is woven with threads of pure gold. They’ll be brought to the Savior in clothing of fine needlework; their young followers will be brought to You, as well. With gladness and celebrating they’ll be brought, entering into Your great house. Your children will replace Your ancestors, so that You can have crowned heads in the whole world. I’ll make Your Name to be remembered in all generations, so the people will praise You forever and ever.
46[1-3] To the first musician for the children of Korah, A Song in soprano. God is our safe haven and strength, here to help in all our stressful times. So we won’t fear, even if the earth quakes and the islands fall into the sea; Even if the oceans roar and the waves are stirred up, even if the volcanoes explosively erupt. Selah!
[4-7] There’s a river, the streams of which will make glad the city of God, the holy place of the sanctuaries of the Most High. God is in the middle of the city, which will never be overcome; God will soon help it. The ungodly boiled with rage, when their nations were overcome; You spoke Your voice, and the earth melted. Yahweh, the God of All Creation is with us; our God is our safe haven. Selah!
[8-11] Come see the acts of Yahweh! What suffering You’ve made in the earth. You make wars to stop until the end of the earth; You break the weapons in half; You burn their vehicles in the fire, saying; Be still, and know that I am God! I’ll be praised among the ungodly; I’ll be praised in the whole world. Yahweh, the God of All Creation is with us; our God is our safe haven. Selah!
47[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn for the children of Korah. Clap your hands everybody; shout to God with the voice of triumph. For Yahweh, the Most High God is awesome; God is the great Savior over the whole world. You’ll put the people and the nations under our control. You’ll choose our inheritance for us, the greatness of the people that You’ve loved. Selah!
[5-9] You’ll go up to the throne with a shout, oh Yahweh, with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our Savior, sing praises. For God is the Savior of the whole world; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the ungodly, sitting on the throne of holiness. The rulers of the people are gathered together, even the people of God; for the boundaries of the earth belong to God, who is very well known.
48[1-3] A Song and Hymn for the children of Korah. You are great, oh Yahweh, and greatly to be praised in the holy city, and in the holy mountain. The north side of the mount of Jerusalem, the city of the great Savior is a beautiful setting, the happiness of the whole earth. God is known in their great houses as a safe haven.
[4-8] For rulers were assembled, passing by together. They saw it, wondering and troubled, and ran away. Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as a woman in childbirth. You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. As we’ve heard, so we’ve seen in the city of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, in the city of our God; God will set it up forever. Selah!
[9-14] We’ve thought of Your love, oh God, in the middle of Your Place of Worship. According to Your Name, oh Yahweh, so Your praises will ring to the ends of the earth; Your strong hands are full of goodness. Let the mount of Jerusalem celebrate; let the people of God be glad, because of Your judgments. Walk around Jerusalem, going around it, and telling about its towers. Mark well their defenses; think about their great houses, so that you can tell it to the generation which follows you. For this God is our God forever and ever; You’ll be our Guide even to our death.
49[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn for the children of Korah. Listen to this, everybody; listen, people of the world; Those of both low and high class, rich and poor, together. I’ll speak with wisdom; and my innermost thoughts will be of understanding. I’ll listen to a story; I’ll play my mysterious sayings on the harp.
[5-11] Why should I fear in the days of evil, when my sins are about to catch up with me and overcome me? Those that trust in their wealth, and brag about themselves in the greatness of their worldly goods; none of them can by any means free their own family members, nor give to God a ransom for them; For the saving of their soul is precious, and forever finished, so that they should live forever, and not see evil. For they see that wise people die, and in the same way, stupid people and the rebellious die, and leave their wealth to others. They believe that their lineage will continue forever, and that their resting places will be left for generations after them, calling their lands after their own names.
[12-14] Yet, even though people are respected, they won’t stay alive, but are like the wild animals that die. Their way is stupidity, yet their children that follow them approve of their sayings. Selah! Like animals they’re put in their graves; death will feast on them; and godly people will rule over them in the morning, their loveliness being destroyed in the home of their grave.
[15-20] But God will free My soul from the power of the grave and will take me. Selah! Don’t be scared when someone is made rich and the fame of their house increases, because when they die, they’ll carry nothing with them and their fame won’t follow them. Even though while they lived they blessed their own soul; as people will praise you when you do well for yourself, they’ll go to their ancestors never seeing the light, and though they’re respected, they don’t understand that they’re like the wild animals that die.
50[1-6] A Hymn of Asaph. The powerful God, even Yahweh, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Jerusalem, the perfection of loveliness, God has shined. Our God will come, and won’t keep silent; a fire will burn before You, and it’ll be very intense around You. You’ll call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, so that You can judge Your people. Gather My people together to Me, those that have made a Promise with Me by sacrificial offerings, and the heavens will tell of Your goodness; for You, oh God, will be judge Yourself. Selah!
[7-15] Listen, My people, and I’ll speak; I’ll testify against You, My people; “I am God, even Your God. I won’t criticize you for your offerings or your sacrifices, which were to have been placed always before Me. I’ll take no offering out of your house, nor sacrifices out of what’s yours. For all the creatures of the forest are mine, along with the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the wild animals of the fields are mine as well. If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you; for the world is mine, and everything in it. Will I eat the meat of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving; and keep your promises to the Most High; And call on Me in the day of trouble; I’ll save you, and you’ll make Me well known.”
[16-23] But to the sinful God says, “Seeing you hate teaching, and have ignored My words, what do you have to do with My words, that you should let My promise come out of your mouth? When you saw a thief, then you helped, and you’ve been with those who are sexually unfaithful, also. You give your mouth to evil, and your words create lies. You sit and speak against your family; You slander your own mother’s child. You’ve done these things, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like yourself, but I’ll correct you, and set them right before your eyes. Now think about this, you who forget God; or I’ll tear you in pieces, and there’ll be no one to save you. Whoever offers praise makes Me well known, and all those who act well, I, Yahweh God, will save.”
51[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn of David, when Nathan the preacher came to him, after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, oh God, according to Your love, according to the greatness of Your tender mercies, forgive my sins. Wash me thoroughly from my sin, and cleanse me, for I acknowledge my sins, which are always before me. Against You, and You only, have I sinned, doing this evil in Your sight; so that You’ll be justified when You speak, and be clear when You judge.
[5-12] See, I was a sinner from my birth and even from my conception. You want truth in my inmost mind, and in the secret parts of my soul You’ll teach me wisdom. Cleanse me from my sins, and I’ll be clean; wash me, and I’ll be whiter than snow. Let me hear happiness and gladness; that my body which You’ve broken can celebrate. Hide Your face from my sins, and forget them all. Create in me a new heart, oh God; and refresh Your spirit within me. Don’t throw me out from Your presence; and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Bring me back the happiness of when you first saved me; and keep me freely with Your Spirit.
[13-17] Then I’ll teach the sinful Your ways; and the sinful will be brought to You. Save me from the guiltiness of blood, God, You are the God who saved me, and my mouth will sing aloud of Your goodness. Oh God, train my words; and my mouth will praise You. You don’t want sacrifice, or else I’d give it; You don’t celebrate in offerings. The only sacrifice that You want, God, is a broken spirit; You won’t turn away from a broken and changed heart, oh God.
[18-19] Do great things in Your good pleasure to Jerusalem; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then You’ll be pleased with the offerings of goodness, with both the small sacrifices and the large sacrifices; then they’ll give offerings on Your altar.
52[1-6] To the first musician, A Poem of Teaching, A Hymn of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him, “ David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why do you brag about yourself when you’re in trouble, oh powerful ones? The goodness of God is forever. Your mouths plan trouble; like a sharp razor, always lying. You love evil more than good; and lying rather than speaking what’s right. Selah! You love words that destroy others, oh you lying mouths. In the same way, God will destroy you forever; God will take you away, kicking you out of your homes, and uprooting you out of the land of the living. Selah!
[6-9] Godly people will see, and fear, and laugh at you, saying; “So this is the people that refuse to make God their strength; but trusted in all their worldly goods, and strengthened themselves in their evil.” But I’m like a green olive tree in Your Place of Worship; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I’ll praise You forever, because You’ve done it, and I’ll minister to Your Name, Yahweh; for it’s good for Your people to know it.
53[1-3] To the first musician, to the tune of The sickness, A Poem of Teaching, A Hymn of David. Stupid people have said in their hearts, “There is no God.” They’re evil, and have done horrible sins; not one of them does any good. God looked down from heaven on humanity, to see if there were any that understand or looked for God. All of them have turned away, and have become altogether filthy; there’s no one that does good, no, not one of them.
[4-6] Have the sinful any knowledge, who chew up my people like they eat food? They’ve never even called on God. They were in great fear, where there was nothing to fear; for You scattered the bodies of those that encamped against You. You’ve shamed them, because You hated them. Oh that Israel would be saved out of Jerusalem! When You bring back Your people from where they’ve been taken, they’ll celebrate and be happy.
54[1-7] To the first musician on the stringed instrument, A Poem of Teaching, A Hymn of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doesn’t David hide himself with us? Save me, oh Yahweh God, by Your Name, and judge me by Your strength. Listen to my prayer, oh God; hear my words. For the ungodly have come against me, and keep me down, looking for my soul; they don’t follow God. Selah! See, God is my helper; You are with those that uphold my life, and will repay evil to my enemies, destroying them with Your truth; so I’ll freely sacrifice to You, praising Your Name, oh Yahweh; because it’s so good. God, You have saved me out of all my trouble; and I‘ve now seen everything I wanted to happen to my enemies.
55[1-8] To the first musician on the stringed instrument, A Poem of Teaching, A Hymn of David. Listen to me, oh God; and don’t hide Yourself from my prayer. Pay attention to me, and listen to me. I mourn, complaining and groaning because of the voice of the enemy, because of the sinful who keep me down. They place sin on me, and hate me in great anger. My heart aches within me, and I’m scared to death. I’m shaking in fear, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I could fly away, and be at rest.” See, then I’d wander far away, and stay in the countryside. Selah! I’d quickly escape from the windy storm and great anger.
[9-15] Destroy them, oh my God, and divide their tongues; for I’ve seen violence and trouble in this city. Day and night they go about on its borders; trouble and sorrow are here also. Evil is here; lies and more lies don’t leave its streets. It wasn’t an enemy that blamed me, for then I could have outlasted it; nor was it those that hated me that came against me, then I’d have hid myself from them; but it was my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance. We took friendly encouragement from each other, and walked into Your Place of Worship together. Let death take them, and let them quickly go to Hell; for evil is in their houses, and among them.
[16-21] As for me, I’ll call on Yahweh God, who’ll save me. Evening, morning, and at noon, I’ll pray, and cry aloud, and God will hear my voice. God has saved my soul in peace from those who came against me to fight; for there were many with me. God will Listen, and trouble them, even those that are old, because they haven’t changed their ways; They’re unchanged and don’t respect God. Selah! They’ve used their hands against those that are at peace with them, breaking their promises. The words of their mouths were smoother than butter, but fighting was in their hearts; their words were softer than oil, yet they were as drawn blades.
[22-23] Give all your problems to Yahweh, and God will keep you; God will never let good people be overcome. But You, oh God, will bring bloodthirsty and lying people down into the grave of destruction; they won’t live out half their days; but I’ll trust in You.
56[1-7] To the first musician, to the tune of Dove of the Silence, A Poem of David, when the Philistines took him in Goth. Be merciful to me, oh God; for the people will overwhelm me. Their fighting daily keeps me down. My enemies overwhelm me daily; for there are many that fight against me. Most High God, whenever I’m scared, I’ll trust in You. In God, I’ll praise Your Word; I’ve put my trust in God, so I won’t be scared of what people might do to me. They change my words all day long; all their thoughts are evil towards me. They gather together, hiding themselves and marking my steps, while they wait for my very soul. Will they escape by sin? No, You’ll destroy them, oh God, in Your anger.
[8-13] You know where I’ve been and You’ve saved all my tears into Your bottle, and You’ve written them all down in Your book. When I cry to You, then my enemies turn back. God is for me; this I know. In God, I’ll praise Your Word; in Yahweh God, I’ll praise Your Word. In God, I’ve put my trust, so I won’t be scared of what people might do to me. Your promises are on me, so I’ll praise You, oh God. You’ve saved my soul from death; won’t You keep my feet from falling, so that I can walk before You in the light of life?
57[1-4] To the first musician, You must not destroy, A Poem of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful to me, oh God, be merciful to me; for my soul trusts in You. Yes, I’ll make my safe haven in the shadow of Your Spirit until these misfortunes are over. I’ll cry to Yahweh God Most High; to God who does all things for me. God will send from heaven, and save me from the accusations of those that try to overwhelm me. Selah! God will send mercy and truth. My soul is as if I were among lions, and I’m even among those that are boiling with rage, people whose teeth are as sharp as spikes and arrows, and their mouths speak cutting words.
[5-11] Be praised, oh Yahweh God, above the heavens; let Your brightness shine above the whole world. They’ve set a trap for my steps; my soul is brought low. They’ve dug a grave for me, into which they themselves are fallen. Selah! My heart is set, oh God, my heart is set; and I’ll sing and give You praise. Awake, my light; awake, instruments and harp; I myself will awake early. I’ll praise You, oh my God, among the people; I’ll sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy stretches across the heavens and Your truth reaches to the clouds. Be praised, oh God, above the heavens; let Your brightness be seen above the whole world.
58[1-6] To the first musician, You must not destroy, A Poem of David. Do you really speak goodness, oh congregation? Do you judge uprightly, oh you children of humanity? Yes, in your heart you do evil; you measure the violence of your hands in the earth. The sinful come out of the womb, going astray and speaking lies as soon as they’re born. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; like deaf snakes that stop their ears, which won’t listen to the voice of charmers, charming ever so wisely. Break their teeth, oh God, in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lions, oh Yahweh.
[7-11] Let them melt away as water that flows away; when they get their weapons ready, let them be as if they were cut in pieces. As a snail which melts, let all of them die, just like the untimely birth of a stillborn baby. Before your pots can feel the heat from the burning thorns, God will take them away in living and burning anger as a furious hurricane. Godly people will celebrate when they see them punished; God will wash their feet in the blood of the sinful so that they’ll say, truly, there’s a reward for godly people. God is a God that judges in the earth.
59[1-4] To the first musician, You must not destroy, A Poem of David; when Saul sent, and watched the Place of Worship to kill him. Save me from my enemies, oh my God; defend me from those that come against me. Save me from those who practice sin, and save me from bloodthirsty people. See, they want to kill me; the strong are gathered against me, but not for my offense, nor for my sin, oh Yahweh. They run and make themselves ready for no reason, so awake to help me, and see what they do.
[5-8] You, oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, God of Your people, Israel, awake to visit all the ungodly; Don’t be merciful to any sinful people. Selah! They return at evening, growling like dogs around the city. See, they’re disgustingly loud with their mouth; sharpness is in their words and for that, they say, “Who hears?” But You, oh Yahweh, will laugh at them; You hate all the ungodly people.
[9-13] Because You are my strength, I’ll minister to You; for You, God, are my defense. The God of my mercy will keep me and let me see the judgment on my enemies. Don’t kill them, or my people will forget, but scatter them by Your power; and bring them down, oh my God, our defense. For the sin of their mouth, and the words that they say, and for the cursing and lies which they speak, let them be taken in their pride. Destroy them in anger, destroy them so that they won’t live any longer, and let them know that God rules in Israel and even to the ends of the earth. Selah!
[14-17] At evening let them return; and let them growl like dogs, going around the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and howl if they aren’t satisfied. But I’ll sing of Your power; yes, in the morning I’ll sing aloud of Your mercy. You’ve been my defense and safe haven in the day of my trouble. To You, oh my strength, I’ll sing; for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
60[1-5] To the first musician on the trumpet of the congregation, A Poem of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab came back, and struck 12,000 of Edom (Arab Nations) in the valley of salt. Oh God, You’ve thrown us away, scattering us. You’ve been displeased; oh return to us again. You’ve made the earth shake, breaking it; heal its division, for it quakes. You’ve shown Your people hard things; You’ve completely shocked us. You’ve given a flag to those that respect You, to be displayed because it bears the truth. Selah! Save with Your strong hand, and listen to me so that Your beloved can be saved.
[6-8] God has spoken in holiness; I’ll celebrate, I’ll divide Shechem, and allot the valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is also the strength of My head; Judah is My lawgiver; Moab is My wash pot; over Edom I’ll place My shoe; Philistia, you’ll triumph because of Me.
[9-12] Who will bring me into the strong city that will lead me into Edom? Won’t You, oh God, who had thrown us away? And You, oh God, who didn’t go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, because the help of people is no help at all. Through God, we’ll have victory; for it’s You, God, that will bring down our enemies.
61[1-4] To the first musician on stringed instrument, A Hymn of David. Listen to my cry, oh God; pay attention to my prayer. I’ll cry to You from the ends of the earth, whenever my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the Rock that’s higher than I am. You’ve been a shelter for me, and a safe haven from my enemies, so I’ll stay in Your Place of Worship forever and I’ll trust in the protection of Your Spirit. Selah!
[5-8] For You, Yahweh, have heard My promises; You’ve given me the heritage of those that respect Your Name. You’ll prolong my life, and my years will be as many generations. I’ll live for God forever; Get Your mercy and truth ready, which saves me. I’ll sing praise to Your Name forever, so that I’ll keep My promises daily.
62[1-4] To the first musician, to Laudatory, A Hymn of David. Truly my soul waits patiently on God, who saves me. God is my rock, who alone saves me; God is my only defense; so I won’t be greatly overcome. How long will you imagine trouble against me? Don’t you know you’ll be killed, every one of you; you’ll be as a sagging wall, and as a leaning fence, because you make plans to throw me down from my greatness, enjoying telling your lies. And you bless me with your mouth, but inwardly you curse me. Selah!
[5-7] Wait patiently, my soul, on God; for my hope is from God only. God is my rock, who alone saves me. God is my only defense; so I won’t be greatly overcome. God saves me and makes me known; God is the Rock of my strength. God alone is my safe haven.
[8-12] Trust in God at all times; you people, speak from your hearts to God, who is a safe haven for us. Selah! Surely people of low class are full of emptiness, and people of high class are full of lies; all to be weighed in the balance, and they’re altogether lighter than air. You people shouldn’t trust in keeping others down, and believe you can get by with thievery; even if you get rich, don’t set your heart on it. I’ve heard it said once or twice that all power belongs to God. Mercy belongs to You also, my God; for You judge everyone according to their own acts.
63[1-4] A Hymn of David, when he was in the countryside of Judah. Oh God, You are my God; I’ll look for You early. My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there’s no water. I’ll see Your power and Your light, like I’ve seen in Your Place of Worship. Your love is better than life, so my words will praise You. I’ll praise You as long as I live; I’ll lift up my hands in Your Name, Yahweh.
[5-11] My soul will have everything I need; and my mouth will praise You with happy words when I remember You while I lay in my bed, and think of You in the night. In the shadow of Your Spirit I’ll celebrate because You’ve been my help. My soul follows firmly after You; Your strong hand upholds me. But those that look for my soul, only to destroy it, will go to Hell. They’ll fall by war and be a meal for foxes. But I’ll celebrate victory in God; because everyone that keeps the promises of God will celebrate, but the words of those that lie will soon end.
64[1-5] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Listen to my voice, oh God, in my prayer; save my life from the fear of my enemies. Hide me from the secret plans of the sinful; from the rebellion of those who practice sin, who sharpen their mouths like a blade, and get their weapons of bitter words ready, so they can secretly shoot at the godly, shooting at them unexpectedly, without fear. They encourage themselves in evil things, talking together of secretly laying traps; They say, “Who will see us?”
[6-10] They search out sins, completing a thorough search; the minds and hearts of all of them are beyond understanding. But God will unexpectedly repay them and they’ll be wounded. So they themselves will fall by the words of their own mouth, and everybody that sees them will run away. And all people will respect God, and tell others what God has done; for they’ll think about the acts of God wisely. Godly people will celebrate in Yahweh, trusting in God; and all the goodhearted people will praise God.
65[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn, the Song of David. We praise You, oh God, in Jerusalem, and to You God, we’ll keep our promises. You are the One who hears our prayers, to You everybody will come. My sins overwhelm me, yet You’ll take them all away. Happy are the people that You choose, and cause to come to You, so that they can stay in Your house. We’ll be satisfied with the goodness of Your Place of Worship, yes, Your holy Place of Worship.
[5-8] By awesome things, You’ll answer us in goodness, oh God, who saves us. You are the hope of everybody here and of those that are in faraway places across the sea. By Your strength, You set the mountains fast; being strengthened with Your power, which quiets the sound of the seas, the roaring of the waves, and the uproar of the people. And those who live in the parts of the earth that are far away are scared at Your signs; You make the dawn of the morning and the setting of the evening sun to celebrate.
[9-13] You visit the earth, and water it; You greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water. When You provide for it, the grain grows. You water the rows very much; settling its furrows, making it soft with showers and blessing its springing up. You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways always bring many blessings. You drop rain on the pastures of the countryside, and the little hills celebrate with wildflowers everywhere. The pastures are filled with herds and the valleys are covered with grain. They shout and sing in happiness.
66[1-4] To the first musician, A Song or Hymn. Let the whole land make a happy sound to Yahweh God; Let them sing out the respect of Your Name and make Your praise wonderful. Say to God, How awesome You are in Your acts! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies obey You. The whole world will worship and praise You, singing to Your Name. Selah!
[5-9] Come and see the acts of God, which are awesomely done for humanity. You turned the Red Sea into dry land, where they celebrated in God after going through the waters on foot. You rule by Your power forever, watching the nations; so don’t let the rebellious make themselves great. Selah! Oh bless our God, everybody, and make the sound of God’s praise be heard; Who keeps our souls alive, and doesn’t let us fall.
[10-15] For You, oh God, have proved us, trying us, as silver is tried. You led us into a trap, making us miserable. You’ve caused people to rule over us, taking us through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a wonderful place. So I’ll go into Your Place of Worship with sacrifices, paying My promises to You, who spoke to me, when I was in trouble. I’ll offer to You the wholeness of youth, with the smell of strength; I’ll give You my best sacrifices along with my offerings. Selah!
[16-20] Come and listen, all You that respect Yahweh God, and I’ll tell you what God has done for my soul. I cried aloud to God, and I praised God. If I allow sin in my heart, my God won’t listen to me; but truly God has heard me and listened to my prayers. May God be blessed, for You haven’t turned away my prayer or Your mercy from me.
67[1-2] To the first musician on the stringed instrument, A Hymn or Song. God be merciful to us, and bless us; and let the light of Your face shine on us; Selah! So that Your ways can be known on earth, and Your saving health among all the nations. Let the people praise You, oh God; let all the people praise You.
[4-7] Oh let the nations be glad and sing for happiness; for You judge us rightly, and rule every nation on earth. Selah! Let the people praise You, oh God; let all the people praise You. Then the earth will be better; and You, our own God, will bless us. You’ll bless us; and the whole world will respect You, Oh God.
68[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn or Song of David. Awake, Oh God, let Your enemies be scattered; let them that hate You run from Your presence. Drive them away as smoke is driven away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinful die at the presence of God. But let godly people be glad, celebrating before God; yes, let them have a great time singing to God and celebrating before You, singing praises to Your Name and making You known, who journeys through the heavens by Your Name, Yahweh.
[5-8] God, in Your holiness, You are like a Parent to those who don’t have a parent, and give right judgment to the single parents. You God put the lonely ones in families; You bring out those who are kept down, but the rebellious stay in a dreary place. Oh God, when You went forward before Your people, Israel, when You marched with them through the countryside, Selah, the earth shook and the clouds descended at Your presence; even Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Your people, Israel.
[9-13] You, oh God, sent much rain, by which You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was nearly destroyed. Your people stand in it; You, oh God, have provided Your goodness for the poor. My God gave the Word and those who published it were made great. Leaders of armies ran away, and those who stayed at home received the benefits. Though You’ve been as lifeless as a pot, yet you’ll fly as the silver wings of a dove, with feathers of yellow gold.
[14-18] When the Almighty scattered rulers in it, it was white as the snow on Salmon. The hill of God is as the hill east of the Jordon River; as high as the hill Bashan, of Palestine. Why do you rise up, you high hills? This is the hill that God wants to stay in; yes, Yahweh will stay in it forever. The vehicles of God are twenty thousand, in which there are thousands of angels. My Yahweh God is among them, as in Mt. Sinai, in the holy place. You’ve gone up into heaven, leading those who were prisoner with You; You’ve received gifts for all people, yes, even for the rebellious also, so that my Yahweh God will live among them.
[19-26] Happy is my Yahweh God, who daily fills us with blessings, even the God who saves us. Selah! The One who is our God is the God who saves us; and Yahweh, yes, my Yahweh God, helps us escape from death. You’ll wound the heads of Your enemies, and the scalps of those that still go on in their sin. My Yahweh God said, “I’ll bring My people back from Bashan, I’ll bring My people back from the depths of the sea; so that your feet may walk in the blood of your enemies, and the mouth of your dogs in the same.” They’ve seen Your ways, oh God; even the ways of my God, my Savior, in the Place of Worship. The singers went first, with the instrument players following after them; and among them, were the tambourine players. Bless You, oh God, in the assemblies, even my Yahweh God, from the beginning of Israel.
[27-31] There’s little Benjamin with their ruler, the rulers of Judah and their council, the rulers of Zebulun, and the rulers of Naphtali. Your God has given you your strength; strengthen, oh God, what You’ve already done for us. Because of Your Place of Worship at Jerusalem, rulers will bring gifts to You. Punish those that fight, the great ones, along with the young people, till all of them give themselves, along with monetary gifts, and You scatter the people that enjoy fighting. Leaders will come out of Egypt; Ethiopians will soon stretch out their hands to God.
[32-35] Sing to God, You nations of the earth; oh sing praises to Yahweh, Selah, to the Great One who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are everlasting. See, the strong voice of God sounds out. Our strength is from You, God; Your greatness is above Your people, Israel, and Your strength is in the skies. Oh God, You are awesome coming out of Your holy places; it’s You, God, who gives strength and power to Your people, Israel. God be blessed!
69[1-4] To first musician on trumpet, A Hymn of David. Save me, oh God; for my soul is drowning. I’m sinking in deep mud, where I can’t stand up. I’m in deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I’m tired of my tears; my throat is dry and Me grow weak while I wait for my God. Those that hate me for no reason are more than the hairs of my head; those that would destroy me, who are wrongfully my enemies, are strong; so I’ve even given them back what I haven’t taken.
[5-9] Oh God, You know my stupidity; and my sins aren’t hid from You. Don’t let Your people, oh Savior, God of all Creation, be ashamed for my sake; Don’t let those that look for You become confused for my sake, God of Israel, because for Your sake I’ve been accused of many things and shame has covered my face. I’m as a stranger to my family members, and am as a foreigner to my brothers and sisters. The passion of Your Place of Worship has overwhelmed me; and the accusations of those that accused You are fallen on me.
[10-15] When I wept, and disciplined my soul with fasting, I was put down for it. I wore mourning clothes and I became a mockery to them. Those that sat in public spoke against me; and I was the song of drunks. But as for me, my prayer is to You, oh Yahweh. In an acceptable time, oh God, in the greatness of Your mercy listen to me, in the truth of Your saving grace. Pick me up out of the mud, and don’t let me sink; let me be saved from those that hate me, and out of the flooding waters. Don’t let the water overflow me, nor let the flood drown me, and don’t let the grave shut its mouth on me.
[16-20] Listen to me, oh Yahweh; for Your love is good. Turn to me according to the greatness of Your tender mercies, and don’t hide Your face from Me; for I’m in trouble. Listen to me quickly. Come near, and save my soul; save me from my enemies. You’ve known that I’ve been hated, shamed, and disrespected; my enemies are all before You. Their criticisms have broken my heart; and I’m very depressed. I looked for someone to feel sorry for me, but no one had any mercy; I looked for comforters, but I found none.
[21-26] They gave Me a bitter plant for My food; and in my thirst they gave Me sour vinegar to drink. Let their table trap them, and what should have been for their welfare, let it become a snare. Blind their eyes, so that they don’t see; and make their stomachs always rumble. Pour out Your just anger on them, and let Your great anger catch them. Let their surroundings be loneliness; and let no one stay in their house. For they abuse the one who You’ve struck down; and they take advantage of the grief of those that You’ve wounded.
[27-32] Add sin to their sin, and don’t let them come into Your goodness. Let them be marked out of the book of the living, and not be written down with the names of godly people. But I’m poor and unhappy; let Your saving grace, oh God, give me my place in heaven. I’ll praise the Name of God with a song, and make Yahweh great with thanksgiving. This pleases Yahweh better than sacrifices and offerings. The common people see this, and are glad, and the spirits of those that look for God will live.
[33-36] For You, Yahweh hear the poor, and don’t hate those of Yours who are kept down. Let heaven and earth, the seas, and everything living in them praise God. For God will save Jerusalem, and will build the cities of Judah, so that they can live there, and take ownership of it. The descendants of Your people will also be given it; those that love the Name of Yahweh God will stay there.
70[1-3] To the first musician, A Hymn of David, to bring to remembrance. Hurry, oh God, and save me; Hurry up and help me, Yahweh. Let those that try to destroy me be ashamed and confused; let those that hope for my harm be turned back and confused. Let their shame come back on them to repay those that say, “Aha, aha.”
[4-6] Let all those that look for You celebrate and be glad in You, and let those who love Your saving grace always say, “Let God become well known.” But now I’m poor and needy, so hurry and come to me, oh God; You are my help and my Savior, oh Yahweh, so don’t be long.
71[1-4] In You, oh Yahweh, I place my trust; let me never be confused. Save me in Your goodness, and help me escape. Listen to me, and save me. Be my safe haven, to where I can always go. You’ve given Your Word to save me; for You are my rock and my defense. Save me, oh my God, out of the power of the sinful, out of the power of ungodly and cruel people.
[5-9] You are my hope, my Savior; I’ve trusted You from my childhood. I’ve been held from the womb by You; You are the One that brought me safely out of my mother’s womb, so my praise will always be of You. Many wonder about me; but You are my strong safe haven. Let my mouth be full of Your praise and with Your respect all day long. Don’t throw me away in my old age; Don’t give up on me when my strength fails me.
[10-13] For my enemies speak against me; and those that wait around for my soul make their plans, saying to me, “God has given up on you; we’ll abuse you and take you and there’s no one to save you.” Oh God, don’t be far from me; oh my God, hurry to help me. Let those that are enemies to my soul be confused and destroyed; Let those that hope for my harm be shamed and disrespected.
[14-19] But I’ll always hope in You, and will yet praise You even more. I’ll tell of Your goodness and Your saving grace all day long; for I don’t even know the extent of it. I’ll go in the strength of Yahweh God, making mention of Your goodness, and Yours only. Oh God, You’ve taught me from my childhood, and until now I’ve told everybody of all the amazing things You do. Now that I’m old and grey headed, oh God, don’t give up on me, until I’ve made Your strength known to this generation, and Your power to everyone that is yet to come. Your goodness is great also, oh God, You, who have done great things! Oh God, who is like You?
[20-24] You, who have shown me severe and terrible troubles, will yet bring life to me, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You’ll make me greater and greater, and surround me with comfort. I’ll praise You with the instruments, too, even Your truth, oh my God; I’ll sing with the harp to You, oh Holy One of Israel. My soul, which You’ve bought back, will celebrate greatly whenever I sing my words to You. My mouth will talk of Your goodness also, all day long; for those who hope for my harm are confused and brought to shame.
72[1-5] A Hymn for Solomon. Give the Ruler Your judgments, oh God, and Your goodness to the Ruler’s Descendant, who’ll judge Your people with goodness, and Your poor with good judgment. The mountains and small hills will bring peace to the people, by Your goodness. The Savior, who’ll judge the poor people, saving the children of the needy, will destroy those who keep them down. They’ll respect You as long as the sun and moon last, throughout all generations.
[6-9] You, our Savior will come down on the cut grass like a gentle rain; as the rain that waters the earth. In those days, godly people will do well with great peace, as long as the moon lasts. You’ll reign from sea to sea, also, and from the Euphrates river to the whole world. Those that stay in the countryside will bow before You, the Savior, whose enemies will fall in the dust.
[10-14] The rulers of Tarshish and of all the nations will bring You presents; the rulers of Sheba and Seba will offer You gifts. Yes, all the rulers will fall down before You, the Savior, to whom all the nations will be subject. You’ll save the poor and needy when they cry, sparing them and saving their souls, and also those that have no one to help them. Their blood will be precious in Your sight, who will free their soul from lies and violence.
[15-20] And You’ll live, and be given of the gold of Sheba; our Savior, for whom continual prayer and praise will be made daily. There will be a handful of grain in the earth on the mountaintops; the fruit of it will shake like Lebanon, and they of the city will do well like the grass of the earth. Your Most Holy Name, Yahweh, lasts forever; Your Name will last as long as the sun; and the people will be blessed in You, all nations calling You blessed. May Yahweh God be blessed, the God of Your people, Israel, who alone does wonderful things, and blessed be Your wonderful Name forever, and may You be well known in the whole earth; So be it, and so be it. The prayers of David, the descendant of Jesse, are ended.
Book 3
73[1-6] A Hymn of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to Your people who have clean hearts. But as for me, my feet had almost fallen; my steps had nearly slipped. I was jealous of stupid people, when I saw how well those sinful ones were doing. For death doesn’t keep them out of trouble; their strength outlasts it. They don’t suffer as other people; nor are they troubled as others are. So pride holds them like a chain and violence covers them like clothes.
[7-12] They keep getting more, even though they’ve more than a heart could hope for already. They’re evil, talking proudly, and cruelly keep others down. They even speak against the heavens, as they walk through the earth. So their people return here, and take all their punishment for them. And they ask, “How does God know?” And “ Does the Most High know it?” See, these are the ungodly people that do well in the world, which get more and more riches.
[13-20] Truthfully, I’ve cleansed my heart for no reason, and washed my hands in innocence. I’ve been troubled all day long, and disciplined every morning. If I say, “I’ll speak this;” I’d offend the whole generation of Your children. And when I knew this, it was too troubling for me, until I went into God’s Place of Worship and understood what would happen to them in the end. Surely You put them in tricky places, throwing them into ruin. Quickly, they’re brought into suffering! They’re all together horrified. As a nightmare when a person awakes; so my God, when You awake, You hate what you see.
[21-28] So my heart was grieved, and I was torn in my mind. I was so stupid and ignorant, like a dumb animal before You. Yet I stay with You, because You’ve held me by my hand. You’ll guide me with Your wisdom, and afterward take me up to heaven. Who have I in heaven but You? And there’s no one on earth that I want but You, God. My body and my heart fails, but You, God are the strength of my spirit, and my fortune forever. See, those that are far from You die; You destroy all those that are unfaithful to You. But it’s good for me to come close to God; I’ve put my trust in Yahweh God, so I can tell everybody of all Your acts.
74[1-3] A Poem of Teaching of Asaph. Oh God, why have You left us forever? Why does Your anger burn against Your children? Remember Your people, which You’ve bought back long ago; the strength of Your inheritance, which You’ve saved; this mount Zion, where You’ve always been. Lift up Your feet from where You sleep; awake and see we’re continually destroyed; See all the evil the enemy has done in the Place of Worship.
[4-8] Your enemies shout in the middle of Your congregations, setting up their flags for signs. People were famous if they had axed down thick trees, but now they break down its carved works at once with axes and hammers. They’ve thrown fire into Your Place of Worship, polluting it by burning the resting place of Your Name, Yahweh, down to the ground. They said in their hearts, “Let’s destroy them” , while burning up all the Places of Worship in the land.
[9-12] We don’t see our signs; there’s not a preacher any more, nor are there any among us that knows how long. Oh God, how long will the enemy accuse us? Yahweh, will the enemy curse Your Name forever? Why do You withdraw Your power, even Your strong hand? Take it out of Your lap. For You, God, are my Everlasting Savior, bringing Your saving grace to the earth.
[13-17] You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the dragons in the oceans. You broke the heads of Leviathan (likely a plesiosaur-type dinosaur), the great sea monster, in pieces, and gave them for meat to the people living in the countryside. You opened up the sources of water and the flood and dried up strong rivers. The day is Yours; the night is Yours also; You made the sun and the moon. You set all the boundaries of the earth and made every season.
[18-23] Remember this, that the enemy has accused, oh Yahweh, and that stupid people have cursed Your Name. Oh don’t give the soul of Your beloved to all the sinful people; Don’t forget the poor of Your people forever. Keep Your promise; for the secret places of the earth are full of cruel lands. Don’t let those of us who are kept down come back ashamed; let the poor and needy praise Your Name, Yahweh. Awake, oh God, plead Your own case; remember how stupid people accuse You daily. Don’t forget the voice of Your enemies; the uproar of those that stand up against You keeps getting louder.
75[1-5] To the first musician, you must not destroy, A Hymn or Song of Asaph. To You, oh God, we give thanks, to You we give thanks, for Your wonderful creations tell us that You are near. When I lead God’s people I’ll judge matters fairly. The earth and all of its people are broken, but I’ll support it. Selah! I said to stupid people, “Don’t be stupid,” And to the sinful, “Don’t think too much of yourself, lifting up your pride to heaven, and don’t speak stubbornly.”
[6-10] Promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south, but God is the judge, putting one down, and setting another up. For in the hand of Yahweh there’s a penalty, and the wine of wrath is blood red; full of mixture; and God pours it out, but all the sinful of the earth will drink it, and even drink the sediment of it, as well. But I’ll speak out forever; I’ll sing praises to the God of Israel. All the strength of the sinful will be taken away; but the strength of godly people will be uplifted.
76[1-7] To the first musician on the stringed instrument, A Hymn or Song of Asaph. God is known in Judah; Your Name is great in Israel. Your Place of Worship is in Salem and Your resting place is in Jerusalem also. There You break the bows and arrows, the shields, the blades, and the whole battle. Selah! You are more wonderful and excellent than mountains full of prey. The tough-hearted are spoiled, they’ve gotten their sleep, and none of the strong have found their strength. At Your teaching, oh God of Israel, both the rider and the horse are still. You, oh God, are to be feared, and who can stand in Your sight when You are angry?
[8-12] You, God, heard judgment from heaven; the earth feared, and stood still, when You arose to judgment, to save those of the earth with humility. Selah! Surely the people’s anger will turn to praise You, and what’s left of their anger You’ll keep under control. Keep your promise, and pay what’s due to Yahweh, Your God; let everybody around bring offerings to the One that ought to be respected. You God will remove the spirit of the rulers; You’re awful to the rulers of the earth.
77[1-6] To the first musician, to Laudatory, A Hymn of Asaph. I cried aloud to God, to God with my own voice; and You listened to me. In the day of my trouble, when I ached all night with never-ending pain, and my soul refused to be comforted, I searched for the Savior. I was troubled when I remembered God and complained, but my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah! You keep me awake; I’m so troubled that I can’t even speak. I’ve thought about the past, the years long ago. I remembered my song in the night as I thought about it in my heart, my spirit carefully searching for it.
[7-12] I asked, “Will the Savior throw me away forever? And won’t God be gracious anymore? Is Your mercy completely gone forever? Will Your promises fail forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Have You shut up Your tender mercies in anger?” Selah! And then I said, “This is only what I deserved, but I remember the years the Most High was at my side.” I’ll remember the acts of Yahweh; surely I’ll remember Your wonderful things from the past. I’ll think about all Your creations, and talk also of what You’ve done.
[13-20] Your way, oh Yahweh, is in the Place of Worship; and who is as great as our God? You are the God that does wonderful things, showing Your strength among the people. You’ve bought back Israel, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah! The waters felt You, oh God, the waters felt You overcome them and the depths were troubled as well. The clouds poured rain, the skies thundered, and Your lightning flashed also. The sound of Your thunder was in the heavens; the lightning lit up the world and the earth shook in fear and quaked. Your way is in the sea; Your path is in the great oceans, and no one knows where You go. You led Israel like a herd of animals by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
78[1-11] A Poem of Teaching of Asaph. Listen, oh my people, to my word; listen to the words of my mouth and I’ll tell you a story, speaking of mysterious sayings of the past, which we’ve heard and known, and our parents have told us. We won’t hide them from our children, and will show the praises of Yahweh to the next generation, along with the strength of God, and the wonderful things that God has done. For You left a testimony in Jacob, and made a law in Israel, which You told our parents to make them known to their children, so the generation to come would know them; and even their children that will be born to them to tell it to their children, so that they would put their hope in God, and not forget the acts of God, but keep Your laws; and not be as their parents, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that refused to change their hearts, and whose spirits weren’t committed to God, as the people of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying weapons, turned back in the day of battle. They didn’t keep the Promise of God, and refused to walk in Your Word, forgetting the acts of God, and the wonderful things that You had shown them.
[12-20] You did wonderful things in the sight of their parents, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. You divided the Red Sea, and allowed them to pass through it; making the waters to stand up as a mountain pass. You also led them with a cloud in the daytime, and through the night with the light of fire. You split the rock in the countryside, and gave them water to drink from a deep source. You, God, brought streams of water out of the rock also, causing it to run down like rivers. And they sinned all the more against You by provoking the Most High God in the countryside. They tempted God in their hearts by asking for meat to satisfy their appetites. Yes, they even spoke against God and said, “Can God provide for us in the countryside? Look, God split the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; Can God give us food also? Can God provide meat for the people as well?”
[21-33] Yahweh heard this, and was angry, so God’s anger burned against Jacob, whose anger was also against Israel, because they didn’t believe God, and didn’t trust in Your saving grace, though You had told the clouds from above to open the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna on them to eat, and had given them of the bread of heaven. People ate the food of angels, and You, God, sent them enough meat to fill them. You caused an east wind to blow in the heavens, and powerfully brought in the south wind, raining meat on them as dust, and quail like the sand of the sea, and let them fall right in the middle of their camp, all around their tents. So they ate and were well filled, because You gave them what they wanted. They weren’t kept from their appetites, but while their meat was yet in their mouths, the anger of God came down on them, and killed the fattest of them, and brought down the chosen people of Israel. For all this they still sinned, and didn’t believe the wonderful acts of God, so You passed their days with emptiness, and their years in trouble.
[34-39] But when You killed some of them, then the rest searched for God, and they came back and soon asked for God. And they remembered that God was their Rock, the Most High God, their Savior. Yet they flattered You with their mouths, but lied to You with their words. Their hearts weren’t right with God, nor were they committed to Your Promised Agreement with them. But You, God, being full of compassion, forgave their sin, and didn’t destroy them all. Yes, many times You put aside Your anger, never even stirring it up. You remembered that they were only human, like a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.
[40-51] How often they provoked You in the countryside, and grieved You in the desert! Yes, they turned back and tempted God, and limited what You, the Holy One of Israel, would do among them. They didn’t remember God’s power, or the day when You saved them from the enemy. How God had made signs in Egypt, and wonderful things in the field of Zoan, turning their rivers into blood, making it so that they couldn’t drink it. You sent different sorts of flies among them, which ate at them; and frogs, which destroyed them, giving their crops to the caterpillar, and their work to the locust also; destroying their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost; destroying their cattle also in the hail, and their flocks with hot lightning bolts; giving them the fierceness of Your anger, all Your rage, Your just anger, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them; making way for Your anger; not sparing their soul from death, but giving their lives over to deadly diseases; and striking all the firstborn in Egypt, their strongest rulers, in the families of Ham.
[52-61] But You made Your own people go forward like animals, guiding them in the countryside like a herd, leading them safely on, so that they weren’t scared, while the sea overwhelmed their enemies. You brought them to the border of Your Place of Worship, even to this mountain, which the hand of God had bought. You also threw out the ungodly before them, and divided to them an inheritance by their families, and made the people of Israel to stay in their houses. Yet they tempted and provoked the Most High God, and didn’t keep Your Words, but unfaithfully turned back, doing just like their parents, who dishonestly turned away. They made You, God, angry with their places of false worship, and made You jealous because of their false worship of other things. When You, oh God, heard this, You were angry, and greatly hated Israel; so much that You left the Place of Worship of Shiloh, the tent which You placed among the people, and allowed the Chest of the Promise to be taken, and the glory of God was in the enemy’s control.
[62-66] You gave the people of God over to war; being angry with Your inheritance. The fire burned their young people, even before they were married. Their preachers fell in war; and their survivors weren’t allowed to mourn. Then the Savior awaked as one out of sleep, and like a drunk person who shouts, struck the rear of the enemy, and made them greatly ashamed.
[67-72] Besides this, You refused the family of Joseph, and didn’t choose the family of Ephraim, but chose instead the tribe of Judah, mount Zion, which God loved. And built Yahweh’s Place of Worship like a high great house, like the earth which You settled forever. You chose David also, who served You, oh God, taking him from caring for the animals, and from following those that were pregnant with young, to feed Jacob, Your people, and Israel, Your inheritance. So David led them with a true heart; and guided them with skilful hands.
79[1-5] A Hymn of Asaph. Oh God, the ungodly have come into Your inheritance, polluting Your holy Place of Worship, and Jerusalem is in ruins. The dead bodies of Your people they’ve given for food to the birds of heaven, the bodies of Your saints to the wild animals of the earth. They’ve shed their blood like water around Jerusalem; and there was no one to bury them. We’ve become a curse to our neighbors, a mockery, and the ridicule of those around us. How long, oh Yahweh? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
[6-9] Pour out Your anger on the ungodly that haven’t known You, Yahweh, and on the nations that haven’t called on Your Name, because they’ve destroyed Israel, and their homes. Oh don’t remember our past sins, but let Your tender mercies quickly come to us; for we’re very ashamed. Help us, Yahweh, You are the God who saves us, for the fame of Your Name; save us and take away our sins, for Your Name’s sake.
[10-13] Why should the ungodly say, “Where is their God?” Let God be known among the ungodly in our sight, by the avenging of the shed blood of Your people. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power save those that are about to die; and put blame into the lap of those who accused You seven times, my God. So we, Your people, those of Your realm, will give You thanks forever! We’ll praise You to all generations.
80[1-6] To the first musician on the trumpet of the people, A Hymn of Asaph. Listen, oh Shepherd of Israel, who leads the people of Joseph like a flock; You, oh God, who is between the Cherubim (winged angelic creatures), shine forward. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, let Your strength rise up to come and save us. Return us to You, oh God, and cause Your face to shine on us; and we’ll be saved. Oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Israel? You feed them with the bread of sorrow; and give them many tears to drink. You make us a trouble to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh about us among themselves.
[7-11] Return us to You, oh God of All Creation, and cause Your face to shine on us; and we’ll be saved. You’ve brought a vine out of Egypt; You’ve thrown out the ungodly, and planted it. You made room for it, and caused it to take root deeply, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, and its branches were like the good cedars. They sent them out to the sea, their branches to the river.
[12-19] Why have You then broken down their boundaries, so that all those which pass by pick on them? The wild pigs in the woods waste it, and other wild animals eat it. Return, we beg You, oh God of All Creation, look down from heaven, and see; visit this vine and the vineyard which Your hand has planted, and the branch that You made strong for Yourself. It’s burned with fire and cut down, wilting at the look of Your face. Let Your hand be on Your chosen people, on the children of those that You made strong for Yourself. Revive us, so we won’t turn away from You; and we’ll call on Your Name. Return us to our former state, oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, cause Your face to shine on us; and we’ll be saved.
81[1-5] To the first musician on harp, a Hymn of Asaph. Sing aloud to God, who is our strength, and make a happy sound to the God of Israel. Take a hymn, and bring the tambourine, and the pleasant sounding harp, along with all the other instruments. Sound the trumpet at the new moon, in the time set aside for our formal celebration. For this was told to Israel, a law of the God of Israel. This was ordained by God for a witness in Joseph, when God went out through the land of Egypt, where I heard a language that I didn’t understand.
[6-10] I took the load from your shoulders and your hands were saved from the work. When you called out in trouble, and I saved you; I answered you in the refuge of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah! Listen, My people, and I’ll testify to you, Israel, if you’ll only listen to Me; You will have no false gods; nor are you to worship anything else but Me. I’m Yahweh, your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I’ll fill it.
[11-16] But My people wouldn’t listen to My voice; and Israel wouldn’t have Me. So I gave them up to what they themselves wanted, and they walked in their own ways. Oh that My people would have listened to Me, and Israel would have walked in My ways! I’d have quickly held back their enemies, and turned My strength against their enemies. Those who hate Yahweh should have obeyed Me; you shouldn’t have quit. I’d have fed you with the finest of the wheat; and I’d have satisfied you with honey out of the rock face.
82[1-4] A Hymn of Asaph. God stands in the assembly of the strong; God judges among the great ones. How long will you judge wrongly, and accept the persons of the sinful? Selah! Defend the poor and the death survivors’ children and do what’s right to the abused and needy. Deliver the poor and needy, removing them from the power of the sinful.
[5-8] They don’t know or understand, walking on in darkness; and all the foundations of the earth are off course. I’ve said, “You’re gods; and all of you are children of the Most High God. But you’ll die as mere humans, and fall like one of the rulers. Awake, oh God, judge the earth; You’ll inherit all the people of the nations.
83[1-4] A Song or Hymn of Asaph. Don’t be silent, oh God; Don’t hold Your peace, and don’t be still, oh God. See, Your enemies are in an uproar, and those that hate You have proudly put themselves in high places. They’ve made crafty plans against Israel, and consulted against Your chosen ones. They’ve said, “Come and let’s destroy their nation so that the name of Israel will be forgotten.”
[5-12] With one consent they’ve planned together and are united against You; These worshipers of Edom (Arab Nations), the Ishmaelites, Moabites, and the Hagarenes, the people of Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek, and the Philistines along with the people of Tyre; the people of Assur also joined with them, who helped the descendants of Lot. Selah! Do to them as You did to the Midianites; and to Sisera, and as to Jabin, who died at Endor at the creek of Kison, and became as manure for the earth. Make their leaders like Oreb and Zeeb; yes, all their rulers as Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “Let’s take the Places of Worship for ourselves.”
[13-18] Oh my God, make them like the sagebrush; rolling as the stubble before the wind. As the fire burns through a forest, and as the flames set the mountains on fire; punish them with Your tempest, and let Your storm make them scared. Fill them with shame; so that they’ll call on Your Name, oh Yahweh. Let them be confused and troubled forever; yes, let them be ashamed and die, so that people can know that You alone, whose Name is Yahweh, are the Most High God over the whole earth.
84[1-5] To the first musician on harp, A Hymn for the children of Korah. How pleasing are Your Places of Worship, oh Yahweh, God of All Creation! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the House of God, my heart and strength crying out for the living God. Yes, the sparrow and the swallow have found nests for themselves, where they can lay their eggs, even on Your altars, oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, my Savior and my God. Happy are those that stay in the Place of Worship and are still praising You. Selah! Happy are the people whose strength is in You, in whose heart are their ways known.
[6-12] You, who passing through the valley of Baca, make it spring up; with the rain filling the pools also. They go from one strength to another, every one of them in Jerusalem appearing before God. Oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, hear my prayer; Listen, oh God of Israel. Selah! See, oh God, our defense, and look on the face of Your chosen. For a day in Your house is better than a thousand anywhere else. I had rather be a caretaker in the House of my God, than to stay in the house of evil. For Yahweh, my God, who gives grace and fame, is a light and a defense; God won’t keep anything good from those who do what’s right. Oh Yahweh, God of All Creation, the people that trust in You are truly blessed.
85[1-4] To the first musician, A Hymn for the children of Korah. Yahweh, You’ve been gracious to Your nation, Israel; You’ve given us back our freedom. You’ve forgiven the sin of Your people, covering them all. Selah! You’ve taken Your anger away, turning from all its fierceness. Turn us back to You, oh God who saves us, and let Your anger toward us come to an end.
[5-9] Will You be angry with us forever? Will You extend Your anger to all generations? Revive us again and let Your people celebrate in You! Show us Your mercy, oh Yahweh, and grant us Your saving grace. I’ll hear what Yahweh God will speak, for You’ll speak peace to Your people, to the saints of God, but don’t let them turn again to stupidity. Surely You’ll save those that respect You; so that You’ll be well known in our land forever.
[10-13] Mercy and truth have come together; goodness and peace have greeted each other with a kiss. Truth will spring out of the earth; and goodness will look down from heaven. Yes, Yahweh will give us what’s good; and our land will produce its crops. Goodness will go before You; and lead us in the path of Your steps.
86[1-5] A Prayer of David. Listen, oh Yahweh, listen to me; for I’m poor and needy. Save my soul; for I’m dedicated to You, oh my God; save me, the one who trusts in You. Oh my God, be merciful to me, for I cry to You daily. Oh my God, let my soul celebrate as I lift up my soul to You. For You, my God, are good, and ready to forgive; and have great mercy to all those that call on You.
[6-10] Listen, oh Yahweh, to my prayer; and pay attention to what I ask. In the day of my trouble I’ll call on You and You’ll answer me. Among the great ones there’s none like You, oh my God; nor is there anything like Your creations. All the nations that You’ve made will come and worship before You, oh my God; and will make Your Name well known. For You are great, and do wonderful things; You, alone, are God.
[11-17] Teach me Your way, Yahweh, and I’ll walk in Your truth; make my heart undivided to fully respect Your Name. I’ll praise You, oh Savior, my God, with all my heart, and I’ll make Your Name well known forever. Great is Your mercy toward me; You’ve saved my soul from the depths of Hell. Oh God, people who think they’re better than me come against me, and violent people want to take my life; and haven’t respected You. But You, oh my God, are a God full of compassion, gracious, patient, and have plenty of mercy and truth. Oh turn to me, and have mercy on me; give me Your strength, and save the child of one of Your people. Show me a token for good; that those who hate me can see it, and be ashamed; because You, oh Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
87[1-7] A Hymn or Song for the children of Korah. Yahweh, Your foundation is in the holy mountains. Yahweh, You love the gates of Jerusalem more than all the homes of Israel. Wonderful things are spoken of the city of God. Selah! I’ll make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those that know me, or Philistia, or Tyre, or Ethiopia; and they’ll reply, “I was born there.” But of Jerusalem it’ll be said, “This one and that one was born there, and the Most High God will make it safe.” Yahweh will consider, when writing up its citizens, that I was born there. Selah! The singers as well as the players of instruments will be there; all my heart is in Jerusalem.
88[1-6] A Song or Hymn for the children of Korah, to the first musician, to The Sickness, to sing loudly, a poem of teaching of Heman, the Ezrahite. Oh Yahweh, You’re the God who saved me, and I’ve cried day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; listen to my cry. My soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to death. I’m as good as dead; I don’t have any more strength; I’m given up on like the dead, like one who has been killed and is in the grave, that You remember no more, and they’re removed from Your hand. You’ve laid me in the grave, in the depths of darkness.
[7-12] Your anger is hard on me, and You’ve troubled me with all Your pressure. Selah! You’ve put my acquaintances far away from me; You’ve made me an insult to them; I’m hiding, and I can’t come out. Me cry because of my suffering, Yahweh; I’ve called on You daily, I’ve stretched out my hands to You. Will You show wonderful things to the dead? Will the dead awake and praise You? Selah! Shall Your love be talked about in the grave; or Your faithfulness in death? Shall Your wonderful things be known in the dark and Your goodness in the place of forgetfulness?
[13-18] But to You I’ve cried, oh Yahweh; and in the morning I’ll pray to You. Yahweh, why do You throw my soul away? Why do You hide Your face from me? I’ve been abused and wanted to die from my childhood up, worrying and scared from all my suffering. Your fierce anger overwhelms me; Your terrors have all but finished me. They came around me daily like water; together they overtook me. You put lover and friend, and even all my acquaintances far away from me where I can’t even see them.
89[1-4] A poem of teaching of Ethan the Ezrahite. I’ll sing of the mercies of Yahweh forever, making known Your faithfulness to all generations. I’ve said, “Mercy will be settled forever; Your faithfulness will be respected even in heaven.” As You’ve said, “I’ve made a Promise with My chosen ones, I’ve sworn to David, who serves Me, I’ll set up your descendants forever, and make you reign in every generation.” Selah!
[5-10] And the angels of heaven will praise Your wonderful things, oh Yahweh; Your faithfulness will be praised in the people of God, also. For who in heaven can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the descendants of the great ones can be likened to Yahweh? You are greatly respected among the people of God, and held in respect by all those that come to You. Oh Yahweh, God of all Creation, who is strong like You? Or who else has the faithfulness which surrounds You? You rule the raging sea and when its waves are troubled, You still them. You’ve divided Rahab (the sea monster) in pieces as a dead one; You’ve scattered Your enemies with Your strength.
[11-14] The heavens and the earth are Yours, and the whole universe; You settled them all. You’ve created the north and the south; The mountains of Tabor and Hermon will celebrate; Your Name is written upon them. You are strong and powerful; Your hand is lifted high. Justice and good judgment are the signs of Your reign; mercy and truth are with You.
[15-18] Happy are those that know the wonderful announcement of Your presence; They walk in the light of Your face, oh Yahweh. They celebrate all day in Your Name, and they’re uplifted in Your goodness. For You are the praise of our strength, and our instruments sound out by Your grace. For Yahweh is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our ruler.
[19-26] Then in a vision You spoke to Your preacher, and said, “I’ll send help by a powerful one; I’ve lifted up a chosen one from the people. I’ve set up David, who serves Me; who I’ve chosen with My holy oil; and who I’ll set up and strengthen. Who won’t be threatened by the enemy; nor be troubled by the offspring of evil. And I’ll put down his enemies before his face, and trouble those that hate him. But My faithfulness and My mercy will be with him, and in My Name will the trumpet call be raised. I’ll give him control in the sea, and in the rivers. And he will cry to Me, ‘You are My Creator, My God, and the Rock, who saves me.’
[27-37] I’ll make him as My Firstborn, higher than rulers on the earth. My mercy will keep him forever, and My promise will stay with him. Also I’ll make his descendants to last forever; and their reign will be as the everlasting days of heaven. If their descendants give up on My word, and don’t walk in My judgments; If they break My judgments, and don’t keep My laws; Then I’ll visit their sins with punishment and defeat. Yet I won’t take My love from them all together, nor let My faithfulness fail them. I won’t break My promise, nor change what has gone out of My mouth. Once I promised by My holiness that I wouldn’t lie to David. His descendants lasts forever, and their reign as the sunlight. It’ll be settled forever as the moon, as a faithful witness in heaven.” Selah!
[38-44] But You’ve hated me and thrown me away, being angry with Your chosen one. You’ve voided the promise with me; You’ve undermined my reign, tossing my crown to the ground. You’ve broken down all my boundaries; You’ve brought my strongholds to ruin. All that pass by the way defeat me; my neighbors accuse me of wrong. You’ve given strength to my enemies; You’ve made all my enemies celebrate. You’ve disabled my defenses, and haven’t given me any victory. You’ve brought my light to an end, and undermined my reign.
[45-52] You’ve shortened my youth, covering me with shame. Selah! How long will You hide Yourself, oh Yahweh? Will Your anger burn like fire forever? Remember how short my time is. Have You made us all for nothing? Who is it that will live, and not see death? Will God save any soul from the power of the grave? Selah! My God, where is Your former kindheartedness, which You promised to David in Your truth? Remember, my God, the accusations against me; how I hold in my heart the blame of all the great people, in which Your enemies have accused, oh Yahweh; in which they’ve blamed the ways of Your chosen. May Yahweh be blessed forever. So be it.
Book 4
90[1-4] A Prayer of Moses, the Preacher of God. My God, You’ve been our resting place in all generations. Before the mountains were created, or before You had formed the earth and the universe, even from eternity, You are God. You turn us over to destruction; and say, “Repent, you children of humanity.” For a thousand years in Your sight is only as yesterday when it’s over and only as a watch in the night.
[5-10] You carry us away like in a flood; we’re just as if we’re asleep. In the morning we’re like grass which grows up in the night. In the morning it does well, and grows up; in the evening it’s cut down, and withers. We’re destroyed by Your great anger, and we’re troubled when You’re angry. You’ve exposed our sins; our secret sins are made clear in the light of Your face. For all our days are destroyed by Your anger; we spend our years as a story tale. We may live to be seventy years old; and if we’re strong, maybe eighty years, yet even in our strength, is nothing but pain and sorrow; for it soon passes, and our souls soar away.
[11-17] Who knows the power of Your anger? Even those who respect You greatly fear Your anger. So teach us that our days are numbered, so that we can apply our hearts to know wisdom. Oh Yahweh, how long before You return to us? May You change Your mind when it concerns Your people. Oh comfort us with Your mercy soon, so that we can be glad and celebrate all our days. As many days as You’ve allowed us to be abused, and as many years as we’ve seen evil, make us happy. Let Your people see Your creations, and let Your light appear to their children. And let the loveliness of Yahweh our God be reflected in our look, and may You inspire the creations of our hands in us; yes, You inspire the creations of our hands.
91[1-6] The One who inhabits the secret place of the Most High will be in the shadow of the Spirit of the Almighty. I’ll say of Yahweh, “God is my safe haven and my fortress, my God; in whom I trust.” Surely God will save You from the trap of the hunter, and from the deadly disease. God will protect You, and You’ll trust in the Spirit of God; the truth of God will be Your defense and weapon. You won’t be scared of terror by night, or of weapons that shoot by day, or for the pests that crawl about in darkness; or for any destruction that ruins at noon.
[7-16] A thousand will fall at Your side, and ten thousand on Your other side; but it won’t come near You. With Your eyes only, You’ll watch and see the punishment of the sinful, because You’ve made Yahweh, the Most High, who is my safe haven, Your resting place; No evil will touch You, nor will any deadly disease come near where You are, for the angels of God will have charge over You, to keep You in all Your ways. They’ll pick You up in their hands, if You should stump Your foot on a stone. You’ll stomp on the lion and the snake; the young lion and the dragon You’ll trample under foot. And God said, “Because You’ve set Your love on Me, I’ll save You; I’ll bring You to heaven, because You’ve known My Name. You’ll call on Me, and I’ll answer; I’ll be with You in trouble; I’ll save You, and bring You respect. With everlasting life I’ll satisfy You, and show You My saving grace.”
92[1-5] A Hymn or Song for the Holy Day. It’s a good thing to give thanks to You, Yahweh, and to sing praises to Your Name, Most High, on a stringed instrument, on the lyre, and on the harp with a solemn sound, showing Your graciousness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. For You, oh Yahweh, have made me glad through Your actions; I’ll triumph in what You do. Oh Yahweh, how great are Your acts! Your thoughts are very deep.
[6-9] A defiant person doesn’t know; nor does a stupid person understand this. When the sinful grow like grass, and when all those who practice sin do well; it’s they who are destroyed forever; But You, oh Yahweh, are Most High forever. See, Your enemies, oh Yahweh, Your enemies will die; all those who practice sin will be scattered.
[10-15] But You’ll lift up my strength like the horn of a unicorn and anoint me with fresh oil. My eye will see what I asked of my enemies, and my ears will hear what I wanted of the sinful that come against me. Godly people will do well like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that are rooted in the Place of Worship of Yahweh will do well in God’s house. They’ll still have children in their old age; They’re healthy and do well to show that Yahweh is Good. God is my rock, in whom there’s no evil.
93[1-5] Yahweh reigns and is clothed with fame; Yahweh is clothed with strength, which You restrain; the world is settled also, so that it can’t be moved out of place. Your reign is settled from eternity; You are Everlasting. The floods have risen up, oh Yahweh, the waters are roaring; the ocean waves rise up. Yahweh in heaven is stronger than the sound of many rushing waters, yes, than the strongest waves of the sea. Your Words are very certain; holiness makes Your house beautiful forever, oh Yahweh.
94[1-7] Oh Yahweh, God, revenge belongs to You; oh God, revenge belongs to You, show Yourself. Lift up Yourself, judge of the earth; repay those who think they’re better than others with their punishment. Yahweh, how long will the sinful, how long will the sinful triumph? How long will they talk and speak harsh things; and all those who practice sin brag about themselves? They destroy Israel, oh Yahweh, and trouble Your heritage. They destroy the single parent and the foreigner, and murder the death survivors’ children. Yet they say, “Yahweh won’t see it, nor will the God of Israel care about it.”
[8-13] Understand, you defiant among the people, and you stupid ones; When will you get smart? Won’t the One that created the ear hear it? Won’t the One that formed the eye see it? Won’t the One that punishes the ungodly correct them? Won’t the One that teaches people knowledge know it? Yahweh knows the thoughts of all people, that they’re nothing. The ones that You discipline are happy, oh Yahweh; You teach them out of Your Word, so that You can give them rest from the days of trouble, until the grave for the sinful is dug.
[14-18] For You, Oh Yahweh won’t throw away Your people; neither will You give up on Your inheritance. But judgment will return to goodness, and all goodhearted people will follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evil ones; or who will stand up for me against the sinful ones? Unless Yahweh had been my help, my soul had almost lived in silence. When I said, “My foot is slipping;” Your mercy, oh Yahweh, held me up.
[19-23] In the many thoughts within me, Your comforts thrill my soul. Will the reign of sin, which supports its trouble by law, have friendship with You? They gather themselves together against the souls of godly people, calling guilty those who are innocent. But Yahweh is my defense; and my God is the foundation of my safe haven. God will bring on them the consequences of their own sin, and will destroy them in their own evil; yes, Yahweh our God will destroy them.
95[1-7] Oh come, let’s sing to Yahweh; Let’s sing happily to the Rock who saves us. Let’s come into God’s presence with thanksgiving, making a happy sound with hymns. For Yahweh is a great God, and the Savior above all great ones. The deep places of the earth are in Your hands; the strength of the hills is Yours also. The sea is Yours; You made it, and You formed the dry land. Oh come, let’s worship and bow down; Let’s kneel before Yahweh our maker. For You are our God; and we’re the flock of Your pasture, whose little ones are cradled in Your arms.
[8-11] Today, if you’ll hear the voice of God, who says; “ Don’t be hardhearted, as the days I was provoked and tempted in the countryside; As when Your parents tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My miracles. I was grieved forty long years with this generation, and said, “These people are wrong in their hearts, and they don’t know My ways;” To whom I promised in my anger that they wouldn’t enter into my restfulness.
96[1-6] Oh sing to Yahweh a new song; sing to Yahweh, all you people of the earth. Sing to Yahweh, and bless God’s Name; Teach of God’s saving grace every day. Tell of the glory of God among the ungodly, the wonderful things of God among all people. For Yahweh is great, and to be greatly praised; God is to be respected above all great ones, because worshiping any of the great ones of the nations is false worship, but Yahweh made the heavens. Respect and fame are God’s; strength and loveliness are in God’s Place of Worship.
[7-13] People of every race give to Yahweh, yes, give to Yahweh praise and strength. Give to Yahweh the praise due to God’s Name; bring an offering, and come into the Place of Worship. Oh worship Yahweh in the beauty of holiness; all you people of the earth respect God. Tell the ungodly that Yahweh reigns, so that the world will be settled and that it won’t be moved out of place; and God will judge the people rightly. Let the heavens celebrate, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and everything in it. Let the fields be happy, and everything in them; then all the trees of the woods will celebrate before Yahweh; for God comes, for God comes to judge the earth and will rightly judge the world and the people with truth.
97[1-6] Yahweh reigns; let the people of the earth celebrate; let the masses of the nations be glad of it. Clouds and darkness are around You; goodness and judgment are the symbols of Your reign. A fire goes before You, and burns up Your enemies everywhere. Your lightning brightened the world; the people of earth saw, and shook in fear. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Savior, at the presence of the Most High Savior of the whole earth. The heavens tell Your goodness, and everybody sees Your light.
[7-12] Let all those that worship other things and brag to themselves of their false worship be confused; worship Yahweh God, all you great ones. Jerusalem heard, and was glad; and the people of Judah celebrated because of Your judgments, oh Yahweh. For You, oh Yahweh, are high above the whole world; You are praised far above all great ones. You that love Yahweh, hate anything evil, for God saves the souls of the saints of God, delivering them out of the power of the sinful. God’s light shines on godly people and goodhearted people are glad. Celebrate in Yahweh, you who are good; and give thanks at the remembrance of God’s holiness.
98[1-3] A Hymn. Oh sing to Yahweh a new song; for God has done awesome things; Your strong hand and holy arm have claimed You the victory. Yahweh, You’ve made known Your saving grace; You’ve openly shown Your goodness in the sight of the ungodly. You’ve remembered Your mercy and Your truth toward the people of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen how our God saves us.
[4-9] Make a happy sound to Yahweh, all you people of the earth; make a loud noise and celebrate, and singing praises. Sing to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp, and the song of a hymn. With the sound of trumpets and cornet make a happy sound before Yahweh, the Savior. Let the sea roar and everything in it, the world, and all those who live in it. Let the flood waves lap; let the hills be happy together because of Yahweh; for God comes to judge the earth; God will judge the world and the people with goodness and with equality.
99[1-5] Yahweh reigns; let the people shake with the fear of the God who sits between the Cherubim (winged angelic creatures); let the earth be troubled. Yahweh is great in Jerusalem; and God is high above all the people. Let us praise Your great and awesome Name, Yahweh, because it’s holy. The ruler’s strength is to love good judgment; You set up equality, You carry out good judgment and goodness in Israel. We praise You, oh Yahweh our God, and worship at the footstool of God; for You are holy.
[6-9] Moses and Aaron were among their preachers, and Samuel was among those that call on Your Name; They called on Yahweh, and You answered them. You spoke to them in the cloudy pillar, and they kept Your Words, and the laws that You gave them. You answered them, oh Yahweh our God; You were a God that forgave them, though You punished their evil actions. Praise Yahweh, our God, and worship at the holy hill; for Yahweh our God is holy.
100[1-5] A Hymn of praise. Make a happy sound to Yahweh, all you nations. Serve Yahweh with happiness; come before the presence of God with singing. Don’t you know that Yahweh is God? You are the One that has made us, and not we ourselves; we’re God’s people, and the flock of Your pasture. We enter Your Place of Worship with thanksgiving, and into Your presence with praise. Be thankful to God, and bless the Name of God. Yahweh is good, whose mercy is everlasting, and whose truth will last to all generations.
101[1-4] A Hymn of David. I’ll sing of mercy and judgment; to You, oh Yahweh, I’ll sing. I’ll behave myself wisely in a perfect way. Oh when will You come to me? I’ll walk in my house with a perfect heart. I’ll put nothing sinful before Me; I hate what those that turn aside from Your way do. I won’t have a sinful heart because I won’t keep company with a person who practices sin.
[5-8] I’ll take those who secretly lie about others from their place; I won’t allow those that have a proud look and an arrogant heart to come near me. My heart will be on the faithful of the land so that they can stay with me; those that walk in a perfect way, they’ll be my people. Those that act dishonestly won’t stay in my house; those that tell lies won’t be in my sight long. Soon I’ll ruin all the sinful of the land; so that I can remove all the sinful from the city of Yahweh.
102[1-5] A Prayer of the abused, when they’re overwhelmed, and pour out their complaint before Yahweh. Listen to my prayer, oh Yahweh, hear my cry. Don’t hide Your face from me on the day when I’m in trouble; listen to me, answering me quickly on the day when I call. My days are gone like smoke, and my body is burned as a hearth. My heart is cut and withered like grass; so badly that I forget to eat my food. Because of the sound of my groaning, my skin clings to my bones.
[6-11] I’m like a pelican of the countryside or like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the rooftop. My enemies accuse me all day; and those that are mad at me have spoken against me angrily. For I’ve eaten ashes like food, and mixed my drink with tears, because of Your just anger and Your rage; for You’ve lifted me up, and thrown me back down. My days are like a shadow that fades; and I’m withered like grass.
[12-17] But You, oh Yahweh, are forever; and all generations will remember You. You’ll awake, and have mercy on Jerusalem; for the time of grace is theirs, yes, the set time has come. For we take pleasure in its stones, and favor the dust of its streets, so the ungodly will respect the Name of Yahweh and all rulers on the earth will see Your light. When You build up Jerusalem, You, Yahweh, Oh God, will appear in Your glory. You, God, will have favor on the prayer of the poor, not hating to hear their words.
[18-22] This will be written for the generation to come, and the people born in the future will praise Yahweh. For God has looked down from the height of the Place of Worship; even from heaven Yahweh has seen the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to free those who are about to die, to tell the Name of Yahweh in Zion, and praise You in Jerusalem, when the people and the nations are gathered together to minister to Yahweh.
[23-28] You weakened my strength in the way, God, and shortened my days. So I said, “Oh my God; don’t take me away in the middle of my life; Your years are throughout all generations. From time everlasting You’ve laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are Your own creation. They’ll all come to an end, but You are everlasting; yes, all of them will grow old like clothing; You’ll change them as a piece of clothes, and they’ll be changed; But You are the same, and Your years will have no end. The children of your people will live forever, and their children will be made known before You.”
103[1-5] A Hymn of David. Bless Yahweh, oh my soul; I bless Your holy Name with all that’s in me. Bless Yahweh, oh my soul, and never forget all that God does for you; Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases; Who saved your life from being destroyed and graces you with love and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s strength.
[6-12] Yahweh brings goodness and judgment for all that are kept down. God, You’ve made known Your ways to Moses, Your acts to the people of Israel. Yahweh, You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and have more than enough compassion. You won’t always accuse us; You won’t be angry forever. God, You haven’t given us what we deserve for our sins; nor punished us for our faults. Just as the heavens are high above the earth, so Your mercy toward those that respect You is great. As far as the east is from the west, You, God, have taken our sins from us.
[13-22] Like parents pity their children, so You pity those that respect You, Yahweh. You know, God, what we’re made of and remember that we’re only dust. As for humans, their days are as grass; as flowers of the field, so they do well. The wind passes over them, and they’re gone; and their beauty won’t be seen in their place anymore. But the mercy of Yahweh is everlastingly on those that respect God; and the goodness of God is on their grandchildren; and on those who keep the Promise; and to those that remember to do Your laws. The reign of Yahweh is ready in the heavens; Your power rules over all things. Bless Yahweh, you strong angels, which do what God says, “when you hear the sound of God’s Word. Bless Yahweh, all you heavenly hosts; the ministers of God that do whatever God wants them to do. Bless Yahweh, all creation everywhere; bless Yahweh, oh my soul.
104[1-5] Bless Yahweh, oh my soul. Oh Yahweh, my God, You are very great; You are clothed with respect and fame, covering Yourself with light as with clothes; You, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain; Who lays the shafts of Your rooms in the waters and makes the clouds Your vehicle, moving on the wings of the wind; Who makes the angels spirits; and Your ministers to shine like flaming fire; Who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it wouldn’t ever be moved out of its place.
[6-11] You covered it with the floods as with clothes; the waters stood above the mountain tops. At Your command it fled; at the voice of Your thunder it rushed away. It goes up by the mountains and goes down by the valleys to the place which You made for it. You’ve set a boundary that it can’t pass over, so that it won’t cover the earth again. God sends the creeks into the valleys, which flow among the hills. God gives drink to every animal of the field; even the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
[12-17] The birds of heaven which sing among the branches have their nests beside them. God waters the hills from the heavens; the earth is satisfied with everything Your creation provides. God, You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the people’s benefit, so that all of them can get food from the earth; And wine that makes the people’s hearts glad, and oil to make their faces shine, and food to strengthen their hearts. The trees of Yahweh, You, God, have planted; the cedars of Lebanon, where the birds make their nests, and the fir trees that are the home of the stork are all full of sap.
[18-23] The high hills are a safe haven for the wild goats; and the rocks for the badgers. God, You appointed the moon for the seasons and the sun goes down at the right time. You make darkness, and the night comes in which all the wild animals of the forest creep out. The young lions roar after their prey, and look for their meat from God. The sun rises, they gather together, and lay down in their dens. People go to their work and to their place of employment until the evening.
[24-30] Oh Yahweh, how many are Your creations! In wisdom You’ve made them all; the earth is full of Your treasures. So is this great and wide sea, in which are innumerable living things, both small and great. There go the ships and there’s Leviathan (likely a plesiosaur-type dinosaur), that great sea monster that You’ve made to play in it. These all wait for You to give them their food at the right time. They gather whatever You give them; You open Your hand, and they’re all filled with good things. You hide Your face, and they’re troubled; You take away their breath, and they die, and return to the dust. You send Your spirit, they’re created, and You renew the face of the earth with them.
[31-35] You, Yahweh, will be made known forever; You’ll celebrate in Your creation, oh Yahweh. God, You look on the earth, and it quakes; God, You touch the volcanoes, and they smoke. I’ll sing to Yahweh as long as I live; I’ll sing praises to my God as long as my spirit exists. My thoughts of You will be sweet; I’ll celebrate in Yahweh God. Let the sinful be removed from the earth, and let them be no more. Bless You, oh Yahweh, oh my soul. Praise Yahweh!
105[1-6] Oh give thanks to Yahweh, calling on the Name of God; and make known God’s acts among the people. Sing to God, sing hymns to God; talk of all the wonderful acts of God. Celebrate in God’s Holy Name; let the heart of them that look for Yahweh celebrate. Look for the strength of Yahweh; watch for Yahweh’s face forever. Remember the awesome acts that God has done; the wonderful things, and the judgments of God’s mouth; Oh you people of Abraham, who served God, people of Jacob, God’s chosen.
[7-15] God is Yahweh, our God, who judges all the people of the earth. You’ve remembered Your Promise forever, the word which You told to a thousand generations, which You made with Abraham, and gave Your promise to Isaac; and confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting Promise, saying, “To You I’ll give the land of Canaan, the lot of Your inheritance,” When they were only a few people in number; yes, very few, and the ungodly were in it, as well. When they went from one nation to another, from one people to another; God let no one do them wrong; yes, God corrected rulers for their sakes, saying, “Don’t touch my chosen, and do no harm to my preachers.”
[16-22] Besides this, God called for a famine on the land, withering the whole stalk of grain. God sent someone before them, even Joseph that was sold for a slave, whose feet they hurt with shackles when he was bound in iron until the time that God’s Word came, the Word of Yahweh, to try Joseph. The ruler of the people sent word to let Joseph go free. The ruler then made Joseph the head manager of all their lands and stuff; to imprison the rulers as he wanted and teach wisdom to the governors.
[23-29] Israel came into Egypt; and Jacob traveled to the land of Ham. God increased their people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. God turned the Egyptians’ hearts to hate their people, to trick their children. God sent Moses, God’s own minister; and Aaron who also had been chosen, who showed the signs of God among them, and wonderful things in the land of Ham. God sent darkness, and made it very dark; and they didn’t rebel against the Word of God. God turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish.
[30-36] Their land was troubled with many frogs, even in the rooms of their rulers. God spoke, and there came different sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. God gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. God struck their vines also and their fig trees; and broke the trees of their coasts. God spoke, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, so many they couldn’t be counted, which attacked every green thing in their land, and ate all the produce of their ground. God struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength.
[37-45] God brought them out with silver and gold, and there was not one weak person among them. Egypt was glad when they left, because they feared them. God spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and God brought quails, and satisfied them with the food of heaven. God split open the rock, making water gush out and run in dry places like a river. You remembered Your holy promise, and Abraham, God’s worker. You brought forward Your people with happiness, and Your chosen ones with gladness, giving them the lands of the ungodly, and they inherited the work of another people; so that they could learn Your Words, and keep Your laws. Praise Yahweh!
106[1-5] Praise Yahweh! Oh give thanks to Yahweh; for God is good; for Your mercy lasts forever. Who can tell of the powerful acts of Yahweh? Who can show all Your respect? Those that judge wisely are happy; and those that practice good ways all the time are happy as well. Remember me, oh Yahweh, with the grace that You give to Israel; oh visit me with Your saving grace, so that I can see the good of Your chosen ones, and celebrate in the gladness of Your nation, and triumph with Your inheritance.
[6-11] We’ve sinned along with our parents; we’ve sinned, doing evil. Our parents didn’t understand the wonderful things You did in Egypt; they didn’t remember the greatness of Your mercies; but provoked You at the Red Sea. Yet, You saved them, God, for Your Name’s sake, in order to make Your strong power known. You divided the Red Sea also, and it was dried up, and led them through the depths, as through the countryside. And You saved them from the power of those that hated them, and saved them from the hand of their enemies, which the waters overcame till there was none left.
[12-18] Then they believed Your Words and sang Your praise. But they soon forgot Your acts and didn’t wait for Your counsel, always complaining in the countryside, and tempting God in the desert. And You gave them what they wanted; but sent sadness into their soul. They were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the saints of Yahweh, also in the camp. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, and buried the followers of Abiram. And a fire was started in the middle of them, burning up those sinful ones.
[19-23] They made a golden calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molded image, changing their glory into the likeness of a cow that eats grass. They forgot God their savior, which had done great things in Egypt; wonderful things in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea. So You said that You would destroy them, yet if Moses, Your chosen, hadn’t begged for mercy before You to turn away Your anger, You would have destroyed them all.
[24-31] Yes, they hated the promised land and didn’t believe Your Word; but complained in their homes and didn’t listen to the voice of Yahweh. So You lifted up Your hand against them, to overthrow them in the countryside; To overthrow their children also among the nations, and to scatter them throughout the lands. They joined themselves also to the false god, Baal-Peor, and ate offerings made for the dead. So they provoked You to anger with their actions, and a deadly disease came on them. Then Phinehas stood up with wise judgment, so the deadly disease was stopped. And that was counted to him for goodness for all generations forever.
[32-38] They angered You also at the waters of trouble, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes, because they provoked his spirit, so that he spoke unwise words. They didn’t destroy the nations, who Yahweh told them to wipe out; But intermixed with the ungodly, and learned their evil ways. They served other things, which were a trap to them. Yes, they sacrificed their own children to demons, shedding innocent blood, even the blood of their own children, so that they sacrificed to the false gods of Canaan, polluting the land with innocent blood.
[39-42] So they were made filthy with their own acts, and made up their own things to worship falsely. Your anger, Yahweh, burned against Your people, so much that You hated Your own inheritance. And You gave them into the power of the ungodly; and those that hated them had rule over them. Their enemies also kept them down, and they were put under their enemies’ control.
[43-48] Many times You saved them, oh God; but they provoked You with their words, and they were brought low for their sin. Yet, You thought about their suffering, oh God, when You heard their cry, remembering Your Promise with them, and changed Your mind according to the greatness of Your mercies. You even made all those that took them prisoner feel sorry for them. Save us, oh Yahweh, our God, and gather us from among the ungodly, to give thanks to Your Holy Name, and to triumph in Your praise. May Yahweh be blessed, God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, and let all the people say, So be it. Praise Yahweh!
Book 5
107[1-5] Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for God is good; Your mercy lasts forever. Let those who are saved by Yahweh say that God has saved them from the power of the enemy, and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, west, north, and south. They wandered alone in the countryside, finding no city to stay in, their souls fainting in hunger and thirst. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and God saved them out of their troubles. And God led them forward by the right way so that they could go to live in a city. Oh that people would praise You, Yahweh, for Your goodness, and for the wonderful things You’ve done for humanity!
[9-15] For God satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. God brought down the hearts of those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death with hard work. They were bound in suffering and shackles because they rebelled against the Words of God, and condemned the advice of the Most High; and when they fell down, there was no one to help. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and God saved them out of it all. God brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, breaking open their shackles. Oh that people would praise You, Yahweh, for Your goodness, and for the wonderful things You’ve done for humanity!
[16-22] For God has broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in half. Stupid people are made miserable because of their offenses, and their sins. They hate all kinds of meat, even drawing near to the gates of death. Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and God saves them out of it all. God sent word, and healed them, and saved them from being destroyed. Oh that people would praise You, Yahweh, for Your goodness, and for the wonderful things You’ve done for humanity! Let them sacrifice the offerings of thanksgiving, telling of what You’ve done with great celebrations.
[23-32] Those that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in the great oceans, see the acts of Yahweh and the wonderful things done in the oceans. For You command, and raise the stormy winds that lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to heaven and go down again to the depths; their souls are overcome because of trouble. They drift back and forth, and stagger like drunks, and don’t know what to do. Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and You bring them out of it all. You calm the storm, and still the waves. Then they’re glad because the waves are quiet; so You bring them to the safe haven where they wanted to go. Oh that people would praise You, Yahweh, for Your goodness, and for the wonderful things You’ve done for humanity! Let them praise You in the congregation also, and praise You in the meetings of the elders.
[33-43] God turns rivers into barren countryside and the creeks into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the evil of those that live in it. God turns the countryside into pools of water, and dry ground into creeks of water. And there God makes the hungry to stay, so that they can build a place to live in; and sow the fields, and plant the vineyards, which produce their fruits. God blesses them also, so that their families grow large; and doesn’t let their animals decrease in number. Again, they’re made fewer and brought low by those keeping them down with their suffering and sorrow. God pours out hatred on rulers, and causes them to wander in the countryside, where there’s no way out. Yet God uplifts the poor from their suffering, and makes their families as large as a flock. Godly people will see it and celebrate, and all sin will stop coming from their mouths. Whoever is wise and will observe these things will understand the love of Yahweh.
108[1-6] A Song or Hymn of David. Oh God, my heart is fixed; I’ll sing and give praise even in my triumph. Awake, stringed instruments and harp; I myself will awake early. I’ll praise You, oh Yahweh, among the people, and I’ll sing praises to You among the nations. For Your mercy is as wide as the heavens and Your truth stretches up to the clouds. Be praised, oh God, above the heavens, and let Your light shine above the whole world; Save with Your strong hand, and answer me, so that Your beloved can be saved.
[7-13] God, You’ve spoken in Your holiness; “I’ll celebrate, as I divide Shechem, and give out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my lawgiver; I’ll wash myself at Moab; I’ll lay out my shoes over Edom (Arab Nations); I’ll triumph over Philistia.” Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? Won’t You, oh God, who has thrown us away? And won’t You, oh God, go forward with our people? Give us help from our troubles, for what help people give is useless. Through God we’ll triumph, for it’s God that will put down our enemies.
109[1-5] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Don’t hold Your peace, oh God of my praise, for the mouths of the sinful and the lying are opened against me, speaking against me with their lies. They overtook me with words of hatred; and fought against me wrongly. Even though I gave them my love, they’re my enemies, but I give myself to prayer. They’ve rewarded me evil for good, and hated me for my love to them.
[6-16] So set a sinful person over them, and let Satan stand at their side. When they’re judged, let them be found guilty, and let their prayer become sin. Let their days be few; and let others take their places. Let their children be orphaned, and their spouses become death survivors. Let their children always be homeless, and beg; let them look for food out of their gloomy places also. Let thieves take everything they’ve; and let the ungodly ruin all their efforts. Let no one be there to extend mercy to them, nor let there be any to help their orphaned children. Let them have no grandchildren; and in the generation following let their name be forgotten. Let the sin of their parents be remembered by Yahweh; and don’t let their sins be forgotten. Let them always be ashamed before Yahweh, so that God can remove their memory from the earth, because they didn’t show mercy, but abused the poor and needy, that they would even destroy the broken hearted.
[17-20] As they loved cursing, so let it come to them; and as they didn’t enjoy their blessings, so let it be far from them. As they decorated themselves with cursing like putting on the clothes they wear, so let it come into them like the water they drink, and like the rich foods they eat. Let it be to them as the clothes that cover them, or like the belt they wear. Let this be the punishment from Yahweh of my enemies, those who speak evil against me.
[21-25] But do this for me, oh Yahweh, my God, for Your Name’s sake; because Your mercy is good, save me. I’m poor and needy, and my heart is broken. I’m gone like the passing shadow when it fades; I’m tossed up and down as the locust in the wind. My knees shake from fasting; and my body is thin. I was disgusting to them when they looked on me and shook their heads.
[26-31] Help me, oh Yahweh my God; oh save me according to Your mercy, so that they can know that this is Your hand; that You, oh Yahweh, have done it. Let them curse me, but when You bless me they’ll awake and be ashamed; and let me celebrate. Let my enemies be covered with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a shroud. I’ll greatly praise Yahweh with my mouth; yes, I’ll praise You among the people. God will stand at the side of the poor, to save them from those that would condemn them.
110[1-7] A Hymn of David. Yahweh said to my Savior, Sit at My side in the place of respect, until I make Your enemies Your footstool. Yahweh, You’ll send the rod of Your strength out of Jerusalem; so take control in the middle of Your enemies. Your people will support You in the day of Your rule; from the dawning of day in the beauty of holiness You’ll have the freshness of Your youth. You, Yahweh have promised, and won’t change Your mind; “You are a preacher forever after the order of Melchizedek.” With Yahweh at Your side, You’ll overthrow rulers in the day of God’s anger. You’ll judge the ungodly, filling their places with the dead bodies; You’ll wound the rulers over many countries, and drink of the creek in the way; so You’ll lift up Your head in triumph.
111[1-5] Praise Yahweh! I’ll praise Yahweh with my whole heart, in the congregation of the godly, when the people gather together. The creations of Yahweh are great, searched out by all those that enjoy them. Your actions are respectable and worthy of praise and your goodness is forever. You’ve made Your wonderful acts to be remembered; Yahweh is gracious and full of compassion. You’ve given food to those that respect You. God will be ever mindful of our Promised Agreement.
[6-10] You’ve shown Your people the power of Your acts, so that You can give them what belonged to the ungodly. The acts of Your hands are true and good; all Your laws are sure, standing fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and honesty. God, You saved Your people, authorizing the Promise forever; Your Name is holy and worthy of respect. The respect of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; all those that keep Your laws have a good understanding; Your praise lasts forever.
112[1-5] Praise Yahweh! Happy are those that respect Yahweh, the ones that enjoy keeping Your laws. Their children will be strong on earth, for the lives of godly people will be blessed. They’ll have more than enough in their houses; and their goodness lasts forever. Light will shine in the darkness for godly people because they’re gracious, and full of compassion and goodness. Godly people show grace, and lend, always using good judgment in what they do.
[6-10] They’ll never be overcome, and will always be remembered. They won’t be scared of bad news, for their hearts are set on Yahweh. Their hearts are set, and not scared, until they see justice come to their enemies. They’ll be given respect because they’ve given to the poor; their goodness lasts forever. The sinful will see it, and be grieved; and will grit their teeth, pining away until everything they want is gone.
113[1-4] Praise Yahweh! Praise, oh people of Yahweh, praise the Name of Yahweh. Happy is the Name of Yahweh from this time forward and forever. From the dawning of the sun to its setting again, Yahweh’s Name is to be praised. Yahweh, You are the Savior over all the nations, and Your brightness is above the heavens.
[5-9] Who is like You, oh Yahweh our God, who lives in heaven, and who comes down to see the things that are in heaven and in earth! And who picks up the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the trash pile; so that You can put them with rulers, even with the rulers of Your people. You even make the barren to keep house, and to be a happy mother of children. Praise Yahweh!
114[1-7] When Israel left Egypt, and the people of Jacob went from a strange speaking foreign people, Judah was their Place of Worship and Israel was their land. The Red Sea saw it and pulled back; the Jordan river was driven back. The mountains and the little hills shook. What overcame you, oh sea, that you pulled back? And you Jordan, that was driven back? And you mountains and little hills that shook? Shake earth, at the presence of the Savior, at the presence of our God, which turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint-rock into a stream of water.
115[1-7] Not us, oh Yahweh, not us, but make Your Name well known, for Your mercy, and Your truth’s sake. Why should the ungodly say, “Where is their God now?” But our God is in the heavens; You’ve done whatever You wanted. They worship their false gods of silver and gold, the things made from human hands. Their false gods have mouths, but don’t speak, and eyes, but don’t see; They’ve ears, but don’t listen, and noses, but don’t smell; They’ve hands, but don’t hold anything, and feet, but don’t walk; nor do they speak.
[8-13] Those that make them are as dumb as they are and so is everyone that trusts in them. Oh Israel, trust in Yahweh; God is our help and our defense. Oh people of Aaron, trust in Yahweh; God is our help and our defense. You that respect God trust in Yahweh; God is your help and your defense. Yahweh has been thinking of us; God will bless us; God will bless the people of Israel; God will bless the people of Aaron. God will bless those that respect Yahweh, both small and great.
[14-18] Yahweh will increase you more and more, you and your children. You are blessed of Yahweh which made heaven and earth. The heavens, even the heavens, are Yahweh’s, but God has given the earth to humanity. The dead don’t praise Yahweh, or anyone that goes down into the silence of the grave. But we’ll bless Yahweh now and forever. Praise Yahweh.
116[1-6] I love Yahweh because God has heard my voice and my prayer. I’ll call on God as long as I live because Yahweh has listened to me. The sorrows of death overtook me, and the pains of Hell got hold of me and I found nothing but trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the Name of Yahweh; oh God, I ask you, save my soul. Yahweh is gracious and good; yes, our God is merciful. Yahweh saves those who are young and stupid; for I was brought low and God helped me.
[7-14] Return to your rest, oh my soul; for Yahweh has been very good to you. For You’ve saved my soul from death, Me from tears, and my feet from falling; and I’ll walk with Yahweh in the land of the living. I believed, so I’ve spoken; I was greatly troubled because I said in my haste, everybody is a liar. What will I give to Yahweh in exchange for all the blessings given me? I’ll take the reward of Your saving grace, and call on the Name of Yahweh. I’ll pay My promises to Yahweh now in the presence of all Your people.
[15-19] The death of the people of God is precious in the sight of Yahweh. Oh Yahweh, truly I belong to You; I belong to you, and I’m the child of one who belongs to You; You’ve saved me from everything that kept me down. I’ll offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on the Name of Yahweh. I’ll pay My promises to Yahweh now in the presence of all Your people. Praise Yahweh in the Place of Worship, in Jerusalem!
117[1-2] Praise Yahweh, all you nations; praise God, everybody. God’s merciful kindness has blessed us greatly, and the truth of Yahweh lasts forever. Praise Yahweh!
118[1-4] Oh give thanks to Yahweh; for God is good; Your mercy lasts forever. Let Israel say now, “Your mercy lasts forever.” Let the people of Aaron say now, “Your mercy lasts forever.” Let those who respect Yahweh say now, “Your mercy lasts forever.”
[5-11] I called on Yahweh in my trouble; You answered me, and put me in a great place. Yahweh is on my side, so I won’t be scared; What can humans do to me? Yahweh takes my side with those that help me; so I’ll see justice on those that hate me. It’s better to trust in Yahweh than to put your faith in any other. It’s better to trust in Yahweh than to put your faith in the government. All nations overtook me, but in the Name of Yahweh, I’ll destroy them. They overtook me; yes, they overtook me, but in the Name of Yahweh, I’ll overcome them.
[12-16] They overtook me like bees; they’re quenched as a fire of thorns; for in the Name of Yahweh, I’ll overcome them. They’ve pushed me roughly so that I’d fall, but Yahweh helped me up. Yahweh is my strength and song, and is my saving grace. The sound of celebration and of saving grace is in the homes of godly people; the strong hand of Yahweh is triumphant. The strong hand of Yahweh is wonderful; the strong hand of Yahweh is triumphant.
[17-23] I won’t die, but I’ll live to tell the acts of Yahweh. Yahweh has greatly disciplined me, but hasn’t let me die yet. Open to me the gates of goodness, this gate of Yahweh, in which godly people will enter, and I’ll also go in praising Yahweh. I’ll praise You; for You’ve heard me, and are my saving grace. The stone which the builders refused has become the main cornerstone. This is Yahweh’s doing and it’s awesome in our eyes.
[24-29] This is the day which Yahweh has made; in which we’ll celebrate and be glad. Save us now, I ask you, oh Yahweh; I ask you, send now Your blessings, oh Yahweh. Happy is the One that comes in the Name of Yahweh; we’ve blessed You from Your Place of Worship, oh Yahweh. Yahweh is God, who has given us light; we’ll lay our sacrifices on top of the altar. You are my God, and I’ll praise You; You are my God, so I’ll praise You. Oh give thanks to Yahweh; for God is good; for Your mercy lasts forever.
119[1-8] Those who walk purely in the way of the Word of Yahweh are happy. Those that keep Your Words, and that look for God with their whole heart are happy. They don’t practice sin, because they walk in the ways of God. You’ve told us to carefully keep Your teachings. Oh that my ways were always aimed to do what You tell me! When I have respect for all Your Words then I won’t be ashamed. And when I’ve learned Your good judgments I’ll praise You with an honest heart. I’ll follow Your directions; oh don’t give up on me all together.
[9-16] Young people know the right way to go by paying attention to Your Word. I searched for You with my whole heart; oh don’t let me wander from Your Words. I treasure Your Word in my heart, so that I won’t sin against You. You are blessed, oh Yahweh; teach me Your Words. I’ve told of all Your judgments with my words. I’ve celebrated in the way of Your Words, as much as in riches. I’ll think on Your teachings, and have respect for Your ways. I’m happy in Your Words; I won’t forget Your Word.
[17-24] Bless me, so that I can live, and keep Your Word. Open Me, so that I can see wonderful things from out of Your Word. I’m a foreigner in the earth; don’t hide Your Words from me. My heart breaks all the time, longing for Your judgments. You’ve corrected those that are cursed, who stopped following Your Words. Save me from those who accuse me and hate me; for I’ve kept Your Words. Leaders sat and spoke against me, but I reflected on Your Words. Your Words are my happiness and my counselors.
[25-32] My soul lays in the dust; revive me according to Your Word. I’ve confessed my ways, and You heard me; now teach me Your Words. Help me understand the way of Your teachings; so I can talk of all the wonderful things You’ve done. My soul faints for heaviness; strengthen me according to Your Word. Remove from me lying ways, and graciously give me Your Word. I’ve chosen the way of truth and followed Your judgments. I’ve stuck to Your Words, oh Yahweh, so don’t shame me. When You enlarge my heart, I’ll quickly follow all of Your Words.
[33-40] Teach me, oh Yahweh, the way of Your Words; and I’ll keep it to the end of my days. Give me understanding, and I’ll keep Your Word, yes, studying it with my whole heart. Make me walk in Your Words; for my happiness is in them. Lean my heart toward Your Words, and never to greed. Turn Me away from seeing worthless things; and revive me in Your way. Keep Your Word in me, the one who is faithful to You. Turn my shame away, which I fear; for Your judgments are good. See, I’ve longed after Your teachings, so revive me in Your goodness.
[41-48] Let Your mercies come to me also, oh Yahweh, even Your saving grace, according to Your Word, so I’ll have something to say to those that accuse me; for I trust in Your Word. And don’t take the word of truth out of my mouth all together; for I’ve hoped in Your judgments. So I’ll keep Your Word always and forever. I’ll walk in freedom, for I look to Your teachings. I’ll speak of Your Words before rulers, and won’t be ashamed. I’ll celebrate in Your Words, which I’ve loved. I’ll lift up my hands to Your Words also, which I’ve loved; and I’ll think about them.
[49-56] Help me, the one who serves You, to remember Your Word, on which You’ve caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my suffering; Your Word has revived me. People who think they’re better than me have greatly disrespected me; yet I haven’t given up on Your Word. I remembered Your past judgments, oh Yahweh; and have comforted myself. I’m horrified by the sinful that give up on Your Word. Your Words have been my songs in the Place of Worship throughout life’s journey. I’ve remembered Your Name, oh Yahweh, in the night, and have kept Your Word. This I was able to do, only because I followed Your teachings.
[57-64] Oh Yahweh, You are my lot in life, so I’ve said that I’d keep Your Words. I asked for Your grace with my whole heart, so be merciful to me according to Your Word. I thought on my ways, and turned my ways to Your Words. I didn’t delay, but quickly followed Your Words. Evil people have stolen from me, but I haven’t forgotten Your Word. At midnight I’ll rise to give thanks to You, because of Your good judgments. I’m a friend of all those that respect You and keep Your teachings. The earth, oh Yahweh, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your Words.
[65-72] You’ve dealt with me well, oh Yahweh, according to Your Word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your Words. Even before I was abused, I went astray, but now I keep Your Word. You are good, and do good things; so teach me Your Words. People who think they’re better than me have told lies against me, but I’ll keep Your teachings with my whole heart. Their hearts are full of emptiness; but I have happiness in Your Word. It has worked out for my good that I’ve been abused; because I learned Your Words from my suffering. Your Word is better than a wealth of riches to me.
[73-80] Your hands have created me and designed me, so give me understanding to learn Your Words. Those that respect You will be glad when they see me; because I’ve hoped in Your Word. I know, oh Yahweh, that Your judgments are right, and that You have allowed me to be abused in faithfulness. Let Your merciful kindness, I pray, be for my comfort according to Your Word to me. Let Your tender mercies come to me so that I can live, for Your Word is my happiness. Let those people who think they’re better than others be ashamed; for they treated me harshly for no reason, but I’ll reflect on Your teachings. Let those that respect You and that have known Your Words turn to me. Let my heart know Your Words well, so that I won’t be ashamed.
[81-88] My soul faints for Your saving grace, but I hope in Your Word. I grow old as I wait for Your Word, saying, “When will You comfort me?” For I’m smudged like a bottle in the smoke; yet I don’t forget Your Words. How long are my days? When will You judge those that abuse me? People who think they’re better than me, who don’t follow after Your Word, have tried to make me fall. All Your laws are faithful, but they abuse me wrongfully; so help me. They almost took me from this earth; but I never left Your teachings. Revive me out of Your love; so I’ll keep Your Word.
[89-96] Oh Yahweh, Your Word is forever settled in heaven. Your faithfulness is to all generations, for You’ve created the earth, and it’s still here. They continue today according to Your laws, for everything follows Your plan. Unless Your Word had been my happiness, I’d have died in my suffering. I’ll never forget Your teachings, for You’ve revived me with them. I’m Yours, save me; for I’ve searched out Your teachings. The sinful have waited to destroy me, but I believe Your Words. I’ve seen all good things come to an end, but Your Word outlasts them all.
[97-104] Oh how I love Your Word! It’s in my thoughts all day long. You, through Your Words, have made me wiser than my enemies, for they’re ever with me. I understand more than all my teachers, because I think on Your Words. I understand more than the wise ones of the past, because I keep Your teachings. I’ve kept myself from going any evil way, so that I can keep Your Word. I haven’t left from Your judgments, for it was You who taught them to me. How sweet are Your Words! Yes, sweeter than honey to the taste! Through Your teachings I’ve come to understand, and so I hate every way that’s untrue.
[105-112] Your Word shines its light for my feet and brightens my pathway. I promised that I’ll keep Your good judgments, and I’ll do it. I’m abused very much; revive me, oh Yahweh, according to Your Word. Accept, I ask you, the offerings of my mouth, which are of my own free will, oh Yahweh, and teach me Your judgments. My life is always at risk in my own hands; yet I don’t forget Your Word. The sinful have tried to trap me; yet I haven’t stopped following Your teachings. Your Words I’ve taken for my own forever, for they make my heart happy. My heart is set to do Your Words always, even to the end of my days.
[113-120] I hate those who think themselves better than others, but I love Your Word. You are my refuge and my defense, so I hope in Your Word. Leave me alone, you evil people, for I’ll keep the words of my God. Keep me according to Your Word so that I can live and not be ashamed of my hope. Keep me, and I’ll be safe, and I’ll have respect for Your Words always. You’ve crushed all those that stopped following Your Words for the falseness of their lies. You throw away all the sinful of the earth like trash, so I love Your Words. My body shakes for fear of You; and I’m scared of Your judgments.
[121-128] I’ve given good judgments and justice so don’t leave me to those who come against me. Be my safe haven for good and don’t let those who think they’re better than me put me down. I grow old waiting for Your saving grace, and for the word of Your goodness. Deal with me according to Your mercy, and teach me Your Words. Because I serve You, give me understanding so that I can know Your Words. It’s time for You to act, oh Yahweh, for they’ve made Your Word of no effect. I love Your Words more than riches, yes, even more than the finest gold. I highly respect all Your teachings about all the things which are right; and I hate every way that’s false.
[129-136] Your Words are wonderful, so my soul keeps them. The opening of Your Word gives light, bringing understanding to the young and stupid, so I waited in hope, longing for Your Word. Yahweh, look on me, and be merciful to me, as You used to do to those that loved Your Name. Guide my steps by Your Word, and don’t let any sin have control of me. Save me from those who would keep me down, and I’ll keep Your teachings. Let Your face smile on me, while You teach me all Your Words. Me flow rivers of tears, because others don’t keep Your Word.
[137-144] You are good, oh Yahweh and Your judgments are good as well. Your Words are good and true. I’m overcome by my passion, because my enemies have forgotten Your Words. Your Words are perfect, so I love them. I’m unimportant and hated, yet I don’t forget Your teachings. Your goodness is an everlasting goodness, and Your Word is the truth. Trouble and grief have overwhelmed me, yet Your Words are my happiness. The goodness of Your Words is everlasting, so give me understanding, and I’ll live.
[145-152] I cried with my whole heart, “Listen to me, oh Yahweh and I’ll keep Your Words.” I cried to You, “Save me, and I’ll keep Your Words.” The dawning of the morning was slow in coming, and I cried, “I hoped in Your Word.” Me don’t sleep in the night as I think on Your Word. Listen to my voice according to Your love, oh Yahweh, revive me according to Your judgment. Those who try to cause trouble are chasing after me, being far from Your Word. You are near, oh Yahweh; and all Your Words are truth. I’ve always known that You created Your Words to last forever.
[153-160] Think on my suffering and save me, for I haven’t forgotten Your Word. Plead my case and save me; revive me according to Your Word. Your saving grace is far from the sinful, for they don’t follow Your Words. Great are Your tender mercies, oh Yahweh, so revive me according to Your judgments. I have many who come against me, who are my enemies; yet I don’t reject Your Words. I saw the sinful and was grieved, because they haven’t kept Your Word. Think about how I love Your teachings, and revive me, oh Yahweh, according to Your love. Your Word is true from the beginning of creation, and every one of Your good judgments will last for eternity.
[161-168] Leaders have abused me wrongly, but my heart is in awe of Your Word. I celebrate in Your Word, as one that finds great treasure. I hate and look down on lying, but I love Your Word. I praise You seven times a day because of Your good judgments. Those who love Your Word have great peace, and nothing offends them. Yahweh, I’ve hoped for Your saving grace and followed Your laws. I’ve kept Your Words, which I love very much. I’ve kept Your teachings and Your Words, for You know all my ways.
[169-176] Let my cry come to Your hearing, oh Yahweh; give me understanding according to Your Word. Let my prayer be heard by You and save me according to Your Word. My words will speak Your praise, when You’ve taught me all Your Words. My mouth will tell of Your Word, for all Your Words are good. Let Your hand help me, for I’ve chosen Your ways. I’ve longed for Your saving grace, oh Yahweh; and Your Words are my happiness. Let my soul live, and it’ll praise You; and let Your judgments help me. I’ve gone astray like a lost animal; find me, for I haven’t forgotten Your Words.
120[1-7] A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to Yahweh, and God heard me. Deliver my soul, oh Yahweh, from lying words and lying mouths. What penalty will be given or what punishment will be done to those who lie? The consequence of their ways will be the weapons of their own mouths which destroy others. Why must I stay here, staying in this house? My soul has lived too long with those that hate peace. My aim is peace, but when I speak of it, they only want to fight.
121[1-8] A Song of Ascents. I’ll set Me on the mountains of God, from where my help comes. My help comes from Yahweh God, who made heaven and earth. God won’t let your foot slip, because the One that keeps you won’t sleep. See, the One that keeps Israel, the people of God, won’t slumber, nor sleep. Yahweh is your keeper; Yahweh will overshadow you. The sunlight won’t expose you by day, nor will the moon by night. Yahweh will free you from all evil, yes, God will save your soul. Yahweh will save you when you leave out and when you enter any place from this time forward, and forever.
122[1-9] A Song of Ascents of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go into Yahweh’s Place of Worship.” Our feet will stand within Your gates, oh Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a city that’s built tightly together, where the people go up, that is, the people of Yahweh, to give the testimony of Israel, and to give thanks to the Name of Yahweh. For there, the seat of judgment is set, the reign of the family of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; for those who love it will do well. Let peace be within its walls, and let its great houses do well. For my family and friends’ sakes, I’ll say now, “Let peace be on Jerusalem.” I’ll watch for its good, because of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, our God.
123[1-4] A Song of Ascents. I lift up Me to You, the One who lives in the heavens. See, as the eyes of people look to their overseers for direction, and as the eyes of daughters to their mother; so our eyes look to Yahweh our God, until God has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, oh Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we’re much disgraced. Our souls are greatly shamed by those that have an easy life, and by their proud hatred of us.
124[1-8] A Song of Ascents of David. If it hadn’t been for Yahweh being on our side, let Israel say now; if it hadn’t been for Yahweh being on our side, when people rose up against us, and when their anger burned against us, they would have quickly overcome us. When the waters would have overwhelmed us, then the river would have gone over our heads. Yes, the flood waters would have gone over our heads. May Yahweh be blessed, who hasn’t let us be overcome. Our souls escaped as a bird out of the hunter’s trap; for the trap was broken, and we’ve escaped. Our help is in the Name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
125[1-5] A Song of Ascents. Those that trust in Yahweh will be as mount Zion, which can’t be shaken and will always be there. As the mountains that surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds the people of God from now to eternity. For the rule of the sinful won’t last in the land given to godly people; or else they would be tempted to sin. Do good things, oh Yahweh, to those that do good things, to those whose hearts are good. As for those that practice sinful things, Yahweh will take them away with the sinful, but let peace stay on Israel.
126[1-6] A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh freed the people of Jerusalem from captivity, we were in a dream-like state. We were filled with laughter, and singing, and then we said among the ungodly, “Yahweh has done great things for us. Yahweh has done great things for us; for which we’re glad.” Free us again from the captivity of our sin, oh Yahweh, as the streams that flow in the south. Those that sow seeds of tears will reap a harvest of happiness. Those that go on with the precious seed of changed hearts will doubtless come again with celebrating, bringing a good harvest with them.
127[1-5] A Song of Ascents for Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, those that build it work for nothing. Unless Yahweh keeps the city, the night guard stays awake for no reason. It’s of no use for you to rise up early, or to sit up late, only to worry about your own sorrows; for God gives sleep to those who are beloved. See, children are the inheritance of Yahweh, and the child in the womb is God’s gift. As a strong hunter powerfully handles weapons; so the children of their youth are their strength. Those who have lots of children will be happily rewarded; and they won’t be publicly shamed, but will have an answer to their enemies’ accusations.
128[1-6] A Song of Ascents. Everyone that respects Yahweh is blessed, all those who walk in the ways of God. You’ll eat from the work of your hands and be happy, and it’ll be well with you. Your spouse will be as a fruitful vine beside your house and Your children will sprout up like olive plants around your table. See, the people that respect Yahweh will be blessed. Yahweh will bless you out of Zion, and you’ll see the good of Jerusalem all the days of Your life. Yes, you’ll see your grandchildren, and peace in Israel.
129[1-8] A Song of Ascents. Many times they’ve abused me from my childhood, God’s people can now say; Many times they’ve abused me from my childhood; yet they haven’t overcome me. The farmers plowed on my back, making long furrows. God is good, for Yahweh has cut the ropes of the sinful in half. Let those that hate Jerusalem all be confused and turn back. Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, and in which the mowers don’t fill their hands; or those that bind the bundles fill their arms. And those who go by won’t say, “The blessing of Yahweh be on You; bless You in the Name of Yahweh.”
130[1-8] A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths of my soul I’ve cried to You, oh Yahweh. My God, hear my voice; let Your ears listen to the sound of my prayer. If You, oh Yahweh, should keep a record of sins, oh my God, who could stand before You? But forgiveness is with You, so that You can be respected. I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits, and it’s in Your Word that I hope. My soul watches for the Savior more than those that watch for the morning; yes I say, more than those that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in Yahweh; for with Yahweh there’s more than enough mercy to save us from our sin. And God will save Israel from all their sins.
131[1-3] A Song of Ascents of David. Yahweh, my heart isn’t proud, nor do Me look down on anyone; nor do I involve myself in great matters or in things too hard for me to understand. Surely I’ve behaved and comforted myself, as a weaned child; even my soul is as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in Yahweh now and forever.
132[1-7] A Song of Ascents. Yahweh, remember all the troubles of David; How he promised to Yahweh, and promised to the powerful God of Israel, “Surely I won’t come into the safety of my house, nor go to my bed; I won’t let Me sleep or even close my eyelids, until I discover a place for Yahweh, a house for the powerful God of Jacob.” See, we heard of it at Ephratah and found it in the fields of the woods. So we’ll go into the Place of Worship and worship at the footstool of God.
[8-12] Arise, oh Yahweh, into Your resting place; You, and Your powerful chest. Let Your preachers shine with Your goodness; and let the people of God celebrate loudly. For David’s sake, who served You, don’t turn the face of Your chosen away. Yahweh has sworn in truth to David, and won’t break this promise, “I’ll set on Your throne One of your own descendants. If your children will keep My promise and My testimony that I’ll teach them, their children also will sit on your throne continuously.”
[13-18] For Yahweh has chosen Jerusalem; God has wanted it for a resting place saying, “This is My resting place; I’ll stay here forever; for this is what I’ve wanted. I’ll bless what they’ve even more, satisfying the poor with food. I’ll also cover the preachers with My saving grace, and the people of God will loudly celebrate. There I’ll make the strength of David to grow; I’ve made My Chosen One to reflect My light, whose enemies I’ll cover with shame, but the crown of the One I anoint will outshine them all.”
133[1-3] A Song of Ascents of David. See how good and enjoyable it is for the family of God to be together as one! It’s like the precious oil on Aaron’s head, which ran down on his beard, flowing all the way down to the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Mt. Hermon that fell on the mountains of Jerusalem; for there Yahweh gave the blessing of everlasting life.
134[1-3] A Song of Ascents. Bless Yahweh, everybody who worships by night in the Place of Worship. Lift up your hands in the Place of Worship, and worship Yahweh, who made heaven and earth, and who will bless you from Jerusalem.
135[1-5] Praise Yahweh! Praise the Name of Yahweh; Praise God, oh people of Yahweh. All you who worship in the house of Yahweh, in the sanctuary of the house of our God, praise Yahweh; for Yahweh is good; Sing praises to the Name of God, which sounds sweet to our ears. Yahweh, You have chosen Jacob for Yourself and Israel for Your particular treasure. I know that Yahweh is great, and that our God is above all great ones.
[6-12] Whatever Yahweh wanted was done in heaven, and on earth, in the seas, and in every deep place. God causes the water to evaporate, rising from all over the earth; God makes the lightning in the rain; God brings the wind out of its places in heaven; Yes, God, who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both people and animal; and who sent signs and did awesome things in Egypt, on Ruler of Egypt, and on all his people; and who struck great nations and slaughtered rulers; Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, and Og, ruler of Bashan, and all the nations of Canaan, giving their land for an inheritance, a heritage to the people of Israel.
[13-21] Your Name, oh Yahweh, lasts forever; and You will be remembered, oh Yahweh, throughout all generations. For You, Yahweh will judge Your people, and will be compassionate toward Your children. The ungodly worship their false gods of silver and gold, creations of human hands, having mouths, but not speaking; having eyes, but not seeing; having ears, but not hearing; nor is there any life in them. Those that make them are as dumb as they are, and so is everyone who trusts in them. Bless Yahweh, oh house of Israel; bless Yahweh, oh house of Aaron; Bless Yahweh, oh house of Levi, and all you who respect God, bless Yahweh. May Yahweh be blessed from out of Zion, whose resting place is at Jerusalem. Praise Yahweh!
136[1-9] Oh give thanks to Yahweh; for God is good; for the mercy of God lasts forever. Oh give thanks to the God of all great ones; for the mercy of God lasts forever. Oh give thanks to the Savior of saviors; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One, who alone does great and wonderful things; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One that by wisdom made the heavens; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One that brought the earth out of the waters; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One that made the great lights; for the mercy of God lasts forever; The sunlight to rule by day; for the mercy of God lasts forever; The moon and starlight to rule by night; for the mercy of God lasts forever.
[10-21] To the One that struck Egypt’s firstborns; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and brought Israel out from among them; for the mercy of God lasts forever; with a strong hand, and with an out stretched arm; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One, who split the Red Sea in half; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and made Israel to walk through it; for the mercy of God lasts forever; but overthrew Ruler of Egypt and his army in the Red Sea; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One, who led the people of God through the countryside; for the mercy of God lasts forever. To the One, who struck great rulers; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and killed famous rulers; for the mercy of God lasts forever; Sihon, the ruler of the Amorites; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and Og, the ruler of Bashan; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and gave their land for a heritage; for the mercy of God lasts forever.
[22-26] Even a heritage to the people of God, to Israel; for the mercy of God lasts forever. Who remembered us in our humility; for the mercy of God lasts forever; and has bought us back from our enemies; for the mercy of God lasts forever. Who gives food to everybody; for the mercy of God lasts forever. Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for the mercy of God lasts forever.
137[1-6] We sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon (Iraq, Iran), when we remembered Jerusalem. We hung our harps on the willows beside it. For there, those that carried us away prisoner, demanded us to sing a song to amuse them, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Jerusalem.” How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land? If I forget Jerusalem let my hands forget their skill. If I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my favorite enjoyment, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth.
[7-9] Remember, oh Yahweh, the people of Edom (Arab Nations) in the day of Jerusalem; that said, “Destroy it, destroy it, even to the foundation of it” . Oh people of Babylon, who will be destroyed, God, who punishes you as you’ve punished us, will be happy. God will be happy, who takes revenge against you and your children.
138[1-3] A Hymn of David. I’ll praise You with my whole heart; I’ll sing praise to You before the great ones. I’ll worship toward Your holy Place of Worship and praise Your Name, Yahweh, for Your love, and for Your truth, because You’ve made Your Word known even above Your Name. In the day when I cried, You answered me, and built me up with strength in my soul.
[4-8] All rulers on the earth will praise You, oh Yahweh, when they hear Your Words. Yes, they’ll sing in the ways of Yahweh; for great is the glory of Yahweh. Though Yahweh is the Savior, God respects those who don’t think too much of themselves, but barely knows those who think they’re better than everybody else. Though I’m in trouble where I walk, You’ll revive me. You’ll stretch out Your hand against the rage of my enemies, and Your strong hand will save me. Yahweh will complete everything that concerns me, for Your mercy, oh Yahweh, is forever; so don’t give up on the creation of Your own hands.
139[1-6] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Oh Yahweh, You’ve examined me, and know me well. You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thoughts from where You are. You come to me whether I am awake or asleep, and know all my ways. There isn’t a word in my mouth, oh Yahweh, that You don’t thoroughly know. You’ve come behind me and before me, and laid Your hand on me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it’s so wonderful, I can’t even imagine it.
[7-12] Where can I go away from Your spirit? Or where can I run from Your presence? If I go up into heaven, You are there, or if I make my bed in Hell, You are even there. If I were to leave first thing in the morning, and live on an island in the farthest part of the sea; even there Your hand will lead me, and Your strong hand will hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me,” even the night will be light around me. Yes, the darkness won’t hide me from You; but the night would shine as the light of day, because to You, the darkness and light are both alike.
[13-16] You’ve made my mind passionate for You, protecting me from my mother’s womb. I’ll praise You; for I’m powerfully and wonderfully made; Your creations are awesome; as my soul knows so well. My essence wasn’t hid from You, when I was conceived in private, and so interestingly created. Your eyes saw my substance, while I was still imperfect; and all my members were noted in Your book, which were formed each in their turn, before any of them were even formed.
[17-24] How precious and how great, oh God, are Your thoughts of me! If I should count them, they’re more numerous than the grains of sand; and when I awake, I’m still with You. Surely You’ll destroy the sinful, oh God; so leave me alone, you bloodthirsty people. For they speak wickedly against You, and Your enemies vainly misuse Your Name. Don’t I hate them, oh Yahweh, those that hate You? And am not I grieved with those that come against You? I hate them with complete hatred, counting them my own enemies. Look me over, oh God, and see my heart; question me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any sinfulness in me, and lead me to eternity.
140[1-5] To the first musician, A Hymn of David. Save me, oh Yahweh, from evil people; save me from the violent people who imagine trouble in their hearts; and always come together for a fight. They’ve sharpened their tongues like the fangs of a serpent, whose poison is in their words. Selah! Keep me, oh Yahweh, from the power of the sinful; save me from violent people who want to stop what I do. People who think they’re better than me have hid their traps for me, spreading a net in the wayside and ropes with a noose to hang me. Selah!
[6-13] I said to Yahweh, “You are my God, so hear the voice of my prayer, oh Yahweh. Oh God, my Savior, the strength of the grace that saves me, You’ve protected me in the days of fighting. Yahweh, don’t give the sinful what they want and don’t further their sinful plans; or they’ll praise themselves. Selah! Let the trouble of their own words fall on the heads of those that surround me. Let them be thrown into a fire with burning coals falling on them; or into deep pits in which they can’t get out of again. Don’t let those who speak evil become well known in the earth; let evil hunt violent people and overthrow them. I know that Yahweh will uphold the case of the abused, and the right of the poor. Surely godly people will give thanks to Your Name, and always stay in Your presence.”
141[1-4] A Hymn of David. Yahweh, I’m crying to You; hurry to me; hear my voice, when I cry to You. Let my prayer be set before You like burning incense; and my uplifted hands as the evening sacrifice. Watch my mouth, oh Yahweh, set a guard on the doors of my lips and keep them. Don’t let my heart lean toward anything evil, to do what’s sinful with those who practice sin, and don’t let me share in their excesses.
[5-10] If godly people punish me; it’ll be a kindness, and if they warn me; it’ll be excellent ointment, which won’t harm me, for even in their troubles, I’ll still pray for them. When their judges are overthrown in rough places, they’ll finally acknowledge that my words are good. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when wood lay chopped and split on the ground. But Me look to You, oh God, my Savior; my trust is in You, so don’t leave my soul without hope. Keep me from the traps which they’ve set for me, and from the noose of those who practice sin. Let the sinful fall into their own traps, while I escape out of them.
142[1-4] A poem of teaching of David; A prayer when he was in the cave. I cried to You, Yahweh, praying aloud to You. I made my complaints to You, telling You all my troubles. When my spirit was overwhelmed in me, then You knew my way. They secretly set a trap for me in the way that I walked. I looked to my side, but there was no one that knew me; safety failed me, and no one cared for me.
[5-7] I cried to You, oh Yahweh; saying, “You are my safe haven and my lot in life. Pay attention to me; for I’m brought very low; save me from those who try to hurt me; they’re stronger than I am. Bring my soul out of its prison, so that I can praise Your Name; let godly people surround me; for You always greatly help me.”
143[1-6] A Hymn of David. Listen to my prayer, oh Yahweh, listen to my prayer. In Your faithfulness and goodness answer me. And don’t judge the one who serves You, for in Your sight, no one living would be justified. For the enemy has abused my soul and has beaten my life down to the ground, making me stay in darkness, as those that are dead. My spirit’s overwhelmed in me and my heart’s lonely. I think on everything You’ve done as I remember the days of the past; I reflect over all Your hands have done. I raise my hands up to You, my soul thirsting after You, as the dry land thirsts for water. Selah!
[7-12] Listen to me soon, oh Yahweh; my spirit fails, so don’t hide Your face from me, or I’ll be like a dead person. Cause me to hear Your loving voice in the morning; for I trust in You. Cause me to know the way I should walk; for I lift up my heart to You. Save me, oh Yahweh, from my enemies, for I run to You to protect me. Teach me to do Your will; for You are my God; Your Spirit’s good; lead me into the way of honesty. Revive me, oh Yahweh, for Your Name’s sake; and bring my soul out of trouble for Your goodness’ sake. And by Your mercy take away my enemies, and destroy all those that torment my soul; for I faithfully serve You.
144[1-4] A Hymn of David. May Yahweh be blessed, who is my strength, who teaches me how to fight; My goodness and my stronghold; my strong tower that protects me; my defense, the God in whom I trust forever, and that quiets my people for me. Yahweh, what are human beings, that You take note of them! Or the children of humanity, that You take account of them! People are as nothing, for their days are as a shadow that passes away.
[5-9] Open Your heavens, oh Yahweh, and come down; You touch the mountains and they smoke. Make lightning, shooting out Your lightning bolts; scatter them and destroy them. Send Your power from above; free me, and save me out of the floods, from the power of the ungodly, whose mouths speak proudly, and their hands are hands of falsehood. I’ll sing a new song to You, oh God; on a musical instrument and an instrument of ten strings I’ll sing praises to You.
[10-15] It’s You, who gives saving grace to rulers, who saved David, who served You, from the hurtful blade. Free me, and save me from the power of the ungodly, whose mouths speak proudly, and their hands are hands of falsehood; so that our sons and daughters can be as young plants who have grown up; or as corner stones, polished like those on a great house; so that our cabinets can be full, holding all kinds of stuff; and that our animals can bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets; so that our cattle can be strong to work; and that there be no thieves breaking in, nor our people going out; and that there be no complaining in our streets. Those kind of people are happy; yes, the ones, whose God is Yahweh, are happy.
145[1-7] David’s Hymn of praise. I’ll worship You, my God, my Savior; and I’ll bless Your Name forever and ever. All day long I’ll bless You; and I’ll praise Your Name forever and ever. Yahweh is great, and deserves to be greatly praised; Your greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise You to another, telling of Your powerful acts. I’ll think of the wonderful brilliance of Your glory, and of Your wonderful creations. And people will speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I’ll tell them how great You are. They’ll remember Your great goodness, and will sing of Your goodness.
[8-13] Yahweh is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Yahweh is good to all; You have tender mercy for all Your creations. All Your creations will praise You, oh Yahweh; Your people, Israel, will bless You as well. They speak of the glory of Your realm and talk of Your power, so that they can make Your powerful acts known and the wonderful fame of Your dominion known to humanity. Your realm is an everlasting realm, and Your power lasts throughout all generations.
[14-21] Yahweh holds up all those that fall, and lifts up all those that are knocked down. The eyes of all people will look to You, because You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand, and give every living thing what it needs. Yahweh, You are good in all Your ways and holy in all Your acts. Yahweh, You’re near to all those who call on You, yes, to all those who call on You in truth. You give those who respect You what they want, hearing their cry, and saving them. Yahweh, You save all those who love You, but all the sinful You’ll destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh; Let everybody bless Your holy Name forever and ever.
146[1-7] Praise Yahweh! Praise Yahweh, oh my soul. As long as I live I’ll praise Yahweh; I’ll sing praises to my God as long as I have any breath. Don’t put your trust in the government, nor in humanity, in whom is no help at all. Their breath leaves them, they return to the earth; and in that very day their thoughts are gone. Happy are those that have God for their help, whose hope is in Yahweh their God; Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that’s in them and who keeps truth forever; Who gives good judgment for those who are put down, who gives food to the hungry. Yes, Yahweh sets the prisoners free.
[8-10] Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind and raises those that are brought low, because Yahweh loves godly people. Yahweh keeps the foreigner safe; God relieves a single parent’s child and the death survivor, but God overcomes the way of the sinful. Yahweh will reign forever; yes even Your God, oh Zion (New Jerusalem), to all generations. Praise Yahweh!
147[1-6] Praise Yahweh! For it’s good to sing praises to our God; It’s pleasant and praise is beautiful. You build up Jerusalem, Yahweh, gathering together the outcasts of Your people, Israel. God heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. God tells the number of the stars, calling them all by Name. Great is our God, and of great power, whose understanding is endless. Yahweh lifts up those with humility, and casts down the sinful.
[7-12] Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving; sing praise on the harp to our God, who clothes the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow on the mountains. God gives the wild animals and the young ravens that cry their food. God isn’t happy with the strength of the horse, and doesn’t enjoy their legs. Yahweh, Your happy with those that respect You, and in those that hope in Your mercy. Praise Yahweh, oh New Jerusalem; Praise your God, oh Zion.
[13-20] For God has strengthened the bars of your gates; God has blessed your children within you. God makes peace all around you, and fills you with the finest of wheat. God sends out the law on earth; Your Word, Yahweh, acts very quickly. You give snow like wool, scattering the frost like ashes. You scatter ice like bread crumbs; who can stand before the cold? You send out the word, and melt them, causing the wind to blow, and the waters to flow. You show Your Word to Jacob, Your Words and judgments to Your people, Israel. You haven’t dealt this way with any other people, and as for Your judgments, others have never known them. Praise Yahweh!
148[1-6] Praise Yahweh! Praise Yahweh from the heavens; Praise God in the heights of heaven. Praise God, all you angels; Praise God, with all the heavenly hosts. Praise God, sun and moon; Praise God, all you stars of light. Praise God, heaven of heavens, and waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Name of Yahweh; for God spoke, and they were all created. God settled them forever and ever, making a law which won’t ever pass away.
[7-14] Praise Yahweh from the earth, you dragons (dinosaurs) in the depths of the oceans; Fire and hail, snow and vapors, and the stormy wind, all fulfill God’s word. Mountains and hills, fruitful trees and cedars, wild animals and cattle, reptiles and birds, the rulers of the earth, and all people, the leaders and all the judges of the earth, both young and old people, and even little children; Let them all praise the Name of Yahweh; for God’s Name alone is excellent; Your brightness shines above the earth and heaven. You uphold the strength of Your people, the praise of all Your saintly people; even of the people of Israel, a people near to Your heart. Praise Yahweh!
149[1-4] Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, with praises in the congregation of the saints of God. Let Israel celebrate in the One that made them; let the people of Zion, the New Jerusalem, be happy in their Savior. Let them praise God’s Name in the dance; let them sing praises to God with the tambourine and harp. For Yahweh enjoys the people of God, making those with humility well known by God’s saving grace for them.
[5-9] Let the saints of God be happy in their fame; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let their mouths lift up the praises of God, and give them a double-edged blade to do vengeance on the nations, and bring punishments on the peoples, to bind their rulers with chains, and their leaders with iron shackles; All the people of God have the honor of executing on them the written judgment. Praise Yahweh!
150[1-6] Praise Yahweh! Sing praises to God in the Place of Worship; We Praise You, God, in Your great heaven! We praise You for Your powerful acts; We praise You because of Your perfect power. We praise You with the sound of the trumpet; We praise You with the instruments and harp. We praise You with the tambourine and dance; We praise You with stringed instruments and organs. We praise You on the loud cymbals; We praise You on the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise God. Praise Yahweh!
The Sayings
(Proverbs)
1[1-6] These are the sayings of Solomon, the son of David and ruler of Israel; So we can receive wisdom and learning in order to have a good understanding; To learn the teachings of wisdom, justice, good judgment, and equality; To teach the uneducated and give the young knowledge and good judgment. A wise person will listen, and learn; and one of understanding will pay attention to wise guidance in order to understand a saying and its meaning, the words of smart people, and their wise sayings.
[7-9] The respect of Yahweh is the opening up of the mind to knowledge, but the untested and stupid reject knowledge and learning. Children, listen to the training of your parents, and don’t ignore their words; They’ll bring blessings and respect to you, and are as a prized medal around your neck.
[10-19] Children, if the sinful tempt you, don’t agree to go with them. If they say, “Come with us, let’s hunt for someone to mug, and wait for a victim; Let’s capture them, kill them, and send them to Hell. We’ll find lots of valuables and fill our houses with their stuff; Join our gang and we’ll all split the takings;” Children, don’t join their gang, but avoid them; They run to evil, and quickly shed innocent blood. Just like trying to catch a bird is useless, they wait for their own death, unknowingly stalking their own blood. Only greedy people that kill property owners for the takings act this way.
[20-23] Wisdom shouts to those in the streets; It shouts in public places, at the edge of the city limits; in the prominent places of the city, the voice of wisdom says, “How long, you immature people, will you love ignorance? And ridiculers enjoy their hatred, and stupid people hate knowledge? Turn back at My warning; See, I’ll give some of My spirit to you, revealing My words to you.
[24-33] I’ll laugh at your misfortune, too, because I called, and you refused; I reached out, and no one paid attention; I’ll mock you when you’re scared because you’ve disregarded all my advice, and ignored my warnings. When great fear comes, and your destruction comes as a hurricane; when trouble and grief come on you, then you’ll call on Me, but I won’t answer; you’ll quickly look for Me, but you won’t find Me; For you hated knowledge, and didn’t choose to show respect to Yahweh God. You ignored My direction and hated My correction, so you’ll suffer the consequences of your own way, and be caught in your own plans; For the unconcern of the careless will kill them, and the wealth of stupid people will destroy them. If You listen to Me you’ll live safely, and won’t be overcome by the fear of evil.”
2[1-9] Children, if you’ll believe my words, and keep my teachings with you, so that You listen to these wise words, and apply your heart to understand them; Yes, if you look for knowledge, and ask questions to help you understand; if you look for it as riches, searching for it like hidden treasures, then you’ll understand the respect of Yahweh God, and find the knowledge of God. Yahweh gives wisdom; the Words of God give knowledge and understanding. Yahweh gives a sound mind to godly people and helps those who walk respectably. Yes, God keeps the ways of judgment, and saves the way of those who believe, so you’ll understand what’s right, have good judgment, show equality, and follow every good way.
[10-22] When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasing to your soul; good judgment will protect you and understanding will save you, in order to protect you from evil ways and from those that speak sinful things. They’ll keep you safe from those who leave decent ways and do evil, and who have a good time doing evil things, enjoying the sinfulness of evil people, whose ways are crooked and who leave the true path. They’ll save you from the ungodly, even from the ungodly that only tell people what they want to hear; who give up on the guidance of their youth, and forget the promises of God; whose houses lean toward death, and whose sidewalks lead to the dead. No one that stays with ungodly people ever returns to find the path of life. So walk in the ways of godly people, and keep the ways of the respectable, for godly people who are innocent will live and stay in the land, but the sinful will die out of the earth, and the offenders will be moved out of their place.
3[1-6] Children, don’t forget my words; but let your heart keep my teachings for more useful days, longer life, and peace. Don’t let mercy and truth leave you. Place them around your neck like a prized medal, writing them in your heart, so that you’ll find grace and have good understanding in the sight of God and humanity. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; and don’t trust your own understanding. Acknowledge God in everything you do, and Yahweh will guide your ways.
[7-12] Don’t be wise in your own eyes; respect Yahweh, and stop doing evil, which will keep you strong and healthy. Honor Yahweh with all you have, and with the first of everything you get, so you’ll be filled up, bursting out at the seams. Children, don’t hate the correction of Yahweh; don’t be tired of God’s discipline, because Yahweh loves whoever is corrected; just like the parents do to the children they enjoy.
[13-20] Happy are those that find wisdom, the ones that understand, for its yield is better than a rich income, and making great wealth. It’s more precious than expensive stones, and nothing that you can want can be compared to it. Watch and see; for more useful days, worldly goods, and respect will come with it. The ways of wisdom are enjoyable, and all its ways are peaceful. It’s life to those who grab it and everyone that keeps it will be happy. Yahweh has founded the earth with wisdom and has settled the heavens with understanding. The depths of the oceans quake and the clouds rain by the knowledge of God.
[21-26] Children don’t lose sight of sound wisdom and good judgment. They’re life to your soul, and health to your body, so you can walk in your way safely, never stumbling. When you lie down, you won’t be scared; yes, you’ll lie down, and sleep soundly. Don’t be scared of unexpected fear, nor when the suffering of the sinful comes, for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep you from being overcome.
[27-30] Don’t keep back good from those to whom you owe it, when it’s in your own power to do it. Don’t say to your neighbor “Go, and come back later, and I’ll give it to you tomorrow;” when you know you have it right there. Don’t plan evil against your neighbors, seeing they live peacefully beside you. Don’t argue with anyone without a good cause, if they’ve done you no real harm.
[31-34] Don’t be jealous of those that keep down others, and don’t choose to follow their ways, for sinful people are disgraceful to Yahweh, but godly people are trusted with the secrets of God. The curse of Yahweh is on the houses of sinful people, but God’s blessings are on the homes of godly people. Surely God looks down on those that make fun of others, but gives grace to those who don’t think too much of themselves. The wise will be praised, but shame will come to stupid people.
4[1-13] Listen, children, to the training of a parent, and pay attention to grasp my knowledge. I give you good teachings, so don’t give up on my words. Because I was my parents’ child, young and very loved by them, they taught me also, and said to me; Let your heart remember our words, keep our teachings, and live. Get wisdom and understanding, don’t forget it, nor refuse to listen to our words. Don’t give up on it, and it’ll keep you safe, love it and it’ll keep you. Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom, and with all your power get understanding. Honor it, for if you hold on to it, it’ll promote you and bring you respect. It’ll make you a pleasure to see, and make you well known. Listen, children, and learn my sayings; and you’ll have many years in your life. I’ve taught you in the way of wisdom; I’ve led you in the right ways. When you go, your steps won’t be risky; and when you run, you won’t stumble. Hold on to teaching and don’t let it go, but keep it; for it’s your very life.
[14-19] Don’t follow the path of the sinful, and don’t go with evil people. Avoid it, don’t even pass by it, turn away from it, and go far away; for they won’t sleep, unless they’ve made some trouble; and they lose sleep, unless they cause someone else to fall away. They live on evil and violence. But the path of godly people is as the sunlight shining, which shines more brightly towards midday. The way of the sinful is like darkness, because they don’t even know what they stumble over.
[20-27] Children, pay attention to my words; listen to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them in the depths of your heart, for they’re life to those that find them, and health to every part of the body. Keep your heart with focus; for out of it are the matters of life. Put a disrespectful mouth away from you, and put filthy words far from you. Let your eyes focus, and look straight ahead of you. Think about the path your feet will take, and carefully choose everything you do. Don’t turn right or left, but get off of every sinful path.
5[1-14] Children, pay attention to my wisdom, and listen to my understanding, so that you can know good judgment, and that your words will be words of knowledge. For the words of the ungodly may be as sweet as honey and their mouths may be smoother than oil, but their end is as bitter as vinegar, sharp as a two-edged blade. Their feet lead them to death, their steps taking the path to Hell. Just in case you should wonder about the path of life, the ways of ungodly people change so much, you can’t even know them. So listen to me now, children, and don’t ignore the words of my mouth. Remove yourself far from ungodly people, and don’t come near the door of their houses, or you’ll give your self-respect to others, and your years to cruel people. Strangers will take your wealth and all the benefits of your work will wind up in the house of a stranger; You’ll mourn at last, when your body and your life is used up, saying “ How I hated teaching, and my heart hated correction; I haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor listened to those that warned me! I’m a disgrace to the eyes of everybody.”
[15-23] Love your own spouse, and be faithful to your mate. If you have children by others, your family ties will be scattered about. Let them only belong to you and your spouse, and not to another. Let your family be blessed, and celebrate with the spouse of your youth. Let your mate be loving and pleasing, and let only your spouse satisfy you sexually; and always be satisfied with your mate’s love. Why, children, would you want to have sex with another, and hold on to a stranger? For the ways of humanity are seen by the eyes of Yahweh, who thinks about every choice we make. The sinful will be taken by their evil habits, and controlled by their own sins. They’ll die without teaching, going astray in their great carelessness.
6[1-5] Children, if you guarantee the debts of your friends, if you’ve made a commitment for a stranger, and you’re caught by the words of your mouth, you’ve been taken by your own words. Do this now, children, to save yourself; when you come to your friend; go, humble yourself and plead to be freed from the promise you made to your friend. Don’t close your eyes, nor go to sleep, until you free yourself as a deer from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
[6-10] Go to the ant and think on its ways, and be wise, which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, stores up what it needs in the summer, and gathers its food in the harvest. How long will you sleep, lazy? When will you wake up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so your poverty comes as a homeless drifter, and your need as an armed robber.
[12-15] Sinful and mischievous people have filthy mouths. They wink their eyes and speak with pacing feet, and teach with waving hands. They plan trouble with sinful hearts, always starting arguments; so their misfortune will come unexpectedly and they’ll be ruined with no escape.
[16-19] Yahweh hates six things; yes, seven makes God very angry; Those who think they’re better than others, a lying mouth, murdering hands, a sinful heart that imagines evil things, mischievous feet that are quick to run to trouble, a false witness that tells lies, and those that cause disagreements between family members.
[20-24] Children, keep these good things I say, and never give up on these words; Always unite them with your heart, and place them around your neck like a prized medal. When you go, they’ll lead you; when you sleep, they’ll keep you; and when you awake, they’ll talk with you. For everything they say and the rules they make are a lamp and a light; and the lesson they teach, is the way of life to protect you from evil strangers and their lying words.
[25-29] Don’t be attracted to an ungodly person in your heart; and don’t let them tease you with their eyes, for by means of sexually immoral people, persons are brought to nothing, and the adulterers will pay with their very life. Can people put fire to their bodies, and their clothes not be burned? Can someone walk on hot ashes, and their feet not be burned? Those that behave adulterously are like this; whoever touches another’s spouse won’t be found innocent.
[30-35] Don’t hate thieves, if they’re stealing because they’re hungry; but if they’re caught, they must give back seven times whatever they took and will have to give everything they own if necessary. But whoever commits adultery is stupid because they destroy their own souls. They’ll only get hurt and disrespect; and their shame won’t ever be forgotten, because the person offended rages with jealousy. They won’t spare you when they come to take revenge on you, and won’t be persuaded or be at peace, even if you give them many gifts.
7[1-5] Children, keep my words, and remember my teachings. Keep my rules, and live; keep my words as your favorite songs. Wear them as rings on your fingers; write them on the pages of your heart. Say to wisdom, you are my family; and call understanding your kin also, so that they can keep you from falling for the words of ungodly people, who only tell you what you want to hear.
[6-22] At the window of my house I looked through the glass and saw among the young people, some without good sense, who passing through the street near the corner, went to a house at dusk and again at midnight, where devious persons that were dressed in seductive clothes met them; (It was those who are loud and stubborn, never staying home, and that come into the streets to wait at the corners.) So they caught them, and kissed them, and with bold faces said to them, “Today is our payday and we’ve plenty of food for a party. So we came to meet you, and now, we’ve found you. We’ve made our beds with fine linens and bedclothes, and perfumed them with fragrances. Come on; let’s make love till morning, pacifying ourselves with our lovers. For our spouses aren’t at home, and have gone out of town, taking their money with them, and won’t be home for a few days.” So with their seductiveness they caused those immature people to give in, coercing them with the words they wanted to hear. The young people followed after them like animals going to the slaughter, or as criminals to the correction of jail; till they contracted deadly diseases; and just like a bird rushes into a trap, they don’t know that it will cost them their life.
[24-27] So listen to me now, children, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your heart turn to these ways and go astray, for they’ve wounded many; yes, many strong people have died by these ways. This way quickly leads to death and Hell.
8[1-9] Doesn’t wisdom cry out? And understanding call out? They stand at the top of the hills, and along the ways, crying out at the city limits, at the entrance of the city, at the opening of the doors of public places, saying “I call to all people; and my voice is to all humanity. You immature and stupid people; know wisdom and have an understanding heart. Listen; what I say will be good and excellent things. What I say is the truth; for evil is a disgrace to me. Goodness is in all my words; there’s nothing evil or filthy in them. They’re clear to those that understand, and right to those that want to find knowledge.
[10-13] Receive my teachings, and don’t look for money; look for knowledge rather than great wealth, for wisdom is better than expensive jewels and nothing you can want can be compared to it. I, wisdom, live with responsibility and find out the truth about shrewd lies. The respect of Yahweh is to hate evil, so I hate those who are proud and think too highly of themselves, the evil things they do, and the lies they tell.
[14-19] Counsel is Mine, and sound wisdom, so My understanding has strength. By Me, rulers reign and governments make laws of justice. By Me, those who rule in the governments, the public figures, and all the judges of the earth are in power. I love those that love Me; and those that look for Me while they’re young will find Me. Worldly goods and respect are with Me; yes, lasting riches and goodness. My profit’s better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and My income is better than great wealth.
[20-31] I lead in the way of goodness, clearly in the ways of good judgment, so that I can cause those that love me to gain worldly goods; so that I can fill their treasuries. Before creation, I belonged to Yahweh. I existed from eternity, from the beginning, even before the earth was created. When there were no seas, I existed; when there were no rivers flowing with water, I came to be, even before the hills and mountains were settled. When God had not yet made the earth, or the fields, or even the smallest particle of the dust of the earth; when Yahweh prepared the heavens and set the extent of the oceans, I was there. When God created the clouds above and strengthened the sources of the oceans; when Yahweh gave the word to the sea that the waters shouldn’t pass its limits; when God appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Yahweh, as one brought up with God and I was a daily happiness, always celebrating before the Creator; celebrating in the habitable part of the earth; and my happiness was with humanity.
[32-36] Now listen to me, children; for I’ll bless those that keep my ways. Listen to my teaching, and be wise, and don’t refuse it. I’ll bless those that listen to me, all those that daily watch at my gateway, and wait at my doorposts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will find the grace of Yahweh. But those that sin against me wrong their own soul; all those that hate me will find death.”
9[1-12] Wisdom has built a Place of Worship with seven pillars. The meat is ready, the wine is mixed, and the table is set. The maids have been sent out, who call out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is ignorant, let them turn in here,” And as for those that lack understanding, they say to them, “Come, eat the food of wisdom, and drink the wine it has mixed.” Leave stupid people, and live; and follow the way of understanding. Those that try to warn a person who argues will only get shamed, and those that counsel a sinful one will be found guilty, so don’t warn troublemakers, or they’ll only hate you, but if you counsel wise people, they’ll love you for it. Teach wise people, and they become wiser; teach godly people, and they grow in learning. The respect of Yahweh is to open up the mind to wisdom, and to have the knowledge of the holy is to have true understanding. For by this wisdom your days will be many, and you’ll have long life. If you’re wise, you’ll be careful what you do, but if you show hatred, you alone will suffer for it.
[13-18] An ignorant person is loud, stupid, and knows nothing. They sit at the doors of their houses, in the prominent places of the city, to call to those who go by on their way, saying to them, “Whoever is immature, let them turn in here,” And as for those that lack understanding, they say to them, “Stolen pleasures are sweet, and secret affairs are pleasant.” But those stupid people don’t know that the dead are there; and that the guests of those houses are in the depths of Hell.
10[1-5] These are the sayings of Solomon. A wise child makes a parent glad, but a stupid one is a parent’s heartache. Riches gained from evil actions will profit nothing, but goodness saves from death. Yahweh won’t allow the soul of godly people to suffer need, but God throws away the things of the sinful. Those that act carelessly become poor, but the hard working people do well. Those that work hard are wise, but those that sleep while there’s work to be done cause shame.
[6-10] Godly people are happy, but violence is in the words of the sinful. The memory of godly people is blessed, but the name of the sinful will be forgotten. The wise of heart will learn, but an unwise person will quickly fall when they’re accused and punished. Those that do what’s right walk unquestionably, but those that do what’s wrong will be exposed for who they are. Those that play pranks, winking their eyes and joking, only cause trouble, but an unwise person who is accused will unexpectedly fall.
[11-14] The words of a good person refresh the lives of those around them, but violence fills the words of the sinful. Hatred stirs up trouble, but love protects against all sins. Wisdom is found in the words of those that have understanding, but a good whipping is for the backside of those that have no understanding. The wise will get more knowledge, but the words of stupid people will soon destroy them.
[15-21] The wealth of rich people is their defense, but poverty destroys the poor. The actions of godly people bring life, but the practices of the sinful are evil. Those that keep the ways of a good up-bringing walk in the way of life, but those that refuse to be corrected greatly do wrong. Those that hide hatred with lying words and character attacks are stupid. Sin is found in many words, but those that stop themselves from speaking too quickly are wise. The mouth of godly people is as great wealth, but the hearts of the sinful are worthless. The words of godly people encourage many, but stupid people die for lack of wisdom.
[22-26] The blessing of Yahweh makes people rich and no sorrow comes with that treasure. It’s fun to a stupid person to cause trouble, but those of understanding have good judgment. Whatever the sinful fear will come to pass, but godly people will be given what they want. The sinful will be wiped out as they would by a passing hurricane, but godly people have a shelter with a strong foundation. As smoke is to the eyes or bitter drink to the tongue, so are lazy people to those that hire them.
[27-32] The respect of Yahweh will prolong days, but the years of the sinful will be cut short. The hope of godly people will be happiness, but the prospects of the sinful won’t last. The way of Yahweh is strength to godly people, but the sinful will be destroyed. Godly people will never be moved out of their place, but the sinful won’t ever be settled in the earth. The mouth of godly people is filled with words of wisdom, but the lying mouth won’t have an answer. Godly people know what’s acceptable to say, but the words of the sinful speak nothing but empty lies.
11[1-9] Misleading business practices are an offense to Yahweh, but fairness is pleasing. When someone has a proud look on their face, then shame soon follows, but those who don’t think too much of themselves have wisdom. Goodness will be the guide of godly people, but the filthiness of the sinful will destroy them. Riches won’t profit in the day of anger, but goodness saves from death. The goodness of the godly will direct their steps, but the sinful will fall by their own sins. Goodness will save godly people, but the sinful will be taken in their own naughtiness. When sinful people die, their prospects die with them and their hope passes away. Godly people are saved out of trouble, and the sinful ones take their place. The words of hypocrites destroy others, but through knowledge, godly people are saved from out of their troubles.
[10-13] The city celebrates when godly people do well, and when the sinful die, there’s a happy outcry. Cities are made known through the blessings of God’s people, but they’re overthrown by the words of the sinful. Those that lack wisdom hate others, but those of understanding hold their peace. A gossip reveals private matters, but those that are faithful won’t tell things that aren’t right to tell.
[14-19] The people are overcome where there are no counselors, but with enough counselors there is wellbeing. Those that act as a guarantor for the ungodly will pay for it, and those who don’t act as security have nothing to lose. Gracious people keep their respect as powerful people keep their riches. The merciful do well for their own soul, but cruel people trouble themselves. The sinful do lying things, but those who do what’s right will certainly be repaid. As goodness brings life, so those that do what’s evil bring about their own deaths.
[20-23] Yahweh is greatly offended by those that have sinful hearts, but those that do what’s right make God happy. Though hand joins in hand, the sinful won’t go unpunished, but the children of godly people will have freedom. As a gold ring would be in a hog’s snout, so are attractive people that are without good judgment. Godly people want good things only, but the prospects of the sinful are only looking for violence.
[24-27] There are those that give much, and yet increase all the more; and there are those that keep more than necessary, but it only leads them to poverty. The generous soul will be made plentiful, and those that restore others will be restored themselves. The people will curse those that horde food, but those that sell it to them will be blessed. Those that are careful to look for good will find grace, but those that look for trouble will find it.
[28-30] Those that trust in their worldly goods will fall like a winter leaf, but godly people will do well as a budding branch in spring. Those that trouble their own family will inherit nothing but the wind, and for their stupidity, they’ll serve smarter people than themselves. The harvest of godly people is life-giving; for those that win souls are very wise. Watch and see; if godly people are rewarded on the earth, how much more the ungodly sinners will be repaid in this life, as well.
12[1-3] Whoever loves to be taught loves knowledge, but those that hate to be corrected are rebellious sinners. Godly people find the grace of Yahweh, but God will condemn those that make sinful plans against others. People won’t be settled by doing evil, and godly people won’t ever be moved out of their place.
[4-8] Respectable mates are a blessing to their spouses, but those that make them ashamed are very hurtful to their souls. The thoughts of the respectable are right, but the advice of the sinful is nothing but lies. The words of the sinful are deadly criticisms, but the words of godly people bring life. The sinful will be overthrown, and will die, but godly people will stay in their homes. People will be praised according to their wisdom, but those who have evil hearts will be hated.
[9-12] Those that are virtually unknown but employ a servant are better than those that make pretense and have need. Good people think on the lives of their animals, but the mercies of the sinful are nothing but cruelty. Those that work hard will be satisfied with their pay, but those that follow people who make empty promises lack understanding. The sinful want the profit of evil people, but the work of godly people pays well.
[13-20] Sinful people are trapped in the sinfulness of their own words, but godly people will overcome their troubles. People will be satisfied with the good their words bring, and the reward of their work will be given to them. The ways of stupid people may be right in their own eyes, but those that listen to good counsel are truly wise. A stupid person’s anger is quickly known, but a sensible person guards against the embarrassment of careless words. Those that speak truth show what’s the right thing to do, but a liar shows the wrong thing to do. There are sinful people whose words pierce like a blade, but the words of wise people bring healthy emotions to everybody. The words of truth will be settled forever, but those who lie will only have their way a little while. Lies are in the hearts of those that imagine evil, but the counselors of peace have happiness.
[21-23] No lasting damage will happen to godly people, but the sinful will be filled with their fair share of hurt. Yahweh hates liars, but those that are truthful are God’s happiness. A cautious person hides knowledge until the right time to make it known, but the heart of stupid people makes all its stupidity quickly known.
[24-28] The hand of a hard working person will be promoted to leadership, but lazy workers will always be controlled. Sadness in the heart of people overwhelms them, but a good word makes them glad. Godly people are more worthy of praise than others, but evil ways will seduce the sinful. Lazy people don’t roast what they take in hunting, but whatever a hard working person has is precious. Goodness is the way to life; and there is no death when you go that way.
13[1-3] Smart children listen to their parent’s teachings, but the disobedient ignore the wisdom of their parent’s words. People will do well by the good their words bring, but the souls of the sinful will live on violence. Those that guard the words of their mouth will save their lives, but those that don’t know how to keep their mouths closed will destroy themselves.
[4-9] The soul of the lazy wants everything and has nothing, but the soul of hard working people will have plenty. Good people hate lying, but sinful people are hateful, and will come to shame. Goodness keeps those that are good in the way, but evil overthrows the sinner. There are those that save up their money to become rich, yet they’ve nothing of real value, and there are those that give so sacrificially that they become poor, yet they’ve great riches. The rich will give all they’ve for a ransom to save their life, but the poor have no need to worry. The light of godly people burns brightly, but the fire of the sinful will be put out.
[10-12] Arguments come only by pride, but the sensible have great wisdom. Wealth gotten by chasing after empty dreams will disappear, but those that earn by working hard will increase their income. Hope postponed makes one sick at heart, but when the wanted thing comes, it brings life-giving happiness.
[13-19] Whoever hates the Word of Yahweh will be destroyed, but those that respect the Word of God will be rewarded. The words of the wise are the way to life, to escape from deadly traps. Good understanding gives grace, but the sinful will have a hard life. All sensible people will argue knowledgeably, but stupid people only show their stupidity. A lying news bearer gets into trouble, but a faithful spokesperson is a great help. Those that refuse to be taught will become poor and be ashamed, but those that listen to correction will be respected. When a goal is reached, it’s sweet to the soul, but stupid people don’t want to give up their evil ways.
[20-25] Those that walk with wise people will become smarter, but a friend of stupid people will be destroyed by lack of wisdom. Evil chases after the sinful, but good will come back to godly people. Godly people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the wealth of the sinful will be given to more respectable people. The poor make the food in their pantry last a long time, but there are those that starve by lack of judgment. The parents that neglect the discipline of their children don’t really care about them, but those that love them punish them when necessary. Godly people eat till they’re full, but the belly of the sinful will be hungry.
14[1-4] Wise people build up their houses, but stupid people destroy them with their own hands. Those that live honestly respect Yahweh, but those who have filthy ways hate God. Too much pride is in the words of stupid people, but the words of wise people save them. A place is clean where there aren’t any animals, but wherever they are will do well.
[5-9] A faithful witness won’t lie, but a false witness will speak many lies. A troublemaker looks for wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easy to those of understanding. Leave the place of stupid people, when you don’t find the words of knowledge in them. The wisdom of the sensible is to understand their way, but stupid people are made stupid by their lying. Stupid people mock at sin, but godly people show grace to those who change their ways.
[10-14] No one can know a person’s sadness but their own heart; and no one can take someone else’s happiness. The houses of the sinful will be overthrown, but the home of godly people will do well. Sinful ways may seem right to people, but their end only brings death. Even in laughter, some hearts are sorrowful; and in the end, their partying is hopeless. The hearts of those who won’t change their ways will be filled with their own evil, and godly people will be happy with themselves.
[15-19] Stupid people believe every word they’re told, but sensible people are cautious in their ways. Wise people fear and stop doing evil things, but stupid people rant and rave and are quite sure of themselves. Those who quickly get angry act stupidly, and those who make sinful plans are hated. The immature only become more stupid, but the sensible are rewarded with knowledge. The evil will be brought low before the good; the sinful are stopped at the gates of godly people.
[20-24] The poor are hated even by their own neighbors, but the rich will have many friends. It’s a sin to hate your neighbor, but those that have mercy on the poor are happy. It’s wrong to make evil plans, but mercy and truth will come to those that plan good things. Any kind of working will bring income, but only talking about it leads to poverty. The reward of wise people is their worldly goods, but thoughtless people are stupid.
[25-30] A true witness saves souls, but a false witness speaks lies. The faithful have a strong confidence in Yahweh, and their children will have a safe place to live. The respect of Yahweh is the source of life, in which to escape from deadly traps. A ruler’s respect is in the number of people who give them their support, but a government is destroyed by a lack of people to support them. Those that are slow to become angry are of great understanding, but those who are quick tempered show nothing but their own stupidity. A sensible heart brings life to the body, but jealousy makes one wastes away.
[31-35] Those that keep down the poor blame their Creator, but those that respect God have mercy on the poor. The sinful are driven away in their evil, but godly people have the hope of everlasting life even in their death. Wisdom rests in the heart of those that have understanding, but those that stay with stupid people will be shown to be stupid themselves. Goodness brings respect to a nation, but sin is a shame to any people. Wise people will be favored by rulers, but the anger of rulers will be against those who cause shame.
15[1-5] A thoughtful answer calms anger, but severe words only stir it up. The mouths of wise people use knowledge rightly, but the words of stupid people pour out stupidity. The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, seeing the evil and the good. A clean mouth is life-giving, but a filthy mouth abuses the spirit. Stupid people hate their parent’s teaching, but those that think about a warning are sensible.
[6-10] Great wealth is in the home of godly people; but much trouble comes with the income of sinful people. The words of wise people give knowledge, but there is no knowledge in the heart of stupid people. The offerings of the sinful are an insult to God, but the prayers of godly people please Yahweh. The ways of the sinful are an insult to Yahweh, but God loves those who do what’s right. Correction is terrible to those that leave God’s way, and those that hate correction will die.
[11-15] If Hell and the grave are looked at closely by Yahweh, how much more then are the hearts of people? The disobedient never love those that warn them, and they won’t go to wise people for advice. A happy heart makes a smiling face, but a heart full of sorrow shatters the spirit. The hearts of those that have understanding look for knowledge, but the words of stupid people live on stupidity. All the days of abused people are horrible, but those that have a happy heart always indulge on the good things in their heart.
[16-19] It’s better to have little wealth with the respect of Yahweh than to have great treasure with much difficulty. It’s better to have a dinner of herbs where love is, than to have a side of beef and hatred along with it. Angry people stir up trouble, but those who keep calm will quiet down arguments. The way of lazy people is blocked off like a hedge of thorns, but the way of godly people is a clear path.
[20-23] A wise child makes a parent glad, but stupid children hate their parents. Stupidity is funny to those who have no wisdom, but those of understanding do what’s right. Good intentions will fall through without counsel, but with wise advisors one’s purposes will come to pass. Their answers will make people happy; a word spoken at just the right time is so good!
[24-27] To the wise, the way of life is to look for heaven above, so that they can escape from Hell beneath. Yahweh will destroy the house of those who think they’re better than others, but God will make the boundary of the single parent safe. The thoughts of the sinful are an insult to Yahweh, but the words of the innocent are pleasant. Those that are greedy for money will trouble their own household; but those that hate bribery will live.
[28-33] The hearts of godly people think before answering, but the words of angry people pour out sinful things. Yahweh is far away from the sinful, but hears the prayers of godly people. Happiness in the eyes makes the heart celebrate, and a good word brings health. Those who listen to the correction of life are wise people. Those that refuse training hate their own soul, but those that listen to correction receive understanding. The teaching of wisdom shows respect for Yahweh; but you must humble yourself before gaining respect.
16[1-6] The plans of the heart and the answers of the mouth are from Yahweh. The acts of human beings may be right in their own eyes; but Yahweh tests the intentions of their spirits. Commit everything you do to Yahweh, and your thoughts will be settled. Yahweh, You’ve made all things for Yourself; yes, even sinful people for Judgment Day. All those who think they’re better than others are an insult to Yahweh; though hand joins in hand, they won’t go unpunished.
[6-9] By mercy and truth sin is removed, and by the respect of Yahweh people stop doing evil things. When a person’s ways please Yahweh, even their enemies are at peace with them. It’s better to have little wealth and do what’s right than great income without any right to it. People’s hearts plan their ways, but Yahweh directs all their steps.
[10-15] The words of wise rulers make fair judgments; their mouths never speak with poor judgment. Honesty in business practices comes from Yahweh; every fair business decision is directed by God. It’s an insult to wise rulers to do evil; their reign is strengthened by doing what’s right. Leaders take pleasure in good words; and God loves those that say what’s right. The anger of rulers is like a death sentence, but a wise person will calm it down. Life is in the way a ruler looks at someone; and the ruler’s grace is as a cloud bringing spring rain.
[16-19] It’s so much better to get wisdom than gold and to get understanding rather than silver! The highway of godly people exits from the way of evil; those that keep going in the right direction will save their souls. Those who think themselves better than others will be ruined and brought down. It’s better to have a humble spirit with those of lower class, than to divide lots of money with those who think they’re better than others.
[20-25] Those that handle a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in Yahweh will find peace. The wise-hearted will be called sensible and others will learn from their agreeable words. Understanding is a source of life to those that have it, but what stupid people learn is nothing but more stupidity. The heart teaches wise people what words to say. Pleasant words are agreeable to the soul, and bring health to the body. Though sinful ways may seem right to a person, the end of it only leads to death.
[26-30] Those that work are only working for themselves because their hunger drives them. Ungodly people stir up evil, and their words are like a fire that burns up everything. Sinful people start trouble, and gossips divide best friends. Violent people tempt others, and lead them into ways that aren’t good. They imagine sinful things, and use their words to bring the evil to pass.
[31-33] Silver hair is a crown of light, if it’s gotten by living right. Those that are even-tempered are better than the powerful; and those that rule their own spirit than those who can take a whole city hostage. Though the coin is flipped by chance, the side it lands on is guided by Yahweh.
17[1-4] A scrap of food with peace is better than a house full of everything you need with trouble. A wise caretaker will manage a child that causes shame, and will have part of the inheritance among the children. Silver and gold are refined by heat, but Yahweh purifies the heart. A sinner listens to false words; and a liar listens to naughtiness.
[5-8] Whoever ridicules the poor blames their Creator, and those who are pleased about the bad things that happen to others won’t go unpunished. Grandchildren are the respect of elderly people; and parents are the praise of their children. A great speech doesn’t suit a stupid person any more than lying words do a ruler. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of the one that has it; wherever it turns up, it do wells.
[9-12] Those that overlook a sin look for love; but those that gossip about it can separate the closest of friends. A single correction enters more into a wise person than an hundred whippings into a stupid person. Evil people look only for rebellion, so an unmerciful spokesperson with bad news will be sent to them. A person is better off meeting a bear robbed of her cubs than meeting a stupid person with no sense.
[13-15] Whoever returns evil for good, evil will stay in their house. The beginning of trouble is like when one releases water out of a dam; so shut off hateful words before they gush out. Those who say that sinful people are right and the innocent are wrong, both of them are insults to Yahweh.
[16-18] Why will a stupid person pay any amount of money to get an education, yet learn nothing from it? A friend loves unconditionally, while families are born for trouble. People with no understanding shake hands, and put up collateral for their friends debts.
[19-21] Those that love sin also love trouble, and those that build high gates invite a break-in. Those who have sinful hearts find no good, and those who have filthy mouths get themselves into trouble. Those that bring along stupid people do it to their own sorrow, and the parents of a stupid child have no happiness.
[22-25] A merry heart is good for your health like medicine, but continual depression is like a slow death. Wicked people give bribes in order to keep the law from being carried out fairly. Wisdom is the aim of those that have understanding; but a stupid person’s eyes wander freely. Stupid children are a grief to their parents, and bitterness to those that gave birth to them.
[26-28] It isn’t right to put good people in jail, nor to condemn officers for being fair. Those that have knowledge are careful with their words, and those of understanding are peaceful. Even stupid people that hold their peace are thought to be smart, and those that hold their tongues are believed to be people of understanding.
18[1-3] Those that have set themselves apart search for wisdom and always brag about their knowledge trying to get what they want. Those who are stupid have no happiness in understanding anything but their own heart. When sinful people come, then hatred also comes, and with their shame comes a warning.
[4-8] The words of a person’s mouth are as dangerous as deep waters, but the source of wisdom is like a flowing creek. It isn’t good to accept the word of a sinful person, in order to judge godly people and overthrow them. A stupid person’s words bring disagreements, and their mouths call for punishment. The words of stupid mouths destroy and the trap them. The words of a gossip are as wounds, and cause ulcers to form in the inner parts of the belly.
[9-12] Those that are lazy in their work are like those who waste things. The Name of Yahweh is a safe haven; godly people will safely hide in it. Rich people think their wealth will save them; they’re pride divides them from others like a high wall. The hearts of people are proud before they’re destroyed; but humility must come before respect.
[13-15] Those that answer a matter before they fully hear it, are stupid and it only brings shame on them. The strength of the spirit will keep a person safe in their illness; but a wounded spirit can save no one. The hearts of sensible people grasp knowledge and the ears of wise people listen for knowledge.
[16-18] A person who brings a gift will be allowed into the presence of great people. Those that take up their own cause first seem right; but someone else will come and investigate them thoroughly. The flip of a coin stops arguments, and decides between the most powerful.
[19-21] An offended family member is harder to be won over than a whole city and their disagreements are like the bars of a mansion. A person’s belly will be filled by what their own words say; they’re filled with the results of their words. Life and death are in the power of one’s words, and those that love the words of their own mouth will suffer the consequences of them.
[22-24] Whoever finds a spouse finds a good thing, and finds the grace of Yahweh. The poor begs; but the rich answers them roughly. People that want to have friends must show themselves friendly, and God is a friend that sticks closer than blood kin.
19[1-3] The poor who do what’s right are better than those who are filthy in their words and act stupidly. It isn’t good for someone to be without knowledge; and those who act too quickly will sin. The stupidity of people makes their ways evil, and their hearts fight against Yahweh.
[4-6] Wealth makes many friends; but the poor are separated even from their neighbors. A false witness that speaks lies won’t go unpunished, nor escape. Many will ask for the grace of a ruler, and everybody is a friend to those that give gifts.
[7-9] If the whole family of a poor person hates them; how much more will their friends leave them? Even though they keep on calling them, they won’t be answered by them. Those that find wisdom love their own soul; those that keep their understanding will find good. A false witness won’t be unpunished, and those that speak lies will eventually die and come to judgment.
[10-12] It isn’t fitting for stupid people to enjoy themselves; much less for a worker to succeed to a position over a ruler. The good judgment of people holds back their anger; and it’s to their praise to forgive a sin against them. The ruler’s anger is like the loud roaring of a lion; but their grace is as refreshing as the dew on the grass.
[13-15] Stupid children are the misfortune of their parents, and the constant disapproval of a spouse is like a faucet that always drips. A house and worldly goods are the inheritance of parents and a sensible spouse is from Yahweh. Laziness brings a deep sleep; and a lazy person will suffer hunger.
[16-18] Those that keep the Words of Yahweh keep their own soul; but those that hate them will die. Those that give to the poor lend to Yahweh; and what they’ve given, God will repay again. Correct your children while there is still hope, and don’t let yourself spare them because of their tears.
[19-21] People of great anger will suffer punishment, but if you save them from the consequences, you’ll have to do it over and over. Listen to good counsel, and learn, so that you can be wise in the end of your days. There are many plans in a person’s heart; yet the Words of Yahweh will stand.
[22-24] People want kindness, and a poor person has more kindness than a liar. The respect of Yahweh leads to life, and those that have it will be satisfied and won’t be troubled by evil. Lazy people pat their bellies, and won’t so much as bring their hand to their mouth again.
[25-29] Punish a troublemaker, and the youthful will think twice; warn those that have understanding and they’ll know what’s right. Those that misuse and abuse their parents, chasing them away, are the children that cause shame and bring blame on them. Children, stop listening to those who teach lies, who mislead you from the words of knowledge. An ungodly witness mocks judgment, and the words of evil people live on sin. Troublemakers will come to judgment and the backsides of stupid people will be whipped.
20[1-3] Wine mocks people in the end and strong alcoholic drinks make them rage in anger. Whoever is tempted by alcohol is unwise. A fearsome ruler is like a roaring lion; whoever makes them angry sins against their own soul. It’s an honor for people to end their fighting, but every stupid person will have the last word.
[4-6] Lazy people won’t work because of the cold; so they’ll beg on payday, and get nothing. Good counsel in the heart of a person is like water in a deep well; but those of understanding will draw it out. Most people will loudly brag about their own goodness, but who can find a faithful person?
[7-9] People who are fair do what’s right and their children will be blessed by them. A ruler that sits in the seat of judgment makes a person stop their evil ways with a look of the eyes. Who can say, I’ve made my heart clean, I’m innocent from my sin?
[10-12] Unequal pay and dishonest business practices are both an insult to Yahweh. Even children are known by their behaviors, whether their actions are innocent and right or not. Yahweh makes ears to hear and eyes to see.
[13-15] Don’t love sleep, or you’ll become poor; open your eyes and you’ll be thankful for what you have. This is no deal, this is no deal, the buyers say, but when they leave, they brag to themselves that it was a real bargain. There is gold, and many rubies, but the words of knowledge are as precious as jewels.
[16-18] Take the shirt off the back of those that guarantee a debt for an untrustworthy person; take a payment from them for the ungodly. The food of lies is sweet to people; but later their mouths will be filled with grit. All purposes are settled by good counsel, so only challenge someone with good advice.
[19-21] Those that gossip reveal private matters; so don’t hang out with those that only tell you what you want to hear. Whoever curses their parents, will be put out in the darkest night. An inheritance can be gotten too quickly at the beginning; but it won’t be blessed in the end.
[22-24] Don’t say, “I’ll get even for the evil done to me;” But wait on Yahweh to save you. Unequal pay is an insult to Yahweh; and dishonest business practices aren’t good. A person’s direction is of Yahweh; so how can they then understand their own way?
[25-27] It’s a trap to those that take of what’s holy, and only after making a promise, ask about it. A wise ruler makes the sinful run away, and destroys them. The spirit of a person is the light of Yahweh, which searches the innermost soul.
[28-30] Mercy and truth saves rulers and their rule is upheld by mercy. Strength is the praise of young people, and the loveliness of elderly people is their grey heads. As the bruises of an injury disperses a wound; so a whipping cleanses the inmost soul.
21[1-3] A ruler’s heart is in the hand of Yahweh; it turns according to the will of God just like the water in a river. A person’s ways may be right in their own eyes, but Yahweh thinks about what’s in their heart. Doing what’s right and having good judgment is more acceptable to Yahweh than making offerings.
[4-6] A self-important look, and a proud heart, and the actions of the ungodly, are all sinful. The thoughts of the careful make much of what they’ve; but those that act too quickly will lack what they need. Riches gotten by a lying mouth are useless to those who only look for their own death.
[7-9] The thefts of the sinful will destroy them; because they refuse to recognize right from wrong. The ways of evil people are sinful and shocking, but the acts of the innocent are right. It’s better to stay in a corner of the attic, than with an angry person in a fine house.
[10-12] The soul of the sinful hopes for evil to happen to others and they’ve no grace for them. When the troublemaker is punished, the youthful are made wiser, and when sensible people are taught, they get smarter. Good people wisely think on the household of the sinful; because God overthrows them for their evil.
[13-15] Whoever doesn’t listen to the cry of the poor, will also cry, and won’t be heard. A surprise gift pacifies strong anger as a bribe in the pocket keeps someone from being punished. It’s a pleasure to fair people to judge rightly, but those who practice sin will be destroyed.
[16-18] Those that wander from true knowledge will live as the dead. Those that love pleasure, alcohol, and fine foods will be poor and not rich. The sinful will take the punishment for respectable and godly people.
[19-21] It’s better to stay in the countryside, than with an angry person who always starts arguments. There are pleasing treasures in the homes of wise people; but stupid people spend all their money on empty pleasures. Those that do what’s right and have mercy will find life, justice, and respect.
[22-24] A wise person overwhelms the confidence of a strong person. Whoever guards the words of their mouth keeps their soul from trouble. Those that act in prideful anger are troublemakers who think themselves better than others.
[25-27] Lazy people refuse to work and their needs overwhelm them, while they greedily crave things all day long. But godly people give generously without sparing. The offerings of the sinful are an insult to God and all the more, when they bring it with lies.
[28-31] Though a false witness dies, the people that heard the matter will continue to tell it. Sinful people have stubborn faces, but godly people change their ways when they realize their wrong. There’s no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Yahweh. Soldiers are ready for the day of battle, but their safety is of Yahweh.
22[1-4] Choose a good name rather than great riches, and loving grace rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor gather together because Yahweh is the Creator of them all. Sensible people foresee evil and leave, but the immature go on and are caught in their ignorance. Worldly goods, respect, and life come by humility and the respect of Yahweh.
[5-7] The way of the sinful is always blocked, but those that keep themselves from sin won’t be stopped by anything. Train your children in the way they should go, and when they’re old, they won’t leave from it. The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is indebted to the lender.
[8-10] Those that keep on sinning are useless, and their strong anger won’t get anything done. Those that give much will be blessed; for they give of their own food to the poor. Throw out the troublemaker, and arguments will leave as well; yes, fighting and blame will come to an end.
[11-13] The ruler will befriend those that love a heart of innocence for their graceful words. The eyes of Yahweh save those with knowledge, and defeat the lies of the sinner. Lazy people say, “There’s danger outside; I’ll be killed in the streets if I go out.”
[14-16] The mouths of ungodly people are like deep graves in which those who Yahweh hates will fall in. Stupidity is fixed in the hearts of children; but a whipping will drive it out of them. Those that keep down the poor to increase their own worldly goods, and those that bribe the rich, will surely become poor.
[17-21] Listen to me and hear the words of a wise person, and apply your heart to my knowledge. It’s a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; they’ll be restated by your own words. I’ve made them known to you today, so that your trust can be in Yahweh. Have I not written great things to you with good counsel and knowledge, so that I might make you clearly know the words of truth and that you’ll answer with the words of truth to those that ask of you?
[22-25] Don’t steal from the poor, because they’re poor; nor keep down those who are suffering in the city, because Yahweh will plead their case, and ruin the one that destroys them. Have no friendship with angry people; never go along with those who are angry or you’ll learn their ways, and your soul will be trapped.
[26-29] Don’t be one of those who accept credit, building up great debts. If you can’t pay it back, they’ll take away your own bed from under you. Don’t ignore the rules, which your parents have set. Hard working people will stand before rulers and many of their superiors.
23[1-8] When you sit to eat with a superior, carefully think about what’s before you and put a blade to your throat, if you’re one with an appetite. Don’t want their fine foods; for they’re of no value. Don’t work to get rich, but put an end to your own judgment. Don’t set your eyes on what you don’t have, for worldly goods certainly make themselves wings and fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Don’t eat the food of those that have evil in their eyes, nor want their fine foods; For they’re just as they think in their heart; “ Eat and drink,” They say to you; but their hearts aren’t really with you. That which you’ve eaten you’ll vomit up, and you’ll lose your sweet words.
[9-11] Don’t speak to stupid people; for they’ll hate the wisdom of your words. Don’t remove the old boundary lines; and don’t break into the property of a single parent’s child; for their Savior is powerful and will plead their case against you.
[12-16] Apply your heart to good teaching, and your ears to the words of knowledge. Don’t withhold firm discipline from your children; for if you whip them with a switch when they need it, they won’t die. If you whip them with the switch to correct them, you’ll save their soul from Hell. Children, if your heart is wise, my heart will celebrate. Yes, my control will relax and I’ll be cheerful when your words speak good things.
[17-21] Don’t let your heart be jealous of the sinful, but respect Yahweh always. For surely there’s an end to evil things; and your hope won’t be a disappointment. Listen, children, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way of Yahweh. Don’t be found among drunks or among partying gluttons; because the drunkard and the glutton will both become poor, and for their laziness They’ll be clothed with rags.
[22-25] Listen to your parents who created you, and don’t hate them when they’re old. Find the truth, and don’t throw it away; keep wisdom, good teaching, and understanding, also. The parents of godly people will greatly celebrate, and those that have wise children will enjoy them. Your parents that created you will be glad and celebrate.
[26-28] Children, give me your heart, and let your eyes watch what I do. For those who are sexually unfaithful are like a deep ditch; and the ungodly are like a narrow grave, all waiting for innocent victims, and increasing the sinful people.
[29-35] Those that drink alcohol and look for mixed drinks have suffering and sorrow, are easily angered, and babble unintelligibly! They’ve wounds with no explanation and bloodshot eyes! So don’t stare at red wine when it swirls and sparkles in the glass, because in the end it poisons like a snake, and hurts like a snakebite. Your eyes will see ungodly things, and your mouth will speak filthy things. You’ll be as those that sink in the depths of the sea, like those that have gone to sleep in the crow’s nest of a ship. “They’ve injured me,” you’ll say, and “I wasn’t dizzy; they’ve beaten me, and I didn’t feel it; when will I awake so I can have another drink.”
24[1-4] Don’t be jealous of evil people, nor want to be with them, because their heart only destroys and they talk with mischievous words. A home is built through wisdom; and it’s settled by understanding, and by knowledge the rooms will all be filled with pleasing and precious things.
[5-9] Wise people are strong; yes, those with knowledge become stronger, because they challenge only with good advice, and with many counselors they’re safe. Wisdom is too great for stupid people; they don’t dare open their mouths in public. Those that plan ways to do evil will be called mischievous persons. Stupid thoughts are sinful, and troublemakers are an insult to everybody.
[10-12] You have little strength if you faint in the day of trouble. If you don’t try to save those that are about to kill themselves, and those that are about to die; saying, “See, we didn’t know it;” doesn’t Yahweh who searches the heart think on it? Won’t the God who keeps your soul know and give to everyone according to their own acts?
[13-14] Children, the knowledge of wisdom will be as sweet to your soul as eating honey or a honeycomb for its sweet taste; and when you’ve found it, there’ll be a sweet reward, and your hopes won’t be disappointed.
[15-16] Sinners don’t stalk outside the homes of godly people; don’t destroy their resting place, because even if a good person falls seven times, they’ll rise up again, while the sinful will wallow in their trouble. Don’t celebrate when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart be glad whenever they stumble, or Yahweh will see it, and be displeased, and not be angry at them anymore.
[19-20] Don’t trouble yourself because of evil people, nor be jealous of the sinful, because there’ll be no reward for them and their lives will be snuffed out like a candle. Children, respect Yahweh! Respect rulers and don’t mess with those that are unpredictable, for their misfortune will come unexpectedly; and who knows what will ruin them?
[23-26] This is also said by smart people; It isn’t good to show favoritism to people that are being judged. Those who say that sinful people are good will be cursed and nations will look down on them; but they’ll be pleased and bless those that punish them. People will kiss the mouths of those that give a good answer.
[27-34] Put your outside work in order first, getting the land ready; then build your home later. Don’t be a witness against others without cause; and don’t lie to them. Don’t say, “I’ll get even for what they’ve done to me and I’ll do to them just what they did to me.” I went by the property of a lazy person and by the home of someone with no understanding; It was all grown over with weeds, thorns covered the outside of it, and the fence was broken down. When I saw it and thought about it, I looked at it, learning a lesson. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest; so your poverty comes as a homeless drifter; and your need as an armed robber.
25[1-3] These are also the sayings of Solomon, which the secretaries of Hezekiah, the ruler of Judah copied out. It’s the glory of God to hide things, but the glory of rulers is to understand the matter. The hearts of rulers are as unsearchable as the heights of heaven and as the depths of earth.
[4-7] Melt the dross from the silver, and it will become finer. Take sinful people away from the presence of rulers, and the ruler’s reign will be settled in goodness. Don’t push yourself into the presence of rulers, and don’t put yourself in the place of great people. It’s better that it be said to you, “Come here;” than for you to be taken away from the presence of the ruler that you’ve just seen.
[8-10] Don’t argue too quickly, or you won’t know what to do in the end, when someone else has shamed you. Argue your case with someone in person; and don’t gossip about it to someone else, because those that hear it may shame you, and your infamy won’t ever be settled down.
[11-13] A word truly spoken is like golden apples in a bowl of silver. As an earring with a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise warning on a respectful ear. As the cold snow is at harvest time, so are faithful messengers to those that send them because they refresh their soul.
[14-16] Whoever brags about themselves of an untrue talent are like the clouds and wind without any rain. A ruler is convinced when you don’t give up, and a gentle word breaks their will. If you find honey, then eat as much as is necessary for you, or else you’ll be too full and vomit it up.
[17-20] Leave your neighbor’s house before they’re tired of you, and hate you. People that lie against others are like a sledge hammer, a blade, and a sharp arrow. Having confidence in the unfaithful in a time of trouble is like having a broken tooth or a foot out of joint. Like those that take away a person’s coat in cold weather, and as vinegar fizzes on baking soda, so are those that sing songs to a heavy heart.
[21-23] If your enemies are hungry give them food to eat, and if they’re thirsty give them water to drink; because when you do, you’ll make them hate you with a burning jealousy, but you’ll be rewarded by Yahweh. Like the north wind drives rain away; an angry look will put an end to a back-talking mouth.
[24-28] It’s better to stay in the corner of the attic, than with a difficult person in a fine house. As cold water is to a thirsty soul, so is good news from far away. A good person giving in to the sinful is as muddy as troubled water, and as poisonous as a contaminated creek. As it isn’t good for someone to eat too much honey, there’s no respect for a person looking for their own glory. Those that have no self-control are like an unprotected city without boundaries.
26[1-9] Like snow isn’t wanted in summer and as rain isn’t wanted in harvest time, nor is it fitting to give respect to a stupid person. As the migrating bird, and as the soaring swallow, so punishment won’t come without cause. A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the ass, and a switch is for the backside of stupid people. Don’t answer a stupid person with the same kind of stupidity, or you’ll also become like them. Give an answer to a stupid person worthy of their stupidity, or they’ll think too much of themselves. Those that send a message by the hand of a stupid person cuts off their own way and they’ll soon be destroyed. As the legs of the lame are unequal, so is a report in the words of a stupid person. As those that tie a stone into a slingshot, so are those that give respect to a stupid person. As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a story in the words of stupid people.
[10-12] The great God that formed all things repays stupid and sinful people, both. As dogs eat their own vomit, so stupid people return to their stupidity. Do you see all those know-it-alls? There’s more hope of a stupid person than of them.
[13-17] The lazy say, “Trouble’s coming; there’s danger in the streets;” And as the door flips on its hinges, so lazy people turn over in their beds. The lazy pat their hand on their belly, but it’s too much trouble for them to take another bite. The lazy think they’re smarter than seven reasonable people. Those that pass by the arguments of others and interfere are like those who devil a dog when they pass it.
[18-22] As a crazy person that throws deadly firebombs, so is a person that lies to others, and says, “I’m just joking!” Where there’s no wood, the fire goes out; so trouble dies down where there’s no gossip; but as coals added to burning coals, and wood added to fire; so is a divisive person that starts arguments. The words of a gossip are like ulcers in the belly.
[23-28] Pushy words with a misleading heart are like a piece of broken ceramic glazed with silver dross. Those that hate others are critical with their words and tell cruel lies. When they speak reasonably, don’t believe them; for there are seven more shameful lies in their hearts. Those that cover hatred with lies will expose their evil to everybody. Whoever murders someone will only dig a grave for themselves; and a tombstone will fall back on the one who places it. A lying mouth attacks those it hates, and a mouth that only tells someone what they want to hear will later destroy them.
27[1-2] Don’t brag about tomorrow; because you never know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you and not your own mouth; allow a stranger to praise you and not your own words.
[3-5] A stupid person’s anger is heavier than stone or wet sand. Great rage is cruel, and anger is disgraceful; but no one is able to stand before jealousy! Open rejection is better than secret love.
[6-8] The wounds of a friend are faithful; but an enemy’s kiss is full of lies. A person who is full can’t bear sweets; but anything is sweet to a hungry person. It’s as dangerous for those that run away from home as it’s for birds that stray from their nest.
[9-10] As fragrant oils and perfume make the heart happy, so the encouragement of a person’s friend is sweet. Don’t leave your own friend or your parent’s friend alone in time of need, nor go into your family’s home in the day of your misfortune. A close neighbor is better than a distant family member.
[11-12] Children, be wise, and make me happy, so that I can reply to everybody that criticizes me. If you’re sensible people, you’ll foresee trouble and get out of the way; but if you’re young and stupid, you’ll keep on going, and get only what you deserve.
[13-16] Take the shirt off the back of those that bail out untrustworthy people, and hold it for security from those that guarantee the debts of the ungodly. Those that loudly applaud their friends early in the morning will be cursed by them. A divisive person is very much like the constant dripping of a very rainy day; It’s as useless to try to stop them as to try to stop the wind from blowing, or to catch oil in your hand.
[17-19] As metal sharpens metal; so are those that sharpen the point of view of their friends. Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so those that work well for the owner of a company will be respected. As a face is reflected in the water, so the heart reflects the person.
[20-22] The eyes of a person are never satisfied, just like Hell and the grave are never full. As silver and gold are refined; so people will shine by the praise they receive. Though you whip a stupid person mercilessly, you can’t beat their stupidity out of them.
[23-27] Be careful to know the state of your property, and look well to what you have, because worldly goods aren’t forever and don’t pass down to every generation. But as sure as spring and summer bring in the harvest, if you budget a small amount for your clothing and a larger sum for your property, you’ll have money enough for your food and for the upkeep of your family.
28[1-3] Immoral people are anxious and run when no one is chasing them, but godly people are as bold as lions. Too many rulers make a nation rebel, but those of understanding and knowledge save it. A poor person that keeps down the poor is like a pouring rain which destroys food crops.
[4-8] Those that give up on the Word of Yahweh approve of the sinful, but those that keep the Word of God challenge them about their wrongs. Evil people have no judgment, but people who look for Yahweh understand everything. Good poor people are better than evil rich people. Those who keep the Word of God are wise children, but those that are friends of rebellious people shame their parents. Those that get richer by lending for interest and gaining unearned income will collect it only for others who will care for the poor.
[9-12] Even the prayers of those that don’t listen to the Word of God are an insult to the Almighty. Whoever causes godly people to go astray in an evil way, will fall into their own trap, but godly people will find good things. Rich people think they know it all; but poor people who are smart thoroughly question them. When godly people celebrate, there’s a great celebration, but when the sinful secretly rise to power, the people quietly disappear.
[13-14] Those that hide their sins won’t do well, but whoever admits and turns from their sin will have mercy. Those that always respect Yahweh are happy, but those that ignore the Word of God will get into trouble.
[15-16] As a roaring lion, and a raging bear; so are sinful rulers over poor people. The ruler that keeps down the people lacks understanding, but those that aren’t greedy will prolong their days.
[17-18] People that violently murder any person will run from judgment till the day they die; so let no one help them. Whoever does well will be saved, but those who act in hateful ways will quickly fall.
[19-22] Those that work hard will have plenty of food, but those that follow after worthless people will have poverty enough. Faithful people will live with blessings, but those that want to get rich quickly aren’t innocent. The favoritism of people isn’t good; for a small favor those people will go bad. Those who want to get rich quickly have eyes full of evil, and never think that poverty will come on them.
[23-28] Those that correct a person after a wrong will find more favor than those that only tell them what they want to hear. Whoever says it’s no sin to steal from their parents are playing with destruction. Those that think themselves better than others stir up trouble, but those that put their trust in Yahweh will be richly rewarded. Those that trust in their own hearts are stupid, but whoever walks wisely will be saved. Those that give to the poor won’t lack, but those that ignore them will have much trouble. When the sinful rise to power, people go into hiding, but when they die, godly people step up.
29[1-2] Stubborn people, who have been corrected often, will be unexpectedly destroyed, having no escape. When godly people are in power, the people celebrate, but when the sinful rule, the people mourn.
[3-5] Whoever loves wisdom causes their parents to celebrate, but those that keep company with sexually immoral people waste their living. By good judgment rulers make the land safe, but those that take bribes make it fall. People that only tell others what they want to hear set a trap for them.
[6-10] Evil persons will be trapped by their own sin, but godly people will sing and celebrate. Godly people think about the poor, but the sinful don’t even want to know about them. Rebellious people overcome a city, but wise people calm their own anger. If a wise person argues with a stupid person there’s no peace, whether they rage or laugh. Cruel people hate the good, but fair people look for the good.
[11-14] Stupid people speak their mind before hearing the whole story, but wise people listen and think before answering. If a ruler listens to lies, their staff members will be sinful as well. Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both the poor and the liars. The reign of rulers that faithfully judge the poor will be settled forever.
[15-17] A switch and correction give good judgment, but undisciplined children bring shame on their parents. When the sinful increase, sin steadily grows, but godly people will live to see their downfall. Correct your children and they’ll let you rest; yes, they’ll give happiness to your soul.
[18-21] Where there’s no hope for the future, people will waste away and die, but those that keep their eyes on the Word of God are happy. A worker won’t be corrected by words only, because they refuse to change their ways even when they understand. There’s more hope of a stupid person than of those that speak too quickly. Those that carefully bring up their trainee as a young person will treat them like family in the end.
[22-27] An angry person stirs up trouble, and a furious person lives on sin. People’s pride will bring them low, but respect will uphold those who are depressed in spirit. Whoever helps in the crimes of a thief is their own worst enemy; and when they hear lying, they don’t expose it for what it is. A person’s fear controls them, but whoever puts their trust in Yahweh will be safe. Many look for the ruler’s grace; but every person’s judgment comes from Yahweh. Sinful people are an insult to godly people, and those who live godly lives are an offense to the sinful.
30[1-3] The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the preaching that the people spoke to Ithiel and Ucal; Surely I’m more wild than anyone, and haven’t the brain of a human being. I’ve no wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the holy.
[4] Who has gone up into heaven, or come down from it? Who has caught up the wind in their hands? Who has bound the waters in their clothes? Who has settled all the boundaries of the earth? What’s God’s Name, and what’s the Firstborn’s Name, if you can tell it?
[5-6] All the Words of God are perfect; You defend those that put their trust in You. Don’t change the meaning of the Words of God, or you may be corrected and found to be a liar.
[7-9] Don’t deny me these two things that I ask of You before I die; Take away from me self-importance and lies, and don’t give me poverty or riches, but provide my food daily; If I’m too full, I might think I don’t need You, and say, Who is Yahweh? But if I’m poor, I might steal, and misuse the Name of my God.
[10] Don’t accuse a worker to their boss, or they’ll curse you, and you’ll be the guilty one.
[11-14] This generation curses their parents, and doesn’t bless them. This generation is guiltless in their own eyes and yet isn’t washed from the filthiness of their sins. This generation thinks so much of themselves that they think they can do anything! This generation destroys the poor and the needy from among the people of the earth.
[15-16] The bloodsucker has two children, always crying, “Give, give.” Three things are never satisfied, yes, four things won’t ever have enough; The grave; the barren womb; the thirsty earth; and an unquenchable fire.
[17] The one that disrespects a parent, and hates to obey them, will run away and die in a rough country and the birds will eat their body.
[18-19] There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I can’t even comprehend; The way an eagle soars through the air; the way a serpent slithers on a rock; the way a ship stays afloat in the middle of the sea; and the way a man loves a woman.
[20] Sexually unfaithful people are like those who eat and wipe their mouths, saying, “We’ve done nothing wrong.”
[21-23] The earth is overcome by three things, four things it can’t bear; For a worker to be in control, for a stupid person to be full of food, for a married person to be unlovable, and for a worker that is due to inherit their boss’s business.
[24-28] There are four things which are small on the earth, but are very wise; The ants, which aren’t a strong species, yet they get everything they need ready in the summer; the mountain badgers that are quite small, yet make their homes in the cracks between the rocks; the locusts, which have no ruler, yet all fly in swarms; and the spider that makes a web even in the great houses of rulers.
[29-31] There are three things that walk grandly, yes, four look wonderful as they go about; A lion, which is the strongest among the wild animals, and doesn’t back off for anything; a strutting rooster; a male goat also; and a ruler, who no one dares to rebel against.
[32-33] If you’ve stupidly lifted yourself up in pride, or if you’ve thought evil things, put your hand on your mouth, for just as churning milk makes butter, and a broken nose bleeds; so stirring up anger only brings trouble on yourself.
31[1-9] These are the words of the ruler Lemuel, the preaching that his mother taught him. Oh, Child! Child of my womb! The child of My promises! Don’t waste your strength on many lovers, nor give your ways to those things that destroy rulers. Child, it isn’t for rulers to drink wine; nor for their children to drink strong alcohol, or they might drink it, and forget the law, and their judgments go against the rights of the abused. Only give alcohol to those that are about to die, and wine to those that have heavy hearts. Let them drink and forget their poverty, not remembering their suffering. Stand up for those that can’t stand up for themselves, in the case of all those who are about to die. Speak for them and judge fairly the cases of the poor and needy.
[10-20] Who can find a worthy spouse, who is more valuable than riches? Their spouse’s heart safely trusts in them, having no need to worry. They’ll treat them well and not terribly every day of their life. They look for material goods and work willingly with their hands. They’re like a buyer who gets food from faraway places. They rise while it’s still dark, and give it to their households and some to their workers as well. Thinking about a piece of property, they buy it and tend it with the work of their hands. They keep fit, strengthening their arms. They know what they produce is good, and they hardly even turn out the lights at night. They work with their hands, skillfully using their equipment. They give to the poor and reach out to the needy.
[21-31] They aren’t scared of the cold for their household; for they’re all well clothed, having fine coats and quality clothing. Their spouses are well known when they sit among the leaders of the city. They supply fine merchandise, and bring it to the buyers to sell. They’re strong and respectable; and will celebrate in the days ahead. They speak with wisdom and words of kindness. They look after their household well, and are never lazy. Their children will rise up and call them blessed; and their spouses will also praise them. Many spouses have done respectably, but these outshine them all. Favoritism is false, and attractiveness has no real value, but those who respect Yahweh will be praised. Give them the rewards of their hard work; and let their own acts be publicly honored.
Ecclesiastes
1[1-4] These are the words of the Preacher, (Solomon), of David, Ruler in Jerusalem.” It all means nothing,” Says the Preacher; “It all means nothing, everything is worthless!” What do you get from all your hard work which you do in this world? One generation goes, and another comes; but the earth lasts forever.
[5-7] The sun rises and sets, and goes back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and turns around to blow to the north. It continually circles around as it blows, and go backs to where it came from. All the rivers run into the sea, but still the sea never fills up. The water go backs to the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
[8-11] Everything just goes on and on, beyond saying. The eye never gets tired of seeing, nor the ear of hearing. What has been is what will be; and what has been done is what will be done; and there’s nothing new in this world. Is there anything of which it could be said, “See, this is new?” No, but it has happened long ago, in the ages which were before us. There is no memory of what came before us; nor will there be any memory of what happened later for those that are to come, among those that will come after us.
[12-16] I, the Preacher, was Ruler over Israel in Jerusalem. I made up my mind to search out and find by wisdom everything that’s been done on this earth. It’s a hard thing that God has given to trouble the children of humanity. I’ve seen everything that’s done on this earth; and see, it’s all worthless and like chasing after the wind. What’s crooked can’t be made straight; and what’s lacking can’t be counted. So I said to myself, “See, I’ve gotten great wisdom for myself, more than any who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has experienced great wisdom and knowledge.”
[17-18] Yes, I made up my mind to know wisdom, and also to know what’s crazy and stupid I understood that this was also like chasing after the wind. For in much wisdom is much trouble; and those who increase their knowledge, increase their sorrow, as well.
2[1-3] I said in my heart, “Come now, I’ll test you with happiness; so enjoy pleasure;” And see, this was worthless, too. I said of laughter, “It’s stupidity;” And of happiness, “What use is it?” I searched in my heart how to make myself happy with alcohol, my heart still guiding me with wisdom, and how to become stupid, until I could see what was good for humanity that they should do on this earth all the days of their lives.
[4-9] I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were grown. I got male and female workers, and had more workers born in my house. I also had many herds and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem; I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasures of both Rulers and countries. I got myself the best male and female singers, and enjoyed all kinds of musical instruments. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stayed with me.
[10-12] Whatever I wanted, I didn’t keep from it. I didn’t withhold my heart from any happiness, for my heart was happy because of all my work, and this was my reward from all my work. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had done, and at all the work that I had tried so hard to do; and see, all of it was worthless and was like chasing after the wind, and there was no profit in it on this earth. So I turned myself to think about it wisdom, and also what’s crazy and stupid because what can the one who follows in the steps of the Ruler do? Just what has already been done long ago.
[13-19] Then I saw that wisdom is better than stupidity as far as light excels darkness. The wise see where they are going, but the stupid person walks as if in the dark, and still, I understood that the same thing happens to them all. Then I said in my heart, “As it happens to the stupid person, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart that this is worthless, too. For the wise won’t be remembered any more than a stupid person, seeing that in the days to come everyone will have been long forgotten. In fact, the wise must die just like the stupid! So I hated life, because the work that is done on this earth was hard to me; seeing that it was all worthless and like chasing after the wind. I hated all my work in which I worked so hard at on this earth, seeing that I’d leave it to the person who comes after me. Who knows whether they’ll be wise or stupid? Still that person will have power over all of my work in which I’ve worked so hard, and in which I’ve shown myself wise on this earth. So, this is worthless, too.
[20-23] I was sick at heart about all the work in which I had worked so hard at on this earth. For there are those whose work is with wisdom, knowledge, and skillfulness; still they’ll leave what they’ve earned for those who haven’t worked hard for it. This is worthless, too, and a great evil. For what does a person get for all their hard work, and of the driving of their heart, in which they do on this earth? All their days are sorrows, and their work is hard; yes, even in the night their hearts takes no rest. This is worthless, too.
[24-26] There isn’t anything better for a person to do than to eat, drink, and be happy in their work. This I saw, too, that it’s from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? For to the one who pleases God, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness; but to the sinner God gives the hard work of gathering and piling up possessions, that they may give it to those who please God. This is worthless, too, and like chasing after the wind.
3[1-8] For everything there’s a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what’s planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to hug, and a time to not hug; a time to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear up, and a time to sew; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time to make war, and a time to make peace.
[9-13] What profit do those who work get for the work they do? I’ve seen the hard work which God has given to humanity to be troubled with. God has made everything beautiful in its time. God has also set eternity in their hearts, still even so, they can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there isn’t anything better for them than to be happy, and to do good, as long as they live. Also that everyone should eat and drink, and enjoy the good in all their work, which is the gift of God.
[14-17] I know that whatever God does, it will be forever; Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken away from it; Who has done it, so that people would show God respect. What’s happened long ago, and what’s to come has already happened long ago; and God will call to account again what’s happened in the past. Besides this, I saw on this earth, in the place of justice, that evil was there; and in the place of goodness, that sin was there. So I said in my heart, “God will judge the good and the sinful because there’s a time of judgment for every purpose and for every work.”
[18-22] I said in my heart, “As for humanity, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. For what happens to humanity also happens to animals. The same thing happens to them all. As one dies, so does the other. Yes, they all have one breath; and humanity has no advantage over the animals; it all means nothing. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the spirit of person goes upward, or whether the spirit of an animal goes downward to the earth?” So I saw that there isn’t anything better, than that a person should be happy in whatever they do because that is their reward because no one can make them see what will come after them?
4[1-6] Then I went back and saw all the abuses that are done on this earth; and the tears of those who were abused, and they had no comforter; and their abusers had power over them; but the abused had no comforter. So I honored those who have been dead a long time more than the living who are still alive. Yes, better than them both are those who haven’t even been born, who haven’t seen the evil things that are done on this earth. Then I saw all the work and achievement that everyone’s friends envy. This is worthless, too, and like chasing after the wind. The stupid person folds his hands together and doesn’t do anything and ruins himself. It’s better to have very little with peace than much with hard work and chasing after the wind.
[7-11] Then I went back and saw the worthless on this earth. There is one who is alone and has no family. There is no end to all of their work, and they still aren’t satisfied with their wealth. So for whom then, do I work, and deprive myself of enjoyment? This is worthless, too, yes, it’s a miserable business. Two are better than one, because they’ve a good reward for all their work. If they fall, one will help the other up; but sorrow will come to those who are alone when they fall, and don’t have anyone to help them up. Again, if two sleep together, then they’ll be warm; but how can one keep warm alone?
[12-16] If someone comes against one who is alone and overcomes them, two will withstand; and a three strand rope isn’t quickly broken. It’s better to be a poor and wise youth than an old and stupid Ruler who doesn’t know how to take warning anymore. Though they may even come out of prison to become a leader, they would succeed; yes, even those born poor could become great. I saw all those who walk on this earth, that they supported the youth, to take the place of the old. There may be no end to all the people who are under that rule, but still those who come later won’t be happy with even that one. Truly, this is worthless, too, and like chasing after the wind.
5[1-5] Watch your steps when you go to God’s house; it’s better to listen carefully than to make promises to God like a stupid person, for they don’t even know that they do what’s evil. Don’t be too quick with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be too quick to say anything before God because God is in heaven, and you’re on earth. So let your words be few. For as a dream comes with too many cares, so a stupid person speaks with too many words. When you make a promise to God, don’t delay doing it because God isn’t pleased with stupid people who do things like that. Do whatever you promise. It’s better that you shouldn’t make a promise at all, than to make a promise and not do it.
[6-9] Don’t let your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at you, and destroy everything you do? There are many empty promises that are worthless, and many words are worthless, too; but you must pay respect to God. If you see the abuse of the poor, and justice and goodness being taken away violently in a town, don’t be surprised at it because one official is overseen by a higher one; and there are superior officials over them. Besides this, the food produced by the earth is for all. Even the Ruler lives off what grows from the field.
[10-15] Those who love money won’t ever have enough to be satisfied; nor those who love wealth which only increases; this is worthless, too. The more money you have, the more people you have to support with it; so what advantage is there to its owner, except to look at it? The sleep of a hard worker is peaceful whether they eat a little or much; but the wealth of the rich won’t let them sleep in peace. There is a great evil which I’ve seen on this earth; some people keep so much it’s bad for them. Those riches are lost by all kinds of misfortunes, and if they’ve children, there isn’t anything left to pass on to them. As you came out from your mother’s womb, you’ll go back naked just as you came and will take nothing with you for all your work, which you may have had in your hand.
[16-20] This also is a great evil, that in every way that you came, so you’ll go. And what profit do you have who work, as if chasing after the wind? All your days you eat in darkness, and are frustrated, and have sickness and anger. See, what I’ve seen to be good and proper is for you to eat and drink, and to enjoy what good you find in all your work, in which you do on this earth, all the days of your life which God has given you because this is your reward. Also, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given them long life to enjoy it, and to take their part, and to be happy in their work, this is the gift of God. We won’t often reflect on the days of our lives, because God gives us the great happiness of our heart.
6[1-5] There is another evil which I’ve seen on this earth, and it’s hard on people; someone to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that they lack nothing of what they want, still God doesn’t give them long life to enjoy it, but someone else winds up with it. This is worthless, and it’s like an evil disease. If someone has a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of their life are many, but their soul isn’t filled with good, and they’ve no one to bury them; I say, that an untimely birth is better than that one; even though they are born for nothing, and die in darkness, and their name is forgotten. Besides this, the child hasn’t even seen the sun, nor known it, but it has rest rather than the other.
[6-12] Yes, though one lives a thousand years twice over, and still has too many troubles to enjoy what’s good, don’t all go to one place? All the work of a person is to feed their belly, and still the appetite isn’t filled. For what advantage has the wise more than the stupid person? What has the poor, who knows how to walk wisely, more than the other? It’s better to be happy with what you have than to let what you want destroy you. This is worthless, too, and like chasing after the wind. God knew long ago what each person would be and it was settled then; and it’s already known by God what kind of person everyone is; so they can’t argue with God who is wiser than they are. There are many worthless things in this world so what good does it do? Who knows what’s good for someone in life, all the days of their worthless life, which they spend like a passing shadow? For who can tell someone what will happen after them on this earth?
7[1-4] A good name is better than the best perfume; and your day of death is better than your birthday. It’s better to go to a funeral than to go to a celebration; everyone will die in the end, and those who are living should think about this. Sorrow is better than laughter because by your sadness, your heart is made better. The heart of the wise think about its the nearness of death; but the hearts of stupid people only think about what makes them happy.
[5-9] It’s better to hear a wise person correct you, than for someone to hear the flattering words of a stupid person. As the burning thorns are quickly spent under a pot, so the laughter of the stupid person soon fades. This is worthless, too. Truly a bribe makes a wise person do stupid things; it destroys their judgment. It’s better when something is over than when it begins. A patient person is better than a proud one. Don’t be too quick to get angry in your spirit, for anger rests in the heart of stupid people.
[10-14] Don’t say, “Weren’t the old days better than these?” You don’t speak with wisdom about this. Wisdom is as good as getting rich. Yes, it’s even better for those who are living. For wisdom will protect you, just as money will protect you; but the best thing about knowledge is that wisdom saves the life of those who have it. Think about it the work of God, for who can change what God has made? Be happy when you do well, and in the day of difficulty, think about it; yes, God has made one as well as the other, so that a person can’t understand the ways of God.
[15-19] I’ve seen all these worthless things in my days; there’s a good person who dies while doing what’s right, and there’s a sinful person who lives long in their evil-doing. Don’t be too good, nor make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself trying to be perfect? Don’t be too sinful either, nor be stupid. Why should you die before your time? It’s good that you should understand this. Yes, don’t keep your hand from work because those who respect God will be more blessed than them all. Wisdom is stronger to the wise than ten Rulers who lead a city.
[20-24] Truly there isn’t a good person on earth who always does good and doesn’t ever sin. Also don’t worry about everything that’s said, “because you might hear Your follower speak evil of you because often your own heart knows that you yourself have in the same way spoken evil of others. All this, I’ve proved in wisdom. I said, “I want to be wise;” But I couldn’t become wise enough. What wisdom exists is very hard to understand. Who can find it out?
[25-29] I turned around, and my heart searched to know and to find wisdom and the reason for things, and to understand why evil things are so stupid, and that stupidity is crazy. I find the person whose heart is full of traps, whose hands are like chains, worse than death. Whoever pleases God will escape from a sinful person, but the sinner will be caught in their trap. See, I’ve found all this to be true,” says the Preacher, adding one thing to another, to find out why things are; for which I’m still searching; but I haven’t found it all yet; I’ve hardly found one person among a thousand to be wise. See, I’ve found only this; that God made humans good; but they look for many sinful things to do.
8[1-5] Who is wise? And who can interpret something? A person’s wisdom makes their face shine, and the hard lines of their face change. I say, “Do what the leader tells you!” Because of the promise you made to God. Don’t be too quick to leave the presence of a leader. Don’t keep doing an evil thing, for leaders do whatever they want, and whatever the Ruler says will happen. Who can say to a Ruler, “What are you doing?” Whoever keeps their word won’t come to harm, and a wise heart will know what to do and when to do it.
[6-10] For there’s a right time and way for everything to be done, although the misery of a person is great. No one knows what will be; No one can tell how it will happen? There is no one who has power to keep their spirit; nor does anyone have power over the day of their death. No one will get out of that; nor will sinful ways help those who do them. I’ve seen all this, and thought about everything that’s done on this earth. There is a time in which one person has power over another to hurt them. So I saw the sinful buried and also those who were good. They died and were forgotten in the city where they lived. This is worthless, too.
[11-14] Because a sentence against an evil thing isn’t quickly made, the hearts of humanity are fully set in them to do what’s evil. Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, still, I truly know that it’s better for those who respect and worship God. But it won’t be well with the sinful in the end, nor will they’ve long life; because they don’t respect God. There is a worthless thing which is done on the earth, that there are good people to whom horrible things happen as if they were sinful. Again, there are sinful people who seem to be rewarded as if they were good. So, I said that this is worthless, too.
[15-17] Then I decided to just be happy, because no one has anything better to do on this earth, than to eat, drink, and be happy because that will follow them in their work all the days of their life, which God has given them on this earth. When I tried to understand wisdom, and to see whatever is done on the earth, because something is always going on both day and night, then I saw all the work of God, that no one can understand everything that is done on this earth, because even though someone works very hard to find it out, still, they won’t completely understand it. Yes, even though a wise person thinks they can understand it, they won’t be able to understand it all.
9[1-6] For all this, I set my heart to explore whether the good and wise, and what they do, are in the will of God; but no one knows whether love or hatred is in store for them. The same things come alike to all. The same thing happens to both the good and the sinful; to the good and the evil, to the fit and the unfit, to those who sacrifice, and to those who don’t sacrifice. As it is with the good, so it is with the sinner; As it is with those who make a promise, it is with those who are scared to make a promise. The evil in what’s done on this earth, is that the same things happen to all; yes also, the hearts of humanity are full of evil, and they do stupid and crazy things while they live, and after that they die. Those who are still living have hope; as a living dog is better than a dead lion. The living know that they’ll die, but the dead don’t know anything, nor do they’ve anymore a reward; and they’re forgotten. All their love, hatred, and jealousy has died with them long ago; and they’ve nothing to do with anything that is done on this earth any more.
[7-12] So go on about your business and eat your food with happiness, and drink your wine with a happy heart because God has already accepted your works. Let your clothes always be clean and white, and don’t forget to rub oil on your head. Live happily with the spouse whom you love all the days of your life, which though they are as nothing, God has given them to you on this earth because that is your part in life, and in your work in which you do on this earth. Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your strength because there’s no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you’re going. I went back, and saw on this earth, that the race isn’t always won by the fastest, nor is the battle always won by the strongest, nor still does food always come to the wise, nor still does money always come to people of understanding, nor still favor is not always shown to people of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. No one knows when they’ll die. As the fish that are taken in a net, and as the birds that are caught in a trap, even so are human beings taken when they least expect it.
[13-18] I’ve also seen great wisdom on this earth. There was a little city with only a few people in it; and a great Ruler came against it, and surrounded it. Now there was a person who was wise but poor, whose wisdom freed the city; but still no one remembered that poor person when it was all over. Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor is hated, and their words aren’t heard. The quiet whisper of the wise is better than the loud cry of someone who rules among stupid and ungodly people. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
10[1-7] Dead flies will make even expensive perfume smell bad; so a little disgrace outweighs wisdom and honor. The hearts of the wise are shown by the good they do, but stupid people’s hearts are known by the evil they do. Yes, even when a stupid person walks down the street, they’ve no sense and everyone knows that they aren’t any good. If a leader rises up against you, don’t leave your place; Staying calm puts many offenses to rest. There is another evil thing, which I’ve seen on this earth, the sort of error leaders make. Disgraceful people are put in places of false worship, and the rich often take a low place. I’ve seen common workers on horses, while leaders walked like common workers.
[8-13] Those who dig a well may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be hurt while they work. If the axe is dull, and the edge isn’t sharpened, then the worker must use more strength; but great skill will bring success. If the snake bites before it’s killed, then it does no good for the one who goes after it. The words of the wise are full of grace; but stupid people are ruined by their own lips. The first words out of their mouths are pure stupidity; and the last words are just valley crazy. A stupid person says many things, but no one knows what will happen and what will come after them, but who can tell them anything?
[15-20] If you ask a stupid person to work, they’ll be too tired to do anything; and they can’t even find their way there. Sorrow will come to those whose Ruler is a child, and your leaders eat first thing in the morning! A nation will be happy when its Ruler is of noble blood, and the leaders eat in due time, for strength, and not for over indulgence! A lazy person will let the roof cave in and the house leaks. A celebration is for laughter; wine is to make us happy; and money is needed for everything. Don’t curse the Ruler, no, not even in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich even in your bedroom, or a little bird with wings may carry your voice, and tell it all.
11[1-5] Throw your seed on the rainy fields; and you’ll get a harvest after many days. Give some to seven others, yes, even to eight because you don’t know what evil may happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, it falls on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or the north, wherever the tree falls, there it will be. Those who watch the wind won’t plant; and those who look at the clouds won’t harvest. As you don’t know which way the wind will blow, nor how the bones grow in the womb of a woman who is pregnant; even so you don’t know the work of God who does everything.
[6-10] Plant your seed in the morning, but also in evening because you don’t know which will do well, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good. Truly the light is sweet, and it’s a wonderful thing for the eyes to see the sun. Yes, if you live many years, be happy in them all; but remember the sad days that come, for they’ll be many. What comes is all worthless. Be happy, youngster, in your youth, and enjoy the days of your youth, and do what your heart tells you, and what you think is right; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So don’t bring sorrow to your heart by doing what’s evil because youth and the dawn of life mean nothing.
12[1-5] Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years come close, when you’ll say, “I don’t enjoy life anymore; “ Before your eyes can’t see the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars, and they become cloudy when you cry; in the day when your hands will shake in fear, and your legs will bow themselves down, and you only have a few teeth left to chew, when your eyes fail, and your jaws are shut tight; when you can’t hear the sounds of the people at work, and you wake up at the sound of a bird, and the sound of music will be faint; yes, you’ll be scared of stairs, and even taking a walk will be fearful; and your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you can’t even step over a grasshopper, and sexual want will fail; because you go to your everlasting home, and everyone will come to mourn you.
[6-8] Remember your Creator before your back goes out, or your memory fails, or your heart gives out, or your arteries harden, and your body go backs to the dust of the earth as it was, and the spirit go backs to God who gave it. It all means nothing,” says the Preacher. Everything is worthless but this!
[9-14] Also, because I, the Preacher, was wise, I still taught the people what they needed to know. Yes, I studied, searched out, and wrote many wise sayings. I, the Preacher, searched to find acceptable words, and what was written were words of truth without fault. The words of the wise are like prods; and words from the scholars are like a well-placed hook, which are given by God. Also, my child, be warned; there isn’t any end to making many books; and too much study will tire you out. This is the end of it. You’ve heard everything. Respect God, and keep God’s words because this is the whole duty of humanity. For God will bring everything that’s done into judgment, along with everything that’s been hidden, whether it’s good or evil.
Song of Solomon
1[1-4] The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
The Wedding Celebration
The Wife of Solomon
Let my love kiss me with the kisses of your mouth; for your love (sexual) is better than the celebration. Your cologne smells so good and your name is as cologne poured out, so all my bridesmaids love (want) you. Take me away with you and I’ll quickly follow you. Bring me into your room (the bridal chamber).
The Bridesmaids
We’ll be happy and celebrate with you. We’ll remember your love more than the celebration!
The Wife of Solomon
They’re right to love (want) you.
[5-7] I am dark, but beautiful, you bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem), like the tents of Kedar, like Solomon’s curtains. Don’t stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has darkened me. My sisters and brothers were angry with me and made me keep the garden, but I haven’t taken care of my own garden (her appearance). Tell me, my love, where you work, where you rest at noon; Why should I wander off like a prostitute to where your friends are?
Solomon
[8-11] If you don’t know, most beautiful among women, go back home to your work. Feed your little ones back at home where they’ll care for you. I think, my love, you’re as beautiful as a graceful horse (of Ruler of Egypt’s). Your cheeks are beautiful with the waves of your hair, and your neck wears a beautiful necklace.
The Bridesmaids
We’ll make you gold chains with silver pendants.
The Wife of Solomon
[12-14] While my love sits at the wedding table, my perfume scents the air. My lover will be to me as a scented sachet, which lies between my breasts all night. My lover is to me like a bunch of flowers from the gardens (of Engedi).
Solomon
[15] See, you’re beautiful, my love. See, you’re beautiful. Your eyes are pure and innocent like doves’ eyes.
The Wife of Solomon
[16-17] See, you’re handsome, my love, yes, wonderful; and our wedding bed is like the green grass. The beams of our house are like the cedars. Our rafters are like the firs.
2[1] I am like a rose of the field, a beautiful wildflower.
Solomon
[2] As a beautiful wildflower among weeds, is my love among the women.
The Wife of Solomon
[3-6] As a fruit tree among the trees of the woods, is my love among the men. I was very happy when I rested under your shade, and your fruit was sweet to my taste. You brought me to the wedding celebration and covered me with your love. Now, strengthen me with wine, and refresh me with fruit; For I am weak from making love. Your left hand is under my head and your right hand holds me.
[7-9] I tell you, bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem), like the bucks and the does, not to stir up, nor awaken the passion of sexual love, until its time. I hear the voice of my love! See, here he comes, jumping on the mountains, skipping on the hills. My love is like a buck or a young deer. See, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the window and shows himself through the opening.
[10-13] My love said to me, “Get up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away with me. See, the winter is over. The rain is over and gone and the flowers are on the earth. The birds are singing, and the coo of the dove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its green figs and the vines are in blossom and have a sweet scent. Get up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away with me.”
Solomon
[14-15] My dove, who shies away from me in secret places, let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is beautiful. Don’t let anything trouble our love, like the little things that ruin a garden; for our garden of love is in blossom.
The Wife of Solomon
[16] My love is mine, and I am yours. Linger in the wildflowers until the day breaks, and the night fades away. Come back, my love, and make love to me like a buck or a young deer on the mountains (of Palestine, Bether).
3[1-2] On my bed at night, I wanted my love. I dreamed I looked for him, but I couldn’t find him, so I got up, and went to look in the city; in the streets and in the blocks I looked for my love. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him.
[3-5] The night guards who go about the city found me and I asked, “Have you seen my love?” I had barely left them, when I found my love. Then I held him, and wouldn’t let him go, until I had brought him back home, to my mother’s house. I tell you, bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem), like the bucks or the does of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken the passion of sexual love, until its time.
[6-8] Who is this who comes up from the countryside like poles of smoke, smelling of perfume and sweet scents, with all the fragrances of those who sell them? See, Solomon is coming! Sixty of the soldiers of Israel are around him. They all have weapons, and are trained for war. Everyone has a weapon on the thigh, because of fear of attack in the night.
[9-11] Solomon, the ruler, made himself a litter of the wood of Lebanon. He made its poles of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple cloth, its middle being made with love, from the bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem). Go ahead, you daughters of Zion, and see Solomon, the ruler, with the crown which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his wedding, in the day his heart was happy.
Solomon
4[1-7] See, you’re beautiful, my love. See, you’re beautiful. Your eyes are like a dove’s eyes behind your locks of hair. Your hair is as a flock of goats, coming down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are white and washed like a newly shorn flock, and each of them has a twin. None is missing among them. Your lips are like ribbons of red. Your mouth is so beautiful. Your face is shaped like a piece of fruit behind your locks of hair. Your neck is like a high tower built for an armory, where a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the soldiers. Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a buck, which feed among the wildflowers. Until the day breaks, and the night fades away, I’ll go to the scented mountain, to the hill of sweet scents. You are all beautiful, my love. You’re perfect.
[8-11] Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Mount Amana, from the top of Mount Hermon (Senir), from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards. You’ve stolen my heart, my love, my bride. You’ve stolen my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. How beautiful is your love, my love, my bride! How much better is your love than the celebration! The scent of your perfumes than all the fragrances! Your lips, my bride, drop down. Your Words are as sweet as milk and honey. The smell of your clothes is like the scent of Lebanon.
[12-15] My love, my bride, is like a locked up garden, a dammed up creek, or a covered well waiting for me to open. Your plants are like an orchard of fruit trees, with tasty fruits, henna with spikenard plants, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the scented trees, and all the best spices, a well in the garden, a creek of running water, flowing down from Lebanon.
The Wife of Solomon
[16] Awake, and come, winds of the north and south! Blow on my garden that its scent may flow out. Let my love come into his garden, and eat his tasty fruits.
Solomon
5[1] I’ve come into my garden, my love, my bride. I’ve gathered my perfumes with my sweet scents; I’ve eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I’ve drunk my wine with my milk. I’ve eaten, my friend! I’ve drunk, yes, I’ve drunk deeply, my love.
The Wife of Solomon
[2-4] I was asleep, but my heart was awake. I heard the voice of my love, who knocks! “ Open to me, my bride, my love, my dove, my perfect one. My head is covered with dew, and my hair with the raindrops of the night.” I’ve taken off my robe. Should I put it back on? I’ve washed my feet. Should I soil them? But my love put his hand in through the opening and my heart pounded for him.
[5-6] I got up to open for my love, but my hands were slippery with scented oils, my fingers with perfumed oil, on the handles of the lock. I opened to my love; but my love had turned and gone away. My heart went out to him when he called, but when I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.
[7-8] The night guards who go about the city found me and beat me and bruised me. The guards took my covers away from me. I tell you, bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem), If you find my love, tell him that I am heartbroken.
The Bridesmaids
[9] How is the one you love better than any other, most beautiful among women? How is the one you love better than any other, that you come and tell us about him?
The Wife of Solomon
[10-16] My love is fair and red skinned. The best among ten thousand. His face is like the purest gold. His hair is wavy, and as black as a raven. His eyes are like doves at the water brooks, white as milk, and perfectly set in their place. His cheeks are like rows of scented flowers in a flowerbed. His lips are like wildflowers, dropping with sweet scents. His hands are like rods of gold set with precious stones. His body is like an ivory slab covered with sapphires. His legs are like poles of marble set on pedestals of fine gold. He looks as beautiful as Lebanon, chosen like the best of the cedar trees. His mouth is the sweetest thing; yes, he is altogether beautiful. This is my love, and this is my friend, bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem).
The Bridesmaids
6[1] Where has the one you love gone to, most beautiful among women? Where has the one you love gone to, that we may look for him with you?
The Wife of Solomon
[2-3] My love has gone down to his work, to where he is needed, to earn food, and to gather good things. I am my love’s, and my love is mine. He goes to earn food.
Solomon
[4-7] You are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, beautiful as Jerusalem, as strong as an army with waving flags. Don’t look at me, for your eyes have overcome me. Your hair is wavy like a flock of goats that come down along the side of Mount Gilead. Your teeth are white and washed like a flock of lambs; each one having a twin; none of them is missing. Your face is shaped like a piece of a fruit behind your locks of hair.
[8-10] There are sixty queens, eighty mistresses, and more young girls than I can count, but my dove, my perfect one, is the only one for me. She’s her mother’s only daughter. She’s her dearest one. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; the queens and the mistresses praised her. Who is she who looks down like the morning, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, and as strong as an army with waving flags?
The Wife of Solomon
[11-12] I went down into the nut tree grove, to see the green trees of the valley, to see whether the vine budded, and the fruits were in flower. Before I knew it, my love set me in the fast vehicles of my royal people.
The Bridesmaids
[13] Come back, come back, beautiful one! Come back, come back, so we can see you.
Solomon
Why do you want to see the beautiful one, as at the dance of Mahanaim (two camps)?
7[1-5] How beautiful are your feet in their sandals, daughter of royalty! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful person. Your body is like a round goblet, no mixed wine is wanting. Your waist is like a heap of wheat, set about with wildflowers. Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a buck. Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel. The hair of your head flows down like rich cloth and I am held captive in its locks.
[6-8] How beautiful and how wonderful you are, my love, for happiness! You’re like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its fruit. I said, “I’ll climb up the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.” Let your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the smell of your breath like fruit.
The Wife of Solomon
[9-12] You taste like the best wine that goes down smoothly, gliding through the lips of the one who is asleep. I am my love’s. You want me. Come, my love, let’s go to the countryside. Let’s stay in the towns. Let’s go up to the gardens early and see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, and the fruits are in flower. I’ll make love to you there, my love. The smell of love is in the air. At our doors are all kinds of tasty fruits, new and old, which I’ve saved for you, my love.
8[1-3] Oh that you were like my brother, who nursed from the breasts of my mother! If I found you outside, I’d kiss you; yes, and no one would hate me. I’d lead you, bringing you into my mother’s house, who would tell me what to do. I’d have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my fruit. Your left hand would be under my head and your right hand would hold me.
[4] I tell you, bridesmaids (daughters of Jerusalem), that you not stir up, nor awaken the passion of sexual love, until its time.
The Bridesmaids
[5] Who is this who comes up from the countryside, leaning on her lover? Under the fruit tree I awoke you, where your mother conceived you, where she was in labor and had you.
The Wife of Solomon
[6-7] Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Hell. Its flashes are flashes of fire, like the very flame of Yahweh. Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for my love, he would be completely scorned.
The Family of Solomon’s Wife
[8-9] We’ve a little sister, who has no breasts yet. What will we do for our sister when she is asked for? If she’s strong like a wall, we’ll praise her strength. If she’s loose like door, we’ll shut her tight to protect her from opening it too soon.
The Wife of Solomon
[10-12] I have stayed strong like a wall, and my breasts are like strong towers, then I was in your eyes like one who found peace. Solomon had a garden at Baal Hamon. He leased out the garden to the keepers of the garden. Each was to have a thousand silver coins for its fruit. But I now have my own garden and the thousand are for you, Solomon; and two hundred more for the one who tends its fruit.
Solomon
[13-14] You who stay in the gardens, with your friends, let me hear your voice!
The Wife of Solomon
[14] Come with me, now, my love! Be like a buck or a young deer on the scented mountains!
Isaiah
Isaiah is the most important of the writing prophets. He has the most thorough testimony and is particularly the prophet of God’s saving grace. Nowhere else in Scripture written under the law is so clear a picture of God’s grace to humanity. The Messiah in the person of the suffering servant and the blessings of the nations through the Christ appears very clearly. Isaiah includes his testimony to his own time, which includes warnings of coming judgments upon the nations of that day. In addition, Isaiah covers seven great themes: Israel in exile and divine judgment upon its enemies, the return from Babylon, the suffering servant, the blessing of the nations, Messiah coming in judgment, the reign of Davidic rule in the Messianic age, and the new heaven and earth. Isaiah is in two major divisions as well. The first looking toward the captivities and the second looking beyond the captivities.
Isaiah
1[1-6] The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amos, which they saw concerning Judah (southern Israel) and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, rulers of Judah (southern Israel). Listen, you who are in heaven, and listen, you who are on earth; for Yahweh has spoken, saying, “I’ve nourished and brought up children, and they’ve rebelled against Me. The cow knows its owner and the donkey its owner’s barn; but Israel doesn’t know, and My people don’t think about it. Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with sin, descendants of evil-doers, children who do wrongfully! They’ve left Yahweh. They’ve hated the Holy One of Israel. They’re separated and backward. Why should you be beaten more, that you rebel more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of your foot all the way to your head there isn’t anything good in it, only wounds, welts, and open sores that haven’t been closed, nor bandaged, nor soothed with oil.
[7-9] Your country is deserted. Your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners take your land while you watch, and it’s deserted, and overthrown by foreigners. The city of Zion (Jerusalem) is left like a shed in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city. Unless Yahweh, the God of All Creation had left us a very small remnant, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.
[10-14] Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Yahweh says, “What are your many sacrifices to Me? I’ve had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I don’t enjoy the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats. When you come to show yourselves before Me, who has asked you to do this, to trample My courts? Bring no more meaningless offerings. Incense is evil to Me; I can’t bear the evil assemblies of your new moons, Seventh Days, and worship meetings. My soul hates your New Moons and your set celebrations. They’re hard for Me. I am tired of putting up with them.
[15-20] When you lift your hands, I won’t look at you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I won’t listen, because your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, and get clean. Stop doing your evil wrongdoings right in front of Me. Stop doing what’s evil and Learn to do what’s good. Look for fairness and help the abused. Defend the case of those who have lost a parent and support those who have lost a spouse. Come now, and let us think about this together,” says Yahweh.” Though your sins are as scarlet, they’ll be as white as snow. Though they’re red as crimson, they’ll be as white as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you’ll eat the good of the land; but if you trash and rebel, you’ll be killed in war; for the mouth of Yahweh has said it.”
[21-23] The faithful city is now as unfaithful as a prostitute! It was full of fairness and goodness, but now it’s full of murderers. Your silver isn’t anything but dross, and your wine is now mixed with water. Your rulers are rebellious, and friends of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and chases after money. They don’t defend those who have lost parents, nor does the cause of those who have lost spouses come to them.
[24-31] So the Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the Strong One of Israel,” says , “Ah, I’ll get relief from those who come against Me, and take revenge on My enemies; and I’ll use My power against you, and thoroughly purge away your dross, and take away all your tin. I’ll restore your judges as at the first and your counselors like they were at the beginning. Afterward you’ll be called ‘The city of goodness, a faithful town.’ Zion (Jerusalem) will be bought back with fairness and its converts with goodness. But evildoers and sinners will be destroyed together, and those who leave Yahweh will be destroyed. You’ll be ashamed of the oaks which you wanted, and you’ll be confused for the gardens that you chose. For you’ll be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water. The strong will be like tinder, whose work will be like a spark. They’ll both burn together, and no one will put them out.”
2[1-4] This is what Isaiah the son of Amos saw concerning Judah (southern Israel) and Jerusalem. In the latter days, the mountain of Yahweh’s house will be set up above all the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all nations will flow into it. Many peoples will go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the family of the God of Jacob; who will teach us of the ways of God that we may follow them.” For out of Zion (Jerusalem) (City of David, Jerusalem) the law will go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. There, God will judge between the nations, and will decide things about many peoples; and they’ll beat their weapons into plows and pruning tools. Nation won’t go to war against nation, and they won’t learn the ways of war any more.
[5-10] Family of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh. For you’ve left your people, the family of Jacob, because they’re filled with those who practice fortune telling like the Philistines (Palestine), and they join hands with foreigners from the east. Their land is full of silver and gold, and there’s no end to their treasures. Their land is also full of horses, and there’s no end to their vehicles. Their land also is full of the false worship of false gods. They worship the work of their own hands, what their own fingers have made. Humanity has been brought down, and Humanity is humbled; So, don’t forgive them. Go into the rock, and hide in the dust, from the terrible judgment of Yahweh, and from God’s awesomely beautiful light.
[11-16] The proud looks of human beings will be brought down, the pride of human beings will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be lifted up in praise Then. For there’ll be a day of Yahweh, the judgment of the God of All Creation, for all that are proud and self-important, and all that are lifted up will be brought down. All the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, all the oaks of Bashan, all the high mountains, all the hills that are lifted up, every proud tower, every strong wall, all the beautiful crafts, and everything beautiful will be judged.
[17-22] The proud looks of human beings will be bowed down, and the pride of human beings will be brought down; and Yahweh alone will be lifted up in praise Then. The false gods of false worship will be completely destroyed. People will go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, hiding from the terrible judgment of Yahweh, and from God’s awesomely beautiful light, when God causes the earth to greatly shake. Then, human beings will throw away their false gods of silver and gold, which were made for them to worship, to the moles and to the bats. They’ll go into the caverns of the rocks, and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, hiding from the terrible judgment of Yahweh, and from God’s awesomely beautiful light, when God causes the earth to greatly shake. Stop trusting in human beings, whose breath is in their nostrils; for of what importance are they?
3[1-5] Look, Yahweh God, the God of All Creation, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah (southern Israel) their supply and their support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water; the strong soldiers of war, the judge, the preacher, the fortune teller, the elder, the captain of fifty, the honorable ones, the counselor, the skilled crafts people, and those who threw spells. I’ll make young children to be their rulers, and they’ll rule over them. The people will all be abused by each other, everyone by their neighbor. The child will behave proudly against the old, and the evil against the good.
[6-12] Yes, one person will take hold of another in their own house, saying, “You have nice clothes, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be in your power.” Then they’ll cry out, saying, “I don’t want to be a healer; I don’t even have food or clothes. You won’t make Me a ruler of the people. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah (southern Israel) is fallen; because everything they say and do is against Yahweh, to provoke God’s fiery eyes. The looks on their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don’t even try to hide it. Sorrow will come to their soul! For they’ve brought disaster upon themselves. Tell the good “Good!” for they’ll be punished for what they do. Sorrow will come to the sinners! Disaster is coming upon them; for whatever they do will be paid back to them. As for My people, children are their abusers, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you make you to go down the wrong paths and make you go the wrong way.
[13-17] Yahweh stands up to fight and stands up to judge the peoples. Yahweh will judge the elders of the people of God, and their leaders, “It’s you who have eaten up the vineyard. Everything the poor owned is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing My people, and grinding the faces of the poor in the dirt?” Says Yahweh God, the God of All Creation. Also Yahweh said, “Because the daughters of Zion (Jerusalem) are self-important, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking to trip someone up as they go, jingling their ankle bracelets on their feet; So God will bring sores on the crowns of the heads of the women of Zion (Jerusalem), and Yahweh will make their scalps bald.”
[18-26] Then, God will take away the beauty of their ankle bracelets, headbands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, sashes, perfume bottles, charms, rings, nose rings, fine clothes, coats, purses, hand mirrors, linens, tiaras, and shawls. Instead of smelling sweet, they’ll stink; instead of having a belt, they’ll be tied with a rope; instead of well-set hair, they’ll be shaved bald; instead of nice clothes, they’ll wear rags of mourning; and they’ll be branded instead of being beautiful. You’ll fall in war, yes; your strong will fall in the war. At the city gates, they’ll cry and mourn; It’ll be deserted and they’ll sit on the ground.
4[1-4] Seven women will take hold of one man then, saying, “We’ll eat our own bread, and wear our own clothes; Just let us be called by Your Name. and take away our shame.” Then, Yahweh’s branch will be beautiful and wonderful, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and pride of the survivors of Israel. Everyone who is left in Zion (Jerusalem), and those who stay in Jerusalem, will be called holy, even everyone who is still living in Jerusalem; when God will have washed away the filth of the cities of Zion (Jerusalem), and will have cleansed the blood out of Jerusalem, by the spirit of fairness, and by the spirit of burning judgment.
[5-6] Yahweh will create over all of Mount Zion (Jerusalem), and over all its assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the light of a blazing fire by night; and over all the light will be a covering. There, they’ll be shaded from heat in the daytime, and It’ll be a safe haven and a shelter from storm and rain.
5[1-4] Let Me sing for the One I love a song about My love’s vineyard. The One I love had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill and dug it up, gathered the stones out of it, planted it with the best vine, built a watchtower in it, and also cut out a winepress in it. My love looked for it to yield good grapes, but it yielded only wild grapes.” Now, people of Jerusalem and Judah (southern Israel), please judge between Me and My vineyard. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I haven’t already done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield good grapes, did it yield wild grapes?
[5-7] Now I’ll tell you what I’ll do to My vineyard. I’ll take away its hedge, and it’ll be eaten up. I’ll break down its walls, and It’ll be trampled down. I’ll make it a wasteland. It won’t be pruned nor hoed, but It’ll grow briers and thorns. I’ll also tell the clouds not to rain on it.” For the vineyard of Yahweh, the God of All Creation is the family of Israel, and the people of Judah (southern Israel) God’s best plant. God looked for fairness, but look, abuse; God looked for goodness, but look, cries of trouble.
[8-12] Sorrow will come to those who join house to house, and who join field to field until there’s no room, and they are left living alone in the land! In My ears, Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Without a doubt many houses will be deserted, yes, all the big and beautiful houses will be empty. Ten acres of vineyard will only yield eight and a half gallons, and 80 gallons of seed will only yield about 8 gallons.” Sorrow will come to those who Get up early in the morning to drink alcohol; who stay up late into the night until they’re drunk! The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their celebrations; but they don’t think about the work of Yahweh, nor have they thought about what God has done.
[13-17] So My people are taken prisoner for lack of knowledge. Their honorable ones are hungry, and the people are dying of thirst. Hell has enlarged to take what it wants, and opened its mouth without measure; and their fame, their many people, their self-importance, and those who celebrate among them, all go down into it. So they are brought down, humanity is humbled, and the eyes of the proud ones look down; but Yahweh, the God of All Creation, is lifted up in praise in fairness, and God, the Holy One, is set apart in goodness. Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and foreigners will eat the ruins of the rich.
[18-24] Sorrow will come to those who carry the sin of falsehood, and drag their sinfulness behind them; Who say, “Let God come quickly, and finish the work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel come close and come, that we may know it!” Sorrow will come to those who call evil good and good evil; who put their sins of darkness in the light, and hide the goodness of the light in the darkness; who act as if bitter things are sweet, and sweet things are bitter! Sorrow will come to those who are wise in their own eyes, and sensible in their own sight! Sorrow will come to those who drink too much wine, and are great at mixing alcoholic drinks; who free the guilty for a bribe, but deny fairness for the innocent! So as the tongue of fire burns the weeds, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will go up as dust; because they’ve rejected the law of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, and hated the Word of the Holy One of Israel.
[25-30] So Yahweh is very angry with the people of God, and has overturned them, and punished them. The mountains shake in fear, and their dead bodies are as trash in the middle of the streets. For all this, God is still very angry, and will punish them more. God will lift up a flag to the nations from far away, and will whistle for them to come from the ends of the earth. Look, they’ll come very quickly. None of them will be tired or trip; none will rest or sleep; nor will the belt of their waist be untied, or the buckle of their shoes be undone, whose weapons are ready and waiting. Their horses’ hoofs are well shoed, and their wheels turn like a tornado. Their noise will roar like a lioness. They’ll roar like young lions. Yes, they’ll roar, and take their prey and carry it off, and there won’t be any one to save them. They’ll roar against them then like the roaring of the sea. If one looks at the land, there’ll only be darkness and trouble. The light is darkened by the clouds.
6[1-4] In the year that the ruler Uzziah died (740 BC), I saw God sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, whose royal robe filled the Place of Worship. Glowing angelic beings stood above God. Each one had six wings, two covering the face, two covering the feet, and two for flying. One called to another, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh, the God of All Creation! God is made known in the whole earth!” The base of the doorways shook at the voice of the one who called out, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5-9] Then I said, “Sorrow is mine! I’m completely undone, because I am a human being of unfit lips, and I live with a people of unfit lips! Me have seen the Ruler, Yahweh, the God of All Creation!” Then one of the glowing angelic beings flew to Me, holding a live coal, which was taken with tongs from off the altar. The glowing angelic being touched My mouth with it, and said, “Look, this has touched your lips; and your sin is taken away, and forgiven.” I heard God’s voice, saying, “Who will I send; who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send Me!” Then God said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You do Listen, but you don’t understand; and you do see, but you don’t recognize.’
[10-13] Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes or they’ll see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn around, and be healed.” Then I said, “God, how long?” Who answered, “Until cities are ruined and have no people, and the houses have no one living in them, and the land becomes completely ruined. And Yahweh has removed all the people far away, and the land is left in ruins. Even if only a tenth is left in it, it also will be ruined, as a pistachio tree, and as an oak tree, whose stump is left, when they’re felled; so the holy people is like the stump.”
7[1-6] In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, the ruler of Judah (southern Israel), that Rezin the ruler of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, the ruler of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to fight against it, but couldn’t overcome it. It was told to the family of David, saying, “Syria is united with Ephraim (northern Israel).” His heart shook in fear, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest shake in the wind. Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the creek of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field (A fuller is someone who makes and washes wool). Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be scared, and don’t lose hope because of the great anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah, who are nothing more than smoking firewood. Because Syria, Ephraim (northern Israel), and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, “Let’s go fight against Judah (southern Israel), and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as our own ruler in it.”
[7-12] Yahweh God says, “Nothing they say will ever happen.” For the head of Syria is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within 65 years Ephraim (northern Israel) will be destroyed, so that it won’t even be a people; and the head of Ephraim (northern Israel) is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you won’t believe, you won’t be in control.’“ Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz through Me, saying, “Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depths of hell, or in the heavens above.” But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask, nor will I tempt Yahweh.”
[13-17] Then I said, “Listen now, family of David, isn’t it enough for you to try the patience of human beings, or will you try the patience of My God also? Since you haven’t chosen a sign, Yahweh God will give you one. Look, a virgin will get pregnant, and have a child, who will be named Immanuel. The child will eat butter and honey before knowing to destroy what’s evil, and choose what’s good. Before the child knows to destroy what’s evil, and choose what’s good, the land whose two rulers you hate will be destroyed. Yahweh will bring on you, on your people, and on your family, a time of trouble unlike any since the day that Ephraim (northern Israel) left out of Judah (southern Israel) from the ruler of Assyria.
[18-25] Then Yahweh will whistle for the Egyptians, who will come like the fly that is in the farthest part of the Euphrates Rivers of Egypt, and for the Assyrians, who will come like the bee that is in the land of Assyria. They’ll come and rest in the empty valleys, in the caves of the mountains, by the bushes, and on all the fields. Then God, with the ruler of Assyria, who Ahaz hired from beyond the Euphrates River, will shave you as with a razor, both the head and the hair of the feet; and it’ll also shave the beard. Then a person will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, and because of the abundance of milk which they give, they’ll all eat butter, for everyone will eat butter and honey who are left in the land. Then everywhere there used to be a thousand grape vines worth $1,000 silver coins, will be grown up in briers and thorns. People will go there with weapons, because all the land will be briers and thorns. All the hills that were farmed, you won’t go there because of all the briers and thorns; but It’ll be for the cows and sheep to graze.”
8[1-4] Yahweh said to me, “Take a large book, and write on it with a pen, ‘For Maher Shalal Hash Baz;’ and I’ll take for myself faithful witnesses to testify, Uriah, the preacher, and Zechariah, the son of Jeberechiah.” Then I went and had sex with My wife, who was a preacher, and she got pregnant, and had a child. Then Yahweh said to me, “The child will be named ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz (Go quickly to the treasure, quickly to the prey).’ For before the child knows how to say, Daddy’ and ‘Mama,’ the riches of Damascus and the treasures of Samaria will be carried away by the ruler of Assyria.”
[5-8] Yahweh spoke to Me yet again, saying, “Because this people has rejected the waters of Shiloah (Siloam) that go softly, and celebrate in Rezin and Remaliah’s son, God will bring upon them the strong flood waters of the Euphrates River, the ruler of Assyria and all the Assyrians. It’ll flood all its creeks, and flow over all its banks. It’ll flood into Judah (southern Israel), and overflow and go through; It’ll reach even to Jerusalem, and like the outstretched wings of an eagle, It’ll cover your whole land, Immanuel.
[9-12] Sound your battle cry, peoples, and be destroyed! Listen, all you from far countries, get ready for war, and be destroyed! Get ready for war, and be destroyed! Make treaties with each other, and It’ll be brought to nothing; Whatever you say won’t even happen; for God is with us.” For Yahweh said this to Me with a strong hand, and told Me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “Don’t say, ‘A conspiracy!’ about everything these people say is a conspiracy, nor be scared of their threats, nor fear them.
[13-15] I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation is who you must think about as holy. I am the One you must fear and the One, whose judgment you must dread. I am a safe haven, but for both houses of Israel, I am a stone in the road and a large rock to many of the people of Jerusalem. Many will trip over it and fall and be hurt. They’ll be offended and punished by it.”
[16-22] Keep these words safe. Hide it among My followers. I’ll wait for Yahweh, who won’t watch over the family of Jacob, now, and I’ll watch for God’s saving grace. Look, I and the children whom Yahweh has given Me are for signs to make the people of Israel think, from Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who lives in Mount Zion (Jerusalem). When people tell you “Go see the fortune tellers, witches, and mediums, who make noises and whisper,” Shouldn’t you talk with your God instead? Why should you talk to the dead, when you are alive? Turn to the Word of God! If they don’t speak in agreement with God’s Word, there’s no hope for them. They’ll go through it, greatly troubled and hungry; and when they’re hungry; they’ll worry, and curse their ruler and their God. They’ll look up to heaven, and look down to earth, and see nothing but trouble, darkness, and the sadness of suffering. They’ll be driven into the great darkness of their souls.
9[1-5] But there won’t be any more sadness for those who were suffering. In the past, God brought shame on the land of Zebulun and Naphtali; but in the latter time God made the land of Galilee well known, by the road of the sea, beyond the Jordan, where the people of the nations live. The people who once lived in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death. You’ve made the nation grow. You’ve made them celebrate. They celebrate before you because they’re happy with what they’ve taken in their harvest, as people celebrate when they divide what they win in war. You’ve taken their heavy load from off their shoulders, the punishment of their abuser, as in the day when You set them free from Midian. All the armor of the armed soldiers in the noisy battle, and the clothes soaked in blood, will be burned as fuel for the fire.
[6-7]A child is born for us! This child is given to us, who will be in control of everything; Whose name will be called Wonderful Counselor, the God of All Creation and time, the Ruler of Peace; Whose rule and peace will never end, Who will sit on the throne, and nation of David, to set it up, and to uphold it with fairness and with goodness from that time on, even forever. With passion, Yahweh, the God of All Creation will do it.
[8-12] God sent a warning to the people of Jacob, and it falls on the land of Israel. All the people will know, including Ephraim (northern Israel) and the people of Samaria, who say with a proud heart, “The bricks have fallen, but we’ll build it again with cut stones. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we’ll put cedars in their place.” So Yahweh will put the enemies of Rezin in power, and will stir up their enemies, the Syrians in front, and the Philistines (Palestine) behind; and they’ll destroy Israel. For all this, God is still very angry and will punish them more.
[13-17] Yet the people haven’t turned back to God, who punished them, nor have they sought Yahweh, the God of All Creation. So Yahweh will cut off from Israel, both the head and the tail, the palm branch and the reed, in one day. The elders and the honorable people are the head, and the preacher who teaches lies is the tail. Those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are ruined. So God won’t let their young ones go free, nor have compassion on those without a parent and the survivors; They’re all ungodly evil-doers, whose mouths speak sinful words. For all this, God is still very angry and will punish them more.
[18-21] Their sinfulness burns like a fire, burning all the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and loaves up in a column of smoke. Through the great anger of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one even spares a family member. They’ll eat everything in sight, both on the left and on the right, and still be hungry; and they won’t have enough. They’ll eat the meat of their own children. Manasseh will eat Ephraim (northern Israel); and Ephraim will eat Manasseh; and together they’ll come against Judah (southern Israel). For all this, God is still very angry and will punish them more.
10[1-4] Sorrow will come to those who make unfair laws, and to those who write laws to allow abuse of people; to take away fairness from the needy, and to rob the poor among My people of their rights, that they may take what rightfully belongs to survivors and from those without a parent! What will you do in the day of God’s judgment, when trouble will come from another country? Who will you go to for help? Where will you leave all your wealth? You’ll only hide like prisoners and fall like the dead. For all this, God is still very angry and will punish them more.
[5-11] “Sorrow will come to Assyria, the stick I use in My anger, the staff in whose hand is My rightful anger! I’ll send them against a ruined nation, and I’ll give them an order against the people who anger Me to take the people and everything they own, and to stomp them down like the mud in the streets. But this isn’t what the ruler of Assyria plans, nor has he ever thought of it; but it’s in his heart to destroy and take many nations. He says, “Aren’t all of My commanders rulers? Isn’t Calno like Carchemish? Isn’t Hamath like Arpad? Isn’t Samaria (northern Israel) like Damascus (cities of Syria)?” As My hand has found the nations of the gods, whose false gods are more than those of Jerusalem and Samaria; won’t I, as I’ve done to Samaria and its false gods, do so to Jerusalem and its false gods?
[12-15] So when I am done with My work on Mount Zion and Jerusalem, I’ll punish the stubborn proud heart of the ruler of Assyria, and the disrespect of his proud looks, who has said, “I’ve done it by my own strength and by my own wisdom; I understand how to take away the borders of the peoples and have stolen their treasures. Like a brave soldier I’ve brought down their rulers. My hand has found the riches of the peoples and like someone who gathers eggs that are left in a nest; I’ve gathered all the earth. Not one moved a wing, or opened its mouth to chirp.” Is an axe greater than the one who chops with it? Is a saw greater than the one who saws with it? It’s as if a stick could lift up the one who picks it up, or as if a staff should lift up the one who isn’t made of wood.”
[16-19] So God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will send sickness to those who have been fed well; and a burning will start in their bodies like a burning fire. Yahweh God, the Light of Israel will be a fire, and their Holy One a flame; and it’ll burn and destroy all the thorns and briers in one day. It’ll destroy all the beauty of their forests, and of the fruitful field, both soul and body. It’ll be like when a flag bearer faints. Those who are left of the trees of the forest will only be a few, so that a child could count their number.
[20-25] Then what’s left of Israel, and those who have escaped from the family of Jacob will no more again lean on those who destroyed them, but they’ll lean on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. Some of what’s left will come back, what’s left of the people of Israel, to the God of All Creation. Though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a few of them will come back. Though they’ll rightly be destroyed, God’s goodness will overcome. For God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will do everything that was said, “in the whole earth. So God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says “ My people, who live in Zion (Jerusalem), Don’t be scared of Assyria, though they beat you with the stick, and lift up their staff against you, as Egypt did. For in just a little while, the rightful anger against you will be over, and My anger will come against them.
[26-29] I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will beat them with a stick, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. I’ll hold My stick over the sea, and lift it up like I did against Egypt. Then Assyria will leave you alone, and have no control over you again, whose power will be destroyed because of the blessing on you. The Assyrians will come to Aiath and go through Migron; At Michmash they’ll store their supplies and go over the rise; They’ll camp at Geba, while Ramah shakes in fear and Saul’s hometown of Gibeah will run away (Route Assyria used to make war on Israel).
[30-34] Cry aloud with your voice, city of Gallim! Listen, Laishah! You poor city of Anathoth! Madmenah is a runaway. The people of Gebim run for safety. This very day they’ll stop at Nob and shake their fists at the mountain of the city of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. Look, I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will cut off their branches with great anger. I’ll cut the tall ones down, and the proud will be brought down. I, the God of All Creation, will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron ax, and Lebanon will fall.
11[1-5] The family of David is like a stump in which a branch will grow out of the roots and will bear fruit. The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on it, with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and of the respect of Yahweh; Whose happiness will be in the respect of Yahweh; Who won’t judge by sight, nor decide by hearing; but with goodness, will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the needy of the earth; Who will punish the people of the earth with a word; and with the breath of God, will kill the sinners; and whose belt will be goodness and faithfulness.
[6-9] The wolves will live with the lambs and the leopards will lie down with the little goats; The calves and the young lions will eat together; and little children will lead them around. The cow and the bear will graze together. Their young ones will lie down together. The meat eaters will eat straw like the cow. Nursing children will play near a snake’s hole, and weaned children will put their hands on the snake’s den and not be hurt. Nothing will hurt or destroy anything in all My holy mountain; and the whole earth will fully know Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.
[10-12] Then the nations will look for the root of David, who stands as a symbol of peace to the peoples; whose home will be wonderful. Then Yahweh will recover what’s left that is left of God’s people a second time from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros (Upper-southern Egypt), from Cush (Ethiopia, Africa), from Elam (Iran), from Shinar (Iraq), from Hamath (Syria), and from all the nations across the sea. God will set up a symbolic flag to show the nations, and will gather the outcasts of Israel, and gather together those who were sent away from Judah (southern Israel) from the four corners of the earth.
[13-16] Ephraim (northern Israel) won’t be jealous, and those who abuse Judah (southern Israel) will be destroyed. Ephraim won’t be jealous of Judah, and Judah won’t abuse Ephraim. They’ll run down the mountainsides of the Philistines (Palestine) on the west. Together they’ll overcome the people of the east and take what they want. They’ll take control over Edom (Jordan, Arab nations) and Moab (Jordan), and the people of Ammon (Transjordan) will obey them. Yahweh will completely destroy the branch of the Red Sea of Egypt (Gulf of Suez); and with a scorching wind will dry up the Euphrates River, and will split it into seven creeks, and people will be able to cross it on foot. There’ll be a highway for what’s left of the people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that they came up out of the land of Egypt.
12[1-3] Then you’ll say, “I’ll give thanks to You, Yahweh; for though You were angry with Me, Your anger has turned away and now You comfort Me. Look, God is My saving grace. I’ll trust, and won’t be scared because Yahweh God is My strength and My song; and has become My saving grace.” So with great happiness you’ll draw water out of the wells of God’s saving grace.
[4-6] Then you’ll say, “Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on God’s Name. Tell everyone what God has done among the peoples. Shout and lift up God’s Name in praise! Sing to Yahweh, who has done wonderful things! Make this known in all the earth! Cry out and shout, you people of Zion (Jerusalem); for the Holy One of Israel is great, and stays with you!”
13[1-5] The vision of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amos saw. Set up a flag on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand that they may go into the gates of the proud ones. I’ve told those who I have set aside to go; yes, I’ve called My soldiers to punish Babylon for My anger, even those who are very proud. The noise of an army is in the mountains, as of a great people; the noise of an uproar of the nations of the nations are gathered together! Yahweh, the God of All Creation is calling the army to the war. They come from another country, from the farthest part of heaven from Yahweh, and are the weapons of God’s rightful anger, to destroy the whole land.
[6-10] Scream; for the day of Yahweh is at hand! It’ll come as destruction from the Almighty. So everyone’s hands will be weak, and everyone’s heart will fail them for fear. They’ll be terribly upset. Pain and sorrows will overtake them like a woman giving birth. They’ll look in amazement at each other and their faces will burn with shame. Look, the day of Yahweh is coming! It’ll be cruel, with great punishment and fierce anger; to make the land deserted, and to destroy the sinners out of it. The stars of the sky and their constellations won’t shine. The sun will be darkened as it comes out, and the moon won’t shine either.
[11-16] I’ll punish the world for their evil, and the sinners for their sin. I’ll cause the proud to stop thinking about themselves, and will take the pride of the terrible ones from them. I’ll make people more rare than the finest gold, a person will be more valuable than the pure gold of Ophir. I’ll make the heavens shake in fear, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in the great anger of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, and in the day of My fierce anger. Like a hunted deer, and like sheep that no one takes care of, they’ll all turn back to their own people, and go back to their own land. Everyone who is found will be killed. Everyone who is captured will fall in war. Their babies will be killed right in front of them. Their houses will be trashed, and their wives raped.
[17-22] Look, I’ll stir up the Medes against them, who won’t value silver, and as for gold, they won’t enjoy it. They’ll kill the little babies, having no compassion even on the youngest of them. They won’t even spare the children. Babylon (Iraq), the best of the nations, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be like when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It’ll never be lived in again and will stay deserted forever. The Arabians won’t have their homes there, nor will shepherds let their flocks lie down there. But the wild animals of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of jackals. Ostriches will live there, and wild goats will play there. Wolves will howl in their great houses, and jackals will live in all their pleasant places. The time is near, and the days won’t be long in coming.
14[1-6] Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and set them in their own land. The foreigner will join them, and they’ll unite with the family of Jacob. The peoples will take them and bring them back to their land. The family of Israel will have them in Yahweh’s land for workers. They’ll take those who made them prisoners as prisoners; and they’ll rule over those who abused them. In the day that Yahweh will give you rest from your sorrow and trouble, and from the hard work you were forced to do, you’ll tell this story about the ruler of Babylon and say, “The abuser has stopped and will never have power over us again!” Yahweh has broken the power and rule of the sinners and the rulers, who hit the peoples in great anger with many slaps, who ruled the nations in anger, with terrible troubles, which they didn’t restrain.
[7-10] The whole earth will be in peace and quiet. They break out in song. Yes, the fir trees will celebrate with you, and with the cedars of Lebanon, saying, “Since the evil ones are humbled, no axe has hit us.” Hell below has moved to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, even all the rulers of the earth. It has removed all the rulers of the nations from off their thrones. They’ll all answer and ask you, “Have you also become as weak as we are? Have you become like us?”
[11-14] Your self-importance is brought down to Hell, along with the music you made. Maggots fall from you and worms cover you. How you’ve fallen from Heaven, morning star, creature of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who troubled the nations! You said in your heart, “I’ll go up into heaven and put my throne above the stars of God! I’ll sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I’ll go up higher than the clouds! I’ll make myself like the Most High God!”
[15-20] Yet you’ll be brought down to Hell, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and think, “This is the creature who made the earth to shake in fear, who shook nations; who made the world like an empty countryside, and overthrew its cities; who didn’t release the prisoners to go home?” All the rulers of the nations sleep in honor, everyone in their own house. But you are thrown away from your grave like an evil offspring, clothed with the dead, who are killed in war, who go down to the stones of the pit; like a dead body stomped under foot. You won’t join them in burial, because you’ve destroyed your land and killed your people. Evil-doers won’t have any descendants to be named after them.
[21-27] Their children will be killed because of the sins of their ancestors, so that they won’t come up and take control over the earth, and fill the world with their evil cities.” I’ll come against them,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” and cut off their names forever from Babylon and they’ll have no descendants,” says Yahweh.” I’ll also make it a place for the porcupine and pools of water. I’ll sweep it clean with the broom of destruction,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. Yahweh, the God of All Creation has promised, saying, “Without a doubt, as I’ve thought it out, so it’ll happen; and as I’ve planned it, so will it stand. I’ll break the Assyrian in My land, and stomp them under foot on My mountains. Then they’ll have no power over My people, and they won’t have to work for them anymore. This is what I’ve planned for the whole earth. This is My power that will rule over all the nations. For what Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has planned, who can stop? God’s hand holds the power, and who can stop it?”
[28-32] This vision was in the year that the ruler Ahaz died (715-716 BC) Don’t celebrate, all you of Philistia, because the stick that beat you (Sargon of Assyria?) is broken; for out of that snake’s egg will come another snake (Babylon), whose egg will hatch a fiery flying dragon (Satan?). The firstborn of the poor will eat, and the needy will lie down in safety; and I’ll kill your people with famine, and what’s left of you’ll be killed as well. Scream, you people at the gate! Cry, people in the city! You are all destroyed, Philistia; see the soldiers are coming out of the north, and there are no weak ones in their ranks. What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That Yahweh has founded Zion (Jerusalem), and in it the troubled of God’s people will find safety.
15[1-4] The vision of Moab (Jordan). In a night, Ar of Moab is destroyed, and brought to nothing; In a night Kir of Moab is destroyed, and brought to nothing. They’ve gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to cry. Moab screams over Nebo and over Medeba. They’ve shaved their heads and every beard is cut off. In their streets, they dress themselves in mourning clothes. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone screams, crying terribly. Heshbon shouts with Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Even the armed soldiers of Moab cry aloud. They shake in fear.
[5-9] My heart shouts for Moab! The leaders go to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; they go up by the highway of Luhith with crying; and in the highway of Horonaim, they cry over their destruction. For the waters of Nimrim will be deserted; and the grass has withered away, the new grass burns up, and there isn’t anything green left. So they’ll carry away everything they own, and what they’ve stored up, over the brook of the willows. For the cry has gone around the borders of Moab; its screaming is heard to Eglaim, and to Beer Elim. For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; I’ll bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on whoever’s left in the land.
16[1-5] Moab (Jordan) will send its lambs from Selah as a gift for the ruler of the land to the countryside, to the mountain of the city of Zion (Jerusalem). Their daughters will wait like wandering birds from a scattered nest, at the crossings of the Arnon river. Do what’s right; Counsel them and tell them what to do! Hide them in your shade, like the shadows at noonday! Hide those who are thrown out! Don’t turn against those who are running! Let My outcasts live with you! Be a safe haven for them from the face of their abuser. Those who abuse them will be brought to nothing and their abuse will stop. The abusers will be destroyed out of the land. Then One who will rule in loving kindness will come to power, who will rule in truth, in the family of David, judging, looking for fairness, and quick to do what’s good.
[6-9] We’ve heard of the pride of Moab, who is very proud; even of their pride, and great anger, whose bragging means nothing. So Moab will scream for their people. Everyone will cry. They’ll cry for the raisin loaves of Kir Hareseth, which are all gone. The fields of Heshbon, along with the vine of Sibmah, will wither. The God of all the nations has broken down its best branches, which reached even to Jazer, and wandered into the countryside. Its shoots were spread out all over it. They even crossed over the sea. So I’ll cry with the screaming of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I’ll water you with My tears, Heshbon, and Elealeh, because I have judged you and My judgment has fallen on your summer fruits and on your harvest.
[10-14] You won’t be glad and happy over the fruitful field and the vineyards. There won’t be any singing, or noise of celebration. Nobody will press the wine out in the presses. I’ve made all the happy shouting stop. So My heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and My soul cries for Kir Heres. Then when Moab goes up to worship, and tires out in the Place of Worship, and comes to their Place of Worship to pray, they won’t succeed. This is the word that Yahweh spoke concerning Moab in time past. But now Yahweh has spoken, saying, “Within three years, as a worker bound by contract would count them, the pride of Moab will be brought into judgment, with all the people; and what’s left will be very small and weak.”
17[1-7] This is the vision of Damascus. “Look, Damascus is destroyed from being a city, and will be a pile of ruins. The cities of Aroer are left. They’ll be for the people who will rest, and no one will make them scared. Ephraim (northern Israel) will fall, along with those from Damascus, and what’s left of Syria. They’ll be just like the people of Israel,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. Then all the beauty of Jacob will be gone, and the people will grow thin from hunger. It’ll be like when the harvester gathers the wheat, whose arm reaps the grain. Yes, it’ll be like when one gathers what’s left of the grain in the valley of Rephaim. Yet some will be left there, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives in the top of the branches, four or five in the outermost branches of a fruitful tree,” says Yahweh, the God of Israel. Then, people will look to their Maker, and they’ll have respect for the Holy One of Israel.
[8-14] They won’t worship their false gods that they’ve made with their own hands; nor will they’ve respect for what their fingers have made, either the Asherim (fertility goddess, mother of Baal), or their incense altars. Then, their strong cities will be like the deserted places in the woods and on the mountain top, which were deserted by the people of Israel. It’ll be empty. For you’ve forgotten the God who saves you with grace, and haven’t remembered the Rock of your strength. So you plant good plants, and set out strange seedlings. In the day you plant, you hedge it in. In the morning, you make your seed blossom, but the harvest goes away in the heat of the day of grief and you’re desperately sorry. Ah, the uproar of many peoples, who roar like the roaring seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing waters! The nations will rush like the rushing of much water, but God will turn them back, and they’ll go far away, and will be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like the whirling dust before a storm. At evening, they’ll be terrified and before the morning, they’ll be gone. This is the judgment of those who abuse us, and take everything we’ve.
18[1-3] Ah, the land of the rustling wings of locusts, which is beyond the rivers of Cush (Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt); that sends messengers by the sea, even in ships of papyrus on the waters, saying, “Go quickly, you messengers, to a nation whose people are tall and fierce, to a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that is measured out and shaken down, whose land the rivers divide!” All you people of the world, and you who live on the earth, when a flag is lifted up on the mountains, look! When the trumpet is blown, listen!
[4-7] Yahweh said to me, “I’ll be still, and I’ll see where I am, like the shimmering heat in sunshine, like a mist of dew in the heat of harvest.” For before the harvest, when the blossoming is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, I’ll cut off the sprigs with pruning tools, and cut down and take away the spreading branches. They’ll be left together for the hungry birds of the mountains, and for the animals of the earth. The hungry birds will feed on them all summer, and all the animals of the earth will feed on them all winter. In that time, a present will be brought to Yahweh, the God of All Creation, from a land of tall and fierce people, even from a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that is measured out and shaken down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the Name of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, Mount Zion (Jerusalem).
19[1-4] This is the vision of Egypt (historically, 701 BC).” Look, Yahweh rides on a fast vehicle covered in clouds, and comes to Egypt. The false gods of Egypt will shake in fear at the presence of God; and the heart of Egypt will fail them for fear. I’ll stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians, and they’ll fight their own family and neighbors; city against city, and nation against nation. The spirit of Egypt will fail. I’ll destroy its counsel. They’ll look for the false gods, mediums, witches, and wizards. I’ll give the Egyptians into the power of a cruel leader. A fierce ruler will rule over them,” Says God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[5-10] The waters from the sea will dry up, and the Nile River will be ruined and dry up. All the waterways of the rivers will be ruined. The creeks of Egypt will be lowered and dry up. Their reeds and flags will wither away. The fields by the edge of the Nile, and all the planted fields of the Nile, will become dry, and be blown away till they’re gone. The fishermen will cry, and all those who fish in the Nile will be sad, and those who spread their nets on the waters will suffer. Also those who work in flax, and those who weave its white cloth, will be confused, and not know what to do. The foundations of their civilization will be destroyed. All those who work for money will be greatly depressed.
[11-15] The rulers of Zoan (Tanis, Egyptian Government) are complete idiots. The counsel of the wisest counselors of their Ruler has become stupid. How can you say to the Egyptian Ruler, “I am one of the wise, the follower of ancient rulers?” Where then are your wise ones? Let them tell you now; and let them know what Yahweh, the God of All Creation has planned for Egypt. Zoan’s rulers have become ungodly idiots. The rulers of Memphis (ancient capital) believe lies. The leaders of the Egyptian people have caused Egypt to go astray. Yahweh has mixed a spirit of evil in it; and they’ve caused Egypt to go astray in everything it does, like a drunk staggers in vomit. Nor will there be any work in Egypt, which leader or people, preacher or wise ones, can do.
[16-20] Then the Egyptians will be very scared. They’ll shake in fear because of the shaking of the hand of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who shakes it over them. The land of Judah (southern Israel) will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone who hears of it will be scared, because of the plans of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, which is planned against it. But there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan (Hebrew), and worship Yahweh, the God of All Creation. One will be called “The City of Ruins (City of the Sun, Heliopolis, On?).” At that time, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the middle of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh at its border. It’ll be for a sign and for a witness to Yahweh, the God of All Creation in the land of Egypt; for they’ll cry to Yahweh because of those who abuse them, who will send them a Savior and a Defender, who will save them.
[21-25] Yahweh will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh at that time. Yes, they’ll worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make promises to Yahweh, and do them. Yahweh will punish Egypt, both punishing it and healing it. They’ll come back to Yahweh, who will be prayed to by them, and who will heal them. At that time there’ll be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. Then, Israel, Egypt, and Assyria, will be in agreement with each other, a blessing in the middle of the earth; because Yahweh, the God of All Creation has blessed them, saying, “Happy is Egypt, My people, Assyria, the work of My hands, and Israel, My inheritance.”
20[1-6] When Tartan came to Ashdod, in the year (711BC) that Sargon the ruler of Assyria sent him, who fought against Ashdod and took it; at that time Yahweh spoke by Isaiah the son of Amos, saying, “Go, and take off your clothes, and take off your shoes.” So he did this, walking naked and barefoot. Yahweh said, “As My worker Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign to Egypt and to Ethiopia, so the ruler of Assyria will lead away the prisoners of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, barefoot and naked, with their butts uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. They’ll all be upset and confused, because they hoped in Ethiopia, and counted on Egypt. The people of this land will say at that time, ‘Look, this is our hope, where we run away for help to be set free from the ruler of Assyria. And now, how will we escape?’“
21[1- 5] This is the vision of the countryside by the water (Babylon). As tornados in the South sweep through, it comes from the countryside, from an awesome land. A terrible vision is told to me. The unfaithful ones have been unfaithful and others destroy. Go up, Elam (Iran); attack! I’ve stopped Media from sighing. So I am filled with suffering. Pains have taken hold of me, like the pains of childbirth. I am in so much pain that I can’t hear. I am so upset that I can’t see. My heart skips, I’m so scared. The evening that I wanted has made me shake in fear instead. They set the table and watch. They eat and drink. Get up, you rulers, rub oil on the shields!
[6-10] For God said to me, “Go, put a guard on watch and let him tell what they sees. When they sees a troop, riding in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, they needs to listen carefully and pay attention.” The guard cried like a lion, “God, I stand continually on the watchtower day and night, staying at my post. Look, here comes a troop of soldiers, riding in pairs. Babylon has fallen; and all its false gods are broken on the ground.” My people, you’ll be separated like the grain on the floor of the barn! What I’ve heard from Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, I’ve told to you.
[11-12] This is the vision of Dumah (el-Gof, Dumat el-Gandel?). Someone calls to me out of Seir (Edom-Jordan, Arab nations), “Guard, what time of night is it? Guard, what time of night is it?” The guard said, “The morning comes, though it’s still night. If you must ask, then ask. Come back later.”
[13-17] This is the vision on Arabia (715 BC). You’ll stay in the forest of Arabia, you people of Dedanites. They brought water to the thirsty. The people of the land of Teima (Arabian Peninsula) met those who are running away with their bread. For they run away from the weapons, from the drawn weapons, and from the heat of battle. For God said to me, “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it, all the power of Kedar (a Bedouin tribe) will fail, and what’s left of them, the strong soldiers of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”
22[1-3] This is the word of the valley of vision. What troubles you now, that you’ve all gone up to the rooftops to watch? You that are full of shouting, a noisy city, a happy town; your dead aren’t killed with the weapons, nor are they killed in battle. All your rulers run away together. They were caught by their enemies. All who were found in you were tied together. They run away, far away.
[4-8] So I said, “Don’t look at me. Let me cry. Don’t try to comfort me for the destruction of the city of my people. For it’s a day of trouble, and of breaking down, and of confusion, from God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, in the valley of vision; a breaking down of the walls, and a crying to the mountains.” Elam carried their weapons, with vehicles of soldiers and riders; and the soldiers of Kir lifted their shields. Your best valleys were full of vehicles, and the riders set themselves in order at the gate. Judah (southern Israel) couldn’t defend itself; and you looked then to the weapons in the palace of the forest (of Lebanon).
[9-13] You saw the broken walls of the city of David that they were many; and you stored up the waters of the lower pool. You counted the houses of Jerusalem, and broke down the houses to make the wall strong. You also made a storage area between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you didn’t look to the One who had done this, nor did you respect the One who planned it long ago. Then, God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, called you to cry, to mourn, to cut your hair, and to dress in mourning clothes. Look, now happiness and gladness, killing cows and sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. You say, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we’ll die.”
[14-19] Yahweh, the God of All Creation, spoke clearly to me, “Without a doubt, this sin won’t be forgiven you until you die,” Says God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation. God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Go to this treasurer, even to Shebna, who is over the house, and say, ‘What are you doing here? Who has sent you here to dig out a grave for yourself?’ Why have you cut out a grave on this mountain, chiseling a hole in the rock?” Look, Yahweh will catch you and violently throw you away. Yes, God will grab hold of you tightly, and without a doubt, wind you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a large land. There you’ll die, and the vehicles of your victory will be there, and you’ll be the shame of your leader’s house. I’ll throw you out of office and you’ll be pulled down from your position.
[20-25] Then I’ll call My worker Eliakim, the descendant of Hilkiah, who I’ll put in your place and make strong. Eliakim will have power over your government, who will be a ruler to the people of Jerusalem, and to the family of Judah (southern Israel). I’ll give Eliakim the power of the family of David, who will open, and no one will shut; and who will shut, and no one will open. Eliakim will be like a nail that won’t come out of its place, whose family will hold it in honor. Everyone in the family, from the least to the greatest, will hang their hopes on Eliakim, like pots on a peg, who they’ll bring down.” Then,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “The nail that was hammered in place will fall out. It’ll come loose, and fall and everything that was on it will come loose and fall off, too, for Yahweh has spoken it.”
23[1-5] This is the vision of Tyre (Lebanon). Scream, shipmates of Tarshish (Spain)! Tyre has been destroyed, and there’s no more houses, and nowhere for the ships to dock. They’re told even from the land of Kittim (Chittim, Cyprus). Be quiet, you people of the coast, whom the merchants of Sidon who go over the sea have made rich. On the Shihor River, the grain harvest of the Nile, was its pay. It was the market of nations. Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea is saying, “I haven’t had the pain of childbirth, nor nursed any young, nor brought up any children.” Tyre is gone, as if it never was a city. When the news comes to Egypt, they’ll be very upset at the report of Tyre.
[6-10] Go to Tarshish! Scream, you people of the coast! Is this your happy city, which is very old, and sent its people far away? Who has planned this against Tyre, who gives crowns to rulers, whose traders are rulers, who are known all over the earth? Yahweh, the God of All Creation has planned it, to bring down the pride of all who are well known, to bring dishonor on all those who are honored in the earth. Go through your land like the Nile, city of Tarshish. Nothing will hold you back any more.
[11-14] God’s hand has enlarged over the sea and shaken the nations. Yahweh has ordered Canaan’s strongholds to be destroyed. God said, “You won’t celebrate any more, city of Sidon. Get up and go over to Kittim, but you won’t have any rest there.” Look at the land of the Chaldeans (Babylonians, Iraq), whose people aren’t there anymore. The Assyrians made it a place for the animals that live in the countryside. They set up their war machines and overthrew its palaces, making it a ruin. Scream, you shipmates of Tarshish, for your stronghold is destroyed!
[15-18] Then Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, which is equal to the life of one ruler. After the end of seventy years, Tyre will be like in the song of the prostitute.” Take a harp and go around the city, you prostitute who has been forgotten. Sing sweet songs. Make many melodies, so that you’ll be remembered. After the end of seventy years, Yahweh will visit Tyre, and it will get back to work, but will be unfaithful with all the countries on the face of the earth. Its merchandise and wages will be set aside for Yahweh. It won’t be kept or stored; its merchandise will be for those who live for Yahweh, for their food and clothes.
24[1-5] Look, Yahweh empties the earth, and destroys it, turns it upside down, and scatters its people. As with the people, so it’ll be with the preachers; as with the worker, so it’ll be with the boss; as with the buyer, so it’ll be with the seller; as with the lender, so it’ll be with the borrower; as with the saver, so it’ll be with the banker. The earth will be completely emptied and completely destroyed; for Yahweh has spoken this word. The earth mourns and slowly dies. The world suffers and slowly dies. The proud people of the earth will suffer. The earth also has been polluted by its people, because they’ve violated the laws, broken the rules, and broken their promise to God, which was to have been forever.
[6-10] So the curse has destroyed the earth, and those who live in it are guilty. So the people of the earth are burned, and few human beings are left. The new wine is gone and the vine withers. All the merry-hearted are sad. The joy of the tambourines stops. The sound of those who celebrate ends. The happiness of the harp stops. They won’t drink their wine singing a song. Alcoholic drinks will be bitter to those who drink it. The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, so that no one will come in.
[11-15] There’s crying in the streets because the wine is gone. All happiness is gone. The joy of the land is gone. The city is deserted, and the gate is destroyed. The people of the earth will be shaken like an olive tree, and picked over like when the harvest is done. They’ll cry out in the West and shout for their amazement of Yahweh. They’ll cry out from across the sea. So make Yahweh well-known in the East, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the nations across the sea!
[16-19] From the farthest part of the earth have we heard songs, praising the good! But I said, “I have no hope! I have no hope! Sorrow is mine!” The unfaithful have been unfaithful. Yes, the unfaithful have done very wrong. Fear, the pit, and a trap will catch you people of the earth. Those who run from the noise of those who scream in fear will fall into the pit; and those who come out of the pit will be caught in a trap; for the windows of heaven are opened, and the evil people of the earth will shake in fear. The earth is completely broken and will be torn apart when it is violently shaken.
[20-23] The earth will stagger like a drunk, and will sway like a shed in a storm. Its disobedience will pull it down, and it’ll fall and not get up. Then Yahweh will punish the evil forces in the heavens above, and the rulers of the peoples on the earth. They’ll be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in a pit, and will be shut up in prison; and after many days they’ll be judged. Then the moon will be darkened, and the sun won’t shine; for Yahweh, the God of All Creation will reign on Mount Zion (Jerusalem), and in Jerusalem; whose great light will shine in the presence of the leaders of the people.
25[1-5] Yahweh, You are My God. I’ll lift You up! I’ll praise Your Name, for You’ve done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth. For You’ve made a city into a pile of rubble, a strong city into a ruin, a palace of foreigners to be no city at all. It’ll never be rebuilt. So a strong people will praise you. The cities of powerful nations will fear you. For You’ve been a stronghold to the poor and the needy in their trouble, a safe haven from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the dreaded evil ones blast us like a storm against the wall. You’ll bring down the noise of foreigners as the heat in the desert; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the dreaded evil ones will be silenced.
[6-8] In this mountain, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will make all peoples a celebration of the best foods, a celebration of the best wines, of fat meats, and of the best made wines. God will destroy in this mountain the blanket of sin that covers all peoples, and the veil that is spread over the eyes of all nations. God has destroyed death forever! Yahweh God will wipe the tears away from every face and will take the shame of the people away from the earth! Yahweh has said it.
[9-12] It’ll be said then, “Look, this is our God, who we’ve waited for, who will save us! This is Yahweh, who we’ve waited for! We’ll be glad and celebrate in the saving grace of God!” For in this mountain the hand of Yahweh will rest. Moab (Jordan) will be stomped down in its place, like straw is stomped down in a pile of waste. Moab’s hands will spread out, like someone who swims spreads out their hands to swim, but their pride will fall along with the skill of their hands. God has brought the strong towers of your walls down, flat on the ground, even in the dust.
26[1-6] Then, this song will be sung in the land of Judah (southern Israel): “We’ve got a strong city. God gives us saving grace for walls and defenses. Open the gates, that the nation, which is good may enter, the one who keeps faith. You’ll keep whoever’s mind is faithful in perfect peace, because they trust in you. Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock. God has brought down those who live proudly, in the proud city and lays it low, even to the ground. God brings it even to the dust and feet will stomp it down; Yes, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.”
[7-10] Godly people act morally. You, who are upright, make the path of those who are good level. Yes, we’ve waited for You in the way of Your judgments, Yahweh. Your Name and Your fame are what we want. I’ve wanted You in the night in my soul. Yes, my spirit within me will search for You sincerely; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the people of the world will learn to be good. But even if grace is shown to the sinners, they won’t learn to be good. Even in a moral land, they‘ll do what’s wrong, and won’t see Yahweh’s beauty.
[11-15] Yahweh, Your hand is lifted up, yet they don’t see; but they’ll see your passion for the people, and be ashamed. Yes, fire will burn up your enemies. Yahweh, You’ll give us peace, for You’ve also planned all our works for us. Yahweh our God, other leaders besides You have had power over us, but by You only do we speak Your Name. They are dead and won’t live. You’ve judged them and destroyed them, and made everyone forget them. You’ve made our nation grow, O Yahweh. You’ve made our nation grow! We praise You! You’ve enlarged all the borders of the land.
[16-21] Yahweh, they only came to You when they were in trouble. They squalled a prayer when your judgment was on them. Like a pregnant woman, who nears the time of her delivery, is in pain and shouts in her birth pangs; so we’ve been before you, Yahweh. We’ve suffered. We’ve been in pain. We gave birth, it seems, only to wind. We haven’t saved ourselves in the earth; nor have the people of the world fallen. Your dead will live and along with my dead body, will arise. Awake and sing, you who live in the dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth will throw out the dead. Come, my people, enter into your houses, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little while, until the judgment is past. Look, Yahweh comes out of heaven to punish the people of the earth for their sin. The earth will also show its blood, and will no longer hide its dead.
27[1-5] Then, Yahweh’s power and great strong weapon will punish the dragon (Leviathan), the piercing and curling snake; and will kill that sea monster. Then sing to her, “A beautiful garden! I, Yahweh, am its keeper. I’ll water it every day. I’ll keep it night and day, so no one will damage it. Great anger isn’t in Me, but if I should find briers and thorns, I’d destroy them! I’d trample them down and burn them all up together. Or else let them come to Me for safety, that they may make peace with Me. Yes, let them make peace with Me.”
[6-9] In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bud. They’ll fill the surface of the earth with fruit. Has God punished Israel as those who fought with them were punished? Or have They’ve been destroyed like those who destroyed them were destroyed? In measure, when You send them out of their country, You’ll punish them and take them out with a rough blast like a strong and furious east wind. So, by this the sin of Jacob will be forgiven, and all their sins will be forgiven when they make all the stones of the ungodly altars as chalk stones that are beaten in pieces, so that the false worship of Asherim (fertility goddess, mother of Baal) and the incense altars will rise no more.
[10-13] For the fortified city is alone, a place deserted and empty, like the countryside. The calf will feed and lie down there, and eat its branches. When its branches are withered, they’ll be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for they’re a people of no understanding. So the God who made them won’t have compassion on them, and the One who formed them will show them no grace. Then Yahweh will gather you from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the Nile of Egypt; and you’ll be gathered one by one, people of Israel. Then a great trumpet will be blown; and those who were ready to die in the land of Assyria, and those who were outcasts in the land of Egypt, will come; and they’ll worship Yahweh in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
28[1-4] Sorrow will come to the drunks of Ephraim (northern Israel), whose crown of flowers are fading of their beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine! Look, God has a very strong people waiting to attack. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like an overflowing flood of strong waters, they’ll throw them down to the earth with their power. The crown of pride of the drunks of Ephraim (northern Israel) will be stomped under foot. The wonderful beauty is as fading flowers, which is on the head of the fertile valley, and will be like the first-ripe fig before the summer; which someone picks and eats as soon as they see it.
[5-8] Then Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will become a crown of glory, and a head dress of beauty, to the rest of God’s people; and a spirit of fairness to those who sit in judgment, and strength to those who turn back their enemies at the city gate. But the leaders are all drunk with wine, and stagger with their alcohol. The preacher and the preacher are full of wine and alcohol and are confused. They can’t walk straight nor see what’s coming because of their drinking. They don’t make good decisions. All their tables are covered with nasty vomit and are full of filth.
[9-13] So to whom will God teach knowledge? To whom will God explain the message? Those who are weaned from breast milk? For it’s rule by rule, rule by rule; line by line, line by line; here a little, there a little. But God will speak to this nation with a strange people who speak in another language. God said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to those who are tired;” And “This is the place to refresh yourselves;” Yet they wouldn’t listen. So the word of Yahweh will come to them rule by rule, rule by rule; line by line, line by line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, fall backward, be broken, trapped, and taken away.
[14-17] So hear the word of Yahweh, you who make fun of me, that rule this people in Jerusalem.” Because you’ve said, “’We’ve made a promise with death, and with Hell we’re in agreement. When terrible troubles pass through, it won’t come to us; for we’ve made lies our safe haven, and we’ve hidden ourselves with untruths.’“ So this says Yahweh God, “Look, I lay in Zion (Jerusalem) a stone for a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone to make sure the foundation is strong. Those who believe the truth will wait patiently. The measuring line will be fair, and the plumb line will be goodness. The hail will sweep away their lies, and the waters will overflow their hiding places.
[18-22] Your promise with death will be canceled, and your agreement with Hell won’t stand. When terrible troubles pass through, then you’ll be trampled down by it. It’ll take you as often as it passes through. Morning by morning it’ll come to you, by day and by night; You’ll be scared to death when you understand the message.” Your bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap yourself in. Yahweh will get up as on Mount Perazim and will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon; Yahweh will do what needs to be done, an unusual work, and complete an extraordinary act. So don’t be making fun of me, or your punishment will be worse; for I’ve heard God, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, order destruction on the whole land.
[23-26] Listen and hear my voice! Listen, and hear what I say! Do farmers who plow to plant plow continually? Do they keep turning the soil and breaking it up? When they’ve leveled its surface, don’t they plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put the wheat in rows, the barley in its place, and the spelt in its place? For God teaches them how to do it right and teaches them good judgment.
[27-29] For the dill are not threshed with a sharp instrument, nor is a cart wheel run over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a stick. Bread flour must be ground; so they aren’t always threshing it. Though they may drive the wheels of a cart over it, the horses don’t grind it. This also comes from Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.
29[1-5] Sorrow will come to Ariel (Mt. Zion, Jerusalem)! Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year; let the celebrations come around as usual; then I’ll trouble Ariel, and there’ll be mourning and crying. She will be to Me as a hearth on the altar. I’ll encamp against you all around, and will attack you with posted troops. I’ll raise a blockade against you. You’ll be brought down, and your ruins will speak. You’ll mumble out of the dust of the grave. Your voice will be as of ghost, out of a grave, and your speech will whisper out of the dust. But many of your enemies will be like fine dust, and the many of the ruthless ones like chaff that blows away. Yes, it’ll happen very quickly, very suddenly.
[6-9] The city will be visited by Yahweh, the God of All Creation, with thunder, earthquake, a great noise, tornados, storms, and with the flame of a burning fire. The many nations that fight against Ariel will be like that. Stop and think! Blind yourselves and be blind! They’re drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with alcohol.
[10-14] For Yahweh has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed the eyes of the preachers; and has covered the heads of those who see the future. All visions have become to you like the words of a book that is closed, which people save for those who are educated, saying, “Read this, please;” And they say, “I can’t, because it’s closed;” and the book is opened to one who isn’t educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and they say, “I can’t read.” God said, “Because these people say they love Me and honor Me with their words, but they’ve removed their heart far from Me, and their fear of Me is an order which has been taught by human beings; I’ll go on to do a wonderful work among these people, even a great and wonderful miracle; and the wisdom of their wisest ones will die, and the understanding of their sensible ones will be hidden.”
[15-19] Sorrow will come to those who try to hide what they do and say from Yahweh, and whose actions are done in secret, and who say, “Who sees us?” And “Who knows us?” You turn things upside down! Should the potter be thought to be like clay; that the thing made should say about the One who made it, “God didn’t make Me;” or the thing formed say of the One who formed it, “God doesn’t understand?” Isn’t it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be thought of as a forest? Then the deaf will hear the Words of the Book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of the shadows and darkness. The humble also will be happy in Yahweh, and the poor among them will celebrate in the Holy One of Israel.
[20-24] For the ruthless is brought to nothing, and those who make fun of others stop, and all those who do evil are destroyed, who lie about others and send them to jail, and trap those who judge fairly in the gate, and who take away the innocent with unfairness and lies. So Yahweh, who saved Abraham, say this about the family of Jacob, “Israel will no longer be ashamed, nor be scared. But when they see their people, whom I’ll give them, living with them, they’ll praise My name. Yes, they’ll praise the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who do wrong in judgment will come to understanding, and those who complain will be taught.”
30[1-5] “Sorrow will come to the rebellious people,” says Yahweh, “Who talk to each other, but not from Me; and who make an agreement, but not with My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin, who set out to go down into Egypt, and haven’t asked My advice; to strengthen themselves in the strength of the Egyptian Ruler, and to take safe haven in the shadow of Egypt! So the strength of the Egyptian Ruler will be your shame, and the safe haven in the shadow of Egypt will be your confusion. For their rulers are at Zoan, and their ambassadors have come to Hanes. They’ll all be ashamed because of a people that can’t help them, that aren’t any help and won’t benefit them, but will be a shame, and also a blame to them.”
[6-11] The vision of the animals of the South. Through the land of trouble and suffering, of the lioness and the lion, the snake and fiery flying dragon, they carry their riches on the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to an unprofitable people. For Egypt helps them for nothing, and to no good; So I’ve called them Rahab, who sits still. Now go, write it on a tablet for them, and put it in a book, so that it may be for the time to come forever and ever. For it’s a rebellious people, lying children, children who won’t hear the law of Yahweh; who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” And the preachers, “Don’t tell us what’s right. Tell us good things. Tell us lies. Get out of the way. Turn out of the path. Make the Holy One of Israel stop speaking to us.”
[12-14] So this says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you hate My Word, and trust in abuse and evil, and depend on it; So this sin will be to you like a broken wall ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, which breaks suddenly in an instant. God will break it as a potter’s pot is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing it, so that there won’t be found among the broken piece one good piece enough to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the well.”
[15-19] Yahweh God, the Holy One of Israel,” says this as well, “You’ll be saved when you come back and rest. You’ll be quiet and confident in your strength.” You rejected, but you said, “No, we’ll go on horses;” So you’ll go; and, “We’ll ride on the fastest;” So those who chase you’ll be fast. One thousand will run at the threat of one. At the threat of five, you’ll run until you are left like a beacon on the top of a mountain, and like a flag on a hill. So Yahweh will wait, and be gracious to you; and God will be lifted up in praise, and have compassion on you, for Yahweh is a fair God. All those who wait for God will be happy. For the people will live in Zion at Jerusalem. You won’t cry any more. God without a doubt, will be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. When God hears you, God will answer you.
[20-26] Though God may give you the food of hardship and the waters of trouble, yet your teachers won’t be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers; and when you turn to the right, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” You’ll ruin the overlaying of your false gods of silver, and the plating of your false gods of gold. You’ll throw them away as an unfit thing. You’ll tell it, “Go away!” Then God will give the rain for your seed, with which you’ll plant the ground; and food of the produce of the ground will be very good and very much. Then your livestock will feed in large pastures. The cows and the young donkeys that till the ground will eat good feed, which has been separated from the chaff with a shovel and fork. There’ll be brooks and creeks of water on every high mountain and hill in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Also the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, in the day that Yahweh binds up the broken of the people of God, and heals all their wounds.
[27-30] Look, the Name of Yahweh comes from far away, burning with anger, and in thick rising smoke. God’s Word is full of rightful anger, and speaks to us as a burning fire. God’s breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples. You’ll have a song, as in the night when a holy celebration is kept; and gladness of heart, as when someone goes with a flute to come to Yahweh’s mountain, to Israel’s Rock. Yahweh will speak and be heard, and will be powerfully strong, with rightful anger and judgment, and the flame of a burning fire, with a blast, storm, and hailstones.
[31-33] For the Assyrian will be upset when they hear the voice of Yahweh, who will punish them with great punishment. Every stroke of the stick of punishment, which Yahweh will lay on them, will be with the sound of tambourines and harps. God will fight with them in battles with power. God has long had a place ready to burn up the ruler. God has piled it high and made it large with fire and much wood. Yahweh’s breath starts it like a stream of sulfur.
31[1-3] Sorrow will come to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in their many war vehicles, and in their strong riders, but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel to help them, and they don’t look for Yahweh! Yet You, God are wise also, and will bring disaster, and won’t take back your words, but will rise against the family of the evil-doers, and against the help of those who sin. Now the Egyptians are human beings, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh comes in power, both those who help will trip, and those who are helped will fall, and they’ll all be destroyed together.
[4-7] Yahweh says this to me, “As the lion and the young lion growling over its prey, even if many soldiers are called together against it, it won’t be upset at their voice, nor lower itself for their noise, so Yahweh, the God of All Creation will come down to fight on the heights of Mount Zion (Jerusalem). As a bird hovers, so Yahweh, the God of All Creation will protect Jerusalem. God will protect and save it. God will go over it and save it.” Come back to God from whom you’ve greatly rebelled, children of Israel. Then everyone will throw away their false gods of silver and gold, the sin which your own hands have made to worship.
[8-9] “The Assyrian will fall by war, but not of human beings; and the war, not of humanity, will destroy them. They’ll go from the war, and the young soldiers will be forced to work. Their stronghold will fall for their fear, and their rulers will be scared to death when they see the flag,” says Yahweh, whose light is in Zion (Jerusalem), and whose brightness is in Jerusalem.
32[1-8] Look, God’s Ruler will reign in goodness, and all the other rulers will rule fairly. Each one will be like a shelter from the storm winds, and like a flowing creek in a dry place, and like the shade of a large rock in a sun scorched land. They’ll see clearly and listen carefully to their people. The reckless ones will know to do good, and those who stutter will know how to speak clearly. The stupid ones won’t be called honorable any more, nor will the useless ones be highly respected. The stupid ones will speak foolishly, and their heart will plan sin, using profanity, and speaking against Yahweh in error, to make the hungry have nothing to eat, and to make the thirsty have nothing to drink. These useless people are evil. They plan sinful things to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speak what’s right. But those who are honorable do honorable things; and will continue because they’re honorable.
[9-14] Get up, you women who have it easy! Listen to My voice! You careless women, listen to My words! About this time next year you’ll be troubled, you careless women; for the fruit will fail and the harvest won’t come. Shake in fear, you women who are at ease! Be troubled, you careless ones! Strip yourselves naked, and put on your mourning clothes. Beat your breasts in grief because the pleasant fields and the fruitful vines will all be gone. Thorns and briars will come up on My people’s land; yes, they’ll grow on all the happy houses in the happy city. Even the royal palace will be destroyed. The city that was full will be deserted. The forts and the watchtower will be for dens continually, a good place for wild donkeys, and a pasture for flocks.
[15-20] It will be this way until the Spirit’s poured on us from heaven, and the countryside becomes a fruitful field again, and the fruitful field is like a forest. Then there will be fairness in the countryside; and goodness in the fruitful field. The work of goodness will bring peace; and its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes, and in quiet resting places. Though hail flattens the forest, and cities are nothing but ruins, you who plant your seeds beside all the little creeks, and who send out your cows and donkeys to graze will be blessed.
33[1-5] Sorrow will come to you who destroy, when no one destroyed you; and you who betray, when no one betrayed you! When you’ve finished destroying, you’ll be destroyed; and when you’ve finished your betrayals, you’ll be betrayed. Yahweh, be gracious to us. We’ve waited for you. Be our strength every morning, and our saving grace in the time of trouble. At the noise of the thunder, the peoples have run away, so when You lift yourself up, the nations will scatter. You will gather what You take as the caterpillar gathers and others will leap on it as the locusts leap. Yahweh is lifted up in praise, who lives in heaven. God has filled Zion (Jerusalem) with fairness and goodness.
[6-9] There’ll be stability in your times, much saving grace, wisdom, and knowledge. Treasure and respect Yahweh. Look, their brave ones cry outside; the messengers who tried to bring peace cry bitterly. The highways are deserted and those who travel stop. The promises of the treaty are broken and our cities are hated. No one cares about us. The land suffers and is deserted. The forests of Lebanon wither away. The Plain of Sharon is like a desert, and the trees of Bashan and Carmel are stripped bare.
[10-14] “Now I’ll arise,” says Yahweh; “Now I’ll get up. Now I’ll be lifted up in praise. You’ll conceive chaff and bring forth weeds. Your breath is a fire that will burn you. The peoples will be like the burning of lime, like thorns that are cut down and burned in the fire. Listen, you who are far away, to what I’ve done; and, you who are near, tell of My strength.” The sinners in Zion (Jerusalem) are scared. The godless ones are shaking in fear. Who among us can live through this burning fire? Who among us can live through this everlasting burning?
[15-19] Those who act right, and say what’s right, those who hate the money of abusers, who gesture with their hands, refusing to take a bribe, who won’t hear of blood, and won’t look at evil. These kinds of people will live in heaven. Their place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. Their food will be supplied. Their waters will be sure. Your eyes will see the Ruler’s beauty. They’ll see a distant land. Your heart will think about those things that used to scare you to death. Where are those who collected our money? Where are those who weighed our gold? Where are those who counted our defense towers? You won’t see those fierce people, who talked in languages you couldn’t understand.
[20-24] Look at Zion (Jerusalem), the city of our celebrations. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet place, a tent that won’t be removed. Its stakes won’t ever be pulled up, nor will any of its ropes be broken. But Yahweh will be there with us in shining beauty, a place of wide rivers and creeks, in which no ship will go. For Yahweh is our judge. Yahweh is our lawgiver. Yahweh is our Ruler, who will save us. Your rigging is untied and the foot of your mast isn’t strong. You couldn’t even spread the sail. Everything that’s taken from you’ll be divided and even those who can’t walk will get something. The people won’t ever be sick and those who live there will be forgiven their sin.
34[1-5] Come near, you nations, to listen! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains listen; the world, and everything that comes from it. Yahweh is enraged against all the nations, and very angry with all their armies. God has completely destroyed them and given them over for slaughter. Their dead will be thrown out, and the stench of their dead bodies will rise; and the mountains will be covered in their blood. All of the creations in the heavens will be destroyed. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all its stars and planets will fall away, as a leaf falls from off a vine or a fig tree. For My weapon has taken what it wanted in the sky. Look, It’ll come down on Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), and on the people I’ll punish, for judgment.
[6-10] Yahweh’s weapon is stained with blood. It’s covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom (Jordan, Arab nations). The wild cows will come down with them, and the young bulls along with the strong bulls; and their land will be drunken with blood, and their dust made greasy with fat. For Yahweh has a day of judgment, a year to repay them for the cause of Zion (Jerusalem). Its creeks will be turned into oil, its dust into sulfur, And its land will become burning oil. It won’t be put out night nor day and its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it’ll be nothing but ruins. No one will go through it forever and ever.
[11-15] But the pelican and the heron will live there. The owl and the raven will live in it. God will totally destroy it, and make it completely empty. None of its leaders will rule there; and they’ll all be gone. Thorns will come up in its palaces, nettles and thistles in its fortresses; and it’ll be a place of jackals and ostriches. The wild animals of the desert will meet with the howling wolves, and the wild goats will cry out to each other. Yes, the night owl will settle there, and will find itself a place of rest. The arrow snake will make its nest there, and lay, hatch, and gather under its shade. Yes, the vultures will be gathered there, each with its mate.
[16-17] Search in the Word of God, and read it. Not one of these things will be missing. None of them will lack its mate. For My mouth has spoken it, and My Spirit has gathered them. I’ve given them each their place and measured a share out to them. They’ll live there forever, from generation to generation.
35[1-4] The countryside and the dry land will be glad. The desert will celebrate and blossom like a rose. It’ll blossom fully, and celebrate with happiness and singing. The beauty of Lebanon will be given to it, the greatness of Carmel and Sharon. They’ll see Yahweh’s shining light, the beauty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make the weak knees stand strong. Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong. Don’t be scared. Look, your God will come with judgment, God will give everyone what they deserve. God will come and save you.
[5-10] Then the eyes of the blind will see, and the ears of the deaf will hear. Those who can’t walk will jump like a deer, and the tongue of those who can’t speak will sing; creeks will flow out of the countryside, and creeks will come up in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool of water, and the thirsty ground is full of creeks of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will come to the places where dragons (dinosaurs) lay. A highway will be there, a street that will be called The Holy Way. The unfit won’t go on it, but it’ll be for those who walk in the Way of God. Evil ungodly idiots won’t go there. No lion or any other hungry animal will go up on it. They won’t be found there; but those who are bought back from their hard work will walk there. Those Yahweh has bought back will come back, and come with singing to Zion (Jerusalem); and they’ll be happy forever. They’ll be glad and happy, and sorrow and sadness will go away.”
36[1-6] Now in the 14th year of the ruler Hezekiah (701 BC), Sennacherib the ruler of Assyria attacked all of the fortified cities of Judah (southern Israel), and captured them. The ruler of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to the ruler Hezekiah with a large army. They stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool in the Fuller’s Field Road. Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the record keeper came out to them. Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah, ‘The great ruler, the ruler of Assyria says, “What is this in which you put your trust? I say that your counsel and strength for the war are only empty words. Now in whom do you trust, so that you’ve rebelled against Me? Look, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt, which if someone leans on it, it’ll go into their hand and pierce it. The Egyptian Ruler is like this to all who trust in him.
[7-10] But if you tell Me, ‘We trust in Yahweh our God,’ isn’t that the One whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah (southern Israel) and to Jerusalem, ‘You’ll worship before this altar?'” So now, please make an agreement with My leader, the ruler of Assyria, and I’ll give you 2,000 horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of My leader’s workers, and put your trust on Egypt for war vehicles and riders? Have I come up now without Yahweh against this land to destroy it? No, Yahweh said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it.”’“
[11-13] Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to us in Aramaic, which we understand; and don’t speak to us in the Jews’ language in the hearing of those who are on the wall.” But Rabshakeh said, “Have I amen sent only to your leader and you, to speak these words, and not to those who sit on the wall, who will eat their own waste and drink their own urine with you?” Then Rabshakeh stood, and called out with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, “Hear the words of the great the ruler, the ruler of Assyria!
[14-18] The ruler says, “’Don’t let Hezekiah lie to you; who won’t be able to save you. Don’t let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh will, without a doubt, save us. This city won’t be given into the hand of the ruler of Assyria.” ‘ Don’t listen to Hezekiah, for the ruler of Assyria says, “’Make your peace with Me, and come out to Me; and each of you’ll eat from your own vine, and each one from your own fig tree, and each one of you’ll drink the waters of your own well; until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards. Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, “Yahweh will save us.” Have any of the gods of the nations saved their lands from the hand of the ruler of Assyria?
[19-22] Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they set free Samaria from My hand? Who among all the gods of these countries have saved their country out of My hand, that Yahweh should save Jerusalem out of My hand?'” But they stayed silent, and didn’t answer anything, for the ruler told them, “Don’t answer him.” Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the record keeper, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
37[1-4] So when the ruler Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, and put on mourning clothes, and went into God’s House. They sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the preachers wearing mourning clothes, to Isaiah the preacher, the son of Amos. They said to Isaiah, “Hezekiah says, “’This day is a day of trouble, and of punishment, and of rejection; for the children have come to birth, but there’s no strength to have them. It may be Yahweh, your God, will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the ruler of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and will punish the words which Yahweh, your God, has heard. So lift up your prayer for those of us who are left.’“
[5-8] So the workers of the ruler Hezekiah came to Isaiah. Isaiah said to them, “Tell Hezekiah, ‘Yahweh says this, “Don’t be scared of the words that you’ve heard, with which the workers of the ruler of Assyria have disrespected Me. Look, I’ll put a spirit of fear in him and they’ll hear news, and will go back to their own land. I’ll kill him by his own people.”‘“So Rabshakeh went back, and found the ruler of Assyria warring against Libnah, for they had heard that they had left from Lachish.
[9-13] Then they heard news concerning Tirhakah, the ruler of Ethiopia, “They’ve come out to fight against you.” When they heard it, they sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, “Say this to Hezekiah the ruler of Judah (southern Israel), saying, “’Don’t let your God in whom you trust lie to you, saying, “Jerusalem won’t be given into the hand of the ruler of Assyria.” Look, you’ve heard what the rulers of Assyria have done to all the lands, completely destroying them. Will you be saved? Have the gods of the nations saved them, which my father has destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the ruler of Hamath, and the ruler of Arpad, and the ruler of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?’“
[14-20] Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to God’s house, and spread it before Yahweh God. Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, who is enthroned among the cherubim, You are God, yes, You alone, of all the nations of the earth. You’ve made heaven and earth. Listen, Yahweh, and hear. Listen, Yahweh, and see. Hear all of these words of Sennacherib, who has sent them to defy the Living God. Truly, Yahweh, the rulers of Assyria have destroyed all the countries and their lands, and have thrown their gods into the fire; for they weren’t gods at all, but only man-made works of wood and stone; So they’ve destroyed them. So now, Yahweh our God, save us from their hands, so that all the nations of the earth may know that You are Yahweh, yes, You only.”
[21-25] Then Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Yahweh says this, the God of Israel, ‘Because you’ve prayed to Me against Sennacherib, the ruler of Assyria, this is the word which Yahweh has spoken about him. The city of Zion (Jerusalem) has hated you and ridiculed you. The city of Jerusalem has shaken it’s head at you. Whom have you defied and disrespected? Against whom have you lifted up your voice and lifted up your eyes in heaven? Against the Holy One of Israel. By your workers, you’ve defied God, and have said, “With My many war vehicles, I’ve come up to the highest of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. I’ll cut down its tall cedars and its choice fir trees. I’ll enter into its farthest mountains, the forest of its fruitful field. I’ve dug and drunk water, and with the sole of My feet I’ll dry up all the rivers of Egypt.’“
[26-29] Haven’t you heard how I’ve made it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I’ve brought it to pass, that it would be yours to destroy fortified cities, turning them into piles of ruins. So their people had little power. They were upset and confused. They were like the grass of the field and the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like a field before its crop has grown. But I know when you sit down, when you go out, when you come in, and all your raging against Me. Because of your raging against Me, and because I’ve heard your arrogance, I’ll put My hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I’ll turn you back by the way you came.
[30-32] This will be the sign to you. This year, you’ll eat what grows by itself, and in the second year what comes from it; and in the third year you’ll plant and gather from your gardens and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. Those who are left that have escaped of the family of Judah (southern Israel) will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. Those who are left will go out of Jerusalem, and the survivors will escape from Mount Zion (Jerusalem). The passion of Yahweh, the God of All Creation will do this.’
[33-38] So Yahweh says about the ruler of Assyria, ‘They won’t come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor will they come before it with shield, nor throw up a siege mound against it. By the same way that they came, they’ll go back, and they won’t come to this city,’ says Yahweh.’ I’ll defend this city to save it, for My own sake, and for My worker David’s sake.’“ Then the angel of Yahweh went out and killed 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. When they arose early in the morning, they looked and saw that they were all dead. So Sennacherib the ruler of Assyria left and went away, going back to Nineveh, and stayed there. And as he was worshipping Nisroch, his false god, Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons killed him; and escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esar Haddon, his son, ruled in his place.
38[1-3] In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. Isaiah the preacher, the son of Amos, came to him and said, “Yahweh says, “’Set your house in order! You’re going to die, and won’t live.’“ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I ask you, how I’ve walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what’s good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah bitterly cried.
[4-8] Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying, “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Yahweh says, “The God of David your ancestor, “I’ve heard your prayer and I’ve seen your tears. See, I’ll add fifteen years to your life. I’ll save you and this city out of the hand of the ruler of Assyria, and I’ll defend this city. This will be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that was spoken. See, I’ll cause the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz, which has gone down with the sun, to go backward ten marks. So the sun went back ten marks on the sundial on which it had gone down.”‘“
[9-15] This is the writing of Hezekiah the ruler of Judah (southern Israel), when he had been sick, and had recovered from his sickness. I said, “In the middle of My life I’m going to die. I’ve lost what’s left of My years.” I said, “I won’t see Yahweh in the land of the living. I won’t see anyone who lives in this world any more. My life is gone, and is carried away from Me like a tent. Like a weaver, I’ve rolled up my life and You have cut me off from the loom. You’ll make an end of me from day to night. I waited patiently until morning, thinking you’d break all My bones like a lion. You’ll make an end of me from day to night. I chattered like a bird and moaned like a dove. Me weaken looking upward. God, I am so troubled. Be my Safe Haven.” What can I say? You have both spoken to Me, and You, Yourself have done it. I’ll walk carefully all my years because of my suffering.
[16-20] God, human beings live by these things; and My spirit finds life in all of them. You restore me, and cause me to live. Look, for peace I had great suffering, but You’ve set me free from the pit of ruin in love for My soul; You’ve put all My sins behind your back. Those in the grave can’t praise You. Those who are dead can’t celebrate You. Those who go down to Hell can’t hope for Your truth. The living, the living is who will praise You, as I do today. Our ancestors will make known Your truth to us. Yahweh saved me; so we’ll sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the House of God.
[21-22] Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take some figs, and make a poultice on the wound, and he’ll get well.” Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I’ll go up to the House of God?”
39[1-2] At that time, Merodach Baladan, the son of Baladan, the ruler of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, because he had heard that he had been sick, and had recovered. Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them everything in the house, all of his precious things, the silver and gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, or in all his country, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.
[3-4] Then Isaiah the preacher came to the ruler Hezekiah, and asked him, “What did these people say? Where did they come from to you?” Hezekiah said, “They’ve come from a country far away from me, even from Babylon.” Then he asked, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They’ve seen everything that is in my house. There isn’t anything among my treasures that I haven’t shown them.”
[5-8] Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of Yahweh, the God of All Creation.’ Look, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and everything that your ancestors have stored up until this day, will be carried away to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says Yahweh.’ They’ll take away your children who will come from you, whom you’ll have, and they’ll be emasculated and forced to work in the ruler of Babylon’s palace.’“ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Yahweh’s word, which you’ve spoken is good. There’ll be peace and truth for the rest of My days.”
40[1-5] God says, “Comfort, comfort My people. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to the city that its war is over, that its sin is forgiven, that it has been punished doubly for all its sins by Yahweh’s hand.” Listen to the voice of one who calls out, “Get the way of Yahweh ready in the countryside! Make a straight road through the desert for our God. Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The uneven will be made level, and the rough places will be smoothed out. The beautiful light of Yahweh will be made known, and everyone will see it together; just as Yahweh has said.”
[6-9] Listen to the voice of one saying, “Call Out!” I said, “What will I call out?”All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh’s breath blows on it. Without a doubt, the people are like grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the Word of our God stands forever.” You who tell this New Word to Zion (Jerusalem), go up on a high mountain. You who tell the New Word to Jerusalem, call it out with a loud voice. Call it out loudly. Don’t be scared. Say to the cities of Judah (southern Israel), “Look, See your God!”
[10-14] Look, Yahweh God will come as a strong one, whose power will rule. Look, God’s has a reward, and will repay. You’ll take care of Your people and guide them home. You’ll gather the babies in arms, and carry them on Your chest. You’ll gently lead those who have young ones. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of their hand, and marked off the sky with a span, and counted the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance! Who has directed the Spirit of Yahweh, or has taught God as a counselor? Who did God talk with, and who spoke to God, and taught God what was fair, and gave God knowledge, and helped God to understand?
[15-20] Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are thought of as a speck of dust on a balance. Look, God lifts up the nations like a very little thing. Lebanon isn’t enough to burn, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are like nothing before God. They’re thought of by God as less than nothing, and meaningless. To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to God? A worker makes a likeness, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and puts silver chains on it. Those who are too poor for such an offering chooses a tree that won’t rot. They find a skillful worker to set up a false god that won’t be moved.
[21-26] Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard, yet? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood since the earth was made? It’s God who rules over the round earth, whose people are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to live in; who brings rulers to nothing; who makes the judges of the earth like nothing. They’ve barely been planted. They’ve barely been planted. Their stump has barely taken root in the ground. God merely blows on them, and they wither, and the strong winds take them away like weeds.” To whom then will you liken Me? Who is My equal?” Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes to heaven, and see who has created these things, who brings out the stars and planets by number and calls them all by name. By the greatness of God, who is strong in power, nothing is missing.
[27-31] Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, “My way is hidden from Yahweh, and the fairness due Me is forgotten by My God?” Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of All the Earth, doesn’t get tired. No, You aren’t tired. Your understanding is unsearchable. You give power to the weak and strength to those who have none. Even the youths give up and quit, and the young ones fall out when they’re tired; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They’ll fly on wings like eagles. They’ll run, and not give up. They’ll walk, and not quit.
41[1-4] “Keep silent before Me, nations, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near and speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. Who has raised up this one (Cyrus) from the east? Whom called him to his foot in goodness? Who hands over the nations to them, and makes him rule over rulers. Who gives them to him for death as if they were already dust, like scattered weeds driven by the wind of his arrow? Who chases them, and passes by safely, by a way that they had not gone before. Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Yahweh, the first, and with the last, I am that One.”
[5-10] The nations have seen, and are scared. The ends of the earth shake in fear. They approach, and come, everyone helping their neighbor. They say to them, “Be strong!” So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. Those who smooth with the hammer encourage those who hit the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It’s good;” And they fasten it with nails, that it might not fall.” But you, Israel, My worker, Jacob, whom I’ve chosen, the descendants of Abraham, My friend, of whom I’ve taken hold from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest places, and said to you, ‘You are My worker, I’ve chosen you and not thrown you away;’ Don’t be scared, for I am with you. Don’t be upset, for I am your God. I’ll strengthen you. Yes, I’ll help you. Yes, I’ll uphold you with the power of My goodness.
[11-14] Look, all those who are angry with you’ll be ashamed and confused. Those who fight with you’ll be like nothing, and die out. You’ll look for them, and won’t find them, even those who fight with you. Those who war against you’ll all be gone, as if they never existed. I, Yahweh, your God, will hold your hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be scared. I’ll help you.’ Don’t be scared, even as weak and powerless as you are Jacob, and you people of Israel. I Myself will help you,” says Yahweh, I am your Savior, the Holy One of Israel.
[15-20] Look, I’ve made you into a new sharp instrument with teeth to thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and to make the hills like chaff. You’ll toss them into the air, and the wind will take them away, and the strong wind will scatter them. You’ll celebrate in Yahweh. You’ll glory in the Holy One of Israel. The poor and needy look for water, but there’s not any. They’re dying of thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, won’t leave them. I’ll open rivers on the bare mountains, and make creeks flow in the middle of the valleys. I’ll make the countryside a pool of water, and the dry land will have creeks of water. I’ll put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and olive oil trees in the countryside. I’ll set fir trees, pine, and Chest trees together in the desert; that they may see, know, think about, and understand together, that the hand of Yahweh has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
[21-23] Make your case you false gods,” says Yahweh.” Give Me your strong reasons,” Says the Ruler of Jacob.” Let them announce, and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, whatever they are, that we may think about them, and know what happened in the end; or show us the things to come. Tell the things that will happen after this, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be scared, and see it together.
[24-26] Look, you are nothing, and your work is unimportant. The one who chooses a false god is evil.” I’ve raised up someone (Cyrus, 550 BC) from the north, and they’ve come from the east, one who calls on My name; and who’ll come on rulers as on mortar, and as the potter crushes clay. Who has told it from the beginning, so that we may know it? And before, that we may say, ‘They were right?’ Without a doubt, there’s no one who said it, but Me. Without a doubt, there’s no one who showed it, but Me. Without a doubt, there’s no one who listens to you.
[27-29] I am the first to say to Zion (Jerusalem), ‘Look, look at them;’ and I’ll give you someone who brings the New Word to Jerusalem. When I looked, there was no one; not even a counselor who, when I asked of them, could answer a word. Look, all of them, and their works are empty and worthless. Their false gods are nothing but empty air and stupidity.
42[1-4] “ Look, My worker, You whom I uphold; My chosen, in whom My soul enjoys, whom I’ve put My Spirit on, will judge the nations fairly. You won’t shout, nor raise Your voice, nor let it be heard in the street. You won’t break those who are hurting and won’t put out those whose spiritual flame is barely burning. You’ll faithfully make good judgments. You won’t fail nor be discouraged, until You’ve brought justice to the earth, and the nations will wait for Your law.”
[5-9] Yahweh God says, “who created the heavens and enlarged them, who enlarged the earth and what grows on it, who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it.” I, Yahweh, have called You in goodness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and make You a promise for the people. You will be as a light for the nations; to make the blind eyes see, to bring the prisoners out of the jails, and free those who sit in spiritual darkness.” I Am Yahweh. That is My name. I won’t let another get My fame, nor let My praise go to false gods. Look, what has happened has happened, but I tell you something new. I tell you about it before it happens.”
[10-13] Sing to Yahweh a new song, praise God from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all the nations and their people that is in it. Let the countryside and its cities raise their voices, along with the towns that Kedar lives in. Let the people of city of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains! Let them praise Yahweh, and tell the nations of God’s greatness. Yahweh will go out like a strong soldier and will stir up passion like a soldier of war and will raise a war cry. Yes, Yahweh will shout out and will triumph over the enemies of God.
[14-20] “I’ve been silent too long. I’ve been quiet and controlled myself. Now I’ll cry out like a woman in childbirth. I’ll both gasp and pant. I’ll destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I’ll make the rivers islands, and will dry up the ponds. I’ll bring the blind a way they don’t know. I’ll lead them in paths that they don’t know. I’ll shine a light on the darkness before them, and make winding paths straight. I’ll do these things, and I won’t leave them.” Those who trust in false gods, who tell those man-made likeness, ‘You are our gods’ will be turned back. They’ll be completely ashamed.” Listen, you deaf people, and look, you blind people, so that you may see. Who is blind, but My people, Israel? Or who is as deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who are as blind as those who are at peace, and as blind as Yahweh’s workers? You see many things, but don’t know what they mean. Your ears are open, but they don’t really listen.
[21-25] It pleased Yahweh, for goodness’ sake, to make the law great, and to teach people to honor it. But these people have been robbed of their treasure. All of them are trapped in holes, and they’re locked in prisons. They’ve become prisoners, and no one frees them; and they’ve lost everything, and no one says, “’ Return it to them!’ Who is there among you who will listen to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? Who let Jacob and Israel be broken into and robbed? Didn’t Yahweh do it, against whom we’ve sinned? For they wouldn’t walk in God’s ways, and they disobeyed the law God gave them. So the fierceness of God’s anger fell on them, and they were troubled by war; and it set them on fire all around, but they didn’t know it; and it burned them, and they didn’t think about why it was happening to them.”
43[1-5] But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and who formed you, Israel says this, “Don’t be scared, for I’ve saved you. I’ve called you by your Name. You are mine. When you go through the waters, I’ll be with you; and through the rivers, they won’t drown you. When you walk through the fire, you won’t be burned, and the flames won’t even scorch you. For I Am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I’ve bought you back and given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you’re precious to Me and honored in My sight, and I love you; I’ll give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. Don’t be scared because I am with you. I’ll bring your descendants from the east, and gather you together from the west.
[6-9] I’ll tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth, that is, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I’ve created for My glory, whom I’ve formed, yes, whom I’ve made.’“ Bring out the blind people who see and the deaf who hear. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be gathered. Who among them can tell this, and show us the things that happened before this? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them Listen, and say, “That’s true.”
[10-15] “You are My witnesses,” says Yahweh, “With My Worker whom I’ve chosen; that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am that One. Before Me there was no God formed, nor will there be another after Me. I myself am Yahweh; and besides Me there’s no other Savior. I’ve told you this, I’ve saved you, and I’ve shown it to you; and there was no false god among you. So you are My witnesses,” says Yahweh, “And I am God. Yes, since the day was, I am that One; and there’s no one who can take you out of My hand. I’ll do it, and who can stop what I do?” Yahweh says this, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel, “For your sake, I’ve sent to Babylon, and I’ll bring all of them down as those who are running away, even the Chaldeans (Babylonians, Iraq), in the ships on which they celebrate.
[15-21] I Am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your Ruler.” Yahweh says this, who makes a path in the sea, and a way in the strong currents; who brings out the vehicles of war, the army and the strong soldiers, who die and won’t rise; They’re all gone; They’re put out like a wick.” Don’t remember the things of the past, and don’t think about the things that happened long ago. Look, I’ll do a new thing. It’s coming now. Don’t you know it? I’ll even make a way in the countryside, and rivers in the desert. The animals of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give water in the countryside and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen ones, the people which I formed for myself, that they might give Me My praise.
[22-28] Yet you’ve not called on Me, Jacob; you’ve been tired of Me, Israel. You’ve not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings; nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I haven’t troubled you with offerings, nor tired you with burning incense. You haven’t bought Me sweet cane with your money, nor filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you’ve troubled Me with your sins. You’ve tired Me with your wrongdoings. I, even I, am that One who forgives your sins for My own sake; and I won’t remember your wrongdoings. Remind Me of this. Let’s argue this together. Make your case, so that you may be justified. Your first father sinned, and your teachers have also sinned against Me. So I’ll ruin the rulers of your safe haven; and I’ll punish Jacob, and Israel will be ashamed.”
44[1-5] Yet listen now, Jacob, My worker, and Israel, whom I’ve chosen. This is what Yahweh who made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you says, “Don’t be scared, Jacob, My worker; and you, Jeshurun (Israel), whom I’ve chosen. I’ll pour water on those who are thirsty, and creeks on the dry ground. I’ll pour My Spirit out on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring and they’ll spring up among the grass, as willows by the waters. One will say, ‘I Am Yahweh’s;’ and another will be called by the name of Jacob; and another will write with the hand ‘to Yahweh,’ and honor the name of Israel.”
[6-9] This is what Yahweh, the Ruler of Israel, and God’s Savior, Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “I am the first, and I am the last; and there’s no God besides Me. Who is like Me? Who will call, and will tell it, and set it in order for Me, since I set up the people from the beginning? Let them tell the things that are coming, and what will happen. Don’t fear, nor be scared. Haven’t I told it to you long ago, and shown it to you ahead of time? You are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me? No, there isn’t. I don’t know any other Rock.” Everyone who makes a false god is empty headed and stupid. The things that they enjoy won’t do them any good. Their own witnesses don’t see the truth, nor know it, so that they may be ashamed.
[10-15] Who has made a false god, or molds a likeness that is good for nothing? Look, all their friends will be ashamed; and the craftspeople are only humans. Let them all be gathered together. Let them stand up. They’ll be scared and put to shame together. The blacksmiths make axes, work in the hot coals, beat with a hammer, and work with their strong arms. Yes, they are hungry, and their strength fails; they drink no water, and are faint. The carpenters measure, mark it out with a pencil, shape it with planes, mark it out with the compasses, and shape them in the figure of human beings, according to the beauty of a human being, to live in a house. They cut down cedars, and take the cypress and the oak, and strengthen for themselves one among the trees of the forest. They plant a fir tree, and the rain waters it. Then people will burn it; and take part of it, and warm themselves; yes, they kindle it, and bake bread with it; yes, and then they make a false god out of it, and worship it; they make it a false god, and fall down to worship it.
[16-20] They burn part of it in the fire; with part of it they cook their food; they roast meat, and are full; yes, they warm themselves, and say, ‘Aha, I’m warm, sitting by the fire.’ The rest of it they make into a false god that they fall down and worship, and pray to it, and say, ‘Save Me; for you are My god.’ They don’t know, nor do they even think about it, because they’ve shut their eyes, so that they can’t see; and closed their hearts, so that they can’t understand. No one remembers, or has knowledge to understand and say, ‘I’ve burned part of it in the fire; yes, I’ve also baked bread on the coals; I’ve roasted meat and eaten it and I’ll make the rest of it into an evil thing? I’ll fall down to the stump of a tree? They’ll eat their ashes because their lying hearts have turned them away from Me; and they can’t save their souls, or say, there’s truth in what I do!
[21-23] Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are Mine; I’ve formed you; you are Mine, Israel, and you won’t be forgotten by Me. I’ve covered your sins, as a thick cloud, yes as a cloud; I’ve covered your sins! Come back to Me; for I’ve saved you! Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it; shout, you lower parts of the earth; break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree there, for Yahweh has bought Jacob back, and will be praised in Israel.
[24-28] Yahweh says this, your Savior, who formed you from the womb, I Am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone enlarges the heavens; who enlarges the earth (who is with Me?); who confuses the signs of the liars, and makes fortune tellers go crazy; who turns educated people around, and makes their knowledge stupid; who confirms the Word of God’s people, and does what the messengers of God say; who says of Jerusalem, It will be lived in; and of the cities of Judah (southern Israel), they’ll be built, and I’ll raise up its ruins; who says to the deep waters, Be dry, and I’ll dry up your rivers; Who says of Cyrus (559-530BC), You are My worker, and will do what I want you to do, even saying of Jerusalem, It will be built; and of the Place of Worship, Your foundation will be laid.
45[1-4] Yahweh says to the one who is set apart for this, to Cyrus, whose strong hand I’ve held, to control nations, and to remove rulers from power; to open the doors before him, and the gates won’t be shut. I’ll go before you, and make the winding paths straight; I’ll break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut the bars of iron in half; and I’ll give you buried treasures, and riches hidden in secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. For Jacob My worker’s sake, and Israel My chosen, I’ve called you by your name. I’ve honored your name, though You don’t know Me.
[5-10] I Am Yahweh, and there’s no one else; there’s no God besides Me. I’ll clothe you, though You don’t know Me; that they may know from the east, and from the west, that there’s no God besides Me. I Am Yahweh, and there’s no one else. I create the light and darkness; I give peace, and make punishments. I Am Yahweh, who does all these things. Let the heavens above rain, and let the skies pour down its goodness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth saving grace, and let goodness spring up with it; I, Yahweh, have created it. Sorrow will come to those who fight with their Maker, who are nothing but broken clay pots among all the other broken clay pots of the earth! Will the clay ask the One who molds it, “What are you making?” or your work say, “You have no hands?” Sorrow will come to those who say to a father, “What! Have you become our father?” or to a woman, “Why are you suffering?”
[11-13] Yahweh says this, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker, Ask Me about what is to happen; Ask me about My people, and about the work of My hands. I’ve made the earth, and created human beings to live on it. I, even My hands, have enlarged the heavens; and put all the heavenly bodies in place. I’ve raised Cyrus up for goodness, and I’ll make whatever he does go well, who will build My city, and let My people go free. He’ll do it out of goodness, not for a price or reward,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[14-17] Yahweh says this, “Everything that belongs to Egypt and Ethiopia will be yours, and the tall dark- skinned Sabeans, will come over to you, and they’ll be yours. They’ll follow you. They’ll come over in chains; and fall down and say to you, ‘Without a doubt, God is in you; and there’s no one else, there’s no other god. Most certainly you are a God who hides yourself, the God of Israel, the Savior.’“ They’ll be ashamed, yes, confused, all of them; They’ll be confused along with those who make false gods. But Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting saving grace! You won’t be ashamed, nor confused forever.
[18-21] Yahweh says this, who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it for nothing, but formed it to be lived in. I Am Yahweh; and there’s no one else. I haven’t spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness; I didn’t say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Look for Me’ for nothing! I, Yahweh, speak goodness, I say things that are right. Gather yourselves and come here; come here together, you who have escaped from the nations. They don’t know anything, who carry the wood of their false god, and pray to a god that can’t save them. Tell what’s going to happen; yes, let them make agreements with each other. Who has shown this from long ago? Who has told it since the old days? Haven’t I, Yahweh? and there’s no God besides Me, a God of Justice and a Savior; there’s no one besides Me.
[22-25] Look to Me, and you’ll be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there’s no one else to save you. I’ve promised in My own Name, the word is gone forth from My mouth in goodness, and won’t be taken back, that every knee will bow to Me, every mouth will say that I am God. I’ll come to those who say of Me, only in Yahweh is goodness and strength; and all those who were angry at Me will be ashamed. In Yahweh all the people of Israel will be justified and will celebrate.
46[1-5] Bel and Nebo are brought down; the false gods of Babylon are carried off on the backs of animals! The things that you carried around are made a heavy load for the tired animals. They stoop, they bow down together; they couldn’t save the heavy load, but have themselves gone into captivity. Listen to Me, family of Jacob, and all who’s left of the family of Israel, that have been borne by Me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb, and even to their old age! I am your God, and even to your gray hairs I’ll carry you. I’ve made you, and I’ll carry you; yes, I’ll help you, and I’ll save you. To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may be like?
[6-8] Some people pour out their gold and silver, and weigh it in the balance. They hire a metal smith, who makes it into a god. They fall down and worship it. They carry it on the shoulder, yes, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there, and it won’t move from its place. Yes, someone may cry to it, yet it can’t answer them, nor save them out of trouble. Remember this, and show yourselves to be only human; Remember it, you sinners.
[9-13] Remember the things that happened before, for I am God, and there’s no one else; I am God, and there’s no one like Me; I tell the end from the beginning, and from old times things that haven’t happened yet; saying, “My counsel will stand, and I’ll do whatever I want; I call a hungry bird from the east, a person from another country to do what I want; yes, I’ve spoken, I’ll also make it happen; I’ve planned it, and I’ll also do it. Listen to Me, you stubborn people, who are far from goodness. I am bringing My good plans to pass, it won’t be long, and My saving grace won’t wait any longer! I’ll save Zion (Jerusalem) for Israel, My beautiful city.
47[1-5] Come down, and sit in the dust, city of Babylon; Come down from your throne and sit on the ground, city of the Chaldeans (Babylonians, Iraq)! You won’t be called gentle and sensitive any more. You’ll work like a slave, so take off your veil, and strip off the train, bare your leg, and go through the rivers. Your nakedness will be uncovered, yes; your shame will be seen by everyone! I’ll repay you for everything you’ve done, and won’t spare anyone. Our Savior, whose name is Yahweh, the God of All Creation, is the Holy One of Israel. Sit silent, and go into darkness, city of the Chaldeans; for you won’t be called The Ruler of the Nations any more.
[6-10] I was angry with My people, I ruined My inheritance, and gave them into your power, but you didn’t show them any compassion; and even made the elderly work very hard. You said, “I’ll rule forever; so that you didn’t even think about it, nor did you know how it would turn out in the end. So hear this, you who do whatever you want to, who sit safely, who say in your heart, I am, and there’s no one else besides me; I won’t know the loss of spouse or children, but these two things will come on you at the same time in one day, the loss of children and spouse. You’ll be repaid in full and they’ll come on you, for all your witchcraft, and the many spells you cast. For you’ve trusted in your sinfulness and said, “No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge has perverted you, and you’ve said in your heart, I am, and there’s no one else besides Me.
[11-15] So evil will come on you and you won’t see it coming; and trouble will fall on you and you won’t be able to overcome it; and you’ll suddenly be alone, and you won’t know what to do. Stand there now with your spells, and your witchcraft, in which you’ve practiced since your youth; if you think you’ll be able to profit, if you think you may win. You are tired of your many counsels, but let the astrologers, the stargazers, and their monthly horoscopes stand up and save you now from the things that will come on you. Look, they’ll be like weeds and the fire will burn them up; They won’t save themselves from the power of the flame, and it won’t be like a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. Those in which you’ve worked and done business with from your youth will be like this to you. They’ll all wander off, everyone to their own place; There won’t be any one to save you.
48[1-5] Hear this, family of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come from the line of Judah (southern Israel); who swear by the name of Yahweh, and talk about the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in goodness (for they claim to be from the holy city, and count on the God of Israel; Yahweh, the God of All Creation). I’ve told you what would happen from the first; yes, the Word went out of My mouth, and I showed them to you. I did what I said suddenly, and it all happened just as I said, “because I knew that you are stubborn, and your neck is as stiff as iron, and your brow is as tough as brass; So I’ve told it to you before it ever happened; from the days of old, I showed it you; so you couldn’t say, ‘My false god has done this, and My man-made likeness has said this.’
[6-9] You’ve heard it and see all this; so won’t you tell others about it? Now, from this time forward, I’ll show you new things, even secret things, which You didn’t know. They’re happening now, and not in the past; and you’ve never heard of them before; so you can’t say, ‘See, I knew it!’ Yes, you didn’t hear; yes, you didn’t know; yes, from the beginning your ear wasn’t listening. I knew that you’d be very unfaithful, and were called a sinner from the womb. For My Name’s sake, I’ll hold My anger, and for My praise I won’t destroy you completely.
[10-16] Look, I’ve refined you, but not as silver; I’ve chosen you to go through the fire of trouble. For My own sake, for My own sake, I’ll do it; Why should My Name be ruined? and why should I share My praise with another. Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, who I’ve called. I am your God; I am the first, and the last. Yes, I’ve laid the foundation of the earth, and I’ve enlarged the heavens with My own hands. When I call to My creations, they stand up together. Gather yourselves together, and listen; who among any of these false gods has foretold these things? Cyrus, whom I love, will do what he wants to Babylon, whose power will take control over the Chaldeans (Babylonians, Iraq). I, even I, have spoken this; yes, I’ve called him and brought him, and I’ll make his way succeed. Come close to Me, and listen to this; from the beginning I haven’t spoken in secret; from the time that it happens, I am there, too. Yahweh God and the Holy Spirit have sent Me.
[17-22] Yahweh, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel,” says this, I Am Yahweh your God, who teaches you how to do well, who leads you by the way that you should go. Oh, how I wanted you to listen to what I say! Then your peace would have flowed like a river, and your goodness would overflow like the waves of the sea, your people would have been as the sand, and your children like its grains, whose name wouldn’t be cut off nor destroyed from before Me. Leave Babylon, leave from the Chaldeans (Babylonians, Iraq); with a voice of singing tell this, speak it all over the earth! Say, Yahweh has bought you back, Jacob. You didn’t get thirsty when God led you through the deserts; God made the waters flow out of the rock for you; and split the rock also, and the waters poured out. But Yahweh says, “There’s no peace for the sinners.”
49[1-6] Listen to Me, nations; listen, you peoples from far away! Yahweh has called Me from the womb of My mother and has made mention of My name and has made My mouth like a sharp weapon. Yahweh has kept Me safe and has made Me like a polished weapon, keeping Me close, who said to me, “You are My worker; Israel, in whom I’ll be made well known. But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing, I’ve used all My strength for nothing; yet Without a doubt the fairness due Me is with Yahweh, and I’ll be repaid by My God. Now says Yahweh who formed Me from the womb to be a worker of God, to bring Jacob back to God, and that Israel would come back (for I am honorable in the eyes of Yahweh, and My God is My strength); Yes, God says, “Is it too little that you should be My worker to raise up the families of Jacob, and to restore the saved ones of Israel? I’ll also make you a light to the nations, that you may be My saving grace to the end of the earth.
[7-11] Yahweh says this, the One who bought Israel back, and the Holy One, who human beings hate, to the One whom the nations hate, to a worker of rulers, Rulers will see and get up; yes, rulers, and they’ll worship; because of Yahweh who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you. Yahweh says this also, I’ve answered you in an acceptable time, and I’ve helped you in a day of saving grace; and I’ll save you, and give you for a promise to the people, to raise up the land, to make them get the heritage that they had left, saying to those who are imprisoned, Go free; and to those who are in darkness, Come out! They’ll be fed in the roads, and their pasture will be on all bare hills. They won’t be hungry or thirsty; nor will the heat of the sun burn them. The One who has compassion on them will lead them, and guide them by the flowing creeks of water. I’ll make all My mountains have roads, and My highways will be made.
[12-17] Look, they’ll come from far away; they’ll come from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim (Syene, Aswan). Sing, heavens; and be happy, earth; and break out into singing, mountains, because Yahweh has comforted the people of God, and will have compassion on those who are troubled. But Zion (Jerusalem) said, “Yahweh has left Me, and God has forgotten Me. Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the child in whom she gave birth? Yes, even these may forget, but I won’t forget you. Look, I’ve carved you on the palms of My hands; and I’ll watch over you forever. Your children will come back soon; and those who abused and destroyed you’ll leave.
[18-21] Open your eyes and look around you! They’ll all gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live,” says Yahweh, you’ll clothe yourself with them all as with jewels, and dress yourself with them, like a bride. As for your ruined and deserted places, and your land that has been destroyed will now be too small for the people, and those who took your land will be moved far away. The children, who mourned your death, will yet say in your ears, this place is too small for Me; make room for Me that I may live. Then you’ll say in your heart, Who has had these for Me, seeing I’ve lost all My children, and am alone, sent away to wander back and forth? and who has brought these up? Look, I was left alone; where were these?
[22-26] This says Yahweh God, Look, I’ll lift up My hand to the nations, and set up My flag as a symbol to the peoples; and they’ll bring your sons and your daughters in their arms and on their shoulders. Rulers will take care of all your children. They’ll bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and taste the dust of your feet; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh God; and those who wait for Me won’t be ashamed. Will the prey be taken from the strong, or those taken prisoner legally be freed? But Yahweh says this, Even the prisoners of the strong will be taken away, and the prey of the terrible will be set free; for I’ll fight with those who fight with you, and I’ll save your children. I’ll feed those who abuse you with their own children; and they’ll be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine and all people will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior, the One who bought you back, the Strong One of Jacob.
50[1-5] Yahweh says this, “Do you think I’ve divorced you and sent you away forever? Where are the divorce papers, with which I’ve put you away? or do you think I’ve sold you to My creditors? Look, you were sold for your wrongdoings, and you were put away for your sins. Why wasn’t any one there when I came? Why didn’t any one answer when I called? Am I not strong enough, to buy you back? Don’t I have the power to save you? Look, I dry up the sea with a word, I make the rivers dry up like a desert. The fish die and stink, because there’s no water. I cover the heavens with darkness, and I make mourning clothes its covering.” Yahweh God has given Me the right words to say, so that I may know how to help those who are weak and tired. God wakens Me each morning, and makes My ear to hear as those who are taught. Yahweh God has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.
[6-11] I gave My back to those who hit Me, and My cheeks to those who abused Me. I didn’t hide My face when they spoke shamefully and spit on Me. So I won’t be ashamed because Yahweh God is My help; So I’ve made up My mind, and I know that I won’t be ashamed. God is near, who will prove Me right; so who will bring charges against Me? Whoever is My enemy, must accuse Me to My face. Let them come to Me. Look, Yahweh God will help Me; so who will prove Me wrong? Look, they’ll all grow old like a piece of clothes that a moth has eaten up. Who among you respects Yahweh, and who obeys the voice of God’s worker? Those who walk in darkness, and have no light, let them trust in the Name of Yahweh, and fully rely on God. Look, all you who start fires of trouble, who clothe yourselves with flaming accusations; You’ll walk in the flame of your own fire, and be burned by the fires that you’ve started. You’ll get this from My hand and you’ll die in sorrow.
51[1- 4] Listen to Me, you who do what is good, you who look for Yahweh God. Look at who you came from, and where you came from. Look at Abraham and to Sarah, who are your ancestors; I called Abraham when there was no one but him, and I blessed him, and made him have many descendants. Yahweh has comforted Zion (Jerusalem); and all its deserted places, and has made its countryside like the Garden of Eden, and its desert like the Garden of God; You’ll be happy and enjoy yourselves there, and be thankful, and sing with melody in your voice. Pay attention to Me, My people; and listen to Me, My nation; I’ll give you a law, and I’ll set up My fairness to show the peoples how to live.
[5-8] I am coming soon, and My goodness will save you, and My power will judge the peoples; the nations will wait for Me, and put their trust in Me. Look up to the heavens, and look on the earth below; for the heavens will disappear like smoke, and the earth will grow old like a piece of clothes; and those who live in It’ll die in the same way; but My saving grace will be forever, and My goodness won’t come to an end. Listen to Me, you who know what goodness is, the people who keep My law in their hearts; Don’t be scared of what human beings will say to you, nor be upset at their insults. They’ll disappear as quickly as moth eaten wool clothes; but My goodness will last forever, and My saving grace is for all generations.
[9-11] Awake, awake, use Your strength, Yahweh; awake, as in the old days of the generations of long ago. Isn’t it You who cut Rahab (symbolic of Egypt, and God’s control over the chaos of Creation) in pieces, who killed that sea monster long ago? Isn’t it You who dried up the Red Sea, the deep waters of the sea; who made a road across the bottom of the sea for those you saved to walk on? Those who are saved by Yahweh will come back, and come with singing to Zion; and they’ll be happy forever! They’ll be glad and celebrate; and sorrow and sighing will end forever.
[12-16] I Am Yahweh who comforts you. Why are you scared of ordinary human beings, who will die, and wither like grass? Why have you forgotten Yahweh, your Maker, who enlarged the heavens, and set the earth in its place? Why are you so scared all day long because of the anger of those who abuse you, who try to destroy you? Where are they now? Everyone who screams in pain will be freed soon; they’ll be saved from the power of death and hell, and they won’t go hungry anymore. For I Am Yahweh your God, who makes the oceans roar and stirs up its waves. My name is Yahweh, the God of All Creation. I tell you what to say, and I’ll keep you safe in the palm of My hand, that I may stretch out the heavens, and put the earth in its place, and tell Zion, ‘You are My people.’
[17-22] Awake, awake, stand up, Jerusalem, those who have tasted Yahweh’s great anger; You’ve drunk the cup of punishment, and drained it dry. There’s no one to guide you among all the children you’ve had; there’s no one who takes you by the hand among all the children you’ve brought up. Two terrible things have happened to you, but no one will cry for you. You were deserted and destroyed with the famine and war; so how will I comfort you? Your children faint, and fall in the streets, as an animal in a net; They’re being punished by Yahweh’s great anger, and God has corrected them. So hear this now, you troubled, and drunken, but not with wine. Yahweh God says, “who defends you, “Look, I’ve taken out of your hand the cup that made you drunk, the cup of My great anger; you won’t ever drink it again and I’ll put it into the hand of those who abuse you, who have said to you, We’ll walk all over you; and You’ve been trampled on by them.
52[1-5] Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion (Jerusalem); put on your beautiful clothes, Jerusalem, the holy city. From now on, no one who is unfit sinner will come into you. Shake yourself from the dust; get up and sit on your throne, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains that hold you, city of Zion, which was taken. Yahweh says this, You were sold for nothing; and you’ll be bought you back without money. Yahweh God says, “My people went down at first into Egypt to live there and now the Assyrians have abused them for no reason. So now, what do I do here,” says Yahweh, seeing that My people is taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock them,” says Yahweh, and My name is continually disrespected all day long.
[6-10] So My people will know My name. They’ll know then that I am the One who speaks; Look, it’s Me. How beautiful are the feet of those coming down the mountains who bring good news, who speak peace, who publishes the New Word of God’s saving grace, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ Listen to the voice of your guards! They lift up their voices, and sing together; because they’ll see for themselves when Yahweh come backs to Zion. Break out in happy singing together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted the people of God, and has bought you back, Jerusalem. Yahweh, you have shown Your power in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the saving grace of our God.
[11-15] Leave, leave, go out from there, and touch nothing that is unfit; come out of it (Babylon) and cleanse yourselves, you who keep the things used to worship Yahweh. For you won’t go out running, nor will you go by flight, because Yahweh is going ahead of you; and the God of Israel is watching behind you. You who I am sending will act wisely, and be lifted up in praise and highly honored. Many will be shocked at You (who will be beaten so badly, You won’t even look human), and You’ll sprinkle many nations; rulers will shut their mouths when they see You, and what they hadn’t been told they’ll see for themselves; and what they hadn’t heard they’ll understand.
53[1-5] Who has believed our message? and to whom has the power of Yahweh been made known? For You grew up before God as a young plant that roots out of dry ground. You had no great physical form or beauty; and when we see You, there’s no beauty that we would want You. You were hated, and rejected by human beings, someone who suffered greatly, and knew sorrow personally; and like someone who others refuse to look at, You were hated; and we didn’t respect You. Without a doubt, You’ve taken our sickness on Yourself, and You took our place in Your suffering; yet we thought of You as being punished, struck by God, and troubled. But You were pierced for our sins, and killed for our wrongdoings; Your undeserved punishment brought our peace; and by Your wounds we are healed.
[6-12] All we, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us have done as we wanted to do; and Yahweh has put on You all our sin. You were abused, yet when You were troubled You didn’t even open Your mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is quiet, You didn’t even open Your mouth. By abuse and false judgment You were taken away; and as for Your generation, who among them thought that You would be cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people who rightfully deserved the punishment? You were punished with sinners, and You were buried in the grave of a rich man; although You had done nothing wrong, nor had spoken any lie. Yet it was Yahweh’s will to hurt You and make You suffer, because You give Your soul as an offering for sin, and You’ll see Your children and prolong Your days, and You’ll do what Yahweh wants. God will see the suffering of Your soul, and be satisfied, and You’ll come back to life again. You’ll justify many people by their knowledge of You; and that You suffered for their sins. So God will make You stand with great people, and You’ll be rewarded with the powerful ones; because You’ve given Your soul to death, and You were counted as a sinner, though You died for the sins of others, and asked forgiveness for their sins.
54[1-3] Sing, you, who haven’t had children; break out into singing, and cry out, you who haven’t suffered in childbirth! You, who were deserted, will have more children than the married wife,” says Yahweh. Enlarge your home, and stretch out its area; and don’t spare, but make plenty of room, and make it strong. You’ll spread out on the right and on the left; and your children will have the nations, and fill the deserted cities with people.
[4-8] Don’t be scared; you won’t be ashamed, nor be confused; You won’t be ashamed and you’ll forget the shame of your youth; and you won’t remember the troubles of when you were left any more. Your Maker is your husband, whose name is Yahweh, the God of All Creation; and the Holy One of Israel has bought you back, who is called the God of all the earth. Yahweh has called you like a wife who was left and very upset in her spirit, like a young wife, who has been thrown away,” says your God. I left you for a little while; but with great compassion I’ll take you back. I turned from you in great anger for a little while; but with everlasting love I’ll have compassion on you,” says Yahweh, who bought you back.
[9-12] This promise is as the waters of Noah to Me; just like I promised that the waters of Noah wouldn’t cover the earth anymore, so I’ve promised that I won’t be angry with you, nor correct you anymore. The mountains may disappear, and the hills be gone; but I won’t stop loving you, nor will I break My promise of peace to you,” says Yahweh, who has compassion on you. You, who are troubled and storm-tossed, and not comforted; Look, I’ll set your gemstones in beautiful colors, and lay your base with blue sapphires. I’ll set rubies on your highest point, and set emeralds in your gates, and all your border will be set with precious stones.
[13-17] All your children will be taught by Yahweh; and your children’s peace will be great. You’ll be approved and settled in goodness and you’ll be far from abuse. You won’t be scared; and nothing terrible will come near you. If anyone stirs up trouble, it’s not from Me. Whoever stirs up trouble for you’ll fall because of you. Look, I’ve created those who make the weapons and I’ve created the destroyer to destroy. No weapon that is used against you’ll be successful; and you’ll condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the workers of Yahweh, and their proof of goodness which is from Me,” says Yahweh.
55[1-5] Look, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and those who have no money; come, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what isn’t food? and work for what doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what’s good, and let your soul enjoy itself in goodness. Listen to Me, and come to Me; Listen, and your soul will live and I’ll make an everlasting promise with you, as faithful as the promises I made to David. Look, I’ve given him as a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. Look, you’ll call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you’ll run to you, because of Yahweh your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, who has made you great.
[6-13] Turn to Yahweh who can yet be found; call out to God who is near. Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts, you sinners; Come back to Yahweh your God, who will have compassion; and to your God, who will forgive all your sins. My thoughts and ways aren’t like your thoughts and ways,” says Yahweh. As the heavens are higher than the earth, My thoughts and ways are higher than your thoughts and ways. Rain and snow fall from the sky, and doesn’t go back there, until it waters the earth, and makes it bloom and bud, and gives you seed to plant, and food to eat; So it is with My word, which goes out of My mouth and doesn’t come back to Me without doing what I want it to, and It’ll prosper in whatever I sent it to do. You’ll go out with happiness, and be led with peace; the mountains and hills will break out in singing to you; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn will come up the fir tree; and instead of the brier will come up the myrtle tree; and It’ll be to make Yahweh’s name well known, for an everlasting sign that won’t ever come to an end.
56[1-5] Yahweh says this, Keep fairness, and do what’s right; for My saving grace is near to come, and My goodness is soon to be made known. Happy is the one who does this, and the child of one who holds on to it; who keeps the Seventh Day from disrespecting it, and keeps from doing anything evil. Don’t let the foreigner, who follows Yahweh, say, Yahweh will, without a doubt, separate me from the people of God; and don’t let the emasculated say, Look, I am a withered tree that won’t produce fruit. Yahweh says this of the emasculated who keep My Seventh Days, and choose the things that please Me, and hold on to My promise; I’ll give to them in My House and within My walls a name to be remembered which is better than sons and daughters; I’ll give them an everlasting name, that won’t be cut off.
[6-8] Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to Me, and to love the Name of Yahweh, to be My workers, everyone who keeps from disrespecting the Seventh Day, and holds on to My promise, I’ll bring to My holy mountain, and make them happy in My House of Prayer. Their offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My House will be called a House of Prayer for all peoples. Yahweh God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel,” says , “I’ll gather others to Myself, besides My own who are gathered here.
[9-12] All you animals of the field, come and eat, yes, all you animals in the forest. My guards are all blind, and without knowledge; They’re all mute dogs, which can’t bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to sleep. Yes, these dogs are greedy, and can never have enough; and these are preachers who can’t understand. They all go their own way, trying to get what they can for themselves. Come here, they say, I’ll get wine, and we’ll get drunk; and tomorrow will be like today, only better.
57[1-5] Good people die, and no one takes it to heart; and kindhearted ones are taken away, none thinking that they’re spared from the evil to come. Everyone who does what is right will rest in peace in their graves. But come here, you who do witchcraft, the children of the unfaithful. Of whom are you making fun? To whom are you sticking out your tongues? Aren’t you like disobedient children, you unfaithful liars? You have sex among yourselves under every green oak tree, worshiping your false gods; You kill your own children, sacrificing them in the valleys, and in the mountains!
[6-10] You’ve chosen the smooth stones of the valley as your gods; so that’s what you’ll get; You’ve even poured out a drink offering to them, and made your offering. Will I am quiet about these things? On a high and proud mountain you’ve made your bed and there you also went up to offer your child sacrifices. Behind the doors and the posts of your houses you’ve set up your memorials to your false gods, and you’ve been unfaithful with them, and have gone up to worship them; You’ve shared your bed, and made a promise to them, and you loved their bed when you saw it. You went to your false god Molech (worshiped with child sacrifice by fire) with oil, and put on more perfume, and sent messengers far away, and lowered yourself to the pits of Hell. You tired yourself out; yet you didn’t say, ‘It’s for nothing!’ You found your strength and didn’t give up on them.
[11-14] Of whom have you been so scared, that you lie, and haven’t remembered Me, nor kept My ways in your heart? Haven’t I held My peace a very long time, and you still don’t respect Me? I’ll tell you of your goodness; and as for what you’ve done, none of it will help you. When you cry, let those who you’ve been serving save you; but the wind will take them, a breath will carry them all away; but those whose safe haven is in Me will get the land, and will have My holy mountain. God says, “‘Clear the way, clear the way, and move the rocks that My people trip over out of the way!’
[15-21] For this says the high and proud One who lives in eternity, whose Name is Holy; I live in the high and holy place, with those who are of a broken and depressed spirit, to revive the depressed spirit, and to revive the broken heart. For I won’t fight forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before Me, and the souls who I’ve made would die. For their sinful greed I was angry, and punished them; I hid My face and was angry; and they went on rebelling in their own ways. I’ve seen their ways, and will heal them. I’ll lead them also, and give comfort to those who mourn. I create praise on the lips of My people. Peace, peace, to those who are far away and to those who are near,” says Yahweh; and I’ll heal them. But sinners are like the troubled sea; which can’t rest, and its waters stir up sand and muck. There’s no peace,” says My God, to the sinners.
58[1-5] Cry aloud, don’t spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and tell My people of their disobedience, and to the family of Jacob their sins. Yet they look for Me daily, and want to know My ways. As if they were a nation that did what’s right, and didn’t leave the laws of their God, they ask Me to judge them rightly; and they want to come close to God. Why have we fasted, they say, and you don’t see us? Why have we troubled ourselves, and you don’t pay attention? Look, in the day of your fast you do what you want to do, and make all your workers work. Look, you fast to argue and fight, and hit each other with the fist. You don’t fast today, in such a way as to make your prayers heard in heaven. Is this the fast that I’ve chosen? A day for people to trouble their souls? Is it to bow down their heads like a rush, and to put on mourning clothes and put ashes under themselves? Will you call this a fast, and a day that Yahweh accepts?
[6-11] Isn’t this the fast that I’ve chosen? To loosen the chains of sin, and take off their heavy load, and to let the abused go free, and that you take off every heavy load? Isn’t it to give your food to the hungry and that you bring the poor who are thrown out to your house? And when you see the naked, that you clothe them; and that you not close your eyes to the needs of your own people? Then your light will shine like the dawn, and you’ll be healed quickly; and your goodness will go before you; and the praise of Yahweh will watch your back. Then you’ll pray, and Yahweh will answer; you’ll cry, and I’ll say, Here I am. If you take away the heavy loads of others, and stop pointing fingers at each other, and speaking hurtful things to one another; and if you do everything you can to feed the hungry, and help the troubled soul, then will your light will rise in the darkness, and you’ll shine like the noonday; and Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make you strong; and you’ll be like a watered garden, and like a creek, whose waters won’t fail.
[12-14] Those who will come from you’ll rebuild the old ruins; you’ll build on the foundations of many generations; and you’ll be called The Repairer of What was Broken, the Restorer of the Way to Live. If you turn away from misusing the Seventh Day, from doing what you want on My holy day; and call the Seventh Day a day to enjoy, and make what Yahweh set aside to be honored; and will honor it yourself, not going your own ways, nor doing whatever you want, nor saying your own words but saying My words, then you’ll enjoy yourself in the worship of Yahweh; and I’ll put you in high places in the earth; and I’ll feed you on the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob; for the mouth of Yahweh has said it.
59[1-6] Look, Yahweh’s hand isn’t weakened, that it can’t save you; nor is God’s ear closed, that it can’t hear you, but your sins have separated you from your God, and your wrongdoings have made God turn away from you, and not listen to you. You have blood on your hands, and they are filled with sin; your mouth has spoken lies, and your tongue says what is wrong. No one sues because they’re right, and no one goes to court in truth. They trust in their empty lies; they make up trouble, and find sin. They hatch snakes’ eggs, and weave a spider’s web and whoever eats their eggs will dies and what is broken opens up to hatch a snake. Their spiders’ webs won’t make clothes, nor will they cover themselves with what they’ve made; what they’ve done are acts of sin, and violence is in their hands.
[7-11] Their feet run to evil, and they shed innocent blood quickly; they think sinful thoughts and leave a path of pain and suffering behind them. They don’t know the way of peace; and there’s no fairness in what they do. They’ve made themselves crooked paths; whoever follows them doesn’t know peace. So fairness is out of our reach, nor can we grasp what’s right. We look for light, but we see nothing but darkness; for brightness, but we walk in the shadows. We grope for the wall like the blind; yes, we grope as those who have no eyes to see and we trip at noonday as in the dark; we are as dead people among the living. We all growl like bears, and moan greatly like doves. We want fairness, but there’s none; We want God’s saving grace, but it’s out of our reach.
[12-15] For our sins are many in Your sight, and they are witnesses against us. Our sins are with us, and as for our wrongdoings, we know them well. We sin and turn our backs on Yahweh, turning away from following our God, speaking of abuse and rebellion, thinking and speaking lying words from our hearts. Fairness is backwards, and goodness is out of our reach; truth isn’t in us, and we don’t even know what’s right and wrong any more. Yes, truth is lacking; and those who stop doing evil make themselves prey to those who do evil. Yahweh saw it, and was displeased that there was no fairness.
[16-21] I saw that there was no one to help you, and thought about there being no one to stand up for you; So by My own power, I brought you My saving grace; and My goodness was My strength; I put on goodness as a breastplate, and a helmet of saving grace; I put on clothes of judgment, and wore passion as a coat; I’ll repay everyone for their actions, having great anger on My enemies, to repay them and will repay the nations what’s due them. So they’ll fear the name of Yahweh from the west, and My fame will rise like the sun; and come like a rushing river, which the breath of Yahweh drives. A Savior will come to Zion (Jerusalem), and to those who turn from their disobedience in Jacob (Israel),” says Yahweh. As for Me, this is My promise to you,” says Yahweh. My Spirit which is on you, and My words which I’ve put in your mouth, won’t leave out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your children, nor out of the mouth of your grandchildren,” says Yahweh, from now on and forever.
60[1-5] Get up, and shine; for your light is come, and the light of Yahweh is dawning on you. Look, darkness will cover the earth, and black darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will dawn on you, whose light will be seen on you. Nations will come to your light and rulers to the brightness of your dawning. Look up and all around you, and see them all gathering themselves together, and coming to you; your children will come from far, and be carried in their arms. Then you’ll see and shine beautifully, and your heart will be very happy and be proud; because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.
[6-10] Many camels will cover you, coming from Midian, Ephah, and Sheba. They’ll bring gold and fragrant oils, and will tell others the praises of Yahweh. All the flocks of Kedar (south of Palestine) will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth (Arabs) will minister to you; They’ll come to My altar and be accepted; and I’ll praise the House of My glory. What are these ships that sail like clouds, and fly like doves going home? Without a doubt, the nations will wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish (Spain) will lead them, to bring your children from far away, bringing their silver and gold with them, to worship the name of Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has made you well known. Foreigners will build your walls, and their rulers will minister to you; for in My great anger I punished you, but in My grace I’ve had compassion on you.
[11-15] Your gates will be open continually, also; They won’t be shut day or night; so that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their rulers will be in your power. For that nation and nation that won’t serve you’ll die; yes, those nations will be completely destroyed. The beauty of Lebanon will come to you, the fir tree, the pine, and the myrtle tree together, to beautify the place of My safe haven; and I’ll make the place of My feet wonderful. The children of those who troubled you will come bowing down to you; and all those who hated you will bow themselves down at your feet; and they’ll call you “The City of Yahweh, Zion (Jerusalem) of the Holy One of Israel. Just as you’ve been deserted and hated, so that no one passed through you, I’ll make you eternally great, a many generations will be happy in you.
[16-22] You’ll also suck the milk of the nations, and will nurse at the breast of their rulers; and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior, and the One who bought you back, the Strong One of Jacob. For brass I’ll bring gold, and for iron I’ll bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I’ll also make your officers peaceful and your ruler good. Violence won’t be heard in your land anymore, neither ruin nor destruction will come within your borders; but you’ll call your walls Saving Grace, and your gates Praise. The sun won’t be your light by day anymore; nor for its brightness will the moon be your light, but Yahweh will be to you an everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. The sun won’t go down any more, nor will your moon hide itself; Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over. Your people will all do what’s right, also; they’ll have the land forever, being the branch of My planting, and the work of My hands, so that I may be praised. The smallest family will become great, and strong like a nation; I, Yahweh, will do this quickly at the right time.
61[1-3] The Spirit of Yahweh God is on Me; because Yahweh has anointed Me to preach good news to the humble and has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to free the prisoners from jail, and to let loose those who are trapped; to tell others the year of Yahweh’s grace, and the day of judgment of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to appoint to those who mourn in Zion (Jerusalem), to give to them a wreath for ashes, the oil of happiness for mourning, the clothes of praise for their heavy spirits; that they may be called trees of goodness, the planting of Yahweh, that God may be praised.
[4-7] They’ll build the old ruins, and they’ll raise up the places that were deserted, and they’ll repair the cities that were destroyed, which were deserted by many generations. Foreigners will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and gardeners. But you’ll be named the preachers of Yahweh; other people will call you the ministers of our God and you’ll eat the wealth of the nations, and you’ll brag about yourselves in their glory. Instead of your shame you’ll have double blessings; and instead of dishonor you’ll celebrate in your land. So in their land they’ll get twice what they had; and they’ll be happy forever.
[8-11] For I, Yahweh, love fairness, I hate stealing and other sins; and I’ll repay in truth, and I’ll make a promise with them forever. Their children will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them will acknowledge them, and say that they’re the people Yahweh has blessed. I’ll greatly celebrate in Yahweh, My soul will be happy in My God; who has clothed Me with the clothes of God’s saving grace, and has covered Me with the robe of goodness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a rosebud, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are planted to grow; so Yahweh God will cause goodness and praise to grow in all the nations.
62[1-5] For Zion (Jerusalem)’s sake I won’t hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t rest, until her goodness shines as brightness, and her saving grace as a lamp that burns brightly. The nations will see your goodness, and all rulers your glory, and you’ll be called by a new name, which the mouth of Yahweh will name. You’ll also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Yahweh, and a royal head dress in the hand of your God. You won’t be called the Divorced Wife anymore; nor will your land be called Infertile but you’ll be called Hephzibah (My Happiness is in Her), and your land Beulah (Married Wife); for Yahweh’s happiness is in you, and your land will be fertile. For as a young man marries a young woman, so will your people marry you; and as the bridegroom celebrates over the bride, so your God will celebrate over you.
[6-12] I’ve set guards on your walls, Jerusalem; They’ll never be quiet day or night. You who call on Yahweh, don’t rest, and don’t let God rest, until Jerusalem is set up and made a praise in the earth. Yahweh has promised by God’s strong hand, and by the power of God’s strength, “Without a doubt, I won’t give your grain to be food for your enemies; and foreigners won’t drink your new wine, for which you’ve worked, but those who have gathered it will eat it, and praise Yahweh; and those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of My Safe Haven.” Go through the gates; make the way for the people; Make the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a flag for the peoples. Look, Yahweh has told others all over the world, “Say to the city of Zion, ‘Look, your saving grace comes; Look, God will reward you and repay you.’“ They’ll call them “The Holy People,” the “Saved Ones of Yahweh,” and you’ll be called “God Wants You,” A city not divorced.
63[1-6] Who is this who comes from Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), with dyed clothes from Bozrah? Who is this who wears wonderful clothes, and marches in great strength? “I, who speak in goodness, am powerful enough to save you.” Why are you wearing red clothes, and why do your clothes look like someone who presses the grapes? “I’ve stomped the winepress alone; and there was no one with Me of the peoples. Yes, I stomped on them in My anger, and trampled them in My great anger; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on My clothes, and I’ve stained all My clothes. For the day of judgment was in My heart, and the year of My saving grace is come. I looked, and there was no one to help you; and I wondered that there was no one to strengthen you. So by My own power, I brought My saving grace; and My great anger strengthened Me. I stomped down the nations in My anger, and made them drunk in My great anger, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.
[7-14] I’ll tell you of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh, and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has done for us, and the great goodness done toward the family of Israel, which God has done to us with mercy, and with great loving kindnesses. God said, “Without a doubt, they’re My people, children who won’t be unfaithful, so God was our Savior. In all our trouble, You were troubled, and the angel of the presence of God saved us; In love and pity, You saved us; and helped us, and carried us through all the old days. But we rebelled, and grieved Your Holy Spirit, so You became our enemy, and fought against us. Then You remembered the old days, Moses and Your people, saying, “Where is the one who brought us up out of the sea with the shepherds of the flock? Who put Your Holy Spirit in us? Whose power saved us as Moses lifted his hands? Who divided the waters before us, to make the Name of God an everlasting name? Who led us through the depths, as a horse in the countryside, so that they didn’t trip? As the livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Yahweh caused us to rest; so You led your people, to make Yourself a wonderful Name.
[15-19] Look down from heaven, and see from the place of Your holiness and of Your glory. Where are Your passion and Your acts of strength? The longing of Your heart and Your compassion is kept from me. You are Who we are from, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel doesn’t acknowledge us; Yes, You, Yahweh, are Who we are from; You’re the God who saves us. Your Name will be remembered forever. O Yahweh, why do You make us stray from Your ways, and harden our hearts from Your fear? Come back for Your workers’ sake, Your family. Your holy people had it but a little while. Our enemies have stomped down Your safe haven. We’ve become like those whom You’ve never ruled, as those who weren’t called by Your Name.
64[1-4] Oh that you would open the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence, as when fire burns the wood, and makes water boil; to make Your Name known to Your enemies, that the nations may shake in fear at your presence! When you did terrible things which we never thought You’d do, You came down, and the mountains quaked at Your presence. Human beings have never heard, nor understood by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for those who waits for God to save them.
[5-7] You meet those who celebrate and do what’s right, those who remember You in Your ways. Look, You were angry, and we sinned. We’ve been sinning a long time; and will we still be saved? For we’ve all become unfit, and all our goodness is like filthy clothes. We all fade as a leaf; and our wrongdoings, like the wind, will take us away. There’s no one who calls on Your Name, who troubles themselves to find You; You’ve hid Your face from us, and destroyed us by our own wrongdoings.
[8-12] But now, Yahweh, You are our Creator. We are the clay, and You are our potter; and we all are the work of Your hand. Don’t be very angry, Yahweh, nor remember our sin forever; look, we beg you; we are all Your people. Your holy cities are deserted, Zion (Jerusalem) is deserted like a countryside. Our holy and beautiful Place of Worship, where our ancestors praised You, is burned up; and all our nice places are destroyed. Will You keep yourself from punishing us for these things, Yahweh? Or will You keep silent, and trouble us much more?
65[1-5] I am asked for by those who didn’t ask; I am found by those who didn’t look for Me. I said, “Look at Me, look at Me, to a nation that was not called by My name. I’ve spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who act in a way that isn’t good, following their own thoughts; a people who continually provoke Me to My face, worshiping in the gardens and burning incense on the altars of false gods; who go to graves and secret places to talk to the dead; who eat pig’s meat, and broth of things that aren’t good; who say, Stay away, don’t come near me, for I am holier than you. These are smoke in My nose, a fire that burns all day long.
[6-12] Look, it’s been written before about Me: I won’t keep silence, but I’ll repay, yes, I’ll repay you for your own sins, and the sins of your ancestors together,” says Yahweh, who have burned incense on the mountains, and disrespected Me on the hills by worshipping your false gods. So I’ll repay them for what they’ve done first. Yahweh says this, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and someone says, “Don’t destroy it, for there’s still a blessing in it, so I’ll do for My workers’ sake, that I won’t destroy them all. I’ll give children to the families of Jacob (Israel), and Judah (southern Israel) will get My mountains; My chosen people will inherit it, and My workers will live there. Sharon (near Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast) will be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor (near Jericho) a place for herds to lie down in, for My people who have followed Me. But you who forget Yahweh, who leave My holy mountain, who eat meat and drink alcohol for Gad and Meni, (the false gods of luck or fortune and fate or destiny); I’ll destine you to be killed, and your fortune will be to bow down to die; because when I called, you didn’t answer; when I spoke, you didn’t hear; but you did what was evil to Me, and chose to do that which I didn’t enjoy.
[13-16] So Yahweh God says, “Look, My workers will eat, but you’ll be hungry; Look, My workers will drink, but you’ll be thirsty; Look, My workers will celebrate, but you’ll be ashamed; Look, My workers will sing for joy, but you’ll cry for sorrow of heart, and scream for the trouble of your spirit. You’ll leave your name for a curse to My chosen ones; and Yahweh God will kill you; and call the workers of God by another name (Christians). So that those who bless themselves in the earth will bless themselves in the God of truth; and those who make promises in the earth will promise by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and they’re hid from Me.
[17-20] Look, I create a new heavens and a new earth; and the old things won’t be remembered, nor come into mind. But be happy and celebrate forever in what I create; Look, I create Jerusalem a place of celebration, and her people a happy people. I’ll celebrate in Jerusalem, and be happy in My people; and the sound of crying and screaming won’t be heard there anymore. There won’t be any more babies dying at just a few days old, nor will an old person not live out their days; a hundred years old will be young, and if a sinner reaches a hundred years old, they’ll be punished.
[21-25] They’ll build houses and live in them; and they’ll plant gardens, and eat what they grow. They won’t build, and someone else live in it; They won’t plant, and someone else eat it. My people will live as long as the trees and My chosen ones will enjoy the work of their hands for a long time. They won’t work for nothing, nor have children that will die; for they and their children are blessed by Yahweh. Before they call, I’ll answer them; and while they’re still speaking, I’ll hear them. The wolf and the lamb will eat together, and the lion will eat straw like the cow; and dust will be the snake’s food. They won’t hurt nor kill anything in all My holy mountain,” says Yahweh.
66[1-6] Yahweh says this, heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build to Me? and what will be My place of rest? I’ve made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh. But I’ll watch over those who are poor and have a sorrowful spirit, and who shake in fear at My word. Those who kill a cow are like those who kill a human being; those who sacrifice a lamb, as those who break a dog’s neck; those who make an offering, as those who offer a pig’s blood; those who burn spices, as those who bless a false god. Yes, they’ve chosen their own ways, and their soul enjoys their evil ways. So I’ll also choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, no one heard; but they did what was evil in Me, and chose to do what I didn’t enjoy. Hear the word of Yahweh, you who shake in fear at God’s Word. Your family members who hate you, who threw you out for My Name’s sake, have said, “Let Yahweh be praised, that we may see your happiness;” But it’s them who will be ashamed. There’s a sound of chaos from the city, a voice from the Place of Worship, a voice of Yahweh, who brings judgment on the enemies of God.
[7-11] Before she suffered, she birthed; before her pain came, she had a child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Will a nation be born in one day? Will a nation be born at once? As soon as Zion (Jerusalem) suffered, she had her children. Will I bring to birth, and not cause a child to be born? says Yahweh. Will I, who cause birth, shut the womb? says your God. Celebrate with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her, celebrate for happiness with her, all you who mourn over her; that you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts; that you may suck, and be happy with how much milk she has.
[12-16] Yahweh says this, Look, I’ll give peace to her like a river, and she’ll be the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream. You’ll suck of it; you’ll be carried on her side, and will be bounced on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I’ll comfort you; and you’ll be comforted in Jerusalem. You’ll see it, and your heart will celebrate, and your bones will grow like the tender grass. The workers of God will know the hand of Yahweh, who will be rightfully angry with the enemies of God. Look, Yahweh will come with fire, whose vehicles will be like a tornado; to bring God’s anger with fierceness, and judgment with flames of fire. For Yahweh will bring judgment by fire, and with weapons, on all people; and Yahweh will kill many.
[17-21] Those who set themselves apart and cleanse themselves to go worship false gods in the gardens, following behind their leader, eating pig’s meat, and rats and other things that are bad for them, will be destroyed together,” says Yahweh. I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes, that I’ll gather all nations and languages; and they’ll come and see My glory. I’ll set a sign among them, and I’ll send those who escape to the nations, to Tarshish (Spain), Pul, and Lud (Libya and Lydia and other Arab-African nations), who draw their weapons, to Tubal (Turkey) and Javan (Greece), to the nations afar away, who haven’t heard of My fame, nor have seen My glory; and they’ll make Me well-known among the nations. They’ll bring all your family members out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, in vehicles, and on horses, mules, and camels, to My holy mountain in Jerusalem,” says Yahweh, as the people of Israel bring their offering in a clean bowl into the House of God. I’ll choose some of them for preachers and workers in the Place of Worship,” says Yahweh.
[22-24] For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I’ll make, will last forever before Me,” says Yahweh, so your children and your name will last forever. From one new moon to another, and from one Seventh Day to another, all people will come to worship before Me,” says Yahweh. They’ll go out, and look on the dead bodies of those who have sinned against Me, whose maggots won’t ever die out, nor will their fire be put out; and they’ll be hated by all people.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah began his ministry in the 13th year of Josiah, about 60 years after Isaiah’s death. Zephaniah and Habakkuk were contemporaries of his earlier ministry, and Daniel was a contemporary of his later. After the death of Josiah, the nation of Judah was taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah stayed in the land ministering to those who were left until they were taken into Egypt, where he followed them and later died, early in the 70 years’ captivity. Jeremiah, who preached before and during the exile of Judah, links the pre-exile prophets with the prophets of the exile who were Ezekiel and Daniel.
Jeremiah’s vision includes the Babylonian captivity, the remnant, the return after 70 years, the world wide scattering of the Jewish people, the final regathering of the Jewish people, the Messianic age, and the day of judgment on the world powers. Jeremiah is in six divisions: The prophet’s call and first message, prophecies and other events not chronological, from the Babylonian accession to the captivity of Zedekiah, prophecies made after the captivity of Judah, the prophet in Egypt, and miscellaneous prophecies.
Jeremiah
1[1-3] The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the preachers who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin to whom the word of Yahweh came in the days of Josiah son of Amon, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), in the 13th year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), to the end of the 11th year of Zedekiah, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), to the time when Jerusalem was carried away prisoner in the 5th month.
[4-8] Now the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “I knew you before I created you in the womb of your mother, and I set you apart before you were even born; I’ve made you a preacher to the nations. Then I said, “Ah, Yahweh God! See, I don’t even know how to speak; for I am just a child. But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, I am just a child; You’ll go to whoever I send you, and you’ll say whatever I tell you. Don’t be scared because of them; for I am with you to save you,” says Yahweh.
[9-12] Then Yahweh reached out, and touched my mouth; and said to me, “See, I’ve put My words in your mouth. I’ve set you over the nations today and over the nations, to root up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant. Besides the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see? I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree. Then Yahweh said to me, “You’ve seen well. I watch over My Word to do it.
[13-15] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “What do you see? I said, “I see a boiling pot; and its face is from the north. Then Yahweh said to me, “Out of the north evil will be let loose on all the people of the land. See, I’ll call all the families of the nations of the north,” says Yahweh; and they’ll come and give everyone a seat of power at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls all the way around, and against all the cities of Judah (southern Israel).
[16-19] I’ll speak My judgments against them as for all their evil, those that have left Me, and have burned incense to false gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. So tighten up your waist, and get up, and speak to them all that I tell you. Don’t be troubled at them, or I’ll make you fall in front of them. See, I’ve made you like a strong city today, and an iron pillar, and brass walls, against the whole land, against the rulers of Judah (southern Israel), against its royalty, against its preachers, and against the people of the land. They’ll fight against you; but they won’t win, for I am with you,” says Yahweh, to save you.
2[1-3] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Go, and tell the people of Jerusalem, saying, “Yahweh says, “I remember the kindness of your youth for you, the love of your engagement; how you followed Me in the deserted countryside, in a land that was not planted. Israel was holiness to Yahweh, the first fruits of My harvest and all who eat up My people will be held guilty; evil will come on them,” says Yahweh.
[4-7] Listen to the word of Yahweh, O people of Jacob, and all the families of the people of Israel. Yahweh says, “What wrong have your ancestors found in Me, that they’ve gone so far from Me, and have followed meaninglessness, and are empty? Nor did they say, Where is Yahweh who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the deserted countryside, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through, and where no one lived? I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat its fruit and its goodness; but when you went in it, you made My land unfit, and made my heritage a stinking waste.
[8-12] The preachers didn’t say, Where is Yahweh? and those who handle the law didn’t know Me. The rulers also sinned against me, and the preachers spoke by that false god Baal, and followed things that don’t profit. So I’ll yet challenge you, and your grandchildren,” says Yahweh. Go over to the islands of Kittim, and see; and send to Kedar, and consider carefully; and see if there has been any such thing. Has a nation changed its gods, which are not even gods? but My people have changed their glory for what doesn’t profit. Be shocked, you heavens, at this, and be horribly scared, be very unhappy,” says Yahweh.
[13-17] For My people have done two evil things: they’ve left Me, the creek of living waters, and cut them out wells, broken wells, that can hold no water. Is Israel a servant? Or a native-born slave? Why has Israel become a prey then? The young lions have roared at Israel, and made noise; and destroyed the land. Its cities are burned up, with no one left. The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head. Haven’t you brought this on yourself, in that you’ve left Yahweh your God, who led you by the way?
[18-20] Now what good will it do you to go the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? or what good will it do you to go the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates River? Your own evil will correct you, and your unfaithfulness will accuse you. So know and see that it’s an evil and harsh thing that you’ve left Yahweh your God, and that you don’t show Me respect,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. For long ago I’ve broken their control of you, and untied your ropes; and you said, “I won’t sin; but on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself down to them, being as unfaithful as a prostitute.
[21-24] Yet I had planted you a goodly vine, wholly a good descendants, so how did you turned into the bad branches of a foreign vine to Me? Though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your sin is marked before Me,” says the Yahweh God. How can you say, “I am not unfit, I haven’t gone after the Baals” (false gods)? See your way in the valley, and know what you’ve done. You’re a swift camel going her own way; a wild donkey used to the deserted countryside that sniffs the wind when she’s in heat; who can turn her away in her time? All those who look for her won’t tire themselves; in her month they’ll find her.
[25-27] Don’t let your feet be barefoot, or let your throat be thirsty, but you said, “There’s no hope, for I’ve loved strangers, and I’ll follow them.” As the thief is ashamed when caught, so the people of Israel are ashamed; they, their rulers, their royalty, their preachers, and teachers; Who would tell a piece of wood, “You’re my god;” or a stone, “You’ve saved me.” They’ve turned their back to Me, and not their face; but when of trouble they’ll say, “Come and save us.”
[28-31] So where are your gods that you’ve made? Let them come, and save you if they can in your time of trouble! You’ve got as many false gods as the number of your cities, Judah (southern Israel). Why you’ll challenge me? You have all sinned against me,” says Yahweh. I’ve hit your children for nothing; they received no correction. You’ve killed your own preachers, like a destroying lion. People, see the word of Yahweh. Have I amen a deserted countryside to Israel? Or a land of thick darkness? Why do My people say, “We’re broken loose; we won’t come to you anymore?”
[32-37] Can a young girl forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding dress? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number. How you decorate your way to find love! So you’ve even taught the evil ones your ways. Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents. I didn’t find them by breaking in; but it’s clear because of all these things. Yet you said, “I am innocent, so surely God’s anger won’t touch me.” See, I’ll judge you, because you say, “I haven’t sinned.” Why do you try so hard to change your way? You’ll be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria. You’ll go out from there with your hands on your head, because Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust, and you won’t get any help from them.
3[1-3] They say, ‘If someone puts out their spouse, and they go from them, and become another’s, will they take them back again later? Won’t they be unfit?’ You’ve been as unfaithful as a prostitute with many lovers; yet come back to Me again,” says Yahweh. Look up to the bare heights, and see; where have you not been unfaithful? You’ve sat waiting for them by the ways, as an Arabian in the deserted countryside; and you’ve polluted the land with your prostitution and with your evil. So the rain showers have been withheld, and there’s been no latter rain; yet you have the face of a prostitute, and refuse to be ashamed.
[4-7] Won’t you from this time cry to me, ‘My God, aren’t you the guide of my youth? Will You stay angry forever? Will You keep Your anger to the end?’ See, you’ve spoken and have done evil things, and have had your way. Besides Yahweh said to me in the days of Josiah the ruler, Have you seen how Israel has gone back to its old ways? They’ve gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there have been as unfaithful as a prostitute. I said after Israel had done all these things, they’ll come back to me; but they didn’t come back and her unfaithful sister Judah (southern Israel) saw it.
[8-10] I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had been unfaithful, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet unfaithful Judah, her sister, didn’t fear; but she also went and has been as unfaithful as a prostitute. Through her careless prostitution, the land was polluted, and she’s been unfaithful with false gods of stones and wood. Yet for all this her unfaithful sister Judah hasn’t come back to me with her whole heart, but are only faking it,” says Yahweh.
[11-15] Yahweh said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown itself to be better than unfaithful Judah. Go, and tell these words to the north, and say, Return to Me, unfaithful Israel,” says Yahweh; I won’t be angry at you; for I am merciful,” says Yahweh, I won’t be angry forever. Only admit your sin, that you’ve sinned against Yahweh your God, and have scattered your charms to strangers under every green tree, and you haven’t obeyed My voice,” says Yahweh. Return to Me, unfaithful children,” says Yahweh; for I am like a husband to you, and I’ll take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I’ll bring you to Zion (Jerusalem) and I’ll give you overseers according to my heart, who will give you knowledge and understanding.
[16-20] When you’re multiplied and increased in the land, in those days,” says Yahweh, they won’t say anymore, the Chest of the law of Yahweh; It won’t come to mind; nor will they remember it or miss it; nor will it even exist anymore. At that time they’ll call Jerusalem the capital of Yahweh’s nation; and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the Name of Yahweh, to Jerusalem. And they won’t follow the stubbornness of their evil heart. In those days the people of Judah will walk with the people of Israel, and they’ll come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your ancestors. But I said, “I’ll put you among the children, and give you a beautiful land, the best portion of all the nations! and I said, “You’ll call me My God, and won’t turn away from following Me. Surely as one spouse unfaithfully leaves the other, so you’ve been unfaithful to Me, people of Israel,” says Yahweh.
[21-25] A voice is heard on the bare heights, the crying and the prayers of the people of Israel; because they’ve made themselves unfit, they’ve forgotten Yahweh their God. Return, you unfaithful children, and I’ll heal your unfaithfulness. See, we come to you; for You’re Yahweh our God. Truly the help that we wanted from the hills isn’t anything, the uproar on the mountains is useless. Truly, the saving grace of Israel is in Yahweh our God. But our shame has ruined the work of our ancestors from our youth, their flocks, herds, and children. Let’s lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we’ve sinned against Yahweh our God, we and our ancestors, from our youth even to today; and we haven’t obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God.
4[1-4] If you’ll come back, Israel,” says Yahweh, if you’ll come back to Me, and if you’ll put away your false gods out of My sight; then you won’t be removed; and you’ll promise, As Yahweh lives, in truth, in justice, and in goodness; and in God the nations will bless themselves, and will make God well known. For Yahweh says to the people of Judah (southern Israel) and to Jerusalem, Break up your unplanted ground, and don’t plant among thorns. Dedicate yourselves to Yahweh, and cut away the foreskins of your heart, you people of Judah and people of Jerusalem; lest My rage burn like fire, and burn so that no one can put it out, because of the evil things you do.
[5-9] Tell it in Judah, and publish it in Jerusalem; and say, Blow the trumpet in the land; cry out and say, Gather yourselves, and let’s go into the strong cities. Put up a flag in Zion (Jerusalem)! Run for safety, don’t stay; for I’ll bring evil from the north, and great destruction. A lion is gone up from its thicket, and a destroyer of nations; It’s on the way, and has left its homeland, to make your land deserted, that your cities be destroyed and without people. For this, put on your mourning clothes, mourn and cry; for the great anger of Yahweh hasn’t turned back from us. At that day,” says Yahweh, the heart of the ruler and the royalty will die of fear; and the preachers will be shocked, and the teachers will be amazed.
[10-13] Then I said, “Ah, Yahweh God! surely you’ve greatly lied to this people and Jerusalem, saying, “You’ll have peace; Since war takes our very life. At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the deserted countryside toward the cities of My people, not to separate, nor to cleanse; but a full wind from these will come for Me. Now I’ll also speak judgments against them. See, the evil one will come up as clouds, whose war vehicles will be as the hurricane, whose horses are swifter than eagles. Sorrow will come to us and we’re ruined!
[14-18] Jerusalem, cleanse your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long you’ll keep thinking your evil thoughts? For a voice speaks from Dan, and publishes evil from the hills of Ephraim (Northern Israel). Tell the nations; see, publish it against Jerusalem that watchers come from another country, and speak out against the cities of Judah (southern Israel). As keepers of a field they surrounded it, because it has been rebellious against Me,” says Yahweh. What you’ve said and done has brought these things on you; this is your own evil; it’s bitter and reaches to your heart.
[19-22] My heart, my heart! My very heart aches; my heart pounds in me; I can’t hold my peace; because you’ve heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction on destruction is cried; for the whole land is destroyed. Suddenly my homes are destroyed, and my curtains quickly. How long will I see the flag, and Listen to the sound of the trumpet? For My people are stupid, they don’t know me; they’re stupid children, and they’ve no understanding; they know how to do evil things, but they don’t know how to do good things.
[23-27] I saw the earth and it was a waste and empty; and the heavens didn’t have any light. I saw the mountains and they shook in fear, and all the hills shook. I saw that there was no one left, and all the birds of heaven had gone. I saw that the fruitful field was a deserted countryside, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of Yahweh’s great anger. Yahweh says, “The whole land will be a ruin; yet I won’t completely destroy it.
[28-31] For this will the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I’ve spoken it, I’ve planned it, and I haven’t changed My mind, nor will I turn back from it. Every city runs for the noise of the soldiers; they go into the thickets, and climb up on the rocks and every city is left, and no one lives in them. You, when you’re ruined, what you’ll do? Though you put on your fine clothes, deck yourself with gold jewelry, and put on your makeup, you make yourself beautiful for nothing; your lovers hate you and want to kill you. I’ve heard a voice as of a woman giving birth, the suffering as of one having her first child, the voices of the cities of Zion, who gasps for breath, who spreads her hands, saying, “I’m sorry now! My soul faints before the murderers.
5[1-3] Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and look in its wide open places , if you can find someone, if There’s anyone who does justly, who looks for truth; and I’ll forgive them. Though they say, As Yahweh lives; surely they break promises. O Yahweh, don’t your eyes see the truth? You’ve punished them, but they weren’t grieved; you’ve destroyed them, but they’ve refused to be corrected; they’ve made their faces harder than a rock; they’ve refused to turn back to you.
[4-6] Then I said, “Surely these are poor and stupid; for they don’t know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God. I’ll go to the leaders, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these have all broken free from Your control and untied their ropes. So a lion out of the forest will kill them, a wolf of the night will destroy them, a leopard will watch their cities; everyone who goes out will be torn to pieces; because their sins are many, and they’ve been very unfaithful.
[7-13] How can I forgive you? Your children have left Me, and made promises by false gods; when I had fed them full, they were unfaithful, and gathered themselves in groups at the prostitutes’ houses. They were as fed horses roaming around; everyone neighed after their neighbor’s spouse. Will I not punish you for these things? says Yahweh; and won’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Go up on her walls, and destroy; but don’t completely destroy them, only take away the defenses that are not Yahweh’s. For the people of Israel and of Judah (southern Israel) have very been very unfaithful to me,” says Yahweh. They’ve denied Yahweh, and said, “It’s not God; nor will evil come on us; nor will we see war or hunger; and the preachers will become wind, and the word isn’t in them, so it will be done to them.
[14-17] So Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Because you speak this word, see, I’ll make My words in your mouth like fire, and this people like wood, and it will burn them up. See, I’ll bring a nation on you from far away, people of Israel. It’s a strong nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don’t know, nor understand what they say. Their quiver is an open tomb, they’re all soldiers. They’ll eat up your harvest and your bread, which your children should eat; they’ll eat up your flocks and herds; they’ll eat up your vines and fig trees; they’ll tear down your strong cities, in which you trust, with war.”
[18-22] “But even in those days,” says Yahweh, “I won’t completely destroy you. When you say, ‘Why has Yahweh our God done all these things to us?’ then you’ll say to them, ‘Like you’ve left Me, and served foreign gods in your land, so you’ll serve strangers in a land that isn’t yours.’ Tell this to the people of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, “‘Listen to this now, you stupid people without understanding; who have eyes, and don’t see and ears, and don’t listen! Don’t you fear me? says Yahweh? Won’t you shake in fear at My presence, who has placed the sand for the bound of the sea, a permanent boundary, that it can’t pass? and though its waves toss themselves, yet they can’t overcome; though they roar, yet they can’t pass over it.
[23-28] But this people has a horrible and rebellious heart; they’ve rebelled and left. Nor do they say in their heart, ‘Let’s now fear Yahweh our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season; who gives us the set weeks of the harvest.’ Your sins have turned away these things and withheld good from you. Evil people are among My people; they watch, as a hunter waits, setting a trap to catch others. As a cage is full of birds, their houses are full of lies, so they’ve become great, and grew rich. They’ve grown fat, and think; yes, they out do their evil works; they don’t plead the case of those without a parent, that they may do well; and they don’t judge the right of the poor.
[29-31] Will I not punish them for these things? says Yahweh; won’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? An amazing and horrible thing has happened in the land; the preachers preach falsely, and the teachers rule by their riches; and My people love to have it so, and what you’ll do in the end?
6[1-5] Run for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem; for evil comes out of the north, and great destruction. The city of Zion (Jerusalem) is like a beautiful and delicate one that I’ll destroy. Pastors with their flocks will come there; they’ll pitch their tents all around it; they’ll feed everyone in their place. Get ready for war against it; get up, and let’s go up at noon. Sorrow is coming to us! The day is gone, and the shadows of night are stretched out. Get up, and let’s go up by night, and let’s destroy all its great houses.
[6-9] Yahweh, the God of All Creation has said this, Cut down trees, and throw up a mound against Jerusalem; this is the city to be punished; It’s full of abuse. As a well gives out its waters, so it gives out its evil, and violence and destruction is heard in it; before me continually is sickness and wounds. Listen and learn, Jerusalem, or my soul will be separated from you and I’ll make you a ruin, a land without people. Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “They’ll completely take what’s left of Israel as one picks a vine, so turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets.
[10-15] To whom will I speak and testify that they may Listen to? See, their ear is stopped up, and they can’t listen; see, they blame the word of Yahweh and don’t enjoy it. So I am full of the rage of Yahweh; I am tired of holding it all in, so I’ll pour it out on the children in the street, and on the gathering of youth who stand together; for even the parents will be taken, and the elderly who is full of days. Their houses will be given to others, their fields and their spouses together; for I’ll stretch out My hand on the people of the land,” says Yahweh. From the least of them even to the greatest of them everyone is given to greed; and from the preacher even to the teacher everyone acts falsely. They’ve also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace; when There’s no peace. Were they ashamed when they had done evil things? No, they weren’t at all ashamed, nor could they even blush, so they’ll fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them they’ll be thrown down,” says Yahweh.
[16-20] Yahweh says, “Stand in the streets and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and you’ll find rest for your souls;” but they said, “We won’t go that way!” I set guards over you, saying, “Listen to the sound of the trumpet;” but they said, “We won’t listen.”So listen, you nations, and know, people, what is among them. Listen earth, and see; I’ll bring evil on this people, even the way they think, because they haven’t listened to My words; and as for My law, they’ve rejected it. Why does incense from Sheba come to Me, and the sweet cane from another country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to Me.”
[21-25] So Yahweh says, “See, I’ll lay stumbling blocks before this people; and the parents and the children together will fall over them; the neighbor and friend will die.” Yahweh says, “See, a people comes from the north country; and a great nation will be stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. They grab their weapons; they’re cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, everyone in their armor, as someone going to war against you, city of Zion. We’ve heard its reports; our hands are weak; suffering has taken hold of us, and pangs as of a woman giving birth. Don’t go out into the field, nor walk in the street; for the enemy brings war and terror on every side.
[26-30] Daughter of My people, put on your mourning clothes, and wallow in ashes! Mourn as for an only child, a most bitter mourning; for the destroyer will suddenly come on us. I’ve made you a metal tester to test My people; that you may know and test their way. They’re all serious rebels, going around lying; they’re brass and iron and all of them act horribly. The blowers blow strongly; the lead is already melted by the fire, yet they go on heating it; for the evil ones are not punished and taken away. So people will call them the waste of silver, because Yahweh has rejected them.”
7[1-7] This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Stand in the gate of Yahweh’s house, and tell this word there, saying, “‘Listen to the word of Yahweh, all you of Judah (southern Israel), who go in at these gates to worship Yahweh.” Yahweh, the God of All Creation, God of Israel says, “Change how you think and what you do, and I’ll let you live in this place. Don’t trust in lying words, saying, “‘The Place of Worship of Yahweh, the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the Place of Worship of Yahweh are these.’ For if you completely change how you think and what you do; if you completely do what’s right between one person and another; if you don’t abuse the foreigner, those without a parent, and the death survivor, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after false gods to your own hurt, then I’ll let you to live in this place, in the land that I gave to your ancestors a long time ago, even forever.”
[8-12] “See, you trust in lying words, that can’t do any good. You’ll steal, murder, be sexually unfaithful, break promises, and burn incense to that false god Baal, and walk after other false gods that you haven’t known, and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My Name, and say, ‘We’re saved;’ that you may do all these evil things? Is this house, which is called by My Name, become a den of thieves to you? See, I have seen it,” says Yahweh. “But go now to My Place which was in Shiloh, where I caused My Name to be at first, and see what I did to it for the evil of My people Israel.”
[13-17] “Now, because you’ve done all these works,” says Yahweh, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you didn’t listen; and I called you, but you didn’t answer, so I’ll do to the house which is called by My Name, in which you trust, and to the place which I gave to you and your ancestors, as I did to Shiloh. I’ll throw you out of My sight, as I’ve throw out all your family, even all the descendants of Ephraim (Northern Israel). So (Jeremiah) don’t pray for this people, neither lift up a cry, nor prayer for them, nor beg for them to Me; for I won’t listen. Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
[18-20] The children gather wood, and the fathers start the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make loaves to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to false gods, that they may make Me angry. Do they make Me angry? says Yahweh; do they not bring shame on their own faces? So Yahweh God says, “See, My anger and my rage will be poured out on this place, on human beings, animals, the trees of the field, the fruit of the ground; and it will burn, and won’t be put out.
[21-24] Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “The God of Israel says, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat meat. For I didn’t speak to your ancestors, nor tell them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, about burnt offerings or sacrifices, but this thing I told them, saying, “Listen to My voice, and I’ll be your God, and You’ll be My people; and follow the way that I tell you, that it may be well with you. But they didn’t hear nor listen, but did whatever they wanted to in the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward, and not forward.
[25-28] Since the day that your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt even to today, I’ve sent to you all my workers, the preachers, daily rising up early and sending them, yet they didn’t listen to Me, nor turned their ear, but made their neck stiff and did worse than their ancestors. You’ll speak all these words to them; but they won’t listen to you; You’ll also call to them; but they won’t answer you. You’ll tell them, this is the nation that hasn’t listened to the voice of Yahweh their God, nor learned anything; truth is dead, and is gone from their mouth.
[29-34] Destroy your hair, Jerusalem, and throw it away, and mourn up on the bare heights; for Yahweh is very angry and has rejected and left the people. For the people of Judah (southern Israel) have done what is evil in My sight,” says Yahweh; they’ve set their false gods in the house which is called by My Name, to ruin it. They’ve built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of son of Hinnom, to burn their children in the fire; which I didn’t tell them to do, nor did it come into My mind. So, see, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that it won’t be called Topheth anymore, nor The valley of son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter, because they’ll bury in Topheth, until there’s no place to bury. The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of heaven and for the animals of the earth; and no one will scare them away. Then I’ll cause to come to an end the sound of joy and the voice of happiness, the voices of the bridegroom and the bride from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem; for the land will become a waste.
8[1-3] “At that time,” says Yahweh, “They’ll bring out the bones of the rulers of Judah (southern Israel), and the bones of the royalty, and the bones of the preachers, and the bones of the teachers, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem, out of their graves; and they’ll spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the stars of heaven, which they’ve loved and served, and after which they’ve followed, and from which they’ve sought answers, and which they’ve worshiped. They won’t be gathered, nor buried, but they’ll be waste on the surface of the earth. Death will be chosen rather than life by all the rest that are left of this evil family, that are left in all the places where I’ve driven them,” says Yahweh, God of All Creation.
[4-7] “Besides this, tell them, Yahweh says, “Will people fall, and not rise up again? Will one turn away, and not go back? So why is this people of Jerusalem backslidden by continual unfaithfulness? They believe lies and refuse to turn back. I listened and heard, but they didn’t speak what’s right. No one turns from their evil ways, saying, “‘What have I done? ‘ Everyone walks straight down the path of sin, as a horse that rushes headlong into battle. Yes, the stork in heaven knows her set times; and the dove, swallow, and crane know when to come; but My people don’t know Yahweh God’s law.”
[8-12] “How can you say, ‘We’re wise, and the law of Yahweh is with us?’ See, the pen of the writers has written falsely. The wise are disappointed, troubled, and taken. They’ve rejected the Word of Yahweh God; and what way of wisdom is in them? So I’ll give their wives to others, and their fields to those who take them. Everyone from the least to the greatest is greedy; from the preacher to the teacher, everyone acts falsely. They’ve hardly healed the hurt of the daughters of My people, saying, “‘Peace, peace;’ when there’s no peace. Were they ashamed when they had been unfaithful? No, they weren’t at all ashamed, nor could they even blush, so they’ll fall among those who fall; They’ll be thrown down when they are punished,” says Yahweh.
[13-16] “I’ll completely destroy them,” says Yahweh. “There won’t be any grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf will fade; and the things that I’ve given them will be taken from them.” Why do we sit still? Gather yourselves, and let’s go into the strong cities, and be silent there; for Yahweh our God has put us to silence, and given us troubled water to drink, because we’ve sinned against Yahweh. We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and see, more trouble! The snorting of horses is heard from Dan; the whole land shakes at the sound of the neighing of the strong ones; for they’ve come, and eaten up the land and all that is in it; the city and those who live in it.
[17-22] “See, I’ll send snakes and vipers among you, which won’t be charmed; and they’ll bite you,” says Yahweh. Oh that I could comfort myself against this sorrow! My heart is faint within me. Hear the voice of the cry of the daughters of my people from a land that is very far away. Isn’t Yahweh in Zion (Jerusalem)? Isn’t its Ruler in it? Why have they made me angry with their false gods and foreign ways? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we’re not saved. I hurt for the suffering of the daughters of my people! I mourn and am greatly troubled. Is there no salve in Gilead (Jordan)? Is there no doctor there? Why haven’t the daughters of my people gotten well then?
9[1-6] My head is full of water, and I pour out tears! I cry day and night for those killed of the daughters of my people! Oh that I had a place to stay in the deserted countryside; that I could leave my people, and go from them! For they’re all unfaithful people; a gathering of unfaithful people. They bend their tongue, as it were their bow, to tell lies; and they’ve grown strong in the land, but not for truth. “They go from evil to evil, and they don’t know Me,” says Yahweh. “Pay attention everyone to your neighbor, and don’t trust any family member; for everyone will completely displace the other, and every neighbor will go about telling lies. Everyone will lie to their neighbor, and won’t speak the truth. They’ve taught their tongue to tell lies; they tire themselves out sinning. Your home is in the place of lies; through lies they refuse to know Me,” says Yahweh.
[7-10] So Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “See, I’ll melt them, and try them; for what else can I do for of the daughters of My people? Their tongue is like a deadly arrow; it speaks lies. One speaks peaceably to a neighbor with their mouth, but in their heart they want to kill them. Won’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh; “Won’t My soul be avenged on such a nation as this? I’ll cry for the mountains, and mourn for the pastures of the deserted countryside, because they’re burned up, so that no one passes through; nor can anyone listen to the sound of livestock; both the birds of heaven and the animals have run away, they’re all gone.
[11-16] I’ll make Jerusalem a ruin, a place of wild dogs; and I’ll make the cities of Judah (southern Israel) a ruin, without people. Who is wise that may understand this? and who is the one to whom the mouth of Yahweh has spoken to tell it? Why is the land dead and burned up like a deserted countryside, so that no one passes through it?” Yahweh says, “Because they’ve left My law which I set in front of them, and haven’t obeyed My voice, nor walked in it, but have followed the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the false Baal gods, which their ancestors taught them;” So Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll feed them, even this people, with poisonous plants, and give them troubled water to drink. I’ll scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their ancestors have known; and I’ll send war after them, until I’ve destroyed them.”
[17-21] Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “Consider and call for the mourning women that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come; and tell them to come quickly, and mourn for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with water. For a voice of crying is heard out of Zion (Jerusalem), ‘How we’re ruined! We’re greatly confused, because we’ve left the land, because they’ve throw down our homes.’ Yet listen to the word of Yahweh, you women, and let your ear hear God’s word; and teach your daughters to cry, and everyone her neighbor to mourn. For death is come up into our windows, and gone into our great houses; to destroy the children from outside, and the youth from the streets.”
[22-26] “Speak,” Yahweh says, “The dead bodies of men will fall as waste on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester; and none will gather them.” Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise glory in wisdom, nor let the strong glory in strength, don’t let the rich glory in riches; but let the one who glories glory in this, that they understand and know Me, that I Am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and goodness, in the earth. I am pleased with these things,” says Yahweh. “See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, “That I’ll punish all those who are cut in the flesh but aren’t cut in their heart. Egypt, and Judah (southern Israel), and Edom (Jordan, Arab Nations), and the people of Ammon (Transjordan), and Moab (Jordan), and all that have the edges of their hair cut, who live in the deserted countryside; for all the nations are unfaithful, and all the people of Israel are unfaithful in heart.”
10[1-6] Listen to the word which Yahweh says to you, people of Israel! Yahweh says, “Don’t learn the ways of the nations, and don’t worry about the signs of heaven; for the nations are troubled by them. For the customs of the peoples are meaningless; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of hands swinging an axe. They decorate it with silver and gold; and fasten it with nails and hammers, so that it won’t fall. They’re like a palm tree of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, or they can’t move. Don’t be scared of them; for they can’t do evil, nor is it in them to do good.” There’s none like You, Yahweh; You’re great, and Your name is so powerful!
[7-13] Who shouldn’t fear you, O Ruler of the nations? It concerns you; because among all the wise ones of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there’s none like You. But they’re all together violent and stupid, the teachings of false worship! It’s nothing but a piece of wood. There’s silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artist and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they’re all the work of skillful artists. But Yahweh is the true God; who is the living God, and an everlasting Ruler! At God’s rage the earth shakes, and the nations aren’t able to handle Yahweh’s righteous anger. Say to them, the gods that haven’t made the heavens and the earth will die out from the earth, and from under the heavens. But God, whose power has made the earth, established the world by wisdom and understanding, and has stretched out the heavens. When God speaks, there’s an uproar of waters in the heavens, and the vapors go up from the ends of the earth; God makes the lightning in the rain, and brings the wind out of the treasuries of heaven.
[14-20] Everyone has become violent and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is disappointed by the false gods they make; for their metal images are false gods, and there’s no breath in them. They’re meaningless, a work of superstition! When they’re punished they’ll die. The portion of Jacob isn’t like these; who is the beginning of all things; and Israel is the inheritance of its God, whose name is Yahweh, God of All Creation. Gather up your wares out of the land, you who live in the siege. For Yahweh says, “See, I’ll throw out the people of the land at this time, and will trouble them, that they may feel it. I’m sorry for my hurt! My wound is serious, but I said, “Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it. My tent is destroyed, and all my ropes are broken. My children are gone from me, and they’re no more; There’s none to make my home for any more, and to set up my curtains.
[21-25] For the overseers have become violent, and haven’t asked of Yahweh, so they haven’t done well, and all their people are scattered. The voice of news, see, it comes, and a great commotion out of the North country, to make the cities of Judah (southern Israel) a ruin, a place of wild dogs. Yahweh, I know that the way of humanity isn’t found in ourselves; it’s not in us who walk to direct our steps. Yahweh, correct me, but in measure; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Pour out your rage on the nations that don’t know You, and on the families that don’t call on Your Name; for they’ve destroyed Jacob, yes, they’ve eaten him up and destroyed him, and have destroyed his home.
11[1-5] This is the word that Yahweh told to Jeremiah, saying, “Listen the words of this promised agreement, and speak to the people of Judah (southern Israel), and to the people of Jerusalem; and say to them, ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘The one who doesn’t listen to the words of this promised agreement will be punished. I told your ancestors in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Listen to Me, and do what I say; obey everything I tell you, so you’ll be My people, and I’ll be your God; that I may keep the promise which I made to your ancestors, to give them a land full of milk and honey, as it is today.” Then I answered and said, “So be it, Yahweh.”
[6-10] Then Yahweh said to me, “Speak all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Listen to the words of this promised agreement, and do them. For I sincerely told your ancestors in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to today, rising early and telling them, saying, ‘Listen to Me.’ Yet they didn’t obey, nor listen, but everyone followed their stubborn, evil heart; so I punished them just like I said I would in our promised agreement, which I told them to keep, but they didn’t do it.” Yahweh said to me, “An evil plan has been made between the people of Judah, and the people of Jerusalem. They’ve turned back to the sins of their ancestors, who refused to listen to My words; and they’ve gone after false gods to serve them; yes, the people of Israel and the people of Judah have broken My promised agreement which I made with their ancestors.”
[11-14] So Yahweh says, “See, I’ll bring evil on them, which they won’t be able to escape; and they’ll cry to Me, but I won’t listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense; but they won’t save them when they’re in trouble at all. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah; and you’ve set up altars to the shameful things in all the streets of Jerusalem, even altars to burn incense to that false god Baal. So don’t ask Me to help this people, nor cry, or pray for them; for I won’t listen to them when they cry to Me because of their trouble.
[15-17] What have those I love to do in My house, seeing they’ve been unfaithful with others, and the holiness is gone from you? You’re happy when you do evil. I, Yahweh called your name, ‘A green olive tree,’ beautiful with good fruit; with the noise of thunder I’ve burned it, and its branches are broken. I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who planted you, have spoken evil against you, because of the evil of the people of Israel and of Judah, which they’ve done to make Me angry by offering incense to that false god Baal.”
[18-23] Yahweh, You gave me this knowledge, and I knew it, then You showed me what they do. But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I didn’t know that they had made plans against me, saying, ‘Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, and let’s cut him off from the land of the living, that his name will be forgotten.’ But, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I’ll see You punish them because I’ve told You my case. So I, Yahweh, say about the people of Anathoth, who want to kill you, who say, ‘You won’t preach in the name of Yahweh, that you not die by our hand;’ so I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation say, “See, I’ll punish them; the youth will die by war; their children will die from hunger; and there won’t be any left to them. I’ll bring evil on the people of Anathoth, even in the year of their punishment.”
12[1-4] Righteous are You, Yahweh, when I challenge you; yet I’ll reason the case with you. Why do those who are evil do well? Why are they all at ease who act so unfaithfully? You’ve planted them, yes, they’ve taken root; they grow, yes, they make fruit; They even speak Your Word, but their hearts are far from You. But You, Yahweh, know me; you see me, and try my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and get them ready for the day of slaughter. How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? The animals and the birds are destroyed for the evil of those who live in it; because they said, “‘God won’t see our last days.’
[5-9] “If you’ve run with the runners, and they’ve tired you out, then how can you run with horses? And though you’re safe in a land of peace, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan? For even your family members, and the people of your ancestors, even they’ve acted unfaithfully to you; even they’ve shouted after you. Don’t believe them, even though they speak agreeable words to you. I’ve left My house, I’ve thrown off My heritage; I’ve given those who I loved dearly into the hand of their enemies. My heritage has become to Me as a lion in the forest; that has raised its voice against Me; so I’ve hated it. Is My heritage as a speckled bird of prey to Me? Have the birds of prey surrounded it? Go, assemble all the animals of the field, and bring them to eat.”
[10-13] Many overseers have destroyed My garden, they’ve stomped My place under foot, they’ve made My beautiful land a deserted countryside. They’ve made it a ruin; it mourns to Me, being unhappy; the whole land is empty, because no one cares. Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the deserted countryside; for the war of Yahweh eats up from one end of the land to the other and no one has peace. They’ve planted wheat, and have gathered thorns; they’ve gone to a lot of trouble, and have nothing to show for it. You’ll be ashamed of your fruits, because of the great anger of Yahweh.
[14-17] Yahweh says against all the evil nations who are Israel’s neighbors, who touch the land which I’ve caused My people to inherit, “See, I’ll pull them up from off their land, and will root out the people of Judah (southern Israel) from among them, and after I’ve plucked them up, I’ll go back and forgive them; and I’ll bring them again, everyone to their heritage, and everyone to their land. If they carefully learn the ways of My people, to promise by My Name, As Yahweh lives; even as they taught My people to promise by that false god Baal; then they’ll be built up along with My people. But if they won’t listen to, then I’ll root out that nation, plucking it up and destroying it,” says Yahweh.
13[1-7] Then Yahweh said to me, “Go and buy a linen belt, and put it on your waist, and don’t put it in water.” So I bought a belt like Yahweh said, “and put it on my waist. Then the word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “Take the belt that you’ve bought, which is on your waist, and go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.” So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as Yahweh told me. After many days, Yahweh said to me, “Get up and go to the Euphrates, and take the belt from there, which I told you to hide there.” Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where I had hid it; and see, the belt was ruined, and good for nothing.
[8-11] Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Yahweh says, In this way I’ll ruin the pride of Judah (southern Israel), and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow their stubborn hearts, and are gone after false gods to serve and worship them, will even be as this belt, which is good for nothing. For as the belt hangs on the waist of someone, so I’ve caused to hang on to Me the whole people of Israel and the whole people of Judah,” says Yahweh; that they may be to Me for a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they wouldn’t listen.
[12-16] So tell them this word, Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, “Every bottle will be filled with wine; and they’ll tell you, ‘Don’t we know that every bottle will be filled with wine?’ Then tell them, Yahweh says, ‘See, I’ll fill all the people of this land, even the rulers who sit on David’s throne, and the preachers and the teachers, and all the people of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. I’ll turn them against one another, even the fathers and sons together,” says Yahweh. “I won’t pity, nor spare, nor have any compassion on them, that I wouldn’t destroy them.” Listen and hear; don’t be proud; for Yahweh has spoken. Give glory to Yahweh your God, who will cause darkness to come, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you look for light, God will turn it into the shadow of death, and make it very dark.
[17-21] “But if you won’t listen to it, my soul will cry in secret for your pride; and I’ll cry till I pour out tears, because Yahweh’s people are taken prisoner. Say to the ruler and to the queen mother, ‘Humble yourselves, sit down; for your crowns are fallen, even the crown of your glory.’ The cities of the South are shut up, and there’s no one to open them; Judah is carried away prisoner; it’s all carried away prisoner. Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north, where are the people that were given you, your beautiful people? What will you say, when God sets over you as head those whom you’ve taught to be friends to you? Won’t you be sorry, as of a woman giving birth?
[22-27] If you say in your heart, ‘Why are these things happening to me?’ You’re being punished for the greatness of your sins, and you suffer. Can an Ethiopian change the color of their skin, or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to doing evil? So I’ll scatter them, as the stubble that blows away by the wind of the deserted countryside. This is your punishment that I have given you,” says Yahweh; “because you’ve forgotten me and trusted in lies. So I’ll also uncover your sins and your shame will cover your face. I’ve seen your horrible sins, even your unfaithfulness, and your complaining, the filthiness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Sorrow will come to you, Jerusalem! You won’t be made clean; how long will it yet be?”
14[1-7] This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah about the drought. “Judah (southern Israel) mourns, and its people are suffering; they sit in black on the ground; and Jerusalem cries. Their leaders send their children to the waters; they come to the wells, but find no water; they go back with their pots empty; they’re disappointed and confused, and cover their heads. Because the ground is cracked, and no rain has fallen in the land, the farmers are disappointed, and cover their heads. Yes, the deer also in the field calves, and forsakes her young, because there’s no grass. The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights, they pant for air like wild dogs; their eyes fail, because there’s no plants for them to eat.” Though our sins testify against us, do what You do for Your name’s sake, Yahweh; for our unfaithfulness is great and we’ve sinned against you.
[8-12] You, the hope of Israel, the Savior, when we’re in trouble, why should You be as a foreigner in the land, and as a wanderer who turns in only to stay for a night? Why should you be like one who is shocked, as a strong person who can’t save anyone? Yet You, Yahweh, are with us, and we’re called by Your Name; don’t leave us. Yahweh says to this people, “Even as they love to wander; they haven’t stopped,” so Yahweh doesn’t accept them; now God will remember their sin, and punish them. Yahweh said to me, “Don’t pray for this people for their good. When they fast, I won’t listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offerings and meal offerings, I won’t accept them; but I’ll destroy them by war, hunger, and disease.”
[13-16] Then I said, “Ah, Yahweh God! See, the preachers tell them, ‘You won’t see war, nor will you go hungry; but I’ll give you assured peace in this place.’” Then Yahweh said to me, “The preachers preach lies in My Name; I didn’t send them, nor have I told them, or spoke to them. They preach to you a false vision, and tell you things that will come to nothing, and the lies of their own heart.” So Yahweh says about the preachers ‘who preach in My Name, and I didn’t send them,’ yet they say, ‘War and hunger won’t come to this land;’ “By war and hunger, those preachers will be destroyed. The people to whom they preach will be thrown out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the hunger and war; and they’ll have no one to bury them, neither them, nor their wives, nor their children, for I’ll pour their own evil out on them.”
[17-22] Say this word to them, “I cry tears night and day, and never stop; for the young girls of My people are heartbroken with a great violation, with a very serious wound.” If I go out into the field, then, I see those killed by war! and if I go into the city, then I see those who are sick with hunger! Both the preacher and the teacher go through the land, and have no knowledge. Have you completely rejected Judah? Has your soul hated Zion (Jerusalem)? Why have you punished us, and not healed us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and have nothing but trouble! We admit, Yahweh, our evil, and the sin of our ancestors; for we’ve sinned against you. Don’t hate us, for Your Name’s sake; don’t disgrace the throne of Your glory; remember us and don’t break your promised agreement with us. Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can cause rain? or can heaven itself give showers? Aren’t You Yahweh our God? So we’ll wait for You; for You’ve made all these things.
15[1-4] Then said Yahweh to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet My mind wouldn’t turn toward this people. Throw them out of My sight, and let them go. When they ask you, ‘Where will we go?’ then tell them, Yahweh says, ‘Those who are for death, to death; and those who are for war, to war; and those who are for hunger, to hunger; and those who are for prison, to prison.’ Yahweh says, “I’ll set over them four kinds of trouble: war to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of heaven, and the animals of the earth, to eat up and destroy. I’ll cause them to be sent back and out among all the nations of the earth, because of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), for what he did in Jerusalem.”
[5-9] “For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? or who will cry for you? or who will turn aside to ask how you are? You’ve turned from me,” says Yahweh, and have gone backward. So I’ll judge you, and destroy you; I am tired of changing My mind. I’ve separated them like grain with a fan in the gates of the land; I’ve taken their children, I’ve destroyed My people because they didn’t change their ways. Their surviving spouses have grown more than the sand of the seas; I’ve brought on them a destroyer at noonday against the mother of the young. I’ve caused suffering and fear to fall on her suddenly. She who has borne seven has given up the spirit; her sun is gone down while it was yet day; she has been disappointed and confused and the rest of them I’ll give to war before their enemies,” says Yahweh.
[10-14] I’m sorry, my mother, that you’ve borne me a person of trouble and conflict to the whole world! I haven’t lent, nor has anyone lent to me; yet all of them curse me. Yahweh said, “Without a doubt, I’ll strengthen you for good; without a doubt, I’ll cause the enemy to beg of you when evil and trouble comes. Can someone break iron, even iron from the north, and brass? I’ll give everything you own to others without payment, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders. I’ll make them to go with your enemies into a land which you don’t know; for a fire is started in My anger, which will burn you.”
[15-21] Yahweh, You know; remember me, and visit me, and punish those who abused me; don’t take me away in Your longsuffering. Know that for Your sake I’ve suffered blame. Your words were found, and I read them greedily; My heart celebrated over Your words! I am called by Your Name, Yahweh, God of All Creation. I didn’t sit with those who party, nor celebrated; I sat alone because of Your hand; for You’ve filled me with righteous anger. Why is my pain unending, and why won’t my wound heal, which won’t get well? Will You really be to me as an untrustworthy brook, as waters that fail? So Yahweh says, “If you go back, then I’ll bring you again, that you may stand before Me; and if you take the precious away from the evil, You’ll be as My mouth. They’ll come back to you, but You won’t go back to them. I’ll make you to this people a strong brass wall; and they’ll fight against you, but they won’t win over you; for I Am with you to save you and free you,” says Yahweh. “I’ll free you out of the hand of the evil, and I’ll save you out of the hand of the horrible.”
16[1-4] The word of Yahweh came also to me, saying, “You won’t get married, nor have children in this place. For Yahweh says about the children who are born in this place, and about their mothers who had them, and about their fathers who became the father of them in this land. They’ll die serious deaths; they won’t be mourned, nor will they’re buried; they’ll be as waste on the face of the earth; and they’ll be destroyed by war and hunger; and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of heaven, and for the animals of the earth.”
[5-8] For Yahweh says, “Don’t go into the house of people who are mourning, nor go to mourn with them, nor cry for them; for I’ve taken away My peace from this people,” says Yahweh, even all My loving kindness and tender mercies. Both old and young will die in this land; they won’t be buried, nor will anyone mourn for them, nor cut themselves, nor shave their heads for them; nor will anyone bring food for those in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; nor will anyone give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or mother. And don’t go into the house of people who are celebrating to sit with them, to eat and drink.”
[9-13] For Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll cause to come to an end out of this place, before your eyes and in your days, the sound of joy and the voice of happiness, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride. When you show this people all these words, and they ask you, ‘Why has Yahweh called for all this great evil against us? or what is our sin? or what is our sin that we’ve done against Yahweh our God?’ Tell them, ‘Because your ancestors have left Me,’ says Yahweh, ‘and have followed false gods and served them, and have worshiped them and left Me, and haven’t kept My law; and you’ve done more evil than your ancestors; see, every one of you walk after your stubborn, evil heart, so that you don’t listen to Me; so I’ll throw you out of this land into the land that you don’t know, neither you, nor your ancestors; and there you’ll serve false gods day and night; and I’ll show you no favor.’”
[14-17] “So see, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, “That it won’t be said, “‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt;’ but, ‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up the people of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the countries where they were driven.’ I’ll bring them again into their own land that I gave to their ancestors. See, I’ll send for many fishermen,” says Yahweh, “and they’ll fish them up; and afterward I’ll send for many hunters, and they’ll hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. For I see all their ways; they’re not hidden from My face, nor is their sin hidden from Me.”
[18-21] “First I’ll pay back their sin and wrongdoing double, because they’ve polluted My land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled My inheritance with their stinking wastes.” Yahweh, my strength, my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of judgment, to You the nations will come from the ends of the earth, and will say, ‘Our ancestors have inherited nothing but lies, even meaningless things that are no good.’ Will someone make a god, which is no god at all? So see, I’ll cause them to know; this once I’ll cause them to know My power and My strength; and they’ll know that My Name is Yahweh.”
17[1-4] “The sin of Judah (southern Israel) is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond; it’s engraved on the their stony hearts, and on the horns of your altars; while their children remember their altars and their Asherim (groves for worship of Babylonian Astarte-Canaanite goddess of fortune and happiness), by the green trees on the high hills. On My mountain in the field, I’ll give everything you own, even all your wealth to those who come to take it, and on your high places, because of the sin in all your land. You, even of yourself, will leave from your heritage that I gave you; and I’ll let you serve your enemies in the land which you don’t know because you’ve started a fire in My anger which will burn forever.”
[5-8] Yahweh says, “Cursed are those who trust in human beings, and make them their strength, and whose hearts leave from Yahweh. They’ll be like the heath in the desert, and won’t see when good comes, but will live in the parched places in the deserted countryside, a salt land without people. Happy are those who trust in Yahweh, and whose trust is Yahweh. You’ll be like a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and won’t fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green; and won’t be careful in the year of drought, nor come to an end of making fruit.”
[9-12] “The heart is more untrustworthy than anything, and it’s very evil; Who can understand it? I, Yahweh, search the mind, I test the heart, to give everyone according to their ways, according to what they do.” As the partridge that sits on eggs which she hasn’t laid, so is the one who gets riches, and not by right; they’ll leave them in the middle of their days, and at the end they’ll be a stupid fool. A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning, is the place of our worship.
[13-18] Yahweh, the hope of Israel, all who stop worshiping You will be disappointed. Those who leave from me will be written in the earth, because they’ve left Yahweh, the creek of living waters. Heal me, O Yahweh, and I’ll be healed; save me, and I’ll be saved; You’re my praise! See, they ask me, ‘Where is the word of Yahweh? Let it come now.’ As for me, I haven’t run from being a pastor following after You; nor did I want the day of disaster to come on them; You know what came from my lips, which was said right in front of You. Don’t make me scared because I have no one but You in the day of evil. Let those who abuse me be disappointed, but don’t let me be disappointed; let them be troubled, but don’t let me be troubled; punish them in the day of evil, and destroy them with double the destruction they intended for me.
[19-23] Then Yahweh said this to me, “Go, and stand in the gate of the people, through which the rulers of Judah come in and go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; and tell them, ‘Listen to the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Judah, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, that go in by these gates; Yahweh says, “Pay attention to yourselves, and don’t carry anything on the Seventh day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry anything out of your houses on the Seventh day, which is holy, nor do any work, but respect the Seventh day, as I told your ancestors. But they didn’t listen, nor hear, but became stubborn, that they wouldn’t listen and learn.’”
[24-27] “If you carefully listen to Me,” says Yahweh, “To carry nothing through the gates of this city on the Seventh day, but make the Seventh day holy, and do not work in it; then there will go in by the gates of this city rulers and royalty sitting on the throne of David, riding in war vehicles and on horses, they, and their royalty, the people of Judah (southern Israel), and the people of Jerusalem; and this city will stay forever. They’ll come from the cities of Judah, and from the places round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, meal offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, to the people of Yahweh. But if you won’t listen to Me to make the Seventh day holy, and not work and go in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Seventh day; then I’ll start a fire in its gates, and it will eat up the great houses of Jerusalem, and it won’t be put out.”
18[1-4] This is the word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Get up, and go down to the potter’s house, and I’ll let you hear My words there.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and saw that he was making a pot on the wheels. When the pot that he made of the clay was messed up in the potter’s hand, he made it again into another pot, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
[5-10] Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “People of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter?” says Yahweh. “See, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, people of Israel. When I speak about a nation, and about a people, to root out and to break down and to destroy it; if that nation, about which I’ve spoken, turns from their evil, I won’t do what I had planned to do to them. When I speak about a nation, and about a people, to build up and to plant it; if they do what I say is evil, and don’t listen to Me, then I won’t do the good things that I said I’d do for them.
[11-12] So speak to the people of Judah (southern Israel), and to the people of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “See, I am sending evil against you, and am making a plan against you; so everyone turn from your evil way, and change what you’re doing.’ But they say, ‘It’s for nothing; we’ll do whatever we want to do, and we’ll follow our stubborn, evil hearts.’”
[13-18] So Yahweh says, “Ask now among the nations, who has heard of such things; the cities of Israel have done a very horrible thing. Will the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? or will the cold waters that flow down from far away be dried up? For My people have forgotten me, they’ve burned incense to their false gods; and they’ve stumbled in their ways, leaving the well-worn roads, to walk in grown up paths, in a way not built up; to make their land a shock to others, and a continual mockery; everyone who passes by will be shocked, and shake their head. I’ll scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I’ll turn My back on them, and not show them My face, in the day of disaster.” Then they said, “Come, and let’s make a plan against Jeremiah; for the law won’t die from the teacher, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the preacher. Come, and let’s use his words against him, and let’s not pay any attention to his words.”
[19-23] Pay attention to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who challenge me. Will they pay me back evil for my good? They’ve made a trap for my soul. Remember how I stood before You to speak good for them, to turn away Your punishment from them. So give up their children to hunger, and give them over to the war; and let their wives become childless, and surviving spouses; and let their men be killed, and their youth be wounded in battle. Let a cry be heard from their houses, when You bring a troop suddenly on them; for they’ve made a trap to catch me, and hid traps for my feet. Yet, Yahweh, You know all their plans against me to kill me; don’t forgive their sin, nor blot out their sin from Your sight; but let them be overthrown before You; do this to them when you punish them in Your anger.
19[1-5] So Yahweh said, “Go and buy a potter’s earthen jar, and take some of the elders of the people, and some of the elders of the preachers; and go out to the valley of Hinnom (southwest Jerusalem), which is by the entry of the Potsherd (Harsith) gate, and tell the words that I’ll tell you to say there. Say, ‘Listen the word of Yahweh, rulers of Judah (southern Israel), and people of Jerusalem. Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll bring evil on this place, which whoever hears, their ears will tingle.” Because they’ve left Me, and have treated this place as strange, and have burned incense in it to false gods that they didn’t know, they and their ancestors and the rulers of Judah; and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built places of worship for that false god Baal, to sacrifice their children in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal; which I didn’t tell them to do, nor said it, nor did it come into My mind.”
[6-9] So see, “The days are coming,” says Yahweh, “That this place won’t be called Topheth anymore, nor the Valley of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. I’ll make the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem void in this place; and I’ll cause them to fall by war before their enemies, and by the hand of those who want to take their life; and their dead bodies I’ll give to be food for the birds of heaven, and for the animals of the earth. I’ll make this city a shock to others, and a mockery; everyone who passes by will be shocked and mock it because of all its troubles. I’ll cause them to eat their own children; and they’ll eat their friends also, in the trouble of the siege, with which their enemies, and those who take their lives, will bring on them.”
[10-13] Then break the bottle in the sight of the people who go with you, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Even so, I’ll break this people and this city, as one breaks a piece of pottery, so that it can’t be made whole again; and they’ll bury in Topheth, until there’s no place left to bury them.” Yahweh says, “I’ll do this here, and to its people, even making this city as Topheth; and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the rulers of Judah, which have made it unfit, will be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses on whose roofs they’ve burned incense to all the stars of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings to all their false gods.”
[14-15] Then came Jeremiah from Topheth, where Yahweh had sent him to preach; and he stood in the court of Yahweh’s house, and said to all the people; “Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, ‘See, I’ll bring on this city and on all its towns all the evil that I’ve spoken against it; because they’ve become stubborn, so that they won’t listen to My words.’”
20[1-6] Now Pashhur, son of Immer the teacher, who was chief officer in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, heard Jeremiah preaching these things. Then Pashhur hit Jeremiah the preacher, and locked him up in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. On the next day, Pashhur unlocked Jeremiah. Then Jeremiah said to him, “ Yahweh hasn’t called your name Pashhur, but Magormissabib (Man of Terror).” For Yahweh says, “See, I’ll make you a terror to yourself, and to all your friends; and they’ll fall by war from their enemies, and your eyes will see it; and I’ll give all Judah (southern Israel) into the hand of the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), who will carry them prisoner to Babylon, and will kill them with war. Besides I’ll give all the wealth of this city, and every precious thing it has, yes, all the treasures of the rulers of Judah I’ll give to their enemies; and they’ll make them a prey, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. You, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into prison; and you’ll come to Babylon, and there you’ll die, and be buried, you, and all your friends, to whom you’ve spoke falsely.”
[7-10] Yahweh, you’ve persuaded me, and I was persuaded; You’re stronger than I, and have overcome me; I am become a laughing-stock all day long, everyone mocks me. For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, “Violence and destruction!” because the word of Yahweh is blamed and mocked all day long to me. If I say, ‘I won’t talk of God, nor speak any more in God’s Name, then there’s a burning fire in my heart as if it were shut up in my bones, and I am tired of waiting, and I can’t hold it in. For I’ve heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. ‘Blame him, and we’ll blame him,’ say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; ‘maybe he’ll be persuaded, and we’ll overcome him, and we’ll take our revenge on him.’”
[11-13] But Yahweh is with me as an Awesome Strong One, so my persecutors will stumble, and they won’t overcome me; they’ll be completely disappointed, because they won’t act wisely, even with a dishonor which will never be forgotten. But, Yahweh, God of All Creation, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see Your judgment on them; for I showed my case to You. Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh; who has freed the soul of the poor from the hand of wrongdoers.
[14-18] Cursed be the day I was born! Don’t let the day in which my mother had me be blessed. Cursed be the one who brought news to my father, saying, “A boy is born to you; making him very glad. Let that one be as the cities which Yahweh overthrew, Whose mind didn’t change; and let them listen to a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime; because they didn’t kill me in the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great. Why did I come out of the womb only to see hard work and sorrow, that my days should be filled with shame?
21[1-2] The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when the ruler Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, the teacher, saying, “Please ask Yahweh for us; for Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), makes war against us. Maybe Yahweh will do a wonderful thing for us, and make him go away from us.”
[3-6] Then Jeremiah said to them, “Tell Zedekiah this; ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the ruler of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans (Iraq) who besiege you, outside the walls; and I’ll gather them into the middle of this city. I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and rage, and in great indignation. I’ll hit the people of this city, both humans and animals and they’ll all die of a terrible disease.’”
[7-10] Yahweh says, “Afterward, I’ll free Zedekiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), and his workers, and the people, all those that are left in this city from disease, war, and hunger, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who want to take their life and they’ll make war with them and won’t spare them, nor have pity or mercy. Say to these people, ‘Yahweh says, “See, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Those who stay in this city will die by war, hunger, and disease; but those who go out, and go over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, will live, and their lives will be given to them. For I’ve set My face on this city for evil, and not for good,” says Yahweh; “it will be given into control of the ruler of Babylon, who will burn it with fire.”
[11-14] As for the people of the ruler of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh. People of David, Yahweh says, “Do what’s right in the morning, and free those who are hurt out of the hand of their abuser, or My rage will go out like fire and burn so that no one can put it out, because of the evil that you do. See, I am against you, O people of the valley, and of the rock of the plain,” says Yahweh; “You that say, ‘Who will come down against us? or who will come into our homes?’ I’ll punish you according to what you do,” says Yahweh; “and I’ll start a fire in your forest, and it will burn up all that is around it.”
22[1-5] Then Yahweh said this, “Go down to the people of the ruler of Judah (southern Israel), and speak this word, saying, ‘Listen to the word of Yahweh, ruler of Judah, who sits on the throne of David, you, your workers, and your people who go in by these gates. Yahweh says, “Do what’s right and good, and free those who are hurt out of the hand of the abuser, and do no wrong; do no violence, to the foreigner, those without a parent, nor the death survivor; nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if you do what I tell you, then there will go in by the gates of this house rulers sitting on the throne of David, riding in war vehicles and on horses, yes, both the ruler and the workers, and all the people. But if you won’t listen to these words, I promise by Myself,” says Yahweh, “That this people will come to ruin.”
[6-10] For Yahweh says about the people of the ruler of Judah; “You’re Gilead (Jordan) to Me, and the head of Lebanon; yet surely I’ll make you a deserted countryside, and your cities will have no people. I’ll send destroyers against you, with their weapons; and they’ll cut down your choice cedars, and throw them into the fire. Many nations will pass by this city, and they’ll say to their neighbors, ‘Why has Yahweh done this to this great city?’ Then they’ll answer, ‘Because they didn’t keep the promised agreement with Yahweh their God, and worshiped false gods, and served them.’ Don’t cry for the dead, nor feel sorry for them; but cry for those who go away; and won’t come back any more, nor see their native country.”
[11-17] For Yahweh says, “As for Willum, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah, who reigned in the place of Josiah his father, and who went out of this place, he won’t go back there anymore. But he’ll die in the place where they led him prisoner, and he won’t see this land any more. Sorrow will come to those who build their house by wrongdoing, and fill their rooms by injustice; who use their neighbor’s service without wages, and don’t pay them; who say, ‘I’ll build me a big house with large rooms, and picture windows; and it’s ceiling with cedar, and painted with red paint.’ Do you think you’ll rule, because you try to house yourself in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do what’s right and good? So it was well with him. He judged the cases of the poor and needy and it was well. Wasn’t this to know Me?” says Yahweh. “But your eyes and heart are only for your greed, shedding innocent blood, abuse, and violence.”
[18-22] So Yahweh says about Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah; “They won’t mourn for him, saying, ‘Oh my brother!’ or, ‘Oh sister!’ They won’t mourn for him, saying ‘Oh ruler!’ or, ‘Oh his glory!’ He’ll be buried with the burial of a donkey, drawn and thrown out of the gates of Jerusalem. Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and cry out in Bashan (Jordan), and cry from Abarim; for all your lovers are destroyed. I spoke to you when you were doing well; but you said, ‘I won’t listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you didn’t listen to Me. The wind will feed all your overseers, and your lovers will go into prison, so then you’ll be ashamed and confused for all your evil ways.
[23-28] People of Lebanon, who make your home in the cedars, you’ll be greatly pitied when pangs of childbirth come on you, as a woman giving birth! As I live,’ says Yahweh, ‘though Coniah, son of Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, were the signet on My strong hand, yet I’d pluck you from there; and I’ll give you to those who want to kill you, and to those of whom you’re scared, even into the control of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, and into the power of the Chaldeans (Iraq). I’ll throw you and your mother who bore you out into another country, where you weren’t born; and there you’ll die.” But they won’t go back to the land where their soul longs to go back. Is this man Coniah a useless broken pot? Is he a pot in which no one enjoys? why are they thrown out, he and his descendants, and are thrown into a land which they don’t know?
[29-30] O earth, earth, earth, listen to the word of Yahweh. Yahweh says, “Record this man as childless, someone who won’t do well in all his days; for never again will one of his descendants do well, and sit on the throne of David, and ruling in Judah.”
23[1-4] “Sorrow will come to the overseers who destroy and scatter My people, who are the sheep of My pasture!” says Yahweh. So Yahweh, the God of Israel says against the overseers who are supposed to take care of my people; “You’ve scattered My flock, and driven them away, and haven’t visited them; so I’ll visit on you all the evil that you do,” says Yahweh. “I’ll gather what’s left of My people out of all the countries where I’ve driven them, and will bring them to their homes again; and they’ll have many children. I’ll set overseers over them, who will take care of them; and they won’t be scared any more, nor be troubled, nor will any of them be missing,” says Yahweh.
[5-8] See, “The days are coming,” says Yahweh, “That I’ll raise to David a True Branch, who will reign as Ruler and act very wisely, and will do what’s right and good in the land. In whose days Judah (southern Israel) will be saved, and Israel will live safely; and Whose Name will be called Yahweh Our Goodness. So, see, “The days are coming,” says Yahweh, “That they won’t say any more, ‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt;’ but, ‘As Yahweh lives, who brought up and who led the people of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ They’ll live in their own land.”
[9-12] About the preachers. My heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunk, and like someone whom wine has overcome, because of Yahweh’s holy words. For the land is full of unfaithful people; and the land mourns because of broken promises; the pastures of the deserted countryside are dried up. “Their ways are evil, and they use their strength to do what isn’t right; for both the preacher and the teacher are evil; yes, in My house I have found their evil ways,” says Yahweh. “So their way will be to them as slippery places in the darkness. They’ll be driven to it, and fall; for I’ll bring evil on them in the year of their punishment,” says Yahweh.
[13-15] “I’ve seen senseless stupidity in the preachers of Samaria; they spoke by that false god Baal, and caused My people Israel to do wrong. In the preachers of Jerusalem also I’ve seen a horrible thing; they’re sexually unfaithful, and tell lies; and they strengthen the hands of wrongdoers, so that no one turns from their evil ways. They’ve all become like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah to Me.” So Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says about the preachers; “See, I’ll feed them with poisonous plants, and make them drink poisonous water; for ungodliness has gone out into all the land from the preachers of Jerusalem.”
[16-20] Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Don’t listen to the words of the preachers who preach to you; they teach you meaningless things; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh God.” They say continually to those who hate me, ‘Yahweh has said, “You’ll have peace;” and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of their own heart they say, “No evil will come on you.” For who has knowledge of the secrets of Yahweh, and knows and listens to God’s Word? Who has taken note of my word, and heard it? See, Yahweh, even the raging storm, has gone out, yes, a hurricane and it will fall on the head of those who are evil. The anger of Yahweh won’t turn back, until it’s done, and until God has done what was intended. In the latter days you’ll understand it perfectly.
[21-25] “I didn’t send these preachers, yet they came. I didn’t speak to them, yet they spoke. But if they had known My secrets, then they would have caused My people to listen to My words, and turned them from their evil ways, and from what they were doing. Am I only a God who is near,” says Yahweh, and not a God who can reach you far away? Can anyone hide their self in secret places so that I won’t see them?” says Yahweh. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says Yahweh. “I’ve heard what the preachers have said, who preach lies in My Name, saying, ‘I’ve dreamed a dream, I’ve dreamed a dream.’”
[26-30] “How long will this be in the heart of the preachers who preach lies, even those who preach lies out of their own hearts? Those who think to make My people forget My Name by their dreams, which they all tell to their neighbors, as their ancestors forgot My Name for that false god Baal. Let the preacher who has a dream, tell a dream; and those who have My word, speak My Word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says Yahweh. “Isn’t My Word like fire? says Yahweh; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? So I am against the preachers,” says Yahweh, “who steal My words from their neighbor.”
[31-35] “See, I am against the preachers,” says Yahweh, “who use their tongues, and say, ‘God says.’ See, I am against those who preach lying dreams,” says Yahweh, “and tell them, and cause My people to do wrong by their lies, and by their empty bragging! Yet I didn’t send them, nor did I tell them; nor do they do any good for this people at all,” says Yahweh. “When this people, or the preacher, or a teacher, asks you, saying, ‘What is the Word of Yahweh?’ Then tell them, ‘What Word! I’ll throw you off,’” says Yahweh. As for the preacher, the teacher, and the people, who will say, ‘This is the Word of Yahweh,’ I’ll punish that person and their family. This you’ll say to everyone and their neighbor, and their family members, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and ‘What has Yahweh spoken?’
[36-40] You won’t mention the Word of Yahweh anymore, for everyone will speak their own words; for you’ve misused the Words of Yahweh, the living God, the God of All Creation, our God.’ So say to the preacher, ‘What has Yahweh answered you?’ and ‘What has Yahweh spoken?’ But if you say, ‘This is the Word of Yahweh;’ Yahweh says, “Because you say, ‘This is the Word of Yahweh,’ and I’ve sent to you, saying, “You won’t say, ‘This is the Word of Yahweh;’ I’ll completely forget you, and I’ll throw you away, along with the city that I gave to you and your ancestors, away from My presence, and I’ll bring an everlasting guilt on you, and a continual shame, which won’t ever be forgotten.”
24[1-5] Yahweh showed me two baskets of figs set in front of the Place of Worship of Yahweh, after Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon (Iraq) had carried away Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), and the royalty of Judah, with the crafts people and the metal smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are freshly ripened; and the other basket had very bad figs, which were so bad they couldn’t be eaten. Then Yahweh asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, so bad that they can’t be eaten. “ Then the Word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel says, ‘Like these good figs, I’ll see the prisoners of Judah, whom I’ve sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans (Iraq), for good.’
[6-10] I’ll watch over them for good, and I’ll bring them again to this land, and I’ll build them up, and not pull them down; and I’ll plant them, and not pull them up. I’ll give them a heart to know Me, that I Am Yahweh, and they’ll be My people, and I’ll be their God; for they’ll come back to Me with their whole heart.” And as the bad figs, which are so bad they can’t be eaten, Yahweh says, “So I’ll give up Zedekiah the ruler of Judah, the royalty, and all the rest of Jerusalem, who stay in this land, and those who live in the land of Egypt; I’ll even let them be tossed back and forth among all the nations of the earth for evil; to be a blame and a saying, a mockery and a curse, in all the places where I’ll drive them. I’ll send war, hunger, and disease among them, until they’re destroyed from off the land that I gave to them and their ancestors.”
25[1-7] This is the word that came to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah (southern Israel), in the 4th year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, ruler of Judah, which was the 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq)), and which Jeremiah the preacher spoke to all the people of Judah, and to all the people of Jerusalem, saying, “From the 13th year of Josiah, son of Amon, ruler of Judah, even to today, these 23 years, the Word of Yahweh has come to me, and I’ve spoken it to you, rising up early and speaking to you; but you haven’t listened. Yahweh has sent to you many workers, the preachers, rising up early and sending them, but you haven’t listened, nor paid any attention to them, saying, “Return now everyone from their evil way, and from the evil things that you do, and live in the land that I, Yahweh have given to you and your ancestors, from a long time ago, even forever; and don’t go after false gods to serve them or worship them, and don’t make Me angry with the work of your hands; and I won’t hurt you. Yet you haven’t listened to Me,” says Yahweh; “That you may make Me angry with the work of your hands to your own hurt.”
[8-10] So Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “Because you haven’t heard My words, I’ll send and take all the families of the north,” says Yahweh, “and I’ll send to Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, and against its people, and against all these nations around them; and I’ll completely destroy them, and make them a shock, and a mockery, and a continual ruin. Besides I’ll take the sound of joy and the voice of happiness from them, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride, the sound of the mills, and the light of the lamp.
[11-14] This whole land will be a ruin, and a shock; and these nations will serve the ruler of Babylon for 70 years. When 70 years are over, I’ll punish the ruler of Babylon, and that nation,” says Yahweh, “for their sin, and the land of the Chaldeans (Iraq); and I’ll make it empty forever. I’ll bring on that land all My words which I’ve spoken against it, even all that’s written in this book, which Jeremiah has spoken against all the nations. For many nations and great rulers will make workers of them, even of them; and I’ll repay them for what they’ve done, and according to the work of their hands.”
[15-18] For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says to me, “Take this cup of raging wine from My hand, and make all the nations, to whom I send you, drink it. They’ll drink, and fall back and forth, and be crazy, because of the war that I’ll send to them.” Then I took the cup from Yahweh’s hand, and made all the nations drink it, to whom Yahweh had sent me, that is, to Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and its rulers, and its royalty, to make them a ruin, a shock, a mockery, and a curse, as it is today.
[19-26] The Ruler of Egypt, his workers, his royalty, and all his people; and all the mixed people, and all the rulers of the land of Uz (near Palestine), and all the rulers of the Philistines, and Ashkelon (Askelon, near Jerusalem), and Gaza (Palestine), and Ekron (lowlands of Judah), and what’s left of Ashdod (modern Esdud); Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), and Moab (Jordan), and the people of Ammon (Transjordan); and all the rulers of Tyre (Lebanon), and all the rulers of Sidon, and the rulers of the nations which are beyond the sea; Dedan (Arabia), and Tema, and Buz, and those in the farthest parts; and all the rulers of Arabia, and all the rulers of the mixed people who live in the deserted countryside; and all the rulers of Zimri, and all the rulers of Elam (Iran), and all the rulers of the Medes (Iran); and all the rulers of the north, both far and near, one as well as another; and all the nations of the world, which are on the face of the earth, and the ruler of Sheshach (Babylon, Iraq) will drink after them.
[27-29] Tell them, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “You’ll drink, and be drunken, and throw up, and fall, and won’t get up anymore, because of the war which I’ll send to you.” And if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink it, then tell them, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, ‘You will drink it. See, I begin to do this evil at the city which is called by My Name; and should you be completely unpunished? No, you won’t go unpunished; but I’ll call for a world war on all the people of the earth,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[30-33] So preach against them all these words, and tell them, “Yahweh will roar from on high, and speak from heaven; God will loudly roar against the people; who will give a shout, as those who stomp the grapes, against all the people of the earth. A loud noise will come even to the ends of the earth; for Yahweh has a great disagreement with the nations; Yahweh will judge all humanity with the evils of war,” says Yahweh. Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “See, evil will go out from nation to nation, and a great storm will come up from the farthest parts of the earth. At that day the dead of Yahweh will be from one end of earth to the other; they won’t be mourned, nor gathered, nor buried; they’ll be laid waste on the face of the earth.”
[34-38] Mourn, you overseers, and cry; and wallow in ashes, you leaders of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your scattering are here now, and you’ll fall like a good pot. The overseers will have nowhere to run, nor the leader of the flock to escape. The sound of the cry of the overseers, and the crying of the leader of the flock will be great! For Yahweh will destroy their pasture. The peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the great anger of Yahweh. God will come out of the hiding place like a lion; for their land will become a shock because of the greatness of the punishing war, and because of Yahweh’s great anger.
26[1-6] In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), came this word from Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh says, ‘Stand in the court of Yahweh’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Yahweh’s house, all the words that I tell you to speak to them; and don’t leave out a word. It may be that they’ll listen, and turn from their evil ways; that I may not do the evil which I plan to do to them because of the evil that they do.’ Tell them, Yahweh says, ‘If you won’t listen to Me, to keep My law, which I’ve given you, to listen to the words of My workers, the preachers, whom I send to you, even rising up early and sending them, but you haven’t listened; then I’ll make this house like Shiloh (now the West Bank), and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.’”
[7-9] Then the preachers, the teachers, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. When Jeremiah had finished speaking all that Yahweh had told him to speak to all the people, the preachers, teachers, and all the people grabbed him, saying, “We’ll kill you for sure. Why have you spoken in the Name of Yahweh, saying, ‘This place will be like Shiloh, and this city will be empty, and without people?’” All the people were gathered around Jeremiah in the Place of Worship of Yahweh.
[10-15] When the royalty of Judah heard these things, they came up from the ruler’s house to the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of Yahweh’s Place of Worship. Then the preachers and teachers spoke to the royalty and to all the people, saying, “This man deserves death; for he has spoken against this city, as you’ve heard with your own ears.” Then Jeremiah spoke to all the royalty and to all the people, saying, “Yahweh sent me to preach against this Place of Worship and against this city all the words that you’ve heard. So change how you think and what you do, and obey the voice of Yahweh your God; and Yahweh won’t do the evil that was spoken against you. But as for me, I’m in your hands; so do with me whatever seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you’ll bring innocent blood on yourselves, and on this city, and on its people; it’s true that Yahweh has sent me to you to speak all these words to you.”
[16-19] Then the royalty and all the people said to the preachers and teachers, “This man doesn’t deserve death; he has spoken to us in the Name of Yahweh our God.” Then some of the elders of the land stood up, and spoke to all the gathering of people, saying, “Micah, the Morashtite, spoke in the days of Hezekiah ruler of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says Zion (Jerusalem) will be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem will become ruins, and the mountain of the Place of Worship as the high places of a forest. Did Hezekiah, ruler of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn’t he fear Yahweh, and ask the favor of Yahweh, and Yahweh didn’t do the evil that was spoken against them? We would bring great evil on our own souls.
[20-24] There was also someone who spoke in the Name of Yahweh, Uriah, son of Shemaiah of Kiriath Jearim; and he spoke against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah and when Jehoiakim, the ruler, with all his soldiers, and all the royalty, heard his words, the ruler sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was scared, and went quickly to Egypt and Jehoiakim, the ruler, sent them into Egypt, namely, Elnathan, son of Achbor, and others with him, into Egypt; and they found Uriah in Egypt, and brought him back to Jehoiakim, the ruler, who killed him, and threw his dead body into the graves of the common people. But Ahikam, son of Shaphan, was with Jeremiah, so they wouldn’t give him to the people to put him to death.
27[1-6] In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), came this word to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh says to me, “Make bonds and bars, and put them on your neck; and send them to the ruler of Edom (Jordan, Arab Nations), the ruler of Moab (Jordan), the ruler of the people of Ammon (Transjordan), the ruler of Tyre (Lebanon), and the ruler of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah, ruler of Judah; and give them an order to their leaders, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Tell this to your leaders, I’ve made the earth, and all the people and animals that are on the face of the earth, by My great power and by My outstretched arm; and I give it to whomever it seems right to Me. Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), My servant; and the animals of the field I have also given him to use.
[7-11] All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson, until the time of judgment on his own land comes and then many nations and great rulers will make him serve them, that the nation and the nation which won’t serve the same Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon, and that won’t put their neck under the control of that ruler, I’ll punish that nation,” says Yahweh, with war, hunger, and disease, until I’ve destroyed them by his hand. But as for you, don’t listen to your preachers, nor to your fortunetellers, nor to your dreams, nor to your witches, nor to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You won’t serve the ruler of Babylon; for they preach a lie to you, to remove you far from your land, and that I should drive you out, and you should die. But the nation that will bring their neck under the control of the ruler of Babylon, and serve him, that nation I’ll let stay in their own land,” says Yahweh; and they’ll work it, and live in it.
[12-15] I spoke to Zedekiah ruler of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Obey the ruler of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Why do you want to die, you and your people, by war, hunger, and disease, as Yahweh has spoken about the nation that won’t serve the ruler of Babylon? Don’t listen to the words of the preachers who speak to you, saying, “Don’t serve the ruler of Babylon; for they preach a lie to you. I haven’t sent them,” says Yahweh, but they preach falsely in My Name; that I may drive you out, and that you may die, you, and the preachers who preach to you.
[16-18] Also I spoke to the preachers and to all the people, saying, “Yahweh says, “Don’t listen to the words of your preachers who preach to you, saying, “See, the tools of Yahweh’s Place of Worship will shortly be brought again from Babylon (Iraq); for they preach a lie to you. Don’t listen to them; serve the ruler of Babylon, and live! Why should this city become a ruin? But if they’re preachers, and if the word of Yahweh is with them, let them now beg for them to Yahweh, the God of All Creation, that the tools which are left in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in the house of the ruler of Judah, and at Jerusalem, don’t go to Babylon.
[19-22] For Yahweh, the God of All Creation says about the pillars, the sea, the bases, and the rest of the tools that are left in this city, which Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon didn’t take, when he carried away Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem; Yes, Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “about the tools that are left in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and in the house of the ruler of Judah, and at Jerusalem. They’ll be carried to Babylon, and there They’ll stay, until the day that I punish them,” says Yahweh; then I’ll bring them back, and restore them here.
28[1-4] In the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah ruler of Judah (southern Israel), in the 5th month of the 4th year, Hananiah, son of Azzur, the preacher, who was of Gibeon (modern ‘el-Jib’, about 5 miles from Jerusalem), spoke to me in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, in the presence of the preachers and of all the people, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says this: I’ve broken the power of the ruler of Babylon (Iraq). Within two full years I’ll bring back here all the tools of Yahweh’s Place of Worship that Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon took away from this place, and carried to Babylon, and I’ll bring back here Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, with all the prisoners of Judah, who went to Babylon,” says Yahweh; for I’ll break the control of the ruler of Babylon.
[5-11] Then the preacher Jeremiah said to the preacher Hananiah in the presence of the preachers, and in the presence of all the people who stood in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, even the preacher Jeremiah said, “Amen! Yahweh do so; Yahweh do your words which you’ve spoke, to bring back the tools of Yahweh’s house, and all them out of the prison, from Babylon here. But listen now to this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people. The preachers who have been before me and before you of old spoke against many countries, and against great nations, of war, of evil, and of disease. The preacher who preaches of peace, when the word of the preacher happens, then that preacher is known as a preacher that Yahweh has truly sent. Then Hananiah, the preacher, took the bar from off the preacher Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it. Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Yahweh says, “Even so, I’ll break the control of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon within two full years from off the neck of all the nations. The preacher Jeremiah went away.
[12-14] Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, after Hananiah, the preacher, had broken the bar from off the neck of the preacher Jeremiah, saying, “Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, “Yahweh says, “You’ve broken the bars of wood; but you’ve put bars of iron in their place. For Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “I’ve put a bar of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon; and they’ll serve him and I’ve given him all the animals of the field also.
[15-17] Then the preacher Jeremiah said to Hananiah the preacher, Listen now, Hananiah, Yahweh hasn’t sent you; but you make this people trust in a lie. So Yahweh says, “See, I’ll wipe you off the face of the earth; this year you’ll die, because you’ve spoken against the Word of Yahweh. So Hananiah, the preacher, died the same year in the 7th month.
29[1-7] Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the preacher sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the prison, and to the preachers, teachers, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away prisoner from Jerusalem to Babylon (Iraq), (after Jeconiah the ruler, and the queen mother, and the officers, and the royalty of Judah (southern Israel) and Jerusalem, and the craft people, and the smiths, were left from Jerusalem), by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan, and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah ruler of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “To all the prisoners, whom I’ve caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon, Build houses, and live in them; and plant gardens, and eat their fruit. Take wives, and have children; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may have children; and have many children there, and not be weakened in number. Seek the peace of the city where I’ve caused you to be carried away prisoner, and pray to Yahweh for it; for in its peace you’ll have peace.
[8-14] For Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Don’t let your preachers who are with you, and your fortunetellers lie to you; nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they preach falsely to you in My Name. I haven’t sent them,” says Yahweh. For Yahweh says, “After 70 years are over for Babylon, I’ll visit you, and keep My promise to you, and will let you come back here. For I know the thoughts that I think for you,” says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in the end. You’ll call on Me, and you’ll go and pray to Me, and I’ll listen to you. You’ll look for Me, and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I’ll be found by you,” says Yahweh, and I’ll free you, and I’ll gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I’ve sent you,” says Yahweh; and I’ll bring you back to the place where I caused you to be carried away prisoner.
[15-20] Because you’ve said, “Yahweh has raised us up preachers in Babylon; Yahweh says about the ruler who sits on the throne of David, and about all the people who live in this city, your people who haven’t gone out with you into prison; Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “See, I’ll send on them war, hunger, and disease, and will make them like bad figs that are so bad they can’t be eaten. I’ll chase after them with war, hunger, and disease, and will let them be tossed back and forth among all the nations of the earth, to be an object of horror, a shock, a mockery, and a blame, among all the nations where I’ve sent them; because they haven’t listened to My words,” says Yahweh, which I sent to them with My workers, the preachers, rising up early and sending them; but you wouldn’t listen,” says Yahweh. So listen to the word of Yahweh, all you who were taken prisoner, whom I’ve sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.
[21-23] Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says about Ahab, son of Kolaiah, and about Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, who preach a lie to you in My Name. See, I’ll give them to Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, who will kill them before your eyes; and of them will be taken up a curse by all the prisoners of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “Yahweh will make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the ruler of Babylon roasted in the fire; because they’ve spread stupidity in Israel, and have been unfaithful with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken words in My Name falsely, which I didn’t tell them; I am the One Who Knows, and I am a witness,” says Yahweh.
[24-28] You’ll speak about Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says this; Because you’ve sent letters in your own name to all the people who are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, the teacher, and to all the preachers, saying, “Yahweh has made you teacher in the place of Jehoiada, the teacher, that there may be officers in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, instead of those who are crazy, and make their self a preacher, that you should lock them in the pieces of wood and in shackles. So, why haven’t you gotten on to Jeremiah, of Anathoth, who makes himself a preacher to you, because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, “The punishment is long, so build houses, and live in them; plant gardens, and eat their fruit?
[29-32] Zephaniah, the teacher, read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah, the preacher. Then came the word of Yahweh to Jeremiah, saying, “Send to all of them who were taken prisoner, saying, “Yahweh says about Shemaiah, the Nehelamite; Because Shemaiah has spoken to you, and I didn’t send him, and he has caused you to trust in a lie; so Yahweh says, “See, I’ll punish Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, and his descendants; he won’t have anyone to live among this people, nor will he see the good that I’ll do to My people,” says Yahweh, because he has spoken against Yahweh.
30[1-4] This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this, Write all the words that I’ve spoken to you in a book. See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll turn back those who were taken prisoner of My people Israel and Judah (southern Israel),” says Yahweh; and I’ll cause them to go back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they’ll take it. These are the words that Yahweh spoke about Israel and about Judah.
[5-11] For Yahweh says, “We’ve heard a voice of shaking, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see if someone labors with child. Why do I see everyone standing with their hands on their waist, as a woman giving birth, and all their faces have turned pale? Sadly, that day is horrible, so that no other is like it! It’s the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he’ll be saved out of it. In that day,” says Yahweh, God of All Creation, I’ll break his control of you, and will break your bonds; and strangers won’t make him their servant anymore; but they’ll serve Yahweh their God, and David their ruler, whom I’ll raise up for them. So Don’t be scared, O Jacob My servant,” says Yahweh; nor be troubled, Israel; See, I’ll save you from far away, and your descendants from the land they were taken prisoner; and Jacob will come back, and will be quiet and at ease, and no one will make him scared. For I am with you,” says Yahweh, to save you, and I’ll completely destroy all the nations where I’ve scattered you, but I won’t completely destroy you; but I’ll correct you for what you’ve done, and will in no way leave you unpunished.
[12-17] For Yahweh says, “Your wound won’t heal, and your injury is very serious. There’s no one to speak up for you, that you may be bandaged. You don’t have any healing medicines. All your lovers have forgotten you; they don’t look for you because I’ve hurt you with the wound of an enemy, with the punishment of a cruel one, for the greatness of your sin, because your sins were many. Why do you cry about your punishment? Your pain won’t stop for the greatness of your sin, and because your sins were many, I’ve done these things to you. So all those who eat you up will be eaten up; and all your enemies, every one of them, will be taken prisoner; and those who take what’s yours will have their stuff taken, and all who take advantage of you I will allow others to take advantage of them. For I’ll restore health to you, and I’ll heal you of your wounds,” says Yahweh; because they’ve called you an outcast, saying, “No one cares for Zion (Jerusalem).
[18-22] Yahweh says, “See, I’ll turn back those who were taken prisoner of Jacob’s family, and have compassion on their homes; and the city will be built on its own hill, and the palace will be set in its own place. Thanksgiving will go out of them and the sound of those who celebrate, and I’ll have many children of them, and they won’t be small in number; I’ll also make them well known, and they won’t be unimportant. Their children also will be as before, and their people will be put in place before Me; and I’ll punish all who abuse them. Their royalty will be of themselves, and their ruler will come from them, who I’ll cause to Come close to Me; Who is the one who is bold enough to come to Me? says Yahweh. You’ll be My people, and I’ll be your God.
[23-24] See, the storm of Yahweh, whose rage has gone out like a destroying storm, will burst on the head of the evil ones. The great anger of Yahweh won’t turn back, until it’s over, and what God has planned is done; and in the latter days you’ll understand it.
31[1-6] At that time,” says Yahweh, I’ll be the God of all the families of Israel, and they’ll be My people. Yahweh says, “I cared for the people who were left from the war in the deserted countryside; even Israel, when I made them rest. Yahweh appeared of old to me, saying, “Yes, I’ve loved you with an everlasting love, so with loving kindness I have drawn you to Me. I’ll build you up again, and you’ll be built, like a young girl of Israel, you’ll again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the dances of those who celebrate. You’ll plant gardens again on the mountains of Samaria; the farmers will plant, and enjoy its fruit. A day will come that the guards on the hills of Ephraim (Northern Israel) will cry out, Get up, and let’s go up to Zion (Jerusalem) to Yahweh our God.
[7-10] For Yahweh says, “Sing with happiness for Jacob, and shout for the capital of the nations! Publish it, praise it, and say, Yahweh, save your people, who are left of Israel. See, I’ll bring them from the north country, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, and with them the blind, the lame, the woman with child, and she who labors with child together! A great many people will come back here. They’ll come with crying; and with prayers I’ll lead them! I’ll cause them to walk by the rivers, in a straight way in which they won’t stumble; for I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is as My firstborn. Listen to the word of Yahweh, you nations, and tell it in the nations far away; and say, the One who scattered Israel will gather them again, and keep them, as a shepherd cares for a flock.
[11-14] For Yahweh has bought back Jacob (Israel), and saved him from the hand of those who were stronger than he. They’ll come and sing in the height of Zion (Jerusalem), and will flow to the goodness of Yahweh, to the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul will be as a watered garden; and they won’t be sad any more at all. Then the young girls will celebrate in the dance, and the young and the old together; for I’ll turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them celebrate that their sorrow has ended. I’ll fill the soul of the preachers with fatness, and My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” says Yahweh.
[15-19] Yahweh says, “A voice is heard in Ramah (Bethlehem), mourning, and mournful crying, Rachel crying for her children; she refuses to be comforted for them, because they’re dead. Yahweh says, “Stop crying, and don’t let your eyes drop tears; for your work will be rewarded,” and they’ll come back from the land of the enemy. There’s hope for your latter end,” says Yahweh; and your children will come back to their own land. I’ve surely heard Ephraim feeling sorry for himself, saying, “You’ve disciplined me, and I learned my lesson, as a calf unaccustomed to being controlled; so turn me back to You, and I’ll be turned; for You are Yahweh my God. Surely after I was turned, I changed my mind; and after I was taught, I hit my thigh, being ashamed, yes, and confused, because I bore the blame of my youth.
[20-22] Is Ephraim My dear son? is he a sweet child? for as often as I speak against him, I sincerely remember him still, so my heart aches for him; I’ll surely have mercy on him,” says Yahweh. Set up road signs, make guideposts; set your heart toward the highway, even toward the way you went; turn around, little one of Israel, turn back to your cities. How long will you go here and there, you unfaithful people? for Yahweh has created a new thing in the earth; a woman will turn back a man.
[23-26] Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Yet again they’ll say in the land of Judah (southern Israel) and in its cities, when I bring them back from where they were taken, Yahweh bless you, home of goodness, mountain of holiness. Judah and all its people will live in it together, the farmers, and those who go around with flocks. I’ve filled the soul that is worn out, and every sad soul I have refreshed. On this, I awakened, and saw; and my sleep was sweet to me.
[27-30] See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll plant the people of Israel and the people of Judah (southern Israel) with human beings, and with animals. Like I’ve watched over them to root out and to pull up and to overthrow and to destroy and to punish, so I’ll watch over them to build up and to plant,” says Yahweh. In those days they won’t say any more, Our ancestors have eaten sour grapes, and our teeth are set on edge. But everyone will die for their own sin; everyone who eats the sour grapes, their teeth will be set on edge.
[31-34] See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll make a new agreement with the people of Israel, and with the people of Judah, but not according to the agreement that I made with their ancestors in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which they broke, although I was like a husband to them,” says Yahweh. But this is the promised agreement that I’ll make with the people of Israel after those days,” says Yahweh; I’ll put My law in their inmost minds, and I’ll write it on their hearts; and I’ll be their God, and they’ll be My people; and they won’t teach their neighbors anymore, or their family members, saying, “Know Yahweh, because they’ll all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” says Yahweh. I’ll forgive their sin, and I won’t remember their sin anymore.
[35-40] Yahweh says, “who gives the sun for a light by day, and the laws of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves roar; Yahweh, whose name is the God of All Creation! If these laws come to an end before Me,” says Yahweh, then the descendants of Israel also will come to an end from being a nation before Me forever. Yahweh says, “If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then I’ll also throw off all the descendants of Israel for all that they’ve done,” says Yahweh. See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that the city will be built to Yahweh from the tower of Hananel to the corner gate. The measuring line will go out straight to the hill of Gareb, and will turn and go to Goah. The whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields to the river Kidron, to the corner of the horse gate toward the east, will be holy to Yahweh; it won’t be pulled up, nor thrown down any more forever.
32[1-5] This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the 10th year of Zedekiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), which was the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar. Now at that time the ruler of Babylon’s army was taking Jerusalem; and Jeremiah, the preacher, was locked up in the court of the guard, which was in the ruler of Judah’s house. For Zedekiah, ruler of Judah, had locked him up, saying, “Why do you preach, and say, Yahweh says, “See, I’ll give this city into the hand of the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), who will take it; and Zedekiah, ruler of Judah, won’t escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans (Iraq), but will surely be handed over to the ruler of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face, and eye to eye; who will bring Zedekiah to Babylon, where he’ll stay until I punish him,” says Yahweh, though you fight with the Chaldeans, You won’t do well!
[6-9] So Jeremiah answered, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “See, Hanamel, son of Willum, your uncle, will come to you, saying, “Buy my field that is in Anathoth; for the right to buy it is yours. So Hanamel, my uncle’s son, came to me in the court of the guard just as the word of Yahweh said, “and said to me, “Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin; for the right to own it and buy it is yours; so buy it for yourself. Then I knew that this was the word of Yahweh. So I bought the field that was in Anathoth of Hanamel, my uncle’s son, and gave him the money, $17 silver coins.
[10-15] I wrote the deed, and sealed it, and called witnesses, and gave him the money. So I took the deed of purchase, both what was sealed, which had the terms and conditions, and what was open; and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch, son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel, my uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses who wrote the deed of purchase, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the guard. I told Baruch in front of them, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Take these deeds, this deed of purchase which is sealed, and this deed which is open, and put them in an earthen pot; that they may last for many days. For Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Houses, fields, and gardens will yet again be bought in this land.
[16-25] Now after I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Ah Yahweh God! You’ve made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm; There isn’t anything too hard for You, who shows loving kindness to thousands, and repays the sins of the ancestors into the lap of their children after them; the great, strong God, Yahweh, God of All Creation is Your name; great in wisdom, and strong in work; whose eyes see all the ways of humanity, to give everyone a just reward for their ways, and for what they’ve done; who did signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even to today, both in Israel and among other peoples; and made Your name great, as it is today; and brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, and with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terror; and gave them this land, which You promised to their ancestors to give them, a land full of milk and honey; and they came in, and took it, but they didn’t obey Your voice, nor keep Your law; they’ve done nothing of all that you told them to do, so you’ve caused all this evil to come on them. See, the mounds, they’re come to the city to take it; and the city is handed over to the Chaldeans (Iraq) who fight against it, because of war, hunger, and disease; and what you’ve spoken has happened; and You see it. You’ve said to me, “Yahweh God, Buy the field for money, and call witnesses; but the city is handed over to the Chaldeans.
[26-30] Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, “See, I Am Yahweh, the God of all humanity; is there anything too hard for me? So Yahweh says, “See, I’ll give this city over to the Chaldeans (Iraq), and into the power of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq), and he’ll take it; and the Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set it on fire, and burn it, along with all the houses, on whose roofs they’ve offered incense to that false god Baal, and poured out drink offerings to false gods, to make Me angry. For the people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in My sight from their youth; for the people of Israel have only made Me very angry with all that they’ve done,” says Yahweh.
[31-35] For this city has provoked My anger and my rage from the day that they built it even to today; so that I’d remove it from before My face, because of all the evil of the people of Israel and Judah, which they’ve done to make Me angry, they, their rulers, their royalty, their preachers, and their teachers, and all the people of Judah, and Jerusalem. They’ve turned their backs on Me, and not looked for Me; and though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they haven’t listened to learn. But they set their false gods in the Place of Worship which is called by My Name, to ruin it with their stinking waste. They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of son of Hinnom, to sacrifice their children in the fire to Molech; which I didn’t tell them, nor did it ever come into My mind, that they should do this horrible thing, to cause Judah to sin.
[36-41] So Yahweh, the God of Israel says about this city, about which you say, It’s handed over to the ruler of Babylon by war, hunger, and disease. See, I’ll gather them out of all the countries where I’ve driven them in My anger and rage, and in righteous anger; and I’ll bring them back here, and I’ll make them live safely; and they’ll be My people, and I’ll be their God; and I’ll give them one heart and one mind, that they may respect Me forever, for their own good, and of their children after them; and I’ll make an everlasting agreement with them, that I won’t turn away from following them, to do them good; and I’ll put my respect in their hearts, that they may not leave from following Me. Yes, I’ll celebrate over them to do them good, and I’ll plant them in this land with My whole heart and my whole soul.
[42-44] For Yahweh says, “Like I brought all this great evil on this people, so I’ll bring on them all the good that I’ve promised them. Fields will be bought in this land, about which you say, It’s empty, without human or animal; it’s handed over to the Chaldeans (Iraq). People will buy fields for money, and write deeds, and seal them, and call witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, and in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah (southern Israel), and in the cities of the hill country, and in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I’ll make them come back from where they were taken,” says Yahweh.
33[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah again, while he was still locked up in the court of the guard, saying, “Yahweh, who does it, Yahweh, who forms it to make it says, “Yahweh is My Name. Call to me, and I’ll answer you, and show you great secrets, which you don’t yet know. For Yahweh, the God of Israel says about the houses of this city, and about the houses of the rulers of Judah (southern Israel), which are broken down to make a defense against the mounds of war while they come to fight with the Chaldeans (Iraq); but it is to fill them with their dead bodies, for whom I’ve killed in My anger and in My rage, and for all whose evil I have hid My face from this city.
[6-9] See, I’ll bring it health and cure, and I’ll make them well; and I’ll show them great peace and much truth. I’ll cause those taken from Judah and Israel to come back, and will build them up, as at the beginning. I’ll cleanse them from all their guilt, by which they’ve wronged Me; and I’ll forgive all their sins, by which they’ve sinned against Me, and by which they’ve rebelled against Me. This city will be a name of joy to Me, for a praise, and for a glory, before all the nations of the earth, which will pay attention to all the good that I do to them, and will fear and shake in fear for all the good and peace that I bring to it.
[10-11] Yahweh says, “Yet again there will be heard in this place, about which you say, It’s empty, without human or animal, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are empty, without any people or animal, the sound of joy and the voice of happiness, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride, the voice of those who say, Give thanks to Yahweh, God of All Creation, for Yahweh is good, whose loving kindness lasts forever; and of them who bring sacrifices of thanksgiving into the Place of Worship of Yahweh. For I’ll make those taken from the land to come back as at the beginning,” says Yahweh.
[12-14] Yahweh, God of All Creation,” says , “Yet again there will be in this place, which is now empty, without man or animal, and in all its cities, a home of shepherds who make their flocks lie down. In the cities of the hill country, the lowlands, and the South, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, will the flocks again pass under the hands of those who count them,” says Yahweh. See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll keep the good promises which I’ve spoken about the people of Israel and Judah.
[15-18] In those days, and at that time, I’ll cause a true Branch to grow up for David; who will do what’s right and bring goodness to the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live safely; and this is the name by which it will be called, Yahweh our Goodness. For Yahweh says, “David will never lack someone to sit on the throne of the people of Israel; nor will the preachers, the Levites lack someone to bring before Me to offer burnt offerings, and to burn meal offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
[19-22] The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, “Yahweh says, “If you can break My law of the day and night, so that there won’t be day and night in their proper time; then My promised agreement with David My servant may be broken as well, who won’t have anyone to reign on his throne; and with the Levites, the preachers, My ministers. As the heavenly bodies of heaven can’t be counted, nor the sand of the sea be measured; so I’ll have many children of the descendants of David My servant, and the Levites who minister to Me.
[23-26] Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, “Don’t consider what this people has spoken, saying, “The two families which Yahweh had chosen, has been thrown away? They hate My people so much that they wouldn’t even be a nation to them anymore. Yahweh says, “If My law of day and night fails, if I haven’t set the laws of heaven and earth; then I’ll also throw away the descendants of Jacob, and of David My servant, so that I won’t take of those descendants to be rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; for I’ll make those who were taken away come back, and have mercy on them.
34[1-5] This is the word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon (Iraq), and all his army, and all the nations of the earth that were under his control, and all the peoples, were fighting against Jerusalem, and against all the its cities, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “Go, and speak to Zedekiah ruler of Judah (southern Israel), and tell him, Yahweh says, “See, I’ll give this city over to the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), and he’ll burn it with fire, and you won’t escape out of his hand, but will surely be taken, and given over to him; and your eyes will see the eyes of the ruler of Babylon, and he’ll speak with you face to face, and you’ll go to Babylon. Yet listen to the word of Yahweh, O Zedekiah ruler of Judah, Yahweh says this about you, You won’t die by war; You’ll die in peace; and with the burial of your ancestors, the former rulers who were before you, so they’ll make a burning for you; and they’ll mourn you, saying, “Ah God! for I’ve spoken the word,” says Yahweh.
[6-11] Then Jeremiah the preacher spoke all these words to Zedekiah ruler of Judah in Jerusalem, when the ruler of Babylon’s army was fighting against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish (south of Jerusalem) and against Azekah (lowlands of Judah); for these alone were left of the cities of Judah as strong cities. The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after the ruler Zedekiah had made an agreement with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to announce freedom to them; that everyone should let their male and female servant, who is a Hebrew, go free; that no one should make servants of those who are Jewish, of their own kin people. All the royalty and all the people obeyed, who had made the agreement, that everyone should let their male and female servants, go free, that no one should make servants of them anymore; so they obeyed, and let them go, but afterwards they changed their minds, and caused all the workers, whom they had let go free, to come back, and made them slaves again.
[12-16] So the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “I made a promised agreement with your ancestors in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, saying, “At the end of 7 years you’ll let everyone go free who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you 6 years, you’ll let them go free from you; but your ancestors didn’t listen to Me, nor wanted to listen to me. You changed your ways, and had done what is right in Me, in letting them go free; and you had made a promised agreement before Me in the house which is called by My Name; but you turned around and disrespected My Name, and caused all your male and female servants, whom you had let go free as they wanted, to come back; and you made them slaves, to be to your workers.
[17-22] So Yahweh says, “You haven’t listened to Me, to give freedom to your neighbors. So I announce to you freedom,” says Yahweh, to war, to disease, and to hunger; and I’ll make you to be tossed back and forth among all the nations of the earth. I’ll give the people who have sinned My promised agreement, who haven’t kept the words of the agreement which they promised before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts; the royalty of Judah, and the royalty of Jerusalem, the officers, and the preachers, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf; I’ll even give them over to their enemies, and to those who want to take their lives; and their dead bodies will be for food to the birds of heaven, and to the animals of the earth. Zedekiah, ruler of Judah, and his royalty I’ll give over to their enemies, and to those who want to take their lives, and over to the ruler of Babylon’s army, who have gone away from you. See, I’ll say it,” says Yahweh, and cause them to come back to this city; and they’ll fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire and I’ll make the cities of Judah a ruin, without people.
35[1-4] This is the word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), saying, “Go to the people of the Rechabites, and speak to them, and bring them into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, into one of the rooms, and give them wine to drink. Then I took Jaazaniah, son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah, and his brothers, and all his sons, and the whole people of the Rechabites; and I brought them into the Place of Worship of Yahweh, into the room of sons of Hanan, son of Igdaliah, the one of God, which was by the room of the royalty, which was above the room of Maaseiah, son of Willum, the doorkeeper.
[5-11] I set before the people of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, “Drink your wine. But they said, “We don’t drink wine; for Jonadab, son of Rechab, our father, told us, saying, “Don’t drink wine, neither you, nor your children, forever, neither build houses, nor plant gardens, nor plant vineyards, nor have any; but all your days you’ll live in tents; that you may live many days in the land in which you stay. We’ve obeyed the words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, our father, in all that he told us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, or our children; nor to build houses for us to live in; nor have we vineyard, nor garden, nor seed, but we’ve lived in tents, and have obeyed, and done all that Jonadab our father told us. But when Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq) came up into the land, we said, “Come, and let’s go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans (Iraq), and for fear of the army of the Syrians; so we live at Jerusalem.
[12-15] Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “Go, and tell the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, You won’t be taught and listen to My words? says Yahweh. The words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, that he told his sons, not to drink wine, are kept; and even to today they don’t drink, for they obey their father’s orders; but I’ve spoken to you, rising up early and speaking; and you haven’t listened to Me. I’ve also sent to you all My workers, the preachers, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Change your evil ways, and stop what you’re doing, and don’t go after false gods to serve them, and you’ll live in the land which I’ve given to you and to your ancestors, but you haven’t listened to Me.
[16-19] Because sons of Jonadab, son of Rechab, have done what their father told them, but this people hasn’t listened to Me; so Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “See, I’ll bring on Judah and on all the people of Jerusalem all the evil that I’ve spoken against them; because I’ve spoken to them, but they haven’t heard; and I’ve called to them, but they haven’t answered. Jeremiah said to the people of the Rechabites, Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “Because you’ve obeyed the orders of Jonadab your father, and kept all his words, and done according to all that he told you; so Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “Jonadab, son of Rechab, won’t ever be without someone to stand before Me.
36[1-3] In the 4th year of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, “Take a scroll of a book, and write in it all the words that I’ve spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to today. It may be that the people of Judah will listen to all the evil which I plan to do to them; that they may turn from their evil ways; that I may forgive their guilt and their sin.
[4-8] Then Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words that Yahweh had spoken to him, on a scroll of a book. Jeremiah told Baruch, saying, “I am locked up; I can’t go into the people of Yahweh, so go, and read the scroll, which you’ve written from my mouth, the words of Yahweh to the people in Yahweh’s Place of Worship on the fast day; and read them also to all of Judah (southern Israel) who come out of their cities. It may be that they’ll ask forgiveness of Yahweh, and will change their evil ways; for great is the anger and rage that Yahweh has spoken against this people. Baruch, son of Neriah, did what Jeremiah the preacher told him, reading in the book the words of Yahweh in Yahweh’s Place of Worship.
[9-12] Now in the 9th month of the 5th year of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah, all the people in Jerusalem, and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem, called for a fast before Yahweh. Then Baruch read in the book the words of Jeremiah in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, in the room of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, the writer, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Yahweh’s Place of Worship, in the ears of all the people. When Micaiah, son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of Yahweh, he went down into the ruler’s house, into the writer’s room, where all the royalty were sitting, that is, Elishama the writer, and Delaiah, son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan, son of Achbor, and Gemariah, son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah, son of Hananiah, and all the royalty.
[13-19] Then Micaiah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. So all the royalty sent Jehudi, son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take the scroll in which you’ve read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch, son of Neriah, took the scroll in his hand, and came to them. They said to him, “ Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. Now when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear to one another, and said to Baruch, We’ll be sure to tell the ruler of all these words. Then they asked Baruch, saying, “Tell us now, How did you write all these words of his mouth? Then Baruch answered them, He spoke all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book. Then said the royalty to Baruch, Go, hide, you and Jeremiah; and let no one know where you are.
[20-26] They went in to the ruler into the court; but they had left the scroll in the room of Elishama, the writer; and they told all the words to the ruler. So the ruler sent Jehudi to get the scroll; and he took it out of the room of Elishama, the writer. Jehudi read it in the ears of the ruler, and in the ears of all the royalty who stood beside the ruler. Now the ruler was sitting in the winter house in the 9th month and there was a fire in the fireplace burning before him. When Jehudi had read three or four pages, the ruler cut it with a penknife, and threw it into the fire that was in the fireplace, until all the scroll was burned in the fire that was in the fireplace. They weren’t scared, nor ripped their clothes off, neither the ruler, nor any of his workers who heard all these words. Besides Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had begged the ruler not to burn the scroll; but he wouldn’t listen to them. The ruler told Jerahmeel, the ruler’s son, and Seraiah, son of Azriel, and Shelemiah, son of Abdeel, to take Baruch, the writer and Jeremiah, the preacher; but Yahweh hid them.
[27-29] Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, after the ruler had burned the scroll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, “Take again another scroll, and write in it all the words that were in the first book, which Jehoiakim, the ruler of Judah has burned. About Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, say, Yahweh says, “You’ve burned this scroll, saying, “Why have you written it, saying, “The ruler of Babylon (Iraq) will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cause to come to an end from there man and animal?
[30-32] So Yahweh says about Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, He’ll have no one to sit on the throne of David; and his dead body will be thrown out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. I’ll punish him and his descendants and his workers for their sin; and I’ll bring on them, and on the people of Jerusalem and Judah, all the evil that I’ve spoken against them, but they didn’t listen. Then Jeremiah took another scroll, and gave it to Baruch, the writer, son of Neriah, who wrote in it from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim, ruler of Judah, had burned in the fire; and there were added besides them many other words.
37[1-5] Zedekiah, son of Josiah, reigned as ruler, instead of Coniah, son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon (Iraq) made ruler in the land of Judah (southern Israel). But neither he, nor his workers, nor the people of the land, listened to the words of Yahweh, which were spoken by the preacher, Jeremiah. Zedekiah, the ruler, sent Jehucal, son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, the teacher, to the preacher, Jeremiah, saying, “Pray to Yahweh our God for us. Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people; for they had not yet put him into prison. Egypt’s Ruler’s army had come out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans (Iraq) who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they broke up from Jerusalem.
[6-10] Then came the word of Yahweh to the preacher Jeremiah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says , “Tell this to the ruler of Judah, who sent you to Me to ask of Me, See, Egypt’s army, which has come out to help you, will go back to Egypt into their own land. The Chaldeans (Iraq) will come again, and fight against this city; and they’ll take it, and burn it with fire. Yahweh says, “Don’t lie to yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely leave from us; they won’t leave. For though you had hit the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you, and there were only wounded men left among them, yes they would rise up in their tents, and burn this city with fire. When the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Egypt’s army, then Jeremiah went out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to get his portion there with the people.
[11-15] When he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah, son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah; and he laid hold on Jeremiah the preacher, saying, “You’re deserting to the Chaldeans. Then said Jeremiah, It’s false; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans. But he didn’t listen to him; so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the royalty. The royalty were angry with Jeremiah, and hit him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan, the writer; for they had made that the prison.
[16-21] When Jeremiah had come into the dungeon house, and into the cells, and Jeremiah had stayed there many days; Then Zedekiah the ruler sent for him, and the ruler asked him secretly in his house, and said, “Is there any word from Yahweh? Jeremiah said, “There is. He said also, You’ll be given over to the ruler of Babylon. Besides Jeremiah said to ruler Zedekiah, Wherein have I sinned against you, or against your workers, or against this people, that you’ve put me in prison? Where now are your preachers who spoke to you, saying, “The ruler of Babylon won’t come against you, nor against this land? Now please listen to me, oh ruler, please let me ask a favor of you, that you not let me go back to the house of Jonathan, the writer, lest I die there. Then Zedekiah, the ruler, told them to take Jeremiah into the court of the guard; and they gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guard.
38[1-6] Shephatiah, son of Mattan, and Gedaliah, son of Pashhur, and Jucal, son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur, son of Malchijah, heard the words that Jeremiah spoke to all the people, saying, “Yahweh says, “Those who stay in this city will die by war, hunger, and disease; but those who go out to the Chaldeans (Iraq) will live, and their lives will be spared, and they’ll live. Yahweh says, “This city will surely be given over to the army of the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), who will take it. Then the royalty said to the ruler, Let this man, we ask, be put to death; because he weakens the hands of the soldiers who stay in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them; for this man doesn’t look out for the welfare of this people, but for their hurt. Zedekiah, the ruler said, “See, he’s yours; for the ruler isn’t the one who can do anything against you. Then they took Jeremiah, and threw him into the dungeon of Malchijah, the ruler’s son, that was in the court of the guard, and they let down Jeremiah with ropes. In the dungeon there was no water, but mud; and Jeremiah sank in the mud.
[7-11] Now when Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, an officer, who was in the ruler’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the ruler then sitting in the gate of Benjamin), Ebedmelech went out of the ruler’s house, and spoke to the ruler, saying, “My Master, the ruler, these men have done evil in all that they’ve done to Jeremiah the preacher, whom they’ve thrown into the dungeon; and he is likely to die of hunger in that place; for there’s no more bread in the city. Then the ruler told Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here 30 men with you, and take Jeremiah the preacher up out of the dungeon, before he dies. So Ebedmelech took the people with him, and went into the house of the ruler under the treasury, and took rags and worn-out clothes, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
[12-16] Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, said to Jeremiah, Put these rags and worn-out clothes under your armholes now, under the ropes; and Jeremiah did what he said. So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes, and took him up out of the pit and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guard. Then Zedekiah, the ruler sent, and took Jeremiah, the preacher, to him into the 3rd entry that is in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the ruler said to Jeremiah, I want to ask you something; but don’t hide anything from me. Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I tell it to you, won’t you put me to death? and if I give you counsel, you won’t listen to me. So Zedekiah, the ruler, swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made us this soul, I won’t put you to death, nor will I give you to these men who want to kill you.
[17-19] Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “If you’ll go out to the ruler of Babylon’s royalty, then your soul will live, and this city won’t be burned with fire; and You’ll live, and all your people. But if you won’t go out to the ruler of Babylon’s royalty, then this city will be given over to the Chaldeans, and they’ll burn it with fire, and you won’t escape from them. Then Zedekiah, the ruler, said to Jeremiah, I am scared of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, that they could hand me over to them, and they mock me.
[20-23] But Jeremiah said, “They won’t hand you over to them. Obey, I ask you, the voice of Yahweh, in what I speak to you, so it will be well with you, and your soul will live. But if you refuse to go out, this is the word that Yahweh has shown me; see, all the women who are left in the ruler of Judah’s house will be brought out to the ruler of Babylon’s royalty, and those women will say, Your best friends have lied to you, and overcome you, and now that your feet are sunk in the mud, they’ve turned away. They’ll bring out all your wives and your children to the Chaldeans; and you won’t escape from them, but will be taken by the ruler of Babylon and you’ll cause this city to be burned with fire.
[24-28] Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, Don’t tell anyone of these words, and you won’t die. But if the royalty hears that I’ve talked with you, and they come to you, and say to you, tell us now what you’ve said to the ruler; don’t hide it from us, and we won’t put you to death; and also what the ruler said to you; then you tell them, I asked a favor of the ruler, that he wouldn’t cause me to go back to Jonathan’s house to die there. Then came all the royalty to Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them what the ruler had told him to say. So they left and the matter was not known. So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.
39[1-4] When Jerusalem was taken, in the 10th month of the 9th year of Zedekiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), came Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq) and all his army against Jerusalem, and overwhelmed it; on the 9th day of the 4th month, in the 11th year of Zedekiah, a breach was made in the city wall, that all the royalty of the ruler of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, that is, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all the rest of the royalty of the ruler of Babylon. When Zedekiah, the ruler of Judah, and all the soldiers saw them, then they ran, and went out of the city by night, by the road of the ruler’s garden, through the gate between the two walls; and they went out toward the Arabah desert.
[5-8] But the army of the Chaldeans (Iraq) chased after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment on him. Then the ruler of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes, also killed all the leaders of Judah. Besides he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and chained him up, to carry him to Babylon. The Chaldeans burned the ruler’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
[9-14] Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried the rest of the people who stayed in the city, the deserters also who went out to him, and the rest of the people who stayed in the city into Babylon. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them gardens and fields at the same time. Now Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon gave orders about Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, saying, “Take him, and look after him well, and do him no harm; but do to him even as he’ll tell you. So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, and Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the ruler of Babylon sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and gave him to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home, so he lived among the people.
[15-18] Now the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, while he was locked up in the court of the guard, saying, “Go, and speak to Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll bring My words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they’ll be done in your sight on that day. But I’ll protect you in that day,” says Yahweh; and you won’t be given over to the people of whom you’re scared. I’ll surely save you and you won’t die in the war, but your life will be given to you; because you’ve put your trust in Me,” says Yahweh.
40[1-6] This is the word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the prisoners of Jerusalem and Judah (southern Israel), who were carried away prisoner to Babylon (Iraq). The captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, “ Yahweh, your God, spoke this evil on this place; and Yahweh has brought it, and done what was spoken because you’ve sinned against Yahweh, and haven’t obeyed his voice, so this thing is come on you. Now, see, I loosen you today from the chains which are on your hand. If you want to come with me into Babylon (Iraq), come, and I’ll take care of you; but if you don’t want to come with me into Babylon, don’t. See, all the land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right to you to go. Now while he was not yet gone back, he also said to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the ruler of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, Go back then, and live with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him food and some money, and let him go. Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, to Mizpah (lowlands of Judah), and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.
[7-10] Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their soldiers, heard that the ruler of Babylon had made Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, governor in the land, and had given him men, and women, and children, and the poorest people of the land, of those who weren’t carried away prisoner to Babylon; then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, that is, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan, sons of Kareah, and Seraiah, son of Tanhumeth, and sons of Ephai, the Netophathite, and Jezaniah, son of the Maacathite, they and their soldiers. Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their soldiers, saying, “Don’t be scared to serve the Chaldeans (Iraq); live in the land, and serve the ruler of Babylon, and it will be well with you. As for me, see, I’ll live at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans, who will come to us, but you, gather your wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your pots, and live in your cities that you’ve taken.
[11-16] Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab (Jordan), and among the people of Ammon (Transjordan), and in Edom (Jordan, Arab Nations), and who were in all the countries, heard that the ruler of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; then all the Jews came back out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered all the wine and summer fruits. Besides Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, and said to him, “ Do you know that Baalis, the ruler of the people of Ammon has sent Ishmael, son of Nethaniah to take your life? But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, didn’t believe them. Then Johanan, son of Kareah, spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, “Please let me go, and I’ll kill Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it; why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and what’s left of Judah die? But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, said to Johanan, son of Kareah, Don’t do that; for you’re lying about Ishmael.
41[1-3] Now in the 7th month, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal descendants and one of the chief officers of the ruler, and 10 soldiers came to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, to Mizpah; and ate bread together with them in Mizpah. Then Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and the 10 soldiers who were with him got up, and hit Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with a sword, and killed him, whom the ruler of Babylon (Iraq) had made governor over the land. Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, along with the Chaldeans (Iraq) who were there, the soldiers of war.
[4-7] The next day after he had killed Gedaliah, and no one knew it, some men from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, even 80 men came having their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and having cut themselves, with meal offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, went out from Mizpah to meet them, crying all along as he went, and as he met them, he said to them, “Come to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam. When they came into the middle of the city, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, killed them, and threw them all into the middle of a pit.
[8-10] But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, Don’t kill us; we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, barley, oil, and honey. So he stopped, and didn’t kill them with the others. Now the pit in which Ishmael threw all the dead bodies of the people whom he had killed, by the side of Gedaliah was the same as that which Asa the ruler had made for fear of Baasha ruler of Israel, and Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, filled it with those who were killed. Then Ishmael carried away prisoner all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, even the ruler’s daughters, and all the people who stayed in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had given to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam; Ishmael, son of Nethaniah carried them away prisoner, and left to go over to the people of Ammon (Transjordan).
[11-15] But when Johanan son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, had done, then they took all the people, and went to fight with Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon (modern ‘el-Jib’, about 5 miles from Jerusalem). Now when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, they were very happy. So all the people who Ishmael had carried away prisoner from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan, son of Kareah. But Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the people of Ammon.
[16-18] Then Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, all took what was left of the people whom he had gotten back from Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after he had killed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, that is, the soldiers of war, and the women, and children, and the officers, whom he had brought back from Gibeon. So they left, and lived in Geruth Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, going into Egypt, because of the Chaldeans; for they were scared of them, because Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, had killed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, whom the ruler of Babylon had made governor over the land.
42[1-4] Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan, son of Kareah, and Jezaniah, son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came up, and said to Jeremiah the preacher, Let us ask a favor of you, and pray for us to Yahweh your God, for all of us that are left; for we’re only a few of many, as your eyes see us, that Yahweh your God may show us where to go and what to do. Then Jeremiah the preacher said to them, “I’ve heard you; see, I’ll pray to Yahweh your God just as you ask; and whatever Yahweh answers you, I’ll tell it to you; I’ll keep nothing back from you.
[5-10] Then they said to Jeremiah, Yahweh be a true and faithful witness among us, if we don’t do everything Yahweh your God will say to you for us. Whether it’s good or evil, we’ll obey the voice of Yahweh our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Yahweh our God. After ten days, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, who called Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, and said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your request,” says , “If you’ll still live in this land, then I’ll build you up, and not pull you down, and I’ll plant you, and not pluck you up; for I grieve over the trouble that I’ve brought on you.
[11-14] Don’t be scared of the ruler of Babylon (Iraq), of whom you’re scared; Don’t be scared of him,” says Yahweh; for I am with you to save you, and to free you from his control. I’ll give you mercy, that he may have mercy on you, and let you to go back to your own land. But if you say, We won’t live in this land; so that you don’t obey the voice of Yahweh your God, saying, “No; but we’ll go into the land of Egypt, where we’ll see no war, nor listen to the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread; and there will we live.
[15-17] Now listen the word of Yahweh, O remnant of Judah (southern Israel); Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “If you set your faces to go into Egypt, and go to stay there; then that war, which you fear, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the hunger, of which you’re scared, will follow you there in Egypt; and there you’ll die. So it’ll be with all the people who set their faces to go into Egypt to stay there; they’ll die by war, hunger, and disease; and none of them will stay or escape from the evil that I’ll bring on them.
[18-22] For Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “As My anger and My rage has been poured out on the people of Jerusalem, so will My rage be poured out on you, when you go into Egypt; and you’ll be an object of horror, and a shock, and a curse, and a blame; and you’ll never see this place again. Yahweh has spoken about you, remnant of Judah, Don’t go into Egypt; know certainly that I’ve testified to you today. For you’ve acted dishonestly against your own souls; for you sent me to Yahweh your God, saying, “Pray for us to Yahweh our God; and we’ll do all that Yahweh our God will say, so tell us, and we’ll do it and I’ve told it to you today; but you haven’t obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God in anything for which I’ve been sent to you. Now know certainly that you’ll die by war, hunger, and disease, in the place where you want to go to live.
43[1-4] So when Jeremiah had finished speaking to all the people all the words of Yahweh their God, with which Yahweh their God had sent him to them, even all these words, then spoke Azariah, son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying to Jeremiah, You speak falsely; Yahweh our God hasn’t sent you to say, You won’t go into Egypt to stay there; but Baruch, son of Neriah, sets you against us, to give us into the hand of the Chaldeans (Iraq), that they may put us to death, and carry us away prisoner to Babylon (Iraq). So Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, didn’t obey the voice of Yahweh, to live in the land of Judah (southern Israel).
[5-7] But Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all who were left of Judah, who had come back from all the nations where they had been driven, to stay in the land of Judah; the men, women, and children, and the ruler’s daughters, and every person who Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left with Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; and Jeremiah the preacher, and Baruch, son of Neriah; and they went into the land of Egypt; for they didn’t obey the voice of Yahweh, and they came to Tahpanhes (modern ‘Tel Defenneh’ or ‘Tel Defneh’, about 18 miles east southeast from Tanis.)
[8-11] Then came the word of Yahweh to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, “Take great stones in your hand, and hide them in mortar in the brick work, which is at the entry of Ruler’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the people of Judah; and tell them, Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “See, I’ll send and take Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne on these stones that I’ve hidden; and he’ll rule over them. He’ll come, and take the land of Egypt; those who are for death will be given to death, and those who are for prison to prison, and those who are for war to war.
[12-13] I’ll start a fire in the places of worship of the false gods of Egypt; and he’ll burn them, and take them away prisoner; and he’ll clothe himself with the land of Egypt, as a pastor puts on his clothes; and he’ll go out from there in peace. He’ll also destroy the false gods of Beth Shemesh (house of the sun, sun temple), that is in the land of Egypt; and he’ll burn the places of worship of the false gods of Egypt.
44[1-6] This is the word that came to Jeremiah about all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying, “Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “You’ve seen all the evil that I’ve brought on Jerusalem, and on all the cities of Judah (southern Israel); and see, today they’re a ruin, and no one lives in it, because of all their evil which they’ve done to make Me angry, in that they went to burn incense, to serve false gods, that they didn’t know, neither they, nor you, nor your ancestors. But I sent to you all my workers, the preachers, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Oh, don’t do this horrible thing that I hate. But they didn’t listen, nor turned their ear to turn from their evil ways, to stop burning incense to false gods. So My rage and My anger was poured out, and started in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they’re wasted and empty, as it is today.
[7-10] So now Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “Why do you do this great evil against your own souls, to destroy from you man and woman, infant and nursing child, out of Judah, to have no one left; in that you make Me angry with the works of your hands, burning incense to false gods in the land of Egypt, where you’ve gone to stay; that you may be destroyed, and that you may be a curse and a blame among all the nations of the earth? Have you forgotten the evil of your ancestors, and the evil of the rulers of Judah, and the evil of their wives, and your own evil, and the evil of your wives which they’ve done in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? They’re not humbled even to today, nor have they feared Me, nor kept My law, nor my judgments, that I set before you and before your ancestors.
[11-14] So Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “See, I’ll set My face against you for evil, even to destroy all Judah. I’ll take what’s left of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to stay there, and they’ll all be destroyed; they’ll fall in the land of Egypt; they’ll be destroyed by war and hunger; they’ll all die, from the least even to the greatest, by war and by hunger; and they’ll be an object of horror, a shock, a curse, and a blame. For I’ll punish those who live in the land of Egypt, as I’ve punished Jerusalem, by war, hunger, and disease; so that not one of what’s left of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to stay there, will escape or be left, to go back into the land of Judah, to which they’ve wanted to go back to live there; for no one will go back except those who will escape.
[15-19] Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to false gods, and all the women who stood by, a great gathering, even all the people who lived in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, “As for the word that you’ve spoken to us in the Name of Yahweh, we won’t listen to you. But we’ll certainly do every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven (Ishtar, Astarte, goddess of fertility), and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we’ve done, we and our ancestors, our rulers and our royalty, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of food, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we’ve lacked all things, and have been destroyed by war and hunger. When we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her loaves to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our husbands?
[20-23] Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men, and to the women, even to all the people who had answered him, saying, “The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your ancestors, your rulers and your royalty, and the people of the land, didn’t Yahweh remember it, and keep it in mind? so that Yahweh could no longer put up with all the evil that you do, and because of the horrible things which you’ve done; so your land has become a ruin, a shock, a curse, and without people, as it is today. Because you’ve burned incense, and because you’ve sinned against Yahweh, and haven’t obeyed the voice of Yahweh, nor kept God’s law, nor judgments, nor testimonies; so this evil has happened to you, as it is today.
[24-26] Besides Jeremiah said to all the men and women, Listen to the word of Yahweh, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt; Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and with your hands have fulfilled it, saying, “We’ll surely do what we’ve said, “To burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, so keep your vows, and do them. So Listen to the word of Yahweh, all Judah, who live in the land of Egypt, See, I’ve promised by My Great Name,” says Yahweh, that My Name won’t be named anymore in the mouth of anyone of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As Yahweh God lives.
[27-30] See, I watch over them for evil, and not for good; and all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will be destroyed by war and hunger, until they are all gone. Those who escape war will go back out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, few in number; and all that’s left of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to stay there, will know whose word will stand, Mine, or theirs. This will be the sign to you,” says Yahweh, that I’ll punish you in this place, that you may know that My words will surely stand against you for evil; Yahweh says, “See, I’ll give Hophra, ruler of Egypt, over to his enemies, and over to those who want to take his life; as I gave Zedekiah, ruler of Judah, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq), who was his enemy, and wanted to take his life.
45[1-3] This is the word that Jeremiah the preacher spoke to Baruch son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the 4th year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel), saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch. You said, “I’m sorry now! for Yahweh has added sorrow to my pain; I am tired with my groaning, and I find no rest.
[4-5] Tell him, Yahweh says, “See, what I’ve built, I’ll break down, and what I’ve planted, I’ll root out; and I’ll do this in the whole land. Do you want great things for yourself? Don’t look for them; because I’ll bring evil on all humanity,” says Yahweh; but I’ll give to you your life wherever you go.
46[1-4] This is the word of Yahweh which came to Jeremiah the preacher about the nations. Of Egypt, about the army of Necoh, ruler of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq) took in the 4th year of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruler of Judah (southern Israel). Get your shield ready, and come close to battle. Harness the horses, and get up, soldiers, and stand out with your helmets; sharpen the spears, put on your armor.
[5-9] Why have I seen it? They’re troubled and turned backward; and their strong ones are beaten down, and have run off, and don’t look back; terror is all around them,” says Yahweh. Don’t let those who are quick run away, nor the strong ones escape; they’ve stumbled and fallen in the north by the river Euphrates. Who is this who rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers? Egypt rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers, and says, “I’ll rise up and cover the earth; I’ll destroy cities and their people. Go up, horses; and fight with your war vehicles; and let the soldiers go out! Cush (Ethiopia, Africa) and Put (Libya), who handle the shield; and the Ludim (Lydia, now Turkey), who handle and bend the bow.
[10-12] For that day is a day of Yahweh God, God of All Creation, a day of judgment, so God may be avenged of enemies; and war will eat them up and be filled, and will drink its fill of their blood; for Yahweh God, God of All Creation, has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. Go up into Gilead (Jordan), and take your medicine, cities of Egypt; you use many medicines for nothing; you can’t be healed. The nations have heard of your shame, and the earth is full of your crying; for the strong one has stumbled against the strong, they’re both fallen together.
[13-17] This is the word that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah the preacher, how that Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt. Tell it in Egypt, and publish it in Migdol, and publish it in Memphis and Tahpanhes; say, Stand up, and get ready; for war has eaten up everything around you. Why are your strong ones swept away? They didn’t stand, because Yahweh drove them and made many to stumble, yes, and they fell on one another; and they said, “Get up, and let’s go again to our own people, and to the land of our birth, from this punishing war. They cried there, the Ruler of Egypt is but a noise, who has let the set time pass by.
[18-24] As I live,” says the Ruler, whose name is Yahweh, God of All Creation, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel (Northern Israel) by the sea, so he will come. You people who live in Egypt, get ready to go into prison; for Memphis will become a ruin, and will be burnt up, without people. Egypt is like a very beautiful cow; but destruction will come out of the north, it’s coming. Also her hired soldiers are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, and have runaway together. They didn’t stand for the day of disaster is come on them, the time of their judgment. Its sound will hiss like the snakes; for they’ll march with an army, and come against her with axes, like wood cutters. They’ll cut down the forest,” says Yahweh, though it can’t be searched; because they’re more than the locusts, and are innumerable. The cities of Egypt will be disappointed; they’ll be given into the hand of the people of the north.
[25-28] Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel, says , “See, I’ll punish Amon of No (the head of the Egyptian false gods), and the Ruler, and Egypt, with all its gods, and its rulers; even the Ruler, and those who trust in him. I’ll give them into the hand of those who want to take their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, and into the hand of his soldiers; and afterwards it will be filled with people again, as in the old days,” says Yahweh. But Don’t be scared, Jacob My servant, nor be troubled, Israel, because I’ll save you from afar, and your descendants from the land of their imprisonment; and Jacob will go back, and will be quiet and at ease, and no one will make him scared. Don’t be scared, O Jacob My servant,” says Yahweh; for I am with you and I’ll make a full end of all the nations where I’ve driven you; but I won’t make a full end of you, but I’ll correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished.
47[1-4] This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the preacher about the Philistines, before that Ruler hit Gaza (near Palestine). Yahweh says, “See, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who live in it; and the people will cry, and all the people of the land will cry. At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of those strong ones, at the rushing of the war vehicles, at the rumbling of the wheels, the fathers don’t look back to their children for the weakness of their hands; because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to destroy from Tyre (Lebanon) and Sidon every helper who stays; for Yahweh will destroy the Philistines, what’s left of the isle of Caphtor.
[5-7] Gaza is empty; What’s left of the valley of Ashkelon (Askelon, near Jerusalem) is brought to nothing. How long will you cut yourself? How long will it be before the Sword of Yahweh is quiet? Put the sword into the scabbard; rest, and be still. How can it be quiet, seeing Yahweh has told it what to do? Against Ashkelon and the seashore, where it is.
48[1-5] As for Moab (Jordan), Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “Sorrow will come to Nebo! It’s destroyed; Kiriathaim is disappointed, and it’s taken; Misgab is put to shame and broken down. The praise of Moab is gone; they’ve planned evil against Heshbon. Come, and let’s destroy this nation. You also, Madmen, will be brought to silence. War will chase you. The sound of a cry from Horonaim, ruin and great destruction! Moab is destroyed; the little ones have caused a great cry to be heard. On the way up to Luhith they continually cry; and on the way down to Horonaim they’ve heard the horrible cry of destruction.
[6-9] Run, save your lives, and be like the heath in the deserted countryside. Because you’ve trusted in what you’ve done and in your riches, you also will be taken, and Chemosh (false god of the Moabites) will be taken prisoner, the preachers and the royalty together. The destroyer will come on every city, and no city will escape; the valley also will die, and the plain will be destroyed as Yahweh has spoken. Give wings to Moab that they may fly and get away, and all the cities will become a ruin, without people.
[10-15] The one who does the work of Yahweh negligently will be punished; and the one who refuses to take blood will be punished. Moab has rested since it was made, and has been stored like wine, and hasn’t been moved from pot to pot, nor have They’ve been taken prisoner; so the taste is the same, and its scent hasn’t changed. So the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll send there those who will pour it out, and they’ll pour it all out; and they’ll empty the pot, and break their bottles in pieces. Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the people of Israel were ashamed of Bethel, their confidence. How do you say, We’re brave soldiers for the war? Moab is destroyed, and they’ve gone up into the cities, and the best youth have gone down to the slaughter,” says the Ruler, whose name is Yahweh, God of All Creation.
[16-20] The disaster of Moab is near to come, and its punishment comes soon. All you who are around it, feel sorry for it, and all you who know its name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful walking stick! You cities who are in Dibon, come down from your glory, and sit in thirst; for the destroyer of Moab is come up against you, and has destroyed your strongholds. People of Aroer, stand by the way, and watch! Ask him who runs, and her who escapes, What has happened? Moab is disappointed; for it’s broken down. Cry and cry; tell it by the Arnon, that Moab is destroyed.
[21-26] Judgment is come on the plain country, on Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath, Dibon, Nebo, Beth Diblathaim, Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, Beth Meon, Kerioth, and on Bozrah, and on all the cities of the land of Moab, both near and far. The strength of Moab is destroyed, and its power is broken,” says Yahweh. Make him drunk; for he raised himself against Yahweh; and Moab will wallow in his vomit, and be mocked.
[27-30] Wasn’t Israel mocked by you? Was it found among thieves? For as often as you speak of it, you shake your head. People of Moab, leave the cities, and live in the rocks; and be like the dove that makes its nest in the mouth of a cave. We’ve heard of the pride of Moab, who is very proud; how he is lifted up in pride, with his arrogance, and the selfishness of his heart. I know his rage,” says Yahweh, that it’s nothing; his bragging hasn’t done anything.
[31-34] So I’ll cry for Moab; yes, I’ll cry out for all Moab; they’ll mourn for the people of Kir Heres. I’ll cry for you with more than the crying of Jazer, vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed over the sea, they reached even to the sea of Jazer, and the destroyer is fallen on your summer fruits and on your vintage. Happiness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab; and I’ve caused wine to come to an end from the wine presses. No one will stomp them with celebration; the shouting will all stop. They’ve sounded their voice from the cry of Heshbon even to Elealeh, even to Jahaz, from Zoar even to Horonaim, to Eglath Shelishiyah, and even the waters of Nimrim will become bitter.
[35-39] Besides I’ll cause to come to an end in Moab,” says Yahweh, those who offer sacrifices in the Place of Worship, and those who burn incense to their false gods. So my heart sounds for Moab like pipes, and my heart sounds like pipes for the people of Kir Heres; so everything that they’ve gotten is gone. For every head is shaved, and every beard is clipped, and cuttings are on all their hands, and everyone is in mourning clothes. There’s mourning everywhere on all the housetops of Moab and in its streets; for I’ve broken Moab like a pot that no one wants,” says Yahweh. How it’s broken down! how they cry! how has Moab turned their backs in shame! So Moab will become a mockery and a terror to all who are around it.
[40-47] For Yahweh says, “See, he’ll fly as an eagle, and will spread out his wings against Moab. Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are taken, and the heart of the soldiers of Moab at that day will be as the heart of a woman giving birth. Moab will be destroyed from being a people, because they’ve lifted up themselves against Yahweh. Fear, and the pit, and the trap, will come on you, people of Moab,” says Yahweh. Those who run from fear will fall into a pit; and those who get out of the pit will be taken in a trap; for I’ll bring the year of punishment on the people of Moab,” says Yahweh. Those who ran stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon; for a fire is gone out of Heshbon, and a flame from the middle of Sihon, and has burned up the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the troubling ones. Sorrow will come to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh are undone; for your children are taken away, and put into prison. Yet I’ll bring the prisoners of Moab back in the latter days,” says Yahweh. This is the judgment of Moab (Jordan).
49[1-6] About the people of Ammon (Transjordan). Yahweh says, “Does Israel have no children? Has he no heir? So why does Malcam take Gad, and his people live in its cities? See, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the people of Ammon; and it will become a ruin of ruins, and its cities will be burned with fire, then I’ll let Israel have those who had it,” says Yahweh. Cry, Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed; cry, you cities of Rabbah, put on your mourning clothes! Mourn, and run back and forth among the fences; for Malcam will be taken prisoner, his preachers and royalty together. Why do you brag about the valleys, your flowing valley, you unfaithful people? You trusted in your treasures, saying, “Who will come to me? See, I’ll bring a fear on you,” says Yahweh God, God of All Creation, from all who are around you; and Everyone of you’ll be driven right out, and there won’t be anyone to gather together the run-a-ways. But afterward I’ll bring back those taken prisoner of the people of Ammon,” says Yahweh.
[7-11] About Edom (Jordan, Arab Nations), Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “Is there no more wisdom in Teman? Have the wise nothing to say? Is their wisdom all gone? Run, turn back, live deep in your caves, people of Dedan (Arabia); for I’ll bring the disaster of Esau on you, when I judge you. If grape gatherers came to you, wouldn’t they leave a few grapes to pick? If thieves came by night, wouldn’t they take only until they had enough? But I’ve made Esau bare, I’ve uncovered his secret places, and he won’t be able to hide himself; his descendants will be destroyed, along with his brothers, and his neighbors; and he’ll be gone. Leave your fatherless children, I’ll save them; and let your surviving spouses trust in Me.
[12-17] For Yahweh says, “See, those for whom it wasn’t intended will be punished; and will you go unpunished? You won’t go unpunished, but you’ll surely suffer. For I’ve promised by Myself,” says Yahweh, that Bozrah will become a shock, a blame, a waste, and a curse; and all those cities will be waste places continually. I’ve heard news from Yahweh, and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, “Gather yourselves together, and come against Edom, and go to the battle. See, I’ve made you small among the nations, and hated among humanity. As for your terror, the pride of your heart has lied to you, O you who live in the caves of the rock, who hold the mountains; though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I’ll bring you down from there,” says Yahweh. Edom will become a shock and everyone who passes by it will be shocked, and will mock at all its troubles.
[18-22] As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbor cities,” says Yahweh, no one will live there, nor will any human stay in it. See, one like a lion will come up from the pride of the Jordan against the home of the strong; but I’ll suddenly make them run away from it; and I’ll put my chosen one over it; for who is like Me? and who will appoint Me a time? and who is the pastor who will stand before Me? So listen to the counsel of Yahweh, which is spoken against Edom; and the purposes that are planned against the people of Teman. Surely they’ll drag them away, even the little ones; surely there won’t be anyone left in their homes. The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; There’s a great cry, the noise of which is heard in the Red Sea. See, one will come up and fly as the eagle, and spread out their wings against Bozrah; and the heart of the soldiers of Edom (Jordan, Arab nations) at that day will be as the heart of a woman having birth pangs.
[23-27] About Damascus (capital of Syria). Hamath is confused, and Arpad; for they’ve heard evil news, and they’re scared to death! There’s sorrow on the sea and it won’t be quiet. Damascus has grown weak and turns to run, and shakes in fear; suffering and sorrows have taken hold, as of a woman giving birth. How is the city of praise not left, the city of My joy? So the youth will fall in the streets, and all the soldiers of war will be brought to silence in that day,” says Yahweh, God of All Creation. I’ll build a fire in the strong places of Damascus, and it will burn up the great houses of Ben Hadad (a false god).
[28-33] About Kedar, and of the nations of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon (Iraq), hit. Yahweh says, “Get up, go up to Kedar, and destroy the people of the east. Take their tents and their flocks; take their curtains, and all their pots, and their camels; and cry to them, terror is on every side! Run, wander far away, live in the caves, people of Hazor,” says Yahweh; for Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon has taken counsel against you, and has made a plan against you. Get up, go to a nation that is at ease, that lives without a care,” says Yahweh; that has no gates or bars, that lives alone. You’ll take their camels and all of their livestock; and I’ll scatter to the winds all those who have the edges of their hair cut off; and I’ll bring their disaster from every side,” says Yahweh. Hazor will be a place of wild dogs, a ruin forever; no one will live there, nor will any human stay in it.
[34-39] This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the preacher about Elam (Iran), in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah ruler of Judah (southern Israel), saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “See, I’ll break the bow of Elam, their strongest ones. I’ll bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven on Elam, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there won’t be any nation where the outcasts of Elam won’t come. I’ll cause Elam to be troubled before their enemies, and before those who want to take their life; and I’ll bring evil on them, even My great anger,” says Yahweh; and I’ll make war with them, until I’ve destroyed them; and I’ll set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there both ruler and royalty,” says Yahweh. But in the latter days, that I’ll bring back those taken prisoner of Elam,” says Yahweh.
50[1-3] This is the word that Yahweh spoke about Babylon (Iraq), about the land of the Chaldeans (Iraq), by Jeremiah the preacher. Tell it to the nations and publish it, and set up a sign; publish it, and don’t hide it. Say, Babylon is taken, Bel (Babylonian false god) is disappointed, Merodach (Babylonian false god) is troubled; all their false gods are disappointed and troubled. A nation comes against it out of the north, which will make the land empty, and no one will live in it; they’ve run, they’re gone, both human and animal.
[4-7] In those days, and in that time,” says Yahweh, the people of Israel will come, they and the people of Judah (southern Israel) together; they’ll go on their way crying, and will look for Yahweh their God. They’ll ask about Zion (Jerusalem) with their faces turned toward it, saying, “Come, and lets join ourselves to Yahweh in an everlasting promised agreement that won’t be forgotten. My people have been like lost sheep; their overseers have caused them to go astray and turned them away on the mountains; they’ve gone from mountain to hill and forgotten their resting place. All who found them have eaten them up; and their enemies said, “We’re not guilty, because they’ve sinned against Yahweh, in Whom is justice, even Yahweh, the hope of their ancestors.”
[8-13] Run out of Babylon, and go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be like the male goats before the flocks. See, I’ll stir up and cause a group of great nations (United Nations?) from the north country to come up against Babylon; and they’ll ready themselves for battle against it; from there, Babylon will be taken; their weapons will be those of an expert soldier; none will go back in empty. Chaldea will be taken and all who take it will be satisfied,” says Yahweh. Because you’re glad and celebrate, O you who plunder My heritage, because you’re as happy as a cow that treads out the grain, and neigh like strong horses; your mother will be completely disappointed; she who bore you will be confused; See, Babylon will be the least of the nations, a deserted countryside, a dry land, and a desert. Because of the rage of Yahweh it won’t be inhabited, but will be completely empty; everyone who goes by Babylon will be shocked, and mock at all its troubles.
[14-19] Ready yourselves for battle around Babylon, all you who hold weapons; shoot and spare no ammunition; Babylon has sinned against Yahweh. Shout against it all around; it has given up; its strong places have fallen, its walls are down; for it’s the judgment of Yahweh! Take judgment on Babylon; as it has done, do to it. Destroy the planter from Babylon, and those who hold the sickle at harvest; everyone will turn to his people for fear of the punishing war, and everyone will run home. Israel is like a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away; first, the ruler of Assyria has eaten him up; and now at last Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon has broken his bones. So Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “See, I’ll punish the ruler of Babylon and his land, as I’ve punished the ruler of Assyria. I’ll bring Israel home again to his pasture, and he’ll feed on Carmel (Northern Israel) and Bashan (Jordan), and his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim (Northern Israel) and in Gilead (Jordan).
[20-24] In those days, and at that time,” says Yahweh, I’ll look for the sin of Israel, and there won’t be any; and the sins of Judah, and they won’t be found; for I’ll forgive all those who are left behind. Go up against the land of Merathaim (Babylon), even against it, and against the people of Pekod (Babylon); kill and completely destroy them,” says Yahweh, and do all that I’ve told you. A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. The hammer of the whole earth is cut apart and broken! Babylon has become a ruin among the nations! I’ve laid a trap for you, and you’re also taken, Babylon, and you didn’t know it; you’ve been found, and also caught, because you’ve fought against Yahweh.
[25-32] Yahweh has opened the armory, and has brought out the weapons of rage; for Yahweh God, the God of All Creation, has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans. Come against it from the utmost border; open its storehouses; make it as ruins, and destroy it completely; let nothing be left of it. Kill all its bulls; let them go down to the slaughter; sorrow comes to them! Their day is come, the time of their judgment. Hear the voice of those who run and escape out of the land of Babylon, to tell in Zion the judgment of Yahweh our God, the judgment of the Place of Worship. Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow; make camp all around it; let none escape; repay it according to its work; according to all that it has done, do to it; for it has been proud against Yahweh, against the Holy One of Israel. So your youth will fall in the streets, and all your soldiers will be brought to silence in that day,” says Yahweh. See, I am against you, you proud one,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation; for your day is come, the time that I’ll judge you. You, who are so proud, will stumble and fall, and no one will raise you up; and I’ll start a fire in all your cities, and it will burn up all who are there.
[33-37] Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “The people of Israel and Judah are abused together; and all who took them prisoner hold them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Savior is strong; Yahweh, whose name is the God of All Creation; Who will finally plead their case and give rest to the earth, and disquiet the people of Babylon. A war is coming on the Chaldeans,” says Yahweh, and on the people of Babylon, and on its royalty, and on its wise ones. A war is coming on those braggers, and they’ll become fools; a war is coming on the soldiers, and they’ll be troubled. A war is coming on their horses, and on their war vehicles, and on all the mixed people who are there; and they’ll become as scared as women; a war is coming on its treasures, and they’ll all be taken.
[38-42] A drought is coming and its waters will be dried up; for it’s a land of false gods, and they’ve gone crazy over their idols. So the wild animals of the desert with the wolves will live there, and the ostriches will live in it; and no human being will live there; nor will it be lived in from one generation to the next. As when I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities,” says Yahweh, so no one will ever live there again. See, a people comes from the north; a great nation and many rulers (United Nations?) will be stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. They take their weapons; they’re cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roars like the sea; and they ride on horses, everyone ready for battle, against you, cities of Babylon.
[43-46] The ruler of Babylon has heard the news of them, and his hands grow weak; suffering has taken hold of him, and pangs as of a woman giving birth. See, the enemy will come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong place; for I’ll suddenly make them run away from it; and whoever is chosen, will be set over it; for who is like Me? and who will appoint Me a time? and who is the pastor who can stand before Me? So listen to the counsel of Yahweh, that was spoken against Babylon; and the purposes that are planned against the land of the Chaldeans; Surely they’ll drag them away, even the little ones of the flock; surely there won’t be anyone left in their homes. The earth shakes at the noise of the taking of Babylon, and the cry is heard among the nations.
51[1-5] Yahweh says, “See, I’ll raise up against Babylon (Iraq), and against those who live in Lebkamai, a destructive wind. I’ll send to Babylon strangers, who will separate them; and they’ll empty the land; for in the day of disaster they’ll be all around it. Let the archer bend the bow against those who bend, and against those who lift their self up in their armor; and don’t spare the youth; destroy all their army. They’ll fall down dead in the land of the Chaldeans (Iraq), and be thrust through in the streets. For Israel isn’t left, nor Judah (southern Israel), of their God, of Yahweh, God of All Creation; though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
[6-9] Run out of Babylon, and save your life; don’t be destroyed in its sin; it’s the time of Yahweh’s judgment, who will repay them for what they’ve done. Babylon has been a golden cup in Yahweh’s hand, who made all the earth drunken; the nations have drunk its wine and are crazy. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed; cry for it; take salve for the pain, in case it may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but it isn’t healed; forsake it, and let’s go home to our own country; for its judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
[10-12] Yahweh has brought out our goodness; come, and let’s tell the work of Yahweh our God in Zion (Jerusalem). Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields; Yahweh has stirred up the spirit of the rulers of the Medes (Iran); whose purpose is against Babylon (Iraq), to destroy it; for it’s the judgment of Yahweh, the judgment of the Place of Worship. Set up a flag against the walls of Babylon; make the watch strong and set the guards; get ready to attack; for Yahweh has both planned and done what was spoken about the people of Babylon.
[13-16] You who live on many waters (U. S.?), abundant in treasures, your end is come, the measure of your greed. I, Yahweh, God of All Creation have promised by Myself, saying, “Surely I’ll fill you with soldiers, as with the caterpillars; and they’ll lift up a shout against you. Yahweh, You have made the earth by Your power, and established the world by Your wisdom, and by Your understanding You have stretched out the heavens. When You speak Your voice, there’s an uproar of waters in the heavens, and You cause the water vapors to rise from the ends of the earth; You make lightning for the rain, and bring the wind out of Your treasuries.
[17-23] Everyone has become violent and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is disappointed by their crafts; whose metal gods are falsehoods, and there’s no breath in them. They’re a figment of the imagination and will be destroyed in their judgment. The portion of Jacob isn’t like these; Who is the beginning of all things; and Israel is the family of God’s inheritance; Whose name is Yahweh, the God of All Creation. You’re My weapons of war and I’ll break the nations in pieces with you; and I’ll destroy nations with you; and I’ll break in pieces the horse and rider with you; and I’ll break in pieces the war vehicle and whoever rides in it with you; and I’ll break in pieces man and woman with you; and I’ll break in pieces the old and young with you; and I’ll break in pieces the young man and young woman with you; and I’ll break in pieces the pastor and his flock with you; and I’ll break in pieces the farmer and his pair of oxen with you; and I’ll break in pieces governors and officials with you.
[24-27] I’ll give back to Babylon and to all the people of Chaldea all their evil that they’ve done in Zion (Jerusalem) in your sight,” says Yahweh. See, I am against you, destroying mountain,” says Yahweh, which destroys all the earth; and I’ll stretch out My hand on you, and roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burnt mountain. They won’t take a stone for a corner of you, nor a stone for foundations; but you’ll be empty forever,” says Yahweh. Set up a flag in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, get the nations ready to come against it, call together against it the nations of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz (Armenia, Turkey); appoint a general against it; cause the horses to come up as the hairy caterpillar.
[28-31] Get the nations ready against it, the rulers of the Medes (Iran), its governors, and all its officials, and all the land in their control. The land shakes and is in pain; for Yahweh’s plans against Babylon (Iraq) stand, to make the land of Babylon a ruin, without people. The soldiers of Babylon have refused to fight, and stay in their strongholds; their strength has failed; they’ve become like scared women; its homes are set on fire; its bars are broken. One runner will run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the ruler of Babylon that the city is taken on every quarter and the passages are taken, and the reeds they’ve burned with fire, and the soldiers of war are scared.
[32-35] For Yahweh, God of All Creation, the God of Israel says, “The cities of Babylon are like a barn floor at the time when the grain is separated; in just a little while, the time of harvest will come for it. Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, has eaten me up and crushed me, he has made me an empty pot, he has, like a monster, swallowed me up, he has filled his belly with my delicacies and has spit me out. The people of Zion will say, the violence done to me and my people be on Babylon; and Jerusalem will say, My blood be on the people of Chaldea.
[36-40] So Yahweh says, “See, I’ll plead your case, and punish them for you; and I’ll dry up its sea, and make its fountain dry. Babylon will become ruins, a place for wild dogs, a shock, and a mockery, without people. They’ll roar together like young lions; they’ll growl as lions’ cubs. When they’re heated, I’ll make their feast, and I’ll make them drunken, that they may celebrate, and sleep forever, and not wake up,” says Yahweh. I’ll bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats.
[41-44] How is Sheshach (Babylon, Iraq) taken! and the praise of the whole earth taken! how is Babylon (Iraq) become a ruin among the nations! The sea is come up on Babylon; it’s covered with many waves. The cities are become a ruin, a dry land, and a desert, a land in which no one lives, nor does any human pass by it. I’ll judge Bel (Babylonian false god) in Babylon, and I’ll bring out of its mouth what it has swallowed up; and the nations won’t come there anymore; yes, the wall of Babylon will fall.
[45-49] My people, leave there; everyone save yourselves from the great anger of Yahweh. Don’t let your heart faint, nor fear for the news that will be heard in the land; for news will come one year, and after that in another year will come more news, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. So, see, the days are coming, that I’ll judge the false gods of Babylon; and the whole land will be confused; and all its dead will fall there. Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is in it, will sing for joy over Babylon; for the destroyers will come there from the north,” says Yahweh. As Babylon has caused the dead of Israel to fall, so the dead of all the land will fall at Babylon.
[50-54] You who have escaped war, go, don’t stand still; remember Yahweh from afar, and don’t forget Jerusalem. We’re confused, because we’ve been blamed; confusion has covered our faces; for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of Yahweh’s Place of Worship. So, see, the days are coming,” says Yahweh, that I’ll judge those false gods; and the wounded will groan through all the land. Though Babylon should rise up to heaven, and though it should fortify the height of its strength, yet from Me destroyers will come there,” says Yahweh. The sound of a cry comes from Babylon and of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans!
[55-58] Yahweh lays Babylon waste, and stops the great sound coming out of it; and their waves roar like many waters; the sound of their voice is heard. The destroyer has come there, even on Babylon, whose soldiers are taken, and their weapons are broken in pieces; for Yahweh is a God who repays, and will surely pay them back. I’ll make the royalty and the wise ones drunk, along with the governors, officials, and soldiers; and they’ll sleep forever, and not wake up,” says the Ruler, whose Name is Yahweh, God of All Creation. Yahweh, God of All Creation says, “The thick walls of Babylon will be completely destroyed, and its high gates burned with fire; and the people will work for nothing, and the nations for the fire; and they’ll be worn out.
[59-62] The word which Jeremiah the preacher told Seraiah, son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah, the ruler of Judah, to Babylon in the 4th year of his reign. Now Seraiah was the manager of the household. Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come on Babylon, even all these words that are written about Babylon. Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When you come to Babylon, then see that you read all these words, and say, Yahweh, you’ve spoken about this place, to destroy it, that no one will live in it, either human or animal, but that it will be empty forever.
[63-64] When you’ve finished reading this book, tie a stone to it, and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates and say, In this way will Babylon sink, and won’t rise again because of the evil that I’ll bring on it; and they’ll be worn out. These are the words of Jeremiah.
52[1-5] Zedekiah was 21 years old when he began to reign; and he reigned 11 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. For through the anger of Yahweh, it happened in Jerusalem and Judah (southern Israel), until they had been thrown out from Yahweh’s presence. Zedekiah rebelled against the ruler of Babylon (Iraq). In the 9th year of his reign, in the 10th day of the 10th month, Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, came with his army against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it all around it. So the city was overwhelmed to the 11th year of ruler Zedekiah.
[6-10] In the 9th day of the 4th month, the hunger was great in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land. Then a breach was made in the city, and all the soldiers of war ran, and went out of the city by night by the road of the gate between the two walls, which was by the ruler’s garden. Now the Chaldeans (Iraq) were all around the city and went toward the Arabah. But the army of the Chaldeans chased after the ruler, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered away from him. Then they took the ruler, and carried him up to the ruler of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he judged him there. The ruler of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah right before his eyes along with all the royalty of Judah in Riblah.
[11-14] He put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the ruler of Babylon chained him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison until the day of his death. Now in the 10th day of the 5th month, which was the 19th year of ruler Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who stood before the ruler of Babylon, came into Jerusalem and burned the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the ruler’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, every great house, he burned with fire. All the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all the way around it.
[15-20] Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried some of the poorest people away prisoner, and the rest of the people who were left in the city, and those who deserted to the ruler of Babylon, and the rest of the people. But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left some of the poorest of the land to be garden keepers and farmers. The pillars of brass that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, and the bases and the brass sea that were in the Place of Worship of Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried all their brass to Babylon. The pots also, the shovels, the snuffers, the basins, the spoons, and all the tools of brass with which they ministered, they took away. The cups, the fire pans, the basins, the pots, the candlesticks, the spoons, and the bowls that were of gold, in gold, and what was of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away. He also took the two pillars, the one sea, and the twelve brass bulls that were under the bases, which ruler Solomon had made for the Place of Worship of Yahweh. The brass of all these tools was beyond measure.
[21-23] As for the pillars, the height of one pillar was 27 feet; and a line of 18 feet went around it; and its thickness was about 3” thick and it was hollow. A capital of brass was on it; and the height of the one capital was 7½ feet, with its network and pomegranates all around the capital, all of brass; and the second pillar also had some like these, and pomegranates. There were 96 pomegranates on the sides; in all 100 pomegranates on the network around it.
[24-27] The captain of the guard took Seraiah, the main preacher, and Zephaniah, the second preacher, and the three door keepers and out of the city he took an officer who was set over the soldiers of war; and seven men of those who saw the ruler’s face, who were found in the city; and the writer of the captain of the army, who gathered the people of the land; and 60 men of the people of the land, who were found in the city. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took them, and brought them to the ruler of Babylon (Iraq) to Riblah. The ruler of Babylon put them to death there at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah (southern Israel) was carried away prisoner out of their land.
[28-34] Nebuchadnezzar carried away 3,023 Jews prisoner in the 7th year; in the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away prisoner from Jerusalem 832 persons; in the 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried away prisoner of the Jews 745 persons, there were 4,600 taken all together. In the 37th year of the captivity of Jehoiachin ruler of Judah, in the 25th day of the 12th month, Evilmerodach, ruler of Babylon, in the 1st year of his reign, gave Jehoiachin, ruler of Judah, hope, and brought him out of prison; and he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the rulers who were with him in Babylon, and changed his prison clothes. Jehoiachin ate before him continually all the days of his life and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the ruler of Babylon, enough for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
Lamentations
(Mourning Song)
1[1-5] How the city sits empty, that was full of people! It has become as a widow, who was great among the nations! The one who ruled among the provinces has to work hard for others now! Its people cry bitterly in the night with tears on their cheeks; among all those who loved them, no one will comfort them. All their friends have been unfaithful to them; and have become their enemies. Judah is taken prisoner also because of trouble, and must work very hard for others, too; they live among the unbelieving nations and find no rest. All those who abuse them overtook them in their trouble. The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to the sacred assembly; all its gates are deserted, its preachers sigh and its young women are troubled, and they are very bitter. It enemies have taken control and do well; for Yahweh has troubled it for their many sins and their young children are taken prisoner before the enemy.
[6-9] All beauty is gone from the town of Zion. Its rulers are become like deer that find no pasture, running with no strength left before those who chase them. Jerusalem remembers in the days of its trouble and misery all its good things that were from the old days when its people fell into the hand of the enemy, and no one helped it. The enemies saw it, and mocked at its deserted places. The people of Jerusalem have seriously sinned and has made it unfit; all who honored it hate it, because they’ve seen its sinfulness. Yes, the people sigh, and turn backward. They’ve made themselves filthy with their sin and didn’t believe they would suffer for it; so they’ve amazingly been brought down and have no comforter. See, Yahweh, our trouble; for the enemy has become great!
[10-14] The enemy has taken all our good things and we’ve seen the unbelieving nations come into our Place of Worship, those whom you said should not enter into your assembly. All our people sigh, looking for food; they’ve given all their good things for food to feed themselves. Look, Yahweh, and see how we’re hated. Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look, and see if there’s any sorrow like our sorrow, which is brought on us, with which Yahweh’s great anger has troubled us in the day of our punishment. You’ve sent disease into our bodies from on high, and it overcomes us; You’ve set a trap for us, and have turned us back and made us empty and faint all day long. The hard punishment of our sins is by Your hand; We’re tied in knots by our sin; You’ve made us have no strength. You’ve given us into the hands of those against whom we’re not able to stand.
[15-19] You’ve made our strong ones with us as nothing; You’ve called a sacred assembly against us to crush our young people. You’ve crushed the young people of Judah as grapes in a winepress. For these things we cry and our eyes run down with tears, because the comforter who should refresh our soul is far from us. Our children are deserted, because the enemy has won. Zion raises its hands, but there’s no one to comfort it; Yahweh has said about Israel, that those who are around it would be its enemies. Jerusalem is among them as an unfit thing. Yahweh is good; but we’ve rebelled against God’s Word. People, please listen to us, and see our sorrow. Our young people are taken prisoner. We called for those who loved us, but they lied to us. Our preachers and elders died in the city, while they looked for food to feed themselves.
[20-22] See, Yahweh; for we’re suffering and our heart is troubled; Our hearts are turned within us because we’ve seriously rebelled. Abroad the war kills us, at home we might as well be dead. They’ve heard our sighs and there’s no one to comfort us; All our enemies have heard of our trouble and they’re happy that You’ve done it. But You’ll bring the day that You’ve foretold, and they’ll be like us. So let all their evil ways come before you; Do to them, as You’ve done to us for all our sins. For our sighs are many and our heart is faint.
2[1-4] How has God’s anger covered the town of Zion with a cloud! You’ve thrown the beauty of Israel down from heaven to the earth, and haven’t remembered Your footstool when You were angry. You’ve swallowed up all the homes of Israel, and haven’t had forgiveness. You’ve thrown down in Your anger the strong places of the town of Judah; You’ve knocked them down to the ground; You’ve ruined the nation and its rulers. You’ve cut off all the strength of Israel in Your great anger; You’ve drawn back Your strong hand from before the enemy You’ve burned up Israel like a flaming fire, which burns everything around it. You’ve drawn Your weapon like an enemy, You’ve stood with Your strong hand as an enemy, and have killed all that were good to see. You’ve poured out Your anger like fire in the Place of Worship of the town of Zion.
[5-9] God, You’ve become like an enemy, You’ve swallowed up Israel; You’ve swallowed up all its royal houses, You’ve destroyed its strong places; You’ve multiplied in the town of Judah mourning and crying. You’ve violently taken away our Place of Worship, as if it were a shed in a garden; You’ve destroyed our place of assembly. Yahweh, You have caused the sacred assembly and Seventh Day to be forgotten in Zion, and have hated the ruler and the preacher in rightness of Your anger. You’ve thrown down Your altar, You’ve hated Your own Place of Worship; You’ve given up the walls of its royal houses into the hand of the enemy. They’ve made a great noise in the house of Yahweh, as in the day of a sacred assembly. Yahweh has decided to destroy the wall of the town of Zion; You’ve stretched out the line, You’ve not withdrawn Your hand from destroying it; You’ve made the rampart and wall to mourn and cry; they suffer together. Its gates are sunk into the ground; You’ve destroyed and broken its bars. Its rulers are among the nations and the law is not followed; Yes, even its preachers find no vision from Yahweh.
[10-12] The elders of the town of Zion sit on the ground in silence; They’ve thrown up dirt on their heads and put on mourning clothes. The young girls of Jerusalem hang their heads down. Our eyes fail with tears, our heart is troubled; I have no spirit, because of the destruction of the town of our people, because the young children and the babies faint in the streets of the city. They ask their mothers, ‘Where is our food and drink?’ when they faint as the wounded in the streets of the city, and when they pour out their soul at their mothers’ breast.
[13-16] What will I say to you? What will I liken to you, town of Jerusalem? What will I compare to you, that I may comfort you, young town of Zion? For your wound is great like the sea. Who can heal you? Your preachers have seen for you false and stupid visions; They’ve not uncovered your sin to free you from its power, but have seen for you false visions and causes of deportation. All that pass by clap their hands at you; They hiss and shake their head at the town of Jerusalem, saying, “‘Is this the city that people called The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?’ All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you; They hiss and grind their teeth, saying, “‘We’ve swallowed it up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we’ve found it, and we’ve seen it.’
[17-18] Yahweh, You’ve done what You planned; You’ve fulfilled Your word that was foretold in the old days; You’ve thrown down, and haven’t forgiven. You’ve caused the enemy to celebrate over you; You’ve made your own enemies strong. Our hearts cry to You, the wall of the town of Zion. Let Your tears run down like a river day and night; Give yourself no rest; don’t let the apple of your eye come to an end.
[19-22] Get up, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of God. Lift up your hands toward God for the life of your young children that faint for hunger at the end of every street. Look, Yahweh, and see to whom You’ve done this! Will You let the women eat their own children that are held in their hands? Will You let the preachers and the preachers be killed in the Place of Worship of God? The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets; My young people are fallen by the war. You’ve killed them in the day of your anger; You’ve slaughtered them, and not forgiven. You’ve called, as in the day of a sacred assembly, our terrors on every side; There was no one that escaped or was left in the day of Yahweh’s anger. Those that I’ve held and brought up our enemy has destroyed.
3[1-4] I’m the one that has seen trouble by Your rod of punishment. You’ve led me to walk in darkness, and not in light. Surely Your hand is against me all day long. My body and skin You’ve made old; You’ve broken my bones.
[5-9] You’ve been strong against me, and have overtaken me with bitterness and troubles. You’ve made me to live in dark places, as those that have been long dead. You’ve walled me up, so that I can’t move forward; You’ve made my chains heavy. Yes, when I cry, and call for help, You shut out my prayer. You’ve walled up my ways with cut stone; You’ve made my paths crooked.
[10-14] You’re to me as a bear waiting to get me, as a lion watching from a hidden place. You’ve turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; You’ve made me empty. You’ve bent Your bow, and aimed the arrow at me. You’ve caused the arrows of Your quiver to enter into my heart. I’m become a mockery to all our people, and their song all day long.
[15-20] You’ve filled me with bitterness, and poison. You’ve made me eat gravel and broken my teeth. You’ve covered me with ashes. You’ve taken peace from my soul and I forgot prosperity. I said, “My strength is dead, but my hope is in Yahweh. Remember my trouble and misery, the bitterness and poison.
[20-24] My soul still remembers them, and is saddened within me. But this I remember; so I have hope: It’s because of Yahweh’s forgiveness that we are not destroyed, because God’s compassion doesn’t fail. It’s new every morning; Your faithfulness is great. Yahweh is my share,” says my soul; so will I hope in You.
[25-29] Yahweh is good to those who wait for God, to the soul that looks for God. It’s good that we should hope and quietly wait for Yahweh to save us. It’s good for us to carry the load in our youth. Let us sit alone and keep silent, because You’ve put it on us. Let us shut our mouths, if there’s any hope.
[30-36] Let us give our cheek to those who hit us; and let them get their full punishment. For God will not throw us away forever. For though God causes grief, God, who is great, will still have compassion and forgive us. For God does not trouble willingly, nor grieve us, to crush us, to take away our right before the face of the Most High, or to undermine us in our cause. Yahweh doesn’t approve of any of this.
[37-41] Who is there who says, “and it happens, when God doesn’t say it? Doesn’t evil and good come out of the mouth of the Most High? Why does a living soul complain for the punishment of their sins? Let us search and test our ways, and turn again to Yahweh. Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.
[42-47] We’ve sinned and rebelled; You’ve not forgiven. You’ve chased us in Your anger; You’ve killed and not forgiven. You’ve covered yourself with a cloud, so that no prayer can get through. You’ve made us cast-offs and trash in the sight of the peoples. All our enemies have spoken out against us. Fear and Hell are come on us, with devastation and destruction.
[48-51] My eye flows with streams of tears, for the destruction of the town of our people. Me pour down, and won’t stop. I’ll have no break, until Yahweh looks down, and sees from heaven. What I see affects my soul, because of all the people of our city.
[52-54] They’ve chased me bitterly like a bird, those who are my enemies without cause. They’ve cut off my life in the prison, and have left me to die. Tears flowed over my head and I said, “‘I’m dead.’
[55-58] I called on your name, Yahweh, out of the lowest prison cell. You heard my voice; and didn’t hide your ear at the breath of my cry. You came up in the day that I called on you; you said, “Don’t be scared. God, You’ve pleaded the causes of my soul; You’ve bought back my life.
[59-66] Yahweh, You’ve seen my wrong; judge my case. You’ve seen all their vengeance and what they’ve done against me. You’ve heard their punishment, Yahweh, and all that they’ve done against me, the words of those that came against me, and what they’ve done against me all day long. You see their sitting down, and their getting up; I’m their song. Pay them back, Yahweh, for what they’ve done. Give them hardness of heart, your punishment on them. Chase them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Yahweh.
4[1-3] How is the gold become dim! How is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the Place of Worship are poured out at the head of every street. And the precious people of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they valued as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! Even the wild animals draw out the breast and nurse their babies, but the town of our people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the countryside.
[4-8] The tongue of the nursing child sticks to the roof of its mouth for thirst. The young children ask for food, and no one gives it to them. Those who ate well are deserted in the streets. Those who were brought up in rich clothes hug garbage dumps. For the sin of the town of our people is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown quickly, and no human hands were ever laid on it. Its leaders were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire. But now they look blacker than a coal and they’re not known in the streets. Their skin sticks to their bones; it is withered, and has become hard as a stick.
[9-12] Those who are killed with the war are better than those who are killed with hunger; For these slowly suffer, dying, for want of food. Women, who were once compassionate, have boiled their own children, which were their food, when the city was being destroyed. Yahweh, You have carried out Your anger, You’ve poured out Your great anger; You’ve lit a fire in Zion, which has burned it to the ground. The rulers of the earth didn’t believe it, nor all the people of the world, that our enemies would enter into the gates of Jerusalem.
[13-15] It’s because of the sins of it preachers, and the sins of it preachers, that have shed the blood of the innocent in it. They wander as blind men in the streets, they’re polluted with blood, so that no one can touch their clothes. Go, they cried to them, Unfit! go, go, don’t touch! When they ran away and wandered around, people said among the nations, ‘They won’t stay here anymore.’
[16-20] The anger of Yahweh has scattered them out; God won’t help them anymore. They showed no respect for the preachers, nor for the elders. Our eyes still fail in looking for help from our friends. We’ve watched for a nation that couldn’t save us. They hunt our steps, so that we can’t go in our streets. Our end is near, our days are up; for our end is come. Those who chase us were faster than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains, and set traps to kill us in the countryside. Our very life-breath, the chosen one of Yahweh, was taken in their traps; Of whom we said, “‘Under the ruler’s protection we’ll live among the unbelieving nations.’
[21-22] Celebrate and be happy, town of Edom that’s in the land of Uz. The punishment will pass through to you also; you’ll be drunken with sin, and will make yourself naked. The punishment of your sin is over, town of Zion; God won’t send you away to be taken prisoner anymore. But God will visit your sin, town of Edom; God will uncover your sins.
5[1-5] Remember, Yahweh, what has come on us. Look, and see our punishment. Our land is given to strangers and our houses to foreigners. we’re orphans and fatherless. Our single mothers are as survivors. We’ve to pay for our drinking water with money. Our wood is sold to us. Those who chase us are on our necks; we’re so tired, and have no rest.
[6-9] We’ve made agreements with the Egyptians, and the Assyrians, to have food. Our ancestors sinned, and are gone; We’ve been shamed by their sins. Our workers now rule over us and there’s no one to free us out of their hand. We risk our lives to get our food, because of the war in the countryside.
[10-17] Our skin is dark like an oven, because of the burning heat of famine. They raped the women in Zion, and the young girls who had not had sex in the cities of Judah. Rulers were hung up by their hands; and the faces of elders were not honored. The young men work hard in the mill; the children stumbled carrying the wood. The elders have stopped coming to the gate, and the young men have stopped playing their music. The joy of our heart is stopped and our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fallen from our head and sorrow has come to us, for we’ve sinned! Because of this our heart is faint and our eyes are blinded!
[18-22] The wild animals walk on the mountain of Zion, which is deserted. But You, Yahweh, live forever; Your throne is from generation to generation. Why do you forget us forever, and leave us so long? Turn us back to you, Yahweh, and we’ll be turned; Renew our days as of old. But You’ve completely rejected us and You’re very angry at us.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel was carried away into Babylon in the first deportation of Judah. He prophesied outside of his homeland using symbolic imagery and visions. Ezekiel speaks to the whole house of Israel, including Judah. His purpose was to keep the national sins before those born in exile, which had resulted in its punishment by God, to sustain their faith by his predictions of national restoration, of God’s justice on their enemies, and of national glory under the Davidic rule. Ezekiel follows a pattern of seven great prophecies, indicated by the expressions, the hand of Yahweh was on me.
Ezekiel
1[1-4] Now in my 30th year, on the 5th day of the 4th month (June-July, 593 BC), as I was among the prisoners of war by the Chebar River, the heavens opened up, and I saw visions of God. In the 5th day of the month, which was the 5th year that the ruler Jehoiachin was taken prisoner, the word of Yahweh came to me, Ezekiel the preacher, the child of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans (Babylon, Iraq, Iran), by the Chebar River; and the hand of Yahweh was on me there. As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with flashing lightning, which was very bright all around it, and with it was some kind of glowing metal object, with the glowing fire.
[5-9] Then what looked like four living things came out of it. And they looked like a human. But each had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. Their feet were straight feet; and seemed to have no toes like a calf’s foot; and sparkled like polished brass. They had the hands of a human under their wings on four sides; and all four had four faces and four wings. Their wings joined one another; and they didn’t turn as they went; but each one went straight ahead.
[10 -14] As for how their faces looked, they had the face of a human, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of a cow on the left side, and they also had the face of an eagle. Their faces and their wings were separated above; with two wings of each joined to one another, and two more covering their bodies. Each one went straight ahead wherever the spirit was to go without turning as they went. As for how the living things looked, they looked like glowing coals of fire, like torches, with the fire moving up and down among the living things. The fire was bright, and lightning went out of the fire. The living things went forward and backward as fast as a flash of lightning.
[15-21] Now, as I saw the living things, I saw one wheel on the earth beside the living things, for each of the four faces. The wheels and their work glowed a light green color like a beryl stone. These four all looked the same; and seemed to have a wheel within another wheel. When they went, they went in the four directions without turning as they went. As for their rims, they were very high and scary; and the rims of the four were full of eyes (possibly symbolic for lights or windows) all around them. Whenever the living things went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living things were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. They went wherever the spirit was to go; and wherever the spirit was to go, the wheels were lifted up beside them; because the power of the living thing was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood still, these stood still; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them. The power of the living thing was in the wheels.
[22-25] Over the head of the living things was a great crystal dome, beautiful to look at, stretched over their heads above them. Under the dome, their wings were straight, one facing the other, with each one having two covering one side, and each one having two covering the other side of their bodies. When they went, I heard their wings make a loud noise, like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of uproar like the noise of a great army. And when they stood still, they let down their wings. There was a voice above the dome that was over their heads, and when they stood still, they let down their wings.
[26-28] What looked like a throne was above the dome that was over their heads, which was as blue as a sapphire stone; and what looked like a human was on the throne above them. I saw the angelic being was glowing like metal, with what appeared to be fire shining all around, from the waist and upward; and from the waist and downward I saw a glowing fire, shining brightly all around. And the brightness shined like a rainbow in the day of rain. This was what the light of Yahweh God looked like. When I saw it, I fell to the ground facedown, and I heard the voice of God, who spoke to me.
2[1-5] God said to me, “Human being, stand on your feet, and I’ll speak with you. The Spirit entered into me when God spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard God, who spoke to me. And God said to me, “Human being, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against Me. You and your ancestors have sinned against Me even to this very day. The people are disrespectful and stubborn, so I am sending you to them; and you’ll tell them, Yahweh God says this. And they, whether they hear or not, because you’re a rebellious people, will know that there has been a great preacher among them.
[6 -10] So you, human being, Don’t be scared of them, nor be scared of their words. Though briers and thorns are with you, and you live among scorpions, Don’t be scared of what they say, nor be upset at how they look at you, though they’re a rebellious people. Speak My words to them, whether they’ll hear or not; because they’re most rebellious. But you, human being, hear what I tell you; and don’t be rebellious like those rebellious people. Open your mouth, and eat whatever I give you.” When I looked, a hand was put out to me; and a scroll of a book was in it; God spread it out before me, and it was written both inside and outside; and mourning, crying, and great sorrows were written in it.
3[1-4] God said to me, “Human being, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the people of Israel.” So I opened My mouth, and God caused me to eat the scroll. God said to me, “Human being, make your belly to eat, and fill yourself with this scroll that I give you.” Then I ate it; and it tasted like sweet honey in My mouth. Then God said to me, “Human being, go to the people of Israel, and speak My words to them.
[5-11] You aren’t sent to a people of a strange speech and a hard language, but to the people of Israel; not to many peoples of a strange speech and a hard language, whose words you can’t understand. Surely, if I sent you to them, they’d listen to you. But the people of Israel won’t listen to you; because they won’t listen to Me. All the people of Israel are hard-hearted and stubborn-minded. See, I’ve made your face as hard as their faces, and your mind as stubborn-minded as theirs. As a diamond is harder than a flint stone, I’ve made your mind, so Don’t be scared of them, nor be upset at how they look at you, though they’re a rebellious people.” Besides this, God said to me, “Human being, put all My words that I speak to you in your heart, and listen carefully. Go to the prisoners of war, to those who are your people, and speak to them, and tell them, Yahweh God says this; whether they’ll hear or not.”
[12-15] Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the sound of a loud voice, saying, “Happy is the light of Yahweh God on the throne.” Then I heard the noise of the wings of the living things as they touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, the sound of a great noise. So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I was very bitter, angry in My spirit; and the hand of Yahweh was strong on me. Then I came to the prisoners of war at Tel Aviv (Babylon), which lived by the Chebar River; and I sat there in shock among them for seven days.
[16-21] At the end of seven days, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, I’ve made you a lookout to the people of Israel, so hear what I tell you, and warn them for Me. When I tell the sinful, you’ll without a doubt die; and you don’t warn them, nor speak to warn the sinful from their sinful ways, to save their lives; they’ll die in their sin; but I’ll hold you responsible for their death. Yet if you warn the sinful, and they don’t turn from their sinful ways, they’ll die in their sin; but you’ve saved your soul. And when a good person turns from their goodness, and sins, and I put a cause of sin before them, they’ll die because you haven’t warned them. They’ll die in their sin, and the good works, which they’ve done won’t be remembered; but I’ll hold you responsible for their death. But if you warn the good person, and they don’t sin, they’ll without a doubt live, because they took warning; and you’ve saved your soul.”
[22 -27] The hand of Yahweh was there on me; and God said to me, “Get up now, and go out into the field, and I’ll talk with you there.” Then I got up, and went into the field, and the light of Yahweh stood there, as the light, which I saw by the Chebar River; and I fell to the ground facedown. Then the Spirit entered into me, and set me on my feet; and God spoke with me, and said to me, “Go, shut yourself up amongst your people. But you, human being, put bands on, and chain yourself up with them, and don’t go out among them. And I’ll make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, so that you won’t be able to speak, and warn them; because they’re a rebellious people. But when I speak to you, I’ll open your mouth, and you’ll tell them, Yahweh God says this. Those who Listen, let them hear; and those who don’t, let them not, because they’re a rebellious people.
4[1-3] You also, human being, take a brick, and put it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem; and put a blockade against it, and build forts against it, and throw up a mound against it; set camps also against it, and plant battering rams all around against it. Take an iron pan, and set it as a wall of iron between you and the city. Look facing it, and it will be blockaded, and you’ll put the blockade against it. This will be a warning to the people of Israel.
[4 -8] Besides this, lie on your left side, and put the sin of the people of Israel on it. You’ll take their sin the same number of days that you’ll lie on it. I’ve set the years of their sin to be the number of days for you, so for 390 days, you’ll take the sin of the people of Israel on yourself. Then, when you’ve finished these, you’ll lie on your right side, and will take the sin of the people of Judah. I’ve set you 40 days, each day for a year. You’ll look facing the blockade of Jerusalem, with your arm uncovered; and you’ll preach against it. See, I put bands on you, and you won’t turn from one side to the other, until you’ve finished the days of your blockade.
[9-13] Also, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt, and put it all in one pot, and make bread out of it; for the number of the days that you’ll lie on your side, and for 390 days, you’ll eat it. You’ll weigh the food you eat, 8 oz. a day, and from time to time you’ll eat it. You’ll measure about one pint for your water, and from time to time you’ll drink it, as well. You’ll eat it as barley loaves, and you’ll bake it with human waste as they watch.” So Yahweh said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat unfit bread, among the nations where I’ll send them.”
[14-17] Then I said, “Ah Yahweh God! My soul hasn’t ever been ruined. From My youth up even until now I haven’t eaten what died by itself, or was torn by animals; nor has any unfit meat come into My mouth.” Then God said to me, “See, I’ll give you cow waste instead of human waste, and you’ll bake your bread on it.” Besides this God said to me, “Human being, I’ll destroy the bread in Jerusalem and you’ll weigh the bread you eat with fear; and you’ll measure the water you drink, in shock, so that you’ll need bread and water, and be upset one with another, and suffer in your sin.
5[1-4] You, human being, take a sharp knife; Take it as a barber’s razor to your head and on your beard; and then weigh and divide the hair in a scale. Burn a third of it in the fire with the city, when the days of the blockade are over; and take a third, and slash it with a weapon all around it; and scatter a third to the wind, and I’ll chase after you in the war. Take a few and tie them in your clothes. Later, take them and throw them into the middle of the fire, and burn them in the fire; and from it a fire will come out into all the people of Israel.”
[5-7] Yahweh God says, “This is Jerusalem; I’ve set it with the nations, and countries are all around it. The city has rebelled against My laws in doing sinful things more than the other nations, and against My rules more than the countries that are around it; because you’ve didn’t keep My laws, and followed My rules.” So Yahweh God says, “You’re worse than the nations around you, and haven’t followed My rules, nor kept My laws, nor followed the laws of the nations around you.”
[8-12] So Yahweh God says, “See, I, even I, am against you; and I’ll punish you as the other nations watch. I’ll do in you what I haven’t ever done before, and won’t ever do again, because of all your filthy garbage. So the parents will eat the children with you, and the children will eat the parents; and I’ll punish you; and all the rest of you I’ll scatter to the winds. So, as I live,” says Yahweh God, without a doubt, because you’ve ruined My Place of Worship with all your hateful things, and with all your filthy garbage, I’ll also make you as nothing. I won’t spare you, and I won’t feel sorry for you. A third of you’ll die from disease, and a lack of food; and a third will die in the wars around you; and a third I’ll scatter to all the winds, and chase after you with wars.
[13-17] In this way My anger will be finished, and I’ll make My great anger at you rest, and I’ll be comforted; and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, have said this in My passion, when I stop being angry at you. Besides this, I’ll make you an empty place and a blame to the nations that are around you, in the sight of all that pass by. So it will be a blame and a taunt, a teaching and a shock, to the nations that are around you, when I punish you in My anger, My great anger, and I send My great punishment; (I, Yahweh, have said it.) When I send on you the sinful of a lack of food, which I’ll send to destroy you, I’ll make the lack of food worse on you, and will destroy your whole food supply; and I’ll send on you a lack of food and wild animals to kill you; and disease and death will pass through you; and I’ll bring war on you. I, Yahweh, have said it.”
6[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look facing the mountains of Israel, and preach to them, and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of Yahweh God. Yahweh God says to the mountains and to the hills, to the rivers and to the valleys, See, I, even I, will bring war on you, and I’ll destroy your places of false worship. Your altars will become empty, and your altars where incense is burned will be broken; and I’ll throw down the dead before your false gods. I’ll put the dead bodies of the people of Israel before your false gods; and I’ll scatter their bones all around your altars.
[6-9] Everywhere you live, the cities will be destroyed, and the places of false worship will be empty; that your altars may be destroyed and made empty, and your false gods may be broken and come to an end, and your altars where incense is burned may be cut down, and your works may be put to an end. The dead will fall with you, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh God. Yet I’ll leave a few of you left, and some will escape from the war to the nations, and you’ll be scattered throughout all the countries. Those of you that escape will remember Me among the nations where you’ll be taken prisoner, how that I’ve been heartbroken with your naughty heart, which has left Me, and with your eyes, which unfaithfully wander after your false gods; and you’ll hate yourselves in your own sight because of the sinful of all your filthy garbage that you’ve done.
[10-14] You’ll know that I Am Yahweh. I haven’t said that I’d do this sinful to you for no reason. Yahweh God says, “Clap your hand, and stamp your foot, and say, Sadly, for all the sinful filthy garbage of the people of Israel, you’ll fall by war, by a lack of food, and by disease. Those who are far away will die of disease; and those who are near will fall by war; and those who are left will be blockaded in the city and die by a lack of food. I’ll do this to you in My great anger. You’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when your dead falls among your false gods all around your altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the places where you offered sweet smelling incense to all your false gods. I’ll stretch out My hand on you, and make the land empty and wasted, from the countryside facing Riblah (Diblath), throughout all your homes, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
7[1-4] Besides this, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, Yahweh God says this to the land of Israel, the end is coming on the four directions of the land. Now, the end is coming to you, and I’ll let loose My anger on you, and will judge you for your ways; and I’ll bring on you all your filthy garbage. I won’t spare you, nor feel sorry for you; but I’ll bring your own ways on you, and your filthy garbage will be right with you, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
[5-9] Yahweh God says, “An sinful, a great sinful, is coming. An end is coming, the end is coming; it awakes against you; it’s coming. Your punishment is coming to you, people of the land. The time is coming; the day is near, a day of uproar, and not of happy shouting on the mountains. Now shortly, I’ll punish you in My great anger on you, and let My anger loose on you, and will judge you for your ways; and I’ll bring on you all your filthy garbage. I won’t spare you, nor feel sorry for you. I’ll bring it on you for your ways; and your filthy garbage will be right with you; and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, do punish.
[10-13] See, the day is coming. Your punishment is coming to you; Your pride has budded and blossomed like a branch, and your violence has grown into a tree full of sinful fruit. None of you’ll be left, or anything you own, or any of your wealth. Nor will there be any more important than another. The time is coming, and the day draws near. Don’t celebrate, you who buy, nor cry for your loss, you who sell; because great anger is on all of you. Even if the seller lives, you won’t have anything to sell. No one will go back; nor will any of you be strong in your sinful lifestyle, because the vision is about all of you.
[14-19] You’ve blown the trumpet, and gotten everything ready; but no one will go to war; because My great anger is on all of you. War is outside, disease and a lack of food is inside the city. Whoever is in the field will die in the war; and whoever is in the city, from a lack of food and disease. But those who escape, will escape to the mountains like doves from the valleys, all of you suffering because of your sin. Your hands will have no strength, and all your knees will be as weak as water. You’ll also put on mourning clothes, and great suffering and shame will cover your faces, and you’ll shave your heads bald. You’ll throw your silver and gold in the streets, because it won’t be any good to you; your silver and your gold won’t be able to save you in the day of Yahweh’s great anger. You won’t be happy, nor fill your bellies with it; because your love of money is the cause of your sin.
[20-23] As for the beauty of your gold, it was given to you to use for My glory; but you made your false gods and your hateful things with it, so I’ve made it as an unfit thing to you. I’ll give it to foreigners to take as their own, and to the sinful of the earth for their own; and they’ll use it for sinful. I won’t look when they destroy My Place of Worship; and thieves will break into it, and ruin it. Make the chains; because the land is full of deathly crimes, and the city is full of violence.
[24-27] I’ll bring the worst of the nations, and they’ll take your peoples. I’ll also make the pride of the strong to come to an end; and your holy places will be ruined. They’ll come to destroy you; and you’ll want peace, but there won’t be any. Trouble after trouble will come, and rumor after rumor; and you’ll want a vision from the preacher; but the preacher won’t know the law, and the elders won’t be able to counsel you. The rulers will mourn, without any hope, and the people of the land will shake in fear. I’ll give you exactly what you deserve for what you’ve done, and I’ll judge you for your own judgments; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
8[1-4] In the 6th year, in the 5th day of the 6th month (Aug-Sept. , 592 BC), as I sat with My people, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of Yahweh God fell on me there. Then I saw someone that looked like fire; from the waist and down, fire; and from the waist up, who was bright like a glowing metal; who put out a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and the sky, and brought me in the vision of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court on the north; where the false god was (Canaanite goddess, Asherah, Astarte), which makes God jealous. See, the light of the God of Israel was there, just like I saw in the field.
[5 -10] Then God said to me, “Human being, look now to the north. So I looked to the north, and see, north of the gate of the altar was this false god, which makes God jealous, in the entry. Then God said to me, “Human being, what do you see? Do you see this filthy garbage that the people of Israel do here, to make Me go far away from My Place of Worship? But you’ll see even more filthy garbage than this.” God brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, I saw a hole in the wall. Then God said to me, “Human being, now dig in the wall;” And when I had dug in the wall, I saw a door. Then God said to me, “Go in, and see the sinful filthy garbage that they do here.” So I went in and saw; and every kind of animal that was unfit for worship, and all the false gods of the people of Israel, were displayed all around the walls.
[11-15] Seventy of the elders of the people of Israel stood before them; and with them stood Jaazaniah the child of Shaphan, each one with a pan in their hand; and the smell of incense went up in a cloud. Then God said to me, “Human being, have you seen what the elders of the people of Israel do in secret, each one in their rooms of false worship? They say, Yahweh doesn’t see us; Yahweh has forsaken the land.” God said to me also, “Yet again, you’ll see even more filthy garbage which they do.” Then God brought me to the door of the gate of Yahweh’s Place of Worship on the north; and see, the women sat there crying for their false god, Tammuz (Sumerian god of vegetation). Then God said to me, “Have you seen this, human being? Yet again, you’ll see even more filthy garbage than this.
[16-18] Then I was brought into the inner court of Yahweh’s Place of Worship; and see, at the door of the Place of Worship of Yahweh God, between the porch and the altar, were about 25 people, with their backs facing the Place of Worship of Yahweh God, and their faces facing the east; and they were worshipping the sun in the east. Then God said to me, “Have you seen this, human being? Doesn’t it mean anything to the people of Judah that they do this filthy garbage, which they do here? Because you’ve filled the land with violence, and have turned away from Me to make Me angry and put the branch to your nose (possibly of delusion herbs to induce visions) in your false worship, so I’ll also deal in great anger; I won’t spare you, nor feel sorry for you; and even if you cry in My ears with a loud voice, I won’t hear you.”
9[1-6] Then God spoke to me with a loud voice, saying, “Make those that have control over the city come near, each one with a weapon to kill in their hand.” Then six people came from the way of the upper gate, on the north, each one with a weapon to kill in their hand; and one in the middle wearing linen clothes, with a writer’s pen. They went in, and stood beside the brass altar. The light of the God of Israel had left from the winged beings, where it was, and gone up to the doorway of the Place of Worship; and God called to the one wearing the linen clothes, who had the writer’s pen. Yahweh said to this one, “Go through the city, throughout all of Jerusalem, and write a mark on the forehead of anyone that sighs and cries over all the filthy garbage that is done there.” To the others, God said in My hearing, “Go through the city afterwards, and kill, don’t spare anyone, nor feel sorry for anyone; completely kill the old, the young, the women, and the little children; but don’t touch anyone with the mark, and begin at My Place of Worship. Then they began with the leaders that were at the Place of Worship.
[7-11] God said to them, “Ruin the Place of Worship, and fill the courts with the dead. Now go to work.” So they left, and killed those in the city. While they were killing, and I was left there, I fell to the ground facedown, and cried, and said, “Ah Yahweh God! Will you destroy all that’s left of Israel in your angry judgment on Jerusalem?” Then God said to me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is very great, and the land is full of death, and the city full of wrong judgment. They say, Yahweh has left the land, and Yahweh doesn’t see us. As for Me also, I won’t spare them, nor feel sorry for them, but I’ll bring their sinful ways down on their own head.” Then the one wearing linen clothes, who had the pen, reported back, saying, “I’ve done as You’ve told me.”
10[1-5] Then I looked, and saw in the dome that was over the head of the winged beings, above them was what looked like a throne as blue as a sapphire stone. God spoke to the one wearing linen clothes, and said, “Go in between the spinning wheels, under the winged beings, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the winged beings, and scatter them over the city,” Who went in as I watched. Now the winged beings stood on the right side of the Place of Worship, and when that one went in, the cloud filled the inner court. The light of Yahweh flew up from the winged beings, and stood over the doorway of the Place of Worship; and it was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh’s light. The sound of the wings of the winged beings was heard even to the outer court, and was as loud as the voice of God Almighty speaking.
[6-10] When God told the one wearing linen clothes, take fire from between the spinning wheels, from between the winged beings, that one went in, and stood beside a wheel. The winged beings stretched out their hand from between them to the fire that was between them, and took it, and put it into the hands of the one who was wearing linen clothes, who took it and left. What looked like the form of a human’s hand came out from under the wings of the winged beings. I looked, and saw four wheels beside the winged beings, one wheel beside each winged being; and the wheels glowed the light green color of a beryl stone. As for how they looked, all four looked the same, as if a wheel was within another wheel.
[11-15] When they went, they moved in any of the four directions they looked, without turning as they went. Their whole body, their backs, hands, wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes (possibly symbolic of lights or windows) all around, even the wheels that the four had. As for the wheels, they were called in My hearing, the spinning wheels. Every one of the angelic beings had four faces, the first was the face of a bull, the second was the face of a human, the third was the face of a lion, and the fourth was the face of an eagle. The winged beings flew up. This is the same living thing that I saw by the Chebar River.
[16-22] When the winged beings went up, the wheels went beside them; and when they lifted up their wings to fly up from the earth, the wheels didn’t move from beside them. When they stood still, the wheels stood still; and when they flew up, the wheels flew up with them, because the power of the living thing was in them. The light of Yahweh moved from over the doorway of the house, and stood over the winged beings. The winged beings lifted up their wings, and flew up from the earth in My sight when they left, with the wheels beside them, and they stood at the door of the east gate of Yahweh’s Place of Worship; and the light of the God of Israel was over them. This is the living thing that I saw under the God of Israel by the Chebar River; and I knew that they were the same winged beings. Each had four faces and four wings; and they had human-like hands under their wings. As for what they looked like, they were the faces, which I saw by the Chebar River, they both looked the same and were the same; each one moving straight ahead.
11[1-4] Besides this, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of Yahweh’s Place of Worship, and I saw at the door of the gate 25 people; and I saw with them Jaazaniah, the child of Azzur, and Pelatiah, the child of Benaiah, rulers of the people. God said to me, “Human being, these are the ones who make sinful plans, and who teach people to do wrong in this city; who say, It isn’t time for the judgment, so we need to build our houses; this city is like a pot, that protects the meat from burning. So preach against them, preach, human being.”
[5-10] The Spirit of Yahweh fell on me, and God said to me, “Speak, Yahweh says, “People of Israel, so you’ve said; and I know the things that come into your mind. You’ve killed many people in this city, and you’ve filled the streets with the dead. So Yahweh God says, “Your dead whom you’ve put here, they’re the meat, and this city is the pot; but it won’t protect you, and you’ll be brought out of it. You’ve feared war; and I’ll bring war on you,” says Yahweh God. I’ll bring you out of it, and put you under the control of foreigners, who will punish you. You’ll fall by war; I’ll judge everyone in the border of Israel; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[11-15] This city won’t be your pot, and you won’t be the meat in it; I’ll judge everyone in the border of Israel; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, because you haven’t followed My rules, nor kept My laws, but have followed the laws of the nations around you. When I preached, Pelatiah, the child of Benaiah, died. Then I fell to the ground face down, and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah Yahweh God! Will you completely destroy what’s left of Israel? Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, all of you in exile, your family members, even your own family members, and all the people of Israel, and the peoples of Jerusalem have said to you, Stay far from Yahweh; this land was given to us for our own.
[16-21] So say, Yahweh God says, “Since I’ve taken you far away and put you among the nations, and since I’ve scattered you among the countries, I’ll be with you for a little while in the countries where you are, and you’ll worship Me there. So say, Yahweh God says, “I’ll gather you back from the peoples, and gather you together out of the countries where you’ve been scattered (Israel became a nation again in 1948), and I’ll give you back the land of Israel again. When you come back there, you’ll take away every form of false worship and all its filthy garbage from there. I’ll give you all one heart, and I’ll put a new spirit within you; and I’ll take your heart of stone and give you a tender heart; that you may follow My rules, and keep My laws, and do them; and you’ll be My people, and I’ll be your God. But as for you whose heart follows after your false gods and your filthy garbage, I’ll bring your sinful ways down on your own heads,” says Yahweh God.
[22-25] Then the winged beings lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them; and the light of the God of Israel was above them. The light of Yahweh went up from the city, and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city. The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea (Babylon, Iraq, Iran), to the prisoners of war. So the vision that I had seen flew up from me. Then I told the prisoners of war all the things that Yahweh had shown me.
12[1-6] The word of Yahweh also came to me, saying, “Human being, you live with these rebellious people, who have eyes to see, and won’t see, who have ears to listen, and won’t hear; because they’re a rebellious people. So, you human being, get your stuff ready to move, and remove it by day as they watch; and move from your place to another place as they watch. It may be they’ll consider, though they’re a rebellious people. You’ll bring out your stuff by day as they watch, as stuff for moving; and you’ll go out yourself at even as they watch, as when people go out into exile. Dig you through the wall as they watch, and carry everything out by the hole. Take it on your shoulder, and carry it out in the evening as they watch. Cover your face so that you don’t see the land, because I’ve made you a warning to the people of Israel.”
[7-11] So I did as I was told and brought out My stuff by day, as stuff for moving, and in the evening I dug through the wall with My hand; I brought it out in the evening, and carried it on My shoulder as they watched. In the morning the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, hasn’t the people of Israel, the rebellious people, said to you, What are you doing? Say to them, Yahweh God says, “This vision is about the ruler in Jerusalem (historically King Zedekiah), and all the people of Israel where you are. Say, I am your warning. Like I’ve done, so it will be done to you; you’ll go into exile, and be prisoners of war.
[12-16] Your ruler will carry stuff out in the evening, and will go out. They’ll dig through the wall to carry their stuff out of it. The ruler’s face will be covered, so as not to see the ground. Also I’ll spread out My net, and catch the ruler in My trap, who I’ll bring to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans (Babylon, Iraq, Iran); who won’t see it, and will die there. I’ll scatter facing every wind all who are around to help the ruler, and all their bands; and I’ll make war on them. You’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I scatter you among the nations, and scatter you through the countries. But I’ll leave a few of you from war, from the lack of food, and from disease; that you may tell all the sinful things that you’ve done among the nations where you come; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
[17-20] Besides this, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, eat your food in fear, and drink your water shaking in fear; and tell the people of the land, Yahweh God says about the peoples of Jerusalem, and the land of Israel, You’ll eat your food in fear, and drink your water in shock, that the land may be empty, and ruined of all that is in it, because of the violence of all those who live in it. The cities that are full of people will be destroyed, and the land will be an empty place; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[21-24] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, what is this saying that you say in the land of Israel, which says, “The days are prolonged, and every vision fails to come to pass? So tell them, Yahweh God says, “I’ll make this saying to come to an end, and you won’t use it as a saying in Israel anymore; but tell them, the days are at hand, and every vision will come true. There won’t be any more false visions, or good predictions for the people of Israel.
[25-28] I Am Yahweh; I’ll speak, and what I speak will be done; it won’t be delayed any more. In your days, rebellious people, I’ll speak the word, and will do it,” says Yahweh God.” Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, the people of Israel say, the vision that you see is a long time away, and you preach of later times. So tell them, Yahweh God says, “None of My words will be delayed any more, but the word, which I speak, will be done now,” says Yahweh God.
13[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, preach against the preachers of Israel who preach, and say to those who preach out of their own heart, Listen to the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “Sorrow will come to you stupid preachers, who follow your own spirit, and have seen nothing! Israel, your preachers have been like foxes in the ruins. You haven’t stood in the gaps, nor built up the wall for the people of Israel, to protect them in the war in the day of Yahweh.
[6-11] You’ve seen empty imaginations and false visions, who say, Yahweh says; but Yahweh hasn’t sent you and you’ve made people hope that what you said would come true. Haven’t you seen empty imaginations, and haven’t you spoken a false vision, in that you say, Yahweh says; but I haven’t spoken?” So Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve spoken lies, and seen false visions, I am against you,” says Yahweh God. My hand will be against the preachers who see false visions, and who imagine lies. You won’t be in the council of My people, nor will you be written about in the writing of the people of Israel, nor will you enter into the land of Israel; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh God. You’ve seduced My people, saying, “Peace; when there is no peace; and when one builds a wall, you paint it white! So tell those who paint it white, that it will fall. A strong rainstorm with huge hailstones will come; and a stormy wind will tear it down.
[12-16] See, when the wall falls, won’t you say, Where is the painting with which you’ve painted it? So Yahweh God says, “I’ll even tear it down with a stormy wind in My great anger; and there will be a strong rainstorm in My anger, with huge hailstones, in great anger to destroy it. So I’ll break down the wall that you’ve painted white, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; and it will fall, and you’ll be destroyed in it, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. So I’ll do this in My great anger to the wall, and to those who’ve painted it white; and I’ll tell you, the wall is destroyed, along with those who painted it; that is, the preachers of Israel who preach about Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for it, and there is no peace,” says Yahweh God.
[17-19] You, human being, look at the cities of your people, and those who preach out of their own hearts; and preach against them, saying, “Yahweh God says, “Sorrow will come to the women who make magic charms and scarves for the heads of all the people to hunt for their souls! Will you cast your death spells on My people, and let some live for your own selfish purposes? You’ve brought disrespect on Me among My people for your food, to kill those who wouldn’t die, and to let those live who wouldn’t live, by your lying to My people who listen to your lies.”
[20-23] So Yahweh God says, “I am against your magic charms, with which you cast your spells to kill them, and I’ll tear them away from you; and I’ll let the souls go, even the very souls who you hunt to kill. I’ll also tear your scarves off, and save My people from your control, and they won’t be in your power to be hunted anymore; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. With your lies you’ve saddened the hearts of the good, whom I haven’t made sad; and strengthened the hands of the sinful, that they wouldn’t turn from their sinful ways, and be saved. So you won’t see any more false visions or empty imaginations. I’ll save My people out of your hand; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.”
14[1-5] Then some of the elders of Israel came to me, and sat in front of me. The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, these people have taken their false gods into their heart, and put their sin that they made before them, so would I ask anything at all by them? So speak to them, and tell them, Yahweh God says, “Any of the people of Israel who takes their false gods into their heart, and puts their sin that they’ve made before them, and comes to the preacher; I, Yahweh will answer those who come according to how many false gods they’ve; that I may take the people of Israel in their own heart, because you’re all separated from Me by your false gods.
[6-11] So tell the people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “Come back to Me, and turn away from your false gods; and turn away from all your filthy garbage. For each of the people of Israel, or of the foreigners who stay in Israel, who separate themselves from Me, and take their false gods into their heart, and puts their idol of their sin before them, and comes to the great preacher to ask something for themselves of Me; I, Yahweh will answer them myself; and I’ll turn against them, and will make them a shock, to be a warning and a saying, “and I’ll cut them off from My people; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh. If the great preacher is deceived and speaks a word, I, Yahweh, have deceived that preacher, and I’ll stretch out My hand on them, and will destroy them from My people Israel. They’ll take their sin, the sin of the great preachers will be just like the sin of those who come to them; that the people of Israel may go no more away from Me, nor ruin themselves any more with all their sins; but that they may be My people, and I may be their God,” says Yahweh God.”
[12-20] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, when a land sins against Me by sinning, and I punish it, and destroy its food supply, and make a lack of food to come to it, and kill both human and animal in it; though these three people, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they’d save no one but their own souls by their goodness,” says Yahweh God. If I make sinful animals to go through the land, and they destroy it, and it be made empty, so that no human may go through because of the animals; though these three people were in it, as I live,” says Yahweh God, they wouldn’t even save their own children; only they themselves would be saved, but the land would be empty. Or if I bring war on that land, and say, War, go through the land; so that I kill both human and animal in it; though these three people were in it, as I live,” says Yahweh God, they wouldn’t even save their own children, but only they themselves would be saved. Or if I send a disease into that land, and punish you in My great anger on it in death, to destroy from it human and animal; though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live,” says Yahweh God, they wouldn’t even save their own children; but would only save their own souls by their goodness.”
[21-23] Yahweh God says, “How much more when I send My four punishments on Jerusalem, war, a lack of food, wild animals, and disease, to destroy from it human and animal! Yet, a few will be left in it that will be carried out, both males and females will come out to you, and you’ll see what they had done; and you’ll know that what I’ve brought on Jerusalem was deserved, everything that I’ve brought on it. You’ll be comforted, when you see what they had done; and you’ll know that I haven’t done all that I’ve done in it without reason,” says Yahweh God.”
15[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, what is the vine more than any tree branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall its wood be used for any work? or will people make a pin to hang any pot on it? See, it’s only thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire has burned both ends of it, and the middle is burned also, so is it good for any work? See, when it was whole, it was good for no work, so how much less, when the fire has burned it, and it’s burned up, will it yet be good for any work!
[6-8] So Yahweh God says, “As the vine among the trees of the forest, which I’ve given to the fire for fuel, so I’ll give the peoples of Jerusalem. I’ll turn against them; they’ll run from the fire, but the fire will burn them up; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I turn against you. I’ll make the land empty, because you’ve sinned,” says Yahweh God.
16[1-5] Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, make Jerusalem to know its filthy garbage; and say, Yahweh God says to Jerusalem, You were born and raised in the land of Canaan; the Amorite was your parent, and your mother was a Hittite. As for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you weren’t rubbed down with salt at all, nor wrapped at all. No one cared for you, to do any of these things to you, to have compassion on you; but you were thrown out in the open field, because you were hated, in the day that you were born.
[6-12] When I passed by you, and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you when you were laying there in your blood, live; yes, I said to you when you were laying there in your blood, live. I caused you to grow like the harvest in the fields, and you grew up and grew strong, and you became very beautiful; your breasts were well formed, and your hair was grown long; yet you were naked and bare. Now later when I passed by you again, and looked at you, I saw that it was time for you to find love; and I spread My coat over you, and covered your nakedness. Yes, I promised you, and made an agreement with you,” says Yahweh God, and you became mine. Then washed I you with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I rubbed you with oil. I clothed you also with needlework, and put leather shoes on you, and I clothed you with fine linen, and covered you with silk. I gave you beautiful jewelry, and put bracelets on your hands, and a chain on your neck. I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
[13-20] So you were jeweled with gold and silver; and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and needlework; you ate finely ground flour, honey, and oil; and you were very beautiful, and you grew to be a great country. You became famous among the nations for your beauty; because it was perfect, through My beauty, which I had put on you,” says Yahweh God. But you trusted in your beauty, and were unfaithful because of your fame, and were unfaithful with everyone who passed by; You gave yourself away. You took some of your clothes, and decorated your places of false worship with all different colors, and have been unfaithful on them. Nothing like this has happened before, nor will it happen again. You also took your beautiful jewels of My gold and silver, which I had given to you, and made for yourself a copy of a human, and have been unfaithful with it; and you took your embroidered clothes, and covered them, and set My oil and My incense before them. My food also which I gave you, finely ground flour, oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before you for a good smell; and this is how it was,” says Yahweh God. Besides this you’ve taken your children, whom you’ve borne to Me, and you’ve sacrificed to them to be destroyed. Was your unfaithfulness a small matter, that you’ve killed My people, and given them up, in causing them to be destroyed for them?
[22-26] In all your filthy garbage and your unfaithfulness, you haven’t remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and wallowing in your blood. It has happen because of all your sinful ways, (Sorrow, Sorrow will come to you! says Yahweh God), that you’ve built you a place of false worship, and have made you a place of false worship on every street. You’ve built your place of false worship at the front of every street, and have made your beauty as filthy garbage, and have been unfaithful with everyone who passed by, and became more and more unfaithful. You’ve also been unfaithful with the Egyptians, your neighbors, who had strong bodies; and have become more and more unfaithful, to make Me angry.
[27-34] So see, I’ve stretched out My hand over you, and have taken away your ordinary food, and given you to those who hate you, the cities of the Philistines (Palestine), who are ashamed of your naughty ways. You’ve been unfaithful also with the Assyrians, because you couldn’t be pleased; yes, you’ve been unfaithful with them, and you still weren’t satisfied. You’ve become more and more unfaithful, doing business with the land of Chaldea (Iraq, Iran); and you still weren’t satisfied with this. How weak is your heart,” says Yahweh God, seeing you do all these things, like disrespectful whores; in that you build your places of false worship at the front of every street, and make your places of false worship on every street, and haven’t been like prostitutes, in that you refuse pay. You’re like a spouse who is sexually unfaithful, who takes strangers instead! They give money to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side because your unfaithfulness. You’re different from other women in your unfaithfulness, in that no one is as unfaithful as you are; and as you give gifts, and no pay is given to you, so you are different.”
[35-41] So, you whores, hear the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “Because you were so filthy, and your nakedness was uncovered by your unfaithfulness with your lovers; and because of all the false gods of your filthy garbage, and for the blood of your children that you gave to them; So see, I’ll gather all your lovers, with whom you’ve taken pleasure, and all those who you’ve loved, with all those who you’ve hated; I’ll gather all of them against you on every side, and will shame you in front of them, that they may see all your nakedness. I’ll judge you, as women who break their marriage vows and murder their children are judged; and I’ll punish you with death in My great anger and jealousy. I’ll also give you into their power, and they’ll throw down your places of false worship, and break them to pieces; and they’ll strip you of your clothes, and take your beautiful jewels; and leave you naked and bare. They’ll also bring up an army against you, and wound you, and kill you in war. They’ll burn your houses with fire, and punish you in front of many people; and I’ll make you to quit being unfaithful, and you won’t give away your gifts any more.
[42-47] So I’ll stop being angry facings you, and I’ll stop being jealous for you, and I’ll be quiet, and won’t be angry any more. Because you haven’t remembered the days of your youth, but have rebelled against Me in all these things, I’ll also bring your ways on your head,” says Yahweh God, and you won’t keep sinning with all your filthy garbage. See, everyone who uses sayings will use this saying against you, saying, “Like mother, like daughter. You’re the daughter of your mother, who hates her husband and her children; and you’re the sister of your sisters, who hated their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite. Your elder sister is Samaria, who lives at your left, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who lives at your right, is Sodom and her daughters. Haven’t you followed their ways, and copied their filthy garbage; but, as if that weren’t enough, you were more sinful than them in all your ways.”
[48-52] “As I live,” says Yahweh God, “Sodom, your sister hasn’t done, she, nor her daughters, as you’ve done, you and your daughters. See, this was the sin of your sister, Sodom. Her and in her daughters had too much pride, too much food, and comfortable ease; They didn’t give to the poor and needy. They thought themselves better than others, and did sinful things before Me, so I took them away as I thought best. Neither has Samaria done half of your sins; but you’ve spread your filthy garbage more than them, and have justified your sisters by all your filthy garbage, which you’ve done. You also shame yourself, in that you’ve judged your sisters by your sins that you’ve done more sinful than theirs. They’re better than you, so be confused, and take your shame, in that you’ve justified your sisters.
[53-58] I’ll bring back their prisoners of war, the prisoners of war of Sodom and her daughters, and the prisoners of war of Samaria and her daughters, then I’ll bring back your prisoners of war with them; that you may take your own shame, and may be ashamed because of all that you’ve done, in that you are a comfort to them. Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, will go back to where they were; and Samaria and her daughters will go back to where they were; and you and your daughters will go back to where you were. For your sister Sodom wasn’t spoken of in the day of your pride, before your sinful ways was uncovered, as at the time you placed blame on the daughters of Syria, and on all who are around her, the daughters of the Philistines (Palestine), who hate you. You’ve allowed your sinfulness and your filthy garbage,” says Yahweh.”
[59-63] Yahweh God says, “I’ll also deal with you as you’ve done, who have hated the vow in breaking your promise. But I’ll remember My promise with you in the days of your youth, and I’ll make you an everlasting promise. Then you’ll remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you get your sisters back, your elder sisters and your younger; and I’ll give them to you for daughters, but not by the promise you broke. I’ll make My new promise with you; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh; so that you may remember, and understand, and never open your mouth anymore, because of your shame, when I’ve forgiven you all that you’ve done,” says Yahweh God.”
17[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, tell a riddle, and speak a story to the people of Israel, and say, Yahweh God says, “A great eagle with big wings, full of long feathers, which had many colors, came to Lebanon, and landed in the top of the cedar. It cropped off the highest of the young twigs, and carried it to a land of business traffic; It set it in a city of business. It took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fertile soil; It placed it beside much water; and planted it like a willow tree.
[6-10] It grew, and became a low spreading vine, whose branches turned facing it, and its roots were under it, so it became a vine, and grew branches, and shot out sprigs. There was also another great eagle with big wings and many feathers, and this vine bent its roots facing it, and shot out its branches facing it, from the beds where it was planted, that it would water it. It was planted in good soil by much water, that it would grow branches and make fruit, so that it would be a good vine. Say to them, Yahweh God says, “Will it do well? Won’t it pull it up by its roots, and take its fruit, that it may wither; that all its fresh leaves of spring may wither? And not by a strong or great people will it be pulled up by its roots. Yes, even planted, will it do well? Won’t it wither, when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the beds where it grew.”
[11-15] Besides this the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Say now to these rebellious people, Don’t you know what these things mean? Tell them, See, the ruler of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) came to Jerusalem, and took its rulers, and brought them to Babylon, and took some of the children of the rulers, and made an agreement with them (Zedekiah); They also forced them to make a promise of loyalty, and took away the strong people of the land that the country would be weakened, so that it couldn’t make itself strong again, but that by keeping the promise it could stand. But he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and sent ambassadors into Egypt, to ask them to give them horses and much people. Shall he do well? Will he escape who does such things? Will he break a promise, and yet escape?
[16-18] As I live,” says Yahweh God, without a doubt he will die in the place where the ruler lives who made him a ruler, whose promise he hated and broke, even with him in Babylon. Neither will the ruler of Egypt, with a strong army and a great people, help them in the war, when they throw up siege mounds and build forts, to kill many people. Zedekiah has hated and broken the promise, after having shaken Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, and yet has done all these things; So he won’t escape.
[19-24] So Yahweh God says, “As I live, without a doubt, because he has hated and broken a promise made in My Name, I’ll even bring it on his own head. I’ll throw My net on him, and he will be caught in My trap, and I’ll bring him to Babylon, and punish him there because he sinned against Me. All the rebels in all your units will fall by war, and those who are left will be scattered to the wind, and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, have said it. Yahweh God says, “I’ll also take some of the highest branches of the cedar, and plant it; I’ll break off a tender sprout from the highest young twigs, and I’ll plant it on top of the highest mountain of Israel. I’ll plant it; and it will grow branches, and make seed, and be a good cedar, and in it will live birds of all kinds; they’ll live in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that it’s I, Yahweh, who have cut down the high tree, and have made the young tree grow, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to do well; I, Yahweh, have said it and done it.
18[1-4] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “What do you mean, when you use this saying about the land of Israel, saying, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live,” says Yahweh God, you won’t have occasion any more to use this saying in Israel. See, all souls are mine; as the soul of the parent is mine, so also is the soul of the child. The one who sins will die.
[5-9] But if a person is good, and does what is lawful and right, and hasn’t worshiped falsely the false gods of the people of Israel, nor has had sex with someone who didn’t belong to them, nor has had sex when a woman is on her period, and hasn’t wronged anyone, but has given the debtor’s pledge back, has stolen nothing, has given food to the hungry, and has clothed the naked; who hasn’t loaned out on interest, nor has taken any profit, who has kept from sinning, has judged rightly between one person and another, has followed My rules, and has kept My laws, to deal with others truthfully; They are good, and will without a doubt live,” says Yahweh God.
[10-13] If you have a child who is a thief, a murderer, and who does any of these things, and who doesn’t do what they are supposed to, but has even worshiped falsely, and has had sex with someone who wasn’t theirs, has wronged the poor and needy, has stolen things, hasn’t given back someone’s pledge for a debt, and has lifted up their eyes to the false gods, has done sinful things, has loaned out on interest, and has taken profit; will they then live? They won’t live who have done all these filthy things; They’ll without a doubt die; and their death will be their own fault.
[14-17] Now, if you have children, who see all their parent’s sins, which they’ve done, and fear, and don’t do those things; who don’t worship falsely any of the false gods of the people of Israel, who don’t have sex with someone who doesn’t belong to them, nor does wrong to anyone, who don’t take anything in pledge, nor steals anything, but has given food to the hungry, and has clothed the naked; who hasn’t failed to give to the poor, who hasn’t taken interest nor profit, but has kept My laws, and followed My rules; they won’t die because the sin of their parents, but will without a doubt live.
[18-23] As for the parents, who abused others cruelly, stole from others, and did what wasn’t good among their people, they’ll die in their sin. Yet say you, Why isn’t the child punished for the sin of the parent? When the child has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My rules, and has done them, they’ll without a doubt live. The one who sins will die. The child won’t be punished for the sin of the parent, nor will the parent be punished for the sin of the child; the good will be blessed for their goodness, and the sinful will be punished for their sinful ways. But if the sinful turn from all their sins that they’ve done, and keep all My rules, and do what is lawful and right, they’ll without a doubt live, and won’t die. None of their sins that they’ve done will be remembered against them. In their goodness that they’ve done they’ll live. I don’t have any pleasure in the death of the sinful,” says Yahweh God; and I’d rather that they turn from their sinful ways, and live.
[24-28] But when the good turns away from their goodness, and sins, and does all the filthy garbage that the sinful ones do, will they live? None of their good works that they’ve done will be remembered when they sin. For the sin and disobedience that they’ve done, they’ll die. Yet you say, the way of God isn’t fair. Hear now, people of Israel, Is My way not fair? Aren’t your ways unfair? When the good turn away from their goodness, and sin, and dies in it; for the sin that they’ve done they’ll die. Again, when the sinful turn away from their sinful ways that they’ve done, and do what is lawful and right, God will save them. If they think about it, and turn away from all their sins that they’ve done, they’ll without a doubt live, and won’t die.
[29-32] Yet, the people of Israel say, the way of God isn’t fair. People of Israel, aren’t My ways always fair? Aren’t your ways unfair? So I’ll judge you, people of Israel, everyone for your own ways,” says Yahweh God. Come back to Me, and turn from all your sins; so sin won’t be your ruin. Put away from you all your sins, in which you’ve sinned; and I’ll give you a new heart and a new spirit. Why would you die, people of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of those who die,” says Yahweh God, so turn from your sinful ways, and live.
19[1-4] Besides this, sing a song of sorrow because of the rulers of Israel, and say, What was your mother? A lioness, who sat among lions, with the young lions and fed her cubs (Israel). She brought up one of her cubs, which became a young lion, and learned to catch the abused and killed; and ate people. The nations also heard of him; who was taken in their pit; and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt (Jehoahaz).
[5-9] Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another cub, and made him a young lion. He went up and down among the lions and became a young lion, and learned to catch the abused and killed; and ate people. He mauled their survivors, and destroyed their cities; and the land was empty, and everything in it was gone, because of the noise of his roaring. Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces and spread their net over him; He was taken in their pit. They put him in a cage with hooks, and brought him to the ruler of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar); they brought him into safe places, that his voice wouldn’t be heard any more on the mountains of Israel (Jehoiachin).
[10-13] Your mother (Israel) was also like a vine in its season, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches because of all the water. It had strong branches for the scepters of those who ruled, and it grew tall among the thick leaves, and was seen above all the thick leaves. But it was plucked up in great anger, and was thrown down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were broken off and withered and burned in the fire. Now it’s planted in the countryside, in a dry and thirsty land. Fire has come from a rod of its branches, and has burned its fruit, so that there is in it no strong branch left to be a scepter to rule. This is a mourning, and will be for a mourning song.
20[1-5] In the 7th year, in the 10th day of the 5th month (July-Aug), some of the elders of Israel came to ask something of Yahweh, and sat before me. The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, Yahweh God says, “Did you come to ask Me something? As I live,” says Yahweh God, I won’t be asked anything by you. Will you judge them, human being, will you judge them? Make them to know all the filthy garbage of their ancestors; and tell them, Yahweh God says, “In the day when I chose Israel, and promised to the children of the people of Jacob, and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I made a promise to them, saying, “I Am Yahweh your God.
[6-11] In that day I promised them that I’d bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, which was full of milk and honey, which is the best of all lands. I said to them, “Everyone, throw away all the filthy garbage you see, and don’t ruin yourselves with the false gods of Egypt; I Am Yahweh your God. But you rebelled against Me, and wouldn’t listen to Me; some of you didn’t throw away the filthy garbage you saw, nor did you give up the false gods of Egypt. Then I said I’d punish you in My great anger, punish you greatly while you were in the land of Egypt. But I did this for My Name’s sake, that it wouldn’t be disrespected in the sight of the nations, among which you were, in whose sight I made Myself known to you, in bringing you out of the land of Egypt. So I caused you to go out of the land of Egypt, and brought you into the countryside. I gave you My rules, and showed you My laws, which if you do them, you’ll live by them.
[12-16] Besides this, I also gave you My Seventh Days, to be a sign between Me and you, that you would know that I Am Yahweh who makes you holy. But the people of Israel rebelled against Me out in the countryside. You didn’t follow My rules, and you wouldn’t keep My laws, which if you do, you’ll live by them; and My Seventh Days you greatly disrespected. Then I said I’d punish you in My great anger out in the countryside, to destroy you. But I did this for My Name’s sake, that it wouldn’t be disrespected in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought you out. Besides this, I also promised to you in the countryside, that I wouldn’t bring you into the land which I had given you, full of milk and honey, which is the best of all lands; because you didn’t keep My laws, and didn’t follow My rules, and disrespected My Seventh Days, because in your heart you worshiped your false gods.
[17-22] But I spared you, and I didn’t destroy you, nor did I completely destroy all of you in the countryside. I said to your people in the countryside, Don’t follow the rules of your ancestors, nor keep their laws, nor ruin yourselves with their false gods. I Am Yahweh your God, so follow My rules, and keep My laws, and do them; and make My Seventh Days holy; and you’ll be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I Am Yahweh your God. But the people rebelled against Me and didn’t follow My rules, nor keep My laws to do them, which if you do, you’ll live by them; and you disrespected My Seventh Days. Then I said I’d punish you in My great anger, to punish you in the countryside. But I withdrew My hand, and did this for My Name’s sake, that it wouldn’t be disrespected in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought you out.
[23-26] Besides this I promised you in the countryside, that I’d scatter you among the nations, and send you throughout all the countries; because you hadn’t done My laws, didn’t keep My rules, and had disrespected My Seventh Days, and you followed after your ancestors’ false gods. Besides this, I also gave you rules that weren’t good, and laws in which you wouldn’t live; and I ruined you in your own gifts, because you were sacrificing your own children, that I’d make you empty, to the end that you would know that I Am Yahweh.
[27-32] So, human being, speak to the people of Israel, and tell them, “Yahweh God says, “In this also have your ancestors disrespected Me, in that they’ve sinned against Me. For when I had brought them into the land, which I promised to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and offered sacrifices there, and there they provoked Me with their offering; there they also made their meat offerings, and poured out their drink offerings. Then I said to them, “What is this high place of false worship, which you go to? So its name is called Bamah (high place of false worship) to this day. So tell the people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “Don’t you ruin yourselves the same way your ancestors did? And act unfaithfully following after your filthy garbage? And when you offer your gifts, and sacrifice your children, don’t you ruin yourselves with all your false gods to this day? And you dare to ask Me for anything, people of Israel? As I live,” says Yahweh God, I won’t be asked anything by you; and what comes into your mind won’t happen at all, in that you say, ‘We’ll be as the nations, as the families of the countries, who serve wood and stone gods.’“
[33-38] As I live,” says Yahweh God, without a doubt with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great anger I’ll punish you. I’ll be Ruler over you, and I’ll bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered, with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great anger I’ll punish you; and I’ll bring you out into the countryside of the peoples, and there I’ll judge you face to face. Like as I judged your ancestors out in the countryside of the land of Egypt, so I’ll judge you,” says Yahweh God. I’ll make you to be counted and set aside, and I’ll bring you into the terms of the promise; and I’ll take out from among you all the rebels, and those who disobey Me; I’ll bring you out of the land where you stay, but you won’t enter into the land of Israel, and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[39-44] As for you, people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “You people, go and serve all your false gods, and from now on, if you won’t listen to Me, you won’t disrespect My Holy Name with your offerings, and with your false gods. For in My Holy Mountain, in the highest mountain of Israel,” says Yahweh God, there will all the people of Israel, all of you, serve Me in the land. There I’ll accept you, and there I’ll require your offerings, the first of your offerings, with all your holy things. As the good smell of a meat offering I’ll accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries in which you’ve been scattered (Israel became a nation again in 1948); and I’ll be respected in you in the sight of the nations. You’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country, which I promised to give to your ancestors. There you’ll remember your ways, and all the things you did, in which you’ve ruined yourselves; and you’ll hate yourselves in your own sight for all the sinful things you’ve done. You’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I’ve dealt with you for My Name’s sake, not for your sinful ways, nor for the wrong things you did, people of Israel,” says Yahweh God.”
[45-49] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “Human being, look facing the south, and speak facing the south, and preach against the forest of the field in the South; and tell the forest of the South, Hear the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll start a fire in you, and it will burn every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The flaming fire won’t be put out, and everything from the south to the north will be burnt by it. Everyone will see that I, Yahweh, have started it and it won’t be put out. Then said I, Ah Yahweh God! They say of me, Isn’t he just making up lies?
21[1-7] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look facing Jerusalem, and speak facing the places of worship, and preach against the land of Israel; and tell the land of Israel, Yahweh says this, See, I am against you, and will bring out My weapon, and will kill both the good and the sinful. Seeing then that I’ll kill both the good and the sinful from you, My weapon will come against everyone from the south to the north, and everyone will know that I, Yahweh, have brought out My weapon and it won’t be put back any more. So sigh, human being; with a broken heart and with great sadness, sigh before their eyes. And when they ask you, Why are you sighing? Answer them, Because of the news, because it’s coming! Every heart will die with fear, and everyone’s hands will be weak, and every spirit will faint, and everyone’s knees will be weak as water! It’s coming, and it will be done,” says Yahweh God.
[8-13] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “Human being, preach, and say, Yahweh says this, War, war, it’s ready and waiting; it’s ready to kill; it’s waiting to strike like lightning! Will we celebrate then? It hates the ruler of My child (Judah), and looks down on all your rulers. It’s waiting to be used! Yes, war is coming, it’s waiting to be used by those who will kill you. Cry and scream, human being; because it’s coming to My people, it’s coming to all the rulers of Israel! The horrors of war will come to My people; so beat your chest in sorrow. It’s a test; and what if the war kills even your ruler? says Yahweh God.
[14-17] So you, human being, preach, and clap your hands together; and let war be doubled the third time, war that kills with deadly wounds! It’s a war that kills even great men, who are wounded to death, which enters into even their secret rooms. I’ve sent war against all your gates, that your heart may die with fear, and your stumbling be multiplied! Ah! It’s as deadly as lightning to kill you. Gather together, go to the right, set yourself in order, go to the left, wherever your face is set. I’ll also clap My hands together, and I’ll make My great anger to rest. I, Yahweh, have said it.
[18-23] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “Also, you human being, show two ways, that the ruler of Babylon may come to make war, both of them coming out of the same land. Point out a place, point it out at the head of the street to the city. You’ll show a way for war to come to Rabbah (present capital of Jordan) of the people of Ammon (Transjordan), and to Judah in Jerusalem, which is protected. For the ruler of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) stood still at the fork in the road, at the head of both streets, to read the signs by fortune telling. He shook the arrows around and out, and consulted his false gods, and studied the liver. In his right hand was the sign for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter to shout, to set battering rams against the gates, to throw up mounds, to build forts. They’ll think it won’t happen, to those who have made agreements with them; but he will bring their sin to memory, that they may be taken.
[24-27] So Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve made your sin to be remembered, in that your sins were done openly, so that in everything you did, your sins were well known. So because your sins are remembered, you’ll be taken away as prisoners. You disrespectful, sinful ruler of Israel (Zedekiah, 586 BC), your day is coming, and your sins will come to an end, so Yahweh God says, “I’ll remove both your preacher and king and nothing will be the same; lift up what is low, and bring down what is high. I’ll overthrow, overthrow, overthrow, and no one will hold that place until the One (Christ) who has the right comes and takes it; who I’ll give it to.
[28-32] You, Human being, preach, and say, Yahweh God says about the people of Ammon (Transjordan), and about their guilt; and say, War, war is coming, waiting for the killing, to kill like lightning; while they show empty hopes to you, while they tell lies to you, to bring you on the necks of those sinful ones, who are to be killed, whose day is coming when their sin will come to an end. Don’t try to protect yourself. In the place where you were created, in the land of your birth, I’ll judge you. I’ll punish you in My anger on you; I’ll breathe on you with the hot breath of My great anger; and I’ll put you into the hand of cruel people, who have many ways to kill you. You’ll be like fuel to the fire; your death will be with the land and you won’t be remembered anymore because I, Yahweh, have said it.
22[1-5] Besides this, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, Will you judge the deathly city? Tell them all their filthy garbage, saying, “Yahweh God says, “This city kills its own people right with it, that its time may come, and makes false gods within it to ruin itself! You’re guilty for the blood that you’ve shed, and are ruined by your false gods, which you’ve made; and you’ve caused your day of judgment to come near, and are come to the end of your years. So I’ve made all the nations blame you, and all the countries will mock you. Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, as an unknown people and full of trouble.
[6-12] See, the rulers of Israel, all those in power have make bloodshed in you. In you, they’ve made light of their parents; in you they’ve abused foreigners; in you they’ve wronged those who have lost a parent and the surviving parent. They’ve hated My holy things, and have disrespected My Seventh Days. Lying people have been in you to make bloodshed; and in you they’ve eaten sacrifices to false gods on the mountains; in you they’ve done great sinfulness. In you’ve they’ve had sex with their fathers; in you they’ve sexually abused women who are on their period. Some of you have had sex with your neighbor’s wife; and others have sexually abused their daughter-in-law; and others in you have sexually abused their sister, their own parent’s daughter. In you they’ve taken bribes to make bloodshed; they’ve taken interest and made a profit, and have greedily gained a profit from their neighbors by their abuses, and have forgotten Me,” says Yahweh God.
[13-16] So see, I’ve clapped My hand at your dishonest profit that you’ve made, and at the bloodshed which you have done. Can you take it, or can you be strong, when I punish you? I, Yahweh, have said it, and will do it. I’ll scatter you among the nations, and spread you throughout all the countries; and I’ll destroy whatever is filthy in you. You’ll ruin yourself in the sight of the nations; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[17-22] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, the people of Israel have become dross to Me. All of you are brass, tin, iron, and lead, in the furnace; you’re like the dross of silver. So Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve all become like dross, I’ll gather you into the middle of Jerusalem. As you gather silver, brass, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace, to blow the fire on it, and melt it; so I’ll gather you in My anger, and in My great anger, I’ll put you there, and melt you. Yes, I’ll gather you, and blow on you with My fiery anger, and you’ll be melted in it. As silver is melted in the furnace, so you’ll be melted with Jerusalem; and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, have been very angry with you.
[23-28] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, tell Israel, You’re a land that isn’t cleansed, nor rained on in the day of anger. There is an sinful plan by its preachers, like a roaring lion eating the abused and killed. They’ve eaten the people; they’ve taken treasure and precious things; and made many to lose loved ones there. Its preachers have broken My Law, and have disrespected My holy things. They’ve made no difference between the holy and the ordinary, nor have they taught the people how to tell the difference between the unfit and the fit. They’ve ignored My Seventh Days, and I am disrespected among them. Its rulers are like wolves eating the abused and killed, to make bloodshed, and to destroy people, in order to make a dishonest profit. Its preachers have painted them white, seeing false visions, and telling lies to them, saying, “Yahweh God says, “when Yahweh hasn’t spoken.
[29-31] The people of the land have abused others, and stolen things; yes, they’ve troubled the poor and needy, and have abused the foreigner wrongfully. I looked for a human to lead them, who would rebuild the wall that protects them, and stand in the gap in prayer before Me for the land, so that I wouldn’t destroy it; but I found no one. So I’ve been very angry with them; I’ve destroyed them with the fire of My great anger and brought down their own ways on their heads,” says Yahweh God.
23[1-4] The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, “Human being, there were two women, the daughters of one mother, who were unfaithful in Egypt and were unfaithful in their youth; there were their breasts touched, and there the breasts of their youth were held. Their names were Oholah, the oldest, and Oholibah her sister, and they were mine, and had children. As for their names, Samaria (The northern nation of Israel) is Oholah, and Jerusalem (The southern nation of Judah) is Oholibah.
[5-10] Oholah been unfaithful when she was mine; and she wanted her lovers, the Assyrians, her neighbors, who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them attractive young men, riders riding on horses. She was unfaithful with them, all of them being the best men of Assyria; and with whomever she wanted, with all their false gods she ruined herself. Nor has she stopped being unfaithful since she was in Egypt; because in her youth they had been unfaithful with her, and handled her youthful breasts; They poured out their sinfulness on her. So I gave her to her lovers, the Assyrians, who she wanted. They uncovered her nakedness; and took her children; and killed her with war; and she became a saying among women; who had brought judgment on her.
[11-15] Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was worse than her sister in her sinfulness, and in her unfaithfulness which was worse than the unfaithfulness of her sister. She wanted the Assyrian governors and rulers, her neighbors, who were well clothed, riders riding on horses, all of them attractive young men. I saw that she was ruined; both of them took the same way. She was more unfaithful because she saw men drawn on the wall, pictures of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) in red, with belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like rulers, just like the Babylonians in Chaldea (Iraq, Iran), the land of their birth.
[16-21] As soon as she saw them she wanted them, and sent messengers to them in Chaldea (Iraq, Iran). The Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and ruined her with their sinfulness, and she was ruined by them, and then she stayed away from them. So she uncovered her unfaithfulness and her nakedness; Then I kept Myself from her, like I kept Myself from her sister. Yet she sinned more and more, remembering the days of her youth, in which she had been unfaithful in the land of Egypt. She wanted her lovers, who were as lustful and unfit as an animal. So she called to memory the sinfulness of her youth, when the Egyptians held her youthful breasts.
[22-27] So, Oholibah, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll stir up your lovers against you, from whom you have kept yourself, and I’ll bring them against you on every side; the Babylonians, all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, Koa, and all the Assyrians with them; all of them attractive young men, governors and rulers all of them, rulers and people of fame, all of them riding on horses. They’ll come against you with weapons, war vehicles, and supply wagons, with a troop of soldiers; they’ll set themselves against you with armored soldiers; and I’ll let them bring judgment on you, and they’ll judge you with their judgments. I’ll set My jealousy against you, and they’ll deal with you in great anger; they’ll take away your nose and your ears; and what’s left of you’ll fall by war. They’ll take your children; and what’s left of you’ll be burned by fire. They’ll also strip you out of your clothes, and take all your beautiful jewelry. So I’ll make you stop your sinfulness, and your unfaithfulness that you learned in the land of Egypt, so that you won’t look at them, nor remember Egypt anymore.
[28-34] For Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll give you over to those whom you hate, into the hand of those from whom you have kept yourself; and they’ll deal with you in hatred, and will take away all your work, and will leave you naked and bare; and the nakedness of your unfaithfulness will be seen by all, both your sinfulness and your unfaithfulness. These things will be done to you, because you’ve been unfaithful with the unbelieving nations, and because you’re ruined with your false gods. You’ve done just like your sister, so I’ll give her punishment to you, as well. Yahweh God says, “You’ll take your sister’s punishment, which is great; you’ll be made fun of and laughed at very much. You’ll be full of drunkenness and sorrow, and the punishment will shock you and make you empty. You’ll be punished just like your sister Samaria. You’ll even drink your cup of punishment to the last drop, and you’ll break it to pieces and cut your breasts with it; because I’ve said it,” says Yahweh God.
[35-39] So Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve forgotten Me, and turned your back on Me, you’ll take the punishment for your sinfulness and your unfaithfulness. Yahweh also asked me, Human being, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then tell them of their filthy garbage. They’ve been unfaithful, and blood is on their hands; They’ve been unfaithful with their false gods; and they’ve also caused their children, whom they had for Me, to be destroyed for them. Besides this, they’ve ruined My Place of Worship in the same day, and have disrespected My Seventh Days. For when they had sacrificed their children to their false gods, then they came into My Place of Worship to ruin it on the same day; and this they’ve done right with My House.
[40-45] Besides this you’ve sent for people who came from far away, to whom a being was sent, and they came; for whom you wash yourself, paint your eyes, and put on your jewelry, and sit on a fancy bed, with a table set before it, where you put My incense and My oil. I heard the sound of a lot of people partying with her, and drunks from the countryside were brought with the ordinary people; and they put bracelets on the hands of the two sisters, and beautiful crowns on their heads. Then I said of her who had been unfaithful for so long, Now, will they’ve sex with her, and she with them? But they went in to her, just like going into a whore. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the naughty women. Good people will judge them with the judgment of the unfaithful, and with the judgment of women who make bloodshed; because they’re unfaithful, and blood is on their hands.
[46-49] For Yahweh God says, “I’ll bring up a company of soldiers against them, and will let them be troubled and robbed. The company will make war on them and kill their children, and burn up their peoples with fire. So I’ll make sinfulness to come to an end out of the land, so that all women may be taught not to do the sins that you do. They’ll repay you for your sinfulness, and you’ll take the punishment for the sin of worshipping your false gods; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh God.
24[1-5] Again, in the 9th year, in the 10th day of the 10th month (Dec.-Jan.), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, write the name of the day, this same day that the ruler of Babylon came against Jerusalem. Tell a story to these rebellious people, and tell them, Yahweh God says, “Put on the pot, set it on the fire, and pour water into it. Put the pieces of meat into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; and fill it with the best bones. Take the best lamb of the flock, and also a pile of bones for fuel under the pot; make it boil well; yes, let the bones be boiled in it.
[6-13] So Yahweh God says, “Sorrow will come to the bloody city, to the pot with scum in it, and whose scum hasn’t been taken out of it! Take out one piece after another; No one is better than any other. For its blood is seen right with it; she put it on the bare rock and didn’t pour it on the ground, to cover it with dirt, that it may make great anger to come up and punish, I’ve put her blood on the bare rock, that it wouldn’t be covered. So Yahweh God says, “Sorrow will come to the bloody city! I’ll also make the pile great. Pile on the wood, make the fire hot, cook the meat well, boil the broth away, and let the bones burn. Then set it empty on the coals, so that it may be hot, and its brass burned, so that its filthiness may burn away, that the scum may be destroyed. She has tired herself out with work; yet all her scum doesn’t go out of her; her scum doesn’t go out by fire. Your filthiness was sinful, and even though I’ve cleansed you, you still weren’t cleansed. So you won’t be cleansed from your filthiness any more, until I let My great anger at you rest.
[14-19] I, Yahweh, have said it, and I’ll do it. I won’t go back, nor will I spare you, nor will I change My mind. For your ways, and for what you do, they’ll judge you,” says Yahweh God. Also the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, I take away from you what you love the most with one stroke, yet you won’t sorrow, nor cry, nor let your tears run down. Sigh, but not out loud; don’t be sorry for the dead; put on your hat and your shoes; don’t cover your face, and don’t eat what the people eat when someone dies. So I spoke to the people in the morning; and in the evening My wife died; and I did in the morning as I was told. The people said to me, “Won’t you tell us what these things mean to us, that you do these things?
[20-27] Then I said to them, “The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll ruin My Place of Worship, the pride of your power, what you love the most, and what makes you sorry; and your children whom you’ve left behind will fall by war. You’ll do as I’ve done; you won’t cover your face, nor eat what people eat when someone dies. Your hats will be on your heads, and your shoes will be on your feet. You won’t be sorry, nor cry; but you’ll suffer in your sins, and cry out together. So Ezekiel will be a warning to you; for all that he has done you’ll do. When this comes, then you’ll know that I Am Yahweh God. You, Human being, won’t it be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their fame, what they love the most, and that which they’ve set their hearts on, their children, that in that day, those who escape, will come to you, so that you can hear it with your own ears? In that day your mouth will be opened to those who’ve escaped, and you’ll speak, and won’t be mute any more. So you’ll be a warning to them; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
25[1-5] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look which faced the building of Ammon (Transjordan), and preach against them, and tell the people of Ammon, Hear the word of Yahweh God! Yahweh God says, “Because you said, “Aha, against My Place of Worship, when it was ruined; and against the land of Israel, when it was made empty; and against the people of Judah, when they became prisoners of war, so I’ll give you to the people of the east for servants, and they’ll set their war camps in you, and make their homes in you; they’ll eat your fruit, and drink your milk. I’ll make Rabbah a stable for camels, and Ammon a resting place for flocks; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[6-11] For Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve clapped your hands, and stomped your feet, and celebrated with all the hatred of your soul against the land of Israel; so, I’ve stretched out My hand on you, and will give you to the nations to plunder; and I’ll cut you off from the peoples, and I’ll make you to die out of the countries. I’ll destroy you; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “Because Moab (Jordan) and Seir say, See, the people of Judah is like all the nations, I’ll open up Moab (Jordan) starting with the cities, from your cities which are on your borders, the best of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim, to the people of the east, to go against the people of Ammon (Transjordan); and I’ll give you to them for servants, that the people of Ammon won’t be remembered among the nations, and I’ll punish Moab; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[12-17] Yahweh God says, “Because Edom (Jordan, Arab nations) has fought against the people of Judah, and has greatly offended, and punished them; so Yahweh God says, “I’ll stretch out My hand on Edom, and will destroy both human and animal from it; and I’ll make it empty from Teman (near Petra, Jordan) even to Dedan (now Al ‘Ulá, Saudi Arabia) and they’ll fall by war. I’ll punish Edom by the hand of My people Israel; and they’ll punish Edom for My anger and rage; and they’ll know that I punish them,” says Yahweh God. Yahweh God says, “Because the Philistines (Palestine) have taken revenge, and fought with hatred of soul to destroy their enemies of long ago; so Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll stretch out My hand on the Philistines, and I’ll destroy their soldiers (Cherethites), and destroy what’s left of the people of the sea coast. I’ll punish them with great anger; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I punish them.
26[1-6] In the 11th year, in the 1st day of the month (586BC), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, because Tyre (Lebanon) has said against Jerusalem, Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken and what they had is now mine; I’ll get what they had, now that they are destroyed. So Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, Tyre, and will make many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. They’ll destroy the walls of Tyre (Lebanon), and break down its defense towers. I’ll also scrape the dust from it, and make it a bare rock. It will be a place to spread fishnets by the sea; because I’ve said it,” says Yahweh God; and they’ll be given to the nations to plunder. Its towns in the land will be destroyed by war and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[7-11] For Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll bring on Tyre Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, ruler of rulers, from the north, with horses and riders, and war vehicles, and an army with many people. He’ll destroy your towns in the land with war; and will come against you, and build up a siege mound against you, and take your defense towers. He’ll set battering rams against your walls, and will break down your defenses with his axes. The dust of his many horses will cover you and your walls will shake at the noise of the riders, the supply wagons, and the war vehicles, when he enters your gates, as people enter a city with a break in its walls. With the horses’ hoofs he’ll trample down anyone in the streets and will kill your people with war. Your strong pillars will fall down to the ground.
[12-18] They’ll plunder your riches, and take your stuff; They’ll break down your walls, and destroy your beautiful homes; and they’ll put your stones, timber, and soil in the sea. I’ll make the sound of your songs to stop; and the sound of your harps won’t be heard any more. I’ll make you a bare rock; you’ll be a place for spreading fishnets; you’ll never be built anymore because I, Yahweh, have said it,” says Yahweh God. Yahweh God says to Tyre, won’t the islands shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan and when death comes to you? Then all the rulers of the sea will come down from their thrones, and put aside their robes, and strip off their fine clothes and clothe themselves with shaking. They’ll sit on the ground, shaking in fear at it all, and be shocked at you. They’ll sing a song of sorrow over you, saying, “How are you destroyed, who were full of these seafaring people, the famed city, who was strong in the sea, the city and its peoples, who caused fear on all who lived there! Now the islands will shake in the day of your fall; yes, the islands that are in the sea will be troubled when you go.
[19-21] For Yahweh God says, “When I make you an empty city, like the cities that have no people; when I flood you with the sea waters, and they cover you; then I’ll bring you down with those who go down to hell, to the people from long ago, and will make you stay in the heart of the earth, in the places that are hollow from long ago, with those who go to hell, that you never have people again; and I’ll be well known in the land of the living. I’ll make you a great suffering, and you’ll be gone; though you are searched for, you’ll never be found again,” says Yahweh God.
27[1-4] The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, “You, Human being, sing a song of sorrow over Tyre (Lebanon); and tell them, you who live at the seacoast, who are the traders to many countries, Yahweh God says, “You, Tyre, have said, “I am so beautiful. Your coasts are in the heart of the seas; your builders have made you very beautiful.
[5-9] They’ve made all your timber of pine trees from Senir (Mount Hermon range); they’ve taken a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast. Your oars are made from the oaks of Bashan (east of the Sea of Gallilee); they’ve made your rails of boxwood inlaid with ivory, from the islands of Kittim (Cyprus). Your sails are made of fine linen with needlework from Egypt, so that it flew as your flag; You were covered with the blue and purple cloth from the islands of Elishah (Cyprus). The peoples of Sidon (Lebanon) and Arvad (Rouad, Lebanon-Syria) rowed your oars for you. Your people were skilled as sailors, Tyre (Lebanon), and the best became your captains. The old people of Gebal (Byblos-Jubayl, Lebanon) and its wise people were your ship repairers. All the ships of the sea came with their sailors to buy your stuff.
[10-14] Persia (Iran) and Lud (Lydia, now Turkey) and Put (Libya and other Arab-African nations) were in your army, and were your soldiers of war, who hung their shields and helmets in you and made you beautiful. The soldiers of Arvad (Rouad, Lebanon-Syria) were with your army around your walls, and brave soldiers were in your defense towers, who hung their shields around your walls and made you beautiful. Tarshish (Andalucia, Spain) traded with you in all kinds of riches, trading for your goods with silver, iron, tin, and lead. Javan (Greece), Tubal (Turkey), and Meshech (Moscow, Russia), traded with you, trading human beings and pots of brass for your stuff. The people of Togmarah (Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Cossak Countries) traded for your goods with war horses, riders, and mules.
[15-20] The people of Dedan (now Al ‘Ulá, Saudi Arabia) traded with you; many countries traded with you. They brought you horns of ivory and ebony to trade. Syria traded for the crafts of your people. They traded for your goods with purple cloth, needlework, fine linen, coral, emeralds and rubies. Judah, and the land of Israel traded with you for your wheat of Minnith (Jordan), and pastries, and honey, and oil, and balm. Damascus traded for the many crafts of your people, and for all the rich things of your people, with the wine of Helbon (Syria), and white wool. Vedan (Libya) and Javan (Greece) traded with Arabian yarn for your goods of polished iron, cinnamon, and perfumed cane oil, which were among your stuff. Dedan (now Al ‘Ulá, Saudi Arabia) was your trader in saddlecloths for riding.
[21-25] All the rulers of Kedar in Arabia were the ones who traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats, doing business with you regularly. The traders of Sheba (Yemen) and Raamah (Saudi Arabia) traded with you, trading for your goods with the best of all spices, and with all kinds of precious stones, and gold. Haran, Canneh , and Eden (Turkey), the traders of Sheba (Yemen), Asshur (Assyria), and Chilmad (Marketplace), traded with you. These traded with you in the best goods, in blue cloth and needlework, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with ropes and made of cedar, which were among your stuff. The ships of Tarshish (Andalucia, Spain) were the handlers for your stuff and you were refilled, and made very famous in the heart of the seas.
[26-31] Your rowers have brought you into great waters, and the east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas. Your riches, your goods and stuff, your sailors, your captains, your repairers of ship seams, and the dealers in your stuff, and all your soldiers of war, who are in you, with all your people, which is in you, will fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your ruin. At the sound of the cry of your captains the towns around you’ll shake. All who rowed the oars, the sailors, and all the captains of the sea will come down from their ships and stand on the shore, and their voices will be louder than yours! They’ll cry bitterly, and throw dirt on their heads, wallowing in the ashes. They’ll shave their heads for you, and wear their mourning clothes, and cry and mourn for you with greatly saddened souls.
[32-36] In their screaming they’ll sing a song of sorrow for you, and mourn over you, saying, “Who is there like Tyre (Lebanon), which has gone down with the sea? When your goods went out on the seas, you pleased many peoples; you made the rulers of the earth rich with all of your wealth and your stuff. When you were broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, your stuff and all your people fell in you. All the peoples of the countries are shocked at you, and their rulers are very scared and greatly troubled. Those who do business among the peoples will mock at you in great suffering, and you’ll never exist again.
28[1-5] The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, “Human being, tell the ruler of Tyre (Lebanon), Yahweh God says, “Because you think so highly of yourself in your heart, and you’ve said, “I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, with the seas; yet you are human, and not God, though you set your heart to be like God! Yes, you’re wiser than Daniel and there’s no secret hidden from you; and by your wisdom and understanding you’ve made yourself rich, and have put much gold and silver into your treasures. By your great wisdom in trading have you gained from your riches, and now you think so highly of yourself in your heart because of all your riches!
[6-10] So Yahweh God says, “Because you’ve set your heart to be like God, I’ll bring foreigners on you, the most terrible of the nations; and they’ll war against the beauty of your wisdom, and ruin your fame. They’ll send you to hell; and you’ll die the death of those who die in the heart of the seas. Will you still say before the God who kills you, I am God? But you are human, and not God, in the hand of the One who kills you. You’ll die the death of the ungodly nations by the hand of foreigners because I’ve said it,” says Yahweh God.
[11-15] Besides this, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, sing a song of sorrow over the ruler of Tyre, and tell him, Yahweh God says, “You were completely perfect, full of wisdom, and beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; precious stones of ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, diamond, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl graced you, all mounted in gold. They were set in you on the day that you were created. You were the set apart as one of the winged beings who covers Me; and I put you on the holy mountain of God, where you walked back and forth in all your fiery stones. You were created perfect and stayed that way, until you sinned and became ungodly.
[16-19] By the many treasures that graced you, you were filled with sinful, and you’ve sinned, so I’ve thrown you out of the mountain of God in disrespect; and I’ve put you out of all your fiery stones, even though you were one of the winged beings created to cover Me. You thought too highly of yourself in your heart and ruined your wisdom because of your great beauty. I’ve thrown you to the earth and made an example of you before rulers, that they would see you fall. You’ve ruined your holiness by the many sins you did, so I’ve brought out a fire from inside of you, which has burned you up, and I’ve turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you. All those who know you among the peoples will be shocked at you. You are a horrible thing and won’t live forever anymore.
[20-23] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look facing Sidon (Lebanon), and preach against it, and say, Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, Sidon; and I’ll be well known in you; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I’ve punished you, and I am respected in you. I’ll send disease on you, and death into your streets; and the wounded will fall with you, with war on every side; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[24-26] There won’t be a brier to prick the people of Israel any more, nor a sharp thorn to hurt them of any that are around them, that hate them; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh God. Yahweh God says, “When I have gathered the people of Israel from the peoples among whom they’re scattered (Israel became a nation again in 1948), and will be respected in them in the sight of the unbelieving nations, then they’ll live in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. They’ll live safely in it; yes, and build homes, and plant gardens, and will live safely, when I’ve punished all those around them, who hated them; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh their God.
29[1-7] In the 10th year, on the 12th day of the 10th month (Dec. -Jan.), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look facing the ruler of Egypt, and preach against him and against all Egypt. Speak and say, ‘Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, ruler of Egypt (Hophra, 589-570 BC), the great monster that lies with your rivers, and has said, “’My river is My own, and I’ve made it for myself.’ I’ll put hooks in your mouth, and I’ll make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales; and I’ll fish you out of your Nile river, along with all your fish in your rivers, which stick to your scales. I’ll throw you and all the fish of your rivers out into the countryside. You’ll fall on the open field, where you won’t be picked up, or gathered together. I’ll leave you as food for the animals of the earth and the birds of the sky. All the peoples of Egypt will know that I Am Yahweh, and that you’ve been nothing but a weak measure to the people of Israel. When they grabbed a hold of you, you broke, and pulled their shoulders out of joint; and when they leaned on you, you broke, and threw their backs out.”
[8-12] So Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll bring war on you, and will destroy both human and animals from you. The land of Egypt will be an empty place and a wasteland; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. Because you’ve said, “’The river is mine, and I’ve made it; I am against you and your Nile, and I’ll make the land of Egypt a total waste and an empty place, from the city of Migdol to Aswan, even to the border of Ethiopia. No human foot will pass through it, nor the foot of an animal, nor will there be any people for 40 years. I’ll make the land of Egypt worse than the countries around it that are empty; and its cities will be worse than any other city that’s been destroyed and will be empty for 40 years. I’ll scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will send you throughout all the countries.”
[13-16] For Yahweh God says, “At the end of 40 years I’ll gather the Egyptians from the peoples where you were scattered; and I’ll bring back the prisoners of war of Egypt, and will make you to go back into the land of Pathros (Upper-southern Egypt), where you were born; and you’ll be a weak country there. It will be the weakest of the countries and it won’t have power over the nations anymore. I’ll make you as nothing, so that you can’t rule over the nations anymore. The people of Israel won’t have any confidence in it ever again, but will remember their sin when they turn to look at you; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh God.”‘“
[17-21] In the 27th year, in the 1st day of the 1st month (March-April), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon caused his army to do a great service against Tyre (Lebanon). Every head was shaved, and every shoulder was worn out; yet he’s not been paid, nor his army, from Tyre, for the work that he had done against it. So Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon; who will carry off her people, and plunder it, and take it for his pay; and to pay for the army. I’ve given him the land of Egypt as payment for which he served, because he worked for Me,” says Yahweh God. In that day I’ll make the people of Israel grow strong, and I’ll open your mouth to speak to them; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
30[1-5] The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, “Human being, preach, and say, Yahweh God says, “Scream, for the day of sorrow is coming! The day is near, even the day of Yahweh is very near; and it will be a dark day for the nations. War will come on Egypt, and Ethiopia will suffer, when the dead fall in Egypt; and they’ll take away its people, and everything will be broken down. Ethiopia, and Put (Libya and other Arab-African nations), and Lud (Lydia, now Turkey), and all the mixed people, and Kub (Russia, Cossacks), and the people of the land that have agreements with them, will all fall by war.
[6-9] Yahweh says this, All those who uphold Egypt will fall; and the pride of its power will come down; from the city of Migdol to Aswan they’ll fall in it by war,” says Yahweh God. They’ll be worse than the countries around them that are empty; and its cities will be worse than any other cities that are wasted. They’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I set fire to Egypt, and all its helpers are destroyed. In that day, messengers will go out from before Me in ships to put fear in the careless Ethiopians; and they’ll suffer, as in the day of Egypt; Their day is coming.
[10-12] Yahweh God says, “I’ll also make the people of Egypt to come to an end, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar ruler of Babylon. God and your people with God, the terrible of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land; and you’ll draw your swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the dead. I’ll make the rivers dry, and will sell the land into the hand of sinful people; and I’ll make the land empty, and all that is in it, by the hand of foreigners. I, Yahweh, have said it.
[13-19] Yahweh God says, “I’ll also destroy all the false gods, and put an end to their worship in Memphis (Noph, old capital of Egypt); and there won’t be a ruler in the land of Egypt anymore; and I’ll put fear in the land of Egypt. I’ll make Pathros (Upper-southern Egypt) empty, and will set fire to Zoan (Tanis), and will punish No (Thebes). I’ll let loose My great anger on Sin (Pelusium), the stronghold of Egypt; and I’ll destroy the people of No. I’ll set fire to Egypt; Sin will suffer greatly, and No will be broken up; and enemies will come against Memphis every day. The young soldiers of Aven (On, Heliopolis) and of Pibeseth (Bubastis) will fall by war; and become prisoners of war. A dark day will come to Tehaphnehes (Tahpanhes), when I break there the strength of Egypt, and the pride of its power will come to an end. As for Egypt, a cloud of smoke will cover it, and its towns will become prisoners of war. So I’ll punish Egypt; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[20-26] In the 11th year, in the 7th day of the 1st month (March-April), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, I’ve broken the arm of ruler of Egypt; and it hasn’t been tied up to heal, or had a bandage put on it, so that it would be strong for war. So Yahweh God says, “See, I am against the ruler of Egypt, and will break his arms, both the strong arm, and what was broken; and I’ll make his weapon fall out of his hand. I’ll scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will send them throughout the countries. I’ll strengthen the arms of the ruler of Babylon, and put My weapon in his hand, but I’ll break the arms of ruler of Egypt, who’ll cry out before him as if he were dying. I’ll strengthen the arms of the ruler of Babylon; and the arms of ruler of Egypt will fall down; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I put My weapon into the hand of the ruler of Babylon, and he uses it on the land of Egypt. I’ll scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and send them throughout all the countries; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
31[1-5] In the 11th year, in the 1st day of the 3rd month (May-June 587BC), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, ask the ruler of Egypt, and his people, Who is as great as you are? See, the Assyrian was like a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches that deeply shaded the forest, and was very high with its top above the tree tops. The deep waters fed it and made it grow. The creeks ran around where it was planted; and all the little streams flowed out to all the trees of the field. So it was higher than all the trees of the field; and had many branches, which became long because of all the water, as it grew.
[6-9] All the birds of the sky made nests in its branches; and under its branches all the animals of the field had their young; and all the great nations lived under its shade. So it was very beautiful and had big long branches because its roots were by much water. The cedars in the garden of God (Eden) weren’t as tall as it, the pine trees didn’t have as many branches, and the sycamore trees weren’t as thick as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God (Eden) as beautiful as it. I made it beautiful with its many branches, so that all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God (Eden), would want to be like it.
[10-14] So Yahweh God said this, Because you are so high and have put your top above all the other tree tops, and you think too highly of yourself; I’ll give you over to the power of the strongest of the nations; which will without a doubt deal with you; I’ve driven you out because of your sinful ways. Foreigners, the most terrible of the nations, have cut you down, and have left you. Your branches are fallen on all the mountains and valleys, and are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the peoples of the earth have gone from your shade, and have left you. All the birds of the sky will nest in your fallen branches, and all the animals of the field will hide under your fallen branches; so that none of all the trees by the waters will grow to your height, nor dare to put their top above the tree tops, nor that even the strong ones with water will grow to your height, because they’re all going to die, and go to the heart of the earth (Paradise, Hell), where all human beings go, along with those who are buried in the grave.
[15-18] Yahweh God says, “In the day when Assyria went down to Hell I caused great sorrow. I closed the waters, and stopped its flow; and the great waters were dammed up for it. I caused Lebanon to mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted for it. I made the nations to shake at the sound of its fall, when I threw it down to Hell along with all those who go down to the heart of the earth (Paradise, Hell); and all the trees of Eden, the best and greatest of Lebanon, all that have water, were comforted in the heart of the earth (Paradise). Those nations which lived under its shade, who were its strength also went down into Hell with it to the dead. So who are you like in beauty and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you’ll be brought down with the trees of Eden to the heart of the earth and you’ll be with the ungodly nations, with the dead. This is ruler of Egypt and all his people,” says Yahweh God.
32[1-5] In the 12th year, in the 1st day of the 12th month (Feb-March 585 BC), the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, sing a song of sorrow over ruler of Egypt (Hophra), and tell him, You were as strong as a young lion among the nations, yet are you as troubling as a sea monster; and broke out of your rivers, and stirred up the waters with your feet, and dirtied the rivers. Yahweh God says, “I’ll spread out My net on you with a great many people; and bring you up in My net. I’ll pull you on to the land, and throw you out in the open field to die, and will make all the birds of the sky to land on you, and I’ll feed all the animals of the whole earth with your body. I’ll lay your body on the mountains, and fill the valleys with what’s left of you.
[6-10] I’ll also water the land in which you swim with your blood, all the way to the mountains; and the rivers will be full of you. When I destroy you, I’ll cover the heavens, and the stars won’t shine; I’ll cover the sun with clouds, and the moon won’t shine. All the bright lights of the sky over you I’ll make dark, and send darkness over your land,” says Yahweh God. I’ll also trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I destroy you among the nations, in the countries which you haven’t known. Yes, I’ll make many peoples amazed at you, and their rulers will be very scared because of what happened to you, when I bring out My weapon before them; and they’ll all shake in fear, everyone for their own life, when you fall.
[11-16] For Yahweh God says, “the ruler of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) will come against you in war. I’ll make your people to fall with their strong soldiers; the most terrible of the nations. They’ll destroy the pride of Egypt, and all its people will be destroyed, as well. I’ll also destroy all the animals from beside the many waters; nor will a human being step a foot on your land any more, nor an animal hoof. Then I’ll let your waters clear up, and your rivers will run like oil,” says Yahweh God. When I make the land of Egypt empty and a wasteland, a land stripped of everything in it, when I take down all those who live in it, then they’ll know that I Am Yahweh. This is the song of sorrow which you’ll sing; the cities of the nations will sing it in sorrow over Egypt, and all the people will sing it in sorrow,” says Yahweh God.
[17-21] Also in the 12th year, in the 15th day of the month, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, scream for the people of Egypt, and throw them down along with the cities of the great nations, to the heart of the earth (Paradise, Hell), along with those who are buried in the grave. Whom do you pass in beauty? Go down, and stay with the ungodly nations. They’ll fall with the rest of the dead. They are given to war; and all her peoples will be drawn away. The strongest of the strong will speak to Egypt and those who help it in hell, saying, “You’ve come down, and will be still, along with all the ungodly nations, who are dead by war.
[22-25] Asshur (Assyria) is there and all its people; It’s full of the graves of its dead, who have fallen by war and whose graves are in the lowest parts of hell, and its army is all around its grave; all of them dead, fallen by war, who caused great suffering in the land of the living. Elam (Iran) is there and all its people around its grave; all of them dead, fallen by war, who have gone down with ungodly nations into the heart of the earth, who caused great suffering in the land of the living, and must be ashamed with those who go to hell. They’ve put their bed with the dead with all the people; and graves all around it; all of the ungodly nations, dead by war; for the great suffering they caused in the land of the living, and they must be ashamed with those who go to hell. So they are put with those who are dead.
[26-28] There is Meshech (Moscow), Tubal (Turkey), and all their people; their graves are all around them; all of them ungodly nations, dead by war for the great suffering they caused in the land of the living. They won’t be buried with the strong who are fallen of the ungodly nations, who are gone down to Hell with their weapons of war, and have laid them under their heads, and their bones are punished for their sins, for all the great suffering they caused in the land of the living. But you’ll be broken with the ungodly people, and will be buried with the dead.
[29-32] There is Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), and all their rulers, who in spite of their strength are buried with the dead. They’ll be buried with the ungodly nations, and with those who go down to hell. There are the rulers of the north (Tyre and Sidon, Lebanon), all of them, and all their people, who are buried with the dead; They’re shamed for the great suffering which they caused by their strength; and they’ll be buried with the ungodly nations with the dead, and take their shame with those who go to hell. The ruler of Egypt will see them, and be comforted with all his people; Yes, the ruler of Egypt and all his army, dead by war,” says Yahweh God. For I’ve made great suffering in the land of the living by him; but he’ll be buried with the ungodly people, with the dead; Yes, the ruler of Egypt and all his people,” says Yahweh God.
33[1-6] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, speak to the children of your people, and tell them, when I bring war on a land, and the people of the land take someone from among them, and makes them a lookout; If, when they see that war is coming on the land, and blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and doesn’t take warning, if war comes, and takes them away, their death will be their own fault. They heard the sound of the trumpet, and didn’t take warning; their death will be their own fault; Since if they had taken warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the lookout sees that war is coming, and doesn’t blow the trumpet, and the people aren’t warned, and war comes, and take anyone from among them; They’re taken away in their sin, but I’ll hold the lookout responsible for their death.
[7-11] So you, human being, I’ve made you a lookout to the people of Israel; so hear what I say, and warn them for Me. When I tell the sinful, You sinful person, you’ll without a doubt die, and you don’t warn the sinful from their way; that sinful person will die in their sin, but their death I’ll hold you responsible for. But, if you warn the sinful to turn from their ways, and they don’t turn from their ways, they’ll die in their sin, but you’ve saved your soul. You, Human being, tell the people of Israel, So you say, If we are guilty of our sins and wrongs, and we suffer for them; why are we still alive? Tell them, As I live,” says Yahweh God, I don’t get any enjoyment out of the death of the sinful; but hope that the sinful will turn from their ways and live; So turn, turn from your sinful ways. Why should you die, people of Israel?
[12-16] You, human being, “Tell the children of your people, ‘The past goodness of the good won’t save them when they disobey; and as for the past sinfulness of the sinful, they won’t fall by it when they turn from their sinful ways; nor will those who are good be able to live by their past goodness when they sin. When I tell the good that they’ll without a doubt live; if they trust in their goodness, and sin, none of their good works will be remembered; but they’ll die for the sin that they’ve done. Again, when I say to the sinful, You’ll without a doubt die; if they turn from their sin, and do what is lawful and right; If the sinful gives back what was promised, gives back what they’ve taken by stealing, follows the laws that give them life, doing no wrong; they’ll without a doubt live, and won’t die. None of their sins that they’ve done will be remembered against them because they are now doing what is lawful and right; and they’ll without a doubt live.
[17-20] Yet your people say, the way of God isn’t right, but as for you, it’s your way that isn’t right. When the good turns from their goodness, and sins, they’ll die in their sin. When the sinful turns from their sinful ways, and does what is lawful and right, they’ll live. Yet you say, the way of God isn’t right. People of Israel, I’ll judge everyone for what they’ve done, whether good or bad.
[21-26] In the 12th year while we were prisoners of war, in the 5th day of the 10th month (Dec.-Jan.), someone who had escaped out of Jerusalem came to me, saying, “The city has been taken.” Now the hand of Yahweh had been on me in the evening, before the one who had escaped came; and God had opened my mouth, so when he came to me in the morning my mouth was opened, and I could speak again. The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, those who live in the ruins in the land of Israel say, Abraham was one, who was given the land, but we are many and the land has been given to us now. So tell them, Yahweh God says, “You eat meat with its blood still in it, worship your false gods, and murder people! Do you really think you’ll have the land? You depend on your weapons, you do evil things, and you ruin each other’s wives! Do you really think you’ll have the land?
[27-29] So you’ll tell them, Yahweh God says, “As I live, without a doubt those who are in the ruins will fall by war; and those who are in the open field I’ll give to the animals to be eaten; and those who are in the safe places and in the caves will die of disease. I’ll make the land an empty place and a shock; and the pride of your power will come to an end; and the mountains of Israel will be empty, so that none will pass through. Then will you know that I Am Yahweh, when I’ve made the land an empty place and a shock, because of all your filthy garbage which you’ve done.
[30-33] As for you, Human being, the children of your people talk about you by the walls and in the doors of their houses, and say to one another, Please come and hear the word of Yahweh God. They come to you like people do, and sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; they talk about how much they love Me, but their hearts go after their money. See, you are to them as a beautiful song of a great singer, who can play well on an instrument; because they hear your words, but they don’t do them. When this happens, and it’s coming, then they’ll know that a great preacher has been among them.
34[1-6] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, preach against the preachers of Israel, preach, and tell them, even speaking to the preachers, Yahweh God says, “Sorrow is coming to the preachers of Israel who only take care of themselves! Shouldn’t the preachers take care of the people? You eat the best things, and clothe yourselves with the best clothes, taking care of yourselves; but you don’t take care of the people. You haven’t strengthened the weak, nor have you healed what was sick, nor have you bound up what was broken, nor have you brought back those who were driven away, nor have you searched for what was lost; but with force and with hard rules you’ve ruled over them. They were scattered, because there was no one to care for them; and they were thrown to the wolves and scattered. My people have wandered everywhere! Yes, My people were scattered all over the face of the earth; and no one was searching for them.
[7-10] So, you preachers, hear the word of Yahweh, As I live,” says Yahweh God, without a doubt because My people have been abused and killed, and My people were fed to the wolves, because there was no preacher, nor did My preachers search for My people, but the preachers took care of themselves, and didn’t take care of My people; so, you preachers, hear the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “See, I am against the preachers; and I’ll hold you responsible for My people, and make you stop taking care of the people; nor will the preachers take care of themselves anymore; and I’ll save My people from you, so that they won’t be hurt by you again.
[11-16] For Yahweh God says, “See, I Myself, even I, will search for My people, and will find them. As a preacher finds the people when they are out among those who have strayed away, so I’ll find My people; and I’ll save them out of all places where they’ve been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. I’ll bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land (Israel became a nation again in 1948); and I’ll take care of them on the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the places that are full of people in the country. I’ll take good care of them; and their homes will be on the tallest mountains of Israel. There, they’ll lie down in a good home; and have good land to feed themselves on the mountains of Israel. I, Myself, will be the preacher to My people, and I’ll make them sit down and listen,” says Yahweh God. I’ll call out to those who are lost, and will bring back those who were driven away, and will bind up those who are broken, and will strengthen those who are weak, but I’ll destroy those who have only taken care of themselves; I’ll take care of them with justice.
[17-22] As for you, My people, Yahweh God says, “See, I judge between one person and another like sheep and goats. Does is seem a small thing to you to have been given the best land, but must you destroy what was left of your land? and to have drunk of the clearest waters, but must you poison it? As for My people, you’ve destroyed everything you’ve been given. So Yahweh God says this to you, See, I, even I, will judge between the rich and the poor. Because you abused all the weak with your power, until you’ve scattered them out; so I’ll save My people, and they won’t be abused and killed anymore; and I’ll judge between one person and another, and between one group of people and another.
[23-27] I’ll set up one preacher over you, who will take care of you, even a descendant of My servant David; who will take care of you, and who will be your preacher. I, Yahweh, will be your God, and My servant David will be your ruler; I, Yahweh, have said it. I’ll make with you a promise of peace, and will destroy those who come against you out of the land; and they’ll live safely in the countryside, and sleep in the woods safely. I’ll make you and the places around My mountain (Zion, Jerusalem) a blessing; and I’ll make the rain to come down in its season; and showers of blessings will come to you. The tree of the field will make its fruit, and the earth will make its produce, and you’ll be safe in your land; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I’ve removed all trouble from you and freed you, and have saved you out of the hand of those who made you work so hard for them.
[28-31] You won’t be abused and killed by the nations any more, nor will they destroy you; but you’ll live safely, and no one will make you scared. I’ll grow you a beautiful garden that will be well known, and you won’t die from a lack of food in the land any more, nor be the blame of the nations anymore. They’ll know that I, Yahweh, your God am with you, and that you, the people of Israel, are My people,” says Yahweh God. You are My own people, the people of My own land, and I am your God,” says Yahweh God.
35[1-6] Besides this, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look at Mount Seir (Edom-Jordan, Arab nations), and preach against it, and tell it, Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I’ll stretch out My hand against you, and I’ll make you an empty place and an shock. I’ll destroy your cities, and you’ll be empty; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. Because you’ve were an enemy forever, and have killed the people of Israel in war when they were wounded, when their sin had come to an end; so, as I live,” says Yahweh God, I’ll punish you with death, and death will chase you, since you haven’t hated death, death will chase you.
[7-11] So I’ll make Mount Seir (Edom-Jordan, Arab nations) a shock and an empty place; and I’ll destroy from it those who pass through and those who go back. I’ll fill its mountains with its dead and in your hills and in your valleys and in all your rivers you’ll fall who are killed in the war. I’ll make you an empty place forever, and your cities won’t have any people; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. Because you’ve said, “These two nations and these two countries (Israel and Judah) will be mine, and we’ll have it; but Yahweh was there, so, as I live,” says Yahweh God, I’ll punish you for your anger, and for your jealousy which you’ve shown out of your hatred for them; and I’ll make myself known among them, when I judge you.
[12-15] You’ll know that I, Yahweh, have heard all your disrespect which you’ve spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, “They’re empty, and given to us to take. You’ve made yourselves great and spoken against Me with your words, and have said many words against Me, and I’ve heard it. Yahweh God says, “When the whole earth celebrates, I’ll make you empty. As you celebrated over the land of the people of Israel, because it was empty, so I’ll do to you; and you’ll be empty, Mount Seir, and all of Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), every bit of it; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
36[1-5] You, human being, preach to the mountains of Israel, and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says, “Because the enemy has said against you, Aha! The old places of false worship are ours; so preach, and say, Yahweh God says, “Because they’ve made you empty, and took your land on every side, so that your strength was given to the rest of the nations, and you are spoken evil of by those who talk about you, and say evil things about the people; so you mountains of Israel, hear the word of Yahweh God. Yahweh God says to the mountains and to the hills, to the rivers and to the valleys, to the empty ruins and to the cities that are left empty, whose people have been abused and killed and made fun of by the rest of the nations that are around; so Yahweh God says, “Surely in the heat of anger of My jealousy I’ve spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), that have taken My land for themselves with great enjoyment in their hearts, and with hatred in their souls, to throw its people out to be abused and killed.
[6-8] So preach about the land of Israel, and tell the mountains and the hills, the rivers and the valleys, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ve spoken in My jealousy and in My great anger, because you’ve borne the shame of all the nations, so Yahweh God says, “I’ve promised you, saying, “Surely the nations that are around you’ll take your shame. But you, mountains of Israel, you’ll shoot out your branches, and make your fruit for My people Israel; and it’s about to happen.
[9-12] I am for you, and I’ll turn into you, and you’ll be dug and planted; and I’ll put many people in you, all the people of Israel, every one of them; and the cities will be full of people, and the ruins will be rebuilt; and I’ll put both human beings and animals in you; and you’ll do well and be fruitful; and I’ll make you to be full of people like you were before, and will do better to you than at the first. And you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. Yes, I’ll make people to walk on you, even My people Israel; and they’ll own you, and you’ll be theirs, and you won’t take their people any more from here on out.
[13-15] Yahweh God says, “Because they say to you, Your land destroys your people, and has killed the people of your nation; so it won’t kill your people any more, nor destroy your nation anymore,” says Yahweh God; I won’t let you hear any more shameful talk of the nations, nor let you take the blame of the peoples any more, nor make your nation stumble anymore,” says Yahweh God.
[16-21] Besides this the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, when the people of Israel lived in their own land, and ruined it by their evil ways and wrongdoings, their way before Me was as the unfitness of a woman on her period. So I poured out My great anger on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had ruined it with their false gods; and I scattered them among the nations, and they were sent throughout all the countries; so for their evil ways and for their wrong doings I judged them. When they came to the nations, where they went, they disrespected My Holy Name; in that people said of them, these are the people of Yahweh, and have gone out of their land. But I cared about what people thought of My Holy Name, which the people of Israel had disrespected among the nations, where they were scattered[4].
[22-30] So tell the people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “I don’t do this for your sake, people of Israel, but for My Holy Name, which you’ve disrespected among the nations, where you went. I’ll make My Name great, which has been disrespected among the nations, which they’ve disrespected with you; and the nations will know that I Am Yahweh,” says Yahweh God, when I am respected in you before their eyes. For I’ll take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I’ll sprinkle clean water on you, and you’ll be clean from all your filthiness, and I’ll make you pure from all your false gods. I’ll give you a new heart also, and I’ll put a new spirit within you; and I’ll take away your hard hearts of stone, and I’ll soften your hearts of flesh. I’ll put My Spirit within you, and make you keep My rules and My laws, and do them. You’ll live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you’ll be My people, and I’ll be your God. I’ll save you from all your unfitness and I’ll call for the grain to grow, and will multiply it, and you’ll have no a lack of food. I’ll grow many fruit trees, and the produce of the field, so that you won’t take the blame for the lack of food among the nations anymore.
[31-35] Then you’ll remember your sinful ways, and your wrong doings; and you’ll hate yourselves for your sins and for your filthy garbage. I don’t do this for your sake,” says Yahweh God, so let it be known to you! Be ashamed and confused for your ways, people of Israel! Yahweh God says, “In the day that I cleanse you from all your sins, I’ll make the cities full of people, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The land that was empty will be dug and planted, instead of the empty place it was in the sight of all who passed by. They’ll say, this land that was empty has become like the garden of Eden; and the ruined cities, which were empty are protected and full of people.
[36-38] Then the nations that are left around you’ll know that I, Yahweh, have rebuilt the ruins, and replanted what was empty. I, Yahweh, have said it, and I’ll do it. Yahweh God says, “For this also, I’ll be asked by the people of Israel, to do it for them. So I’ll put many people in you who are dedicated to me. Like a sacrifice, they’ll be dedicated in Jerusalem at the great celebrations, so the ruined cities will be filled with people; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
37[1-6] The hand of Yahweh was on me, and God brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in a valley full of bones. God caused me to pass by them all around and there were a great many in the open valley; and they were very old and dry. Then God asked me, Human being, can these bones live? So I answered, Yahweh God, only You know. And then God told me, Preach to these bones, and tell them, You old dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Yahweh God says to these bones, See, I’ll make you breathe again and you’ll live. I’ll put tendons on you, and will put muscles on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you’ll live; and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
[7-10] So I preached as I was told, and as I preached, there was a great noise, and an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone connected to bone. I saw, and there were tendons on them, and muscles came on them, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then God told me, Preach to the wind, preach, Human being, and tell the wind, Yahweh God says, “Come from the four winds breath, and breathe on these dead ones, that they may live. So I preached as God told me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood still up on their feet, a very great army.
[11-14] Then God said to me, “Human being, these bones are the whole people of Israel, who say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are as good as dead. So preach, and tell them, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll open your graves, and make you come up out of your graves, My people; and I’ll bring you back into the land of Israel. You’ll know that I Am Yahweh, when I’ve opened up your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. I’ll put My Spirit in you, and you’ll live, and I’ll place you in your own land (Israel became a nation again in 1948) and you’ll know that I, Yahweh, have said it and done it,” says Yahweh.
[15-20] The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, “You, Human being, take one stick, and write on it, For Judah, and for the people of Israel, their people, then take another stick, and write on it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the people of Israel, their people, and join them together into one stick, that they may become one stick in your hand. When the children of your people speak to you, saying, “Won’t you show us what these things mean? Tell them, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the families of Israel their people; and I’ll put them with the stick of Judah, and make you one stick, and they’ll be one in My hand. The sticks that you write on will be in your hand right before their eyes.
[21-25] Say to them, Yahweh God says, “See, I’ll take the people of Israel from among the nations, where ever they’re at, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land, and I’ll make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one ruler will be ruler to them all; and they won’t be two nations anymore, nor will they ever be divided into two countries any more at all; nor will they ruin themselves any more with their false gods, nor with their hateful things, nor with any of their sins; but I’ll save them out of all the places they live, in which they’ve sinned, and will cleanse them, so they’ll be My people, and I’ll be their God. A descendant of My servant David will be ruler over them; and they’ll all have one preacher, who’ll also follow My laws, and keep My rules, and do them. They’ll live in the land that I’ve given to Jacob My servant, in which your ancestors lived; and they’ll live in it, they, and their children, and grandchildren forever. And the descendant of David My servant will be their ruler forever.
[26-28] Besides this I’ll make a promise of peace with them, which will be a promise forever to them; and I’ll put them back in their place, and will make them people, and will set My Place of Worship with them forever. My temple will also be with them; and I’ll be their God, and they’ll be My people. The nations will know that I Am Yahweh who makes Israel holy, when My Place of Worship will be with them forever.
38[1-6] The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Human being, look facing Gog (Russia), of the land of Magog (Russia), the ruler of Rosh (Russia), Meshech (Moscow), and Tubal (Turkey), and preach against them, and say, Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, Gog (Russia), ruler of Rosh (Russia), Meshech (Moscow), and Tubal (Turkey), and I’ll turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I’ll bring you out, with all your army, horses and riders, all of you in full armor, a great company all holding weapons and shields; Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia, Africa), and Libya with you, all of them with shields and helmets; Gomer (Germany and the Slovak Countries), and all their troops; the people of Togmarah (Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Cossak Countries) in the farthest parts of the north, and all their troops; many peoples are with you.
[7-9] Get ready, yes, get ready, you, and all your troops who are gathered with you, and be a lookout for them. You’ll be visited after a long time and in the latter years you’ll come into the land that has been brought back from war, that is gathered out of many peoples, on the mountains of Israel, which have been ruins for many years; but it has been brought back from the peoples, and now they all live safely. You’ll go up, and come on them like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you, and all your troops, and many peoples with you.
[10-13] Yahweh God says, “In that day, things will come into your mind, and you’ll make an evil plan, and you’ll say, I’ll go up and take the land that’s unprotected; I’ll go to those who are at rest, who now live safely, having no need of protection, and having no bars or gates. I’ll take everything they’ve and come against the ruins that are now full of people, and against the people who are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten themselves animals and goods, who live in the center of the earth. Sheba (Yemen), and Dedan (now Al ‘Ulá, Saudi Arabia), and those who do business in Tarshish (Andalucia, Spain), with all its towns, will ask you, Have you come to take what they’ve? Have you gathered your company to take all their riches? And to carry away all their silver and gold, animals and goods, to take great riches?
[14-17] So, Human being, preach, and tell Gog (Russia), Yahweh God says, “In that day when My people Israel live safely, won’t you know it? You’ll come out from your place, out of the farthest parts of the north, you, and many peoples with you, all of you riding on horses, a great company and a strong army; and you’ll come up against My people Israel, as a cloud covers the land, in the latter days, when I bring you against My land, that the nations may know Me, when I am respected in you, Gog, before their eyes. Yahweh God says, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in the old days by My servants the preachers of Israel, who preached in those days that in many years I’d bring you against them?
[18-23] In that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says Yahweh God, My great anger will come up into My nostrils. For in My jealousy and in the heat of My great anger I’ve spoken, Surely in that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel; so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the field, and all small animals that run around on the earth, and all the people who are on the face of the earth, will shake at My presence, and the mountains will be thrown down, and all the steep places will fall, and every wall will fall to the ground. I’ll call for war against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says Yahweh God. Everyone’s weapon will be against their own people. With disease and death I’ll judge and punish Gog; and I’ll rain on Gog, and on their troops, and on the many peoples who are with them, with an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and sulfur. I’ll make Myself great, and set Myself apart (from any other god), and I’ll make Myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they’ll know that I Am Yahweh.
39[1-5] You, Human being, preach against Gog (Russia), and say, Yahweh God says, “See, I am against you, Gog (Russia), ruler of Rosh (Russia), Meshech (Moscow), and Tubal (Turkey) and I’ll turn you around, and will lead you, and make you come up from the farthest parts of the north; and I’ll bring you to the mountains of Israel; and I’ll knock your weapons out of your hands[5]. All your troops will fall on the mountains of Israel, along with those who are with you. I’ll give you to every kind of bird to be eaten, and to the animals of the field to be eaten. You’ll fall in the open field because I’ve said it,” says Yahweh God.
[6-10] I’ll send a fire on Magog (Russia), and on those who live safely in the nations (Europe?); and you’ll know that I Am Yahweh. I’ll make My Holy Name known to My people Israel; I won’t allow My Holy Name to be disrespected anymore and the nations will know that I Am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. See, it’s coming, and it will be done,” says Yahweh God; this is the day about which I’ve spoken. Those who live in the cities of Israel will go out, and will make fires of all the wooden weapons and burn them, both the shields and the weapons, and they’ll make fires out of them seven years; so that you’ll take no wood out of the field, nor cut down any out of the forests; because you’ll make fires of the wooden weapons; and you’ll take from those who took from you, and steal from those who stole from you,” says Yahweh God.
[11-16] In that day, I’ll give to Gog (Russia) a burial place in Israel, the valley on the east of the Dead sea, where the travelers would go; but it will block their path and stop them from going through. They’ll bury Gog and all your people there; and call it The valley of Hamon Gog (Armies of Russia). The people of Israel will be burying you for seven months straight, that they may cleanse the land. Yes, all the people of the land will bury you; and it will be a great day for them in the day that I am made known,” says Yahweh God. They’ll employ people permanently, who will go through the land, and with those who go through, those who bury the ones who are left on the surface of the land, to cleanse it. After the end of seven months they’ll still be searching. Those who go through the land will go through; and when they see a human bone, then they’ll put up a sign by it, until the gravediggers have buried it in the valley of Hamon Gog. There will also be a city called Hamonah (Army). So they’ll cleanse the land.
[17-20] You, human being, Yahweh God says, “Speak to the birds of every kind, and to every animal of the field, Gather yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side and come to My sacrifice that I sacrifice for you, a very great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat the bodies and drink their blood. You’ll eat the bodies of the strong, and drink the blood of the rulers of the earth, of rams, of lambs, of goats, and of bulls, all of them like the fatlings of Bashan (near Galilee). You’ll eat their fat until you’re full, and drink their blood until you’re drunk, from My sacrifice which I’ve sacrificed for you. You’ll be filled at My table with horses and riders, with strong people, and all the soldiers of war,” says Yahweh God.
[21-24] I’ll make Myself known among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment that I’ve done, and My hand that I’ve laid on you. So the people of Israel will know that I Am Yahweh their God, from that day and forward. The nations will know that the people of Israel became prisoners of war for their sin; because they sinned against Me, and I hid My face from them. I gave them into the power of their enemies, and they all fell by war. For their unfitness and for their sins I did this to them; and I hid My face from them.
[25-29] So Yahweh God says, “Now I’ll bring back the prisoners of war of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole people of Israel; and I’ll be jealous for My Holy Name. They’ll take their shame for all their sins which they’ve sinned against Me, when they live safely in their land, and no one will make them scared; when I’ve brought them back from the peoples, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am respected in them in the sight of many nations. They’ll know that I Am Yahweh their God, in that I caused them to become prisoners of war among the nations, and have gathered them back to their own land; and I’ll leave none of you there anymore; nor will I hide My face from you anymore; because I’ve poured out My Spirit on the people of Israel,” says Yahweh God.
40[1-3] In the 25th year we were prisoners of war, in the beginning of the year, in the 10th day of the month, in the 14th year after the city was struck, in the same day, the hand of Yahweh was on me, and brought me in a vision into the land of Israel, and put me down on a very high mountain, where there was what seemed to be the frame of a building on the south. God brought me there; and there was a being, who shined like brass, holding a line of flax and a measuring stick about 10’ long, who stood still in the gate.
[4-10] The angelic being said to me, “Human being, watch and listen carefully, and remember in your heart all that I show you; because you were brought here that I may show you this, so you can tell the people of Israel all that you see. See, there was a wall on the outside of the building all around it, and the angelic being held a measuring stick about 10’ long, and measured the thickness of the building, which was 10’ wide and 10’ high. Then the angelic being came to the gate which looks facing the east, and went up the steps and measured the doorway of the gate, which was 10’ wide; and the other doorway, which was 10’ wide. Every room was 10’ long, and 10’ wide; and the space between the rooms was 7½ feet; and the doorway of the gate by the porch of the gate which faced the building was also 10’. The angelic being measured also the porch of the gate which faced the building, which was 10’. Then the angelic being measured the porch of the gate, 12’; and its gateposts, 3’; and the porch of the gate faced the building. There were three rooms on each side of the east gate and all three measured the same and the gateposts on each side measured the same.
[11-15] Then the angelic being measured the opening of the gate, which was 15’ wide and 20’ long; and a border in front of the rooms, 21” on each side; and the rooms, 9’ on each side. The angelic being measured the gate from the roof of one room to the roof of the other, which measured 37½’ wide from door to door. The angelic being measured the gateposts also, which were 90 feet; and the court reached to the gateposts, around the gate and there was 75’ from the front of the gate at the entrance to the front of the inner porch of the gate. There were window openings in the rooms, and between the gateposts within the gate all around, and the same in the arches; and the windows faced inward; and on each gatepost were palm trees.
[17-19] Then I was brought into the outer court; and there were rooms and a walkway, made for the court all around it and there were 30 rooms on the walkway. The walkway went to the side of the gates, which was the same length as the gates, and which was the lower walkway. Then the angelic being measured the width from the front of the lower gate to the front of the inner court outside, 150’, both on the east and the north.
[20-23] Then the angelic being measured the width and the length of north gate of the outer court. It had three rooms on each side; and its gateposts and arches were the same measure of the first gate. It was 75’ long, and 37½’ wide. Its windows, arches, and palm trees, were the same measure of the gate which faced east, with seven steps leading up to the arches, which were in front of them. There was a gate to the inner court across from the other gate, both on the north and on the east; and the angelic being measured from gate to gate 150’.
[24-27] Then I was led facing the south; and there was a south gate and the angelic being measured its gateposts and arches. There were windows in it and in the arches all around it, like the other windows, and it measured 75’ long, and 37½’ wide. There were seven steps going up to it, and the arches were in front of them; and it had palm trees on each side, and on the gateposts. There was a gate to the inner court that faced south and the angelic being measured 150’ from gate to gate facing the south.
[28-34] Then the angelic being brought me to the inner court by the south gate and measured the south gate. The rooms, gateposts, and arches had the same measures as the others. There were windows in it and in the arches all around it just like the others; it was 75’ long, and 37½’ wide. There were arches around it, 37½’ long, and 7½’ wide. The arches faced the outer court; and palm trees were on the gateposts and it had eight steps going up to it. Then the angelic being brought me into the inner court on the east and measured the gate for these measures; and the rooms, gateposts, and arches had the same measures as the others; and there were windows in it and in the arches all around it just like the others; it was 75’ long, and 37½’ wide. The arches faced the outer court; and palm trees were on its gateposts on each side; and it had eight steps going up to it.
[35-43] Then the angelic being brought me to the north gate and measured it. The rooms, gateposts, and arches had the same measures as the others. There were windows in it all around; It was 75’ long and 37½’ wide. The gateposts faced the outer court; and palm trees were on the gateposts on each side and it had eight steps going up to it. A room with a door was by the gateposts at each of the gates where the burnt offerings were washed. In the porch of the gate were two tables on each side on which to kill the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering. There were two tables outside on each side, as one goes up to the entry of the gate facing the north, which belonged to the porch of the gate. Four tables were on each side, by the side of the gate; eight tables in all, where the sacrifices were killed. There were four tables for the burnt offering, of cut stone, 2’ long, and 2’ wide, and 21” high; where the instruments were kept with which the burnt offerings and sacrifices were killed. The hooks, which were about 3” long, were hooked on it and the tables were for the meat of the offerings.
[44-46] Outside of the inner gate were rooms for the singers in the inner court; one at the side of the north gate facing south and one at the side of the east gate facing north. The angelic being said to me, “This room, which faces south, is for the preachers, those who keep charge of the building; and the room which faces north is for the preachers, who keep charge of the altar. These are the family of Zadok, who come from the family of Levi, who may Come close to Yahweh to minister to God.
[47-49] The angelic being measured the court, which was 150’ long, and 150’ wide, perfectly square; and the altar was in front of the building. Then the angelic being brought me to the porch of the building, and measured each gatepost of the porch, 7½’ on each side and the width of the gate was 4½’ on each side. The porch was 30’ long, and 16½’ wide; and on each side of the steps that went up to it were pillars by the gateposts.
41[1-4] The angelic being brought me to the Place of Worship of God, and measured the gateposts, 9’ wide on each side, which was the width of the tent. The entrance was 15’ wide; and the sides of the entrance were 7½’ on each side. The angelic being measured it 60’ long and 30’ wide. Then the angelic being went inside, and measured each gatepost of the entrance at 3’; and the entrance was 9’ high and 10½’ wide. The angelic being measured it at 3’ long and 30’ wide, in front of the Place of Worship of God. The angelic being said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.
[5-9] Then the angelic being measured the wall of the building, which was 9’ thick; and every side room was 6’ around the room on every side. The side rooms were in three stories high, one over another, and 30 in a row; and they went into the wall of the room with the side rooms all around it, that they would be strong, but didn’t go into the wall of the building. The side rooms were wider as they went around the room higher and higher; and the stairs of the room went higher and higher all around the house, so the width of the house continued upward; and so one went up from the lowest room to the highest by the middle room. I saw also that the room had a raised base around it and the foundations of the side rooms were a full measure of 10’. The thickness of the wall, which was for the side rooms, on the outside, was 7½ feet and what was left was the place of the side rooms of the building.
[10-14] Between the rooms was a width of 30’ all around the building. The doors of the side rooms faced the place that was left, one door facing north, and another door facing south; and the width of the place that was left was 7½’ around. The building that was before the separate place at the side facing west was 105’ wide; and the wall of the building was 7½’ thick all around it, and it was 135’ long. So the angelic being measured the building, which was 150’ long; and the separate place, and its building and walls, 150’ long; also the face of the building, and of the separate place facing east was 150’ wide.
[15-20] The angelic being measured the length of the building that was in front of the separate place which was at the back, and the porches on each side, which were 150’; and the inner Place of Worship of God, and the porches of the court; the doorways, the window openings, the porches around on the three stories, across from the doorway, with wood ceilings all around, and from the ground up to the windows, (now the windows were covered), to the space above the door, all the way to the inner building, and outside, and all the wall around it both inside and outside. It was decorated with winged beings and palm trees; and a palm tree was between the winged beings, and every winged being had two faces; so that there was the face of a human facing the palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion facing the palm tree on the other side. This was how it was made throughout all the building all around it; from the ground to above the door were winged beings and palm trees. This was the wall of the Place of Worship of God.
[21-26] As for the Place of Worship of God, the doorposts were squared; and as for the front of the Place of Worship, it looked the same as the Place of Worship of God. The altar was made of wood, 4½’ high, and 3’ square; and its corners, length, and walls were all made of wood. The angelic being said to me, “This is the table that is before Yahweh.” The outer Place of Worship of God and the inner Most Holy Place of Worship had two doors. The doors had two borders apiece, two folding borders, two borders for each door. Each door of the Place of Worship of God had winged beings and palm trees, like those on the walls; and there was a doorway of wood on the front of the porch outside. There were windows and palm trees on each side, on the sides of the porch and on the side rooms of the building, and the doorways.
42[1-8] Then the angelic being brought me out into the outer court, on the north and then brought me into the room that was across from the separate place, and which was across from the north side of the building. The north door faced its length, which was 150’, and the width was 75’. Across from the 30’ of the inner court, and across from the walkway of the outer court, the porches faced each other in all three stories. In front of the rooms was a walk of 15’ wide inward, and 150’ long; and their doors faced the north. Now the upstairs rooms were shorter; because the porches took away from them more than from the rooms in the lower and the middle stories of the building. Those in third story didn’t have pillars as the pillars of the courts, so the upper story was shorter than the lowest and the middle stories from the ground. The wall that was outside by the side of the rooms, facing the outer court in front of the rooms was 75’ long. The length of the rooms that were in the outer court was 75’ long and there was 150’ in front of the Place of Worship of God.
[9-14] The east entry was under these rooms, as one goes into them from the outer court. In the thickness of the wall of the court facing the east, before the separate place, and before the building, there were more rooms. The way before them looked just like the other rooms which faced the north; their length and width was the same, along with all their doorways. For the doors of the rooms that faced the south was another door at the head of the walkway, which was directly in front of the wall facing the east, as you go in. Then the angelic being said to me, “The north rooms and the south rooms, which are in front of the separate place are the holy rooms, where the preachers who go to Yahweh will eat the most holy things. There you’ll put the most holy things, and the meal offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering; because the place is holy. When the preachers enter in, then they won’t go out of the holy place into the outer court, but they’ll put their clothes in which they minister there; because they’re holy; and they’ll put on other clothes to go do what they do for the people.
[15-20] Now the angelic being, who had finished measuring the inner building, brought me out by the east gate, and measured it all around. The angelic being measured on the east side 5,000’, with the measuring stick all around. The angelic being measured on the north side 5,000’ with the measuring stick all around. The angelic being measured on the south side 5,000’ with the measuring stick. The angelic being turned around to the west side, and measured 5,000’ with the measuring stick. The angelic being measured it on all four sides, which had a wall all around it, 5,000’ long, and 5,000’ wide, to make a separation between what was holy and what was ordinary.
43[1-4] Afterward the angelic being brought me to the gate facing the east. See, the light of the God of Israel came from the east, whose voice was like the sound of many waters; and whose light shone on the earth. It was like the vision which I saw, the vision that I saw when the city was destroyed; and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the Chebar River; and I fell to the ground facedown. The light of Yahweh came into the Place of Worship by the road of the gate which was facing the east.
[5-9] The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and the light of Yahweh filled the house. I heard someone speaking to me out of the Place of Worship, while an angelic being stood by me. God said to me, “Human being, this is the place of My throne, and the place where I rest My feet, where I’ll live with the people of Israel forever. The people of Israel won’t ruin My Holy Name anymore, neither they, nor their rulers, by their unfaithfulness, and by the worshipping of the dead bodies of their rulers in their places of false worship; When they put their doorway by My doorway, and their doorpost beside My doorpost, and there was only a wall between Me and them, they’ve ruined My Holy Name by the filthy garbage they’ve done; so I’ve destroyed them in My anger. Now let them put away their unfaithfulness far from Me, and stop worshiping the dead bodies of their rulers; and I’ll live with them forever.
[10-12] Human being, show the Place of Worship to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins; and let them know the measure of the plan. If they’re ashamed of all that they’ve done, make known to them the building plan, and its design, and its exits, and entrances, and the way it’s laid out, and all its rules and laws, and the way they are carried out. Write it as they watch, so that they may keep all its plans, and all its laws, and do them. This is the law of the Place of Worship. On the top of the mountain and all around its limit will be most holy. See, this is the law of the Place of Worship.
[13-17] These are the measures of the altar by feet (the measure being 21” ). The base will be 21” high, and 21”Wide, and its border by its edge around it 9” ; and this will be the base of the altar. From the base on the ground to the lower ledge will be 3’6” , and the width 21” ; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge will be 7’ long, and 21”Wide. The upper altar will be 4’; and from the altar hearth and upward there will be four horns. The altar hearth will be 21’ long by 21’ wide, square. The ledge will be 24’6” long by 24’6”Wide; and the border around it will be 9” ; and its base will be 21”Around; and its steps will face east.
[18-21] The angelic being said to me, “Human being, Yahweh God says, “these are the laws of the altar for the day when you make it, to offer burnt offerings on it, and to sprinkle blood on it. You’ll give to the Levites preachers who are the descendants of Zadok, who come close to Me to minister to Me,” says Yahweh God, a young bull for a sin offering. You’ll take of its blood, and put it on the four horns, and on the four sides of the ledge, and on the border around it. This is how you’ll make it fit and holy. You’ll also take the bull of the sin offering, and it will be burnt in the area set apart for it, outside of the Place of Worship.
[22-27] On the second day you’ll offer a male goat with nothing wrong with it for a sin offering; and you’ll cleanse the altar, as you cleansed it with the bull. When you’ve finished cleansing it, you’ll offer a young bull with nothing wrong with it, and a ram out of the flock with nothing wrong with it. You’ll bring them near before Yahweh, and the preachers will throw salt on them, and offer them up for a burnt offering to Yahweh. They’ll get ready every day for seven days a goat for a sin offering. They’ll also get ready a young bull, and a male goat out of the flock, with nothing wrong with it. For seven days they’ll cleanse the altar and make it holy; so they’ll dedicate it. When they’ve finished the seven days, from the eighth day on, the preachers will make their burnt offerings on the altar, and their peace offerings; and I’ll accept them,” says Yahweh God.
44[1-3] Then the angelic being brought me back by the road of the outer gate of the Place of Worship, which faces east; and it was shut. Yahweh said to me, “This gate will stay shut and not be opened, nor will any human being enter in by it; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has entered in by it; so it will stay shut. The ruler, who will sit in it as ruler to eat bread before Yahweh, will enter by the road of the porch of the gate, going out the same way.
[4-8] Then the angelic being brought me by the road of the north gate before the Place of Worship; and I looked, and the light of God filled the Place of Worship of Yahweh and I fell to the ground facedown. Yahweh said to me, “Human being, pay attention, watch and listen carefully to all that I tell you about all the laws of the Place of Worship of Yahweh; Pay attention to the entrance of the Place of Worship, and every exit to the Place of Worship. Tell the rebellious people of Israel, Yahweh God says, “you people of Israel, I’ve had enough of all your filthy garbage, in that you’ve brought in foreigners, ungodly nations in heart and body, to be in My Place of Worship, to disrespect it, even My Place of Worship, when you offer My bread, the fat and the blood, and you’ve broken My promise, to add to all your filthy garbage. You haven’t kept the charge of My holy things; but you’ve set others in charge of My Place of Worship for yourselves.
[9-13] Yahweh God says, “No foreigner, which hasn’t been dedicated in heart and body, will enter My Place of Worship, of any foreigners who are among the people of Israel. But the Levites who went far away from Me, when Israel went astray, who went astray from Me after their false gods, they’ll take the punishment for their sin. Yet they’ll be ministers in My Place of Worship, having oversight at the gates, and ministering in the Place of Worship. They’ll kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the Place of Worship, and they’ll stand before the people to minister to them. Because they ministered to them before their false gods, and became a cause of sin to the people of Israel, I’ve lifted up My hand against them,” says Yahweh God, and they’ll take the punishment for their sin. They won’t come close to Me, in the office of preacher, nor to come close to any of My holy things, to the things that are most holy; but they’ll take their shame for the filthy garbage which they’ve done.
[14-16] Yet I’ll make them keepers of the charge of the Place of Worship, for all its service, and for all that will be done in it. But the preachers, the Levites, the descendants of Zadok, who kept the charge of My Place of Worship when the people of Israel went astray from Me, they’ll Come close to Me to minister to Me; and they’ll stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says Yahweh God. They’ll enter into My Place of Worship, and they’ll Come close to My table, to minister to Me, and do what I say.
[17-19] When they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they’ll be clothed with linen clothes; and they won’t wear any wool, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. They’ll have linen hats on their heads, and will have linen pants on their waists; They won’t put on anything that causes sweat. When they go out into the outer court to the people, they’ll put off their minister clothes, and put them in the holy rooms; and they’ll put on their other clothes, so that won’t cleanse the people with their clothes.
[20-23] They won’t shave their heads, nor let their hair grow long; they’ll only cut their hair. They won’t drink wine when they enter into the inner court. They won’t marry someone whose spouse has died, nor one who is divorced; but they’ll only take someone who has not been sexually active from the people of Israel, or a survivor of another preacher. They’ll teach My people the difference between the holy and the ordinary, and make them to know what’s unfit and fit.
[24-27] In a disagreement they’ll stand to judge; they’ll judge for My laws and keep My laws and My rules in all My set celebrations; and they’ll make My Seventh Days holy. They’ll won’t touch a dead person and ruin themselves; but only for a parent, a child, or for a sibling who has not been married, they may ruin themselves. After they’re cleansed, they’ll count seven days. When they go into the Place of Worship, into the inner court, to minister in the Place of Worship, they’ll offer a sin offering,” says Yahweh God.
[28-31] As for their inheritance, I am their inheritance; and you’ll give them no land to own in Israel; I am their possession. They’ll eat the meal offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, and everything that is dedicated in Israel; It will all be theirs. The first part of everything that is dedicated or sacrificed of all your offerings will be for the preachers. You’ll also give to the preachers the first of your dough, to make a blessing to rest on your people. The preachers won’t eat anything that dies by itself, or is killed, whether it’s bird or animal.
45[1-4] Besides this, when you divide the land for an inheritance, you’ll offer part of it for an offering to Yahweh, a holy part of the land; it will be 250,000’ long by 100,000’ wide. This whole area will be holy. Of this, the holy place will be 5,000’ long by 5,000’ wide square; and 75’ for the area around it. Of this measure you’ll measure 250,000’ long by 100,000’ wide and in it will be the Place of Worship, which is most holy. It is a holy part of the land and will be for the preachers, the ministers of the Place of Worship, who minister to Yahweh; and it will be a place for their houses, and a holy place for the Place of Worship.
[5-8] The 250,000’ length, and the 100,000’ width, will be for the Levites, the ministers of the Place of Worship, to own for themselves, for their 20 rooms. You’ll set the borders of the city at 50,000’ wide by 250,000’ long, side by side with the offering of the holy part. It will be for all the people of Israel. Whatever is for the ruler will be on both sides of the holy part and the city, in front of the holy part and in front of the city, on the west side, and on the east side; and as long as one of the parts, from the west border to the east border. This will be for the ruler in Israel, so My rulers won’t abuse My people; but you’ll give the land to the people of Israel for their families.
[9-12] Yahweh God says, “I’ve had enough of you, rulers of Israel! Stop your violence and abuse, do what’s right and good; and stop taking the land away from My people,” says Yahweh God. You’ll have equal weights, an equal dry measure, and an equal liquid measure. The dry measure and the liquid measure will be the same measure, so that the liquid has ten measures, and the dry has ten measures, with the measure being three quarts. The coin will be 20 nickels. Your large bill will equal $60.
[13-17] You’ll offer a 6th of a dry measure from 80 gallons of wheat; and you’ll give a 6th of a dry measure from 6 bushels of barley; and the set amount of the liquid measure of oil, a 10th part of a liquid measure out of 80 gallons, which is ten liquid measures, or 80 gallons; (because ten liquid measures equals 80 gallons;) and one lamb of the flock, out of 200, from the well-watered pastures of Israel for a meal offering, for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to take your place for your sins,” says Yahweh God. All the people of the land will give to this offering for the ruler in Israel. It will be the ruler’s part to give the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the drink offerings, in the celebrations, and on the new moons, and on the Seventh Days, in all the set celebrations of the people of Israel. The ruler will get the sin offering, the meal offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings ready, to take the place of the people of Israel.
[18-20] Yahweh God says, “In the 1st day of the 1st month (March-April), you’ll take a young bull that has nothing wrong with it; and you’ll cleanse the Place of Worship. The preacher will take some of the blood of the sin offering, and put it on the doorposts of the Place of Worship, on the four sides of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the gate of the inner court. And you’ll do this on the 7th day of the month for everyone who does something wrong without meaning to, and those who don’t know any better; so you’ll cover the sins of the people.
[21-25] In the 14th day of the 1st month (March-April), you’ll have the Passover celebration, a feast of seven days when bread without yeast will be eaten. On that day the rulers will get ready for themselves and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering. The seven days of the celebration the ruler will get ready a burnt offering to Yahweh, seven bulls and seven rams that have nothing wrong with them, daily for the seven days; and a male goat daily for a sin offering. The ruler will get ready a meal offering, 8 gallons for a bull, and 8 gallons for a ram, and 5 quarts of oil to each 8 gallons. In the 15th day of the 7th month (Sept-Oct.), in the celebration, the ruler will do the same for seven days; for the sin offering, for the burnt offering, and for the meal offering, and for the oil.
46[1-5] Yahweh God says, “The gate of the inner court that faces the east will be shut the six working days; but on the Seventh day and on the day of the new moon it will be opened. The ruler will enter by the porch of the gate outside, and will stand by the gatepost of the gate; and the preachers will get ready the burnt offering and the peace offerings, and the ruler will worship at the doorway of the gate, then go out; but the gate won’t be shut until the evening. The people of the land will worship at the door of that gate before Yahweh on the Seventh Days and on the new moons. The burnt offering that the ruler will offer to Yahweh on the Seventh day will be six lambs that have nothing wrong with them and a ram with nothing wrong with it; and the meal offering will be 8 gallons for the ram, and the meal offering for the lambs as the ruler is able to give, and 5 quarts of oil to 8 gallons.
[6-10] On the day of the new moon it will be a young bull with nothing wrong with it, and six lambs, and a ram that have nothing wrong with them, and the ruler will get ready a meal offering, 8 gallons for the bull, 8 gallons for the ram, and for the lambs as the ruler is able, and 5 quarts of oil to each 8 gallons of grain. The ruler will enter and go in by the porch of the gate, and will go out by the same way. But when the people of the land will come before Yahweh in the set celebrations, those who enter by the north gate to worship will go out by the south gate; and those who enter by the south gate will go out by the north gate. They won’t go back by the same gate they came in, but will go out straight before them. The ruler will go in with the people when they go in and when they go out, will go out with them.
[11-15] In the Celebrations and in the celebrations the meal offering will be 8 gallons for a bull, 8 gallons for a ram, and for the lambs as the ruler is able to give, and 5 quarts of oil to 8 gallons. When the ruler gets ready a freewill offering, a burnt offering or peace offerings as a freewill offering to Yahweh, someone will open for the ruler the gate that faces the east; and the ruler will get ready the burnt offering and the peace offerings, as on the Seventh day and then will go out; and after going out, someone will shut the gate. The ruler will get ready a year-old lamb with nothing wrong with it for a burnt offering to Yahweh daily each morning, and will get ready a meal offering with it each morning, a 6th of an 8 gallon measure, and a 3rd of a 5 quart measure of oil, to moisten the finely ground flour; a meal offering to Yahweh continually by law forever. So the lamb, the meal offering, and the oil, will be gotten ready each morning for a continual burnt offering.
[16-18] Yahweh God says, “If the ruler give a gift to any of your children, it’s your inheritance, it will belong to your children; it’s your possession by inheritance. But if God give of your inheritance a gift to one of your servants, it will be your to the year of liberty; then it will go back to the ruler; but as because your inheritance, it will be because your children. Besides this the ruler won’t take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust you out of your possession; God will give inheritance to your children out of your own possession, that My people not be scattered every human from your possession.
[19-24] Then God brought me through the entry, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy rooms because the preachers, which looked facing the north[ and , there was a place on the hinder part westward. God said to me, “This is the place where the preachers will boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where you’ll bake the meal offering; that you not bring you out into the outer court, to sanctify the people. Then God brought me out into the outer court, and caused me to pass by the four directions of the court; and in every corner of the court there was a court. In the four directions of the court there were courts enclosed, 40’ long and thirty wide[ these four in the corners were of one measure. There was a wall around in you, around the 4, and boiling places were made under the walls around. Then said God to me, these are the boiling rooms, where the ministers of the people will boil the sacrifice of the Place of Worship.
47[1-3] The angelic being brought me back to the door of the Place of Worship; and water came out from under the doorway of the Place of Worship flowing east because the front of the Place of Worship was facing the east; and the waters came out from under it, from the right side of the Place of Worship, on the south of the altar. Then the angelic being brought me out by north gate, and led me around outside to the outer gate, by the east gate, where water ran out on the right side. Then the angelic being went left toward the east holding a measuring line, and measured 1,500’, and caused me to go through the water, which was to the ankles.
[4-7] Again the angelic being measured 1,500’, and caused me to go through water that was to my knees. Again the angelic being measured 1,500’, and caused me to go through water that was to my waist. Afterward the angelic being measured 1,500’; and it was a river that I couldn’t walk through; because the water had risen, water deep enough to swim in, a river that couldn’t be crossed on foot. The angelic being said to me, “Human being, do you see this? Then the angelic being brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I got back, on each side of the bank of the river were very many trees.
[8-9] Then said the angelic being said to me, “These waters come out facing the eastern region, and will go down into the Arabah desert; and will go on to the Dead Sea; When the waters go into the Dead Sea, all the water in it will be fresh again. Every living thing which swims where the river goes will live; and there will be very many fish; because this water goes there, and the water of the Dead Sea will be fresh again, and everything will live wherever the river flows into it.
[10-12] Fishermen will stand by it, from En Gedi (about 35 miles southeast of Jerusalem) all the way to En Eglaim, where they spread their nets to dry; It will have many kinds of fish, each after its own kind, the same as the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. The swamps and marshes won’t be made fresh but will still be salty. On each side of the river bank will grow every kind of tree for food, which won’t ever wither, nor will its fruit fail, but it will bring out new fruit every month, because the water comes out of the Place of Worship; and its fruit will be for food, and its leaves for medicinal healing.
[13-14] Yahweh God says, “This will be the border, by which you’ll divide the land between the twelve families of Israel, and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) will have two parts. Each of the other families will get a share, one as well as another; because I promised to give it to your ancestors and this land will be your own.
[15-20] This will be the borders of the land. On the north side, from the Mediterranean Sea to Hethlon, then to the entrance of Zedad; then on to Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and Hamath; and then to Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran. So the border from the Mediterranean Sea, will be Hazar Enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north is the border of Hamath. This is the north border. The east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead, and the land of Israel, will be the Jordan River; from the north border to the Dead Sea. This is the east border. The south side will be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the creek bed of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish), to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the south border. The west side will be the Mediterranean Sea, from the south border as far as to Hamath. This is the west border.
[21-23] So you’ll divide this land between you for the families of Israel. You’ll divide the land between you and the foreigners who stay among you, who will have children among you; and they’ll be to you as the native-born among the people of Israel; they’ll have their own land along with you among the families of Israel. In whatever family the foreigner stays, they’ll be given their land there,” says Yahweh God.
48[1-9] Now, these are the names of the families and the land they are to get. For Dan, from the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar Enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath, (the east and west borders). Asher will be by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west side. Naphtali will be by the border of Asher, from the east side even to the west side. Manasseh will be by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side. Ephraim will be by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side. Reuben will be by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the west side. Judah will be by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west side. By the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, will be the land which you’ll give as an offering, 250,000’ wide, and as long as one of the other pieces of land, from the east side to the west side. The Place of Worship will be in the center. The offering that you’ll offer to Yahweh will be 250,000’ long and 100,000’ wide.
[10-12] For these, even for the preachers, will be the holy offering, facing the north 250,000’ long, and facing the west 100,000’ wide, and facing the east 100,000’ wide, and facing the south 250,000’ long, and the Place of Worship of Yahweh will be in the center. It will be for the preachers who are respected of the people of Zadok, who have done what I said, “and who didn’t go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. It will be as the best offering of the land, a most holy offering dedicated to God, by the border of the Levites.
[13-16] As the border of the preachers, the Levites will have a piece of land 250,000’ long by 100,000’ wide. None of it is to be sold, nor traded, nor will the first fruits of the land be set apart; because it’s holy to Yahweh. The 50,000’ that are left in the width, in front of the 250,000’, will be for ordinary use, for those who live in the city, for their houses and farmland; and the city will be in the center. These will be its measures. The north, south, east, and west sides will all be 45,000’ each.
[17-19] The city will have land facing the north 2,500 feet, facing the south 2,500 feet, facing the east 2,500 feet, and facing the west 2,500 feet. The rest of its length will be as the holy offering, and will be 100,000 feet eastward, and 100,000 feet westward; and it will be as the holy offering; and what it produces will be for the food of those who work in the city. Those who work in the city, out of all the families of Israel, will farm it.
[20-22] All the offering will be 250,000 feet by 250,000 feet. You’ll offer the holy offering, along with the land for the city, which will be a square. The rest will be for the ruler, on each side of the holy offering and of the land for the city; in front of the 250,000’ of the offering facing the east border, and westward in front of the 250,000’ facing the west border, as those parts; it will be for the ruler; and the holy offering and the Place of Worship of the people will be in the center. Besides this, the land of the Levites, and the land of the city, will be in the middle of what belongs to the ruler. The ruler will have all the land between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin.
[23-29] As for the rest of the families, Benjamin will be from the east side to the west side. Simeon will be by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side. Issachar will be by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side. Zebulun will be by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side. Gad will be by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west side. By the border of Gad, at the south side, the border will be from Tamar to the waters of Meribath Kadesh, to the creek bed of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish), to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the land which you’ll divide between the families of Israel to be their own, and these are their parts,” says Yahweh God.
[30-35] These are the exits of the city. On the north side 45,000’ by measure; and the gates of the city will be after the names of the families of Israel. There were three gates on the north, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi. At the east side 45,000’, and there were three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan. At the south side 45,000’ by measure, and there were three gates, the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. At the west side 45,000’, and there were three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. It will be 180,000’ around, and the name of the city from that day will be, the City of Yahweh.
Daniel
Daniel is credited to the prophet Daniel, who is described in the book as a war prisoner of the Babylonians who was carried from Jerusalem to Babylon about 606 BC. It was accepted into the Hebrew canon of the Bible about A. D. 90 and placed, probably because of the late date of composition, in the Writings instead of in the Prophets. In modern Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible, the book is divided into 12 chapters. Roman Catholics add these sections: The Song of Azariah in the Furnace and the Song of the Three Young Men (following 3:23 in the Revised Standard Version); The History of Susanna and the Two Elders (chap. 13); and the History of Bel and of the Great Serpent Worshiped by the Babylonians (chap. 14). Jews and Protestants include these sections in the Apocrypha as Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, and the Song of the Three Children.
The first six chapters of Daniel tell six stories. Five are about Daniel, of which the best known are about Daniel’s interpretation of a representation dreamed by the Babylonian king (chap. 4), Daniel’s reading of the writing on the wall (chap. 5) at a feast given by the Babylonian prince Belshazzar, and Daniel’s delivery from the lions’ den (chap. 6). The sixth story tells how Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and come out from the furnace alive into which they had been thrown for refusing to worship an idol (chap. 3). The last six chapters of the book recount four apocalyptic visions of Daniel.
The Book of Daniel, basically an account of a young man who clings to his faith despite his troubles, probably was written to strengthen and comfort the Jews oppressed during the middle of the 2nd century BC by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV. Several fragments of the book were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in caves near Qumrān in 1947.
Daniel
1[1-5] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim Ruler of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar Ruler of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and fought it. Yahweh gave Jehoiakim Ruler of Judah into his control, along with part of the tools of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god and brought the tools into the treasure house of his god. The Ruler spoke to Ashpenaz the captain of his officers, and told him to bring in some of the people of Israel from the royal family and from the leaders; young people who have no deformities, but are well-liked, and very smart, with much knowledge, and understanding science, and those who had the ability to stand in the Ruler’s royal house; and that he would teach them the education and language of the Chaldeans. The Ruler set for them a daily portion of the Ruler’s finest foods, and of the wine which he drank, and that they would be taken care of for three years, so that at the end of it they could see the Ruler.
[6-9] Now among the people of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The captain of the officers gave new names to them: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, Shadrach; and to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel decided in his heart that he wouldn’t ruin himself with the Ruler’s fine foods, nor with the wine which he drank, so he asked the captain of the officers to not ruin himself. Now God showed Daniel kindness and compassion through the captain of the officers.
[10-15] The captain of the officers said to Daniel, I fear what the Ruler may say, who has set your food and your drink. Why would he see your faces looking worse than the other youths your age? So you would put my life in danger with the Ruler. Then Daniel said to the guardian whom the captain of the officers had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “I ask you, test us for ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink. Then look at us, and the faces of the youths who eat the Ruler’s fine foods; and deal with us as you see fit. So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days they appeared healthier and fatter than all the youths who ate of the Ruler’s fine foods.
[16-21] So the guardian took away their fine foods, and the wine that they would drink, and gave them vegetables. Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge, education, and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in visions and dreams. At the end of the days which the Ruler had set for bringing them in, the captain of the officers brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. The Ruler talked with them; and no one was found among them all like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, so they stood before the Ruler. In every matter of wisdom and understanding, which the Ruler asked of them, he found them ten times better than all the other educated ones and astrologers who were in all his nation. So Daniel continued even to the first year of Ruler Cyrus.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
2[1-4] In Nebuchadnezzar’s second year of reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and he was troubled and couldn’t sleep. Then he called all the magicians, and astrologers, and use secret arts, and the best educated ones, to tell him his dreams. So they came in to the Ruler. The Ruler said to them, “I’ve had a dream, and I’m troubled to know the dream.” Then the best educated ones spoke to the Ruler in the Syrian language, “O Ruler, live forever, tell us the dream, and we’ll tell you what it means.”
[5-9] Then the Ruler answered the best educated ones, saying, “I’ve forgotten it, but if you don’t tell me the dream and what it means, you’ll be cut in pieces, and your houses will be made a ruin. But if you tell me the dream and what it means, you’ll get gifts and rewards and great honor from me, so tell me the dream and what it means.” They answered again and said, “Let the Ruler tell us the dream, and we’ll tell what it means.” Then Ruler answered, “I know for sure that you only want to stall for more time, because you see that I’ve forgotten it. But if you don’t tell me the dream, there is but one judgment for you; because you’ve planned lying and faulty words to tell me, until the time has passed, so tell me the dream, and I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.”
[10-15] The best educated ones answered the Ruler, and said, “There isn’t anyone on the earth who can tell the Ruler’s dream, because no ruler, captain, or governor, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, or one who casts spells, or educated ones. It’s a rare thing that the Ruler asks, and there is no other person who can tell you, except the gods, who aren’t with human beings. Because of this, the Ruler was very angry and furious, and ordered all the educated ones of Babylon to be killed. So the law went out, and the educated ones were to be killed; and they went to get Daniel and his friends to be killed. Then Daniel answered with wise counsel and good sense to Arioch the captain of the Ruler’s guard, who was going to kill all the educated ones of Babylon; so he asked Arioch the Ruler’s captain, “Why is the judgment so pressing from the Ruler? Then Arioch told Daniel what it was all about.
[16-19] Then Daniel went in, and asked the Ruler to appoint him a time and he would tell the Ruler the dream and what it means. Then Daniel went to his house, and asked Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his friends, to ask for the God of Heaven’s mercies about this secret; that they and Daniel wouldn’t die with the rest of the educated ones of Babylon. The secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of a dream. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
[20-23] Daniel answered, “Happy is the Name of God forever and ever; who has great wisdom and strength. You change the times and the seasons; You remove and set up Rulers; You give wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding; You reveal the deep and secret things; You know what’s in the darkness, and the light exists in You. I thank you, and praise you, you who are God of my ancestors, who has given me wisdom and strength, and have now made known to me what we asked of you; for you’ve made known to us the Ruler’s dream.”
[24-30] So Daniel went to Arioch, whom the Ruler had told to kill the educated ones of Babylon; he went and said to him, “Don’t kill the educated ones of Babylon; bring me in to the Ruler, and I’ll tell the Ruler what the dream means.” Then Arioch quickly brought in Daniel to the Ruler, and said to him, “I’ve found a man of the people of the captivity of Judah, who will make known to the Ruler what the dream means.” So the Ruler asked Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me the dream which I’ve seen, and what it means?” And Daniel answered the Ruler, and said, “Neither educated ones, astrologers, magicians, nor fortune tellers, can tell the Ruler the secret which the Ruler has demanded of us; but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the Ruler Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the last days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these: as for you, O Ruler, your thoughts came into your mind on your bed, what would happen afterwards; and the God who reveals secrets has made known to you what will happen. But as for me, this secret isn’t revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any other living soul, but to the intent that what it means may be made known to the Ruler, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
[31-36] You, O Ruler, saw a great statue. This statue, which was very large, and very bright, stood before you; and the appearance of it was awesome. As for this statue, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, its legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay. You saw a stone that was cut out without hands, which struck the statue on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold, were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer harvest fields; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them, and the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we’ll tell you what it means, now.
[37-43] You, O Ruler, are a ruler of rulers, to whom the God of Heaven has given the power, strength, and fame to rule the world; and wherever the children of humanity lives, God has given you control of the animals of the field and the birds of the sky, and has made you to rule over them all, so you are the head of gold. Then after you, another will come to power to rule the world, who won’t be as great as you; and then a third one will come to power, which is of brass, which will rule the world. The fourth one will be as strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and controls everything; and as iron that crushes everything, it will break in pieces and crush everything. As you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it will be a divided nation; but there will be in it of the strength of iron, because you saw the iron mixed with earthen clay. As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, the nation will be partly strong, and partly broken. As you saw the iron mixed with earthen clay, they’ll have agreements between themselves; but they won’t form a union, even as iron does not mix with clay.
[44-49] In the days of those Rulers, the God of heaven will set up a nation which will never be destroyed, nor will it’s authority be given to another people; but it will break in pieces and have control over all these nations, and it will stand forever. Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, brass, clay, silver, and gold; the great God has made known to the Ruler what will happen after your time and the dream is sure to happen, and what it means is true. Then the Ruler Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, and worshiped Daniel, and ordered them to make an offering of sweet spices to him. Then the Ruler answered Daniel, and said, “Truly, your God is the God of gods, and the Ruler of rulers, and makes secrets known, seeing that you’ve been able to make known this secret. Then the Ruler made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and to be leading governor over all the educated ones of Babylon. Then Daniel asked the Ruler, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon, but Daniel was the greatest in the court of the Ruler.
The Golden Statue and the Hot Furnace
3[1-6] Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler made a statue of gold, whose height was 90 ‘ high, and the breadth was 9’ wide. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar, the Ruler, sent to gather together all the governors, deputy-governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counselors, captains, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue which Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler had set up. Then the governors, deputy-governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counselors, captains, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the herald called out, I command you, peoples and nations of every language, that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the golden statue that I, Nebuchadnezzar, the Ruler, have set up; and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship it will at that very time be thrown into a burning hot furnace.
[7-12] So at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples and nations of every language, fell down and worshiped the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler had set up. So at that time some of the best educated ones came and accused the Jews. They said to Nebuchadnezzar, the Ruler, “O Ruler, live forever. You, O Ruler, have made a law, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, should fall down and worship the golden statue; and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship will be thrown into the middle of a burning hot furnace. There are some Jews whom you’ve set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, O Ruler, who haven’t obeyed you and won’t serve your gods, nor worship the golden statue which you’ve set up.”
[13-15] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and anger ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought. Then they brought these men to the Ruler. Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden statue which I’ve set up? Now if you’re ready, whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the statue which I’ve made, well; but if you don’t worship it, you’ll be thrown at that time into the middle of a burning hot furnace; and who is that god who will free you from my power?”
[16-21] Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the Ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, saying, “We don’t need to answer to you in this matter. If you insist on this, our God, whom we serve, is able to free us from the burning hot furnace; and will free us from your power, O Ruler. But even if not, be it known to you, O Ruler, that we won’t serve your gods, nor worship the golden statue which you’ve set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar was very angry, and the look on his face frowned against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and so he ordered them to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual. He ordered some very strong men who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to throw them into the burning hot furnace.
[21-25] Then these men were tied up in their coats, their pants, and their scarves, and their other things, and were thrown into the middle of the burning hot furnace. So because the Ruler’s commandment was pressing and the furnace very hot, the flame of the fire killed the men who threw in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down tied up into the middle of the burning hot furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler was shocked, and jumped up quickly, and asked his counselors, “Didn’t we throw three men tied up into the middle of the fire?” And they answered the Ruler, “True, O Ruler.” And he answered, “Look, I see four men loose and walking around in the middle of the fire, and they aren’t hurt at all; and the fourth one looks like an Angel of God.
[26-30] Then Nebuchadnezzar came up to the door of the burning hot furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you who serve the Most High God, come out here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire. The governors, the deputy-governors, and the captains, and the Ruler’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, and that the fire had not burned their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their clothes changed, nor had even the smell of fire gotten on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Happy is the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent an Angel of God, and freed the workers who trusted in God, and have changed the Ruler’s word, and have offered their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. So I make a new law, that every people and nation of every language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, will be cut in pieces, and their houses will be made a ruin; because there is no other god who is able to free a person in this way. Then the Ruler promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
4[1-3] From Nebuchadnezzar the Ruler, to all the peoples and nations of every language, who live in all the earth, may you have great peace. It seems good to me to tell you the signs and amazing things that the Most High God has showed me. How great are the signs of God! and how very great are the amazing things God does! God’s nation is an everlasting nation, and God’s power is shown to every generation.
[4-9] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and living well in my royal house. I saw a dream which scared me; and my thoughts as I lay on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. So I made an order to bring in all the educated ones of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me what the dream meant. Then the magicians came, the ones who cast spells, the best educated ones, and the fortune tellers; and I told them the dream; but they couldn’t make known to me what it meant. But at last Daniel came in to me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God and I told the dream to him, saying, “Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I’ve seen, and what it means.”
[10-18] And these were the visions of my head on my bed: I looked and saw a tree in the middle of the earth, which was very tall. The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and it was seen to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and it fed everything and all the animals of the field rested under its shade, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and everything was fed from it. Then I looked and saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and an angel and a Holy One came down from heaven, who shouted, and said, “Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; Let the animals get out from under it, and the birds fly from its branches. But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, with a band of iron and brass around it, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky and let him live with the animals in the grass of the earth. Let his heart be changed from a human’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him; and let seven years pass over him. The judgment is given by the angels, and the order by the Word of the Holy One; so that the living may know that the Most High God rules in the nation of humanity, and gives power to whomever God wants, and sets up over it the lowest of human beings.” This dream I, Ruler Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, tell what it means, because all the educated ones of my nation are not able to make known to me what it means; but you are able; for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.
[19-27] Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, couldn’t speak for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. So I said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or what it means, trouble you.” Then Belteshazzar answered, “Sir, the dream is for those who hate you, and what it means will benefit your enemies. The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and was seen in all the earth; whose leaves were beautiful, and which had much fruit, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky lived. It’s you, O Ruler, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your power reaches to the ends of the earth. And when you saw an angel and a Holy One coming down from heaven, and saying, “Cut down the tree, and destroy it; but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, with a band of iron and brass around it, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky, and let him live with the animals of the field, until seven years pass over him; this is what it means, O Ruler. It’s the judgment of the Most High God, which is come on you, that you’ll be driven from humanity, and live with the animals of the field, and eat grass like a cow, and be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven years will pass over you; until you know that the Most High God rules in the nations of humanity, and gives it to whomever God wants. And when they said to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your nation will be saved for you, after you know that the God of Heaven rules. O Ruler, please listen to my counsel, and stop your sins by doing good, and your evil by having mercy on the poor; that your peace may last a little longer.”
[28-32] And all this came on the Ruler Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of a year, I was walking in the royal house of Babylon. I spoke and said, “Isn’t this Babylon great, which I’ve built for the royal great house, by the strength of my power and for the fame of my honor?” While these words were still in my mouth, there came a voice from heaven, saying, “O Ruler Nebuchadnezzar, to you it’s spoken: The nation is taken from you and you’ll be driven from humanity; and you’ll live with the animals of the field; you’ll be made to eat grass like a cow; and seven years will pass over you; until you know that the Most High God rules in the nations of humanity, and gives it to whomever God wants.”
[33-37] At that very time, it was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar and I was driven from humanity, and ate grass like a cow, and my body was wet with the dew of the sky, until my hair was grown out like eagles’ feathers, and my nails were like birds’ claws. At the end of these days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up Me to heaven, and my understanding came back to me, and I blessed the Most High God, and I praised and honored the One Who Lives Forever; whose power is an everlasting power, and whose nation is from generation to generation. All the people of the earth are nothing; and God does whatever God wants in the forces of heaven, and among the people of the earth; and no one can stop God’s power, or ask God, “What are you doing?” At the same time that my understanding came back to me; and for the fame of my nation, my honor and my personhood came back to me; and my counselors and my captains came to me; and I was set back over my nation, and I became even more great. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, worship, and honor the Ruler of Heaven; for all Gods works are truth, and God’s ways are justice; and God is able to bring down those who walk in pride.
The Writing on the Wall
5[1-5] Belshazzar the Ruler made a great feast to a thousand of his captains, and drank wine with them. Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, ordered the workers to bring the golden and silver cups which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the Ruler and his captains, his wives and his mistresses, might drink from them. Then they brought the golden cups that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the Ruler and his captains, his wives and his mistresses, drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone. At that time, the fingers of a man’s hand came, and wrote on the plaster of the wall next to the lampstand of the Ruler’s royal house and the Ruler saw only the part of the hand that wrote.
[6-9] Then the Ruler frowned, and his thoughts troubled him; the joints of his thighs shook, and his knees knocked together. Then the Ruler called for the astrologers, the educated ones, and the fortune tellers. The Ruler spoke and said to the educated ones of Babylon, “Whoever will read this writing, and tell me what it means, will be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold hung around their neck, and will be the third ruler in the nation. Then all the Ruler’s educated ones came in; but they couldn’t read the writing, nor make known to the Ruler what it meant. Then the Ruler Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his face frowned, and his captains were confused.
[10-12] Now the queen by reason of the words of the Ruler and his captains came into the feast house and the queen spoke and said, “O Ruler, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face frown. There is someone in your nation, in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God; and in the days of your father he had light, understanding, and wisdom, like the wisdom of God; and your father, the Ruler Nebuchadnezzar, I say, your father, made him leader of the magicians, astrologers, the best educated ones, and the fortune tellers; because he had a great spirit, with knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, and answering of questions, and dissolving of doubts, being found in this same Daniel, whom the Ruler called Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he’ll tell you what it means.”
[13-16] Then Daniel was brought in to the Ruler. The Ruler spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel, who is of the people of the captivity of Judah, whom the Ruler my father brought out of Judah? I’ve heard that the Spirit of God is in you, and that you have light, understanding, and great wisdom. Now the educated ones and astrologers, have been brought in to me to read this writing, and to make known to me what it means; but they couldn’t tell what it meant. But I’ve heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; so now if you can read this writing, and make known to me what it means, you’ll be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and will be the third ruler in the nation.
[17-21] Then Daniel answered the Ruler, “Keep your gifts to yourself, and give your rewards to someone else, but I’ll read the writing to the Ruler, and make known to you what it means. O Ruler, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar, your father, the nation, and greatness, fame, and honor. And because of the greatness that God gave him, all the peoples and nations of every language shook in fear in fear of him. He killed whoever he wanted to kill, and he kept alive whoever he wanted to keep alive; and he raised up whoever he wanted to raise up, and put down whoever he wanted to put down. But when his heart was proud, and his spirit was hardened so that he acted very proudly, he was removed from his royal throne, and they took his honor from him, and he was driven from humanity, and his heart was made like an animal’s heart, and he lived with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like a cow; and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the nations of human beings, and that God sets up over it whoever God wants to set up.
[22-24] You his son, Belshazzar, haven’t humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but have lifted up yourself against Yahweh, the God of Heaven; and they’ve brought the cups of God’s house to you, and you and your captains, your wives and mistresses, have drunk wine from them; and you’ve praised the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t even see or Listen, nor know anything; and the God in whose power is your very breath, and in whose power are all your ways, you’ve not praised at all. Then the part of the hand was sent from God, and this writing was written.
[25-31] This is the writing that was written MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is what it means, MENE; God has numbered your nation, and brought it to an end; TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. PERES; your nation is divided, and given to Media and Persia. Then Belshazzar ordered them to clothe Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and announced that he would be the third ruler in the nation. In that very night Belshazzar, the Chaldean Ruler was killed and Darius the Mede took the nation, being 62 years old.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
6[1-5] Darius set over the nation 120 governors, who would govern the whole nation; and over them three overseers, of whom Daniel was one; that these governors might give account to them, and that the Ruler would have no damage. Then this Daniel was recognized above all the overseers and the governors, because a great spirit was in him; and the Ruler thought to set him over the whole nation. Then the overseers and the governors tried to find something against Daniel about the nation; but they couldn’t find anything, because he was faithful. Nor could they find any error or fault in him at all. Then these men said, “We won’t find anything against this Daniel, unless we find it against him about the law of his God.”
[6-9] Then these overseers and governors went together to the Ruler, and said to him, “Ruler Darius, live forever. All the overseers of the nation, the deputy-governors and the governors, the counselors and the captains, have consulted together to make a royal law, and to make a firm judgment, that whoever will ask anything of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O Ruler, he’ll be thrown into the den of lions. Now, O Ruler, make this judgment, and sign this writing, so that it can’t be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t change. So Ruler Darius signed the paper written with the judgment.
[10-13] When Daniel knew that the paper was signed, he went into his house (now the windows in his room were open toward Jerusalem) and he got down on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, just as he did before. Then these men gathered together, and found Daniel making requests and asking favor of his God. Then they came and spoke to the Ruler about the Ruler’s judgment, saying, “Haven’t you signed a judgment, that anyone who asks anything to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O Ruler, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The Ruler answered, “Yes, that’s true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t change.” Then they said to the Ruler, “That Daniel, who is of the people of those taken from Judah, doesn’t respect you, O Ruler, nor the judgment that you’ve signed, but prays three times a day.”
[14-18] Then the Ruler, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart to save Daniel; and he tried until sunset to find a way to save him. Then these men gathered together to the Ruler, and said to him, “Know, O Ruler, that it’s a law of the Medes and Persians, that no judgment, nor law, which the Ruler makes may be changed.” Then the Ruler ordered them to bring Daniel, and they threw him into the den of lions. Now the Ruler said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you always serve, will save you.” A stone was brought, and put on the door of the den; and the Ruler sealed it with his own signet ring, and with the signet of his captains; that nothing would be changed about Daniel. Then the Ruler went back to his royal house, and passed the night going without food; nor were instruments of music brought before him and he couldn’t sleep.
[19-23] Then the Ruler got up very early in the morning, and quickly went to the den of lions. When he came to the den to Daniel, he shouted with a regrettable voice; the Ruler said to Daniel, “Daniel, worker of the living God, is your God, whom you always serve, able to save you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the Ruler, “O Ruler, live forever. My God has sent an angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they haven’t hurt me at all; because I was innocent in God’s eyes; and also to you, O Ruler, I haven’t done any harm. Then the Ruler was very glad, and ordered them to take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel went up out of the den, and he wasn’t hurt at all, because he had trusted in his God.
[24-28] Then the Ruler ordered, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they threw them into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children; and the lions killed them, and broke all their bones in pieces, until they fell to the bottom of the den. Then Ruler Darius wrote to all the peoples and nations of every language, who live in all the earth, saying, “May you have great peace. I make a law, that in all the power of my nation everyone is to shake and fear the God of Daniel; which is the living God, and faithful forever, whose nation won’t ever come to an end; and whose power will last to the very end. God saves and rescues, and works signs and amazing things in heaven and in earth, who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel did well in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel’s Dream of the Four Creatures
7[1-3] In the first year of Belshazzar, Ruler of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed, then he wrote the dream and told what it meant. Daniel said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, see, the four winds of the sky blew on the great sea. Four great creatures came up from the sea, which were different from one another.
[4-8] The first (Babylon) was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings and I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet like a human; and a human’s heart was given to it. Then another creature came, a second (Medo-Persia), like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth, and they said to it, “Get up, destroy many people.” After this I saw, and see, a third creature (Alexander, Greece), like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the creature also had four heads; and it was given great power. After this I saw in the night visions, and, then a fourth creature (Rome), awesome and powerful, and very strong with great iron teeth; and it ate and broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet, and it was different from all the creatures that were before it; and it had ten horns. And I thought about the horns, and then another horn came up among them, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And this horn had eyes like the eyes of a human, and a mouth that spoke great things.
[9-14] I saw until they all lost their power, and the One who was the Ancient of Days (God) sat on the throne, whose clothing was as white as snow, and whose hair was like pure white wool; whose throne had fiery flames, and its wheels burned with fire and a stream of fire came out from it. Thousands of thousands ministered to God, and hundreds of thousands stood before God, who was ready to judge them, and the books were opened. I saw this at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I watched until the creature was destroyed, and its body killed, and it was burned with fire. As for the rest of the creatures, their power was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a little while. I saw in the night visions, and see, there came with the clouds of heaven One like a Human Being (Christ), who came to the Ancient of Days, who they brought to God and who was given power, fame, and a nation, that all the peoples and nations of every language would serve God, whose power is an everlasting power, which won’t come to an end, and whose nation won’t ever be destroyed.
[15-18] As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came up to one of those who stood by, and asked the truth about all this. So the angel told me, and made me know what these things meant. These great creatures, which are four, are four Rulers (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome), who will arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High God will be given the nation, and will have it forever and ever.
[19-22] Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth creature, which was different from all of the rest, very terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which ate, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet; and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, which was the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, who looked stronger than the others. I saw that the same horn made war with the saints, and won control over them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High God, and the time came that the saints would have the nation.
[23-26] So the angel said, “The fourth creature will be a fourth nation on earth, which will be different from all the other nations, and will eat up the whole earth, and will stamp it down, and break it in pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this nation, ten rulers will come up and then another will come up after them; who’ll be different from the first ones, and who’ll take down three of the first rulers. This one will speak words against the Most High God, and will wear out the saints of the Most High God; and will think to change the times and the law; and they’ll be given into this one’s control for three and a half years. But the judgment will be set, and they’ll take the nation, to destroy it and to kill it to the very end.
[27-28] The nation and the power, and the greatness of the nations under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High God, whose nation is an everlasting nation, and who all powers will serve and obey. This is the end of the dream. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face frowned, but I kept it all in my heart.
8[1-4] In the third year of the reign of Ruler Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the first one that appeared to me. I saw in this vision; now it was so, that when I saw the vision, I was in the city of Susa, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in this vision that I was by the river Ulai. Then I looked and saw, and a ram which had two horns (Medo-Persia) stood there by the river and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; and no others could stand against him, nor was there any others who could save any out of his control; but he did whatever he wanted, and made himself great.
[5-8] As I was thinking, see, a young male goat came from the west (Greece) over the surface of the whole earth, and didn’t even touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn (Alexander the Great) between his eyes. He came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing by the river, and ran at him in the fury of his power. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and struck the ram, and broke his two horns; and the ram had no power to stand against him; but he threw him down to the ground, and trampled on him; and there was no one who could save the ram out of his control. The young male goat made himself great and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and then four notable horns (Alexander’s Generals- Antigonus, Cassander, Ptolemy, Lysimachus) came up instead of it toward the four directions of the sky.
[9-14] Out of one of them came out a little horn (Antiochus Epiphanes), which grew very great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the beautiful land of Israel. He grew great, even to the nation of Heaven (Jews); and some of the angels and of the stars (people of Israel) he threw down to the ground, and trampled on them. Yes, he made himself great, even to the Ruler of the Angels; and took away the continual burnt offering, and the Place of Worship was ruined (Antiochus pollution of the Temple). Through their disobedience, an army was given to him to take away the continual burnt offering; and he threw the Law in the dust, and did what he wanted and succeeded. Then I heard an angel speaking; and another angel said to the first one who spoke, “How long will the vision last about the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that ruins, to give both the Place of Worship and the people to be trampled underfoot? He said to me, “For 2,300 full days (about 6. 5 years); then the Place of Worship will be cleansed (historically the Maccabean Revolt).
[15-22] Then when I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it; and see, someone stood before me like the appearance of a human. I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. So he came up where I stood; and when he came, I was scared, and fell on my face, but he said to me, “Understand, human being; that the vision is of the time of the end. Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright. He said, “See, I’ll make you know what will be in the latter time of God’s great anger; for the end will come at the set time. The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the Rulers of Media and Persia. The rough male goat is the Ruler of Greece and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first Ruler (Alexander). As for the horn which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four nations (Alexander’s Generals) comes up out of that one nation, but not with its power.
[23-27] In the latter time of that nation, when the sins of the Jews are at their worst, a fierce Ruler (historically Antiochus Epiphanes) will come, who understands difficult questions. He’ll have very great power, but not by his own power; and he’ll destroy everything, and will succeed and do whatever he wants to do; and he’ll kill many people along with God’s people. Through his lies he’ll cause untruth to spread under his control; and he’ll make himself great in his own heart, and he’ll kill many when they least expect it. He’ll also stand up against the Ruler of all Rulers; but he’ll die without human power. The vision of the full days which has been told is true, but seal up the vision; for it won’t happen for many days to come. Then I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick a few days; then I rose up, and did the Ruler’s work and I wondered about the vision, but didn’t understand it.
9[1-6] In the first year of Darius (539 BC), the son of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), of the people of the Medes, who was made Ruler over the nation of the Chaldeans (Persians), in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the Scriptures the number of years about which the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the great preacher, for the fulfillment of the destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), which was 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11,12; 29:10-14). So I turned to Yahweh God, by prayer and requests, going without food, and wearing clothing made of grain sacks and putting ashes on my head. I prayed to Yahweh my God, and confessed, saying, “Oh, Yahweh, the great and awesome God, who keeps the promised agreement and is loving and kind to those who love You and keep Your Laws, we’ve sinned, and have done wrong, and have done evil things, and have rebelled, turning aside from Your Laws and from Your rules; neither have we listened to Your workers, the great preachers, who spoke in Your Name to our Rulers, captains, ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
[7-10] Yahweh, goodness is Yours, but we’re confused, as at this day; Yes, the people of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel, who are near, and who are far away, through all the countries where you’ve driven them, because of their sins that they’ve sinned against You. Yahweh, we deserve confusion, yes, our rulers, our leaders, and our ancestors, because we’ve sinned against You. Yahweh our God, mercies and forgiveness are Yours to give; for we’ve rebelled against You; neither have we obeyed the voice of Yahweh our God, to walk in Your Laws, which You set before us by Your workers, the great preachers.
[11-14] Yes, all Israel has sinned against Your law, turning away, and not obeying Your voice, so the punishment has come down on us, the promise that is written in the Law of Moses, the worker of God; for we’ve sinned against You. You have confirmed Your words, which You spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for nothing has been done on earth as has been done on Jerusalem. As it’s written in the Law of Moses, all this evil has come down on us, yet we haven’t asked the forgiveness of Yahweh our God, so that we would turn from our sins, and understand Your truth. So Yahweh, You’ve watched over the evil, and brought it back on us; for You, Yahweh, our God are good in all Your works which You do, and we haven’t obeyed Your voice.
[15-19] Now, Yahweh our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with great power, and have made Yourself a Name, as at this day; We’ve sinned, and done evil. Yahweh, according to all Your goodness, please let Your anger and rage turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the sins of our ancestors, Jerusalem and Your people have become a shame to all those around us. So God, listen to the prayer of Your worker, and to what I ask You, and look on your Place of Worship that is in ruins, for Your sake, Yahweh. My God, listen and hear; look and see our destruction, and the city which is called by Your name, because we don’t make our requests to You for any goodness of ours, but for Your great mercies’ sake. Yahweh, hear; Yahweh, forgive; Yahweh, listen and act; don’t wait, for Your own sake, my God, because Your city and Your people are called by Your Name.”
[20-23] While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and making my requests to Yahweh my God, and for the holy mountain of my God; yes, while I was still speaking in prayer, the angel Gabriel, whom I’d seen in the vision at the first, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. He taught me, and talked with me, and said, “Daniel, I’ve now come to give you wisdom and understanding. When you first prayed the order was given, and I am now come to tell you; for you’re greatly loved, so think about it, and understand the vision.
[24-29] Your people will suffer 70 weeks (490 years) of punishment along with your holy city, to finish your disobedience, and to end your sins, and to cover your sins, and to bring in everlasting goodness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy One. So know and understand, that from the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (445 BC) to the Anointed Messiah, the Christ, will be 7 weeks, and 62 weeks (483 years) and it will be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. After the 62 weeks the Anointed Messiah will be killed without any sin debt, and then the people of the ruler (Antiochus historically) will come will destroy the city (A. D. 70) and the Place of Worship; and its end will come as a flood, and destruction and war will come to the end. He’ll (antichrist?) make a firm promised agreement with many for one week and in the middle of the week he’ll cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and then the horrifying evil thing (antichrist) will come and spread evil; even to the very end, and what punishment is determined will be poured out on those to be destroyed.
10[1-6] In the third year of Cyrus (536 BC), Ruler of Persia, something was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and it was true, a great warfare, and he understood it, and knew what the vision meant. In those days, I, Daniel, was in mourning three whole weeks. I ate no sweet bread, meat, nor wine, nor did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were finished. In the 24th day of the 1st month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is the Tigris, I raised Me, and looked, and see, someone clothed in linen, whose thighs were belted with the pure gold of Uphaz, whose body also was like the yellow jasper, and whose face was as bright as a flash of lightning, and whose eyes were as flaming torches, and whose arms and feet were like bronzed brass, and the sound of whose words were like the sound of a great number of people (Gabriel, Christ?).
[7-10] I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for those who were with me didn’t see the vision; but they were shaking with fear, and ran to hide themselves. So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and I had no strength; for my energy and strength was gone. Yet I heard the sound of the angels’ words; and when I heard them, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. And then a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
[11-15] The angel said to me, “Daniel, you are greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand up because I am now sent to you.” When the angel had spoken these words to me, I stood shaking. Then the angel said to me, “Don’t be scared, Daniel, because from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to trouble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I am come for your words’ sake. But the ruler of the nation of Persia (in the spiritual realm) withstood me 21 days; but you see, Michael, one of the leading angels, came to help me and I stayed there with the rulers of Persia. Now I’ve come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is for many days to come.” And when the angel had spoken to me these words, I turned toward the ground, and couldn’t speak.
[16-21] See, one in the likeness of a human being touched my lips and then I opened my mouth, and said to the one who stood before me, “Because of the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I don’t have any strength. How can I talk with you? As for me, from the minute I saw you, I had no strength in me, and I had no breath. Then another one who looked like a human being touched me again, and gave me strength and said, “You are greatly loved, so Don’t be scared! Have peace and be strong, yes, be strong.” And when the angel spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Speak; for you’ve strengthened me.” Then the angel asked, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? Now I’ll go back to fight with the ruler of Persia. When I go there, you see, the ruler of Greece will come. But I’ll tell you that which is written in the writing of truth; and there is no one who fights with me against them, but Michael, your ruler.”
11[1-4] “As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede (539BC), I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. Now I’ll tell you the truth. See, three Rulers will come in Persia (Darius I, Cambysus, Gaumata); and the fourth (Xerxes) will be far richer than all the rest, and when he has grown strong through his riches, he’ll stir up all against the nation of Greece. A very great Ruler (Alexander the Great) will come up, who will have great power, and do whatever he wants to do. But when he comes up, his nation will be broken, and will be divided into four parts, but not to his children, nor by the boundaries which he ruled; for his nation will be divided up to others[6].
[5-9] The Ruler of the South (Ptolemy I Soter, Egypt) will be strong, along with one of his captains (Seleucus Nicator); and he’ll be stronger than him, and take control; and his nation will be a great nation. At the end of their years they’ll join themselves together; and the daughter (Berenice) of the Ruler of the South (Ptolemy Philadelphus, Egypt) will come to the Ruler of the North (Antiochus II, Syria) to make an agreement but she won’t keep the strength of her power; neither will he stand, nor his power; but she’ll be given up, along with those who brought her, and he who was her father, and he who gave her power in those times. But out of a branch from her roots (Ptolemy III Euergetes – Berenice’s brother) will one stand up in his place, who will come to the army, and will enter into the fortress of the Ruler of the North (Seleucus Callinus, Syria), and will fight against them, and will win control. Also their gods, with their metal statues, and with their best tools of silver and of gold, he’ll take into Egypt; and he’ll leave from the Ruler of the North for some years. He’ll come into the nation of the Ruler of the South, but he’ll go back into his own land (Syria).
[10-14] Then his sons (Seleucus III Ceraunus, Antiochus III the Great) will go to war, and will gather together a great number of forces, which will come, and overwhelm them and pass on; and they’ll come back and go to war, all the way back to his fortress. Then the Ruler of the South (Ptolemy IV Philopater, Egypt) will be moved with anger, and will come and fight with the Ruler of the North (Antiochus III the Great, Syria); and he’ll send a great number of forces, who will be under his control. When the forces are taken away, he’ll think himself better than others; and he’ll destroy tens of thousands of people, but he won’t win. The Ruler of the North (Antiochus III the Great, Syria) will come back, and will send more forces than the first time; and he’ll come to power at the end of this time, and of these years with a great army and with a great amount of weapons. In those times, many will stand up against the Ruler of the South (Ptolemy V Epiphanes, Egypt), along with the violent among the Jews, who will lift themselves up to fulfill the vision; but they’ll fall.
[15-19] So the Ruler of the North (Antiochus III the Great, Syria) will come, and build up a mound, and take a well-fortified city (Sidon) and the forces of the South (Egypt) will fall, along with his chosen people, nor will there be any strength left to fight. But he who comes against him will do whatever he wants to do, and no one will be able to fight him; and he’ll come to Israel, and he’ll destroy whatever he wants to destroy. He’ll decide to come with the strength of his whole nation, and bring with him fair conditions; and he’ll do them and give him (Ptolemy V Epiphanes) a daughter (Cleopatra) in marriage, to destroy it; but she won’t do it, nor take his side. After this he’ll turn to the coast lands (Asia Minor), and will take many, but a captain (Lucius Cornelius Scipio, Roman) will stop him and then turn on him. Then he’ll turn toward the fortresses of his own land; but he’ll fall, and be defeated and killed.
[20-24] Then someone (Seleucus IV Philopater) comes up in his place who will cause a tax collector to pass through the nation to tax Israel; but within a few days he’ll be killed, neither in anger, nor in battle. In his place will come up an evil person (Antiochus IV Epiphanes), to whom they hadn’t given the honor of the nation, but he’ll come in time of safety, and will get control of the nation through his lies. The forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken; yes, and also the leader who makes the agreement with him (Onias III, the leading preacher in Jerusalem). After the agreement is made with him, he’ll act falsely; and he’ll come to power, and become strong, with only a few people. In a time of safety he’ll come even to the best places of the region; and he’ll do what his ancestors haven’t done; he’ll spread out the wealth to the people, yes, he’ll make plans against the strongholds, but only for a short time.
[25-28] He’ll stir up his power and courage against the Ruler of the South (Ptolemy Philometor, Egypt) with a great army; and the Ruler of the South will war in battle with a very great and powerful army; but he won’t stand; they’ll make plans against him. Yes, they who eat of his fine foods will kill him, and his army will be overwhelmed; and many will fall and be killed. As for both of these Rulers, their hearts will be set to do evil, and they’ll speak lies at the same table, but it won’t succeed; for the end won’t come until the set time. Then he’ll (Antiochus, Syria) go back into his own land with great wealth; and his heart will be against the holy promised agreement (he looted the temple in Jerusalem); and he’ll do whatever he wants to do, and go back to his own land.
[29-35] At the time set he’ll come back, and come into Egypt; but this time it won’t be as it was the first time. For ships of Cyprus (Rome) will come against him; so he’ll be upset, and will come back, and have great anger against the holy promised agreement (Israel), and will do whatever he wants to do, he’ll come back, and give respect to those who forsake the holy promised agreement (apostate Jews). He’ll gather his forces, and they’ll make the Place of Worship unfit, overwhelming the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering, and put the horrifying evil thing (Statue of Zeus 167 BC, future antichrist) into its place. Those who do evil against the promised agreement he’ll mislead by lies; but the people who really know their God will be strong, and do great things[7]. Those who understand among the people (of God) will teach many; yet they’ll fall by war, by fire, by captivity, and by thievery, for many days. Now when they fall, they’ll be given a little help; but many will join them falsely. Some of those who understand will fall, to perfect them, and to make them fit, and to make them shine, even to the time of the end; because the end won’t come until the set time.
[36-39] The next Ruler [8] will do whatever he wants to do; and he’ll lift up himself, and make himself greater than every god, and will speak very great things against the God of gods; and he’ll succeed until the prophecy is fulfilled; for that which is decided will be done. He won’t give respect to the gods of his ancestors, nor will he want a woman, nor any god; for he’ll make himself greater than all gods. But in his place he’ll honor the god of power (first beast of Revelation, Rome, possibly Assyrians (Arabs) under Rome?); and he’ll honor with gold, silver, precious stones, and other good things a god whom his ancestors didn’t know. He’ll beat the strongest powers by the help of this false god and whoever acknowledges him, he’ll greatly honor; and he’ll cause them to rule over many, and will divide the land for a price.
[40-45] At the end of this time the Ruler of the South (Egypt) will fight with him (Rome); and the Ruler of the North (Syria) will come against him like a hurricane, with armored vehicles, and with men, and with many ships; and he’ll (Rome) enter into the countries, and will overwhelm them and pass on. He’ll enter also into Israel, and many countries will be overthrown; but Edom (Jordan, Arab nations), and Moab (Jordan), and most of the people of Ammon (Transjordan) will be freed from his control. He’ll take control of the countries; and the land of Egypt won’t escape. But he’ll have control over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the valuable things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians will follow him. But news out of the east (China, Asia?) and out of the North (Russia, Turkey?) will trouble him; and he’ll go forth with great fury to kill and utterly destroy many. He’ll put his royal house between the seas and the holy mountain of Jerusalem (Rome, Palatial Hill?); yet he’ll come to his end, and no one will help him.
12[1-4] “At that time Michael comes, the great angel who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time your people will be saved, that is, everyone who’s name is found written in the book (of life). Many of those who are dead from the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting punishment. Those who understand will shine as the brightness of the sky; and those who turn many to goodness will shine as the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, close the words in the book and seal it shut, even to the end of time, when many will be traveling all over the world, and many will be greatly educated.”
[5-8] Then I, Daniel, looked, and see, there stood two others, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side. One said to the angel clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be till these things end?” Then I heard the angel clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his hands to heaven, and swore by the One Who Lives Forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half (3 ½ years); and when they’ve finished breaking the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. I heard, but I didn’t understand, then I said, “How will these things turn out?”
[9-13] He said, “Go home, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed shut until the end of time. Many will make themselves fit, and make themselves shining white when they are tested; but the evil will do evil; and none of the evil will understand; but those who are wise will understand. From the time that the burnt offerings are stopped, and the horrifying evil thing comes to power (Titus 70 A. D. ?), there will be 1,290 days. Happy is he who waits, and comes to the 1,335 days. But go home until the end comes; because you’ll rest and take your place at the end of days.
Hosea
Hosea is credited to the 8th century BC. Hosea, the only one of the writing prophets to have lived and prophesied in Israel, or the northern kingdom. Hosea contains 14 chapters, usually divided by commentators into two unequal sections: chapters 1-3 and 4-14. In chapters 1-3 the prophet likens the relationship between God and Israel to that of a man who is married to an unfaithful woman. Because the description of this relationship is personalized, that is, the husband and wife in the book is Hosea himself and his wife Gomer, many commentators believe the book is both biographic and parabolic. The covenant, or union, between God and Israel, formerly based on law, is seen by Hosea as a spiritual bond based on God’s love. Hosea (God) is the betrayed husband. The wife (Israel) is an adulterous wife. Both she and her offspring will be punished, but each time she sins, she will be redeemed, or bought back, because the love of her husband will always turn away his anger.
The remaining chapters consist of a series of short prophecies dealing with the spiritual corruption of the people, the moral unfitness of the rulers and religious leaders, and the judgment and punishment that must follow as a consequence of such unfaithfulness and sinfulness. The tone of these chapters is one of impending doom until the final chapter, when the harsh words of the prophet soften into a prophecy of saving grace for those who truly love God and behave accordingly.
Hosea was the first Hebrew prophet to express the spiritual relationship between God and Israel in terms of human marriage. Later, this theme was important in the development of Christian theology. The theme of God’s steadfast love, which is dramatized wonderfully in Hosea 11, where God is depicted as suffering over the betrayal of the people of Israel, also reappears in the prophecies from Jeremiah to Judah, when that southern kingdom faced invasion and war. The most important message of Hosea, is his desire for “ love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” . Hosea is frequently quoted in the New Testament and twice by Christ personally—in Matthew 9:13, Christ quotes Hosea 6:6; in Luke 23:30, Hosea 10:8.
Hosea
1[1-3] The word of Yahweh that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, rulers of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, ruler of Israel. When Yahweh spoke by Hosea at first, Yahweh said to Hosea, “Go, take a prostitute for a spouse and have people of her unfaithfulness; for the whole land is acting very unfaithfully, leaving Yahweh.” So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; and she got pregnant, and had a son.
[4-5] Then Yahweh said to him, “Call his name Jezreel (God plants); for in a little while, I’ll take revenge on the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and will cause the nation of the house of Israel to come to an end. In that day I’ll defeat Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”
[6-7] Then she got pregnant again, and had a daughter. Then God said to him, “Call her name Lo-Ruhamah (No mercy); for I’ll no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, that I excuse you in any way. But I’ll have mercy on the house of Judah, and will save you by Yahweh your God, and I won’t save you by weapons, war, vehicles, or human beings.”
[8-11] Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she got pregnant, and had another son. Then God said, “Call his name Lo-Ammi (Not My people); for you aren’t My people, and I won’t be your God. But the number of the people of Israel will still be as the sand of the sea, which can’t be measured nor counted; and it’ll happen later that in the place where it was said to you, ‘You aren’t My people,’ You’ll be called ‘People of the living God.’ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together, and you’ll appoint yourselves one ruler, and will go up from the land; for great will be the day of Jezreel.
2[1-3] “Say to your brothers, ‘Be My people!’ and to your sisters, ‘ I’ll have mercy!’ Beg your mother! Beg her because she isn’t acting like My spouse, nor am I her spouse any longer; and let her stop being unfaithful, and put her unfaithfulness out of her heart; or I’ll strip her naked, and make her as bare as the day she was born, and make her like a barren countryside, and leave her like a dry land, and kill her with thirst.
[4-6] Without a doubt, I’ll have no mercy on her children because they’re children of unfaithfulness; For your mother was unfaithful. She got pregnant with you in a shameful way. She said, “’I’ll go after my lovers, who’ll give me my food and water, cloth for my clothes, and my perfumes and my alcohol.’ So, see, I’ll make a hedge of thorns in her way, and I’ll build a wall against her, so that she can’t find her way.
[7-8] She’ll chase after her lovers, but she won’t catch them; and she’ll look for them, but won’t find them. Then she’ll say, ‘I’ll go back to my first spouse, because it was better for me then than now.’ She didn’t know that I gave her the food, alcohol, and perfumes, and gave her great wealth, which you spent on your false god.
[9-11] So I’ll take back My food crops in its time, and My alcohol in its season, and will take away My cloths which should have clothed her. Now I’ll uncover her shamefulness in front of her lovers, and no one will save her out of My power. I’ll also cause all her celebrations to end, her special Celebrations, her monthly celebrations, her weekly celebrations, and all her sacred assemblies.
[12-13] I’ll let her vines and her fig trees go to waste, about which she has said, “’These are what my lovers have given me; and I’ll make them a forest,’ and the animals of the woods will eat them. I’ll punish her for every day which she burned incense to the false god Baal, when she put on her earrings and her jewels, and chased after her lovers, and forgot Me,” says Yahweh.
[14-15] “So, see, I’ll attract her, and bring her into the countryside, and speak tenderly to her. I’ll give her gardens there, and the valley of Achor (trouble) will be a door of hope; and she’ll come back to Me there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came out of the land of Egypt.
[16-18] In that day,” says Yahweh, “You’ll call Me ‘My God,’ and no longer call Me by the name of a false god.’ I’ll take away the names of the false gods out of her mouth, and they’ll no longer be mentioned by name. In that day I’ll make an agreement for you with the animals of the field, and with the birds of the sky, and with the small animals that run around in the land. I’ll put an end to wars in the land, and will make you safe when you lie down.
[19-23] I’ll join you to Me forever. Yes, I’ll join you to Me in law, in goodness, in forgiveness, and in tender love. I’ll even join you to Me in faithfulness; and you’ll know Yahweh. In that day, I’ll speak,” says Yahweh, “I’ll speak to the heavens, and it’ll speak to the earth; and the earth will speak to the food, and the alcohol, and the oil; and you’ll know that God plants. I’ll plant her to Me in the earth; and I’ll forgive her who hadn’t been forgiven; and I’ll tell those who weren’t My people, ‘You’re My people;’ and You’ll say, ‘My God!’“
3[1-5] Yahweh said to me, “Go again, love a woman loved by another, an unfaithful one, even as Yahweh loves the people of Israel, though you turn to false gods, and love bottles of alcohol.” So I bought her for myself for $15 silver coins and 100 gallons of barley. Then I said to her, “You will stay with Me many days. You won’t be unfaithful, and you won’t be with any other. I’ll also be faithful to you.” The people of Israel will live many days without a ruler, a preacher, a sacrifice, an altar, sacred clothes, or false gods. Afterward the people of Israel will come back, and you’ll look for Yahweh your God, and your beloved ruler (David), and will come shaking to Yahweh to be blessed in the last days.
4[1-5] Hear the word of Yahweh, you people of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the people of the land, “Without a doubt there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and unfaithfulness; You go over the borders, and killing causes more killing. So the land will mourn, and everyone who lives in it will waste away. Every living thing in it, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, even the fish of the sea will also die.” Yet let no one bring a charge against another, nor let anyone accuse another, because your people are like those who bring charges against a preacher. You’ll fall in that day, and the great preacher will also fall with you in that night; and I’ll destroy your mother (the land).
[6-10] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you’ve rejected knowledge, I’ll also reject you, and you’ll be no preacher for Me. Because you’ve forgotten your God’s law, I’ll also forget your people. As you grew to be many, you sinned against Me. I’ll change your fame into shame. You thrive on the sin of My people, and are addicted to your sin. The preacher will be just like the people; and I’ll punish you all for your ways, and will repay you for what you’ve done. You’ll eat, and not have enough. You’ll be unfaithful, and won’t have any babies; because you’ve stopped worshiping Yahweh.
[11-15] Whoring around, Celebrations, and alcohol take away your understanding. My people pray to your false gods of wood, and answer a stick of wood. Without a doubt, the spirit of whoring around has led you astray, and you’ve been unfaithful to your God. You sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and elms, because your shade is good. So your daughters and your wives are unfaithful. But I won’t punish your daughters or your wives when they’re unfaithful, because the men themselves have sex with whores, and worship falsely with religious whores; so these people who are without understanding will come to ruin.
[15-19] “Though you, Israel, are unfaithful, don’t let Judah offend; and don’t go up to Gilgal (to worship falsely), nor go up to Bethaven (house of emptiness), nor swear, ‘As Yahweh lives.’ For you, Israel have rebelled, like a stubborn cow, so how will Yahweh feed you like a lamb in an open country? You, Ephraim, have joined yourselves to false gods, so I’ll leave you alone! Your alcohol has made you rebel. You’re always unfaithful and its rulers dearly love your shameful ways. The wind has been taken from under your wings; and you’ll be ashamed because of your false worship.
5[1-4] “ Listen to this, you preachers! Listen, house of Israel, and listen, house of the ruler! The judgment is against you. You’ve been trapped at Mizpah (the watchtower), and a net is spread on Mount Tabor. The rebels are deeply involved in murder; but I discipline all of you. I know Ephraim, and Israel isn’t hidden from Me; and now, Ephraim, you’ve been unfaithful and Israel is ruined. What you’ve done won’t allow you to turn to your God; for the spirit of whoring around is within you, and you don’t know Yahweh.
[5-9] The pride of Israel speaks against you. So you, Israel and Ephraim, will fall in your sin and Judah will fall also with you. You’ll go with your offerings to look for Yahweh, who you won’t find, because God has withdrawn from you. You’re unfaithful to Yahweh; and you’ve had illegitimate children. Now you’ll be destroyed along with your land within a month.” Blow the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah! Sound a war cry at Bethaven, behind you, Benjamin! Ephraim, you’ll be destroyed in the day of judgment. Among the tribes of Israel, I’ve made known to you what will surely happen.
[10-13] The officials of Judah are like those who remove a landmark. I’ll pour out My great anger on you like water. Ephraim, you’re oppressed, and crushed in judgment, because you’re intent on chasing after false gods. So I am to you, Ephraim, like a moth, and to the house of Judah like rottenness.” When you, Ephraim, saw your sickness, and Judah, your wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the Ruler Jareb, but he wasn’t able to heal you, nor will he cure you of your wound.
[14-15] So I’ll be to you, Ephraim, like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, Myself, will tear you in pieces and then go away. I’ll carry you off, and there’ll be no one left to save. I’ll go back to My place, until you admit your sin, and look for Me. In your trouble you’ll truly look for Me.”
6[1-3] “Come, and let us go back to Yahweh; who has torn us to pieces, and will heal us; Who has hurt us, and will patch up our wounds. After two days God will revive us and on the third day God will raise us up, and we’ll live in God’s presence. Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us try hard to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear who will come to us like the rain, like the creek rain that waters the earth.”
[4-6] “Ephraim, what will I do with you? Judah, what will I do with you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that quickly goes away. So I’ve cut you to pieces along with your great preachers; I destroyed you with the words of My mouth. Your judgments will come like a flash of lightning. I want mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than your offerings.
[7-11] But you, like Adam, have broken your promised agreement. You were unfaithful to Me there. Gilead (rocky place) is a city of those who sin; it’s stained with blood. As gangs of thieves wait to attack someone, so the groups of preachers murder those on the way to Shechem, committing shameful crimes. In the house of Israel I’ve seen a horrible thing. There is whoring around in Ephraim. Israel is ruined. Also, Judah, you’ll be judged as well, when I turn away from My people.
7[1-3] When I’d have healed Israel, then the sin of Ephraim was uncovered, and also the evil of Samaria; for you act falsely, and the thief comes in, and the gang of thieves destroys outside. You don’t think in your hearts that I remember all your evil. Now your own actions have overwhelmed you and you stand before Me. You make your ruler glad with your evil and the officials with your lies. You’re all unfaithful. You’re burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring the fire, from the time the dough is kneaded, until it’s raised.
[5-7] On the day of our ruler, the officials made him sick with the drunkenness of alcohol and he joined those full of pride. You’ve made the anger in your heart ready like an oven, while you wait to destroy. Your heat smolders all night and in the morning burns as a flaming fire. You’re all as hot as an oven, and have destroyed your judges. All your rulers have fallen and there is no one among you who calls on Me.
[8-12] Ephraim, you mix yourselves among the nations. Ephraim, you’re like a pancake not turned over. Strangers have used up your strength, and you don’t know it. Without a doubt, you’re graying with years and don’t know it. The pride of Israel speaks against it; yet You haven’t returned to Yahweh your God, nor looked for God in all this.” Ephraim, you’re captured like a dove, without remembering. You call to Egypt. You go to Assyria. But when you go, I’ll spread My net on you. I’ll bring you down like the birds of the sky. I’ll discipline you, just as you’ve heard.
[13-16] Sorrow will come to you because you’ve wandered far from Me! You’ll be destroyed because you’ve sinned against Me! Though I’d buy you back, you’ve spoken lies against Me. You haven’t shouted to Me in prayer with your hearts, but you cry on your beds. You fight each other for food and alcohol but you turn away from Me. Though I’ve taught you how to fight, you plan evil against Me. You go back, but not to the Most High God. You’re like a faulty bow. Your officials will fall in war for your angry words. So you’ll be disrespected in the land of Egypt.
8[1-6] “Sound the trumpet! As an eagle coming against Yahweh’s house, you’ve broken My agreement, and rebelled against My law. Israel will cry to Me, ‘My God, we know you!’ But you, Israel, have thrown off what’s good. The enemy will chase you. You’ve set up rulers, but not by Me. You’ve made officials, who I didn’t approve. You’ve made yourselves false gods out of your silver and gold, so that you’ll die. I’ll throw out your false god calf, Samaria! I am very angry with you! How long will it be until you’re able to keep pure? And this is even from Israel! The worker made it, and it’s no god; Without a doubt, the calf of Samaria will be broken in pieces.
[7-10] For you plant the wind, and you’ll harvest the hurricane. You’ve no standing grain. The stalk won’t bud. If it does, strangers will eat it up. You, Israel, will be eaten up. Now you’re worthless to the nations. You’ve gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. You, Ephraim, have hired lovers for yourselves. You sold yourselves to the nations, but I’ll gather you back now; and you’ll be wounded a little because of the trouble of the ruler of the Assyrians.
[11-14] You, Ephraim, have made many altars for sin, and they’ve become for you altars for sinning. I wrote you many things in My law; but they were thought strange. As for the sacrifices of My offerings, you sacrifice meat and eat it, but I, Yahweh won’t accept it. Now I’ll remember your sin, and punish you for it. You’ll return to Egypt. Israel, you’ve forgotten your Maker and built royal houses; and Judah, you’ve made many strong cities; but I’ll send a fire on you, and it’ll burn you up.”
9[1-6] Don’t celebrate, Israel, with joy like the other nations; for you were unfaithful to your God. You’ve made love for a price at every barn. The fields and the vines won’t feed you, and your wine will fail. You won’t live in Yahweh’s land; but you, Ephraim, will return to Egypt, and you’ll eat unfit food in Assyria. You won’t pour out wine offerings to Yahweh, nor will you please God. Your sacrifices will be to you like the food of mourners; all who eat of it will be unfit; your food will be for your appetite only and won’t come into the house of Yahweh. What will you do in the day of the sacred assembly and celebration of Yahweh? See, you’ve gone away because of your destruction. Egypt will gather you up. Memphis will bury you. Nettles will take over your pleasant things of silver; and thorns will grow in your tents.
[7-9] The days of punishment have come. The days to pay Me back for what you’ve done have come. Israel, you’ll consider the great preacher to be stupid, and the one who is inspired to be crazy, because of your many sins, and because your anger is great. A great preacher watched over Ephraim with My God, who is like a bird catcher’s trap in the way, and whose anger is in the house of God. You’ve completely ruined yourselves, as in the days of Gibeah. I’ll remember what you’ve done and punish you for your sins.
[10-14] I found Israel like grapes in the countryside. I saw your fathers as the first ripe fig in the fig tree at its first season; but you came to Baal Peor (god of the gap), and dedicated yourselves to that shameful thing, and became evil like that which you loved. As for Ephraim, your fame will fly away like a bird. There won’t be any birth, and no one will get pregnant. Though you bring up your people, yet I’ll take you, so that not one person will be left. Without a doubt, sorrow will also come to you when I leave you! I’ve seen you, Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a nice place; but you, Ephraim, will bring out your children to be murdered. What will I, Yahweh, give you? I’ll give you miscarriages and dry breasts.
[15-17] “All your evil is in Gilgal; for there I hated you. Because of the evil things you’ve done, I’ll drive you out of My house! I’ll love you no more. All your officials are rebels. Ephraim, you’re beaten. Your root has dried up. You’ll bear no fruit. Even though you have children, I’ll kill your loved ones.” My God will throw you away, because you didn’t listen to God; and you’ll be wanderers among the nations.
10[1-4] Israel is a beautiful vine that gives its fruit. As it has made much fruit, it has made as many altars. As your land has done well, you’ve decorated your sacred alters. Your heart is divided and now you’ll be found guilty. God will destroy your altars and your sacred stones. Surely now you’ll say, “We don’t have a ruler because we didn’t fear Yahweh; As for the ruler, what can he do for us?” You make promises, swearing falsely when making agreements, so judgment comes up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
[5-8] The people of Samaria will be in great fear for the calves of Bethaven; for its people will cry over it, along with its preachers who celebrated over it, for its fame has left it. It’ll also be carried to Assyria for a gift to the great ruler Jareb. Ephraim will be shamed, and Israel will be ashamed of what it created. Samaria and her ruler will float away, like a stick on the water. The high places of Bethaven, the sin of Israel, will also be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will grow up on your altars. You’ll tell the mountains, “Cover us!” And the hills, “Fall on us!”
[9-11] “Israel, you’ve sinned from the days of Gibeah. There you stayed, so the war against the people of sin wouldn’t overtake you in Gibeah. Whenever I want to, I’ll discipline you; and the nations will be gathered against you, when you’re tied to your two sins. Ephraim is a trained cow that loves to work; so I’ll put a harness on her beautiful neck. I’ll set a rider on Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will till.
[12-15] Plant yourselves in goodness, harvest in faithfulness. Break up your unplanted ground; for it’s time to look for Yahweh, who will come and rain down goodness on you. You’ve plowed evil, you’ve harvested sin, and you’ve eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, and in your own strength. So the sound of war will come to your people, and all your strong places will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of war. As the mother was dashed in pieces with her children, Bethel will do this to you because of your great evil. At dawn the ruler of Israel will be killed.
11[1-4] “When Israel was a child, who I loved, I called My Loved One out of Egypt. I called to you, but you went away from Me. You sacrificed to false gods, and burned incense to them. Yet I taught Ephraim to walk and took him by his arms; but you didn’t know that I was ready to heal you. I pulled you with troubling ropes and with ties of love; and I was to you like those who lift up the harness on your necks; and I came down and fed you.
[5-8] “You won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be your ruler, because you refused to change your ways. War will fall on your cities, destroying the bars of your gates, and putting an end to your plans. My people are determined to turn from Me. Though you call to the Most High, not one praises God.” How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart aches within Me, My compassion is stirred.
[9-12] I won’t do what My anger demands. I won’t return to destroy Ephraim for I am God, and not a human being; the Holy One in the midst of you; and I won’t come in great anger. You’ll walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; I will roar, and the people will come shaking from the west. You’ll come shaking like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I’ll settle you in your homes,” says Yahweh. Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, and the house of Israel with falsehood, but Judah still walks with Me, and is faithful to Me.
12[1-5] Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He always lies and destroys. You make an agreement with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt. Yahweh also has a disagreement with Judah, and will punish Jacob for his ways; God will repay them for what they’ve done. In the womb Jacob took his brother by the heel; and when he was grown he struggled with God. Without a doubt, he struggled with the angel, and won; he cried, and prayed to God, who he came face to face with at Bethel, and talked with us there, yes, Yahweh, the God of Heaven’s Armies; Yahweh is God’s Name to be remembered!
[6-10] So turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait always for your God. As for Canaan, he uses dishonest business practices and loves to cheat. Ephraim said, “Surely I’m rich, I’ve made myself great wealth. In all my wealth You won’t find in me anything sinful.” But I Am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt and I’ll make you live in tents yet again, as in the days of the sacred celebrations. I’ve also spoken to the great preachers, and I’ve given them many visions; and by their ministry I’ve told you many stories to help you understand.
[11-14] Gilead is evil, surely you’re worthless. In Gilgal you sacrifice bulls. Without a doubt, your altars are like bumps in the rows of the field. Jacob ran into the country of Aram, and Israel worked to get a spouse, and tended flocks and herds. By a great preacher Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a great preacher it was saved. Ephraim has bitterly provoked God’s anger, so he’s guilty, and God will repay his hatred.
13[1-3] When Ephraim spoke my words shaking, he was a great man in Israel, but when he became guilty in worshiping a false god, he died. Now you sin more and more, and have made yourselves false gods of silver by your own knowledge, all of them the work of craft people. You say of them, ‘When you offer human sacrifices, kiss the calves.’ So you’ll be like the morning mist, and like the dew that dries up early, like the chaff that is blown by a strong wind out of the barn, and like the smoke out of a fireplace.
[4-8] “Yet I Am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; Don’t worship any god but Me. There is no Savior besides Me. I knew you in the countryside, in the land without water. By the size of your fields, you were filled; and when You were filled, you thought of yourselves more highly than you ought and forgot Me. So I am like a lion to you. Like a leopard, I’ll wait by the path. I’ll meet you like a bear that has lost her cubs, and will tear your heart out. Like a lioness I’ll eat you up and the wild animal will tear you up.
[9-13] You’re destroyed, Israel, because you fight against Me, your only help. Where is your ruler now, so he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, “’Give me a ruler and officials?’ I’ve given you a ruler in My anger, and have taken them away in My great anger. Ephraim is guilty. I’ll remember his sin. The sorrows of a woman in labor will come on him. He is like a helpless child; when it’s time, he won’t come out of the womb.
[14-16] I’ll free you from the power of Hell. I’ll save you from death! Death, your pain won’t hurt Me! Hell, you won’t destroy Me! I won’t change My mind. Though you have more children than your kin, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the countryside; and your creek and stream will dry up. I’ll take everything you have and love. Samaria, you’ll suffer your guilt because you’ve rebelled against your God. You’ll fall in war and your babies will be torn to pieces, and your pregnant women will be cut open.”
14[1-3] Israel, turn back to Yahweh your God; for you’ve fallen because of your sin. Ask for forgiveness and turn back to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept what’s good. We offer the words of our mouths for our sacrifices. Assyria can’t save us. We won’t ride on horses; nor will we say ‘Our gods!’ any more to the work of our hands, for in you the orphan finds mercy.”
[4-7] “I’ll heal your rebelliousness. I’ll love you freely; for My anger is turned away from you. I’ll be like the dew to Israel. You’ll bloom like a flower, and send down your roots like the trees of Lebanon. Your branches will spread, and your beauty will be like the olive tree, and your smell like Lebanon. People will live in your shade. You’ll revive like the food crops, and bloom like the vine. You’ll smell like the scent of Lebanon.
[8-9] Ephraim, what have you to do with false gods anymore? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green fir tree; your fruit is from Me.” Whoever is wise will understand these things! Whoever is careful will know them? The ways of Yahweh are right, and the good walk in them, but those who rebel will fall by them.
Joel
Tradition credits the book to the Hebrew prophet Joel, about whom biblical scholars currently know nothing except his name. From references in the text, however, most scholars have concluded that the book dates from the immediate postexilic period (after 538 BC) In Hebrew (Jewish) versions of the Old Testament the book of Joel is divided into four chapters; chapter 3 in the Hebrew versions appears as 2:28-32 in Christian versions, and chapter 4 appears as chapter 3. Christian theologians have always found considerable significance in the second part of Joel. St. Peter believed that the passage about God’s Spirit was a prophecy concerning the descent of the Holy Spirit, and he cited this passage from Joel (Acts 2:16-21) on the day of Pentecost. Most Biblical scholars see in the second part of Joel an early example of the apocalyptic writing style dealing with end time events.
The book falls into two well-defined parts. In the first part (1-2:27), the prophet depicts the devastation resulting from a disaster caused by locusts. The people are called to a sacred fast at “The house of the Yahweh” (1:14) and told to pray there to be saved. The prophet, interpreting the disaster as a warning of the coming “ day of the Yahweh” (1:15), or day of judgment, warns the people that only a heartfelt change of ways can save them on that day. If they change their ways, then Yahweh will not only take away the locusts; but will also restore the land to its former fruitfulness and will restore the people to their former lives of plenty. They’ll know that God is “In the midst of Israel” (2:27). In the second part (2:28-3:21), Joel prophesies of the last days, in which God will pour out his “Spirit on all flesh” (2:28), and “Will give warnings in the heavens and on the earth” (2:30), and “Gather all the nations” (3:2) into the “ valley of decision” (3:14) for a final judgment. The enemies of Judah will then be laid waste for “ violence done to the people of Judah,” But “ Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations” (3:19-20).
Joel
1[1-3] This is the Word of Yahweh that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel.” Elders and people of the land, listen! Has this ever happened in your days, or in the days of your ancestors? Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and let their children tell the next generation.
[4-7] What the cutworm has left, the locust will eat. What the locust has left, the grasshopper will eat. What the grasshopper has left, the caterpillar will eat. Awake, you drunkards, and cry! Cry everyone who drinks wine, because you won’t taste the sweet wine again. A nation has come up on My land, which is strong and can’t be counted. It has the teeth and fangs of a lion. It has ruined My vine, and split My fig tree. It has stripped its bark, and thrown it away and its branches are bare and white.
[8-12] Mourn like a young woman dressed in black for the husband of her youth! The food offering and the drink offering are gone from Yahweh’s house. The preachers, Yahweh’s ministers, mourn. The fields are withered. The land mourns, for the grain is gone, the vine has dried up, and the oil is running out. Be ashamed, you farmers! Cry, you vine keepers; for the wheat and barley and all the harvest of the field has died. The vine has dried up, the fig tree, the pomegranate tree, the palm tree, and the apple tree also has withered. Yes, all of the trees of the field are withered and the people’s happiness has withered away, too.
[13-15] Dress in black and mourn, preachers! Cry, ministers of the altar! Come; lie all night in black, ministers of My God, for the food and drink offerings are gone from your God’s house. Set apart a time to go without food and call a sacred assembly. Gather the elders and all the people of the land, to the house of Yahweh, your God, and cry to Yahweh. Oh for the day! For the day of Yahweh is near, and it will come as punishment from the Almighty.
[16-18] Isn’t the food supply cut off right before our eyes; happiness and celebration from the house of our God? The seeds rot in the ground. The granaries are empty. The barns are broken down, and the grain has withered. How the animals groan! The flocks and herds are upset, because they’ve no grass to feed on. Yes, the flocks of animals are hungry.
[19-20] Yahweh, I cry to you, because the fire has burned up the fields of the countryside, and burned all the trees of the land. Yes, the animals of the land pant to you, for the creeks have dried up, and the fire has burned up the fields of the countryside.
2[1-2] Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in the mountain of God! Let all the people of the land shake in fear, for the day of Yahweh is coming, and it’s very near! A day of darkness and destruction, a day of clouds and smoke. As the dawn beaks on the mountains, a great and strong people will come, which there has never been the like, nor will there be any more like this after them, for many generations.
[3-9] A fire burns up before them, and behind them, a smoldering flame burns. The land is as the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them, nothing but an empty countryside. Yes, and no one will escape them. In the vision they look as fast as horses and horsemen, and so they move. They move with the noise of many armored vehicles on the tops of the mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire that burns up the stubble, and as a strong people dressed for war. When they come, the people will be very scared. All their faces will pale for fear. They’ll run like strong ones and climb the wall like soldiers. They’ll each march in line, and won’t get off course. Nor will one get in another’s way; they’ll all march in line, and get through the defenses, and won’t be stopped. They’ll run though the city and on the wall. They’ll climb up into the houses and go in at the windows like thieves.
[10-14] There will be earthquakes before them and even the heavens will shake. The sun and the moon will darken, and the stars won’t shine. Yahweh’s voice will thunder before this army; whose forces are very great; for God is strong who gives the order; and the day of Yahweh is very great and awesome. Who can take it? “Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “Turn to Me with all your heart, going without food, and crying, and mourning.” Tear your heart, and not your clothes, and turn to Yahweh, your God; who is gracious and merciful, patient in anger, and great in loving kindness, and stops from sending disaster. Who knows? God may turn and stop, and leave a blessing instead, even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.
[15-17] Blow the trumpet in Zion! Set apart a time for going without food. Call a Sacred assembly. Gather the people and set them apart. Gather the elders and the people, even the nursing babies! Let the bridegroom and the bride come out of their rooms. Let the preachers, the ministers of Yahweh, cry between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, Yahweh, and don’t shame what is your own that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’“
[18-20] Then Yahweh will be jealous for the land, and spare the people of God. Yahweh will answer them and say, “See, I’ll send you grain, wine, and oil, and you’ll be full of them; and I won’t shame you anymore among the nations. Then I’ll remove the army from the north (Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russia?) far away from you, and will drive it into a bare and empty land, its front to the eastern sea, and its back to the western sea; and the smell of death will come up, and its stench will rise because of the horrible things it did.”
[21-24] Land, don’t be scared. Be happy and celebrate, for Yahweh has done great things. Don’t be scared, you animals of the field; for the grasses of the countryside will grow up, and the trees will make fruit. The fig tree and the vine will make fruit.” So, be happy, people of Zion, and celebrate in Yahweh, your God; who gives you the early rain in good measure, and causes the rain to come down for you, the early rain and the latter rain, as before. The barn floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with wine and oil.
[25-27] I’ll restore to you all the years that the cutworm, the locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar has eaten, My great army, which I sent among you. You’ll have plenty to eat, and be full, and will praise the name of Yahweh, your God, who has been very good to you; and My people will never again be ashamed. You’ll know that I am with Israel, and that I Am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; and My people will never again be ashamed.
[28-32] “Afterward, I’ll pour out My Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will preach. Your old people will dream dreams. Your young people will see visions. And on both My male and female workers I’ll pour out My Spirit in those days. I’ll show amazing things in the heavens above and signs in the earth beneath, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be covered in darkness, and the moon will shine blood red, till the great and fearful day of Yahweh comes. And whoever calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some will escape, as Yahweh has said, “and those whom Yahweh calls will be among the survivors.
3[1-3] “See, in the days and time when I restore the people of Judah and Jerusalem, I’ll gather all the other nations, and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat (Kidron valley near Jerusalem); and I’ll punish them there for My people, who are My own, Israel, whom they’ve scattered among the nations. They’ve divided My land, and have gambled for My people, and have sold the young boys and girls for prostitutes, and for wine, so that they can get drunk.
[4-8] “Yes, and what are you to Me, Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia (Lebanon, Syria)? Will you get Me back? And if you try to get Me back, I’ll very quickly give back what you deserve to you. Because you have taken My silver and gold, and have put My best treasures into your places of worship, and have sold the people of Judah and of Jerusalem to the Greeks (Greece), that you may take them far from their land. See, I’ll bring them back from the places where you have sold them, and I’ll give back what you deserve to you; and I’ll sell your sons and daughters to be controlled by the people of Judah, and they’ll sell them to the Sabeans (Arabia), a faraway nation, for Yahweh has said it.”
[9-12] Tell this to the nations, “Get ready for war! Get the soldiers ready and let them come near. Let them come up. Beat your plow blades into swords, and your pruning shears into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves together.” Yahweh, make your strong ones come down there! “ Let the nations get ready, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Kidron valley near Jerusalem), where I’ll be to judge all the surrounding nations.
[13-16] Cut them down; for the harvest is ripe. Come down, for the winepress is full, and is overflowing, for their sins are many.” Masses, many masses of people in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon will darken, and the stars won’t shine. Yahweh will shout from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a safe haven to God’s people, and the protection of the people of Israel.
[17-21] “So you’ll know that I Am Yahweh, your God, living in Zion, My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no enemies will pass through it anymore. In that day, the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the creeks of Judah will flow with waters, and a river will come out from the house of Yahweh, and will water the valley of Shittim (between Jerusalem and Jericho). Egypt will be destroyed, and Edom (Jordan, Arab Nations) will be an empty dessert, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they’ve shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for many generations. I’ll cleanse their blood that I haven’t cleansed, for Yahweh will be in Zion.”
Amos
Amos is another of the books of the Minor Prophets noted for its pastoral imagery and poetic language. It is credited to the prophet Amos, a herdsman. Amos held God to be the God of all people rather than the exclusive God of the Jews (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6). More was demanded and expected from the Jews because of their covenant with God. They were not entitled to God’s special favor according to Amos (2:6-3:2, 9:7); but rather, they had the responsibility for being an example of obedience to the law for other peoples. Amos especially care about the blatant abuse of the poor by the rich and with the immoral religious practices of the people. He stressed the personal responsibility of each individual before God and prophesied that Israel would be destroyed if the people did not turn from their evil ways.
In addition, Amos condemned ritual observance without true righteousness in all human activities of worship, and prophesied a “ day of the Yahweh” (5:18, 20), when the Jews would be called upon to account for their sins before God. In the last few verses (9:9-15), Amos foresaw the eventual redemption, peace, and prosperity of the people of Israel.
Amos
1[1-2] The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah ruler of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash ruler of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: “Yahweh’s voice will shout from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the fields of the shepherds will mourn, and the top of Mount Carmel will wither.”
[3-5] Yahweh says, “For three sins of Damascus, yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they’ve chosen to crush Gilead with hardness; but I’ll send a fire into the people of Hazael (ruler of Syria), and it’ll burn up the great peoples of Ben Hadad (son of the ruler of Syria). I’ll open the locks on the door of Damascus, and kill the people from the valley of Bethaven, along with the one who rules from the people of Eden (a Levite); and the people of Syria will be taken as prisoners to Kir (Mesopotamia),” says Yahweh.
[6-8] Yahweh says: “For three sins of Gaza (city of the Philistines), yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they carried away the whole community, to give them over to Edom (Jordan, Arab peoples); but I’ll send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it’ll burn up its great peoples. I’ll kill the people from Ashdod (Esdud), along with the one who rules from Ashkelon (Askelon); and I’ll turn My hand against Ekron (city of the Philistines); and all the rest of the Philistines will die,” says Yahweh God.
[9-10] Yahweh says: “For three sins of Tyre, yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they gave over the whole community to Edom (Jordan, Arab peoples), and didn’t remember the promise they made with their kin; but I’ll send a fire on the wall of Tyre, and it’ll burn up all its great peoples.”
[11-12] Yahweh says: “For three sins of Edom (Jordan, Arab peoples), yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they chased their kin in the war, and had no pity, and they were always angry and always stayed in a rage; but I’ll send a fire on Teman, and it’ll burn up the great peoples of Bozrah.”
[13-15] Yahweh says, “For three sins of the people of Ammon (Transjordan, descendants of Lot), yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they’ve cut open the pregnant women of Gilead (descendants of Manasseh), that they may have more land. But I’ll start a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it’ll burn up its great peoples, with shouting in the day of war, with a storm in the day of the hurricane; and their ruler along with the officials will be taken as prisoners,” says Yahweh.
2[1-3] Yahweh says, “For three sins of Moab (Jordan, descendants of Lot), yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they burned the bones of the ruler of Edom (Jordan, Arab peoples) into lime; but I’ll send a fire on Moab, and it’ll burn up the great peoples of Kerioth; and Moab will die in chaos, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet; and I’ll kill their judge, and all its officials, too,” says Yahweh.
[4-5] Yahweh says, “For three sins of Judah, yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they’ve rejected Yahweh’s Law, and haven’t kept My laws, and their lies have led them astray, because they followed after their ancestors; but I’ll send a fire on Judah, and it’ll burn up the great peoples of Jerusalem.”
[6-8] Yahweh says, “For three sins of Israel, yes for four, I won’t stop its punishment; because they’ve sold the good people for a price, and the poor for a pair of shoes; They crush the souls of the poor, and cause the weak to sin; and a man and his father have sex with the same woman, to make a mockery of My Holy Name; and they lay down beside every altar on clothes taken from people who owe them debts; and in the people of their false god they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
[9-12] Yet I destroyed the Amorite (Canaanites) before them, who were as tall as cedars, and who were as strong as oaks; I destroyed their children coming from them, and uprooted them from the land beneath them. Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to take the their land. I raised up some of your people for preachers, and some of them for Nazirites (dedicated ones). Isn’t this true, people of Israel?” Says Yahweh.” But you gave those dedicated to Me wine to drink, and told the preachers, ‘Don’t preach!’
[13-16] See, I’ll crush you in your place, as a wagon full of grain is crushed. There won’t be any safe place for those who are fast; the strong won’t strengthen their forces or save themselves; nor will those who handle weapons be strong; and those who are fast on foot won’t escape; nor will those who ride fast save themselves; and those who are brave among the strong will run away naked on that day,” says Yahweh.
3[1-6] Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, people of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, who said, “You are the only ones I’ve chosen out of all the families of the earth. So I’ll punish you for all of your sins.” Do two walk together, unless they’ve agreed? Will a lion roar in the bush, when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out of its den, if it’s caught nothing? Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no trap is set for it? Does a trap spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch? Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being scared? Does anything evil happen to a city, and Yahweh hasn’t let it happen?
[7-9] Surely Yahweh God will do nothing, unless first making it known to God’s workers, the preachers. When the lion has roared, who won’t fear? When Yahweh God has spoken, who can do anything but preach it? Tell them in the great peoples at Ashdod (city of the Philistines), and in the great peoples in the land of Egypt, and say, “Gather yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, where I saw the unrest, and the abused that are there.”
[10-15] “Without a doubt, they don’t know how to do what’s right,” says Yahweh, “Who collect others stuff with violence in their great peoples.” So Yahweh God says, “An enemy will overrun the land; and tear down your safe havens, and your strong places will be raided.” Yahweh says, “As the shepherd saves two legs, or a piece of an ear out of the mouth of the lion, so the people of Israel will be saved who live in Samaria in a bedroom, and in Damascus on a bed.” Listen, and speak out against the people of Jacob,” says Yahweh God, the God of All Creation.” For in the day that I punish Israel for its sins, I’ll also punish the altars of Bethel; and the horns of the altar will be cut off, and fall to the ground. I’ll punish the winter people along with the summer people; and the fancy peoples, and the great peoples will all be destroyed,” says Yahweh.
4[1-5] Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who abuse the poor and crush the needy, who beg their bosses, “Please come and let us have a drink.” Yahweh God has promised by God’s Own Name that, “The days will come on you that they’ll take you away with hooks, and the last of you with large fish hooks. You’ll try to escape at the breaks in the wall, everyone running straight before them; and you’ll throw yourselves off a high place,” says Yahweh.” Go to Bethel, and sin; to Gilgal, and sin some more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days, offer a thanksgiving sacrifice of that which is leavened, and call for free will offerings and brag about them because this pleases you, you people of Israel,” says Yahweh God.
[6-10] “I’ve also given you no food between your teeth in all your cities, and need of food in every town; yet you haven’t come back to Me,” says Yahweh.” I’ve also withheld the rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One place was rained on, and the place where it didn’t rain withered. So two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water, and weren’t satisfied, yet you haven’t come back to Me,” says Yahweh.” I sent on you diseases in your gardens and vineyards many times; and your fig trees and olive trees have been eaten up by worms, yet you haven’t come back to Me,” says Yahweh.” I sent troubles among you like I did on Egypt. I’ve killed your young men with war, and have carried away your animals; and I’ve put the stink of war camps in your noses, yet you haven’t come back to Me,” says Yahweh.
[11-13] “I’ve overthrown some of you, as when I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire; yet you haven’t come back to Me,” says Yahweh.” So I’ll do this to you, Israel; Get ready to meet your Maker, Israel, because I’ll do this to you. See, I , Yahweh, who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and tells human beings what their thoughts are; who makes the morning darkness, and walks on the high places of the earth, the God of All Creation, is My Name.”
5[1-3] Listen to this word which I take up for a mourning over you, O people of Israel.” The young girl of Israel has fallen and can’t get up. She’s fallen down on her land and there’s no one to help her up.” Yahweh God says, “The city that had 1,000 people will only have 100 left, and that which had 100 will only have ten left to the people of Israel.”
[4-9] Yahweh says to the people of Israel, “Look for Me, and you’ll live; but don’t look for Bethel, nor go into Gilgal, and don’t go to Beersheba because Gilgal will surely be taken as prisoners, and Bethel will come to nothing. Look for Yahweh, and you’ll live; or God will break out like fire in the people of Joseph, and burn it up, and there’ll be no one to put it out in Bethel. You who turn justice to sorrow, and throw what’s right in the dust, look for God who made the seven stars of Pleiades and the Orion constellation, who turns the fear of death into the light of morning, and makes the day turn dark at night; who calls for the waters of the sea, and rains them out all over the earth; Yahweh is God’s Name, who brings sudden disaster on the strong, so that their strong places are destroyed.
[10-15] You hate whoever speaks out against evil in public, and you hate whoever speaks what’s right. Because you’ve trampled on the poor, and put a food tax on them, and you’ve built houses of cut stone, you won’t live in them. You’ve planted nice vineyards, but you won’t drink its wine. For I know how many times you offended them, and how great your sins are, you, who abuse those who are right, who take a bribe, and take the needy into the courts. So a sensible person keeps silent in a time like this because it’s an evil time. Look for good, and not evil, that you may live; and so Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will be with you, as you say. Hate evil, love good, and do what’s right in the courts. It may be that Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will be gracious to the rest of Joseph’s people.”
[16-20] So Yahweh God, the God of All Creation,” says “Tears will fall along the highways; and they’ll say in all the streets, ‘Oh no! Oh no!’ and they’ll call the farmer to mourning, and those who are used to mourning to crying. In all the vineyards there will be crying; for I’ll pass My judgment on you,” says Yahweh.” Sorrow will come to you who want the day of Yahweh! Why do you want the day of Yahweh to come? It’s darkness, and not light, as if someone ran from a lion, and met a bear; or someone went into the people and leaned their hand on the wall, and a snake bit them. Won’t the day of Yahweh be darkness, and not light, total darkness with no light in it?
[21-27] I hate, and reject your celebrations, and I can’t stand your sacred assemblies. Yes, though you offer Me your tithes and offerings, I won’t accept them; nor will I accept the best peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I won’t listen to the music of your instruments. But let justice flow like the rivers, and goodness like a deep creek.” Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, people of Israel? Yes, you’ve carried the tent of your ruler, your false god, and the preacher of your false god, which you made for yourselves. So I’ll cause you to be taken as prisoners beyond Damascus,” says Yahweh, whose name is the God of All Creation.
6[1-7] Sorrow will come to those who relax in Zion, and to those who are safe on the mountain of Samaria, who are the most important people of the nations, to whom the people of Israel comes! Go to Calneh (Niffer?), and see; and from there go to the great city of Hamath (in Syria); then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better than your nations? Or is their land greater than your land? Those who think the evil day is far away, and cause mean people to rule with prejudice; who lie on fancy beds, and relax on their couches, and eat the best cuts of meat; who play on their stringed instruments and invent musical instruments for themselves, like David; who drink wine in bowls, and rub themselves with the best oils; but they aren’t grieved for those who are abused of Joseph’s people. So now they’ll be taken with the first of those who are taken; and their feasting and relaxing will end.
[8-11] “I, Yahweh God, have promised by My Own Name,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “I hate the pride of Jacob, and their royal peoples. So I’ll give up the city and everything in it. If there are ten people left in one people, they’ll die.” When someone’s relative carries them to those who burn the bodies, to bring the bodies out of the people, and they ask them who’s still in the people, saying, “’Are there still any with you?’ And they answer, ‘No;’ then they’ll say, ‘Hush! Without a doubt we must not mention the name of Yahweh.’“See, when Yahweh says it, the big people will be torn to pieces, and the little people to bits.
[12-14] Do horses run on the rocky cliffs? Does anyone plow with cows there? But you’ve turned justice into poison, and the rewards of goodness into sorrow; you who celebrate when there’s nothing to celebrate, who say, ‘Haven’t we taken land for ourselves by our own strength?’ See, I’ll raise up against you a nation, people of Israel,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation; “And they’ll take you prisoner from the entrance of Hamath to the valley of the Arabah Desert.”
7[1-6] Then Yahweh God showed me and I saw that God made locusts in the beginning of the late growth; and I saw that it was the late growth after the ruler’s first harvest. When they finished eating all the grass of the land, then I said, “Yahweh God forgive us, I ask you! Who will help Jacob up, who is so small?” So Yahweh didn’t do it.” It won’t happen,” Said Yahweh. Then Yahweh God showed me and I saw that Yahweh God called for judgment by fire; and it dried up the great sea, and would have burnt up the land. Then I said, “Yahweh God, stop, I ask you! Who will help Jacob up, who is so small.” So Yahweh didn’t do it.” This won’t happen either,” Said Yahweh God.
[7-9] Then God showed me and I saw that God stood beside a wall made straight by a plumb line, and was holding the plumb line. Yahweh said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then God said, “See, I’ll set a plumb line among My people Israel. I won’t pass over their sin anymore. The places of worship of Isaac will be in ruins, the holy places of Israel will be destroyed; and I’ll come against the people of Jeroboam in war.”
[10-13] Then Amaziah the preacher of Bethel sent to Jeroboam ruler of Israel, saying, “Amos has plotted against you among the people of Israel. He has upset the land by his words. Amos says, “’Jeroboam will die in war, and Israel will be taken prisoner and led out of their land.’“ Amaziah also said to Amos, “You preacher, go and run away into the land of Judah, and eat and preach there, but don’t preach at Bethel again anymore; for it’s the ruler’s Place of Worship, and royal people!”
[14-17] Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I wasn’t a preacher, nor was I the child of a preacher; but I took care of animals, and farmed sycamore trees; and Yahweh took Me from following the flock, and told me, ‘Go, preach to My people Israel.’ So listen to the word of Yahweh, who says, “’You say, ‘Don’t preach against Israel, and don’t preach against the people of Isaac.’ So Yahweh says this, ‘Your wife will be made a whore in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall in war, and your land will be divided into parts; and you yourself will die in a land that is unfit, and Israel will be taken prisoner out of their land.’“
8[1-3] Then Yahweh God showed me and I saw a basket of summer fruit. God said, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then Yahweh said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I won’t pass over their sin anymore. The songs of the Place of Worship will be in tears in that day,” says Yahweh God.” The dead bodies will be many. In every place they’ll throw them out in silence.
[4-8] Hear this, you who want to take advantage of the needy, and cause the poor of the land to die, saying, “’When will the celebration be over, so that we may sell our foodstuff? And the Seventh Day, that we may sell our foodstuff, making the amount of food small, and the coin large, and using false business practices; that we may buy the poor for a price, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the husks with the grain?'” Yahweh has promised by the pride of Jacob, “I won’t ever forget what they’ve done. Won’t the land shake in fear for this, and everyone mourn who lives in it? Yes, it’ll rise up high like a flood; and it’ll be stirred up and sink again, like the River of Egypt.
[9-11] In that day,” says Yahweh God, “I’ll cause the sun to go down at midday, and I’ll make the earth grow dark in the daylight. I’ll turn your celebrations into sorrow, and all your songs will be in tears; and I’ll make you put on mourning clothes, and everyone will cut their hair. I’ll make it like mourning for an only child, and the end of it like a very sad day. See, the days come,” says Yahweh God, “That I’ll send a time of great need in the land, but not a need of food, nor a need of water, but a need to hear the Word of Yahweh God.
[12-14] They’ll wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they’ll run back and forth to search for the Word of Yahweh, but they won’t find it. In that day the beautiful young girls and the young men will faint for want of it. Those who swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, ‘As your god lives, Dan;’ and, ‘As the way of Beersheba lives;’ they’ll fall, and won’t get up again.”
9[1-4] I saw God standing beside the altar, who said to me, “Hit the top of the pillars, that the walls may shake; and hit all of them on the head; and I’ll kill the last of them with war and none of them will run away and escape. Though they dig into Hell, I’ll find them there; and though they climb up to heaven, I’ll bring them down from there. Though they hide themselves in the top of Mount Carmel, I’ll search and take them out of there; and though they hide from My sight in the bottom of the sea, I’ll tell the sea snake to bite them there. Though they’re taken as prisoners by their enemies, I’ll call for war there, and it’ll kill them. I’ll send them evil, and not good.
[5-8] For I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, am the One who touches the land and it’s destroyed, and all who live in it will mourn; and it’ll flood like the river, and sink again, like the River of Egypt. It is I, who have built My levels in the heavens, and have put My rainbow on the earth; and who calls for the waters of the sea, and rains them out all over the earth; Yahweh is My name. Are you not as dark as the Ethiopian people to Me, you people of Israel?” Says Yahweh.” Haven’t I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor (Crete), and the Syrians from Kir (Mesopotamia)? See, I, Yahweh God, see this sinful nation, and I’ll destroy it from off the face of the earth; but I won’t totally destroy the people of Jacob,” says Yahweh.
[9-12] “See, I’ll say it, and I’ll shake the people of Israel among all the nations, as grain is sifted in a sifter, yet not one grain will fall on the earth. All the sinners of My people will die in war, who say, ‘We won’t be punished for our evil.’ In that day I’ll raise up the body of My Loved One (David) who is fallen, and heal its wounds, and I’ll raise it from death, and I’ll remake it as it was; who will be given the rest of Edom (Jordan, Arab peoples), and all the nations who are called by My name,” says Yahweh who does this.
[13-15] “See, the days come,” says Yahweh, “That the farmer who plants will overtake those who harvest, and the one treading grapes those who plant the seed; and sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and flow from the hills. I’ll bring My people Israel back from where they were taken, and they’ll rebuild the ruined cities, and live in them; and they’ll plant vineyards, and drink wine from them. They’ll also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. I’ll plant them on their land, and never again will they’re taken out of their land which I’ve given them,” says Yahweh your God.
Obadiah
Obadiah, which means servant of Yahweh, is the shortest book of the Old Testament, having only one chapter of 21 verses. Tradition credits it to the 6th-century BCHebrew prophet Obadiah. It is generally agreed that the book dates from postexilic times; verses 11-14 most probably refer to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC
The first part of Obadiah (1-14) foretells the fall of Judah’s traditional enemy, Edom (Jordan, Arab nations). The specific grievance against Edom expressed in the book was no doubt provoked by the hostility of the Edomites at the time of the capture of Jerusalem. Apparently, the Edomites assisted in the destruction of the city and in the capture of Israelite refugees. The remainder of the book (15-21) is apocalyptic in nature. A “ day of the Yahweh” (15) is prophesied, at which time, in addition to Edom, the neighboring nations will be punished for their behavior toward Israel. Thereafter, Israel will possess all of Palestine and “The kingdom shall be Yahweh’s” (21).
Obadiah (Servant of Yahweh)
1[1-5] This is the vision of Obadiah. This is what Yahweh God says about Edom (Jordan, Arab nations). We’ve heard a word from Yahweh, who has sent someone to tell the nations, saying, “Get up, and let’s go to war against them. See, I’ve made you least among the nations. You’re hated by all of them. The pride of your heart has misled you, you who live in the cracks of the rocks, who live up high on the mountains and say in your hearts, ‘Who will bring us down to earth?’ Though you fly as high as the eagle, and though your nest is set in the stars, I’ll bring you down,” says Yahweh.” If thieves came to you by night wouldn’t they keep stealing until they had enough? Oh, what disaster is coming to you! If grape pickers came to you, wouldn’t they leave a few grapes to be picked by the poor?
[6-10] How Esau (Arab peoples) will be raided! How your hidden treasures will be searched out! All those who you’ve made agreements with have brought you here, even to the edge of your land. Those who were at peace with you have misled you, and have overcome you. Friends who eat with you have trapped you. They won’t have Mercy.”Won’t I in that day,” says Yahweh, “destroy the educated ones out of Edom, and those of understanding out of the mountain of Esau? Your strong ones, Teman (Idumea), will be confused, to the end that everyone will be killed who is from the mountain of Esau. You’ll be shamed, and destroyed forever for the violence done to your kin, Jacob (Jewish peoples).
[11-15] In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away everything they owned, and foreigners entered into their city, and gambled for Jerusalem, even you were like one of them. Don’t look down on your kin when disaster comes to them, and don’t celebrate over the people of Judah (Jews) when they’re destroyed. Don’t speak proudly when they’re troubled. Don’t enter into the city of My people when trouble comes to them. Don’t look down on their suffering, nor take what they own when they’re in trouble. Don’t stand in the crossroads to catch those who escape. Don’t hand over those who are left when they’re attacked. For the day of Yahweh is coming to all the nations! Just as you’ve done, it will be done to you. You’ll be paid back for everything you’ve done.
[16-20] For as you’ve drunk on My holy mountain, so all the nations will drink My rage. Yes, they’ll drink, swallow down, and they’ll all be destroyed. But in Mount Zion (Jerusalem), some survivors will escape, and it will be holy. The people of Jacob (Jews) will get what’s theirs. The people of Jacob will be a fire, the people of Joseph a flame, and the people of Esau for stubble. They’ll burn among them, and burn them up. There won’t be any left of the people of Esau.” Without a doubt, Yahweh has spoken. Those of the South will get the mountain of Esau, and those of the lowland, the Philistines’ land (Crete, Western seacoast). They’ll get the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria (Northern lands). Benjamin will get the mountains of Gilead. The prisoners of war of the people of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will get land all the way to Zarephath (Sura-fend); and the prisoners of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will get the cities of the Negev Desert.
[21] And those who were saved will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and Yahweh God will have the whole nation.
Jonah
Jonah, which means dove, is another of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The book relates a number of events in the life of an 8th-century BC Hebrew prophet named Jonah. In the first event, Jonah is told by God to “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their evil has come up before me” (1:2). But Jonah tries to run away by ship from “The presence of the Yahweh” (1:3, 10). A storm comes up and the scared mariners throw Jonah overboard (as Jonah’s asked), and Jonah is swallowed by “A great fish” (1:17). In following events, Jonah prays from the belly of the fish (2:1-9), is later “ vomited out . . . upon the dry land” (2:10), and again is told to “Go to Nineveh . . . and proclaim to it the message that I tell you” (3:2). Jonah preaches (3:3, 4), the people change their ways (3:5-9), and God, seeing their change of ways, spares them (3:10). In the final event, God reproves Jonah for being “ displeased” (4:1) after “more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left” are spared from judgment(4:11).
Many biblical scholars consider the book a parable, not actually written by Jonah, because they believe little has been found to support it as a historical narrative. Other scholars still believe that it was written by Jonah as tradition holds and dates from some time between Jonah’s age and the destruction of Nineveh, that is, between the mid-8th century BCand 612 BC
Much discussion has also arisen over interpretations of the book considered as parable. The story of Jonah and the fish that swallows and later vomits him up is often taken by Christians to prefigure the entombment and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, speaking of the historical Jonah, compares the three days in the grave with Jonah’s confinement in the belly of the whale (see Matthew 12:39-41). Other commentators see in the story of Jonah a parable concerning the unwillingness of the Jews to give God’s word to the other peoples and their resulting historical fate. Jews, on the other hand, interpret the book as an illustration of God’s universal mercy toward all people.
Jonah (Dove)
1[1-3] Now Yahweh spoke to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Get up, go to that big city Nineveh, and preach against it, for I’ve seen their evil.” But Jonah got up to run away to Tarshish away from Yahweh God. He went down to Joppa (Japho), and found a ship going to Tarshish and paid the fee, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish away from Yahweh.
[4-6] But Yahweh sent a strong wind on the sea; and a bad storm came up on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken in two. Then the mariners were very scared, and everyone shouted to their gods. Then they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the ship load. But Jonah had gone down into the middle of the ship, and was laying down in a deep sleep. So the captain of the ship came to him, and said, “What are you doing, sleepyhead? Get up, call on your God! Maybe your God will hear us, so that we won’t all die.”
[7-10] Then they all said to each other, “Come, let us find out why this evil is on us.” So they put it to chance, and Jonah was chosen. Then they asked him, “Tell us, please, why have you caused this evil to come to us. What’s your job? Where do you come from and what’s your country? What people are you from?” So he said to them, “I’m a Hebrew, and I worship Yahweh, the God of Heaven, who has made the sea and the earth.” Then they were very scared, and said to him, “What have you done?” Because they knew that he was running away from Yahweh, because he had told them so.
[11-13] Then they said to him, “What should we do to you, to calm the sea?” Because the sea was growing very stormy. So he said to them, “Pick me up, and throw me into the sea and the sea will calm; it’s because of me this bad storm has come to you.” Then they rowed harder to try to get back to land; but they couldn’t, because the sea was growing very stormy against them.
[14-17] So they shouted to Yahweh, and said, “We beg you, Yahweh, we beg you, don’t let us die for this man’s life, and don’t let us be guilty of innocent blood; for you, Yahweh, have done what you wanted to.” So they picked up Jonah, and threw him into the sea; and the bad storm ended on the sea. Then they all worshiped Yahweh; and offered Yahweh their thanks and made promises to be good. But Yahweh made a big fish come and swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights.
2[1-4] Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, in the fish’s belly. He said, “I called because of my trouble to Yahweh, who answered me. Out of the belly of Hell I cried and You heard my voice. You threw me into the depths of the sea and the water was all around me. All Your waves and breakers washed over me. I said, “’I’ve been put out of your sight; yet I’ll look again toward your Place of Worship.’
[5-7] The waters surrounded me, even to my very soul. The deep water was around me and the weeds were wrapped around my head. I sank down to the bottoms of the mountains. Hell would have kept me forever yet You’ve brought my life up from the grave, Yahweh my God. But when my soul was dying, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came to you, into your Place of Worship.
[8-10] Those who believe empty lies give up their own mercy. But I’ll give You thanks and do what I’ve promised You, because You, Yahweh have saved me.” Then Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it threw Jonah up on the beach.
3[1-3] The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that big city, and preach what I say to you.” So Jonah got up, and went to Nineveh, like Yahweh told him. Now Nineveh was a very big city, which took three days to walk across.
[4-5] Jonah had made a day’s walk into the city, and shouted, and said, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!” Then the people of Nineveh believed what he said about God; and went without food, and put on mourning clothes, from the most important to the least important of them.
[6-8] Then the news reached the ruler of Nineveh, who got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on mourning clothes, and sat in ashes. He made a public statement and published it through Nineveh by the law of the ruler and his nobles, saying, “Let neither humans nor animals, herds nor flocks, taste anything; don’t let them eat, nor drink water; but let everything put on mourning clothes, both humans and animals, and let them cry out to God. Yes, let everyone turn from their evil ways, and from doing violence.
[9-10] Who knows whether God won’t turn and forgive us, and stop being angry, so that we might not die?” And God saw that they turned from their evil ways, and stopped the disaster which God had said was going to happen to them, and didn’t do it.
4[1-5] But Jonah was upset about it, and was very angry. He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, isn’t this just what I said when I was still in my own country? So I ran away to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to get angry, and have great compassion, and you stop punishing those who change their evil ways. So now, Yahweh, I ask you, kill me now; for it’s better for me to die than to live.” Then Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Then Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of it, and made himself a hut, and sat in the shade under it, until he saw what would happen to the city.
[6-8] Then Yahweh God made a vine, and made it grow up over Jonah, so that it would be a shade over his head, to save him from suffering. So Jonah was happy about the vine. But then God made a cutworm at dawn the next day, and it chewed on the vine, so that it withered. So when the sun was up, God made a hot east wind; and the sun shined hot on Jonah’s head, so that he fainted from the heat, and begged God to let him die, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
[9-11] Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” And he said, “I’m right to be angry, angry enough to die.” Then Yahweh said, “You’ve worried about this vine, for which you’ve not planted, nor made it grow; which came up overnight, and died overnight. Shouldn’t I have mercy for that great city Nineveh, in which are more than 120,000 people who don’t know right from wrong; and also many animals?”
Micah
Micah is credited to the Hebrew prophet Micah, who lived during the 8th century BCA younger contemporary of the prophet Isaiah, he began to prophesy before the fall of Samaria in 721 BC. Tradition credits the entire work to Micah. The first three chapters of Micah contain threats of God’s judgment directed against Samaria and Judah because of the abuse of the poor by the rich, the corruption of the religious leaders, and the irresponsibility and sinful behavior of the political leaders. Micah predicts that as a consequence of these evils Jerusalem and the Temple will eventually be destroyed (3:12).
Chapters 4-5 contain prophecies of a new age of universal peace (4:1-4), at which time “The remnant of Jacob” (5:7) will be restored and ruled again by a descendant of King David (5:2-6). This shepherd king will be born, like David, in Bethlehem. The last prophecy has always been interpreted by Christians as a foretelling of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Chapters 6-7 contain both threats of doom (6:1-7:6) and a vision of hope (7:7-20). Included among the threats and criticisms, which are directed against Israel as a whole because of its general corruption, is a dialogue dramatizing God’s “ controversy with the people” (6:2). The prophet reminds Israel that it is required “To do what’s right and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with their God” (6:8). Some scholars have suggested that various passages containing threats may have come from Micah.
Micah
1[1-4] The word of Yahweh that came to Micah the Morashtite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, rulers of Judah, in a vision about Samaria and Jerusalem.” Listen, you peoples, all of you. Listen, O earth, and all that’s in it and let Yahweh God be witness against you, God, who’s in your Place of Worship. See, I, Yahweh come out of My place to come down and walk on the high places of the earth. The mountains melt under Me, and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like waters that flow down a steep place.”
[5-7] “All this is for the disobedience of Jacob, and for the sins of the people of Israel. How has Jacob disobeyed? Isn’t it in Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Aren’t they in Jerusalem? So I’ll make Samaria like an ash heap in the field, like places for planting vineyards; and I’ll pour down its stones into the valley, and I’ll uncover its foundations. All your false gods will be beaten to pieces, and all your gifts to their Place of Worship will be burned with fire, and everything you worship falsely I’ll destroy; from the cost of a prostitute they were taken, and to the cost of a prostitute they’ll go back.”
[8-12] For this I’ll mourn and cry; I’ll go stripped and naked; I’ll mourn like the jackals, and the wild birds. Your punishment won’t end until it’s come all the way to Judah. It reaches to the border of My people, all the way to Jerusalem. Don’t tell about it in Gath. Don’t cry at all. At Beth Ophrah I’ve rolled myself in the dust. Pass on, people of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The people of Zaanan won’t come out. The crying of Beth Ezel will take from you their protection. For the people of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because evil has come down from Yahweh to the border of Jerusalem.
[13-16] Harness the vehicles of war to the fast horse, people of Lachish, who brought sin to the people of Zion; For the guilt of the sins of Israel is yours. So I’ll give a parting gift to Moresheth Gath. The peoples of Achzib will be false to the rulers of Israel. Yet, I’ll bring to you, people of Mareshah, One who brings justice to the people, who will be well known in Israel. Shave your leaders’ heads, and destroy your hair for the people you love. Make your leader bald like the eagle; for they’ve been taken from you!
2[1-5] Sorrow comes to those who think of sin and work out evil plans on their beds! When the morning comes, they do it, because it’s in their power to do it. They want others’ fields and houses, and take them away and they oppress a person and their family, even to the heirs. So Yahweh says this, “See, I am planning a disaster against these people, from which you won’t be able to get out of, nor will you walk proudly; for it’s a time of great trouble. In that day people will talk about you, and mourn sadly, saying, “’We’re totally ruined! My people’s land is divided up. Without a doubt, You take it from us and turn away from us giving our fields to others!'” So you’ll have no one who divides the land by judgment in the meeting of Yahweh.
[6-10] “ Don’t preach!” They say.” Don’t preach about these things. We won’t come to shame.” You who are called by the name of Jacob, is the Spirit of Yahweh quickly angry? Are these God’s doings? Don’t My words do good to those who walk rightly?” But lately my people have become My enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who feel safe as they pass by, like those coming back from war. You drive the women of My people out of their homes and take away My blessing forever from their young children. Get up, and go! For this isn’t your resting place, because it will be destroyed and unfit with a very great disaster.
[11-13] If someone walking in a spirit of falsehood lies and says, “I’ll preach to you of wine and alcohol;” This would be the preacher for these people. But I’ll surely gather, Jacob, all of you; I’ll surely gather what’s left of the people of Israel; I’ll put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the middle of their land and they’ll make the noise of many people. They’ll break through and open the way before them. They’ll break through the border of the land, and go in. And their ruler walks before them, with Yahweh leading the way.
3[1-4] I said, “Please listen, you leaders of Jacob, and rulers of the people of Israel. Shouldn’t you know justice? You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their meat from off their bones; who also eat the meat of my people, and skin them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as meat in the pot. Then they’ll cry to Yahweh, but God won’t answer them. Yes, God won’t look at them at that time, because they did evil things.”
[5-8] Yahweh says this about the preachers who lead my people astray; for those who feed themselves and say, “Peace!” And whoever doesn’t give them food, they fight against them.” So night will fall on you, with no vision, and dark will come to you, that you may not tell the future; and the sun will go down on the preachers, and that will be a dark day over them. The false teachers will be disappointed, and the fortune tellers will be confused. Yes, they’ll all cover their lips because there’s no answer from God.” But as for me, I am full of power, judgment, and strength by the Spirit of Yahweh, to tell Jacob of their disobedience, and Israel of their sin.
[9-12] Please listen to this, you leaders of the people of Jacob, and rulers of the people of Israel, who hate justice, and do what’s unfair. They cause Zion to keep on shedding blood, and Jerusalem to keep on sinning. The leaders judge for bribes, and the false teachers teach for a price, and the preachers tell fortunes for money, yet they lean on Yahweh, and say, “Isn’t Yahweh with us? No disaster will come to us.” So Zion for their sake will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the Place of Worship like the high places of a forest.
4[1-4] But in the latter days, the mountain of Yahweh’s Place of Worship will be built on the top of the mountains, and it will be higher than the hills; and peoples will flow into it. Many nations will go and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the House of the God of Jacob; who will teach us of the ways of God, and we’ll do as God says.” For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the Word of Yahweh from Jerusalem; and You’ll judge between many peoples, and will decide about strong nations far away. They’ll beat their swords into plow blades, and their spears into pruning shears. Nation won’t fight against nation, nor will they learn to fight any more. But everyone will sit on their own land; and no one will make them scared, because the mouth of the God of All Creation has said it.
[5-8] Without a doubt, all the nations may walk in the name of their gods; but we’ll walk in the Name of Yahweh our God forever and ever.” In that day,” says Yahweh, “I’ll gather those who can’t walk, and I’ll gather those who have been driven away, and those who I’ve troubled; and I’ll make those who can’t walk a people, and those who were driven away a strong nation and Yahweh will reign over them on Mount Zion from then on, even forever.” You, watchtower of the people, the safe haven of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come, yes, the former nation will come, the nation of the daughter of Jerusalem.
[9-13] Now why do you cry out loud? Is there no ruler in you? Has your counselor died, so that pains have come on you like a woman in labor? Be in pain, and labor to bring to birth, daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor. Now you’ll go out of the city, and will live in the country, and will come even to Babylon. There you’ll be saved. There Yahweh will free you from the hand of your enemies. Now many nations have gathered against you that say, “Let them be ruined, and let us see what happens to Zion.” But they don’t know the thoughts of Yahweh, nor do they understand God’s Word, who has gathered them like the grain to the harvest field. Get up and beat them, daughter of Zion; for I’ll make you as strong as iron, and as hard as steel; and you’ll beat in pieces many peoples and I’ll dedicate their gain to Yahweh, and everything they own to the God of the whole earth.
5[1-3] Gather yourself in troops, cities of troops, because they’ve come against us. They’ll hit the judge of Israel with a stick on the cheek. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the peoples of Judah, One will come out of you to Me that will be a ruler in Israel; whose coming was planned from before time, from everlasting. So I’ll let them alone until the time that she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of the family will come back to the people of Israel.
[4-6] You’ll stand and guide in the strength of Yahweh, in the fame of the Name of Yahweh God and they’ll live, for then You’ll be known all over the world. You’ll be our peace when Assyria invades our land, and when they march through our borders, then we’ll raise against them seven teachers, and eight leaders. They’ll destroy the land of Assyria with war, and the land of Nimrod (the rebellious) in its borders. You’ll free us from the Assyrian, when they invade our land, and when they march within our border.
[7-9] Those who are left of Jacob will be mixed among many peoples, like dew from Yahweh, like rain showers on the grass, that doesn’t wait for human beings, nor wait for the children of human beings to come. Those who are left of Jacob will be mixed among the nations, in the middle of many peoples, like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if it goes through them, takes them down and tears them in pieces, and there is no one to free them. Let Your power be stronger than Your enemies, and let all of Your enemies fall.
[10-15] “In that day,” says Yahweh, “I’ll take your speed from you, and will destroy your vehicles of war. I’ll destroy the rebellious cities of your land, and will tear down all your strongholds. I’ll destroy witchcraft from among you; and you’ll have no fortune tellers. I’ll destroy your false gods and your places of worship out from among you; and you won’t worship the things you’ve made ever again. I’ll get rid of your alters out of your land; and I’ll destroy your rebellious cities. I’ll take vengeance in anger and rage, and punish the nations that refused to listen.”
6[1-4] Listen now to what Yahweh says, “Get up, plead your case before the mountains, and sound your voice in the hills. Listen, you mountains, to Yahweh’s argument, and you lasting foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has an argument with the people of God, and will reason with Israel.” My people, what have I done to you? How have I troubled you? Answer me! For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and freed you from the people who abused you. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
[5-9] My people, remember now what Balak ruler of Moab planned, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him as they went from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the goodness of Yahweh.” You ask, “How will I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before the Most High God? Will I come before God with burnt offerings, with calves a year-old? Will Yahweh be happy with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Will I give my first child for my disobedience? The child of my body for the sin of my soul? God has shown you, human beings, what is good. What does Yahweh ask of you, but to act rightly, to be forgiving, and to live respectfully with your God?
[9-16] Yahweh’s voice calls out to the city, and the wise know Your Name, “Listen to the One who carries the staff, and the One who empowers it. Are there yet stores of evil in these evil people, and a small measure not the right size? Will I am right by doing dishonest business practices? Your rich men are full of violence, your people lie, and speak wrongly. So I’ll make you sick with a very bad disease and kill your people because of your sins. You’ll eat, but won’t have enough. You’ll be ashamed in your heart. You’ll run away, but not save yourselves; and whoever you save I’ll destroy by war. You’ll plant, but won’t harvest. You’ll press the olives, but won’t rub yourself with oil; and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine. For you keep the laws of Omri, and do all the evil things of the people of Ahab. You do what they say, so that I may ruin you, and make your peoples a mockery; And the shame of My people will be yours.”
7[1-4] Sorrow has come to me! Without a doubt, I am like one who gathers what’s left of the summer fruits, and there is no cluster of grapes to eat and my soul wants to eat the early fig. The godly people have died out of the earth, and there is no one who does what’s right among humanity. They all wait for a chance to draw blood; everyone hunts for their own kin with a trap. Their hands hold on to what’s evil and do it faithfully. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful ones do whatever evil their souls want and they plan this together. The best of them is like a sharp thorn. The most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns. The day you waited for, even the time of your punishment has come; now is the time of your confusion.
[5-10] Don’t trust in a neighbor. Don’t count on a friend. Be careful what you say even with the spouse lying in your arms! For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a person’s enemies are those of their own people. But as for me, I’ll trust in Yahweh. I’ll wait for the God who saves me. My God will listen to me. Don’t celebrate over me, my enemy, because when I fall, I’ll get up. When I sit in darkness, You, Yahweh will be my light. I’ll take Your raging anger, Yahweh, because I’ve sinned against You, until You plead my case, and make a judgment for me. You’ll bring me to the light and I’ll see Your goodness. Then my enemy will see it, and shame will cover those who said to me, “Where is Yahweh your God? I’ll see what happens to you now and you’ll be stomped on like the mud in the streets.”
[11-15] This is a day to build your walls, your borders will be stretched far and wide. In that day they’ll come to you from Assyria and the strong cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the river, and from sea to sea, and mountain to mountain. Yet the land will be deserted because of those who live in it, for what they do. Guide Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage, who live alone in a forest, and let them feed in the middle of good pasture land, in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.” As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I’ll show them wonderful things.”
[16-20] The nations will see and be confused at all their strength. They’ll lay their hand on their mouth and they won’t listen. They’ll lick the dust like a snake and come shaking out of their hiding places like a worm out of the earth. They’ll come with fear to Yahweh our God, and will be scared because of You. Who is a God like You, who forgives sin, and looks over the disobedience of those who are left of your heritage? You don’t keep Your anger forever, because You are forgiving. You’ll have compassion on us again. You’ll take our sin under control; and throw all our sins into the depths of the sea. You’ll give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you’ve promised our ancestors from the days of old.
Nahum
Nahum is one of the Minor Prophet books of the Old Testament credited to the 7th-century BC Hebrew prophet Nahum. It was probably written between 663 BC and the fall of the ancient Assyrian capital Nineveh in 612 BC. The first distinctive part of Nahum (1:2-11) is an unfinished acrostic poem. Roughly half of the Hebrew letters are used, each line of the poem beginning with a different letter. The poem depicts God as jealous and angry, ready to punish the enemies of God. The rest of chapter 1 consists of visions of Judah being saved and a vision of doom directed against Assyria, Judah’s enemy. The second major part of Nahum (chap. 2-3) is a verse describing the siege and sack of Nineveh, condemned by God to destruction, after its initial warning from Jonah.
Nahum seems considerably different in theological emphasis from other books, in which prophetic judgment against foreign nations is put alongside a concern for the true religious and political well-being of Israel. Nahum is not concerned exclusively with Nineveh as God is expressly depicted as universal and all-powerful (1:3-6); and it can be understood throughout that God is against any evil nation. The book has observable literary value, Nahum being one of the masters of ancient Hebrew poetry.
Nahum
1[1-6] A vision about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Yahweh is a jealous God and judges. Yahweh will punish (the guilty) and is full of great anger. Yahweh punishes those who come against God, and has great anger against the enemies of God. Yahweh is not quickly angered, and great in power, but will in no way leave the guilty unpunished. The will of God is in the hurricane and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of Yahweh’s feet. God speaks to the sea, and dries it up, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel are weak; and the flower of Lebanon droops. God makes the volcanoes shake and erupt, and the hills melt away. The earth quakes at God’s presence, yes, the world, and all who live in it. Who can stand up to God’s anger? Who can stand in God’s great anger? God’s great anger is poured out like molten lava, and the rocks are even broken apart.
[7-10] Yahweh is good, a safe haven in the day of trouble; and knows those who trust in God. Yahweh will chase the enemies of God into darkness and completely destroy their homes with an overflowing flood. What do you plan against Yahweh? God will completely destroy it and you won’t trouble again. Like someone tangled up in thorns, and a drunk overcome with their drink, they’re totally destroyed like dry weeds in a fire.
[11-15] Someone has come out from you, who plans evil against Yahweh, who counsels those guilty of sin. So Yahweh says, “Though they feel safe and are many, even so they’ll be destroyed, when I pass over them. Though I’ve troubled you, I won’t trouble you anymore. Now I’ll break their control over you, and set you free.” Yahweh has said about them, “No more descendants will have your name. I’ll destroy all the false gods out of the Place of Worship of your gods. I’ll make your grave, for you are evil.” See, on the mountains walk the feet of the One who brings a New Word, who preaches peace! Keep your celebrations, Judah! Do what you promised, for those guilty of sin won’t come into you anymore. They’re totally destroyed.
2[1-4] The One who scatters has come against you. Protect yourselves! Watch the roads! Strengthen yourselves! Strengthen your troops! For Yahweh will make Jacob grow again, as Israel will grow again; for those who have destroyed them have ruined their vines. The shields of their soldiers are blood red. The soldiers are covered in blood. The war vehicles have flaming torches when they’re ready, and shake the tall trees. The war vehicles flash through the streets. They rush back and forth in the road ways. They flash like lightning and move as fast as lightning.
[5-8] They call up their best troops but they fall on their way. They run to its wall, and put their defenses in place. The dams of the rivers are opened, and the palace is flooded. Though they stand firm, they’ll be taken prisoner; and their women will sound like doves, beating on their breasts. But Nineveh has always been like a pool of water, yet they run away.” Stop! Stop!” They cry, but no one turns back.
[9-13] Take the silver and gold, for there’s no end of it, and all the other good stuff. Take everything until it’s all gone and there’s nothing left. Their hearts melt, their knees knock together, their sides ache and their faces have turned pale. Where is their den of the lions, where their young lions ate, where the lion and the lioness walked along with their cubs, and no one made them scared? The lions tore in pieces enough for their cubs, and killed for their lionesses, and filled their caves with what they killed, and their dens with food.” See, I am against you,” Says the God of All Creation, “And I’ll burn your war vehicles in the smoke, and the war will destroy your young soldiers; and I won’t let you destroy those you come against from the earth, and no one will hear the voice of your messengers.”
3[1-4] Sorrow will come to the bloody city! It’s all full of liars and thieves. They never stop looking for someone to hurt. I hear the noise of the whip, and rattling wheels, strutting horses, and fast war vehicles, and see the soldiers’ weapons, and many dead, and a great pile of bodies, too many to count. They trip over their bodies, because of the great unfaithfulness of their prostitutions, those who do witchcraft, who sell people into prostitution, and destroy their families through their witchcraft.
[5-10] “See, I am against you,” Says the God of All Creation, “And I’ll pull up your skirts and show the nations your nakedness, and all their nations your shame. I’ll throw filthy trash on you, and make you shameful, and will put you where you can be seen by all and where all those who look at you’ll run from you, and say, ‘Nineveh is destroyed! Who will cry for them?’ Where will I look for comforters for you? Are you better than the city of No-Amon, which sat among the rivers, who had the waters all around it; whose protection and defense was the sea? Ethiopia (Cush, Son of Ham) and Egypt were their great strength. Africa (Put, Son of Ham) and Libya were their helpers. Yet they were carried off and taken prisoner. Their young children were also taken out and killed, and they gambled for their honorable ones, and all their elders were taken prisoner.
[11-15] You’ll be like a drunk and hide. You’ll also look for a safe place because of the enemy. All your protected places will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs and when they’re shaken, they’ll fall into the mouth to be eaten. See, your people within it are women. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies. The fire has burned up your city gates. Save your water for the siege. Strengthen your protected places. Go get the clay, and mix the mortar and make the brick strong, but the fire will burn you up. The war will kill you. It will eat you like the caterpillar. Make yourselves as many as the caterpillars and the grasshoppers.
[16-19] You have made those who sell more than the stars of the skies, even though the caterpillar eats it up, and flies away. Your officials are like the locusts, and your guards like the swarms of locusts, which settle on the walls on a cold day, but when the sun appears, they fly away, and where they go no one knows. Your animal keepers sleep, ruler of Assyria. Your leaders are buried in the earth. Your people are scattered on the mountains, and there’s no one to gather them up. There’s no healing of your destruction, for your wound is great. All who hear about you’ll clap their hands over you; for who has your evil not hurt?
Habakkuk
Habakkuk consists of only three chapters. Most scholars consider chapters 1-2 the work of Habakkuk. Chapter 3 is thought to be the work of another, probably later, unknown author, a theory strongly supported by the total omission of or reference to this chapter in the Dead Sea Scroll of the Habakkuk Commentary.
The first book (1-2:5) may be read as a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk mourns, protests, and questions the suffering of the righteous and the thriving of the evil. God declares that a nation is being put in power, which will be all-conquering and violent. But God also tells Habakkuk that the defeat of that nation will surely come for “Those whose souls are not upright shall fail” (2:4). God concludes by asserting that “The righteous shall live by faith” (2:4), a key passage for its role in later Protestant theology, and recalled in the New Testament in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. The second section (2:6-20) consists of five condemnations (each one beginning “Sorrow will come” ) directed against an unspecified people. This people, or nation, ruins others, takes what others have for itself in evil ways, builds towns and cities with the blood of the defeated, degrades neighboring peoples shamelessly, and speaks to false gods of wood and stone. The Chaldeans, mentioned earlier in the book (1:6), usually are taken to be this oppressive nation. The third section (chap. 3), “A Prayer of Habakkuk,” Is a poem descriptive of the triumphant revelation of God, who is the joy and saving grace of the “Anointed” (3:13).
The historical situation reflected in the Book of Habakkuk is not easy to determine, but the words of Habakkuk may reflect events either several years before or immediately after the Chaldeans seized Jerusalem in 597 BC. The underlying religious message of Habakkuk is that evils will not last; each has its appointed time, but ultimately goodness always wins out.
Habakkuk
1[1-4] This is the vision which Habakkuk the preacher saw. Yahweh, how long will I cry out, and you won’t listen? How long will I cry out to you “Abuse!” And you won’t save! Why do you show me sin, and make me look at evil? I see only violence and abuse. See those who start fights, and angry arguments! So the law is useless, and justice never comes; those who are evil overcome the good and they do wrong.
[5-11] “ Look among the nations, watch, and be amazed; for I am doing a work in your days, which you won’t believe even if it’s told you. See, I put the Chaldeans in power, that angry and rash nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to take homes that aren’t theirs. They’re feared and dreaded, but their judgment and pride come from themselves. They move faster than leopards, and are fiercer than the wolves of the night. Their soldiers march on proudly. Yes, their soldiers come from far away. They fly as an eagle that hurries to eat its prey. They all come to do violence. They suck up everything like the east wind and gather prisoners like sand. Yes, they mock at rulers, and make fun of their officials. They laugh at every strong place, and build dirt ramps, and take it. Then they change direction like the wind, and go on. Without a doubt, they’re guilty, who think that their strength is their god.”
[12-17] Aren’t You from everlasting, Yahweh my God, my Holy One, who won’t ever die? Yahweh, You’ve set them up for our judgment. You, Rock, have made them to punish us. You who are so holy that you won’t see evil, and who can’t look on sin, why do you let those who abuse others do it, and say nothing when the evil ones destroy someone who is better than they are? And why do you make human beings like the fish of the sea, like the small animals that run around, that have no ruler over them? They catch them all with the hook or in a net, and gather them in a fishnet. So they celebrate and are glad. They sacrifice to their nets, and burn incense to their fishnet, because by them their life is made rich, and they’ve more than enough food. So they always empty their net, and come back for more, not sparing the nations.
2[1-3] I’ll stand watch, and put myself on a high place, and wait to see what God will say to me, and what I’ll answer when I’m corrected. Then Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it clear in a book, that whoever reads it may run! The vision is still for the set time, but the end is coming soon, and it won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t be long.
[4-8] See, their souls are full of pride and they don’t act right, but those who do right will live by their faith. These prideful ones don’t stay at home because their wine makes them drunk, and they want to make their land as large as Hell, and are like death, and can’t be satisfied, but take for themselves all nations and peoples. Won’t they all say this against them, and taunt them with these words, saying, “’Sorrow will come to those who add to themselves by taking what isn’t theirs, and who make themselves rich, with heavy debts! How long?’ Won’t they get up quickly, and wake up those who make them shake in fear, and they’ll be their victim? Because they’ve taken from many nations, what’s left of the peoples will take from them, because of the bloodshed of those they’ve killed, and for the violence done to the land, the city and all who live in it.
[9-14] Sorrow will come to those who do evil things to make their family rich, so that they may set their house up high, and be safe from the power of evil! They’ve planned shame to their own house, by destroying many peoples, and have sinned against their own soul. For the stone will cry out of the wall, and the timber out of the woodwork will answer it. Sorrow will come to those who build a town with bloodshed, and set up a city by sin! See, isn’t it of the God of All Creation that the peoples do this to feed the fires of Hell, and so the nations will tire themselves out for their pride? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the praise of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.
[15-20] Sorrow will come to those who give others alcohol, giving them their bottle until they’re drunk, so that they may see their naked bodies! They’ll be shamed, instead of praised. They’ll also drink of God’s anger, and be shamed! Yahweh’s great anger will surround them, and they’ll be disgraced instead of praised. For the violence done to Lebanon will come to them, and their animals will die in fear; because of those they’ve killed, and for the violence done to the land, every city and those who live in them.” What value does a false god have, that its maker has made it into an image, a teacher of lies, that whoever makes its form trusts in it, to make false gods who can’t even talk? Sorrow will come to those who say to the wood, ‘Awake!’ or to the stone which can’t even talk, ‘ Get up and teach us! See, it’s covered with gold and silver, and it doesn’t even breathe. But Yahweh is in the Place of Worship. So let no one on earth say a word in God’s presence!”
3[1-5] A prayer of Habakkuk, the preacher, in song. Yahweh, I’ve heard Your Word. I’m amazed at what You’ve done, Yahweh. Do again what You did in those years. Make known what You did in those years. When you’re angry, remember Your love. God came to us at Teman, the Holy One at Mount Paran (Mountain in the Desert near the Promised Land). Selah. God’s light fills the heavens, and God’s praise fills the earth. God’s brightness is like the sunrise. Rays shine out from God’s hand, whose power is hidden there. Disease came before God, and lightning bolts followed God’s feet.
[6-9] God took a stand and shook the earth. God watched, and made the nations shake in fear. The ancient mountains overflowed. The unchanging hills melted. God’s plan was from before time. I saw the homes of Cushan (Arabia) in trouble. The homes of the land of Midian (Arabia) shook in fear. Was Yahweh displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers or the sea that you rode quickly on your vehicles of war to save us? You took out your bow and called for your arrows just like Your Word said. Selah. You divided the earth with rivers.
[10-13] The mountains saw You, and shook. The flood waters came up. The oceans roared and lifted up its waves on high. The sun and moon stood still in the sky, and they moved at the flash of your lightning, at the shining of your lightning bolt. You marched through the land in anger and punished the nations in Your rage. You came to save Your people, to bring the victory of your Chosen One (The Messiah). You crushed the head of evil from the house of Hell and exposed its shame. Selah.
[14-16] You pierced Your own warrior high up with a spear and they came as a hurricane to destroy me, celebrating as if they destroyed the troubled in secret. But You moved over the sea quickly, stirring up great waves. I heard, and my body shook in fear. My lips quivered at the sound. Weakness entered into my bones, and I shook in fear in my place, because I must quietly wait for the day of trouble, for the coming punishment of the people.
[17-20] But even if the fig tree doesn’t grow, and no fruit is on the vines, the making of the olive fails, and the fields make no food, the flocks die from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, I’ll still celebrate in Yahweh. I’ll be happy in the God who saves me! Yahweh God is my strength. God makes my feet as sure as a deer’s, and makes me go safely through rough places. To the music director, to be played on stringed instruments.
Zephaniah
Zephaniah is one of the Old Testament prophetic books known as the Minor Prophets. Tradition has credited it entirely to the 7th-century BC Hebrew prophet Zephaniah, but a number of modern scholars regard various sections of the book, notably in chapters 2-3, as later additions. According to the superscription (1:1), the prophecy was spoken in the reign of the Judean king Josiah. Practices and beliefs that Josiah sought to reform in 621 are condemned; and a reference is made to a northern danger, presumably the barbarous Scythians, who threatened to overrun the Middle East about 625 BC
The prophecy is in three parts. In the first part (1:1-2:3), all of Judah is condemned to destruction for ruining the worship of God through the practice of foreign religious customs. At the time, idolatrous customs completely alien to the pure monotheism taught by Moses flourished in Jerusalem. Judah was also condemned for adopting foreign customs and for violent and deceitful behavior. An imminent day of judgment is predicted, and Judah is told to repent so that God’s anger may be quieted. In the second part (2:4-15), judgment and destruction are prophesied for enemy nations. Philistia, Moab (Jordan), Ammon (Transjordan), Ethiopia, and Assyria will be brought down, given over to war, and left desolate because they’ve been arrogant and have ill-treated Judah. In the third part (chap. 3), Jerusalem specifically is condemned to destruction for refusing to change its evil ways. The Gentile nations will be converted, and a faithful, righteous remnant of Judah will be saved and become renowned again among the peoples of the world (see 3:9-20). The section of the book now commonly agreed upon as a later addition is 3:14-20, a psalm-like passage praising God for the future glorious restoration of the remnant of Judah.
Zephaniah
1[1-3] This is the word of Yahweh which came to Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, ruler of Judah. I’ll totally take away everything from off the land,” says Yahweh. I’ll take away human and animal. I’ll take away the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with those guilty of sin. I’ll destroy humanity from off the land,” says Yahweh.
[4-6] I’ll come against Judah, and against all the people of Jerusalem. I’ll destroy what’s left of those who worship falsely from this place and the name of their ungodly preachers, those who worship the creations of the sky on their rooftops, those who worship and make promises by Yahweh and also by the ruler (Malcham), those who have stopped following Yahweh, and those who haven’t wanted Yahweh nor asked for God.
[7-10] Don’t say a word at the presence of Yahweh God, for the day of Yahweh is near. For Yahweh has gotten a sacrifice ready and has dedicated the guests. In the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice, I’ll punish all the leaders, the ruler’s children, and all those who wear foreign clothing. In that day, I’ll punish all those who burst through the door, who fill My house with violence and lies. In that day,” says Yahweh, there will be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, loud crying from the second quarter, and a great crashing sound from the hills.
[11-13] Cry, you people of Maktesh, for all those who sell are upset! All those who have a lot of money are ruined. At that time, I’ll search Jerusalem with lights, and I’ll punish those who are pleased with themselves, who say in their heart, “Yahweh won’t do good, nor do evil.” Their wealth will become someone else’s, and their houses will be destroyed. Yes, they’ll build houses, but won’t live them. They’ll plant vineyards, but won’t drink their wine.
[14-18] The great day of Yahweh is near. It’s near, and coming soon. When the sound of the day of Yahweh comes, the strong ones will bitterly cry. That day is a day of great anger, a day of pain and suffering, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of gloom and darkness, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the sound of alarm and war against the protected cities, and against the strong buildings. I’ll bring pain on the people, so that they’ll walk like the blind, because they’ve sinned against Yahweh, and their blood will be poured out like dust, and their bodies like waste. Their money won’t be able to save them in the day of Yahweh’s great anger. The whole land will be destroyed by the burning of God’s jealousy, who will make an end, yes, a terrible end, of all those who live in the land.
2[1-3] Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, you nation that isn’t wanted, before the set time when the day passes by as the wind, before the great anger of Yahweh comes on you, before the day of Yahweh’s anger comes on you. Ask for Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept God’s laws. Ask for goodness. Ask for humility. Maybe you won’t be seen in the day of Yahweh’s anger.
[4-7] Gaza will be deserted, and Ashkelon (Askelon) a ruin. They’ll drive out Ashdod (Esdud) at noonday, and Ekron will be uprooted. Sorrow will come to the people of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites (Philistines, Cretans?)! The word of Yahweh is against you, Canaan (Phoenicians), the land of the Philistines. I’ll destroy you, and there will be no one left. The sea coast will be fields, with cottages for animal keepers and fences for flocks. What’s left of the house of Judah will have the coast. They’ll want their fields. In the houses of Ashkelon (Askelon), they’ll sleep at night, for Yahweh, their God, will visit them, and free them.
[8-11] I’ve heard the shame of Moab (Jordan, descendants of Lot), and the insults of the people of Ammon (Transjordan, descendants of Lot), with which they’ve shamed My people, and selfishly crossed their border. So as I live,” says the God of All Creation, the God of Israel, surely Moab and Ammon will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, where weeds will grow, and salt pits will be, and it will be a ruin forever. What’s left of My people will take what’s theirs, and the survivors of My nation will get their land. This they’ll get for their pride, because they’ve shamed My people and selfishly come against the people of the God of All Creation. Yahweh will be feared by them, who will destroy all the false gods of the land. They’ll worship God, everyone wherever they are, all the countries of the peoples.
[12-15] The Cushites (Ethiopians) will also be killed by My punishment. I’ll come against the north, destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh (Capital of Assyria) a ruin, and dry like the desert. Herds will sleep in it, all the animals of the peoples. Both the pelican and the porcupine will live in it. Their noise will echo through the windows. Ruin will be in the doorway, and the cedar beams will be seen. This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, and said in their hearts, “I am, and no one else matters but me.” How they’ve become a ruin, a place for animals to sleep in! Everyone who passes by will whistle, and wave their hands.
3[1-4] Sorrow will come to those who are rebellious and unfit from the violent city! They didn’t obey the voice of God. They wouldn’t be corrected. They didn’t trust in Yahweh. They didn’t Come close to their God. The officials they’ve are like roaring lions. Their judges are like wolves in the night. They leave nothing until the next day. Their preachers think more of themselves than they should and can’t be trusted. Their rulers have made the Place of Worship unfit. They’ve taught the law wrongly.
[5-7] Yahweh, who is with them, is good and won’t do anything wrong. Every morning God brings justice to light. God won’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.” I’ve destroyed nations. Their strong buildings are empty. I’ve made their streets empty, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there’s no human being left in them. I said, “‘Just show Me respect and be corrected, so that your homes won’t be destroyed, as to all that I’ve said about them.’ But they rose early and everything they did was evil.”
[8-12] So Yahweh says, “Wait for Me until the day that I come against them, for I intend to gather the nations, that I may bring together the nations, to give them My punishment, and all My great anger, for all their land will be destroyed with the burning of My jealousy. For then I’ll cleanse the lips of the peoples that they may all call on the Name of Yahweh, to serve God shoulder to shoulder. From beyond the rivers of Cush (Ethiopia), My worshipers, the church of My scattered people, will bring My offering. In that day you won’t be disappointed for all what you do, in which you have sinned against me; for then I’ll take from you those who celebrate in pride, and you won’t be proud in My holy mountain. But I’ll leave you a troubled and poor people, who will find safety in the Name of Yahweh.
[13-16] What’s left of Israel won’t sin, nor tell lies, nor will a false word be found in their mouth, for they’ll eat and sleep, and no one will make them scared.” Sing, people of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, people of Jerusalem. Yahweh has taken away your time of judgment. God has thrown out your enemy. The Ruler of Israel, Yahweh, is with you. You won’t be scared of evil anymore. In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, “Don’t be scared, Zion. Be strong.”
[17-20] Yahweh your God, is with you, who is strong, and will save you, and celebrate over you with joy. God will stop in love for you and celebrate over you with singing. Those who don’t like the set days of celebrations, I’ll take from you. They only trouble and shame you. See, at that time I’ll deal with all those who trouble you, and I’ll save those who are weak, and gather those who were driven away. I’ll give them praise and honor, whose shame has been known around the world. At that time, I’ll bring you in, and at that time I’ll gather you back; I’ll give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring you back from where you were taken, before your very eyes,” says Yahweh.
Haggai
Nothing is known of the life and person of the prophet Haggai, to whom the book is credited. Some scholars have suggested that the book may have been written by an unknown follower of Haggai. This view is based on the third-person references to Haggai and the descriptions of him as “The prophet.”
Haggai’s prophecy was spoken in 520 BC, a year of blight, drought, and general dissatisfaction for the exiles who had recently returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The prophet credits these misfortunes to the failure of the people to finish rebuilding the Temple. He declares that God is punishing them for decorating their own houses before completing the house of the Yahweh, and he tells Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and Joshua, the leading preacher, to rally the people to their primary task (chap. 1). Work begins again within a month, but the people soon must be encouraged again. Haggai rallies them the second time by prophesying that the spirit of God will remain with them, that God will bring silver and gold from all nations, and fill the new Temple with the glory of God (2:1-9). The book ends with two prophecies.
Haggai
1[1-4] In the 2nd year of Darius the king, in the 1st day of the 6th month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the preacher, to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, leader of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher, saying, “This is what the God of All Creation says, “These people say, ‘The time for Yahweh’s house to be built hasn’t come yet.’“ Then the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the preacher, saying, “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your nice houses, while this house is in ruins?
[5-8] So this is what the God of All Creation says, “Think about what you’re doing. You’ve planted much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don’t have enough. You drink, but you’re still thirsty. You put on clothes, but you’re not warm, and those who earn wages earn wages only to put it into a moneybag with holes in it.” This is what the God of All Creation says, “Think about what you’re doing. Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I’ll be pleased with it, and I’ll be made known,” says Yahweh.
[9-12] “You looked for much, and, see, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” Says the God of All Creation, “Because of My house that’s in ruins, while each of you is busy with their own houses. So for your sake the heavens won’t rain, and the earth won’t make its fruit. I called for a drought on the land, the mountains, the grain, the new wine, the oil, everything the ground brings forth, men, animals, and on all the work of human beings.” Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher, with all of the rest of the people, did what Yahweh, their God, asked and listened to the words of Haggai, the preacher, as Yahweh, their God, had sent him; and the people showed respect to Yahweh.
[13-15] Then Haggai, Yahweh’s messenger, told Yahweh’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you,” says Yahweh. Then Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, leader of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher, and the spirit of all the rest of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the God of All Creation, their God, in the 24th day of the 6th month, in the 2nd year of Darius the king.
2[1-5] In, in the 21st day of the 7th month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the preacher, saying, “Tell Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, leader of Judah, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher, and to the rest of the people, saying, “’Who is left among you who saw this house in its former beauty? How do you see it now? Isn’t it as nothing to you? But be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh.’ Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher. Be strong, people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the God of All Creation. This is the word that I promised you when you came out of Egypt, and My Spirit was with you.’ Don’t be scared.’
[6-9] For this is what the God of All Creation says, “’Still once more, very soon, I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations. The nations will bring their precious things, and I will fill this house with beauty,” says the God of All Creation. The silver and gold are mine,’ says the God of All Creation.’ The latter beauty of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the God of All Creation; ‘and in this place I’ll give peace,’ says the God of All Creation.”
[10-14] In the 24th day of the 9th month, in the 2nd year of Darius, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the preacher, saying, “This is what the God of All Creation says, “Ask the preachers about the law, saying, “’If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'” The preachers answered, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unfit by reason of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unfit?” The preachers answered, “Yes, it’ll be unfit.” Then Haggai answered, “’So is this people, and so is this nation before me,’ says Yahweh; ‘and so is every work that they do. That which they offer there is unfit.
[15-19] Now, please think from this day back, before a stone was laid on a stone in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Through all that time, when one came to a store of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty bottles, there were only twenty. I struck you with plant diseases, mildew, and hail in all the work you did; yet you didn’t turn to me,’ says Yahweh.’ Think, please, from this day back, from the 24th day of the 9th month, since the day that the foundation of Yahweh’s Place of Worship was laid, think about it. Is the seed still in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven’t brought forth. But from this day on I’ll bless you.’“
[20-23] The Word of Yahweh came the second time to Haggai in the 24th day of the month, saying, “Tell Zerubbabel, leader of Judah, saying, “’I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the rule of nations. I will destroy the strength of the nations of the nations. I will overthrow their vehicles of war, and those who ride in them. They’ll come down quickly, everyone with the weapon of their people. In that day,” says the God of All Creation, I’ll take you, Zerubbabel, My worker, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Yahweh, ‘and will make you as a sign, for I have chosen you,’ says the God of All Creation.”
Zechariah
Zechariah is book of the Old Testament credited to the 6th-century BC Hebrew preacher and prophet Zechariah, one of 12 short prophetic books known as the Minor Prophets. Only the first eight chapters of the book could have been written by Zechariah. Scholars have dated Zechariah’s prophetic ministry about 520-518 BC. The recording of his prophecies, either by himself or by a follower, is widely believed to have been completed shortly afterward. Chapters 9-14, which differ from the preceding eight in style, use of language, theology, and historical background, are believed by modern scholars to date from a century later. Older views suggested that chapters 9-14 may have been written before the Babylonian Captivity, that is, before 586 BC.
The first eight chapters reflect the period immediately after the Babylonian Captivity (after 538 BC) and are concerned with the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in preparation for a messianic age. The text emphasizes individual commitment and obedience, inward spirituality, and a peaceful world in which Jew and Gentile will worship together. These chapters fall into four parts. The first part (1:1-6) is a brief call to a change of ways and heart. The second part (1:7-6:8) contains prophetic visions intermingled with a series of eight night visions experienced by the prophet in 519 BC. The visions, which contain apocalyptic imagery and are interpreted for Zechariah by an angel, foretell generally an imminent messianic age. The third part (6:9-15) describes the symbolic crowning of a preacher who will lead the people in rebuilding the Temple. The fourth part (chap. 7-8) consists of visions describing the conditions in the restored Jerusalem.
The remaining six chapters constitute one of the most mysterious parts of the Old Testament. They are made up mainly of apocalyptic visions that are difficult to understand. Among the themes represented are the restoration of Israel after the defeat of Israel’s enemies (chap. 9-11); the advent of the Messiah; and the coming great “ day of the Yahweh,” When the covenant will be reestablished and the God of Israel will be universally worshiped. The tone of these chapters is pessimistic, and emphasis is placed on supernatural intervention as the sole possible means of the long-delayed but still-expected saving from Gentile abuse. Christians attach special significance to several passages in the last six chapters. They regard them as prophecies later fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Zechariah 9:9 is believed to pertain to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem; Zech. 9:10 to his universal reign; Zech. 11:12 to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 silver coins; Zech. 12:10 and 13:6 to the wounds suffered by Jesus; and Zech. 13:7-9 to Jesus as the Good Shepherd smitten for the sheep.
Zechariah
1[1-6] In the 8th month (Cheshvan, Oct. /Nov.), in the 2nd year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the great preacher, saying, “Yahweh was very displeased with your ancestors. So tell them, Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “’Come back to Me, and I’ll come back to you.’ Don’t be like your ancestors, to whom the former great preachers made known, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “’Come back now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings;’ but they did not Listen, nor listen to Me,” says Yahweh. Where are your ancestors and the great preachers? Do they live forever? But My words and My laws, which I told My workers the great preachers, didn’t they outlast your ancestors?’ Then they changed their ways and said, “’Just as Yahweh, the God of All Creation, decided to do to us, for our ways, and our doings, so God has done with us.’“
[7-12] On the 24th day of the 11th month, which is Shevat (Jan. /Feb.), in the 2nd year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the great preacher, saying, “I had a vision in the night, and I saw someone riding on a red horse, who stood among the myrtle trees that were in a valley; and behind the Angel there were red, brown, and white horses. Then I asked, ‘What are these?'” The Angel who talked with me said to me, “I’ll show you what these are.” The one who stood among the myrtle trees answered, “They are the ones Yahweh has sent to go back and forth through the earth.” They told the Angel of Yahweh who stood among the myrtle trees, “We’ve walked back and forth through the earth, and see, all the earth is at rest and in peace.” Then the Angel of Yahweh answered, “O Yahweh, the God of All Creation, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you’ve been angry these seventy years?”
[13-17] Then Yahweh answered the Angel who talked with me with good words of comfort. So the Angel who talked with me said to me, “Make it known, saying, “‘Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. I am very angry with the nations that rest easy; I was only a little bit displeased, but they made it worse.” So Yahweh says, “I’ve come back to Jerusalem with mercy. My house will be built in it,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “And a line will be stretched out over Jerusalem. Make this known also, saying, “’Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “My cities will again do well and spread out, and Yahweh will again comfort Zion, and choose Jerusalem.”‘“
[18-21] Then I looked up and saw four horns. I asked the Angel who talked with me, “What are these?” The Angel answered, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Then Yahweh showed me four workers. Then I asked, “What are these coming to do? And God answered, “These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no one could raise their head; but these have come to make them scared, and to put an end to the power of the nations, which come against the land of Judah to scatter it.”
2[1-5] Then I looked up, and saw someone holding a measuring line. I asked, “Where are you going?” The Angel answered, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it’s.” Then the Angel who talked with me went on, and met another Angel, saying, “Run, speak to this youngster, saying, “’Jerusalem will be settled as towns without walls of defense, because of the many people and animals in it. Yahweh says, “’I will be a wall of fire around it, and I’ll be well known within it.
[6-10] Come! Come! Run from the land of the north,’ says Yahweh; ‘for I’ve spread you out as the four winds of the sky,’ says Yahweh.’ Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in the towns of Babylon.’ Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “’For My honor I have sent you to the nations which stole what was yours; for whoever touches you, touches the apple of My eye.’ See, I’ll shake My hand over them, and they’ll be a reward to those who served them; and you’ll know that Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has sent Me. Sing and Celebrate, towns of Zion; See, I come, and I’ll live with you,’ says Yahweh.
[11-13] Many nations will join themselves to Yahweh in that day, and will be My people; and I’ll live with you, and you’ll know that Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has sent Me to you. Yahweh’s part will be Judah in the holy land, and God will again choose Jerusalem. Be quiet, everyone, before Yahweh; You, who have come from Your holy place!”
3[1-5] The Angel showed me Joshua, the leading preacher, standing before the Angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing on the right as an enemy. Then Yahweh said to Satan, “I, Yahweh reject you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem, do reject you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed in filthy clothes, and was standing before the Angel. The Angel answered and spoke to those who stood there, saying, “Take the filthy clothes off of him.” To him the Angel said, “See, I’ve caused your sin to pass from you, and I’ll give you a change of clothes.” I said, “Let them set a clean hat on his head.” So they set a clean hat on his head, and clothed him; and the Angel of Yahweh was standing by.
[6-10] The Angel of Yahweh spoke again to Joshua, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “’If you’ll walk in My ways, and if you’ll do what I say, then you’ll also judge My people, and keep My courts, and I’ll give you the right to come among these who stand here. Hear now, Joshua the leading preacher, you and those who sit with you; for they’re a sign to the people. See, I’ll send My Angel, the Branch. See, the stone that I’ve set before Joshua has seven eyes. See, I’ll write its words on it,’ says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, ‘and I’ll take away the sin of that land in one day. In that day,’ says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, ‘you’ll invite all your neighbors to join you in your garden.’“
4[1-4] The Angel who talked with me came again, and woke me up, as someone who is awoken out of sleep. The Angel said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it; and two olive trees by it, one on the right side and the other on the left side of the bowl.” I answered the Angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these?”
[5-7] Then the Angel who talked with me asked me, “Don’t you know what these are?” And I said, “No.” Then the Angel answered me, saying, “This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, “’Not by strength, nor by force, but by My Spirit,’ says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a field; and the Angel will bring out the cornerstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’“
[8-10] The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands will also finish it; and you’ll know that Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has sent Me to you. Who hates the day of small things? For these seven will celebrate, and will see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of Yahweh, which look back and forth through the whole earth.”
[11-14] Then I asked, “What are these two olive trees on the right and left side of the candlestick?” And I asked the second time, “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts that pour the golden oil out of themselves?” The Angel asked me, “Don’t you know what these are?” And I said, “No.” Then the Angel said, “These are the two chosen ones who stand with the God of the whole earth.”
5[1-4] Then I looked up, and saw a scroll flying through the air. The Angel said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a scroll flying through the air that’s 30’ long, and 15’ wide.” Then the Angel said to me, “This is the punishment that goes out over the face of the whole land; and everyone who steals or swears falsely will be punished by what it says. I’ll cause it to go out,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “And it’ll enter into the house of whoever steals, and whoever make a false promise by My name; and it’ll stay there, and destroy that house down to its timbers and stones.”
[5-8] Then the Angel who talked with me came forward, and said to me, “Look up, and see what this is that’s coming.” I said, “What is it?” The Angel said, “This is a large basket that’s coming.” The Angel said also, “This is what they look like in all the land (and then, a top of lead was lifted off it); and this is a woman sitting in the basket.” The Angel said, “This is Evil;” And the Angel threw it down into the basket; and threw the top of lead on its mouth.
[9-11] Then I looked up and saw two women, and they flapped their wings in the wind. They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted the basket into the sky. Then I said to the Angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” The Angel said to me, “To build it a house in the land of Babylon. At the right time, it’ll be put there in its own place.”
6[1-3] Again I looked up, and saw that four vehicles came out from between two mountain-like objects; and they were made of steel. The first vehicle had red horses; the second had black horses; the third had white horses; and the fourth had dappled and bay horses, all of them very strong.
[4-8] Then I asked the Angel who talked with me, “What are these?” The Angel answered me, “These are the four winds of the sky, which go from the presence of the God of all the earth. The one with the black horses goes toward the north country; and the white went out after them to the west; and the dappled went toward the south country.” The strong ones went out to the east, and asked to go so that they could walk back and forth through the earth and the Angel said, “Go through all the earth!” So they walked back and forth through the whole earth. Then the Angel called to me, and said, “See, those who go toward the north country have calmed My Spirit in the north country.”
[9-13] The Word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Take some of them who were captured, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and come the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they’ve come from Babylon. Take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the leading preacher; and speak to him, saying, “’Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “See, the One whose name is the Branch, will grow up at home; and will build up the Place of Worship of Yahweh; This is the One who’ll build up the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and take the Name of God, and sit and rule on the throne of God; and be a preacher on the throne; and they’ll have an agreement of peace between them.
[14-15] The crowns will be for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the Place of Worship of Yahweh. Those who are far away will come and build in the Place of Worship of Yahweh; and you’ll know that Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has sent me to you. This will happen, if you’ll carefully obey the voice of Yahweh your God.”
7[1-3] In the 4th year of Darius, the ruler, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah in the 4th day of the 9th month, Kislev (Nov. /Dec.). The people of Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem Melech, and their people, to ask Yahweh’s blessing, and to speak to the preachers of the house of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, and to the great preachers, saying, “Should I pray in the 5th month (Av, Jul. /Aug.), separating myself, as I’ve done these many years?”
[4-7] Then the word of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, came to Me, saying, “Speak to all the people of the land, and to the preachers, saying, “’When you fasted and mourned in the 5th month (Av, Jul. /Aug.) and in the 7th month (Tishri, Sept. /Oct.) for these seventy years, did you at all fast to Me, really to Me? When you eat, and when you drink, don’t you eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Aren’t these the words which Yahweh made known by the former great preachers, when Jerusalem was full of people and doing well, with its towns all around it, the south and the lowland full of people?’“
[8-13] The word of Yahweh came to Zechariah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has spoken, saying, “’Make true judgments, and show kindness and compassion to everyone. Don’t abuse the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor; and let none of you plan evil against another in your heart.’ But they wouldn’t listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, so that they wouldn’t hear. Yes, they made their hearts as hard as stone, so they wouldn’t hear the law, and the words which Yahweh, the God of All Creation, had sent by the Holy Spirit by the former great preachers. So great anger came from Yahweh, the God of All Creation. As the Angel called, and they refused to listen, so they’ll call, and I won’t listen,” Said Yahweh, the God of All Creation; “But I’ll scatter them as with a hurricane among all the nations which they haven’t known. So the land was ruined after them, so that no one passed through, nor came back, because they had ruined the beautiful land.”
8[1-5] The word of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, came to me. Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great anger.” Yahweh says, “I’ve come back to Zion, and will live within Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called ‘The Town of Truth;’ and the mountain of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, ‘The Holy Mountain.’“ Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “Old people will again live in the streets of Jerusalem, every one holding a walking stick in their hand for their very age. The town will be full of children playing in its streets.”
[6-9] Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “If it’s wonderful in the eyes of those who are left of this people in those days, shouldn’t it also be wonderful in Me?” Says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “See, I’ll save My people from the east and the west; and I’ll bring them home, and they’ll live in Jerusalem; and they’ll be My people, and I’ll be their God, in truth and in goodness.” Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “Be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the great preachers, who lived in the day that the foundation of the house of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, was laid, even the Place of Worship, that it was built strong.
[10-13] Before those days, there wasn’t any wages for anyone, nor any wages for an animal; nor was there any peace to those who went out or came in, because of the enemy. For I set all people against one another. But now I won’t be to those left of this people as in those days,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” The seed will grow and do well, and the vine will give its fruit, and the ground will give what it grows, and the skies will give its dew; and I’ll cause those left of this people to have all these things. As you were punished among the nations, house of Judah and Israel, so I’ll save you, and you’ll be blessed. So, Don’t be scared. Be strong.”
[14-17] Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “As I thought to do evil to you, when your ancestors made Me angry,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “And My mind didn’t change; so again I’ve thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. So, Don’t be scared. Now, everyone should speak truth to each other. Judge truthfully and keep the peace in your town, and let none of you plan evil in your hearts against anyone else, and don’t make any false promises. I hate all these things,” says Yahweh.
[18-23] The word of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, came to me, again. Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will be for the house of Judah to celebrate their celebrations with happiness. So love truth and peace.” Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “Many peoples, and the people of many towns will yet come; and the people of one will go to another, saying, “’Let’s go quickly to ask blessings of Yahweh, and to find Yahweh, the God of All Creation. I’ll go, too.’ Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to find Yahweh, the God of All Creation, in Jerusalem, and to ask blessings of Yahweh.” Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says , “In those days, ten people will take hold, out of all the peoples of the nations, they’ll take hold of the clothes of those who are Jews, saying, “’We’ll go with you, because we’ve heard that God is with you.’“
9[1-4] A vision.” The word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach (Lebanon), and will rest upon Damascus (Syria); when the people and all the families of Israel look to Yahweh; and Hamath (Syria), also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise. Tyre built a strong place, and piled up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mud of the streets. But God will disown it, and will destroy its power in the sea; and burn it with fire.
[5-8] Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also will shake in fear; as will Ekron, whose hope will be disappointed; and the ruler of Gaza will die, and Ashkelon will have no one left. Foreigners will live in Ashdod, and I’ll cut off the pride of the Philistines. I’ll take away their wine out of their mouths, and their evil things from between their teeth; and those who are left will be for our God; and as a friend in Judah, and Ekron as a friend in Jerusalem. I’ll encamp around My house against the army, that none go out or come in; and no one will pass through them anymore to abuse them! And I’ll be happy to do this.
[9-12] Celebrate greatly, city of Zion! Shout, city of Jerusalem! See, your Ruler comes to you; good, and saving many people; poor, and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. I’ll destroy the war vehicles from Ephraim, and the horses from Jerusalem; and the weapons will be destroyed; and I’ll speak peace to the nations, and will rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of your promised agreement, I’ve set free your prisoners from the pit of Hell. Turn to the strong place, you prisoners of hope! Even today I tell you that I’ll give you back twice as much as you had before.
[13-17] Without a doubt, I’ll make Judah My weapon of choice and Ephraim will help; and I’ll stir up your people, Zion (Jerusalem), against your people, Greece, and will make you like the weapon of a strong one. Yahweh will be seen over them; who will flash like lightning; and Yahweh God will blow the trumpet, and will go with the hurricanes of the south. Yahweh, the God of All Creation, will defend them; and they’ll destroy and overcome with their weapons; and they’ll drink, and roar like those who are drunk; and they’ll be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. Yahweh, their God will save and protect them in that day; for they are like the jewels of My crown, lifted on high over My land.” How great is Your goodness, and how great is Your beauty! The grain will make the young men do well, and new wine the young girls.
10[1-3] “Ask Yahweh for rain in the creek time, Yahweh who makes the storm clouds, and gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field. The false gods are evil, and the fortune tellers have seen what isn’t true; and have told false dreams. They comfort for nothing. So they go on like animals. They are troubled, because there is no one to guide them. I am angry at the teachers, and I’ll punish the leaders; For I, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, has visited My people, the house of Judah, and will make them as My best warhorse, of which I am very proud.
[4-7] From Me will come the cornerstone, from Me, the nail, from Me, the weapon, from Me, every ruler together. They’ll be as strong people, stomping down the muddy streets in the war; and they’ll fight, because I, Yahweh, am with them; and their enemies will be confused. I’ll strengthen the house of Judah, and I’ll save the house of Joseph, and I’ll bring them back; for I have mercy on them; and they’ll be as though I hadn’t thrown them away for I Am Yahweh, their God, and I’ll hear them. Ephraim will be like a strong one, and their heart will celebrate as by wine; yes, their children will see it, and celebrate. Their heart will be happy in Yahweh.
[8-12] I’ll signal for them, and gather them together; for I’ve bought them back; and they’ll grow as many as they were before. I’ll plant them among the peoples; and they’ll remember Me in the far countries; and they’ll raise their children, and come back. I’ll bring them out of the land of Egypt again, and gather them out of Assyria also; and I’ll bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for all of them. They’ll pass through the sea of troubles, and be wounded by the waves of the sea, and the deepest parts of the Nile River will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and Egypt will lose its power. I’ll strengthen their faith in Me; and they’ll walk in the Name of God,” says Yahweh.
11[1-6] Open your doors, Lebanon, that the fire may burn your cedars. Cry, fir tree, for the cedar has fallen, because the strong ones are destroyed. Cry, you oaks of Bashan, for the strongest forest has come down. Listen to the sound of the crying of the leaders! For their fame is destroyed. Listen to the sound of the roaring of the young lions! For the pride of the Jordan is ruined. Yahweh My God said, “Feed the flock waiting to be killed. Their owners kill them, and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Happy is Yahweh, for I am rich;’ and their own leaders don’t even feel sorry for them. So I won’t be sorry for the people of the land,” says Yahweh; “But I’ll hand the people over to one another, and to their rulers. They’ll destroy the land, and I won’t save them.”
[7-12] So I fed the flock waiting to be killed, especially the poor and weak of the flock. I took for myself two walking sticks. The one I called “Blessing,” And the other I called “Bond,” And I fed the flock. I cut off three leaders in one month; for My soul was tired of them, and they also hated Me. Then I said, “I won’t feed you. That which dies, let it die; and that which is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; and let those who are left eat each other’s meat.” I took My walking stick “Blessing” , and cut it in half, to show that God breaks the promised agreement made with all the peoples. It was broken in that day; and so the poor of the flock that listened to me knew that it was the Word of Yahweh. I said to them, “If you think it best, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.” So they counted out my price to $30 silver coins.
[13-17] Yahweh said to me, “Throw it to the potter, the great price that I was valued at by them!” So I took the $30 silver coins, and threw it to the potter, in the house of Yahweh. Then I cut in half my other walking stick, “Bond” , to show that God breaks the bond between Judah and Israel. Yahweh said to me, “Take for yourself yet again the stuff of a worthless guide. See, I’ll raise up a leader in the land, who will not visit those who are dying, nor will find those who are scattered, nor heal those who are sick, nor feed that which is healthy; but will eat the meat of the best animals, and will tear them in pieces. Sorrow will come to the worthless guide who leaves the flock! His arm and his right eye will be wounded. His arm will fail completely, and his right eye will be totally blinded!”
12[1-3] A vision. The word of Yahweh about Israel. Yahweh, who stretches out the skies, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of one within them says, “See, I’ll make Jerusalem a door of trouble to all the surrounding peoples, and Judah will also come against Jerusalem. In that day, I’ll make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who trouble themselves with it, will be destroyed, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.
[4-7] In that day,” says Yahweh, “I’ll send fear on every horse, and their riders will go crazy; and I’ll open Me on the house of Judah, and will send blindness on all the horses of the peoples. The leaders of Judah will say in their heart, ‘The people of Jerusalem are our strength in Yahweh, the God of All Creation, their God.’ In that day I’ll make the leaders of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among bunches of hay; and they’ll burn all the surrounding peoples, on the right hand and on the left; and the people of Jerusalem will yet again live in their own place, in the very city of Jerusalem. Yahweh also will save the people of Judah first, that the fame of the house of David and the fame of the people of Jerusalem won’t be greater than that of Judah.
[8-14] In that day Yahweh will defend the people of Jerusalem. The one who is weak among them at that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of Yahweh before them. In that day, I’ll destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I’ll pour on the house of David, and on the people of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of prayer; and they’ll look to Me whom they’ve pierced; and they’ll mourn for Me, as one mourns for an only child, and will grieve bitterly for Me, as one grieves for a firstborn child. In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadad Rimmon in the valley of Armageddon. The land will mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their women apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their women apart; the family of the house of Levi apart, and their women apart; the family of the Shimeites apart, and their women apart; all the families who are left, every family apart, and their women apart.
13[1-3] “In that day there will be a spring opened to the house of David, and to the people of Jerusalem, for sin and for unfitness. In that day,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, I’ll cut off the names of the false gods out of the land, and they won’t be remembered anymore; and also I’ll cause the great preachers and the evil spirits to go out of the land. If anyone still speaks in the Name of God, then their parents who had them will tell them, ‘You must die, because you speak lies in the Name of Yahweh;’ and their parents will kill them when they speak in the Name of God.
[4-7] In that day, the great preachers will each be ashamed of their vision, when they speak in the Name of God; nor will they wear preacher’s clothes to spread lies, but will say, ‘I am no great preacher, I am a farmer; I’ve been a hard worker from My youth.’ People will ask Me, ‘What are these wounds in your hands?’ Then I’ll answer, ‘I was wounded with these in the house of My friends.’“ Awake, blade, against My Guide, and against the One who is always with Me,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation. “Hurt the Guide, and those who follow will be scattered; and I’ll turn My hand against the little ones.”
[8-9] Yahweh says, “Two thirds in all the land will be cut off and die; but one third will be left in it. I’ll bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They’ll call on My name, and I’ll hear them. I’ll say, ‘It’s My people;’ and they’ll say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’“
14[1-3] See, the Day of Yahweh comes, when everything you have will be taken from you right before your eyes. For I’ll gather all nations against Jerusalem to war; and the town will be taken, the houses broken into, and the women raped. Half of the town will be taken prisoner, but the rest of the people won’t be taken from the town. Then Yahweh will go out and fight against those nations, as when God fought in the day of war.
[4-5] God’s feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south. You’ll escape through the valley between the mountains; for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you’ll run, just like you ran from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah ruler of Judah. You, Yahweh My God, will come, along with all the holy ones.
[6-11] In that day, there won’t be light, cold, or frost. It’ll be a day different from any other, which is only known to Yahweh; not day, and not night; but at evening time there will be light. In that day, living waters will flow out from Jerusalem; half toward the eastern sea, and half toward the western sea; in summer and in winter it’ll flow. Yahweh God will be Ruler over all the earth. In that day Yahweh will be One, God’s Name One. All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and will be lifted up, and peopled in its place, from Benjamin’s gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the ruler’s winepresses. People will live in it, and there will be no more punishment; but Jerusalem will live in safety.
[12-15] This is how Yahweh will punish all the peoples who have fought against Jerusalem: their meat will fall from their bones while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will melt in their sockets, and their tongue will melt away in their mouth. In that day, Yahweh will start a great panic among them; and everyone will grab their neighbor, and fight them. Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered together, a great amount of gold, silver, and clothing. This will also happen to the horse, mule, camel, and donkey, and to all the animals that will be in those camps, just as it happens to the people.
[16-21] It’ll happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the Ruler, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, and to keep the celebration of tents. And whoever of all the families of the earth won’t go up to Jerusalem to worship the Ruler, Yahweh, the God of All Creation, won’t get any rain. If the family of Egypt doesn’t go up, and doesn’t come, it won’t rain on their land. This will be the trouble that Yahweh will hurt the nations with that don’t go up to keep the celebration of tents. This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that don’t go up to keep the celebration of tents. In that day there will be on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO YAHWEH;” And the pots in Yahweh’s house will be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to Yahweh, the God of All Creation; and all those who sacrifice will come and take of them, and cook in them. In that day there won’t be anyone selling anything in the house of Yahweh, the God of All Creation, ever again.
Malachi (My Messenger)
Malachi is the last prophetic book of the Old Testament. A number of early Jewish commentators credited the book to the 5th-century BC Hebrew preacher and reformer Ezra, but modern scholars doubt this assumption. They also doubt that the Hebrew word Malachi, used as a personal name in 1:1, is a proper noun. It means (literally) “ my messenger,” Which appears in 3:1. Although Malachi stands as the last book of the Old Testament in Christian versions of the Bible, and stands as the last of 12 short prophetic books as the Minor Prophets in the second part of the Hebrew canon, it probably was not the last composed. Internal evidence suggests a postexilic date, most likely sometime in the decade 460-450 BC, or before the reforms that were carried out by Nehemiah, a 5th-century BC Jewish leader. The book consists of a superscription (1:1); prophetic prophecies presented in a unique question and answer format, instead of just telling the visions in the prophet’s usual way; and two appendices (4:4-6), believed by scholars to be editorial additions. The first prophecy (1:2-5) reaffirms God’s love for the chosen people of Israel, whose everlasting enmity toward Edom (Jordan, Arab nations) will finally be judged. In the second prophecy (1:6-2:9), the preachers and the people are rebuked for hating God’s name by sacrificing unfit animals, and punishment is predicted for the preachers if they continue to ignore their obligations. The third prophecy (2:10-16) is concerned with divorce and the intermarriage of Jews and Gentiles; divorce is hateful to God, and through mixed marriages heathen customs and beliefs are introduced, thereby violating the Sinai Covenant. The fourth prophecy (2:17-3:5) warns that God will come, heralded by a messenger, and judge the evildoers who no longer fear him as “The God of justice” (2:17). The fifth prophecy (3:6-12) explains that the crops have failed because the people are robbing God by not giving “The full tithes” (3:10) required by the Law. If they give fully, God will remove their curse and send rich harvests. The last prophecy (3:13-4:3) foretells that obedience to God will be rewarded when the day of judgment comes. The two appendices further admonish the people to “Remember the law of … Moses” (4:4) and prophesy that the Hebrew prophet Elijah will be sent “Before the great and terrible day of the Yahweh comes” (4:5). The last is thought by some scholars to have been added to identify the messenger of 3:1 with Elijah. It has been understood since the time of Jesus Christ as prophesying the advent of John the Baptist. The Book of Malachi offers valuable historical information about religious and social conditions in Palestine after the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews from 586 BC to 538 BC and before the reorganization of the Jewish people by Nehemiah. To Christians, it is significant theologically for the figure of the messianic forerunner.
Malachi (My Messenger)
1[1-5] This is the vision of the Word of Yahweh to Israel by Malachi.” I’ve loved you,” says Yahweh. Yet you ask, “How have you loved us?” Yahweh says, “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? Yet I loved Jacob; but Esau I hated, and destroyed his mountains, and gave his descendants to the wild animals of the countryside.” While Edom (Jordan, Arab nations) says, “We’re beaten down, but we’ll come back and rebuild the ruins;” Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “They’ll build it, but I’ll throw it down; and people will call them ‘The Land of Evil,’ yes, the people who Yahweh is angry with forever.” You’ll see, and say, “Yahweh is great, even beyond the border of Israel!”
[6-10] “A child honors a parent, and a worker the boss. If I am like a parent, then where is My honor? And if I am like a boss, where is My respect? Yahweh, the God of All Creation,” says to you preachers, who hate My Name, You say, ‘How have we hated Your Name?’ You give unfit offerings on My altar. You say, ‘What have we given you that was unfit?’ In that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is disgraceful.’ When you offer something less than perfect, isn’t that evil? And when you offer something unfit, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governmental leaders! Will they’re pleased with you? Or will they accept you?” Says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” Now, please pray for God’s grace, that I may show mercy to you. Will I accept any of you as long as you do such as this?” Says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you wouldn’t come to worship Me in vain! I am not happy with you,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hand.
[11-14] From the rising of the sun even to its setting, My Name is to be great among the nations, and in every place incense is to be offered to My Name, and a perfect offering because My Name is to be great among the nations,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” But you disrespect it, in that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its food is disgraceful.’ You say also, ‘See, how tiresome it is!’ and you’ve turned your nose up at it,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation; “And you’ve brought what was stolen; you bring the unfit for the offering. Should I accept such as this from your hand?” Says Yahweh.” But the liar will be punished, who has what is perfect, and makes a vow, and then offers to Yahweh something unfit or imperfect; because I am a great Ruler,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “And My Name is to be awesome among the nations.”
2[1-4] “Now, you preachers, this word is for you. If you won’t listen, and if you won’t take it to heart, to bring praise to My Name,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “Then I’ll punish you, and I’ll take away your blessings. Without a doubt, I’ve punished you already, because you don’t take it to heart. See, I’ll destroy your children, and will spread waste on your faces, even the waste of your celebrations; and you’ll be taken away with it. You’ll know that I’ve sent this word to you, that My promised agreement is with Levi,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[5-9] “I agreed to give them life and peace; and I gave it to those who know Me, and show respect to Me, and honor My Name. He spoke the law of truth, and said nothing wrong. He walked with Me in peace, doing what’s right, and turned many away from sin. For the preacher’s lips should speak knowledge, and they should search the Word of God for what to say; for they are the messenger of Yahweh, the God of All Creation. But you’ve turned from the way and have caused many to be weak in the Word. You have destroyed the promised agreement of Levi,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” So I’ve also made you disgraceful and evil before all the people, because you haven’t kept My ways, nor respected the whole Word of God.
[10-15] You say, “Don’t we all have the same God? Hasn’t one God created all of us? Why do we abuse others everyone coming against another, disrespecting the promised agreement of our ancestors? Judah has abused others, and an evil is done in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has disrespected the holiness of Yahweh which they loved, and has worshiped a foreign god. Yahweh will cut off out of the homes of Jacob those who do this, who fully know what they do, and offer an offering to Yahweh, the God of All Creation. You do this as well; you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with crying, and with sighing, because God doesn’t accept your offering any more, nor receives it with good will from your hand. Yet you ask, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, whom you’ve abused, though she is your equal, and the wife of your promise. Didn’t God make you one with the Spirit? Why did God make you one? Because Yahweh wanted godly children. So pay attention to your spirit, and let none of you abuse the wife of your youth.
[16-17] Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “I hate divorce!” Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “I hate those who cover themselves with violence!” So pay attention to your spirit, that you don’t abuse others. You have tired Yahweh with your words. Yet you ask, ‘How have we tired You?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and God is happy with them;’ or ‘Where is the God of justice?’
3[1-4] “See, I send My messenger, who will get everything ready for Me; and the God you search for will come suddenly to the Place of Worship; and the messenger of the promised agreement, whom you want, is coming!” Says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” But who can handle the day I come? And who will stand when I appear? For I am like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap; and will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and will purify the people of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they’ll offer to Yahweh God the right kind of offerings. Then I, Yahweh, will be happy with the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in the old days, and as in early years.
[5-7] I’ll come to you in judgment; and I’ll quickly be a witness against those who use witchcraft, those who worship falsely, the liars, and those who oppress the workers in their wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who don’t give the foreigners their rights, and don’t respect Me,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” For I, Yahweh, don’t change; so you, people of Jacob, aren’t destroyed. From the days of your ancestors you’ve turned away from My rules, and haven’t kept them. Come back to Me, and I’ll come back to you,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” But you ask, ‘How do we come back?’
[8-12] Will a mere human being dare to steal from God? Yet you steal from Me! But you ask, ‘How have we stolen from You?’ In your tithes and offerings! You’re being punished because you steal from Me, this whole nation. Bring the whole tenth into the treasury, to provide for My House, and test Me now in this,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “See if I won’t open up the windows of heaven for you, and pour out a blessing for you, so much that you won’t be able to keep it all. I’ll tell the destroyer to stop for your sakes, who won’t destroy your work; nor will you lose your food,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.” All nations will call you blessed, for you’ll be a wonderful land,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[13-18] “Your words have been bold against Me,” says Yahweh.” Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against you?’ You’ve said, “’It’s no use serving God;’ and ‘What profit is there if we do what God says, “and if we’re sad for not doing what Yahweh, the God of All Creation says?’” Now we call the proud happy; yes, those who do evil are praised; yes, they tempt God, and are not punished. Then those who respected Yahweh spoke to one another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book to remember it was written before God, by those who respected Yahweh, and who honored God’s Name. Yahweh, the God of All Creation says, “They’ll be Mine, My very own people in the day that I take what’s Mine; and I’ll spare them, as a parent spares their own children who serve them. Then you’ll come back and know the difference between good and evil, between those who serve God and those who don’t.”
4[1-3] “See, the day comes, it burns like fire; and all the proud, and all who do evil, will be burned like stubble; and the day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation, “That it will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who know My Name, the sun of goodness will come up and give you new life. You’ll go out, and be like well-fed calves in the stall. You’ll stomp on the evil, who’ll be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says Yahweh, the God of All Creation.
[4-6] “Remember the law of Moses My servant, which I told him in Horeb for all Israel, all the laws and rules. See, I’ll send you Elijah, the great preacher, before the awesome day of Yahweh comes, who’ll turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, before I come and punish the earth.
The
New Word
For All God’s People
A Go Fish Ministries Publication
The New Word According to Matthew
The Family Tree of Yeshua the Christ (Royal Line of David)
1 [1-17] This is the book of the family tree of Yeshua the Christ, who was the descendent of David, who was the descendent of Abraham. Abraham had Isaac; and Isaac had Jacob; and Jacob had Judah and his siblings; and Judah had Perez and Zerah by Tamar; and Perez had Hezron; and Hezron had Aram; and Aram had Aminadab; and Aminadab had Nahshon; and Nahshon had Salmon; and Salmon had Boaz by Rahab; and Boaz had Obed by Ruth; and Obed had Jesse; and Jesse had David, the ruler of Israel; and David had Solomon by the survivor of Urias; and Solomon had Rehoboam; and Rehoboam had Abijah; and Abijah had Asa; and Asa had Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat had Joram; and Joram had Uzziah; and Uzziah had Jotham; and Jotham had Ahaz; and Ahaz had Hezekiah; and Hezekiah had Manasseh; and Manasseh had Amon; and Amon had Josiah; and Josiah had Jechoniah and his siblings, about the time they were taken captive and carried away to Babylon. After they were brought there, Jechoniah had Shealtiel; and Shealtiel had Zerubbabel; and Zerubbabel had Abiud; and Abiud had Eliakim; and Eliakim had Azor; and Azor had Zadoc; and Zadoc had Achim; and Achim had Eliud; and Eliud had Eleazar; and Eleazar had Matthan; and Matthan had Jacob; and Jacob had Joseph, the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Yeshua, who is called the Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the Babylonian captivity were fourteen generations; and from the Babylonian captivity until the Christ were fourteen generations.
The Conception and Birth of Jesus
[18-25] Now this is how the birth of Yeshua the Christ happened: When Mary, the mother of the Christ, was engaged to Joseph, she became pregnant with the Child of the Holy Spirit before they were married. Then Joseph, her future husband being a good person, and not willing to make a public example out of her, was thinking about secretly breaking the engagement. But while he thought about it, the angel of God appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendent of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife because her baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she’ll have a child, and you’re to call the Child’s name Yeshua because this child will save God’s people from their sins.” Now all this happened, so that what was spoken of by the great preacher of God would happen, who said, a young girl who has never had sexual relations will become pregnant, and will have a child, and they’ll call the Child’s name Immanuel, which means, God is with us. Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of God had told him, and took Mary in marriage, but didn’t have sexual relations with her until after she had given birth to her first child: and Joseph called the Child’s name Yeshua, which means God saves.
The Astronomers and Herod
2 [1-10] Now when Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days when Herod ruled, three astronomers came from the east to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the One that was born to be Ruler of the Jews? We’ve seen a new star in the east, and have come to worship the new Ruler.” So when Herod, who was then ruling, heard this, he was very uneasy, and all the people of Jerusalem, as well. So he gathered all the leading priests and the religious leaders together, and asked them where the Christ was to have been born. And they told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea because the Word says by the great preacher, ‘and you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, aren’t the least among the royalty of Judah because a Governor will come from you, to rule My people Israel.’” Then Herod, who had called the astronomers in secret, cautiously asked them about what time the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the young Child; and when you’ve found the Child, come and tell me, so that I can come and show my respect also.” So when they had heard what Herod said, they left; and the star, which they saw in the east, moved in front of them, till it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they were greatly overjoyed.
The Astronomers with Yeshua
[11-12] And when they had come into the house, they saw Mary with the young Child and bowed down, and worshipped the Child: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back another way to their own country.
Escape into Egypt
[13-15] And when they had left, the angel of Yahweh appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up, and take the young Child and Mary, and run away into Egypt, and stay there until I bring word because Herod will try to kill the Child.” And when they got up, he took them by night and escaped into Egypt, staying there until the death of Herod, so that the Words which were spoken of God by the great preacher would happen, which says, “I’ve called my Child out of Egypt.”
Herod Kills the Children
[16-18] Then Herod, who saw that he had been tricked by the astronomers, was very angry, and sent guards to kill all the male children two years old and under in Bethlehem, and the surrounding areas, according to the time which the Astronomers had told him of it. Then what was spoken of by Jeremiah, the great preacher, happened, who said, “In Rama, near Bethlehem, a voice of great grief was heard, with screaming and crying, Rachel crying for her children, who wouldn’t be comforted, because they were dead.”
The Nazarene
[19-23] But when Herod was dead, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream while in Egypt, saying, “Get up and take the young Child and Mary, and go back to the land of Israel because the ones who wanted to kill the young Child are dead now.” So Joseph got up, and took them back into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus ruled in Judea in place of his father Herod, they were afraid to go there: So being warned of God in another dream, they turned aside into the country of Galilee: And they came and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that it would happen which was spoken by the great preachers, “The Child will be called a Nazarene.”
John the Baptist
3 [1-12] Now in those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the countryside of Judea, saying, “Change your evil ways because the realm of heaven is about to come.” I am the one that was spoken of by the great preacher Isaiah, saying, “The voice of one calling out in the countryside will clear the way for Yahweh God, making the way plain.” And John had clothing of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around the waist; and ate locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem went out to him, along with all Judea, and the whole countryside around Jordan, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River, admitting all their sins. But when John saw many people from the religious sects coming to be baptized, he said, “You snakes! Who warned you to escape from the coming judgment? If so, don’t just say you’re sorry, change your evil ways: And don’t think to yourselves, Abraham is our ancestor because I tell you, that God is able to create more children for Abraham even from these stones. Now the axe is laid to the root of the trees: so every tree which doesn’t make good fruit will be cut down, and put into the fire. I baptize you with water as a symbol of your changed life: but the One that comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I’m not even worthy to carry: The Christ will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit: Who holds the separating fan, and will carefully clear the floor, gathering the wheat into the storage room; but burning up the waste with a great fire.”
John Baptizes the Christ
[13-17] Then Yeshua came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized. At first John refused saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and here you are coming to me?” But Yeshua said, “Do it this way now because it’s right to do it this way.” Then John baptized Yeshua. And when Yeshua was baptized, coming straight up out of the water, John saw the heavens open up, and the Spirit of God coming down like a dove, and landing on Yeshua: And a voice from heaven said, “This is My Child, who I love and I am so pleased with You.”
The Temptation of Christ
4 [1-11] Then Yeshua was led by the Spirit up into the countryside to be tempted by the devil. So after Yeshua had gone without food forty days and forty nights, the Christ was very hungry. Then the devil came to tempt Yeshua, saying, “If you’re really the Child of God, order these stones to become bread.” But Yeshua answered, “It’s written, ‘No one can live by bread alone, but by every word that God says’.” Then the devil took the Christ up into Jerusalem, the holy city, and set Yeshua on top of the Place of Worship, and said, “If you’re really the Child of God, jump down from here because the Word says, ‘God’s angels will be in charge of You: and they’ll pick you up in their hands, if you should ever stumble over a stone.’” And Yeshua answered, “It’s also written; ‘You should never tempt Yahweh your God.'” Then, the devil took the Christ up into a very high mountain, showing Yeshua all the countries of the world, and all of their amazing realms; saying, “I’ll give you all of this, if you’ll only bow down and worship me.” But Yeshua said, “Get away from Me, Satan; the Word says, ‘You’ll worship Yahweh your God, and will serve only Yahweh.'” Then the devil left and God’s angels quickly came and ministered to the Christ.
The Christ’s Ministry Begins
[12-17] Now when Yeshua heard that John had been put in jail, the Christ went into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, came and stayed in Capernaum, which is on the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that it would happen which was spoken of by Isaiah the great preacher, saying, “In the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, beside the sea, and beyond Jordan, in Galilee, where the other peoples live; The people who were surrounded by darkness saw a great light; and a light has shined for those who lived under the shadow of death.” From then on Yeshua began to preach saying, “Change your evil ways, because the power of heaven is here.”
Calling the Followers
[18-25] And Yeshua, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, throwing a net into the sea because they were fishers. So Yeshua called out to them, “Follow Me and I’ll make you fishers of others.” Then suddenly, they left their nets, following the Christ. And going on from there, Yeshua saw two more brothers, James and John, two of the children of Zebedee, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and called out to them also. And they, too, suddenly left their ship and their father, following the Christ. Then Yeshua went all around Galilee, teaching in their worship services, and preaching the New Word of heaven, and healing all kinds of sicknesses and diseases among the people. And Yeshua became famous throughout all Syria: and they brought all the sick people, who had many different diseases and pains, and those who were overcome by evil spirits, and those who had mental illnesses, and those who were paralyzed; and Yeshua healed them all. And great crowds of people from Galilee, from Decapolis, from Jerusalem, from Judea, and from beyond Jordan followed the Christ.
The Sermon on the Mount
5 [1-12] And seeing the crowds, Yeshua went up on a mountain: and when the Christ had sat down, the followers came, too: And Yeshua began to speak, and taught them all, saying, “Blessed are those whose spirits are disheartened because the power of heaven is now theirs. Blessed are those who grieve because they’ll be in good spirits now. Blessed are those who are gentle because the earth will be given to them. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for goodness because they’ll be filled with it. Blessed are those who have compassion because they’ll be given compassion in return. Blessed are those whose hearts are innocent because they’ll see God. Blessed are those who are peacemakers because they’ll be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are abused for the sake of goodness, because the power of heaven is now theirs. Blessed are you, when people hate you, and mistreat you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely, for My sake. Celebrate, and be very happy because your reward in heaven will be great because they also abused the great preachers who came before you.
Salt and Light
[13-16] You’re like the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its flavor, how can it flavor anything? It isn’t good for anything, but to be thrown out, and walked on. You’re also like the light of the world. A city built on a hill can’t be hid. Nor would anyone light a candle and hide it, but they would put it on a candle holder; so that it gives light to everyone in the house. So let your light shine for others, so that they can see what good things you’ve done, and praise your God who is in heaven.
[17-20] Don’t think that I’ve come to put an end to the law of God, or the great preachers’ prophesies: I haven’t come to end them, but to complete them. The truth is, until heaven and earth come to an end, not one comma or one period will be taken from the Word of God, till everything is complete. So whoever breaks the least part of the Word, and teaches others to do so, that person will be the least important in heaven: but whoever will do and teach it, that person will be called great in heaven. I tell you, that unless your goodness is greater than the goodness of the religious leaders, you’ll never get into heaven.
The Dangers of Judgment
[21-26] You’ve heard it said by the old ones, ‘”Don’t kill; and whoever kills will be in danger of judgment’: But I tell you, that whoever is angry with another without cause will be in danger of judgment: and whoever says to another, ‘You godless idiot,’ will be in danger of being sued at law: but whoever says, ‘You godless idiot,’ will also be in danger of the Hell fire. So if you bring your gift to the altar, and remember that another has something against you; Leave your gift there at the altar, and go first and make up with the other person, and then come and offer your gift. Come to an agreement quickly with those who come against you, while you’re with them; or they may bring you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, who will put you in jail. The truth is, you’ll by no means be freed, till you’ve paid every cent of your fine.
Sexual Sin
[27-32] You’ve heard it said by the old ones, ‘Don’t be sexually unfaithful in your marriage’: But I tell you, that whoever thinks of someone in a sexual way who isn’t their spouse has done a sexual sin in their heart already. And if your eyes cause you to suffer in sin, don’t use them because it’s better for you that you not be able to use one of your members, and not that your whole body be thrown into Hell. And if your hand causes you to suffer in sin, don’t use it because it’s better for you that you not use one of your members and not that your whole body be thrown into Hell. It has been said, ‘Whoever divorces their spouse, should give them a writ of divorcement’: But I tell you, that whoever divorces their spouse, except for sexual unfaithfulness, causes them to be sexually unfaithful: and whoever marries that person who is divorced is being sexually unfaithful as well.
Breaking Promises
[33-37] Again, you’ve heard it said by the old ones, ‘Don’t break your promises, but do everything you promise to God’: But I tell you, don’t make promises at all; not by heaven, because it’s God’s throne; Nor by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it’s the City of God. Nor should you swear by your head, because you can’t make one hair white or black. So let your yes be yes, and your no be no, because whatever you say more than this is of evil.
Do More Than is Expected
[38-42] You’ve heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’: But I tell you that you shouldn’t fight back against evil; but whoever hits you on your right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone sues you at law and takes away your coat, let them have your shirt also. And whoever orders you to go a mile, go with them two miles. Give to anyone who asks of you, and don’t keep from anyone that would borrow from you.
Always Do What’s Right
[43-48] You’ve heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy’. But I tell you, love those who come against you, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who shamefully use and mistreat you; so that you can be the children of your God who is in heaven, because God makes the sun to rise on the bad and the good, and sends rain on those who are fair and those who aren’t. Because if you only love those who love you, what have you gained? Don’t the sinners even do this? And if you only respect your loved ones, what more do you do than others? Don’t the sinners even do that? So always do what’s right, just as your God, who is in heaven always does what’s right.
Tithing Should be Private
6 [1-4] Be sure that you don’t give your gifts openly, to be seen by others: otherwise you’ll have no reward from your God who is in heaven. So when you give your gifts, don’t tell it to everyone, like a fake does in a worship service and in the streets, so that they can be thought highly of by others. The truth is, they’ve already gotten all the reward they’ll get. But when you give your gifts, don’t let others know what you do: Let your gifts be private: and your God who sees in secret will reward you openly.
The Christ Teaches How to Pray
[5-8] And when you pray, you shouldn’t be like a fake, because they love to pray standing in the places of worship and on the street corners, so that they can be seen by others. The truth is, they‘ve already gotten all the reward they’ll get. But you, when you pray, come into your private room, and when you’ve shut your door, pray to your God secretly; and your God who sees in secret will openly reward you. But when you pray, don’t use meaningless repetitions, as the ungodly do because they think that they’ll be heard for all their talking. So don’t be like them because your God knows what your needs are, even before you ask for them.
Yeshua’s Prayer
[9-13] So pray like this: Yahweh, our God in heaven, Your Name is Holy. May Your everlasting realm come soon. May Your will be done on earth, just as it’s done in heaven. Give us what we need for today. And forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Help us not to sin when we’re tempted, but free us from evil, because the power and the victory of Your Realm is forever. So be it!
The Importance of Forgiving Others
[14-15] If you forgive others their sins, your God in heaven will also forgive you, but if you don’t forgive others their sins, nor will your God forgive your sins.
Fasting Should be Private
[16-18] Besides this, when you go without food for a religious reason, don’t be like fakes, who disfigure their faces with a sad look, so that they can appear to others to be going without. The truth is; they’ve already gotten all the reward they’ll get. But you, when you go without food for a religious reason, anoint your head with oil, and wash your face; so that you don’t appear to others to be going without, but secretly to your God; and your God, who sees in secret, will openly reward you.
Your Heart is Where You put Your Money
[19-23] Don’t store up wealth for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust will destroy it all, and where thieves can break in and steal everything: But store up wealth for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy it, and where thieves won’t break in to steal it. Your heart is where you put your money. The eye is the light of the body, so if your eye is set on the light of goodness, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is set on evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is dimmed, how great that darkness will be!
Don’t Worry, God Will Take Care of You
[24-33] No one can serve two rulers because they’ll either hate one and love the other; or else, they’ll hold on to one and hate the other. You can’t serve both God and money. So I tell you, don’t worry about your livelihood, what you’ll eat, or what you’ll drink; or what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? The birds of the air neither plant nor pick, nor do they store up food; but still your God in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than they are? Which of you by thinking about it can add one hour or one day to your life? And why do you worry about your clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they don’t work nor weave: And still, I tell you, that even Solomon in all his glory wasn’t decorated like one of them. So if God clothes the grasses of the fields this way, which grow today, and are dead by tomorrow, won’t God clothe you that much more? Don’t you have any faith? So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will I eat?’ Or, ‘What will I drink?’ Or, ‘What am I going to wear?’ Those who are earthly worry about all this, but your God in heaven knows that you need these things. So first find the goodness of the realm God; and all these other things will be given to you as well. Don’t worry about what tomorrow may bring because tomorrow will worry about itself. There’s enough evil in one day without worrying about another.
Be Careful of Judging People Unfairly
7 [1-5] Don’t be quick to judge, so that you won’t be judged this way. Because with whatever judgment you judge others, you’ll be judged in this way, too: and with whatever measure you use, you’ll be measured with it, too. Why do you believe that the splinter in another’s eye is worse than the stake that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to another, ‘Let me pull the splinter out of your eye, when there’s a stake in your own eye?’ You fake, first take the stake out of your own eye; and then you can see clearly to take the splinter out of another’s eye.
Be Careful Who You Give To
[6] Don’t give anything set aside for a holy purpose to those who fight against God, nor give your valuables to them, or they won’t appreciate it, and they’ll turn around and resent you for it.
Ask, and It’ll Be Given To You
[7-12] Ask, and it’ll be given to you; search, and you’ll find it; knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone that asks will get what they ask; and those who search will find; and for those who knock, the door will be opened. How many of you, who if your child asks for bread, would give them a stone? Or if they asked for a fish, would you give them a snake instead? If you then, who are evil by nature, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your God in heaven give good things to those who ask for them? So everything that you would want someone to do to you, you do that to them because this is what God’s Word and the great preachers have always taught us.
Only One Way
[13-14] Go in at Heaven’s Gate, because the gate of Hell is wide open, and many go that way to be destroyed: But because there’s only one way that leads to life and that way is hard, only a few will find it.
Knowing the Difference Between the Good and Bad
[15-20] Beware of false teachers, who come to you looking as gentle as a lamb, but inwardly they’re selfish and greedy wolves. You’ll know them by what they do. Do people gather grapes from thorns, or figs from weeds? Every good tree makes good fruit; but a bad tree makes bad fruit. A good tree can’t make bad fruit, nor can a bad tree make good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t make good fruit will be cut down, and put into the fire. So you’ll know them by what they do.
Do God’s Will
[21-23] Not everyone who calls Me, Christ, will come into heaven; but only those who do the will of God in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Christ, haven’t we preached in Your Name? And in Your Name put out evil spirits? And in Your Name done many amazing things?’ And then I’ll tell them, ‘I don’t know you! Get away from Me, you who are always doing evil.’
The Solid Foundation
[24-28] So whoever hears My teachings, and does them, that person is like a wise person, who built their house on a rock: And the rain came down, and the floodwaters rose, and the winds blew, and beat that house; but it didn’t fall because its foundation was built on solid rock. And everyone that hears My teachings, and doesn’t do them, is like a stupid person, who built their house on the sand: And the rain came down, and the floodwaters rose, and the winds blew, and beat that house; and it fell: And it was totally destroyed!” And then, when Yeshua had finished these teachings, the people were amazed by them, because Yeshua taught them as someone with power, and not as the other religious leaders.
A Leper Healed
8 [1-4] When Yeshua had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed along. And then a person with leprosy came and begged the Christ, saying, “Christ, if You want to, You can heal me.” And Yeshua reached out, and touched them, saying, “I want to; be healed.” And suddenly the leprosy was healed. And Yeshua said, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses said to give, to show them what you say is true.”
The Faith of a Soldier
[5-13] And when Yeshua went to Capernaum, a soldier came pleading, asking, “Christ, my worker lies paralyzed at home, and in great pain.” And Yeshua said, “I’ll come and heal your worker.” But the soldier answered, “Christ, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and I know my worker will be healed. I too am someone with power, having guards under me. I say to one, Go, and the soldier goes; and to another, Come, and that soldier comes; and to my worker, Do this, and the worker does it.” So when Yeshua heard this, the Christ was amazed, saying to those who followed, “The truth is, I haven’t found a faith so great, no, not in all of Israel. I tell you, that many will come from the east and west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in heaven. But the children of the satanic realm will be put out into utter darkness where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth.” And Yeshua said to the soldier, “Go now; and it’ll happen just like you believed it would.” And the Centurion’s worker was healed at that very time.
Peter’s Mother-in-Law healed
[14-17] Then when Yeshua came into Peter’s house, the Christ saw Peter’s wife’s mother sick in bed with a fever. So Yeshua touched her hand and the fever left her; and she got up, and took care of them all. When the evening came, people brought many that were overcome by evil spirits, and the Christ freed them from them with a word, and healed all that were sick. So what was spoken by Isaiah the great preacher, saying, “The Christ took on our weaknesses, and healed our sicknesses,” happened in this way.
[18-22] Now when Yeshua saw great crowds surrounding them, the Christ told the faithful followers to go by boat to the other side. And a certain religious leader came, saying to Yeshua, “Christ, I’ll follow you wherever you go.” And Yeshua said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but I have nowhere to call home.” And another follower said to Yeshua, “Christ, let me wait until my parents die so I can bury them.” But Yeshua said, “You follow Me; and let those who are spiritually dead bury their dead.”
The Christ Calms the Storm
[23-27] And when the Christ went in a ship, the most faithful followers came along. A great storm came up in the sea, so bad that the ship was covered with the waves. But the Christ was sleeping, so the followers came, and awoke Yeshua, saying, “Christ, save us or we’ll all be destroyed.” So the Christ answered, “Why are you so afraid, don’t you have any faith?” Then the Christ got up, and told the winds and the sea to “Be still”; and there was a great calm. They were all amazed, saying, “What kind of person is this that even the wind and the sea obeys?”
The Gergesenes
[28-34] And when they came to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, two people overcome by evil spirits came out of the tombs, who were so fierce that no one could pass by that way. And they called out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Yeshua, Child of God? Have you come here punish us before our time?” And there was a herd of many pigs feeding a good way off from them. So the evil spirits begged Yeshua, saying, “If you put us out, let us go into the herd of pigs.” And the Christ said, “Go.” And when they had come out, they went into the herd of pigs, and the whole herd ran madly down a steep cliff into the sea, and drowned in the waters. And those who kept them ran off, and went into the city, and told everyone everything that had happened to the ones who had been overcome by the evil spirits. Then the whole city came out, and when they saw the Christ, they begged Yeshua to leave their coasts.
A Paralytic Healed
9 [1-8] And then Yeshua went back to the ship, and crossed over the sea, and came back. And they brought someone paralyzed, lying on a bed to the Christ. So, Yeshua, seeing their faith said to the paralyzed one; “Child, be happy; your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the religious leaders said, “This person shows disrespect to God.” And Yeshua knowing what they were thinking said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’; or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ But so that you can know that I have the power on earth to forgive sins,” (then the Christ said to the paralyzed one,) “Get up, pick up your bed, and go home.” And the paralyzed one got up, and went home. But when the crowds saw it, they were amazed, and praised God, who had given such power to Yeshua.
Matthew Called
[9] And as the Christ left from there, Yeshua said to someone, named Matthew, who was sitting where the taxes were collected, “Follow Me.” And Matthew got up, and followed Yeshua.
Eating With Sinners
[10-13] And then, as Yeshua was eating a meal in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with the Christ and the followers. And when the religious leaders saw it, they said to the followers, “Why does your Christ eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But on hearing that, Yeshua answered, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but only those who are sick. But you go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy, and not a sacrifice’; because I haven’t come to call those who do good things, but sinners to change their ways.”
On Fasting
[14-17] Then the followers of John came, asking, “Why do we and the religious leaders go without food for religious reasons often, but your followers don’t go without food at all?” And Yeshua answered, “Can those who are with the bridal party cry, as long as the bride and groom are with them? But the time will come, when the bridal party will be taken from them, and then they’ll go without food and cry. No one puts a new piece of cloth on an old piece of clothing, for what was put in to patch it up will shrink and pull on the tear, and make it worse. Neither does anyone put new wine into old bottles, or else the bottles will break, and the wine will spill out, and the bottles will be broken. But they put new wine into new bottles, and both are kept safely.
Woman Healed of Bleeding Disorder And A Young Girl Brought Back to Life Again
[18-26] While the Christ spoke this to them, there came a certain ruler, and bowed before Yeshua, saying, “My daughter is just about dead now: but come and lay your hand on her, and she’ll live again.” And Yeshua got up and followed along, and so did the followers. Then a woman, who suffered with a flow of blood for twelve years, came up behind Yeshua, and touched the hem of the Christ’s clothing, saying to herself, “If I can only touch the clothing of the Christ, I’ll get well.” But Yeshua turned around, and seeing her, said, “Daughter, be in good spirits now; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that very time. Then coming into the ruler’s house, and seeing the musicians and the people crying, the Christ told them, “Get out of the way, the girl isn’t dead, but is only sleeping.” And they all disrespectfully laughed. But when everyone was put out, the Christ went in, and took her by the hand and the girl got up. And this story became famous all over the countryside.
Sight Brought Back to the Blind
[27-31] And when Yeshua left there, two people who were blind followed along, crying, and saying, “Heir of David, have mercy on us.” And when the Christ came into the house, those who were blind came also: and Yeshua answered, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And they said, “Yes, Christ.” So the Christ touched their eyes, saying, “As your faith is, let it happen to you, now.” And their eyes began to see; and Yeshua told them clearly, saying, “Don’t tell anyone.” But when they left, they made it famous throughout the whole country.
Speech Brought Back to the Dumb
[32-35] As they went out, someone brought to the Christ a person who couldn’t speak and who was overcome by an evil spirit. And when the evil spirit was put out, the person who was dumb spoke: and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in all of Israel!” But the religious leaders said, “This person puts out evil spirits by the ruler of the evil spirits.” And Yeshua went throughout all the cities and towns, teaching in their worship services, and preaching the New Word of the realm of God, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Few Workers
[36-38] But when Yeshua saw the crowds, the Christ had compassion for them, because they were weak, and were scattered out, as animals having no keeper. Then Yeshua said to the followers, “The harvest is great, but the truth is, the workers are few; So pray that the God of the harvest will send workers to gather it in.”
The Twelve Followers Given Power
10 [1-4] And calling the twelve followers, the Christ gave them power over evil spirits to put them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. Now the names of the twelve followers are these: The first, Simon Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James and John, the sons of Zebedee; Philip, Bartholomew; Thomas, Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus, who was called Thaddaeus; Simon, from Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, who handed over the Christ.
[5-15] These twelve Yeshua sent out, and told them, saying, “Don’t go to the cities of the other peoples, or into any city of the people of mixed heritage; but instead go to the lost ones of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, Heaven is here. Heal the sick, heal those with leprosy, give life to the dead, and put out evil spirits. You’ve been given everything freely, so give to them freely. Don’t give money for your personal expenses, nor for your journey, nor bring two coats, nor extra shoes, nor even staples because workers are worthy of the food they eat. And whatever city or town you come to, ask who in it is worthy; and stay there until you leave that place. And when you come into a house, say hello to those there. And if they’re worthy, let your peace come on them: but if they aren’t worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever won’t accept you, nor hear your words, when you leave out of that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. The truth is, it’ll be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
You Will Be Hated by Others for Christ’s Sake
[16-25] I send you out as tamed animals to a bunch of wolves: so be as wise as snakes, and harmless as doves. But beware of the others because they’ll bring you to the courts, and punish you; and you’ll be brought to governors and rulers for My sake, for a witness against them. But when they arrest you, don’t worry about how or what you’ll speak because it’ll be given to you at that very time what to say. Because it isn’t you who speaks, but the Spirit of your God who speaks in you. And siblings will hand over siblings to death, and the parents, the children: and the children will go up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And you’ll be hated by everyone because of My Name: but those who are faithful to the end will be saved. But when they mistreat you in one city, run to another. The truth is, you won’t have gone to all the cities of Israel, till I come. The follower isn’t better than the teacher, nor the worker better than the owner. It’s enough for the followers to be like the teacher, and the workers to be like their owner. If they’ve called the owner of the house by the name of the devil, how much more they’ll call the children of the household names!
Pick Up Your Cross And Follow Me
[26-39] So don’t be afraid of them because there isn’t anything covered, that won’t be uncovered; and secret, that won’t become known. What I tell you in secret, you speak openly: and what you hear whispered in your ear, preach at the top of your voice. And don’t be afraid of those who can kill the body, but aren’t able to kill the soul: but instead fear God, who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a small coin? Not one of them will fall on the ground without your God knowing it. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid, you’re worth much more than many sparrows. So whoever says that they know Me to others, I’ll also say that I know them to My God who is in heaven. But whoever denies that they know Me to others, I’ll also say that I don’t know them to My God who is in heaven. Don’t think that I’ve come to send peace on the earth: I didn’t come to send peace, but instead disagreement. I’ve come to set children at odds against their parents, and in-law against in-law. And those who come against you will be those of your own home. Whoever loves their parents more than Me isn’t worthy of Me: and whoever loves their children more than Me isn’t worthy of Me. And whoever doesn’t pick up and carry their own cross of suffering, and follow after Me, isn’t worthy of Me. Whoever tries to save their life will lose it: and whoever willingly gives up their life for my sake will save it.
Accept Yeshua, accept God
[40-42] Whoever accepts you accepts Me, and whoever accepts Me accepts the God who sent Me. Whoever accepts a great preacher in the name of a great preacher will get a great preacher’s reward; and whoever accepts a good person in the name of a good person will get a good person’s reward. And whoever gives a cup of cold water to drink to anyone, only in the name of a follower of Christ, the truth is; they’ll not lose their reward.”
The Followers of John Question Yeshua
11 [1-6] And then, when Yeshua had finished teaching the twelve followers, the Christ left there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John, who was in the prison, had heard about the things Christ did, he sent two followers to ask, “Are you the One who is to come, or do we look for another?” Yeshua answered, “Go and tell John again the things you hear and see: Those who are blind see, and those who are paralyzed walk, those with leprosy are healed, and those who couldn’t hear can hear again, the dead are given life, and those who are poor have the New Word preached to them. Whoever isn’t offended by Me is blessed.”
[7-15] And as they went, Yeshua began to say to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the countryside to see? A reed shaken in the wind? But what did you go out to see? A person clothed in soft furs? Those who wear soft furs are in rulers’ palaces. But what did you go out to see? A great preacher? Yes, I tell you, and more than just a great preacher, because this is the one, of whom the Word says, I send My messenger before You, who will clear Your way for You. The truth is, among all those who are born of women, there hasn’t been one greater than John the Baptist: but in the same way, whoever is least important in the realm of heaven is greater than John is. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, heaven is at war, and the evil ones are trying to take it by force. Because all the great preachers and God’s Word preached until John. And if you’ll accept it, this is Elijah, who was to come. If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.
[16-19] But what should I say this people is like? They are like children sitting in the shopping centers, and calling to their friends, saying, ‘We’ve played to you, and you didn’t dance; we’ve cried to you, and you haven’t cried for us’; because John didn’t come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He’s got an evil spirit.’ Then I came, both eating and drinking, and they say, look, a pig, and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But children are made right by their own thinking.
[20-24] Then Yeshua began to call out curses against the cities in which most of the amazing things had happened, because they didn’t change their evil ways: You’ll be sorry, Chorazin! You’ll be sorry, Bethsaida! If the amazing things, which have happened in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their ways long ago, crying in mourning clothes and putting ashes on their heads. But I tell you, it’ll be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And you, Capernaum, which is praised even to heaven, will be brought down to Hell because if the amazing things, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have been here until today. But I tell you that it’ll be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”
God’s Plan Revealed to the Undoubting
[25-27] At that time Yeshua said, “I thank You, God, Ruler of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden this from the wise and the cautious, and have made it known to undoubting children. Just the same, God, because it seemed good in Your sight, all things are given to Me by You: and no one knows Me, but God; nor does anyone know God, but Me, and those to whom I make You known.
Rest in God’s Work
[28-30] Come to Me, all you that work hard and carry heavy loads, and I’ll give you rest. Take responsibility for My work, and learn about Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart and you’ll find rest for your souls. Because my work is easy, and my load is light.”
The Seventh Day Teachings Challenged
12 [1-8] At that time Yeshua went through the grain on a Day of Worship; and the followers were hungry, so they began to take the grain to eat. But when the religious leaders saw it, they said, “Your followers are doing what isn’t right to do on a Day of Worship.” But the Christ answered, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he and his followers were hungry? How they went in the house of God, and ate the bread, which wasn’t right for any of them to eat, but only for the priests? Or haven’t you read in the Word of God, how that on Days of Worship, the priests in the Place of Worship don’t keep its rules, and are without fault? But I tell you that there’s One greater than the Place of Worship in this place. But if you had known what this means, I want mercy, and not sacrifice, you wouldn’t have accused the guiltless. Because I am the Ruler of even a Day of Worship.”
Doing Good on the Seventh Day
[9-13] And when they left there, the Christ went into their worship service, and there was someone whose hand was paralyzed. And they asked Yeshua in order to make an accusation, “Is it right to heal on Days of Worship?” So the Christ answered, “Who is there among you, who has an animal, which falls into a hole on a Day of Worship, won’t take hold of it, and pull it out? How much more then is a human being better than an animal? So it’s right to do what’s good on Days of Worship.” Then Yeshua said to the person, “Give Me your hand.” And the person did; so it was given back well, just like the other one.
Yeshua Heals the Crowds
[14-21] Then the religious leaders went out, and held a court against Yeshua, discussing how to get rid of the Christ. But when the Christ knew it, Yeshua left there and healed all of the great crowds following along, telling them not to tell it: So that it would happen which was spoken by Isaiah the great preacher, saying, “I’ll give My Spirit to My Helper, whom I’ve chosen; the One I Love, in whom My soul is very pleased: Who will show mercy to the other peoples. Who won’t fight, nor cry out; nor whose voice will anyone hear in the streets. Who won’t break someone who is already bruised, and won’t smother a person who still has a spark of hope, till victory comes in the judgment. And the other peoples will trust in the Name of My Christ.”
Christ Speaks on Evil Spirits
[22-30] Then someone who was overcome by an evil spirit, who was blind, and dumb was brought to the Christ, who healed them, so that the one who was blind and dumb both spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, saying, “Isn’t this the Heir of David?” But when the religious leaders heard it, they said, “This person doesn’t put out evil spirits by anything but the devil’s own power, the ruler of the evil spirits.” And Yeshua knowing what they were thinking, answered, “When the people of a country are divided that country will be destroyed; and every city or family that is divided won’t survive. So if Satan puts out Satan, and the devil is divided against the devil; then how can the devil’s realm stand? And if I, by the devil put out evil spirits, by whom do your children put them out? So they’ll be your judges. But if I put out evil spirits by the Spirit of God, then the realm of God has come to you now. Or else how can someone come into a strong person’s house, and take what they own, unless that person first tie up the strong person? and then the other will take what they own. Whoever isn’t with Me is against Me; and whoever doesn’t gather souls with Me scatters them out.
The Unforgivable Sin
[31-37] I tell you, all kind of sin and disrespect of God will be forgiven humanity: but the disrespect and rejection of the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven them. And whoever speaks a word against Me, it’ll be forgiven them: but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it won’t be forgiven them, not in this world, nor in the world to come. Either say that the tree is good, and its fruit’s good; or else say the tree is bad, and its fruit’s bad because the tree is known by its fruit. You snakes, how can you, being naturally evil, speak good things? The mouth speaks from what’s in the heart. A good person out of the good things of their heart speaks good things: and an evil person out of the evil things in their heart speaks evil things. But I tell you, that people will give account for every casual word that they speak in the day of judgment. By your words you’ll be made right, and by your words you’ll be accused.”
The Sign of Jonah
[38-45] Then some of the religious leaders and those of the religious sects answered, saying, “Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you.” But the Christ answered them, “An evil and unfaithful people look for a sign; but no sign will be given to it, but the sign of the great preacher Jonah: because as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a whale; so I’ll be three days and three nights in Hell, which is in the heart of the earth. Those of Nineveh will rise up in judgment of this people, and will accuse it: because they changed their ways at the preaching of Jonah; And One greater than Jonah is here. The ruler of the south will stand up in the judgment of this people, and will accuse it because she came from the distant parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; And One greater than Solomon is here. When an evil spirit has gone out of someone, it walks through dry places, looking for rest, and not finding it. Then it says, ‘I’ll return to the place I came from’; and when it comes back, it finds that house empty, cleaned, and decorated. Then it goes, and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they come and stay there: and the last state of that person is worse than the first. It’ll be like this for this people also.”
Who is My Family?
[46-50] While still talking to the people, Yeshua’s mother and family stood outside, hoping to speak with the Christ. Then someone said, “Your mother and family stand outside, hoping to speak with you.” But the Christ said to the one who said it, “Who is My mother? And who is My family?” And the Christ reached out toward the followers, saying, “This is My family! Because whoever does the will of My God, who is in heaven, is My family.”
The Story of the Seeds
13 [1-9] That same day Yeshua went out of the house, and sat on the seashore. And great crowds were gathered around, so the Christ went and sat in a ship; and the whole crowd stood on the shore. And the Christ spoke many things to them in stories, saying, “A farmer went out to plant; And when the farmer planted, some seeds fell beside the rows, and the birds came and ate them. Some fell on stony places, where they didn’t have much earth: and they came up quickly, because they weren’t deep enough. But when the sun was up, they were scorched and wilted away, because the roots were too shallow. And some fell in thorny places; and the thorns came up, and choked them out. But others fell into the good ground, and made fruit, some a hundred times as much, some sixty times as much, and some thirty times as much. Whoever will accept this, let them accept it.”
[10-17] And the followers came, and asked, “Why do you speak to them in stories?” So Yeshua answered them, “Because you’re able to know the secrets of heaven, but they aren’t able to know them. Whoever has the truth, more will be given, and they’ll be richly blessed: but whoever doesn’t have the truth, even what they have will be taken away. So I speak to them in stories: because seeing they don’t see; and hearing they don’t hear, nor do they understand it. And the Word, which was given ahead of time by Isaiah comes true by them, which said, ‘By hearing you’ll hear, and won’t understand; and seeing you’ll see, and won’t realize it: because this people’s heart has grown hard, and their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they’ve closed; in case at some time they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be changed, and I heal them.’ But your eyes are blessed, because they see: and your ears, because they hear. The truth is, that many great preachers and other good people have wanted to see what you see, and haven’t seen it; and to hear what you hear, and haven’t heard it.
[18-23] So understand the story of the farmer. When anyone hears the Word of the realm of God, and doesn’t understand it, then the evil one comes, and takes away what was planted in their heart. These are the ones that the seed fell beside the rows. But those who get the seed that fell into stony places, are those who hear the Word, and accept it with joy; Yet they have no root, only lasting for a little while, because when troubles or discrimination comes up because of the Word, they’re offended by it. Also those who get the seed that fell in the thorns are those who hear the Word; but the cares of this world, and the false hope of riches, choke out the Word, and they become unfruitful. But whoever gets the seed that fell in the good ground are those who hear the Word, and understand it; who also make fruit, and produce, some a hundred times, some sixty, some thirty.”
The Good Seed and the Bad Seed
[24-30] And Yeshua told them another story, saying, “Heaven is like the One who planted good seed in the fields: But while the farmhands slept, the enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade came up, and made fruit, then the weeds came up also. So the farmhands came, saying to the farmer, ‘Didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from then?’ So the farmer answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The farmhands said, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ But the farmer said, ‘No; in case when you gather up the weeds, you uproot the wheat with it. Let both grow together until the harvest: and at harvest time I’ll say to the pickers, Gather together the weeds first, and put them in bundles to burn: then gather the wheat into my barn.’”
[31-32] Then Yeshua told them another story, saying, “Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which someone took, and planted in the field, which is certainly among the smallest of all seeds: but when it grows, it’s the greatest among herbs, and becomes a small tree, so that even the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
[33-42] And Yeshua told them another story; “Heaven is also like the yeast, which a woman mixed in three cups of meal, till the whole dough was leavened.” All this Yeshua spoke in stories; and never spoke to the crowds without a story: so that it would happen which was spoken by the great preacher, saying, “I’ll speak in stories; telling things which have been kept secret from the beginning of the world.” Then Yeshua sent the crowd away, and went into the house: and the followers came, saying, “Tell us the meaning of the story of the weeds in the field.” So Yeshua answered, “I am the One who plants the good seed; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the realm of God; but the weeds are the children of the evil one; The enemy that planted them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the pickers are the angels. As the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire; so it’ll be in the end of this world. Then I’ll send out my angels, and they’ll gather out of this world everything that causes sin, and all those who keep on sinning; And will put them into a great fire: where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth in pain. Then those who do good will shine as the sun in the realm of their God. Whoever will accept this, let them accept it.
Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price
[44-46] Again, heaven is like a treasure hid in a field; which when someone has found it, they hide it again, and for joy they go and sell everything they have to buy that field. Again, heaven is like a salesperson that was looking for good pearls: Who, when they had found one pearl that was worth more than all the others, went and sold all the others and bought it.
The Fish Net
[47-52] Again, heaven is like a net that was let down into the sea, and caught all kinds of fish: Which, when it was full, they drew it to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but threw the bad ones away. So it’ll be at the end of the world: the angels will come, and divide the good from the bad, and will put them into the great fire: where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth in pain.” Then Yeshua asked, “Do you understand all this?” So they answered, “Yes, Christ.” Then Yeshua said, “So all those who are taught of the heavenly realm are like those who are homeowners, which bring both new and old things to use out of the wealth of things they own.”
A Great Preacher Without Honor
[53-58] And then, when Yeshua had finished these stories, they all left there together. And when they came to Yeshua’s own hometown, the Christ taught them in their worship services, so that the people were amazed, saying, “Where does Yeshua get this wisdom, and do these amazing things? Isn’t this the carpenter’s child? Isn’t Mary Yeshua’s mother? and James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, the brothers of Yeshua? And aren’t Yeshua’s sisters all with us, too? Where has this person gotten all this?” And they were greatly offended by the Christ. But Yeshua answered, “A great preacher isn’t without honor, except in their own town, and their own home.” And the Christ couldn’t do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
Herod Kills John the Baptist
14 [1-14] At that time Herod, the ruler, heard of Yeshua, who was now famous. And said to those working for him, “This must be John the Baptist; who has come back to life to do all these amazing things!” He said this because he had taken John, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, who had been married to Philip, his brother, because John had said, “It isn’t right for you to be married to her.” And when he wanted to put John to death, he wouldn’t, being afraid of the people, because they saw him as a great preacher. But on the celebration of Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for him, greatly pleasing him. Upon which he promised, swearing to give her whatever she would ask. And she, being told by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right here.” And the ruler was sorry: but, because he had sworn it, and because of those who were there, he ordered it to be given to her. And they sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And John’s head was brought on a plate, and given to the girl: and she brought it to her mother. And the followers came, and picked up the body, and buried it, and went and told Yeshua. So when Yeshua heard it, the Christ left there alone by ship into a deserted place: and when the people had heard it, they followed along on foot out of the cities. And Yeshua came out of the ship and seeing a great crowd, had compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Yeshua Feeds the Five Thousand
[15-21] Then when it was evening, the followers came saying, “This is a deserted place, and it’s late; send the crowd away, so that they can go into the towns, and buy food.” But Yeshua answered, “They don’t need to leave; you give them something to eat.” But they said to Yeshua, “We only have five small loaves, and two fish here.” So the Christ said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then the Christ told the crowd to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the followers, and the followers gave it to the crowd. They all ate, and were full: and the followers took up twelve baskets full of the scraps that were left over. There were about five thousand men who had eaten, besides the women and children.
Walking on the Water
[22-33] And suddenly the Christ told the followers to get into a ship, and go to the other side, but Yeshua stayed behind to send the crowds away. And when the crowds had gone away, Yeshua went up on a mountain alone to pray. When the evening came, the Christ was alone there. But the ship was now in the middle of the sea, being tossed by the waves because the wind was blowing hard against it. And late that night Yeshua went out to them, walking on the sea. And when the followers saw the Christ walking on the sea, they were afraid, saying, “It’s a ghost;” and they screamed in fear. But suddenly, Yeshua spoke to them, saying, “It’s okay; it’s only Me; Don’t be afraid.” And Peter answered, “Christ, if it’s really You, call me to come to You on the water.” So Yeshua said, “Come on.” And when Peter got down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Yeshua. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he screamed, saying, “Christ, save me.” And suddenly Yeshua gave him a hand and caught him, saying, “Don’t you have any faith? Why did you doubt?” And when they got into the ship, the wind stopped. Then those who were in the ship came and worshipped the Christ, saying, “It’s true! You’re the Child of God.”
[34-35] And when they had crossed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. When the people there knew of them, they sent word into the whole countryside all around, and brought all that were diseased to Yeshua; begging just to touch the hem of the Christ’s clothing: and all those who touched it were made completely well.
Human Way of Life
15 [1-9] Then the religious leaders and the ministers from religious sects, who were from Jerusalem, came to Yeshua saying, “Why do your followers not keep the way of life of the elders? They don’t wash their hands when they eat.” But Yeshua answered them, “Why do you also not keep the Word of God by your way of life? God said, ‘Honor your parents: And whoever curses their parents, let them die in their punishment.’ But you say, whoever says to their parents, ‘What I might have given to you I’ve given as a gift to the church’; And doesn’t honor their parents, they’ll be excused. So you’ve made the Words of God to have no effect by your way of life. You fakes, Isaiah was right about you, saying, ‘This people speaks of Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their words; but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is empty, teaching human standards for the principles of God’s word.’”
[10-20] And Yeshua called the crowd, saying to them, “Now, listen and understand: It isn’t what goes into the mouth that makes someone sick; but it’s what comes out of the mouth that makes someone sick.” Then the followers came, saying, “Don’t you know that the religious leaders were offended when they heard this?” But the Christ answered, “Every plant, which My God in heaven hasn’t planted, will be moved out of their place. Stay away from them: they’re blind leaders of the blind. And if those who are blind lead those who are blind, both will fall in the ditch.” Then Peter said, “What does this story mean?” So Yeshua said, “Do you, too, still not understand? Don’t you understand that whatever comes into the mouth goes into the belly, and then out in the waste? But the things which go out of the mouth come from the heart; and that is what makes the person sick, because out of the heart go evil thoughts, murders, sexual unfaithfulness, other sexual sins, thefts, lies, and disrespect for God: These are the things which make someone sick: but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t really make someone sick.”
The Canaanite Woman
[21-28] Then Yeshua left there, and went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And a woman of Canaan came out of the coasts, and called out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Christ, Heir of David; my daughter is completely overcome with an evil spirit.” But Yeshua didn’t say a word to her. Then the followers came and begged, saying; “Send her away, she won’t stop calling out to us.” So the Christ answered her saying, “I am only sent to the lost ones of the house of Israel.” Then she came and begged, saying, “Christ, help me.” But the Christ answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread, and give it to the dogs.” But she said, “That’s true, Christ, but still, the little dogs eat the scraps from their owners’ table.” Then Yeshua answered to her, “Woman, your faith is great: so you’ll get what you’ve asked for.” And her daughter was healed at that very time.
Feeding the Four Thousand
[29-31] And Yeshua left there, and came near the Sea of Galilee; and went up on a mountain, and sat down there. And great crowds came there, having with them those that were crippled, blind, dumb, hurt, and many others, and put them down at Yeshua’ feet; who healed them all: So much so, that the crowds were amazed when they saw those who were dumb speak; those who were hurt get well; those who were unable to stand walk; and those who were blind see: and they praised the God of Israel.
[32-38] Then Yeshua called the followers over, saying, “I am concerned about the crowd, because they have stayed with Me three days now, and haven’t had anything to eat: and I won’t send them away, while they willingly go without food, in case they faint on the way.” And the followers asked Yeshua, “Where would we get enough bread in the countryside, to give to all these people?” So Yeshua asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” And Yeshua told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then the Christ took the seven loaves and the fish, giving thanks, and breaking them up, and gave it to the followers, who then gave it to the crowd. So everyone in the crowd ate, and was full. Then the followers picked up seven baskets full of the scraps that were left over. And those who ate were four thousand people, beside the women and children. Then Yeshua sent away the crowd, and went to the ship, coming into the coasts of Magdala.
The Sign of Jonah
16 [1-5] Then the ministers from the religious sects came also, trying to tempt Yeshua, and wanted to see a sign from heaven. So Yeshua answered them, “When it’s evening, you say, ‘It’ll be fair weather because the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It’ll be bad weather today because the sky is red and lowering.’ You fakes, you understand the signs of the sky; but you can’t understand the signs of the times! An evil and unfaithful people look for a sign; but the only sign you’ll get is that of the great preacher Jonah.” And Yeshua left them and went to another place. And when the followers had come to the other side, they saw that they had forgotten to take bread.
The Leaven of the Religious Sects
[6-12] Then Yeshua said, “Be cautious of the leaven of these religious sects.” And they argued among themselves, asking, “Is it because we forgot the bread?” On hearing it, Yeshua answered, “You people have such little faith. Why do you question among yourselves, because you forgot the bread? Don’t you understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets of scraps you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How can you still not understand that I didn’t speak to you about bread, but that you should be cautious of the teachings of the ministers from the religious sects?” Then they understood that Yeshua wanted them not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teachings of the ministers from the religious sects.
Peter’s Confession
[13-20] When the Christ came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, Yeshua asked the followers, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered, “Some say that you’re John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the other great preachers.” Then Yeshua asked, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered, “You’re the Christ, the Child of the Living God.” And Yeshua answered, “You’re blessed, Simon Barjona, because nothing human has made this known to you, but the God I am from, who is in heaven. And I say also to you, that you’re Peter, a little rock, and on this rock, I’ll build the church of My people, and the gates of Hell won’t overcome it. And I’ll give to you the power of the realm of heaven: and whatever you put a stop to on earth will be stopped in heaven: and whatever you free on earth will be freed in heaven.” Then Yeshua told the followers, “Tell no one that I am the Christ.”
The Foretelling of the Death and Rising Again of the Christ
[21-23] From then on, Yeshua began to tell the followers, how that the Christ must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things because of the elders and leading priests and the rest of the religious leaders, and be killed, and come back to life again on the third day. Then Peter took hold of Yeshua, and began to argue, saying, “Don’t even think about it, Christ: this won’t happen to you.” But Yeshua turned; saying to Peter, “Get away from Me, Satan: you offend Me because you don’t want the things that God wants, but what you, as a human being, wants.”
Forget Yourself and Follow Christ
[24-28] Then Yeshua said to the followers, “If anyone wants to follow Me, let them forget themselves, and pick up their crosses, and follow Me, because whoever wants to save their life will lose it: and whoever gives up their life for My sake will find it. What profit is there to someone, if they gain the whole world, and lose their own soul? Or what would someone give up to save their soul? I’ll come in the glory of My God with My angels; and then I’ll judge everyone for what they’ve done. The truth is, there are some right here, who won’t see death, till they see Me coming in My Reign.”
Yeshua with Moses and Elijah
17 [1-13] And after six days Yeshua took Peter, James and John, the brothers, and brought them up to a high mountain alone, and the Christ was changed in front of them: whose face shined as the sun, and whose clothing was as white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Yeshua. Then Peter said to Yeshua, “Christ, it’s good for us to be here: if you want, let’s make three memorials here; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But while he was speaking, a bright light in the midst of a cloud moved over them: and a voice came from the cloud, which said, “This is My Child, who I love and am so pleased with; Listen to Yeshua.” When the followers heard it, they dropped to the ground, and were very afraid. But Yeshua came and touched them, saying, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one but Yeshua. And as they came down from the mountain, Yeshua told them, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw until I’ve come back to life again from the dead.” And the followers asked, “So why do the religious leaders say that Elijah must come back first?” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, Elijah will come first, and turn everyone back to the truth. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they didn’t know it, but have done to him what they wanted to do. And I’ll also suffer like this by them.” Then the followers understood that Yeshua spoke to them of John the Baptist.
An Only Child Healed from Seizures
[14-21] And when they had come back to the crowd, someone came to them, kneeling down, and saying, “Christ, have mercy on my child because the child has seizures, and suffers greatly and often falls into the fire, or into the water. I brought the child to your followers, but they couldn’t help.” Then Yeshua answered, “You faithless and evil people, how long will I be here and have to put up with you? Bring the child here to Me.” And Yeshua ordered the evil spirit to come out of the child; and it went out: and the child was healed at that very time. Then the followers came to Yeshua alone, and asked, “Why couldn’t we make it go out?” And Yeshua answered, “Because of your unbelief. The truth is, if you have faith, even as small as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from this place to that place; and it’ll move; and nothing will be impossible for you. But, this kind will only go out by prayer and willingly going without food.
Peter Goes Fishing
[22-23] And while they stayed in Galilee, Yeshua said, “I’ll soon be handed over into the other people’s hands and they’ll kill me, and the third day I’ll come back to life again.” And the followers were very sad.
[24-27] Afterwards, when they had come to Capernaum, tax collectors came to Peter, asking, “Doesn’t your leader pay taxes?” So Peter said, “Yes.” And when they came into the house Yeshua knew what he was about to say, and asked, “What do you think, Simon? Who do the rulers of the earth take taxes from? From their own people, or from foreigners?” And Peter answered, “From foreigners.” So Yeshua said, “Then the children are free. But just the same, in case we should offend them, go to the water, and go fishing, taking up the first fish that you catch; and when you open its mouth, you’ll find a piece of money: take it, and give it to them for us.”
Like a Little Child
18 [1-6] At this time the followers came to Yeshua, saying, “Who is the greatest in the realm of heaven?” And Yeshua called a little child to come, and set the child in the middle of them, and said, “The truth is, unless you’re changed and become like little children, you won’t get into heaven. So whoever becomes as undoubting as this little child, they’ll be the greatest in heaven. And whoever helps one such little child in My Name helps Me. But whoever hurts the faith of one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would better for that person to be dropped in the sea with a weight around their neck and be put to death.
The World is Full of Sorrow
[7-14] The world is full of sorrow because of wrongdoing! Bad things will always happen; but the person who hurts someone’s faith will be very sorry! So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, don’t even use them, as if they were cut off, because it’s better for you to live disabled, instead of having two hands or two feet and be thrown into the everlasting Hell fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, don’t use it, as if it had been put out, because it’s better for you to live with one eye, instead of two and be thrown into Hell’s flames. Be sure that you don’t hate even one of these little ones, because I tell you that their angels always see the face of My God in heaven. I’ve come to save what was lost. So what do you think? If someone has a hundred animals in their herd, and one of them goes off somewhere, don’t they leave the ninety-nine, and go to look for the one that has gotten lost? And if they find it, the truth is; they’ll celebrate more because of that one animal, than of the ninety-nine which didn’t go off. Just the same, it isn’t the will of your God, who is in heaven, that even one of these little ones would be lost.
On Church Discipline
[15-20] Besides this, if someone sins against you, go and tell them their fault between you and them alone: if they hear you, you’ve gained them back. But if they won’t listen to you, then take one or two more with you, that every word can be witnessed by two or three others. And if they won’t listen to them either, tell it to the church. If they won’t listen to the church, treat them as an ungodly person or a tax collector. The truth is, whatever you say on earth, whether to put a stop to something or to cause something to happen, that will be done in heaven, too. Again, I tell you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it’ll be done for them by My God, who is in heaven, because where two or three come together in My Name, I am there in Spirit with them, too.”
On Forgiveness
[21-22] Then Peter asked, “Christ, how often can another Christian sin against me, and I still forgive them? Seven times?” But Yeshua answered, “Not just seven times: but, seventy times seven.
[23-35] Heaven is like a certain owner, who kept a record of what all the workers owed. And when the owner had taken account, one worker was brought in, who owed the owner ten thousand dollars. But the worker had nothing to pay, so the owner told the other workers to sell everything that worker had, so the payment could be made. But the worker bowed down, and begged the owner to have patience, and it would all be paid back. So then, the owner of that worker had compassion, and released the worker from the debt that was owed. But then, that same worker went out, and finding another coworker, which owed the first worker a hundred dollars: and grabbed the other worker by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me everything that you owe me.’ And that coworker bowed down, and begged, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I’ll pay you everything.’ But the first worker wouldn’t listen and had the other thrown in jail, till the debt could be paid. So when their coworkers saw what had happened, they were very upset, and came and told the owner everything that had happened. Then the owner, called the first worker in saying, ‘You’ve done a very evil thing. I forgave you all your debt, because you wanted me to: Shouldn’t you also have had compassion on your coworker, just as I had mercy on you?’ And the owner was angry, and handed that worker over to be punished, till the dept was paid in full. So My God in heaven will do this to you, too, if you don’t forgive the sins of one another from your hearts.”
On Divorce
19 [1-2] And then, when Yeshua had finished telling these stories, they went from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan. Great crowds followed along; and were healed by the Christ there.
[3-9] Then the religious leaders came also, trying to tempt Yeshua and asked, “Is it right for someone to divorce their spouse for any reason?” And the Christ answered them, “Haven’t you read, that in the beginning, God, who made humanity, made them male and female, and said, because of this, a person will leave their parents, and will stay faithful to their spouse: and the two of them will be as one body? So they’re not just two people, but one body. So what God has joined together, let no one separate.” So they asked Yeshua, “Then why did Moses tell us to give a writ of divorcement, and allow divorce?” Then Yeshua answered, “Moses let you divorce your spouses because of your unforgiving hearts: but from the beginning, it wasn’t this way. And I tell you, whoever divorces their spouse, unless it’s for their spouse’s sexual sin, and marries another, takes part in sexual sin themselves: and whoever marries someone who is divorced takes part in sexual sin, too.”
Only Some are Able to Remain Sexually Pure
[10-12] The followers said to Yeshua, “If that’s the case of the person who marries, then it isn’t good to marry.” But Yeshua answered, “Some people can’t accept this, but only those to whom it’s given. Because there are some people who are not able to be sexual, who were born that way from birth: and there are some who are not able to be sexual, who were made that way by others: and there are some, who have kept themselves sexually pure for heaven’s sake. Whoever can accept this, let them accept it.”
Let the Little Children Come to Me
[13-15] Then some little children were brought to the Christ, who laid hands on them to bless them, and to pray for them. But the followers scolded those who brought them, so Yeshua said, “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t forbid them, because the realm of heaven is full of little ones like them.” So the Christ laid hands on them, and left there.
The Wealthy Young Person
[16-22] And someone came asking, “Good Teacher, what good thing may I do, that I may have everlasting life?” And the Christ answered, “Why are you asking Me about what’s good? There’s only One who tells us what’s good, and that is God: so if you want everlasting life, do what the Words of God tell you to do.” So the young person asked, “What words?” So Yeshua said, “Don’t murder, don’t take part in sexual sin, don’t steal, don’t tell lies about someone, honor your parents, and love others as yourself.” So the young person said, “I’ve done all this from my youth up: so what do I still lack?” Then Yeshua answered, “If you want to be complete, go and sell whatever you have, and give to those who are poor, and then you’ll have wealth in heaven. Then come and follow Me.” But the young person went away very sorrowful when he heard that, because he was very wealthy.
It’s Very Hard for a Rich Person to Get into Heaven
[23-26] Then Yeshua said to the followers, “The truth is, it’ll be very hard for a rich person to go to heaven. And I tell you again, it’s easier for a camel to be completely unloaded and squeeze through the smallest gate, than for a rich person to come into the realm of God.” When the followers heard that, they were amazed, saying, “Then who can be saved?” But Yeshua looked at them, saying, “Anything that’s impossible for human beings alone; is possible with God’s help.”
You will be Rewarded for Whatever You Give Up
[27-30] Then Peter said, “You know that we’ve given up everything, and followed you; so what will we get?” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, that you who have followed Me, when I sit on the throne of My victory in the new life, you’ll also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve family groups of Israel. And everyone that has given up homes, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or spouse, or children, or lands, because of My Name, will get a hundred times that much, and will have everlasting life, as well. But many of those who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then.
The Owner of the Garden
20 [1-16] Heaven is like someone who is an owner of a garden, who went out early in the morning to hire workers. And when the owner had agreed with the workers for a day’s pay, they went to the garden. Then the owner went out about nine o’clock, and saw others in the shopping center who weren’t working, and said, ‘Go to the garden also, and whatever is right I’ll give you.’ So they went, also. Then again, the owner went out about twelve o’clock noon and three o’clock in the afternoon, and did the same. And about five o’clock, the owner went out, and found others not working, saying to them, ‘Why haven’t you been working all day?’ So they answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ So the owner said, ‘Go to the garden also; and whatever is right I’ll give you.’ So when evening came, the owner of the garden said to the manager, ‘Call the workers, and give them their pay, starting from the last ones hired to the first ones hired.’ And when those who were hired at five o’clock came, they all got a full day’s pay. But when the first to be hired came, they expected to have gotten more; but they all got the same amount. And when they had gotten it, they grumbled to the owner of the house, saying, ‘These last ones hired have only worked one hour, and you’ve made them equal to us, who have worked through the heat of the day.’ But the owner said to one of them, ‘Friend, I’ve done you no wrong: didn’t you agree with me for that amount? Take what’s yours and leave: I’ll give to these last ones hired just as I gave to you. Isn’t it right for me to do what I want with my own money? Are you angry, because I’m good?’ So those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last, because many will be called, but few are chosen.”
The Foretelling of Christ’s Death and Rising to Life Again
[17-19] And Yeshua, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve followers aside on the way, saying to them, “We’re going up to Jerusalem now; and I’ll be handed over to the leading priests and to the religious leaders, and they’ll accuse Me and sentence Me to death, and will deliver Me to the Romans, who will mock Me, and beat Me, and put Me to death. But on the third day, I’ll come to life again.”
Whoever Wants to be Great, Must Minister to the Needs of Others
[20-29] Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came with her children, bowing, and wanting something of Yeshua. And the Christ said to her, “What do you want?” So she said, “Let my two children sit, one on your right side, and the other on the left, when You come into power.” But Yeshua said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to accept the cup that I have to drink, and to be baptized with what I have to suffer?” And they answered, “We are.” Then Yeshua said, “You certainly will drink it with Me, and you’ll be baptized as I am: but to sit beside Me, on My right and on My left, isn’t Mine to give, but it’ll be given to those it’s prepared for by My God.” And when the other ten heard it, they were resentful of them. But Yeshua called them over, saying, “You know that the rulers of the other peoples control them, and those who are great have power over them, also. But it won’t be this way among you. Whoever wants to be great among you, must minister to others needs; And whoever wants to be a leader among you, they must work the hardest for you: Just as I didn’t come to be ministered to, but to minister to others, and to give My life as the payment for the debts of others’ sins.” Then as they left Jericho, a great crowd followed along.
Two Blind Beggars Healed
[30-33] And two blind beggars sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Yeshua passed by, called out, saying, “Have mercy on us, Christ, Heir of David.” And the crowd scolded them, because they wanted them to be quiet, but they called out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, Christ, Heir of David.” And Yeshua stood still, and called them, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” So they said, “Christ, we want You to make our eyes able to see.” So Yeshua had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and suddenly their eyes could see, and they followed along.
Yeshua’s Entry into Jerusalem
21 [1-11] When they came near Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Yeshua sent two of the followers, saying to them, “Go into the town nearby, and soon you’ll find a donkey tied up, and a foal with her: untie them, and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, say, ‘The Christ needs them;’ and they’ll send them right away.” And it happened like this, so that everything would happen which was said by the great preacher, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, your Ruler comes to you, gentle, and sitting on a young donkey, yes, the foal of a donkey.” And the followers went, doing as Yeshua told them, and brought the donkey, and the foal, and laid their clothes across its back, and they put Yeshua on it. And a very great crowd spread their clothes down on the road; others cut down branches from the palm trees, and placed them down on the road. And the crowds that went along followed, calling out, saying, “Save us, now, Heir of David!: Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of Yahweh God; Save us, now! O Highest One!” And when they came into Jerusalem, all the city was excited, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowd said, “This is Yeshua, the great preacher from Nazareth of Galilee.”
The Angry Christ
[12-16] And Yeshua went into the House of God, and put out all those who bought and sold in the Place of Worship, and turned over the bankers’ tables, and the seats of those who sold doves, and said, “It’s written, My House will be called the House of prayer; but you’ve made it a place of thieves.” And those who were blind and unable to walk came to Yeshua in the Place of Worship; and the Christ healed them. But when the leading priests and religious leaders saw the amazing things that the Christ did, and the children calling out in the Place of Worship, and saying, “Save us, now, Heir of David;” they were very displeased, and asked, “Don’t you hear what they’re saying?” And Yeshua answered, “Yes; haven’t you ever read, ‘You’ve put praises in the mouths of little ones and nursing babies?'”
The Fig Tree
[17-22] And the Christ left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and stayed there. Now in the morning, Yeshua, who was coming back into the city, was hungry. And seeing a fig tree on the way, the Christ came up to it, and finding nothing but leaves on it, said, “Let no fruit grow on it from now on.” And the fig tree died right then. And when the followers saw it, they were amazed, saying, “Look how suddenly the fig tree died!” And Yeshua said to them, “The truth is, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you won’t just do things like what happened to the fig tree, but if you say to this mountain, ‘move, and go into the sea;’ it’ll happen as well. And you’ll get whatever you ask for in prayer, if you truly believe it.”
Who Gave You this Power?
[23-27] And when they came into the Place of Worship, the leading priests and the elders of the people came in as the Christ was teaching, and asked, “By what right do you do this? And who gave you this power?” And Yeshua answered them, “I’ll ask you something, too, which if you can tell me, I’ll also tell you by what power I do this. Where did the baptism of John come from? Was it from heaven, or did it come from human ideas?” And they argued among themselves, saying, “If we say, from heaven; then Yeshua will say to us, ‘Why didn’t you believe him then?’ But if we say, from human ideas; we fear the people because they all believe John was a great preacher.” So they said to Yeshua, “We don’t know.” And the Christ answered, “Then neither will I tell you by what power I do this.”
The Two Rebellious Children
[28-32] So what do you think? Someone had two children; and came to the first one, saying, ‘Go work today in my garden.’ And the child answered, ‘I won’t go’: but later thought differently, and went to work anyway. And then the person came to the second child, saying the same. And that child answered, saying, ‘I’ll go’, but didn’t. Which of the two did what was wanted of them?” So they answered Yeshua, “The first.” Then Yeshua said, “The truth is, that the tax collectors and the whores will go into the realm of God before you, because John came to you with the way of goodness, and you wouldn’t believe it: but the tax collectors and the whores believed it: and you, even when you knew it, didn’t change your mind later, and believe.
The Land Owner and the Farmers
[33-46] Listen to another story: There was a certain landowner, who planted a garden, and built a wall all around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a guard tower. The landowner rented it out to farmers, then went into a far country. When time for the fruit came near, the owner sent some workers to the farmers to get the grapes. But the farmers took the workers, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Then again, the owner sent other workers besides the first ones: and the farmers did the same to them. So last of all, the landowner’s own heir was sent to them, the owner thinking, ‘They’ll respect my own heir.’ But when the farmers saw the owner’s heir, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill the heir, and we’ll take the inheritance.’ And they brought the heir out of the garden, who they killed. So when the owner of the garden comes, what do you think will happen to those farmers?” And they said to Yeshua, “The owner will miserably kill those evil farmers, and will rent out the garden to other farmers, who will give the grapes when they’re in season.” So Yeshua answered, “Didn’t you ever read in the Words, ‘The stone which the builders rejected will become the head cornerstone: this is Yahweh’s doing, and we’re so amazed? So I say to you, the realm of God will be taken from you, and given to a nation who will produce the fruit. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken: but whoever the stone falls on, will be crushed to pieces.” And when the leading priests and religious leaders heard those stories, they realized that Yeshua was speaking of them. But when they tried to take Yeshua, they were afraid of the crowd, because the people believed the Christ was a great preacher.
The Marriage Supper
22 [1-10] And Yeshua spoke to them again with stories, saying, “The realm of heaven is like a certain ruler, who planned a supper for a child, who was to be married. The ruler sent out workers to call those who were asked to the wedding, but none of them would come. So once again, the ruler sent out other workers, saying, ‘Tell those who have been asked, I’ve prepared my dinner: the meat is done, and everything is ready: come to the marriage, now.’ But they made excuses, and left, one going to their farm, and another to their sales goods. Some even took the workers, and treated them cruelly, and killed them. But the ruler heard it, and was angry: and sent out guards to kill those murderers, and burn up their city. Then the ruler said to the workers, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were asked weren’t worthy. So go into the streets, and as many as you find, call to the marriage. So those workers went out into the streets, and gathered together all that they found, both bad and good. So the wedding had many guests.
[11-14] And when the ruler came in to see the guests, and seeing some there which didn’t have on the wedding clothing, the ruler said, ‘Friends, how did you come in here, not having on the wedding clothing?’ And they were speechless. Then the ruler said to the workers, ‘Tie up their hands and feet, and take them away, and put them into the darkness outside; where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth,’ because many are invited, but few are chosen.”
On Paying Taxes and Tithes
[15-22] Then the religious leaders left and planned together how to confuse Yeshua’s words. So they sent out their own followers along with Herod’s people to Yeshua, saying, “Christ, we know that you’re honest, and teach the way of God in truth, nor do you care what anyone thinks because you don’t consider what others say. So tell us, what do you think about this? Is it right to give taxes to the ruling government, or not?” But Yeshua knew their evil plan, saying, “Why do you tempt Me, you fakes? Show me the money. So they showed Yeshua a coin. Then Yeshua asked them, “Whose picture and name is this?” And they answered, “The Ruler’s.” Then Yeshua answered them back, “So pay your taxes to the government; and pay to God the part of your money that belongs to God.” And they were amazed, and left when they heard what Yeshua said.
No Sexuality in the Afterlife
[23-33] This same day some from the religious sects came, who say that there’s no afterlife, and asked, “Christ, Moses said, if someone dies, having no children, another will marry their spouse, and give her children. Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, who had gotten married, died, and having no child, left his spouse to another. It was the same way with the second also, and the third, up to the seventh. And last of all, the woman died also. So when we come to life again, whose spouse will she be of the seven, because they all had her? So Yeshua answered them, “You’re wrong, not knowing the Word, or the power of God, because when we come to life again, we won’t be sexual and live in marriage, but we’ll be neither male, nor female, as the angels of God in heaven. But speaking of the coming to life again of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God isn’t the God of the dead, but God is the God of the living.” And when the crowds heard this, they were amazed at this teaching.
The Greatest Rule
[34-40] But when the religious leaders had heard that Yeshua had put the religious sects to silence, they gathered together. Then one of them, which was a student of the law, asked a question to tempt Yeshua, saying, “Christ, what is the greatest rule in the Word of God?” And Yeshua said, “’Love Yahweh, your God, with all your spirit, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest rule. And the second is very much like it, ‘Love others as you love yourself.’ All of the Word of God and the Words of great preachers are based on these two rules.”
Christ David’s Descendant
[41-46] While the religious leaders were gathered together, Yeshua asked them, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose descendant is the Christ?” And they said to Yeshua, ‘The descendant of David.” So Yeshua asked, “How then did David in spirit call the Christ, Christ, saying, Yahweh God said to my Christ, sit beside Me, till I make those who come against you a place to rest Your feet? So if David called the Christ, Christ, how is the Christ David’s descendant?” And no one was able to answer a word, nor did anyone dare ask Yeshua any more questions from that day on.
Yeshua Tells of the Guilt of the False Religious Leaders
23 [1-12] Then Yeshua spoke to the crowd, and the followers, saying, “The religious leaders and those in the religious sects sit in the judgment seat of Moses, so whatever they tell you to do, do it; but don’t do what they do, because they tell you to do it, but don’t do it themselves. They make rules that are very hard to follow, and order others to follow them; but they themselves won’t even try to follow them. But everything they do, they do to be seen by others: they wear ornamental religious jewelry and impressive religious clothing, and love the best places at the dinners of religious celebrations, and the best seats in the places of worship, and greetings in the shopping centers, and to be called ‘Teacher, Teacher’ by others. But don’t be called Teacher because only One is your Teacher, Me, the Christ; and you’re all equals. And don’t call any religious leader Father on earth because the One who is in heaven is who we come from. And don’t be called superior because I, the Christ am your only superior. But whoever wants to be greatest among you must be willing to work the hardest. And whoever wants to be praised must become the lowest worker; and whoever puts themselves in the lowest position will be raised to a higher position.
[13-15] But you’ll be sorry, all you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! You slam heaven’s doors in the face of others and you won’t even go in yourselves, nor will you let those who are trying to go in, get in. Yes, you’ll be sorry you religious leaders and those in the religious sects. You’re all fakes! You take what little money a death survivor has, and say long prayers just for show: so you’ll surely get the greater punishment. Yes, you’ll be sorry, you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! You’ll travel over land and sea to get one convert, and when they’re converted, you make them two times as much a child of Hell than you yourselves are.
[16-22] Yes, you’ll be sorry you, you blind leaders, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the Place of Worship, hasn’t done anything wrong; but whoever swears by the offering of the Place of Worship, is responsible for their oath!’ You’re thoughtless and blind leaders because which is greater, the offering, or the Place of Worship that blesses the offering? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar hasn’t done anything wrong; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, is guilty.’ You’re thoughtless and blind leaders because which is greater, the gift, or the altar that blesses the gift? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the Place of Worship, swears by it, and by the God whose Spirit is in it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by the God who sits on it.
[23-33] Yes, you’ll be sorry you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! You pay a part of even the smallest amount of spices, and have left out doing the most important things, like making good judgments, having mercy, and being faithful. You should do this, but not leave the other things undone. You blind leaders, who won’t break the least important rule in the least way, and yet you ignore all the most important ones. Yes, you’ll be sorry, you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! You obey the Word of God outwardly, but inside you’re full of lies and selfishness. You blind religious leaders, first obey the Word of God inwardly, and then you’ll appear to do it outwardly, as well. Yes, you’ll be sorry, you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! You’re like the beautiful grave markers of a burial place, which appear very beautiful, but are only markers of graves full of dead peoples’ bones, and rotting corpses. Just like this, you, too, appear good to others outwardly, but you’re full of lies and sin inside. Yes, you’ll be sorry, you religious leaders and those in the religious sects, you fakes! Because you build great memorial places for all the great preachers, and decorate the graves of those who’ve done great things, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we wouldn’t have killed the great preachers.’ You then are witnesses yourselves, that you’re the children of those who killed the great preachers. And you certainly measure up to your ancestors. You snakes, you bunch of snakes, how can you ever escape the punishment of Hell?
[34-39] I’ll send you great preachers, and wise ones, and writers of the Word: and some of them you’ll kill and torture; and some of them you’ll beat in your places of worship, and chase them like criminals from city to city, so that all the guilt of the blood shed on the earth of those who followed God can come on you, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, child of Barachias, who was killed between the Place of Worship and the altar. The truth is, all this guilt will come on this generation of people. Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill all the great preachers, and murder those who are sent to warn you! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you wouldn’t let me! So you see your house is now empty. I tell you, I won’t come to you again, till you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of Yahweh.’”
Destruction of the Temple Foretold
24 [1-2] And Yeshua went out, and left the Place of Worship: and as they left, the followers pointed out the great buildings of the Place of Worship. And Yeshua answered, “Do you see this? The truth is, there won’t be one stone left on another, that won’t be out of place.”
The End Times
[3-14] And as they sat on the Mount of Olives, the followers came secretly, asking the Christ, “Tell us when this will happen and how will we know of your second coming, and of the end of the world?” So Yeshua answered them, “Be sure that no one misleads you, because many will come in My Name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ misleading many people. And you’ll hear of wars and news of more wars, but don’t be uneasy because all this must happen. It’s not the end of time yet. Nation will come against nation, and land against land. There will be a great lack of food, and deadly diseases, and natural disasters, in many different places. All this is just the beginning of trouble. Then they’ll arrest you to be punished, and will kill you, and you’ll be hated by all nations because of My Name. At that time, many will be offended by Christianity, and will lie to one another, and will hate one another. And many untruthful preachers will come, misleading a great many people. And because wrongs will be greatly increased, many people won’t know how to love others. But whoever doesn’t give up, even to the end of time, those are the ones who will be saved. Then when this New Word of the realm of God is told in the whole world for a witness to all nations; the end of time will come.
The Antichrist
[15-28] So when you see the antichrist, spoken of by Daniel, the great preacher, standing in the holy place, (whoever reads, let them understand), then let those who are in Israel escape into the mountains of Judea, and let those who are on the roof not come down to get anything out of their homes, nor let those who are in the field go back to get their clothes. And those who are pregnant with babies, and those who are breastfeeding in those days will have great sorrow! But pray that you don’t have to run in the winter, nor on a Day of Worship, because at that time great troubles will come, like there’s never been since the beginning of time till now, no, nor ever will. And unless those days are stopped short, no one would be saved: but for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ’, or ‘The Christ is there’; don’t believe it, because false Christs, and false teachers will come and do many amazing things; so that they would even mislead the chosen ones of God, if it were possible. But listen, I’ve told you the truth. So if they say to you, ‘The Christ is in the desert’; don’t go: or ‘The Christ is in a secret place’; don’t believe it, because as you see the lightning strike in the east, and flash even to the west; so you’ll see My coming. And when you see all the dead, you’ll see the buzzards gather.
The Powers of Heaven Shaken
[29-35] And right after all these troubles, the sun will become dark, and the moon won’t have any light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and all the heavenly bodies will be shaken out of place: And then the sign of My coming will appear in heaven, and all the families of the earth will cry, and they’ll see Me coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and bright light. And I’ll send My angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they’ll gather together My chosen ones from every direction, from one end of heaven to the other. And now learn what the story of the fig tree means; When the branch of the fig tree is still tender, and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near: So you, too, when you see all this happening, know that the time of My coming is near, so very near. The truth is, the generation in which this happens won’t pass, till everything I said will happen. Heaven and earth will come to an end, but My Words won’t ever die out.
Like a Thief in the Night
[36-51] But no one knows of that day and hour, no, not even the angels of heaven, but only Yahweh, My God. But as the days of Noah were, so too will My coming be. Just like the days before the flood, they were eating, drinking, and getting married, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and they didn’t know a thing until the flood came, and drowned them all. So too will My coming be. Then two people will be working in the field; one will be taken up, and the other left behind. Two others will be working at the workshop; one will be taken up, and the other left behind. So watch, because you don’t know when your Christ will come! If the owners of a house had known the time the thief would come, they would have watched, and wouldn’t have let their house be broken into. So be ready, too, because I am coming when you least expect it. So then, who is a faithful and wise worker, who has been made overseer of the household, to give those of the household food at just the right time? Blessed is that worker, who when I come, I find doing My work. The truth is, that I’ll make them overseer over all My goods. But if there are workers who are evil and say in their hearts, it’s not time yet; And begin to abuse their coworkers, and to eat and drink with the drunks; The Owner will come in a day when they’re not watching, and at a time that they won’t know of, and will cut them off, and will give them their due punishment in Hell with the other fakes: where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth.
The Ten Virgins
25 [1-13] The Realm of Heaven is like ten virgins who have never been sexually active, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridal party. And five of them were wise, but five were stupid. Those who were stupid took their lamps, but forgot to take oil with them. But the wise took oil in their bottles along with their lamps. And while they waited for the bridal party, they all fell asleep. And at midnight, someone called out, ‘The bridal party is coming; go out to meet them.’ Then they all got up, and started getting their lamps ready. But those who were stupid said to those who were wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps have gone out.’ But those who were wise said, ‘We can’t; there won’t be enough for both us and you: go buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy some, the bridal party came; and those who were ready went in with them to the marriage ceremony and the door was shut. Then the other virgins came later, saying, ‘Open the door; Open the door.’ But the one who opened the door answered, ‘The truth is, I don’t even know who you are.’ So watch, because you don’t know the day or the hour I’ll come.
The Traveling Owner
[14-30] And heaven is like an owner traveling to a far away country, who called the workers giving them everything to manage. And one was given five valuable coins, to another, two, and to another, one; to each one of them for their different abilities; and then the owner left soon afterwards. Then the one who had gotten the five coins went and traded with the coins, and got five more coins. And the one who had gotten two, gained another two, as well. But the one who had gotten only one coin went and dug a hole in the ground, and hid the owner’s money. So after a long time the owner came, and took account of them. And so the one who had gotten five coins came and brought the other five coins also, saying, ‘Boss, You gave me five coins and I’ve gained five more coins.’ The owner said, ‘Well done, you’re a good and faithful worker: you’ve been faithful over a few things, so I’ll make you manager over many things: Come into My house and celebrate with Me.’ And the one who had gotten two coins came saying, ‘Boss, You gave me two coins and I’ve gained two more coins beside them.’ And the owner said, ‘Well done, you’re a good and faithful worker; you’ve been faithful over a few things, so I’ll make you manager over many things: Come into My house and celebrate with Me.’ Then the one who had gotten only one coin came saying, ‘Boss, I knew you that you were a hard person, making profit from others, and collecting from where others have done business: So I was afraid, and went and hid your coin in the earth: See, here is what’s yours.’ So the owner answered said, ‘You are a bad and lazy worker, you knew that I make profit from others, and collect from where others have done business: So you should have put My money in the bank, and then at My coming I would have gotten My own with interest. Take the coin from this worker, and give it to the one that has ten coins.’ So to everyone that has earned something, more will be given, and they’ll become rich: but from those who haven’t earned anything, even what they have will be taken away. And the unprofitable worker will be put into the blackest darkness: where they’ll be crying and gritting their teeth.
The Judgment of the Good and the Bad
[31-46] And when I come in My victory, and all the holy angels with Me, then I’ll sit on My throne of glory: And all nations will gather to Me: and I’ll separate them from one another, as a keeper divides one kind of animal from another: And I’ll put the good ones on the right side of Me, but the bad ones on the left. Then I’ll say to those on the right side, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My God, inherit the realm of God prepared for you from the beginning of the world: Because I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; Naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then those who do good will answer, saying, ‘Christ, when did we see You hungry, and feed You? Or thirsty, and gave You something to drink? When did we see You as a stranger, and take You in? Or naked, and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And I’ll answer and say to them, ‘The truth is, as much as you’ve helped one of the least of these My children, you’ve helped Me.’ Then I’ll say to those on the left hand ‘Go away from Me, you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and the evil spirits: because I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take Me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit Me.’ Then they’ll also answer, saying, ‘Christ, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help You?’ Then I’ll answer them, saying, ‘The truth is, as much as you didn’t help one of the least of these, you didn’t help Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment: but those who did right will go into everlasting life.”
Yeshua is anointed at Bethany
26 [1-5] And then, when Yeshua had finished all these stories, the Christ said to the followers, “You know that the celebration of the Passover is in two days, and I’ll be handed over and sentenced to death on a cross.” Then the leading priests and the religious leaders and the elders of the people gathered together at the great house of Caiaphas, the leading priest and discussed how to take and kill Yeshua secretly. But they said, “Not on the celebration day, in case the people start an uproar.”
[6-13] Now when Yeshua was in Bethany, in the home of Simon, a person who had leprosy, a woman came in having an alabaster jar of very expensive perfumed oil, and poured it on Yeshua’s head, while they were eating a meal. But when the followers saw it, they resented it, saying, “Why was this wasted?” because this perfume might have been sold for a lot of money, and given to those who were poor. Then Yeshua, realizing their resentment, answered, “Why are you bothering this woman? She’s done a very good thing for Me. You’ll always have those who are poor with you; but I won’t be here forever. When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it for My coming burial. The truth is, whenever this New Word is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done for Me, will be told for a memorial of her also.”
Judas Plans to Hand Yeshua Over to the Priests
[14-16] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the leading priests, and asked them, “What will you give me if I hand over Yeshua to you?” And they promised him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on Judas looked for a chance to hand over the Christ.
The Passover Supper
[17-25] Now on the first day of the celebration of unleavened bread the followers came to Yeshua, asking, “Where would you like us to get ready to eat the Passover?” And the Christ said, “Go into the city, and say to a certain person, ‘The Christ said, My time is here; I’ll keep the Passover with My followers at your home.’” And the followers did as Yeshua had told them; and they got ready for the Passover. Now when the evening came, Yeshua sat down with the twelve. And as they ate, the Christ said, “The truth is, that one of you will hand Me over.” And they were very upset, so all of them began to ask the Christ, “Is it me?” Yeshua answered, “Whoever dips their hand in the dish with Me will be the one who hands Me over. I go as the Word says of Me: but the one who hands Me over will be very sorry! It would have been better for that person if they had never been born.” Then Judas, which handed over the Christ, asked, “Christ, is it me?” And Yeshua answered, “It’s just as you say.”
[26-35] And as they were eating, Yeshua took the loaf bread, and blessed it, and broke it apart, giving some to each of the followers, saying, “Take this and eat it all; this is a memorial of My body.” And then Yeshua took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Each of you drink some of it, because this is a memorial of My blood for the New Word, which will be shed for taking away the sins of many people. But I tell you, I won’t drink wine again, until the day when I drink it anew with you in the realm of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Yeshua said, “Every one of you will leave Me alone tonight because the Word says, ‘When the keeper is taken, the herd will be scattered.’ But after I come to life again, I’ll go to meet you in Galilee.” Then Peter said, “Even if everyone else leaves you, I won’t ever leave you.” But Yeshua said, “The truth is, that tonight, before the rooster crows, you’ll say that you don’t know Me three times.” Peter said, “Even if I should die with you, I still won’t say that I don’t know you!” And all the followers said the same thing.
Prayer in the Garden
[36-46] Then Yeshua came with them to a garden, called Gethsemane, saying to the followers, “Sit here, while I go and pray over there.” But the Christ took Peter, James and John along, and becoming very sad, said, “My soul is so sad, I’m about to die: stay here, and pray with Me.” And Yeshua went a little farther, laid face down, and prayed, saying, “My God, if it’s possible; don’t let this happen to Me: but just the same, don’t let it be as I want, but as You want.” And then Yeshua came to the followers, and finding them sleeping, said to Peter, “Couldn’t you even pray with Me an hour? Watch and pray, so that you won’t be tempted. Even if the spirit’s willing, the body is weak.” And the Christ went away the second time, and prayed, saying, “My God, if this must happen to Me, I want whatever You want to be done.” And the Christ came and found them sleeping again because they were very tired. So Yeshua left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then the Christ came to the followers, saying to them, “You might as well sleep, now. See, it’s time now, and I am given into the hands of sinners. Get up, we have to go. See, the one who is handing Me over is here, now.”
Yeshua Arrested
[47-56] And while Yeshua was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great crowd, who had swords and sticks, from the leading priests and elders of the people. Now Judas, who handed over the Christ, gave them a sign, saying, “The One who I greet with a kiss is the One to hold on to.” And then Judas came up to Yeshua, saying, “Hello, Teacher”; and kissed the Christ. And Yeshua said, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came, taking hold of Yeshua, and took the Christ. And one of those who was with Yeshua drew a sword, and struck one of the leading priest’s workers, and cut off his ear. Then Yeshua said, “Put your sword back in its place, because anyone who uses a sword will be killed by a sword. Don’t you know that I can pray to My God right now, and God would quickly send Me more than twelve thousand angels? But then, how would the things take place that God’s Words’ said would?” And at that time Yeshua said to the crowds, “Have you come out to take Me with swords and sticks as if I were a thief? I sat with you daily in the Place of Worship, teaching and you didn’t take Me then.” But all this happened, so that the words of the great preachers would happen. Then all the followers left the Christ, and ran away.
Yeshua Brought to Caiaphas
[57-68] And those who had taken Yeshua led the Christ away to Caiaphas the leading priest, where some of the religious leaders and the elders were gathered. But Peter followed along far off and went to the leading priest’s great house, and went in, and sat with the workers, to see what would happen. Now the leading priests, the elders, and all the court looked for false witnesses against Yeshua, in order to put the Christ to death; But they found no one. Even though many false witnesses came, still they found no one. At last, two false witnesses came, and said, “This person said, ‘I am able to destroy the House of God, and build it again in three days.’” And the leading priest got up, saying, “Don’t you have anything to say? What is this that these people speak against you?” But Yeshua didn’t say anything. And the leading priest said, “I ask you to swear by the Living God, if you’re the Christ, the Child of God.” Then Yeshua said, “It’s just as you say: but just the same, I tell you, later, you’ll see Me sitting on the throne of God’s power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then the leading priest tore his clothes, saying, “This person has spoken disrespectfully of God; Why do we need any more witnesses? Now you’ve heard for yourselves this disrespect of God. So what do you think we should do?” And they answered, “This person is guilty of death.” Then they spit in the Christ’s face, and beat the Christ; and others slapped the Christ with the palms of their hands, saying, “Tell us, Christ, who hit you?”
The Rooster Crows
[69-75] Now Peter, who was sitting outside the great house was asked by a girl, “Aren’t you one of those who was with Yeshua of Galilee?” But he denied it to everyone there, saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And when he had gone into the porch, another girl saw him; saying to those who were there, “This person was with Yeshua of Nazareth, too.” And again he denied knowing the Christ, and cursing, he said, “I swear I don’t know that person!” And after a while those who stood around came to Peter, saying, “Surely you’re one of them; the way you speak gives you away.” Then Peter began to curse and to swear, saying, “I don’t know who that person is.” And suddenly the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the Words of Yeshua, who had said, “Before the rooster crows, you’ll say you don’t know Me three times.” And Peter left there, and cried with great sorrow.
The Christ brought to Pilate
27 [1-10] When the morning came, all the leading priests and elders of the people, were planning to put the Christ to death. They tied up and led Yeshua away to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, who had handed over the Christ, when he saw that the Christ was to be sentenced to death, changed his mind about it all, and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and elders, saying, “I’ve sinned and handed over innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to that.” And Judas threw down the pieces of silver in the Place of Worship, and went and hung himself. And the leading priests took the silver pieces, saying, “It isn’t right to put them into the treasury, because it’s the price of blood.” So they came up with a plan, and bought with it the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. And that field is called, The field of blood, even today. And what was spoken of by Jeremiah, the great preacher, happened, who wrote, “and they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of the One who was priced, whom those of the children of Israel put a price on; and gave them for the potter’s field, as Yahweh told me.”
[11-18] And as Yeshua stood in front of the governor, Pilate asked the Christ, saying, “Are you the Ruler of the Jews?” And Yeshua said, “It’s just as you say.” And Yeshua, being accused by the leading priests and elders, didn’t say anything. Then Pilate asked the Christ, “Don’t you hear what all they’re saying about you?” But Pilate was greatly amazed because the Christ never answered a word. Now at the time of their celebration, the governor usually freed a prisoner, whoever the people wanted him to. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. So when they were gathered together, Pilate, knowing that it was for jealousy that they had brought the Christ to him, asked, “Who do you want me to free to you? Barabbas, or Yeshua, which is called the Christ?”
Pilate’s Wife
[19-23] When he sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, saying, “Don’t have anything to do with the punishment of that person, because I’ve had horrible dreams today because this person is innocent.” But the leading priests and elders won over the crowd to ask for Barabbas, and have Yeshua killed. So the governor asked them again, “Which of the two do you want me to free to you?” They answered, “Barabbas.” So Pilate asked, “Then what should I do with Yeshua, who is called Christ?” And they all said to him, “Put Yeshua to death!” And the governor said, “Why, what evil has this person done?” But they called out all the more, saying, “Put Yeshua to death!”
[24-27] When Pilate saw that he couldn’t change their minds, and that everything was in disorder, he took a bowl of water, and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this good person: you see to it.” Then all the people said, “May the guilt of this person’s blood be on us, and on our children.” Then he freed Barabbas to them: and when he had ordered Yeshua to be beaten, he handed the Christ over to them to be put to death.
[28-33] Then the guards of the governor took Yeshua into the common hall, and the whole troop gathered together. They stripped Yeshua, and then put a scarlet robe on the Christ. And making a crown of thorns, they put it on Yeshua’s head, and put a reed in the Christ’s right hand: and bowed down on their knees, and mocked, saying, “Hello, Ruler of the Jews!” And they spit on Yeshua, and took the reed, and hit the Christ on the head with it. And after they had mocked Yeshua, they took the robe off, and put the Christ’s own clothing back on, and led the Christ away to be put to death.
Yeshua on the Cross
[32-37] And as they came out, they found someone by the name of Simon from Cyrene, and told him to carry the cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, which means, The Place of the Skull, they offered the Christ sour wine mixed with a strong drug. But when Yeshua had tasted it, the Christ wouldn’t drink it. And after putting Yeshua on a cross, they divided the clothes of the Christ, and placed bets on them: so that it would happen which was spoken by the great preacher, “They divided My clothes among them, and placed bets on them.” And sitting down, they watched the Christ hanging there; And they put up over the Christ’s head their accusation written, “This is Yeshua, The Ruler of the Jews.”
Two Criminals
[38-49] Then there were two criminals being put to death on each side of Yeshua. And those who passed by hated the Christ, shaking their heads, and saying, “You said that you could destroy the Place of Worship, and build it again in three days, so save yourself. If you’re the Child of God, come down from the cross.” Also the leading priests were mocking the Christ, along with the religious leaders and elders, saying, “You saved others; why can’t You save Yourself. If You’re the Ruler of Israel, come down from the cross right now, and we’ll believe You. You trusted in God; let God set You free now, if God will have You,” because Yeshua had said, “I am the Child of God.” The two criminals also, which were put to death with the Christ, said the same.
Yeshua Dies on the Cross
[45-50] Now from noon till three o’clock it was dark everywhere. And about three o’clock Yeshua called out, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You left Me?” And some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This One calls for Elijah.” And suddenly one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed, and gave the Christ a drink. Then the rest said, “Wait, let’s see whether Elijah will come or not.” And calling out again with a loud voice, the Christ gave up the Spirit.
[51-55] And at that very time the curtain in the Place of Worship was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and there was an earthquake that opened up the rocks; and the graves began to open; and many of those who had died came to life again, and after they had come to life again, came out of their graves and went into the Holy City of Jerusalem, appearing to many. Now when the guards who were watching Yeshua saw the earthquake, and what had happened, they were very afraid, and one of them said, “It’s true, this was the Child of God.”
The Christ Buried in a New Tomb
[55-61] And many women were there, watching from far off, who had followed Yeshua from Galilee, and had ministered to the Christ, among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and Salome, the mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee. And when the evening came, a rich person of Arimathaea, who was named Joseph, who was also a follower of Yeshua, went to Pilate, and begged for the body of the Christ. Then Pilate ordered the body to be given to him. And when Joseph had taken the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, he laid it in his own new tomb, which had been cut out of the rock; and a great stone was rolled in front of the door of the tomb, and then he left. And Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, was sitting across from the tomb.
[62-66] Now the next day, which followed the day of the preparation, the leading priests and religious leaders came together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember when Yeshua was still alive, that liar said, ‘After three days I’ll come to life again.’ Order guards to watch the tomb until the third day, in case the followers come by night, and steal the body away, and say to the people, the Christ is alive from the dead: so the last lie will be worse than the first one.” So Pilate answered, “You can stand guard: Go, and make it as safe as you can.” So they went, and made sure the tomb was secure, sealing the stone, and standing guard.
The Women See the Risen Christ
28 [1-10] As Saturday night ended and it began to dawn on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And there was a great earthquake because the Angel of God came down from heaven, and rolled back the stone from the door, sitting on it. And the Angel’s appearance was as bright as lightning, whose clothing was as white as snow: And the guards shook with fear, frozen stiff like the dead. And the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid because I know that you’re looking for Yeshua, who was put to death. But Yeshua isn’t here because the Christ is alive, as was foretold. Come and see the place where the Christ lay. And go quickly, and tell the followers that the Christ has come back alive from the dead; Who’s going to come to you in Galilee; where you’ll see the Christ: Listen to what I’ve told you.” And they went quickly from the tomb, fearful, but with great joy; and ran to bring word to the followers. And as they went to tell the followers, Yeshua met them, saying, “Hello!” And they came and worshipped the Christ holding Yeshua by the feet. Then Yeshua said, “Don’t be afraid, but go and tell my followers that I am going into Galilee, and they’ll see Me there.”
The Guards Bribed
[11-15] Now when they were going, some of the guards came into the city, and told the leading priests everything that had happened. And when they were together with the elders, and had gotten their advice, they gave a large sum of money to the guards, telling them to say, “The followers came by night, and stole the body away while we slept.” And they told them, “If this should come to the governor’s ears, we’ll prove it to him, and keep you safe.” So they took the money, and did as they were told: and these words are commonly told among the Jews even today.
The Mission of the Followers
[16-20] Then the eleven followers went away into Galilee, up on a mountain where Yeshua had told them to go. And when they saw Yeshua, they worshipped the Christ: but some of them doubted. And Yeshua came and spoke to them, saying, “I’ve been given all power in heaven and in earth. So go, and make followers of all people, baptizing them in the Name of Yahweh God, and of Yeshua the Christ, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to remember and do everything I’ve told you: And I am always with you, even to the end of time. So be it!”
The New Word According to Mark
John the Baptist
1 [1-8] This is the beginning of the New Word of Yeshua the Christ, the Child of God. As the Word says in the great preachers, “I send my messenger before you, who will get Your way ready for You. The voice of one calling out in the countryside will get ready the way of Yahweh God, and make the way plain.” John baptized in the countryside, and preached the baptism of a changed life to save people from their sins. All of Judea, and those of Jerusalem, went out to John and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, admitting their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s fur, and wore a leather belt around his waist; and ate locusts and wild honey. John preached, saying, “Someone is coming after me who is greater than I am, the lace of whose shoes I am not even worthy to bend down and untie. Yes, I have baptized you with water: but the Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Yeshua
[9-13] At that time Yeshua came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As soon as Yeshua came up out of the water, John saw the heavens open up, and the Spirit of God coming down on the Christ like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, saying, “You’re My Child, who I love and I am so pleased with You.” Then suddenly the Spirit led Yeshua out into the countryside. Christ was there in the countryside forty days, being tempted by Satan; and was with the wild animals; and the angels ministered to the Christ.
Fishers of Others
[14-20] Now after John was put in prison, Yeshua came into Galilee, preaching the New Word of the realm of God saying, “Now is the time, the realm of God is here: change your evil ways, and believe the New Word.” As the Christ walked by the sea of Galilee, Yeshua saw Simon and Andrew, who were brothers, throwing a net into the sea because they were fishers. So Yeshua said to them, “Follow Me, and I’ll make you fishers for people.” They suddenly left their nets, and followed along. And when they had gone a little farther, they saw James, the Child of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in a ship fixing their nets. And then the Christ called out to them: and they left their father, Zebedee, in the ship with the hired workers, and followed along.
Yeshua Casts Out Evil Spirits
[21-28] They went into Capernaum; and then on a Day of Worship, the Christ went in the Place of Worship, and began teaching. The people were amazed at the teachings of Yeshua, because the Christ taught them as One who had power, and not as the religious leaders. And there was someone full of evil spirits in their worship service, who called out, saying, “Leave us alone; we don’t want anything to do with you, Yeshua of Nazareth. Have you come to get rid of us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” And Yeshua scolded them, saying, “Be quiet, and get out of him.” And when the evil spirits left the man, they called out with a loud voice, and came out of him. And everyone was amazed, so that they asked among themselves, “What is this? What New Word is this? This person orders even the evil spirits with such power that even they obey.” And suddenly Yeshua became famous throughout the whole region around Galilee.
Peter’s Mother-in Law Healed
[29-31] And then, when they had come out of the Place of Worship, Yeshua went in the house of Peter and Andrew, along with James and John. But Peter’s wife’s mother was sick with a fever, so they told the Christ about her. And the Christ came and took her by the hand and lifted her up; and suddenly the fever left her, and she served them all.
[32-34] And at evening, when the sun had set, they brought all that were diseased, and those who were overcome by evil spirits to the Christ. And the whole city gathered together at the door. And the Christ healed many that were sick of different diseases, and put out many evil spirits; and wouldn’t let the evil spirits speak, because they knew that Yeshua was the Christ.
[35-39] And in the morning, getting up a long while before the day, the Christ went out to a solitary place to pray. And Simon and those who were with them followed after the Christ. And when they had found Yeshua, they said, all the others are looking for you. And the Christ answered, “Let’s go to the other towns, so that I can preach there also, because this is why I came.” And the Christ preached in their worship services throughout all Galilee, and put out many evil spirits.
A Leper Healed
[40-45] And someone who was a leper came, kneeling down, and begged the Christ saying, “If you want to, you can make me well.” And Yeshua, with great care, reached out, and touched the person, saying, “I do want to; get well.” And as soon as the Christ had spoken, the leprosy disappeared, and the person was healed. Then the Christ clearly warned the person, and sent them away, saying, “Don’t tell anyone: but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer whatever Moses told you to for your healing, as a witness to them.” But that person went out, and told it to everyone, spreading it everywhere, so that Yeshua couldn’t even go into the city openly anymore, but stayed out in countryside: and the people came to the Christ from everywhere.
A Paralyzed Person Walks
2 [1-12] They went to Capernaum again after a few days. Soon everyone found out the Christ was in the house, and quickly gathered together, so that there wasn’t any room to get in, no, not even room at the door. So as the Christ preached the Word to them, four people came carrying a paralyzed person. And when they couldn’t get near the Christ for the crowd, they tore open the roof where the Christ was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed with the paralyzed person in it. When Yeshua saw their faith, the Christ said to the one who was paralyzed, “Child, your sins are forgiven you.” But there were some of the religious leaders sitting there, and questioning in their hearts, “Why does this person speak disrespectfully of God? Who can forgive sins but God?” And suddenly when the Christ’s Spirit realized that they questioned it within themselves, Yeshua answered, “Why do you question Me in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed, Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Get up, and pick up your bed, and walk? But so that you can know that I have the power on earth to forgive sins, (the Christ said to the paralyzed,) I tell you, get up, and pick up your bed, and go home.” So the paralyzed person got up quickly, picked up the bed, and walked out in front of them all. Everyone was so amazed, and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
Matthew Called
[13-17] And they went out again to the seashore; and the whole crowd followed along, and the Christ taught them. As they passed by, the Christ saw Matthew, son of Alphaeus, sitting where the taxes were collected, and said, “Follow Me.” So Matthew got up and followed Yeshua. Then, as Yeshua was eating a meal in the home of Matthew, many tax collectors and sinners sat together with Yeshua and the followers because there were many, and they had all followed along. And when the religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects saw them eat with tax collectors and sinners, they said to the followers, “Why does Yeshua eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” So Christ, who had heard it, answered, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I didn’t come to those who are good, but to call sinners to change their ways.”
On Fasting
[18-22] The followers of John and of the religious leaders would go without food for religious reasons, so they came to ask, “Why do we, the followers of John, and the religious leaders go without food, but your followers don’t? And Yeshua answered, “Can the friends of the bridal party go without food, while the bridal party is with them? As long as the bridal party is with them, they can’t go without food. But the time will come, when the bridal party will be gone, and then they’ll go without and pray at that time. No one sews a piece of new cloth on old clothes: or else the new piece that covered up the hole would shrink and tear the old, and the hole would be worse than before. And no one puts new wine into old bottles: or else the new wine would burst the bottles, spilling the wine, and breaking the bottles. New wine must be put into new bottles.”
Questions About the Seventh Day
[23-28] And then, as they went through the grain fields on a Day of Worship; the followers began to take the grain as they went along. And the religious leaders said, “Why do they do what isn’t right to do on a Day of Worship?” And the Christ answered, “Haven’t you ever read what David and those who were with him did, when they had need, and were hungry? How they went into the House of God in the days of Abiathar, the leading priest, and ate the bread, which isn’t right for anyone to eat but the priests?” And the Christ said, “The Seventh Day was made for people, and not people for the Seventh Day: So I have power over the Seventh Day also.”
A Plan to Kill the Christ
3 [1-6] Then they came again into the Place of Worship; and there was someone there who had a deformed hand. They watched to see whether Yeshua would heal the person on a Day of Worship; because they wanted something with which to accuse the Christ. And the Christ said to the person who had the deformed hand, “Stand up.” And Yeshua asked, “Is it right to do good on Days of Worship, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?” But they didn’t say anything. And when the Christ had looked around at them all with anger, being upset by their uncaring hearts, the Christ said to the person, “Stretch out your hand.” And the person stretched it out: and the hand was made well just like the other one. And the religious leaders went out, and quickly made a plan against Yeshua with Herod’s people, deciding how to kill the Christ.
Yeshua Heals the People
[7-12] So Yeshua left with the followers to go to the sea. A great crowd from Galilee followed along, with those from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, from beyond Jordan; and those around Tyre and Sidon also. So the crowd came out to Yeshua, when they had heard what great things the Christ did. So Christ spoke to the followers, telling them that a small ship should wait nearby, in case the crowd began to overtake them. Yeshua had healed many; and all those who were sick crowded forward to try to touch the Christ. Whenever evil spirits came near the Christ, they bowed down, calling out, “You’re the Child of God.” So Christ strictly told them not to say that.
The Twelve Sent Out
[13-21] And the Christ went up on a mountain, calling the people to come up one at a time. Then whoever the Christ wanted came up. Later, Yeshua set apart twelve followers, to come along, and sent them out to preach, and gave them the power to heal sicknesses, and to put out evil spirits: Simon, who was called Peter; James, the son of Zebedee, and John, the brother of James, who they nicknamed Boanerges, which means the sons of thunder: Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, from Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, who later handed over the Christ. Then they all went into a house, but the crowd came together again, so that they couldn’t even eat a meal. When Yeshua’s own family heard it, they went out to take the Christ, because they thought that Yeshua was crazy.
The Unforgiveable Sin
[22-30] And the religious leaders who came down from Jerusalem said, “The devil is in this One, and by the ruler of the evil spirits, this One puts out evil spirits.” And the Christ called them over, saying to them, using stories, “How can Satan put out Satan? If a country is divided against itself, that country won’t stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house won’t stand. And if Satan comes against Satan, and is divided, then the devil won’t stand and will be destroyed. No one can come into a strong person’s house, and take their things, unless they first tie up the strong person; and then they’ll take their things. The truth is, all sins will be forgiven humanity, even being disrespectful to God, no matter how they dishonor and disrespect God: But whoever rejects the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is in danger of being damned forever.” The Christ had said this because they said that Yeshua had an evil spirit.
The Family of Christ
[31-35] Then Yeshua’s family came, and standing outside, they sent word to the Christ to come there. And the crowd sat around Yeshua, so someone said, your family is outside looking for you. And Yeshua answered, “Who is My family?” And the Christ looked around at those who sat around, saying, “See, this is My family! Whoever does the will of God is My family.”
Four Kinds of Earth
4 [1-9] And then the Christ began to teach on the seashore again, and a great crowd gathered around, so that they had to get into a ship, and sit in the sea; and the whole crowd was on the seashore. Christ taught them many things through stories, saying to them in these teachings, “Listen carefully; a farmer went out to plant: And then, as the farmer planted, some seeds fell beside the rows, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it didn’t have much earth; and it sprang up quickly, because it wasn’t very deep: But when the sun came up, it scorched because the root wasn’t deep enough, and wilted away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked them, and they made no fruit. And others fell on good ground, and made fruit that grew big and increased; and made more fruit, some thirty times as much, and some sixty times as much, and some a hundred times as much.” And the Christ said, “If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.”
[10-13] And when they were alone, the twelve and a few other followers asked the Christ about the story. And Yeshua answered, “You’re allowed to know the secrets of the realm of God: but to those who are outside of it, all this is told in stories: So that seeing they will see, but not realize what they see; and hearing they will hear, but not understand what they hear; in case they at some time would change their ways, and their sins be forgiven them.” Then Yeshua said, “Don’t you understand this story? Then how will you ever understand all the rest of My stories?
[14-20] The farmer is the one who spreads the New Word. And the ones that fell beside the rows are those who the Word was planted in; but when they heard it, Satan came quickly, and took the Word away that was planted in their hearts. And the ones which are planted on stony ground are those who, when they heard the Word, gladly accepted it at first; But they have no root in themselves, and so only last for a little while: and later, when suffering or discrimination comes up for the Word’s sake, they’re suddenly offended. And the ones who are planted among thorns are those who hear the Word, but the worries of this world, and the falseness of riches, and the wants of other things are let in, and choke the Word out, and it becomes unfruitful. And those who are planted on good ground are the ones who hear the Word, and accept it, and make fruit, some thirty times as much, some sixty times as much, and some a hundred times as much.”
[21-29] Then Christ Yeshua said, “Is a candle brought out only to be put somewhere it can’t be seen? No, it’s to be set on a candle holder. There isn’t anything hid, which won’t become plain; nor anything kept secret, that won’t become known. If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.” Then Yeshua said, “Be sure to use what you hear: because with whatever measure you use it, it’ll be measured to you again. To you that hear, that much more will be given to you. Whoever uses what they have, more will be given to them: and whoever doesn’t use what they have, even what they have will be taken from them.” And then Yeshua said, “So the realm of God is like when someone puts seed in the ground; But while they are going to sleep at night and awaking by day, the seed springs up and grows, without anyone knowing how. The earth makes fruit by itself; first the leaf, then the stalk, after that the grain. But when the fruit’s ripe, the crop is harvested quickly, because the fruit’s ready.”
[30-36] And then the Christ asked, “To what can we compare the realm of God? Or with what story can we compare it? It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it’s planted in the earth, is the smallest of all the seeds in the earth: But when it’s planted, it grows up, and gets bigger than all the other herbs, and grows big branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shadow.” And Yeshua spoke the New Word to them with many stories like this, as they were able to understand it. Yeshua never spoke to them without a story: but when the Christ was alone with the followers, everything was explained to them.
Christ Calms the Sea
[35-41] And this same day, when the evening came, the Christ said, “Let’s go over to the other side.” And when Yeshua had sent the crowd away, they took the Christ over in the ship. And there were other little ships with them, too. Then a great windstorm came up, and the waves beat so hard into the ship, that it began to fill up. And the Christ was in the back of the ship, sleeping on a pillow, so they awoke Yeshua, saying, “Christ, don’t you care if we drown?” And the Christ got up, and ordered the wind and the sea, saying, “Calm down and be still!” And suddenly the wind stopped, and a great calm came. And the Christ said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith?” And they were very afraid, saying to one another, “What kind of person is this, who even the wind and the sea obey?”
Wild Man Healed
5 [1-10] Then they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when they came out of the ship, suddenly someone who lived among the tombs and had an evil spirit came out of the tombs and met them. No one could hold him, no, not even with chains. He had been chained up often with shackles and chains, and the chains had been taken off by him, and the shackles broken in pieces. He was so wild, no one could tame him. Night and day, he stayed in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Yeshua still far off, he ran and bowed down to the Christ, and called out with a loud voice, saying, “What do I have to do with you, Yeshua, Child of the Most High God? I beg you by God, not to make me suffer.” And the Christ said, “Come out of this person, you evil spirit.” And Yeshua asked, “What is your name?” And the evil spirit said, “My Name is Legion because there are many of us.” And they begged the Christ not to send them away out of the country.
[11-14] Now near the mountains there was a large herd of pigs feeding. So all the evil spirits begged the Christ, saying, “Let us go into the pigs, and stay in them.” So Yeshua the Christ said that they could. And the evil spirits went out of the man, and into the pigs: and the whole herd ran fiercely over a cliff into the sea, (it was about two thousand;) and was drowned in the sea. And those who fed the pigs ran away, and told the story all over the countryside and in the city. And the people went out to see what it was that happened.
[15-20] And they came to Yeshua, and saw the one who had the legion of evil spirits, sitting clothed, and in his right mind: and they were very afraid. And those who saw it told them what happened to the one who was overcome by the evil spirit, and also what happened to the pigs. And the people began to beg the Christ to leave out of their coasts. And when they went back to the ship, the one who had been overcome by the evil spirit begged to come with them. But Yeshua wouldn’t let him, saying, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things God has done for you, and how God has had compassion on you.” And he went, and began to tell the great things Yeshua had done for him in Decapolis: and all the others were amazed.
A Little Girl and a Woman Healed
[21-24] And when Yeshua was over on the other side again, a great many people gathered to them: and they were near the sea. Then when one of the leaders of the places of worship, Jairus by name, saw them, he fell at Yeshua’s feet, and begged the Christ, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death: I beg you come and lay your hands on her, so that she’ll be healed; and she’ll live.” And Yeshua went with him; with many people following along, and pushing them.
[25-34] And a certain woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had let many doctors do many things to her, and had spent everything she had, but wasn’t any better, and instead grew worse, who had heard of Yeshua, came up behind the Christ in the crowd, and touched the Christ’s clothing, thinking to herself, “If I can only touch the clothes of the Christ, I’ll get well.” And suddenly the flow of her blood was stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed. And Yeshua, suddenly knowing in the Spirit that power had gone out, turned around to the crowd, saying, “Who touched my clothes?” And the followers said, “You see the crowd pushing behind you, and you ask, ‘Who touched me?'” And the Christ looked around to see who had done it. And the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what happened to her, came and bowed down in front of the Christ, and told them the truth of it all. And the Christ said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be free of your disease.”
[35-43] While the Christ was speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, who said, “Your daughter is dead: don’t bother the Christ anymore.” As soon as Yeshua heard what was said, the Christ said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” And no one was allowed to follow them, but Peter, James, and John, his brother. And they came to the house of Jairus, and saw the disorder, and those who were mourning and crying. And when they came in, the Christ asked, “Why are you so upset, and crying? The girl isn’t dead, but only sleeping.” And they laughed disrespectfully at the Christ. But when Yeshua had put them all out, the Christ took the parents of the girl, and those who were with them, and went in where the girl was lying. And Yeshua took the girl by the hand saying to her, “Talitha cumi; which is to say, Young lady, I tell you to get up.” And suddenly the girl got up and walked around, who was twelve years old. And everyone was very amazed. And the Christ told them clearly to tell no one; and told them to give her something to eat.
Yeshua is Rejected by Friends and Family
6 [1-6] When Yeshua and the followers left from there, they went back to Yeshua’s home town. And when a Day of Worship came, Yeshua began to teach in the Place of Worship: and many who were listening were amazed, saying, “Where has Yeshua gotten this wisdom from? And what gift has been given to Yeshua, who is doing all these amazing things?” Isn’t this the carpenter, the Child of Mary? Aren’t James, Joses, Judah, Simon, and the sisters all Yeshua’s siblings?” And everyone was offended at the Christ. But Yeshua said, “A great preacher isn’t without honor, except in their own country, and among their own kin, and in their own home.” And the Christ couldn’t do any powerful work’s there, except laying hands on a few sick folk, and healing them. And the Christ was amazed because of their unbelief. So Yeshua went around the towns, teaching.
The Twelve Sent Out
[7-11] And the Christ called the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and gave them power over evil spirits; And told them to take nothing for their journey, except only a walking stick, with no backpack, no food, and no money in their bag, but to wear sandals, and not to put on two coats. And the Christ said, “Whatever town you go to, come into a house and stay there till you leave from that place. And whoever won’t accept you, nor listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off of your feet for a witness against them. The truth is; it’ll be better for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
John the Baptist Beheaded
[12-20] And they went out, and preached to the people to change their evil ways. And they put out many evil spirits, and anointed many that were sick with oil, and healed them. And Herod, the ruler, had heard of Yeshua; (for the Christ’s name was famous:) so he said that John the Baptist had come back to life, and that is why the Christ could do all those amazing things. Others said that the Christ was Elijah. And others said that Yeshua was a great preacher, or like one of the great preachers. But when Herod heard it, he said, “It’s John, who I beheaded and has come back to life.” Herod himself had sent out and taken John, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. John had said to Herod, ‘It isn’t right for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias resented John, and would have killed him; but she couldn’t, because Herod respected John, knowing that he was a good person and a holy one, and watched him; and when he heard John, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
[21-29] And a day came, when Herod made a supper on his birthday to those of high standing, the highest ranking captains, and leading people of Galilee; And when the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, pleasing Herod and everyone there, the ruler said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I’ll give it you.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask me for, I’ll give it to you, even to half of my country.” So she went out, saying to her mother, “What should I ask for?” And she conveniently took the opportunity saying, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in suddenly to the ruler, saying, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a plate.” And the ruler was very sorry; but because he had promised, and because of all those who were there, he wouldn’t tell her no. So suddenly, the ruler sent an executioner, and ordered the head to be brought: so he went and beheaded John in the prison, and brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the girl: and the girl gave it to her mother. And when the followers heard it, they came and took the body, and laid it in a tomb.
Christ Feeds Five Thousand
[30-34] Then the followers came back together to Yeshua, and told the Christ everything, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And the Christ answered, “Come alone into the countryside, and rest a while,” because many people were coming and going, and they hadn’t even had time to eat. So they secretly went into a deserted place by ship. But all the people saw them leaving, and many knew the Christ, and ran there on foot from all the cities, and went to them, and came together to where the Christ was. And when Yeshua came out, and saw many people, the Christ had compassion on them, because they were like animals without a keeper. So the Christ began to teach them many things.
[35-40] And when the day was almost over, the followers came, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the day is almost over: Send them away, so they can go into the countryside and towns around here, to buy food, because they don’t have anything to eat.” But Yeshua answered them, “You feed them.” And they said, “It would take two hundred days of work worth of bread to feed them all!” So Yeshua answered, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.” And the Christ told them to make everyone sit down in large groups on the grass, which was green because it was early spring. And they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
[41-46] And when the Christ had taken the five loaves and the two fish, looking up to heaven, Yeshua blessed it, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the followers to give to the people; and the two fish Yeshua divided between them all. And everyone ate until they were full. And they took up twelve baskets full of bread and fish scraps. There were about five thousand people. Then suddenly, Yeshua made the followers get in the ship, and go to the other side to Bethsaida, while sending away the people. And after sending them all away, the Christ went up on a mountain to pray.
Christ Walks on the Water
[47-52] And when evening came, the ship was in the middle of the sea, and the Christ was alone on the land. And Yeshua saw them having a hard time rowing because the wind was coming against them. So about 3 o’clock in the morning, in the middle of the night, the Christ came to them, walking on the sea, intending to pass by them. But when they saw the Christ walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and screamed, and were very scared. And suddenly, Yeshua answered, “Calm down, it’s Me; Don’t be afraid.” And when the Christ climbed up into the ship with them, the wind stopped. They were more amazed than ever, and wondered greatly about it. They didn’t even think about the miracle of the loaves because they couldn’t believe what had just happened.
[53-56] And when they had crossed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and came to the shore. And when they had come out of the ship, suddenly everyone knew it was the Christ, and ran throughout that whole region all around, and began to bring out all those that were sick in beds to where they had heard that the Christ was. And wherever Yeshua went, whether in towns, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the streets, and begged to touch the Christ, even if only the edge of the Christ’s clothing. And whoever touched the Christ got well.
The Religious Leaders Question the Christ
7 [1-13] Then some of the religious sects and some of the religious leaders came to Yeshua from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of the followers eat without washing their hands, they found fault with them. The religious leaders and all the rest of the Jews won’t eat, unless they wash their hands first, keeping the way of life of the elders. And when they come from the shopping center, they won’t eat unless they wash up first. And they have many other ways of life, which they’ve come to keep, such as washing dishes and tables. Then the religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects asked Yeshua, “Why don’t your followers live by the way of life of the elders, but instead, don’t wash their hands?” The Christ answered them, “Isaiah said rightly of you fakes, as the Word says, which was given ahead of time. These people honor me with their words, but their hearts are far from me. But their worship is empty, teaching the teachings of humanity as the Teachings of God. Ignoring the Teachings of God, you keep the way of life of humanity, such as washing dishes: and many other things like this.” And Yeshua said, “You reject the Law of God full well, so that you can keep your own way of life. Moses said, Honor your parents; And whoever curses their parents, let them be put to death. But you say they won’t be punished if someone says to their parents, It’s a gift to God, whatever you might have gotten from me. So you don’t let them do what they should for their parents any more, which makes the Word of God of no effect by this way of life, which you’ve taught: and many other things like this that you do.”
[14-23] And when the Christ had called all the people to come, Yeshua said, “Listen carefully to Me, everyone of you, and understand: There isn’t anything from outside of someone, that coming into them can make them filthy. It’s the things which come out of them, which make the person filthy. If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.” And when the Christ went in the house from the people, the followers asked about this teaching. And Yeshua answered them, “Do you, too, still not understand? Don’t you realize that whatever goes into a person from outside, it can’t make them filthy; because it doesn’t go into their heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the waste, taking away everything?” And then the Christ said, “What comes out of a person is what makes the person filthy. It’s from within, out of the person’s heart, that evil thoughts, unfaithfulness, sexual sins, murders, thefts, greed, evil, lies, loose living, evil imaginations, disrespect for God, pride, and stupidity come: All these evil things come from within, and make the person filthy.”
A Greek Woman’s Daughter Healed
[24-30] And from there Yeshua got up, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and went in a house, and didn’t want anyone to know it: but the Christ couldn’t be hid. Then a woman, whose young daughter had an evil spirit, heard of the Christ, and came and fell at Yeshua’s feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she begged the Christ to make the evil spirit go out of her daughter. But Yeshua said to her, “The children must be fed first. It isn’t right to take the children’s food, and give it to the dogs.” But she answered, “Yes, Christ: but still the little dogs eat of the children’s crumbs under the table.” And the Christ said to her, “Because you’ve said this, go; the evil spirit has gone out of your daughter.” And when she came to her house, she found that the evil spirit was gone, and her daughter was lying quietly on the bed.
A Deaf and Dumb Person Healed
[31-37] And again, leaving from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, they came to the sea of Galilee, in the middle of the coasts of Decapolis. And someone brought to the Christ a person who was deaf, and had a problem with their speech; and they begged the Christ to lay hands on them. So the Christ took the one who couldn’t hear aside from the crowd, and put fingers into the person’s ears, and then the Christ spit, and touched the person’s tongue; And looking up to heaven, the Christ breathed deeply, saying, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Open up.” And suddenly the person’s ears began to hear, and the speech problem was healed, and the person spoke clearly. And the Christ told them not to tell anyone: but the more Yeshua told them not to, the more they told it; And everyone was more amazed than ever, saying, “Everything the Christ has done is good. The Christ has made both those who are deaf to hear again, and the dumb to speak again.”
Christ Feeds Four Thousand
8 [1-9] The crowd being very great at that time, and having nothing to eat, Yeshua called the followers, saying to them, “I am concerned about the crowd, because they’ve been with me for three days now, and don’t have anything to eat: And if I send them away hungry to their own homes, they’ll faint on the way because many came from far away.” And the followers answered, “How can anyone satisfy all these people with food out here in the countryside?” And the Christ asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they answered, “Seven.” Then the Christ told the people to sit down on the ground and took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to the followers to give to them. Then they gave it to the people. And they had a few small fish, so the Christ blessed it, and told the followers to give it to them also. So everyone ate until they were full: and the followers took up seven baskets of scraps. And those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then the Christ sent them away.
Beware of the Teachings of Religious Sects
[10-13] And quickly the Christ went in a ship with the followers, and came into parts of Dalmanutha. And the religious leaders came out, and began to question the Christ, looking for a sign from heaven, to tempt Yeshua. And the Christ breathed deeply in the spirit, saying, “Why do these people look for a sign? The truth is; no sign will be given to this people.” And the Christ left them, and going into the ship again, went to the other side.
[14-21] Now the followers had forgotten to take bread, and they didn’t have more than one loaf with them in the ship. Then Christ told them, saying, “Be careful of the leaven of the religious leaders, and of the leaven of the ruler.” And they argued among themselves, saying, “It’s because we don’t have any bread.” And when Yeshua realized it, the Christ said, “Why are you arguing about not having any bread? Don’t you realize, nor still understand? Is your heart still full of doubt? You have eyes, don’t you see? And you have ears, don’t you hear? And don’t you remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps you picked up?” They answered, “Twelve.” “And when I broke the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps you picked up? And they said, “Seven.” Then the Christ said, “Then how is it possible that you still don’t understand?”
A Blind Person Sees
[22-26] And when they got to Bethsaida; a blind person was brought to Yeshua, and begged to be touched by the Christ. So Yeshua took the one who was blind by the hand and led them out of the town; and when the Christ had spit on the person’s eyes, and laid hands on them, asked if the person saw anything. And they looked up, saying, “I see people as trees, walking.” After that the Christ laid hands on the person’s eyes again, and told them to look up, and then that person was healed, and saw everything clearly. And the Christ sent them home, saying, “Don’t go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”
Yeshua is the Christ
[27-33] And Yeshua went with the followers, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way asked the followers, “Who do other people say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist: but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the great preachers.” So the Christ asked, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “You’re the Christ.” And Yeshua told them not to tell this to anyone. Then Yeshua began to tell them, saying, “I must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and religious leaders, and be killed, and after three days I’ll come to life again.” And the Christ told them this openly. But Peter took the Christ aside, and began to argue about it. But the Christ turned around and looked on the followers, and scolded Peter, saying, “Leave Me alone, Satan, because you don’t want what God wants, but what human beings want.”
Carry Your Own Cross and Follow Me
[34-38] And later, when Yeshua had called the followers and the rest of the people to come also, the Christ said, “Whoever wants to follow Me, has to forget what they want, and carry their own cross, and follow Me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it; but whoever is willing to lose their life for My sake and the New Word’s sake, they’ll save it. What good will it do someone, if they get everything they want in this life, and lose their own soul? Or what wouldn’t someone give up in exchange for their soul? So whoever is ashamed of Me and of My Words in the unfaithful and sinful people of this time; I’ll be ashamed of them also, when I come in the victory of God with the holy angels.”
9 [1] Then Yeshua said, “The truth is, that some of those who are standing here, won’t taste of death, till they’ve seen the realm of God come with power.”
Elijah and Moses Appear with the Christ
[2-13] And after six days Yeshua took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. Then the Christ was suddenly changed right in front of them. And the Christ’s clothing was shining brightly, as white as snow; like no cleaner on earth can whiten them. And Elijah and Moses appeared to them: and they were talking with Yeshua. And Peter said to Yeshua, “Christ, it’s good that we’re here with you. Let’s make three memorial stones; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He didn’t know what to say because they were very afraid. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Child, who I love: Listen to Yeshua.” And suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one but Yeshua with them anymore. And as they came down from the mountain, Yeshua told them, “Don’t tell anyone what you’ve seen, till I’ve come to life again from the dead.” And they kept those words to themselves, questioning one another about what the Christ meant by coming to life again from the dead. And they asked the Christ, saying, “Why do the religious leaders say that Elijah must come first?” And Yeshua told them, “The truth is, Elijah will come first, and explain everything; and tell what the Word says of Me, that I must suffer many things, and become of no importance. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did to him whatever they wanted to, as the Word says of him.”
An Only Child Healed from Seizures
[14-19] And when Yeshua came back to the followers, the Christ saw a great crowd around them, and the religious leaders arguing with them. And when all the people saw the Christ, they were very excited, and suddenly ran to greet Yeshua. Christ asked the religious leaders, “What are you arguing with them about?” And someone in the crowd answered, “Christ, I’ve brought You my child, who is taken with an evil spirit and can’t speak; And whenever it overcomes my child with seizures, the child foams at the mouth, and clenches his teeth, and faints. I spoke to your followers and asked them to put it out; but they couldn’t. So the Christ answered, saying, “You faithless people, how long must I be with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the child to Me.”
[20-27] And when they brought the child to Yeshua, suddenly, the spirit overcame him; and threw him down, and the child wallowed on the ground foaming at the mouth. And Yeshua asked the child’s parent, “How long ago was it since this began to happen?” And he answered, “Since he was a young child. And often it has put the child into the fire, and into the water, and almost killed him: but if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” So Yeshua said, “If you believe, everything is possible for those who believe.” And suddenly, the parent of the child cried out with tears, saying, “Christ, I do believe; but help my unbelief.” When Yeshua saw that the people came running together, the Christ took control over the evil spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I order you to come out of this child, and don’t come into him anymore.” And the spirit cried, and struggled very much, and came out of the child: and the child was like a dead person; so that many said, “The child is dead.” But Yeshua took the child by the hand and lifted him up; and the child got up.
[28-29] And when they came into the house, the followers privately asked, “Why couldn’t we put the spirit out?” And the Christ answered, “The only way this kind will go out is by willingly going without food to pray.”
The Death of Christ Foretold
[30-37] And they left there, and went through Galilee; but the Christ didn’t want anyone to know it. And Yeshua said to the followers, “I’ll be given into the hands of others, and they’ll kill Me; and after I’m killed, I’ll come to life again on the third day.” But they didn’t understand what the Christ told them, and were afraid to ask about it. Then they went to Capernaum. The Christ asked them, while they were in the house, “What was it that you argued about among yourselves on the way?” But they didn’t say anything because on the way they had argued among themselves about who would be the greatest of them. And the Christ sat down, and called the twelve, saying to them, “If anyone wants to be first, that one will be last of all, and will work for everyone.” And Yeshua picked up a child, and set the child in the middle of them: saying to them, “Whoever accepts one child like this in My Name, accepts Me: and whoever accepts Me, accepts not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
Punishment will come to Those who hurt Little Ones
[38-50] And John said to Yeshua, “Christ, we saw someone putting out evil spirits in Your Name, but they don’t follow along with us, so we told them to stop.” But Yeshua said, “Don’t stop them because there’s no one who does a miracle in My Name, who can lightly speak evil of Me. Whoever isn’t against us is with us. And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because you belong to Christ, the truth is, they’ll certainly get their reward. But whoever hurts one of these little ones who believe in Me and causes them to lose faith, it would be better for that person to have a large stone hung around their neck, and be drowned in the sea. So if your hand offends you, don’t use it as if it was cut off: It’s better for you to live disabled, than having two hands and go to Hell, to the everlasting fire, where the worms never die, and the fire never goes out. And if your foot offends you, don’t use it as if it was cut off: It’s better for you to live disabled, than have two feet to be put into Hell, to the everlasting fire: where the worms never die, and the fire never goes out. And if your eye offends you, don’t use it as if it was put out: It’s better for you to come into the realm of God disabled, than having two eyes and be put into the Hell fire: where the worms never die, and the fire never goes out. Everyone will be tested with fire, and every sacrifice will be flavored with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt has no flavor, what will you season it with? So have the flavor of goodness in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
On Divorce and Remarriage
10 [1-9] And they left there, and went into the coasts of Judea by the far side of the Jordan. The people came to the Christ again there; who taught them, as usual. And the religious leaders came to tempt the Christ, and asked Yeshua, “Is it right for someone to divorce their spouse?” And the Christ answered them, “What did Moses tell you?” And they said, “Moses allowed us to write a writ of divorcement, and to divorce.” So Yeshua answered them, “Moses wrote you this principle because of your unforgiving hearts. But from the beginning of creation God made humanity male and female. And because of this, they’re to leave their parents, and come together in marriage; And the two of them becomes as one body: so that they’re not two anymore, but are as one body. So whoever God has put together, no one should separate.”
[10-12] And later in the house the followers asked the Christ again about the same thing. And Yeshua answered, “If a man divorces his wife, and marries another, he sins sexually against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and is married to another, she takes part in sexual sin, as well.”
Let the Children Come
[13-16] And the people brought young children to the Christ, hoping that the Christ would bless them, but the followers scolded those that brought them. Yeshua saw it, and was greatly displeased, saying to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the realm of God is full of little ones like these. The truth is, whoever won’t come to the realm of God with undoubting faith as a little child, they won’t come in.” And the Christ picked them up, laid hands on them, and blessed them.
The Rich Young Person
[17-22] And when they had gone out into the way, someone came running, and kneeled down, asking, “Good Christ, what can I do to get everlasting life?” And Yeshua said, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God. You know God’s teachings, Don’t do any sexual sin, Don’t kill, Don’t steal, Don’t lie about someone, don’t cheat, Honor your parents.” And the young person answered, “Christ, I have done all this from my youth up.” Then Yeshua lovingly looked at the young person, and said, “There’s only one thing that you lack: go and sell whatever you’ve got, and give to those who are poor, and you’ll have wealth in heaven: then come, pick up your cross, and follow Me.” And the young person, who was very rich, was sad and went away grieved because of what the Christ had said.
[23-27] And Yeshua looked around, saying to the followers, “Those, who have riches, will have a hard time coming into the realm of God!” And the followers were amazed at these words. But Yeshua said again, “Friends, it’s very hard for those who trust in riches to come into the realm of God! It’s easier for a camel to be completely unloaded and go through the eye of a needle, that is, the smallest gate, than for a rich person to come into the realm of God.” And they were amazed more than ever, saying among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” And Yeshua looking on them said, “This may be impossible for human beings, but not with God, because everything is possible with God.”
The Blessings of Those Who Follow Christ
[28-31] Then Peter said to Christ, “See; we’ve left everything, and have followed you.” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, there’s no one that has left a house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or spouse, or children, or lands for My sake, and the New Word’s, that won’t get a hundred times that much more now in this life, homes, brothers and sisters, parents and children, and lands, but not without suffering discrimination; and in the world to come everlasting life. But many that are first will be last; and the last will be first.”
The Death of Christ Foretold Again
[32-34] And they were going up to Jerusalem and on the way, Yeshua went ahead of them: and as they followed, they were shocked and afraid, because the Christ took the twelve again, and began to tell them what things would happen, saying, “We’re going up to Jerusalem; I’ll be handed over to the leading priests there, and to the religious leaders. They’ll accuse Me of being worthy of death, and will deliver Me to the Romans: And they’ll mock and beat Me, and spit on Me, and will kill Me; but the third day I’ll come to life again.”
Being First Means to Serve All
[35-45] And James and John, the children of Zebedee, came, saying, “Christ, we want you to do us a favor.” And the Christ answered, “What do you want Me to do for you?” So they said, “Let us sit one on your right side, and the other on your left, when you come in your victory.” But Yeshua answered, “You don’t know what you ask: can you go through what I have to go through? and suffer what I have to suffer?” And they said, “We can.” And Yeshua answered, “You certainly will go through what I have to go through; and suffer as I do: But to sit beside Me isn’t Mine to give; but it’ll be given to those for whom it’s prepared.” And when the other ten heard it, they resented James and John. But Yeshua called them over, saying to them, “You know that those who rule over the other peoples use control over them; and their leaders use power over them. But it won’t be like that among you: but whoever wants to be great among you, will be your minister. And whoever of you wants to be a leader, will work for everyone else, even as I didn’t come to be ministered to, but to minister to others, and to give My life in order to pay the debts of many.”
Blind Bartimaeus
[46-52] And they came to Jericho and as the Christ went out of Jericho with the followers and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the child of Timaeus, sat beside the street begging. And when he heard that it was Yeshua of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, “Yeshua, Descendant of David, have mercy on me.” And many told him to be quiet: but he called out a great deal more, “Descendant of David, have mercy on Me.” And Yeshua stood still, and told him to be called. And they called the one who was blind, saying to him, “It’s okay, get up; the Christ is calling for you.” And tossing aside his outer clothing, he got up, and came to Yeshua. And Yeshua asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” So the one who was blind said, “Christ, I want to see again.” So Yeshua said, “Go now; your faith has made you well.” And suddenly he could see again, and followed Yeshua on the way.
Yeshua Rides into Jerusalem on a Foal
11 [1-11] And when they came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, the Christ sent out two of the followers, and said, “Go into the next town now: and as soon as you go in it, you’ll find a foal tied, in which no one has ever rode. Untie it, and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, “Why are you doing this?” say that “Yeshua the Christ needs it;” and they’ll send it.” And they left, and found the foal tied by the door outside in a place where two roads met; and they untied it. And certain of those who stood there asked, “Why are you untying the foal?” So they answered just as Yeshua had told them to: and so they let them go. And they brought the foal to Yeshua, and put their outer coats on it; and the Christ rode on it. And many spread their coats down on the road and others cut down palm branches off the trees, and spread them down on the road. And those who went ahead, and those who followed, called out, saying, “Save us! Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of Yahweh God! Blessed is the realm of God, the Heir of David, the One that comes in the Name of Yahweh God: Oh save us, Highest One.” And Yeshua went into Jerusalem, and into the Place of Worship. Then after the Christ had looked around at everything, and when the evening had come, the Christ went out to Bethany with the twelve.
The Angry Christ
[12-14] And the next day, when they had come from Bethany, the Christ was hungry. So seeing a fig tree a little way off having leaves, the Christ came up to it, thinking that there might be fruit on it. And coming to it, the Christ didn’t find anything but leaves on it because it wasn’t time for the figs yet. So Yeshua said to it, “No one will eat fruit from this tree ever again.” And the followers heard it.
[15-19] Then they came to Jerusalem. Yeshua went into the Place of Worship, and began to throw out all those who sold and bought in the Place of Worship, throwing over the tables of the bankers, and the seats of those who sold doves; and wouldn’t let anyone carry anything through the Place of Worship. Christ said, “Isn’t it written, My house will be called the house of prayer by all nations? But you’ve made it a place for thieves.” And the religious leaders and leading priests heard it, and looked for a way to get rid of Yeshua, being afraid of the Christ, because all the people were so amazed at the Christ’s teachings. And when evening came, they went out of the city.
[20-26] And in the morning, as they passed by it, they saw that the fig tree had dried up from the roots. And Peter, reminding them, said, “Christ, the fig tree that you cursed has died.” And Yeshua answered, “You must have faith in God, because the truth is, that whoever says to this mountain, “Move, and go into the sea;” and doesn’t doubt in their heart, but believes that the things which they say will happen; whatever they say will happen. So I tell you, when you pray, whatever you want, believe that you’ll get it, and you’ll get just what you wanted. And when you stand praying, you must forgive, if you have something against someone, so that Yahweh, your God who is in heaven, can also forgive you your sins. But if you don’t forgive, neither will your God who is in heaven forgive your sins.”
The Christ Questioned by the Religious Leaders
[27-33] And they came again to Jerusalem: and as they were walking into the Place of Worship, some of the leading priests came up to them, along with the religious leaders, and the elders, and asked the Christ, “By what power do you do this? Who gave you the power to do it?” And Yeshua answered them, “I’ll also ask you a question, and if you can answer me, then I’ll tell you by what power I do this. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of human origin? Answer Me.” And they argued among themselves, saying, “If we say, from heaven; Yeshua will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him then?’ But if we say, Of human origin; we fear the people because they all count John as a great preacher.” So they answered Yeshua, “We don’t know.” And Yeshua answered, “Then neither will I tell you by what power I do this.”
The Farmer’s Own Child Sent
12 [1-12] And Yeshua began again to speak to them by stories, saying, “Someone planted a garden, and built a wall around it, and dug a place for the winepress, and built a guard tower, and rented it out to farmers, and went into a far country. At the end of the season the owner sent to the farmers a worker, to get some of the fruit of the garden from the farmers, who they caught and beat, and sent away empty-handed. Then the owner sent to them another worker; and they threw stones at this one, who they wounded in the head, and shamefully sent away. And again the owner sent another; and they killed that one, and many others; beating some, and killing some. So still having one child, the owner’s own child who was greatly loved, the owner sent the heir at last to them also, saying, ‘They’ll respect my child.’ But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, if we kill the heir, the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took the heir out of the garden and killed the heir. So what will the owner of the garden do? The owner will come and kill the farmers, and will give the garden to others. Haven’t you read this Word: The stone which the builders rejected has become the first cornerstone: This was God’s doing and it’s amazing in our eyes?” And they looked for a way to take Yeshua prisoner, but were afraid of the people because they knew that the Christ had told the story about them. Then Christ left them, and went away.
On Paying Taxes and Tithes
[13-17] Then they sent to the Christ some of the religious leaders and some of Herod’s people, to try to find fault in the Christ’s words. And when they had come, they said to Yeshua, “Christ, we know that you’re honest, and don’t care what anyone thinks because you don’t consider what others say, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it right to pay taxes to the ruling government, or not? Do we pay it or not?” But the Christ, knowing they were trying to find some fault, answered, “Why do you try to tempt Me? Bring Me a coin, so that I can see it.” And they gave a coin to Yeshua. Then the Christ asked, “Whose picture and name is this?” And they said, “The ruler’s.” Then Yeshua said, “Then pay your taxes to the government and give to God the part of your money that belongs to God.” And they were amazed at that answer.
No Sexuality in the Afterlife
[18-27] Then some of the religious sects came, which say no one will come to life again; and asked, “Christ, Moses wrote to us, if someone dies, and leaves their wife behind without children, that another would take their wife, and give her children. Now there were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and dying left no children. And the second took her, and died, without leaving any children: and the third the same. And all seven had her, and left no children: last of all the woman died also. When we come to life again in the afterlife, whose wife will she be, because all seven had her for a wife? And Yeshua answered, “You’re wrong, because you don’t know the Word, nor the power of God. When we come to life from the dead, we won’t be sexual and live in marriage; but are neither male nor female, as the angels are in heaven. And speaking of the dead coming to life again: haven’t you read in the book of Moses, how God spoke in the bush, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God isn’t the God of the dead, but the God of the living: so you’re very wrong.”
[28-34] And one of the religious leaders came up, and having heard them discussing it, and perceiving that the Christ had answered them well, asked the Christ, “Which is the most important rule of all?” And Yeshua answered, “The most important of all the rules is, ‘Hear, Oh Israel; God, our God, is One God: Love Yahweh, your God with all your spirit, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength:’ this is the first rule. And the second is like it, namely this, ‘Love others as yourself.’ There’s no other rule greater than these.” And the religious leader said, “You’ve answered well, Christ, You’ve said the truth because there’s One God; and there’s no other god but Yahweh, our God: And to love God with all the spirit, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love others as yourself, is more than all the offerings and sacrifices one could give.” And when Yeshua saw that he had answered carefully, the Christ said, “You aren’t far from the realm of God.” And no one dared to ask Yeshua any more questions after that.
Christ is David’s Descendant
[35-37] While teaching in the Place of Worship Yeshua asked, “How can the religious leaders say that the Christ is the Descendant of David? If David himself said by the Holy Spirit, Yahweh God said to My Christ, sit beside Me, till I make those who come against you a place to rest Your feet. So David himself called the Christ, Christ; so how can the Christ be the descendant of David?” And the common people gladly listened to Yeshua.
False Religious Leaders
[38-40] And the Christ taught them, saying, “Beware of the religious leaders, which love to go around in impressive clothing, and love greetings in the shopping centers, and the best seats in the places of worship, and the best places at the dinners of religious celebrations: But who take what little money the poor death survivors have, and for a pretence make long prayers. They’ll get the greater punishment.”
The Survivor’s Small Coin
[41-44] And Yeshua sat next to the treasury, and watched how the people put money into the treasury. Many that were rich put in much. And there came a certain poor survivor, and she threw in two small coins. And the Christ called the followers over, saying to them, “The truth is that this poor survivor has given more than anyone else who has given to the treasury, because all they did was to give from what they had extra; but she gave from out of her need and put in all that she had, even all her living.”
The End Times Foretold
13 [1-8] And as they went out of the Place of Worship, one of the followers said, “Christ, look at these stones and the buildings here!” And Yeshua answered, “You see these great buildings? There won’t be one stone left on another, that won’t be out of place.” As they sat on the Mount of Olives next to the Place of Worship, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked privately, “Tell us when this will happen? And what signs will we have when all this begins to happen?” And Yeshua answering them said, “Be careful, in case anyone tries to mislead you, because many will come in My Name, saying, I am the Christ; and will mislead many people. When you hear of wars and news of wars, don’t be upset because things like this will happen; but the end won’t come yet. But nation will fight against nation, and land will fight against land. There will be earthquakes in different places, and there will be a great lack of food in some places and other troubles like this. These things are just the beginning of trouble.
[9-13] But be careful for yourselves because they’ll arrest you, and bring you to courts; You’ll be beaten in the places of worship, and you’ll be brought before great rulers for My sake, and for a witness against them. The New Word must first be published throughout the whole world. So when they take away your freedom, and arrest you, don’t worry ahead of time about what you’ll say, nor think about it: but whatever is given to you at that time, speak it, because it isn’t you that speaks, but the Holy Spirit in you. Now brothers and sisters will hand over their own siblings to death, and the parent, the child; and children will turn against their parents, and will cause them to be put to death. You’ll be hated by everyone because of My Name: but whoever is faithful to the end will be saved.
[14-23] But when you see the antichrist, spoken of by Daniel the great preacher, standing where it shouldn’t, (let those who read understand) then let those who are in Judea escape to the mountains. Those who are on the rooftop shouldn’t go down into the house, nor go in to take anything out of their house. And those who are in the field shouldn’t turn back to pick up their clothing. There will be great trouble for those who are with child, and who are breastfeeding in those days! And pray that your escape isn’t in the winter, because there will be great trouble in those days, such as never before, from the beginning of creation, which God created, to this time, nor ever will be. And unless God shortens those days, no one would be saved: but God will shorten those days for the sake of those who God has chosen. So if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ;’ or, ‘The Christ is there;’ don’t believe them, because false Christs and false teachers will come, and will show great signs and amazing things, to fool, even the chosen ones if that were possible. So listen carefully: I’ve told you all this ahead of time.
[24-30] But in those days, after all that trouble, the sun will be darkened, and the moon won’t have its normal light, and the stars of heaven and the other heavenly bodies will be shaken out of their places. Then they’ll see Me coming in the clouds with great power and bright light. Then I‘ll send My angels, and will gather together the chosen ones from every direction, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Now learn the story of the fig tree: When its branch is still tender, and puts out its leaves, you know that summer’s near. So in this way, when you see all this happening, know that the time is near, so very near. The truth is that the people of this time won’t pass away, till everything is finished. Heaven and earth will come to an end: but My Words won’t ever end.
[32-37] But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels in heaven, nor Me, but only Yahweh God. Listen carefully, watch and pray because you don’t know when that hour will come. It’s like someone taking a far journey, which left their house, and gave work orders to each of their workers and told the caretaker to watch. So watch because you don’t know when the owner of the house will come, at evening, or at midnight, or at dawn, or later on in the day: In case it so happens that, coming suddenly, the owner finds you sleeping. And what I tell you, I say to all who come after you, so watch!”
Mary Anoints the Christ
14 [1-2] Two days later the Passover celebration of unleavened bread came: and the leading priests and the religious leaders looked for a way to take Yeshua secretly, and put the Christ to death. But they said, “Not on the celebration day, in case the people cause an uproar.”
[3-9] And in Bethany in the house of Simon, one of those with leprosy who was healed, as they were eating a meal, a woman, named Mary, came having an alabaster jar of very precious perfumed oil of spikenard; and she broke open the jar, and poured it on the Christ’s head. And some of those there resented it, thinking to themselves, “Why was this perfume wasted like this? It might have been sold for almost a year’s worth of pay, and been given to those who are poor.” And they hatefully whispered about her. And Yeshua said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She’s done a good thing for Me. Those who are poor will always be with you, and whenever you can, do something good for them: but you won’t always have Me with you. She’s only done what she could: she came ahead of time to anoint my body for burying. The truth is, wherever this New Word is preached throughout the whole world, this thing that she’s done will be spoken of for a memorial of her, too.”
Judas Betrays the Christ
[10-11] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the leading priests, to see if he could hand the Christ over to them. And when they heard it, they were happy, and promised to give him money. So after that he watched for the right time to hand over the Christ.
The Last Supper
[12-21] And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover sacrificial animals, the followers said, “Where do you want us to go and get ready to eat the Passover?” And the Christ sent out two of the followers, saying to them, “Go into the city, and you’ll find someone carrying a pitcher of water: follow them. And wherever they go in, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Christ asks, Where is the guestroom, where I’ll eat the Passover with my followers?’ And they’ll show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: get everything ready for us there.” And the followers went out, and came into the city, and found it all just as the Christ had said: and they got everything ready for the Passover. And in the evening the Christ came with the twelve followers. And as they sat and ate, Yeshua said, “The truth is, one of you who eats with Me will hand Me over.” And they became very sad, saying to the Christ one by one, “Is it I?” and another said, “Is it I?” And the Christ answered them, “It’s one of you twelve, who dips his bread in the dish with Me. I’ll certainly go, just as the Word says of Me: but the person who hands Me over will be very sorry! It would better for that person to have never been born.”
[22-24] And as they ate, Yeshua took the bread, and blessed it, breaking it in pieces to give to them, saying, “Take this and eat it: this is a memorial of My body.” And the Christ took the cup, and after giving thanks, gave it to the followers: and they all drank of it. And the Christ said, “This is a memorial of My blood, which is shed for many people, and for the New Word. The truth is, I’ll drink no more wine, until the day that I drink it anew in the realm of God.”
The Christ Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
[26-31] And when they had sung a song, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Yeshua said, “You’ll all leave me alone tonight because the Word says, When the Keeper is taken, the herd will be scattered. But after I have come back to life, I’ll come to you in Galilee.” But Peter said, “Even if everyone else leaves you, I won’t.” And Yeshua said, “The truth is that this very day, even tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you’ll say you don’t even know Me three times.” But he spoke all the more strongly, “Even if I were to die with you, I would never say I don’t know you in any way.” And all the others said the same.
[32-42] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and Yeshua said to the followers, “Sit here, while I pray.” And the Christ took along Peter, James, and John, and began to be very uneasy and sad. Then the Christ said, “My soul is so sad I’m about to die: stay here and watch.” And the Christ went ahead a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the time might pass without any harm. And the Christ prayed, “My Yahweh God, everything is possible to You; please don’t let this happen to Me: but don’t let happen what I want, but only what You want.” And the Christ came back and found them sleeping, saying to Peter, “Simon Peter, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? Watch and pray, in case you’re tempted. The truth is, the spirit’s willing, but the body’s weak.” And again the Christ went away, and prayed, speaking the same words. And when Yeshua came back, the Christ found them sleeping again, (because they were very tired,) nor did they know what to answer the Christ. And the Christ came the third time, saying to them, “You might as well sleep now, and take your rest. It’s enough, It’s time now; I’m handed over into the hands of sinners. Get up, let’s go; The one who hands Me over is here.”
The Christ is Taken
[43-45] And suddenly, while the Christ was still speaking, Judas came, who was one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and sticks, from the leading priest and the religious leaders and the elders. And the one who handed over the Christ had told them a sign, saying, “The One who I kiss, that is the One to take away.” And as soon as they came, he went over, saying, “Teacher, Teacher;” and kissed the Christ on the cheek.
[46-52] And they took hold of Yeshua, trying to take the Christ away. But one of those who were with the Christ drew a sword, and cut off the ear of one of the leading priest’s workers. Then Yeshua said, “Have you come out with swords and sticks to take Me like a thief? I was with you, teaching daily in the Place of Worship, and you didn’t take Me then: but everything the Word says must happen.” And all those who were with the Christ left and ran away. And I followed along, having quickly tied a towel around my naked body; and those who took Yeshua tried to take me, too: But the linen cloth came off in their hands, and I ran away from them naked.
The Christ Taken Before the Priests
[53-59] And they led Yeshua away to the leading priest: and with them were gathered all the leading priests and the elders and the religious leaders. So Peter followed along far off, even to the great house of the leading priest: and sat with the workers, and warmed himself by the fire. Then the leading priests and all the court looked for a witness against Yeshua in order to put the Christ to death; but found none, because many told lies about the Christ, but their statements didn’t agree together. And some got up, and told lies about the Christ, saying, “We heard Yeshua say, ‘I’ll tear down this Place of Worship that was made by humans, and within three days, I’ll build another not made by humans.” But their statements didn’t agree together.
[60-65] And the leading priest stood up in the middle of them, and asked Yeshua, saying, “Don’t you have anything to say? Don’t you hear what they’re saying about you?” But the Christ didn’t say anything, and kept quiet. Again the leading priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Child of the Blessed One?” And Yeshua said, “I am: and you’ll see Me sitting with the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then the leading priest tore his clothes, saying, “Why do we need any more witnesses? You’ve heard this disrespect of God: what do you think?” And they all said the Christ was guilty of death. And some began to spit on and cover Yeshua’s face, and to beat the Christ, saying, “Preach”: and they all slapped Yeshua with the palms of their hands.
Peter Denies Knowing the Christ
[66-72] And as Peter was downstairs in the great house, one of the workers of the leading priest came down. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, saying, “You, too, were with Yeshua of Nazareth.” But Peter denied it, saying, “I don’t know who or what you’re talking about.” And they went out onto the porch; and the rooster crowed. Then another girl saw Peter again, and began to say to those who stood around, “This is one of them.” And Peter denied it again. And a little while later, those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you’re one of them because you’re a Galilaean, and your speech proves it.” But Peter began to curse and to swear, saying, “I don’t even know who you’re talking about.” And the rooster crowed the second time. And Peter remembered what Yeshua had said, “Before the rooster crows twice, you’ll say you don’t know me three times.” And when he remembered it, he cried miserably.
Christ Sent to Pilate
15 [1-5] As soon as it was morning the leading priests talked with the elders and religious leaders and the whole court, and tied up Yeshua, and carried the Christ away to Pilate. So Pilate asked Yeshua, “Are you the Ruler of the Jews?” And the Christ answered, “I am who you say.” And the leading priests accused the Christ of many things: but Yeshua didn’t say anything. So Pilate asked the Christ again, saying, “Don’t you have anything to say? Listen to all this they say against you.” But Yeshua still didn’t say anything; so that Pilate was amazed.
[6-14] Now at the celebration Pilate usually freed one prisoner to the people, whoever they wanted. So there was someone named Barabbas, which was chained up with those who had made an uprising, and who had murdered someone in the uprising. So the crowd called out, asking Pilate to do as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered, saying, “Don’t you want me to free to you the Ruler of the Jews?” because he knew that the leading priests had brought the Christ because of their jealousy. But the leading priests won over the people to ask Pilate to free Barabbas to them. And Pilate answered again, asking them, “Then what do you want me to do to Yeshua, whom you call the Ruler of the Jews?” And they called out again, “Put Yeshua to death!” Then Pilate answered, “Why, what evil has this person done?” And they called out all the more, “Put Yeshua to death!”
[15-20] And so Pilate, wanting to please the people, freed Barabbas to them, and handed over Yeshua, who had been beaten, to be put to death. And the guards led the Christ away into the judgment hall; and they called together all the guards. And they clothed Yeshua with a purple robe, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it on the Christ’s head, and began to make fun of Yeshua, saying, “Hello, Ruler of the Jews!” And they hit Yeshua on the head with a reed, and spit on the Christ, and bowing their knees mockingly worshiped. And later, they took off the purple robe, and put Yeshua’s own clothes back on, and led the Christ out to be put to death.
Christ on the Cross
[21-28] And they ordered someone named Simon, a Cyrenian from Africa, who passed by as he was coming out of the country, who was the parent of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross. And they brought them to a place named Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull. And they gave the Christ sour wine mixed with a strong drug to numb the pain: but the Christ refused it. And when they had put the Christ on the cross, they divided the clothes of Yeshua, placing bets on them, to see what each one would get. And it was about nine o’clock in the morning, when they put Yeshua on the cross. And their accusation was written above Yeshua, which said, THE RULER OF THE JEWS. And they put two criminals on two other crosses; One on the right, and the other on the left. And the Word came true, which said, “and the Christ was counted as a lawbreaker.”
[29-32] And those who passed by mocked the Christ, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ah, you who could destroy the Place of Worship, and build it again in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross.” The leading priests mocking said the same thing among themselves, along with the religious leaders, saying, “You saved others; but You can’t save Yourself.” If You’re the Christ, the Ruler of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we can see and believe.” And even those, who were on the other crosses, mocked the Christ.
The Christ’s Last Words
[33-38] And when noon came, darkness covered the whole land until three o’clock. And at three o’clock Yeshua called out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have you left Me?” And some of those who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This One is calling Elijah.” And one of them ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, and put it on a reed, and gave the Christ a drink, saying, “Be still; let’s see whether Elijah comes or not.” Then Yeshua called out, and gave up the Spirit. And at that very time the curtain of the Place of Worship was torn in two all the way from the top to the bottom.
[39-41] And the soldier, who stood next to the Christ, heard that, and saw that Yeshua was dead, and said, “It’s true, this person was the Child of God.” And there were also women watching a little way off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, the younger, and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when Yeshua was in Galilee, followed along, and ministered to the Christ;) and many other women who came along with the Christ to Jerusalem.
Joseph Asks For Christ’s Body
[42-47] Then when the evening came, because it was Friday, the preparation day, that is, the day before the Seventh Day, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable person, who also watched for the realm of God, came, and went bravely in to Pilate, and asked for the body of Yeshua. And Pilate was amazed that the Christ was already dead: and calling a soldier, asked whether the Christ had been dead very long. And when Pilate was told by the soldier, he gave the body of Christ to Joseph, who bought fine linen, and took the body down, and wrapped it in the linen, and laid it in a tomb which was cut out of a rock, and rolled a stone in front of the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched to see where the Christ was laid.
The Christ Comes to Life Again
16 [1-8] And when Saturday was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, to come and anoint the body. And very early, at dawn, on Sunday morning, they came to the tomb. And they asked among themselves, “Who’ll roll the stone away from the door of the tomb for us?” And when they looked, they saw that the stone was already rolled away, which was very large. And going into the tomb, they saw a young person sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white robe; and they were afraid. And the angel answered, “Don’t be afraid: If you’re looking for Yeshua of Nazareth, who died on the cross: the Christ has come to life again and isn’t here. Look at the place where the Christ was laid. Go now, and tell the followers, and Peter that the Christ will come to you in Galilee, who you’ll see for yourselves, and who told you all of this ahead of time.” And they quickly went out, and ran away from the tomb because they were very afraid and amazed: but they didn’t say anything to anyone because they were so afraid.
[9-13] Now when Yeshua had come to life again early on Sunday morning, the Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom seven evil spirits had been put out. And she went and told those who had been with the Christ, as they mourned and cried. And when they had heard that the Christ was alive, and had been seen by her, they didn’t believe it. After that the Christ appeared in the form of another to two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, who didn’t believe them either.
[14-18] And later, the Christ appeared to the eleven as they were eating a meal, and scolded them for their unbelief and stubborn hearts, because they didn’t believe those who had seen Yeshua after coming back to life. And the Christ said to them, “Go to all the countries of the world, and preach the New Word to everyone. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever doesn’t believe will be damned to Hell. And these signs will follow those who believe; In My Name they’ll put out evil spirits; They’ll speak in new languages; They’ll pick up deadly snakes; and if they drink any deadly poison, it won’t hurt them; and they’ll lay hands on the sick, who will get well.”
[19-20] So then, after Yeshua had spoken to them, the Christ went up into heaven, and sat on the right side of God’s throne. And they all went out, and preached everywhere, Christ working with them, and confirming the New Word with many signs following them. So be it!
The New Word According to Luke
1 [1-4] Because many have taken it upon themselves to write an account of the things which are believed by us without a doubt, just as they were given to us by those, who from the beginning, were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the New Word; It seemed good to me also, having had a clear understanding of this from the very beginning, to write to you an account, in the order that it happened, Theophilus, so that you might know, without a doubt, the things that you’ve been taught.
Zachariah’s Vision
[5-10] In the days of Herod, the ruler of Judea, there was a priest named Zachariah of the line of Abijah, whose wife, Elisabeth, was of the line of Aaron. They were both good in the sight of God, following all the teachings of God without fault. But they didn’t have a child, because Elisabeth hadn’t been able to get pregnant, and they were both very old now. And then, while it was Zachariah’s turn to keep the duty of the priest’s office to God, as was the priests’ way of life, he was to burn incense when he went into the Place of Worship of God. And a large crowd of people were praying outside at this time.
[11-17] An angel of God appeared to him standing on the right side of the altar of incense, and when Zachariah saw the angel, he was uneasy, and afraid. So the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zachariah, because your prayer has been heard; and your wife Elisabeth will carry a child for you, and you’ll call the child’s name John. And you’ll have great joy and happiness; and many will celebrate at his birth. And the child will be great in the sight of God, and won’t drink wine, nor alcohol of any kind; and will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before he is born. John will turn many of the children of Israel back to Yahweh their God, and he will go ahead of the Christ in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the disobedient ones to the wisdom of being good; to get the people ready for the Christ.”
[18-25] And Zachariah said to the angel, “How will I know? I am very old, and my wife is very old, too.” And the angel answered, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and have been sent to speak to you, and to tell you this New Word. Because you didn’t believe my words, which will happen when the time is right, you’ll be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that this happens.” The people outside waited for Zachariah, and wondered why he stayed so long in the Place of Worship. And when he came out, he couldn’t speak to them, but they realized that he had seen a vision in the Place of Worship because he waved to them, but still couldn’t speak to them. And then, when he had finished his duties, he went home. And after that, his wife Elisabeth became pregnant and kept herself hidden five months, saying, “God has looked on me and done this to me in order to take away my disrespect among the people.”
Gabriel Appears to Mary
[26-29] Now when Elisabeth was in her sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a young girl, named Mary, who had never had sexual relations before, and who was engaged to someone named Joseph, of the house of David. So the angel came to her, saying, “Hello, you who are greatly favored; God is with you; You’re the most blessed among all women.” And when she saw the angel, she was uneasy at this greeting, wondering what kind of greeting it was.
[30-37] The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, because you’ve been especially chosen by God. And you’ll become pregnant, and have a Child, and will call the Child’s name Yeshua, who will be great, and will be called the Child of the Most High God. Yahweh God will give the throne of the lineage of David to the Child, who is the rightful Heir: And the Child will reign over the lineage of Jacob forever; and there will be no end to the reign of the Christ. Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I haven’t had sexual relations with anyone yet?” So the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will visit you, and the power of God will make it possible for you: so that the Holy One which you’ll give birth to will be called the Child of God. And your cousin Elisabeth, who couldn’t have a child, is also six months pregnant with a child, even in her old age. Nothing is impossible for God. So Mary said, “I am God’s helper; so let it happen to me just as you’ve said.” Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
[39-45] So Mary got up, and quickly went into the countryside, into a city of Judah, going to the house of Zachariah, and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. Suddenly Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she spoke loudly, saying, “You’re the most blessed among women, and blessed is the Child inside you. And why is it that the mother of my Christ would come to me? As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby jumped for joy inside me. And you’re blessed because you believed, because everything you were told by God will certainly happen.”
[46-56] And Mary said, “My soul greatly blesses Yahweh, my God, and my spirit celebrates in God my Savior, because God has considered my low place, and from now on, every generation will say that I’m blessed, because the Most Powerful has done great things to me! Holy is the Name of Yahweh! God’s mercy is on those who honor and respect God, from one people to the next. The God, who has shown mighty strength, has confused the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. The God, who has put the powerful down from their places, has lifted up those in low places. The God, who has filled the hungry with good things, has sent the rich away empty handed. The One who has helped Israel, in remembrance of the mercy of God, as God told our ancestors, Abraham, and the descendants of Abraham forever.” So Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months, and then went home.
John the Baptist is Born
[57-66] Now the time for Elisabeth to give birth came; and she had a son. All her neighbors and her cousins had heard how God had shown great mercy to her and celebrated with her. Then, on the eighth day, when they came to cut the flesh of the foreskin of the child; and they called him Zachariah, after his father, Elisabeth said, “No; he will be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your kin is called by that name.” So they made signs to Zachariah, to see what he wanted him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So everyone was amazed. Then Zachariah was suddenly able to speak, and praised God. So everyone that lived around them was amazed: and told all these stories throughout all the countryside of Judea. All those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What a child this will be!” So God’s hand was with him.
[67-80] And the child’s father, Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and praised God, saying, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has visited and saved the people, and has brought us the way to be saved from the lineage of David, God’s helper; As God spoke by the mouth of the great holy preachers, which have been coming since the beginning of the world: that we would be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us, to give us the mercy promised to our ancestors, and to remember the promise of the holy agreement of God; The promise which God swore to our ancestor Abraham, that we would be taken out of the hand of our enemies so that we can serve God without fear, in faithfulness and goodness before God, all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the great preacher of the Highest because you’ll go before the face of the Christ to get the way ready; To teach God’s people how to be saved by the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; by which the Dawn of Heaven has visited us, to give light to those who live in darkness and are about to die, and to show us the way of peace.” And the child grew, becoming strong in spirit, living in the countryside till the day he was made known to Israel.
Christ is Born
2 [1-5] In those days, Caesar Augustus ordered everyone to be taxed. (And this tax was first collected when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) So everyone went to be taxed, each family to their home town. And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the lineage of David 🙂 To be taxed with Mary, to whom he was engaged , being great with child.
[6-14] While they were there, it was time for her to give birth. And she had her firstborn child in a stable, and wrapped the baby in strips of cloth, and laid it in the animal’s food trough; because there was no room for them in the inn. And in this country, there were animal keepers staying in the fields, keeping watch over their herds by night. And the angel of God came to them, and the light of God shone all around them: so they were very afraid. And the angel said, “Don’t be afraid because I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people. There has been born today in the city of David, a Savior for you, who is the Christ of God. And this will be a sign to you; You’ll find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in the animal’s food trough, in a stable.” And suddenly, a crowd of the heavenly hosts was with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Praise to God, the Most High, who sends peace on earth, and goodness for all people.”
[15-20] And then, as the angels went away from them back into heaven, the animal keepers said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see for ourselves this thing that has happened, which God has sent the angel to tell us.” So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, with the baby lying in the animal’s food trough. And when they had seen it, they told everyone what they had been told about this child. And all those who heard the story were amazed at the things which they were told by the animal keepers. But Mary remembered all this, and thought about it, keeping it in her heart. So the animal keepers went back, worshipping and praising God for everything that they had seen and heard, just as it was told them.
Simeon and Anna Praise the Christ Child
[21-24] And when eight days had ended, the time came to cut the flesh of the foreskin of the Christ Child, who was named Yeshua, which was the name given ahead of time by the angel before Mary had become pregnant. And when the days of her rest had ended for the law of Moses, they went to Jerusalem to present the Child to God; (As the Word of God says, “Every firstborn male will be called holy to God;”) And to offer a sacrifice for what is said in God’s Word, a pair of doves, or a pair of young pigeons.
[25-35] And there was someone in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; who was good and dedicated, waiting for the comfort of Israel: and who had been blessed with the Holy Spirit. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he wouldn’t see death, until he had seen the Christ of God. So being led by the Spirit into the Place of Worship, when the parents brought the Child Yeshua in, to do as God’s Word said, which was their way of life, he picked the Child up, and blessed God, saying, “God, now let Your worker go in peace, for Your Word, because my eyes have seen Your saving grace, which you’ve prepared even before Your people were created; A light to give light to the other peoples, and the light of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and Mary were amazed at all the things he said. And Simeon blessed them, saying to Mary, the Child’s mother, “This Child is set apart for the rising and fall of many people in Israel; and for a sign which will be badly talked about; (Yes, your own soul will be pierced through, too,) so that the secret thoughts of many hearts will be seen by all.”
[36-40] And there was another person named Anna, a great preacher, the daughter of Phanuel, of the family of Aser: who was of a great age, and had only lived with a husband for seven years from the time she was married; She was his survivor, about eighty-four years old, who never left from the Place of Worship, but served God by willingly going without food and praying night and day. And she coming in at that instant gave thanks in this way to God, and spoke of God to all those who wanted to be saved in Jerusalem. So when they had done everything as God’s Word says, they came back to Galilee, to their own home town of Nazareth. And the Christ Child became strong in body, mind, and spirit: and God’s grace was on Yeshua.
Yeshua, the Child
[41-45] Now Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem every year at the celebration of the Passover. And when Yeshua was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, as was their way of life, during the celebration. But when it was over, as they came back, the Child Yeshua stayed behind in Jerusalem; but Joseph and Mary didn’t know it. And they, thinking Yeshua was in the group of people traveling along, walked a day’s journey; then looked for Yeshua among their kin people and those known by them. But when they couldn’t find Yeshua, they came back to Jerusalem, looking there.
[46-52] Then, after three days of searching, they found Yeshua in the Place of Worship, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard the Child were amazed at the Christ’s understanding and answers. And when they saw Yeshua, they were amazed: and Yeshua’s mother said, “Child, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have looked everywhere for you and have been so worried about you.” So Yeshua answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know that I would be doing the work of My God, who I am from? But they didn’t understand what Yeshua had said. So Yeshua came down with them, and went to Nazareth, and obeyed them: but Mary remembered all this, keeping it in her heart. And Yeshua grew in mind and body, and was loved by God and people.
John Baptizes the Christ
3 [1-9] Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being governor of Galilee, and another governor, Philip, of Ituraea and of Trachonitis, and Lysanias, the governor of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the leading priests, the Word of God came to John, the child of Zachariah, in the countryside. So John came into all the country around the Jordan river, preaching the baptism of a changed life to save them from their sins, just as the Word says in the book of Isaiah, the great preacher, saying, “The voice of one calling out in the countryside will get the way of Yahweh God ready, and make the way plain. Every valley will be filled, every mountain and hill will become level; the crooked will become straight, and the rough ways will become smooth; Everyone will see the One God sent to save us.” Then John said to the crowd that came out to be baptized, “You snakes! Who warned you to escape from the coming judgment? Don’t just say you’re sorry, but change your evil ways, and don’t think to yourselves, Abraham is our ancestor because I tell you, that God is able to create more children for Abraham even from these stones. The axe is laid to the root of the trees now: so every tree which doesn’t make good fruit will be cut down, and put in the fire.”
[10-17] So the people asked John, saying, “What should we do then?” And John answered them, “Whoever has two coats, let them give to those who have no coat; and whoever has food, let them do the same.” Then the tax collectors came also to be baptized, saying, “John, what should we do?” And John answered, “Take no more than what you’re told to.” And the guards asked John the same, saying, “And what should we do?” So John answered, “Don’t hurt anyone, nor accuse anyone falsely; and be satisfied with your pay.” And as the people were in expectation, and everyone wondered about John in their hearts, whether he was the Christ or not; John said to them all, “I baptize you with water as a symbol of your changed life: but the One that comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not even worthy to loosen: The Christ will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit: Who holds the fan, and will carefully purge the floor, gathering the wheat into the grain storage; but burning up the waste with never ending fire.”
[18-22] And John preached to the people with many other encouragements. But Herod, the governor, was disapproved of by John for Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done. So because of this, on top of everything else, he put John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and Yeshua, having been baptized, too, was praying, when the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit came down in the bodily shape of a dove, landing on Yeshua. Then a voice came from heaven, which said, “You’re My Child, who I love; I am so pleased with You.”
Christ’s Physical Lineage (Family Line of Joseph)
[23-38] And Yeshua was about thirty years old, being (as was thought) the child of Joseph, which was the child of Heli, which was the child of Matthat, which was the child of Levi, which was the child of Melchi, which was the child of Janna, which was the child of Joseph, which was the child of Mattathiah, which was the child of Amos, which was the child of Nahum, which was the child of Esli, which was the child of Naggai, which was the child of Maath, which was the child of Mattathiah, which was the child of Semei, which was the child of Joseph, which was the child of Judah, which was the child of Joannas, which was the child of Rhesa, which was the child of Zerubbabel, which was the child of Shealtiel, which was the child of Neri, which was the child of Melchi, which was the child of Addi, which was the child of Cosam, which was the child of Elmodam, which was the child of Er, which was the child of Jose, which was the child of Eliezer, which was the child of Jorim, which was the child of Matthat, which was the child of Levi, which was the child of Simeon, which was the child of Judah, which was the child of Joseph, which was the child of Jonan, which was the child of Eliakim, which was the child of Melea, which was the child of Menan, which was the child of Mattathah, which was the child of Nathan, which was the child of David, which was the child of Jesse, which was the child of Obed, which was the child of Boaz, which was the child of Salmon, which was the child of Nahshon, which was the child of Aminadab, which was the child of Aram, which was the child of Hezron, which was the child of Perez, which was the child of Judah, which was the child of Jacob, which was the child of Isaac, which was the child of Abraham, which was the child of Terah, which was the child of Nahor, which was the child of Saruch, which was the child of Ragau, which was the child of Peleg, which was the child of Heber, which was the child of Shelah, which was the child of Cainan, which was the child of Arphaxad, which was the child of Shem, which was the child of Noah, which was the child of Lamech, which was the child of Methuselah, which was the child of Enoch, which was the child of Jared, which was the child of Mahalalel, which was the child of Cainan, which was the child of Enosh, which was the child of Seth, which was the child of Adam, which was the child of God.
The Temptation of Christ
4 [1-13] So Yeshua being full of the Holy Spirit came back from the Jordan River, and was led by the Spirit into the countryside, to be tempted by the devil forty days. And Yeshua, who ate nothing during that time, was hungry later. So the devil said, “If You’re the Child of God, tell this stone to become bread.” But Yeshua answered, saying, “It’s written, that a person shouldn’t live by bread alone, but by all the Words of God.” And the devil, taking Yeshua up to a high mountain, showed the Christ all the countries of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said, “I’ll give you control of all this, and all the victory over what has been given to me; I can give it to whoever I want. So if you’ll worship me, all of it will be Yours.” But Yeshua answered, “Leave Me alone, Satan, because the Word says, You must worship Yahweh, your God, and serve Yahweh only.” So then Satan brought Yeshua to Jerusalem, to a high point on the Place of Worship, saying, “If You’re the Child of God, jump down from here: because the Word says, God will give the angels charge over you, to keep you safe: And in their hands they’ll pick you up, in case you ever trip over a stone.” But Yeshua answered, “It’s written, You shouldn’t tempt, Yahweh, your God.” And when all the temptations were over, Satan left the Christ for a while.
The Christ’s Ministry Begins
[14-20] Then Yeshua went back by the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and word went out about the Christ through the whole area. So Yeshua taught in their worship services, being praised by all. Then Yeshua came to Nazareth, where the Christ had been brought up. As their way of life was, Yeshua went into the Place of Worship on a Seventh Day, and stood up to read. The book of the great preacher Isaiah was given to Yeshua. So the Christ opened the book, finding the place where it was written, “The Spirit of God is on Me, who has anointed Me to preach the New Word to those who are poor; and has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach freedom to those who are enslaved, to give back sight to those who are blind, to set free those who are abused, to preach that now is the right time to believe God.” Then the Christ closed the book, and gave it back to the minister, and sat down. And all those who were in the Place of Worship stared at Yeshua.
[21-32] So the Christ said, “Today, what this Word says has happened in your hearing.” And all who witnessed this were amazed at the gracious words which came out of Yeshua’s mouth. But they asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s child?” So Yeshua answered, “You’ll certainly tell Me this saying, ‘Doctor, heal yourself: whatever we’ve heard that was done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.’” And then Yeshua said, “The truth is, no great preacher is accepted in their own country. The truth is, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when it didn’t rain for three and a half years, when a great hunger went throughout the whole land; But Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elijah, the great preacher; and none of them were healed, except Naaman the Syrian.” And everyone in the Place of Worship, when they heard this, were angry and got up, leading the Christ out of the city and to the edge of the hill that their city was built on, to throw Yeshua down headfirst. But passing through the middle of them, Yeshua got away, and came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Days of Worship. And they were amazed at Yeshua’s teachings, because the Christ spoke with power.
Christ Puts An Evil Spirit Out
[33-37] In the Place of Worship there was someone who had an evil spirit, and called out with a loud voice, saying, “Leave us alone; what have we to do with You, Yeshua of Nazareth? Have You come to get rid of us? I know who You are; You’re the Holy One of God.” But Yeshua scolded it, saying, “Be quiet, and get out of this person.” So when the evil spirit had thrown the person down in the middle of them, it came out, without hurting the person. Then everyone was amazed, and said among themselves, “What a powerful word this is! Yeshua orders the evil spirits with power and control, and they obey.” So Yeshua became well known all over the countryside.
The Christ Heals
[38-44] Then Yeshua left from the Place of Worship, and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s wife’s mother had a high fever; and they begged the Christ to heal her. So Yeshua stood over her, and told the fever to leave; and it left her. Then suddenly she got up and served them all. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick, with many different diseases, brought them to the Christ; who laid hands on them, and healed them all. And evil spirits came out of many, calling out, and saying, “You’re the Christ, the Child of God.” But Yeshua wouldn’t let them speak because they knew that Yeshua was the Christ. And in the morning, the Christ left, going into a deserted place. But the people looked for the Christ, and came, and stayed with Yeshua, so that the Christ couldn’t leave them. But Yeshua told them, “I must preach about the realm of God to other cities also, because this is why I was sent.” And the Christ preached in all the places of worship of Galilee.
Christ Calls Peter
5 [1-11] As the people crowded in to hear the Word of God, the Christ, who stood beside Lake Gennesaret, saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were washing their nets and had left them. So Yeshua went in one of the ships, which was Simon Peter’s, and asked him to go out a little from the shore. The Christ sat down, and taught the people from the ship. Now when the Christ had finished speaking, Yeshua said to Peter, “Go out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” But Peter answered, “Christ, we’ve worked all night, and haven’t caught a thing: but because you say so, I’ll put the net down one more time.” And when they had done it, they caught so many fish that their net almost broke. So they waved to their partners, who were in the other ship, to come and help them. When they came, they filled both ships up so much that they began to sink. When Peter saw it, he dropped down at Yeshua’ knees, saying, “Christ, go away from me; I am a sinful person!” He said this because they were all so amazed at how many fish they had caught: And so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Peter. So Yeshua said to Peter, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you’ll be catching other people.” And when they had docked their ships, they left everything, and followed along with Yeshua.
Christ Heals a Leper
[12-16] And then, when they were in a certain city, someone who had leprosy, seeing Yeshua, dropped to the ground and begged, saying, “Christ, if only You want to, You can make me well! So the Christ reached out, and touched the leper, saying, “I want to: Get well.” Then suddenly the leprosy was gone, so the Christ said to the person, “Tell no one: but go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses told you to for your healing, for a witness to them.” But word of Yeshua went out all the more and great crowds came together to listen, and to be healed by the Christ of all their sicknesses. So the Christ often went alone into the countryside to pray.
A Paralyzed Person Walks
[17-26] On a certain day, as the Christ was teaching, there were religious leaders and teachers of the Word of God sitting near, which had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of God was with Yeshua to heal those in need, so some people brought a person who was paralyzed in a bed. They looked for a way to bring them in, to put at Yeshua’s feet, but when they couldn’t find a way to bring the person in because of the crowd, they went up on the rooftop, and let the person down on the bed to Yeshua through the roof, right in the middle of the crowd. And when the Christ saw their faith, Yeshua said, “Your sins are forgiven you.” So the religious leaders and those of the religious sects began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks disrespectfully of God? Only God can forgive sins!” But when Yeshua realized what they were thinking, the Christ said, “Why do you question Me in your hearts? What is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Get up and walk? But so you can know that I have the power on earth to forgive sins, (the Christ said to the paralyzed one) I tell you, Get up, and pick up your bed, and go home.” And suddenly, the person got up in front of them, and picked up the bed, and went home, praising God all the way. And everyone was amazed, and praised God, and were filled with fear, saying, “What strange things we’ve seen today!’
Christ Calls Matthew
[27-32] Then the Christ went out, and saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting where the taxes were collected, so Yeshua said to him, “Follow Me.” And Mathew left everything, got up, and followed along. And there was a dinner held at Mathew’s home: and a great many tax collectors and others were there. But the religious leaders and those in the religious sects spoke against the followers, asking, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Yeshua answered, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor; but only those who are sick. I didn’t come to those who are good, but to sinners to tell them to change their ways.”
[33-35] So they said, “Why do the followers of John often go without food, and pray, and those of the religious leaders, too; but Your followers eat and drink?” And the Christ answered, “Can you make the friends of one of the bridal party go without food, while the bridal party is with them? But the time will come, when the bridal party will be gone, and then they’ll go without food at that time.”
[36-39] And then the Christ told them a story, saying, “No one puts a piece of a new cloth on old clothes; because then the new cloth would shrink and make a bigger tear, and the new piece wouldn’t match the old cloth. And no one puts new wine into old bottles; or else the new wine would burst and break the bottles, and be spilled out. But new wine must be put into new bottles so both are safely kept. And no one, having drunk old wine, suddenly wants new, because they say, ‘The old wine is better’.”
The Seventh Day
6 [1-5] And then on the next Day of Worship, they went through the grain fields; and the followers took the grain, rubbing it in their hands, and ate it. So some of the religious leaders asked, “Why do you do what isn’t right to do on the Days of Worship?” And Yeshua answered, “Haven’t you ever read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; How he went into the house of God, taking and eating the bread, and gave to those who were with him, too; which isn’t right for anyone to eat but the priests?” Then Yeshua said, “I am also the ruler of the Seventh Day.”
[6-12] And then on another Seventh Day, Yeshua went to the Place of Worship to teach: and there was someone there whose hand was paralyzed. The religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects watched to see whether Yeshua would heal on a Day of Worship in order to accuse the Christ of something. But the Christ knew what they were thinking, saying to the person who had the paralyzed hand, “Get up, and stand out in the middle.” So the person got up and stood in the middle of them. Then Yeshua said, “I ask you one thing; Is it right on Days of Worship to do good, or to do evil? to save a life, or to end it?” And looking around on them all, Yeshua said to the person, “Stretch out your hand.” And the person did so: and the hand became well just like the other one. So all the religious leaders were full of anger; and discussed with one another what to do to Yeshua. And then one day, the Christ went up on a mountain to pray, and stayed up all night in prayer to God.
[13-19] So when it was day, Yeshua called all the followers: and the Christ chose twelve out of them, who were called to lead the followers; Simon, (who the Christ called Peter,) Andrew, his brother, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon called Zelotes, Thaddaeus, the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the one who later handed the Christ over. So Yeshua came down with them, and stood in the field, with the crowd of followers, and another great crowd of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear the Christ, and to be healed of their diseases; And those who were suffering with evil spirits were healed, too. So the whole crowd looked for a way to touch the Christ because the power to heal came out of Yeshua and healed them all.
Sermon on the Mountainside
[20-26] Then the Christ looked on all the followers, saying, “Blessed are those who are poor because you’ll have the realm of God. Blessed are you that hunger now because you’ll be filled. Blessed are you that cry now because you’ll laugh. Blessed are you, when others hate you, and when they keep you from their company, and accuse you, and call you evil, because of My Name. Celebrate in that day, and leap for joy because your reward in heaven is great! Their ancestors treated the great preachers in this way, too. But those who are rich will be sorry! They’ve gotten their comfort already. You who are full will be sorry because you’ll hunger. You who laugh now will be sorry because you’ll cry sorrowfully. When everyone speaks well of you, you’ll be sorry! So did their ancestors to all the false teachers.
[27-38] But I tell everyone of you who are listening, love those who come against you out of their own choosing, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who shamefully misuse you. And to those who slap you on one cheek offer them the other one, too; and those who take away your shirt, don’t tell them not to take your coat, too. Give to everyone that asks to borrow something from you; and of those who take your belongings away, don’t ask them for it again. And as you want others to do to you, do the same to them, too. If you love those who love you, what have you done that deserves thanks? Even sinners love those that love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what have you done that deserves thanks? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to get something back, what have you done that deserves thanks? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get it back again. But love those who come against you, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing back again; and your reward will be great, and you’ll be the children of the Highest because God is kind even to ungrateful and evil people. So have compassion, as your God also has compassion. Don’t judge people wrongly, and you won’t be judged wrongly either. Don’t criticize others, and you won’t be criticized either. Forgive, and you’ll be forgiven: Give, and it’ll be given to you; like a good measure of flour, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, will others put what you need into your lap, because with the same measurement that you measure with, it’ll be measured back to you again.”
[39-49] Then the Christ told a story to them, “Can someone who is blind lead another who is blind? Won’t they both fall into the ditch? The follower isn’t any better than the teacher: but everyone who wants to be complete will be as the teacher. And why do you believe that the splinter that is in another’s eye is worse than the stake that is in your own eye? So how can you say to another, ‘Let me pull out the splinter that is in your eye’, when you yourself can’t see the stake that is in your own eye? You fake, first pull the stake out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to pull out the splinter that is in another’s eye. A good tree doesn’t make bad fruit; nor does a bad tree make good fruit: A tree is known by its fruit. And you don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do you gather grapes from briars. A good person out of the good things of their heart does what is good; and an evil person out of the bad things of their heart does what is evil, because they speak and act out of what is kept in their heart. And why do you call me, Christ, Christ, and don’t do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My Words, and does them, I’ll show you to whom they’re like: They’re like someone who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood came up, the water beat strongly on that house, but couldn’t shake it because it was built on a rock. But whoever hears what I say, and doesn’t do it, is like someone that built a house on the earth, without a proper foundation; which the waters beat strongly against, and suddenly it fell; and that house was totally destroyed.”
Christ Heals the Worker of an Officer
7 [1-10] Now when the Christ had finished all the teachings to the people, they went to Capernaum. There, a certain officer’s worker, who was very dear to the officer, was sick, and about to die. So when the officer heard that Yeshua had come, he sent the elders of the Jews, begging for Yeshua to come and heal the worker. And when they came to Yeshua, they started begging, saying, “The one who has asked this is worthy for this request to be done: because he loves our nation, and has built us a Place of Worship.” Then Yeshua went with them. And when the Christ wasn’t far from the house, the officer sent some friends, saying, “Christ, don’t trouble yourself, because I am not worthy for you to come in to my house: Nor did I believe myself to be worthy to come to you: but if You’ll just say the word, I know my worker will be healed. Because I also am someone who has been given power, having guards under me, and I say to one, ‘Go’, and they go; and to another, ‘Come’, and they come; and to my workers, ‘Do this’, and they do it.” When the Christ heard this, Yeshua was amazed, and turned around, saying to the people that followed along, “I tell you, I haven’t found this great a faith, no, not in all Israel.” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the worker who had been sick well again.
Christ Raises the Dead
[11-18] Then the next day they went into a city called Nain; and many of the followers and other people went with them. Now when they came near the gate of the city, there was a dead person being carried out, the only child of a mother, and she had lost her husband also: and many people of the city were with her. When the Christ saw her, Yeshua had compassion on her, saying to her, “Don’t cry” and came and touched the casket: and those who carried it stood still. The Christ said, “Young one, I tell you, Get up.” And the one who was dead sat up, and began to speak. So the Christ gave the mother back her child alive. And a fear came over all the people: but they praised God, saying, a great preacher has risen up among us; and God has visited us. So the fame of Yeshua spread throughout all Judea, and throughout the whole region. And the followers of John told him of all this.
John the Baptist Questions Yeshua
[19-23] John called two followers and sent them to Yeshua, saying, “Are you the One who was to come? or do we look for someone else?” And when they had come to the Christ, they said, “John, the Baptist, has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the One who was to come? or do we look for someone else?’” And in that same time the Christ healed many with sicknesses and diseases, and with evil spirits; and many who were blind were able to see again. Then Yeshua answered, “Go now, and tell John what you’ve seen and heard; how that those who are blind see, those who are paralyzed walk, those with leprosy are healed, those who are deaf can hear again, those who are dead come to life again, and the New Word is preached to those who are poor. Those who aren’t offended by Me are blessed.”
[24-30] When the followers of John had gone, the Christ began to speak to the people about John, “What did you go out into the countryside to see? A reed shaking in the wind? But what did you go out to see? A person clothed in soft furs? Those who are richly clothed, and have many delicacies, are in rulers’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A great preacher? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a great preacher. This is the one who the Word speaks about, I send my messenger before you, who will get your way ready for you. I tell you, among all those who have ever been born, there isn’t a preacher greater than John the Baptist: but whoever is least in the realm of God is greater than even this.” And when all the people heard this, even the tax collectors praised God, because they had been baptized by John. But the religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by John.
[31-35] Then the Christ said, “How can I describe this generation of people? and what are they like? They’re like children sitting in the shopping center, calling one another, saying, We’ve played music for you, and you haven’t danced; we’ve cried to you, and you haven’t cried with us. John the Baptist came, neither eating bread, nor drinking wine; and you say, ‘He has an evil spirit.’ I come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Look, this person is a pig, and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But children are made right by their own thinking.”
Mary Anoints the Christ
[36-50] And one of the religious leaders wanted Yeshua to eat with them. So they went into the house, and sat down to eat. And a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that Yeshua was eating a meal in that house, brought an alabaster box of perfume, and stood crying at the Christ’s feet, and began to wash Yeshua’s feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair, and kissed the Christ’s feet, and anointed them with the perfume. Now when the religious leader who had asked the Christ to join them saw it, he thought to himself, “If you’re really a great preacher, You would’ve known who and what kind of woman this is, who is a sinner.” And Yeshua said, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Christ, tell me.” So the Christ said, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed more than a year’s pay, and the other about two month’s worth. And when neither of them had anything to pay it back with, the creditor forgave them both. Tell Me then, which of them will love the creditor most?” Simon answered, “I think the one who was forgiven the most.” And Yeshua said, “You’re right,” and turning toward the woman, said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came here, and you didn’t give me any water to wash My feet, but she’s washed My feet with her tears, and wiped them with the very hairs of her head. You didn’t greet Me with a kiss, but this woman hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since the time I came in. You didn’t anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with perfumed oil. Why I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven because she loved much, but those who are forgiven little, love little.” And the Christ said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who were eating the meal with them began to think to themselves, “Who is this that forgives sins, too?” And the Christ said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Women Follow Christ
8 [1-3] Then later, Yeshua and the twelve went throughout every city and town, preaching and telling the New Word of the realm of God. And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and other sicknesses, Mary called Magdalene, who was freed of seven evil spirits, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager, and Susanna, and many other women, who gave for the needs of the Christ out of their own things.
Four Kinds of Hearts
[4-15] When many people were gathered together, and had come to them out of every city, Yeshua told a story: “A farmer went out to plant the seed: and as the farmer planted, some fell beside the rows; and it was overrun, and the birds of the air ate it. And some fell on rocky ground; and as soon as it came up, it wilted away, because it lacked water. And some fell among thorns, which sprang up with it, and choked it off. And others fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bear fruit, some a hundred times as much.” And Yeshua ended the story by saying, “If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.” And the followers asked, saying, “What does this story mean?” So the Christ said, “You’re allowed to know the secrets of the realm of God: but others are told in stories; that seeing, they won’t see, and hearing, they won’t understand. Now the story is this: The seed is the Word of God. Those that fell beside the rows are those who hear; then the devil comes, and takes the Word out of their hearts, or else they would believe and be saved. Those that fell on the rocky ground are those, who, when they hear, believe the Word with joy; but they have no root, which for a while believe, but in time of temptation fall away. And what fell among thorns are those, which, when they’ve heard, go out, and are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit never ripens. But those that fell on the good ground are those, who, with an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, do it, and make fruit, waiting for it with patience.
[16-18] No one, when they have lit a candle, covers it up, or puts it under a bed; but they set it on a candle holder, so that those who come in can see the light. Nothing is secret that won’t become known, nor anything hid that won’t be seen and be brought out in the open. So be careful when you listen because whoever understands, will be given more; and whoever doesn’t, even what they seem to have, will be taken away from them.”
The Christ’s Family
[19-21] Then Yeshua’s mother and brothers came, but couldn’t get in for the crowd. So it was told Yeshua by someone who said, “Your mother and brothers are outside, hoping to see You.” And the Christ answered, “My family members are those who hear the Word of God, and do it.”
Christ Calms the Storm
[22-26] Now on a certain day, the Christ went into a ship with the followers: saying to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they started out. But as they sailed, Yeshua fell asleep: and a storm of wind came up on the lake; and the boat was full of water, and they were in danger. So they went and woke Yeshua up, saying, “Christ, Teacher, we’ll be destroyed.” Then the Christ got up, and said to the wind and the raging water, “Be still”: and it stopped, and everything calmed down. And the Christ asked, “Don’t you have any faith?” And they, being afraid, were amazed, saying to one another, “What kind of person is this, who tells even the winds and water what to do, and they do it!” Then they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is next to Galilee.
Christ Casts Out Evil Spirits into the Pigs
[27-36] When they went ashore, someone met them from out of the city, who had evil spirits for a long time, and wore no clothes, nor lived in any house, but stayed in the tombs. When this person saw Yeshua, they called out, and bowed down on their knees, and with a loud voice said, “What I have to do with You, Yeshua, Child of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t make me suffer.” (Christ had told the evil spirit to come out of the person because it had often taken control of the person: who was kept with chains and in shackles; but who had broken them, and was driven by the evil spirit into the countryside.) And Yeshua asked, “What is your name?” And the evil spirits said, “Legion”: because many evil spirits were in the person. And they begged the Christ not to make them go out into the deep. But there was a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain: so they begged the Christ to let them go into the pigs. So Yeshua let them. Then the evil spirits went out of the person, and into the pigs: and the whole herd ran madly down a cliff into the lake, and was drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they ran away, and told this all over the city and countryside. Then all the people went out to see what happened; and came to Yeshua, and found the person, out of whom the evil spirits had gone, sitting at the feet of Yeshua, clothed, and in a right mind: and they were very afraid. So those who had seen it told them how the one who was overcome by the evil spirits was healed.
[37-40] Then the whole crowd of people from the countryside of Gadarenes begged the Christ to go away from them because they were very afraid: so the Christ and the followers went back to the ship, and came back again. Now the person out of whom the evil spirits had gone begged to go with them: but Yeshua sent the person away, saying, “Go back to your own home, and tell all the great things God has done for you. So the person left, and told throughout the whole city the great things that Yeshua had done.” And then, when Yeshua got back, the people were very happy because they had been waiting for the Christ.
A Woman with a Bleeding Problem Healed
[41-48] Then someone named Jairus came, who was a leader of the Place of Worship: and who bowed down at Yeshua’ feet, and begged the Christ to come home with him: because he had only one daughter, who was about twelve years old, and she lay dying. But as they went the people crowded them. And a woman having a bleeding problem for twelve years, who had spent everything she had on doctors, but couldn’t be healed by any of them, came up behind them, and touched the edge of Yeshua’s clothing: and suddenly she was healed. Then Yeshua said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those who were with Yeshua said, “Christ, the crowd is swarming and pressing you, and you say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And Yeshua said, “Somebody touched Me because I know that power has gone out of Me.” So when the woman saw that she was found out, she came trembling, and falling down in front of the Christ, she told the Christ and all the people why she had touched the Christ and how she was suddenly healed. And the Christ said to her, “Daughter, be in good spirits now: your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
A Young Girl Healed
[49-56] And while they were speaking, someone came from the Place of Worship’s leader’s house, saying to them, “Your daughter is dead; don’t bother the Teacher anymore.” But when Yeshua heard it, the Christ answered, saying, “Don’t be afraid: only believe, and she’ll get well.” And when they came into the house, Yeshua let no one go in, but Peter, James, John, and the parents of the girl. And everyone cried, and grieved for her: but the Christ said, “Don’t cry; she isn’t dead, but only sleeping.” And they laughed disrespectfully at the Christ, knowing that she was dead. So the Christ put them all out, and took her by the hand and called her, saying, “Young lady, get up.” Then her spirit came into her again, and she suddenly got up. The Christ told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were amazed: but the Christ told them not to tell anyone what had happened.
The Twelve Sent Out
9 [1-6] Then Yeshua called the twelve followers together, and gave them power over all the evil spirits, and the power to heal diseases, sending them to preach about the realm of God, and to heal the sick. And the Christ said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither walking sticks, nor bag, nor food, nor money; nor two sets of clothes. And whatever house you come into, stay there until you leave that place. And whoever won’t accept you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a witness against them.” So they left, and went through the towns, preaching the New Word, and healing everywhere.
Herod Wants to See the Christ
[7-9] Now Herod the governor heard of all that happened by them: and was confused, because it was said by some, that John had come back to life; And by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the great old preachers had come back to life again. And Herod said, “John, I have beheaded: but who is this that I am hearing these things about?” And Herod wanted to see the Christ.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
[10-17] And when the followers came back, they told the Christ all that they had done. Now the Christ secretly went with them into a deserted place outside the city of Bethsaida. But when the people knew it, they followed along: so the Christ welcomed them, and told them of the realm of God, and healed those who needed to be healed. When the day was almost over, the twelve came, saying, “Send the crowd away, so that they can go into the towns and country around here, and stay, and get food because we’re out here in this deserted place.” But the Christ answered, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We only have five loaves of bread and two fish; unless we go and buy food for all these people.” There were about five thousand people, so the Christ said to the followers, “Make them sit down in groups, by fifties.” So they made them all sit down. Then the Christ took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, blessed it, and broke it up, and gave to the followers to give to the crowd. So they ate, and were all filled: and twelve baskets of scraps were taken up that were left over.
Peter’s Confession
[18-21] And later, as Yeshua was praying alone with the followers, the Christ asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others say, that one of the great old preachers is here back to life again.” Then the Christ asked, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And Yeshua clearly warned them, telling them not to tell anyone; saying, “I must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and leading priests and religious leaders, and be killed, and be raised to life again on the third day.”
[23-27] And Yeshua said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, let them forget themselves, and pick up their cross of suffering daily, and follow Me. Because whoever wants to save their life will lose it: but whoever is willing to lose their life for My sake, will save it. What good does it do someone, if they gain the whole world, and lose their soul, or is lost? Whoever is ashamed of Me and of My Words, I’ll be ashamed of them, when I come in My own victory, and in My God’s, with all of the holy angels. The truth is, some that are standing here won’t taste of death till they see the realm of God.”
Elijah and Moses Appear with the Christ
[28-36] About eight days after that, Yeshua took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As Yeshua prayed, the way the Christ’s face looked was changed, and the clothes the Christ wore were glowing white. And two other people talked with the Christ, who were Moses and Elijah: Who appeared in their changed bodies, and spoke of the Christ’s death which would happen at Jerusalem. But Peter, John, and James were very tired: and when they awoke, they saw Yeshua changed, along with the two others that stood with the Christ. And then, as they left, Peter said to Yeshua, “Christ, it’s good that we’re here: let’s make three memorial stones; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” not knowing what he said. While he was speaking, a cloud came, overshadowing them: and as they went into the cloud, they were very afraid. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Child, who I love: Listen to Yeshua.” And when the voice was gone, Yeshua was alone with them. And they kept it secret, telling no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
An Only Child Healed from Seizures
[37-45] On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, many people met them. Then someone out of the crowd called out, saying, “Christ, I beg you, look at my child, who is my only child.” And then a spirit overtook the child, which hardly left the child without hurting him, who suddenly called out; and foamed at the mouth again. “I begged your followers to put the spirit out; but they couldn’t.” So Yeshua answered, “You faithless and evil people, how long will I be with you, and have to put up with you? Bring your child here.” And as they were still coming, the evil spirit threw the child down, who had a fit. So Yeshua ordered the evil spirit to come out, and healed the child, and handed him back over to the parent. And everyone was amazed at the wonderful power of the Christ. But while they were all still wondering about what Yeshua did, the Christ said to the followers, “Listen very carefully to these words because I’ll be handed over to the others very soon.” But they didn’t understand what the Christ said, and they didn’t realize what the Christ meant, but they were afraid to ask about it.
Who will be Greatest?
[46-50] Then later they got in an argument about which one of them would be the greatest. And Yeshua, knowing the very thoughts of their hearts, took a child, and set it in the middle of them, and said, “Whoever accepts this child in My Name accepts Me: and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me because whoever seems least important among you all now, will be great in heaven.” Then John asked, “Christ, we saw someone putting out evil spirits in Your Name; and we told them not to, because they don’t follow along with us.” But Yeshua answered, “Don’t tell them not to, because those who aren’t against us are for us.”
[51-56] And then, when the time came for the Christ to be taken up, Yeshua decidedly left for Jerusalem, sending messengers to go on ahead: who went into a town of the Samaritans, a people of mixed race, to get ready for the Christ. But they didn’t accept the Christ because they knew Yeshua had decided to go on to Jerusalem. And when the followers, James and John, saw this, they said, “Christ, do you want us to order fire to come down from heaven, and burn them up, just like Elijah did?” But the Christ turned, and scolded them, saying, “You don’t know what kind of spirit you have. I haven’t come to take peoples’ lives, but to save them.” So they went on to another town.
[57-62] And then, as they went down the road, someone said, “Christ, I’ll follow you wherever you go.” But Yeshua answered, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but I don’t have anywhere to lay My head.” And then the Christ said to another one, “Follow Me.” But that one said, “Christ, let me first go and bury my parents.” So Yeshua said, “Let those who are spiritually dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the realm of God.” And then another person said, “Christ, I’ll follow you; but let me go and tell those at home goodbye first.” And Yeshua said, “No one, having started their work, and looking back at their past life, is fit for the realm of God.”
The Seventy Followers Sent Out
10 [1-15] Later, Yeshua chose seventy other followers also, and sent them on ahead by twos into all the cities and towns, wherever the Christ was to go. Then the Christ said to them, “The truth is, the harvest is great, but the workers are few: so pray that the God of the harvest will send out workers into the harvest. Now go: I am sending you out as lambs to the wolves. Don’t carry a moneybag, or a backpack, or shoes: and don’t stop to say hello to anyone on the way. And whatever house you come into, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a child of peace is there, your peace will rest on it: if not, it’ll come back to you again. Stay in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they give you because the workers are worthy of their hire. Don’t go from house to house. Whatever city you come into, if they accept you, eat whatever is set before you: and heal the sick that are in it, and say to them, ‘The realm of God has come near you.’ But whatever city you come into, if they don’t accept you, go out into the streets, and say, ‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we wipe off as a witness against you, but in spite of this you can be sure that the realm of God has come near you.’ But I tell you, that it’ll be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. You’ll be sorry, Chorazin! You’ll be sorry, Bethsaida! If the amazing things, which have been done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their ways long ago, sitting and crying in mourning clothes and ashes. But it’ll be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And you, Capernaum, which are praised to heaven, will be thrown down to Hell. Whoever hears you, hears Me; and whoever hates you, hates Me; and whoever hates Me hates the very One who sent Me.”
Satan has Fallen
[17-24] Later, the seventy came back with joy, saying, “Christ, even the evil spirits have to do what we say in Your Name.” And Christ answered, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightening. So I’ve given you power to stomp on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: nothing will hurt you in any way. Just the same, don’t celebrate because the spirits have to do what you say; but instead celebrate, because your names are written in heaven.” Then Yeshua celebrated in spirit, saying, “I thank You, Yahweh God, Ruler of heaven and earth, that you’ve hid this from the wise and careful, and have revealed it to babies. Just the same, God, because it was good in Your sight, everything is given to Me by You: and no one knows Me, but You, God; and no one knows You, God, but Me, whom You sent, and those to whom I reveal You.” Then the Christ turned to the followers privately, saying, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, because I tell you, that many great preachers and rulers have wanted to see and hear what you see and hear, and haven’t seen it or heard it.”
The Good Samaritan
[25-37] And a certain student of the law stood up, tempting Yeshua, saying, “Christ, what can I do to have everlasting life?” And Christ answered, “What does the Word of God say? What do you think it says?” And the student of the law answered, “Love Yahweh, your God with all your spirit, with all your soul, with all your body, and with all your mind; and love others as you love yourself.” So the Christ said, “You’re right: so do this and you’ll live.” But wanting to make himself appear to be good, he said to Yeshua, “And who should I love?” So Yeshua told a story, saying, “Someone went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and thieves beat that person, tearing their clothes off and leaving them for dead. And by chance a certain priest came that way: and when the priest saw the person who had been attacked, that priest walked by on the other side of the road. Then another religious leader passed by coming to that place, and looking at the person, walked by on the other side of the road. But someone from the city of Samaria, who was taking a trip, came to where the person was: and that mixed-race Samaritan saw the person, and had compassion, who went to the person, dressing the wounds, pouring in oil and alcohol, and took the person on his own horse, bringing them to an inn, and taking care of that person. The next day the Samaritan left, giving some money to the host, saying, ‘Take care of this person; and whatever it costs more than this, I’ll repay you when I come back.’ So which of these three, do you think, showed love to the one who was attacked by the thieves?” And the student of the law said, “The one who cared for the person.” Then Yeshua said, “Go, and do the same.”
Mary and Martha
[38-41] Now it so happened, as they were going, that they went into a certain town, where a woman named Martha had taken them into her house. And she had a sister, Mary, who also sat at Yeshua’s feet, listening to the Words of the Christ. But Martha was busy with all the serving, and came to Yeshua, saying, “Christ, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve all alone?” Tell her to help me. And Yeshua answered, “Martha, Martha, you’re upset and worried about too many things, but there is only one thing that’s really needed: Mary has chosen what’s good and that won’t be taken away from her.”
Christ’s Teaches How to Pray
11 [1-4] As Christ was praying in a certain place, when they stopped, one of the followers said, “Christ, teach us to pray, as John also taught his followers.” And Yeshua answered, “When you pray, say: Yahweh, Our God in heaven, Your Name is Holy. May Your everlasting realm come soon. May what You want be done on earth, as it’s done in heaven. Give us what we need today. And forgive our sins as we also forgive everyone that has sinned against us. And help us not to sin when we’re tempted; but free us from all evil.”
Ask and It Will Be Given to You
[5-13] Then Yeshua said, “Who among you that has a friend, if you went to them at midnight, and asked, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread; because a friend of mine has come to me on a trip, and I don’t have anything to give them?’ And the friend inside the house answers and says, ‘Don’t bother me: the door is already locked, and my children are asleep in bed with me and I can’t get up to give it to you.’ I tell you, even if the friend won’t get up and give it to you, because you’re their friend, still if you keep on knocking they’ll get up and give you whatever you need. So I tell you, ask, and it’ll be given to you; look for it, and you’ll find it; knock, and it’ll be opened to you. Because everyone that asks gets what they ask for; and whoever looks for something will find it; and to those who knock it’ll be opened to them. If a child asked for a piece of bread from any of you that is a parent, would you give them a stone? Or if they ask for a fish, would you give them a snake? Or if they asked for an egg, would you offer them a scorpion? If you then, being evil by nature, know how to give good gifts to your children: wouldn’t your God in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask even more than this?”
Christ Speaks on Evil Spirits
[14-26] Then the Christ was putting out an evil spirit, and it was dumb. And when the evil spirit had gone out, the dumb person was able to speak; and the people were amazed. But some of them said, “This person puts out evil spirits by the power of the devil, the leader of the evil spirits.” And others, trying to tempt the Christ, looked for a sign from heaven. But the Christ, knowing what they were thinking, said, “When the people of a country are divided against themselves the country will be destroyed; and when a family is divided against itself, that family won’t survive. If Satan fights against the evil spirits, how could that realm survive? You say that I put out evil spirits by the devil. But if I put out evil spirits by the devil, by whom do your children put them out? So they’ll be your judges. But if I put out evil spirits with the Spirit of God, the realm of God has come to you without a doubt. When a strong person who is armed watches over their house, whatever they own is safe: But when someone stronger than that comes and overpowers them, that person will take all the swords that the owners trusted to keep them safe, and take whatever they own. Whoever isn’t with Me is against Me: and whoever doesn’t gather souls with Me scatters them out. When an evil spirit has gone out of someone, it walks through dry places, looking for rest; but finding none, it says, ‘I’ll return to the house where I came from.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and decorated. Then it goes, and brings along seven more spirits which are more evil than itself, which come in, and stay. Then the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
The Eye is the Light of the Body
[27-36] And then, as the Christ spoke this, a certain woman out of the crowd lifted up her voice, saying, “Blessed is the womb that birthed you, and the breasts which you’ve sucked.” But the Christ said, “Yes, but more importantly, blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and do it.” And when the people were crowded together, the Christ began to say, “This is an evil people that look for a sign; but they won’t be given any sign, but the sign of Jonah, the great preacher. Just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so I’ll be a sign to this people also. The queen of the south will stand up in the judgment with others of this people, and accuse them because she came from the farthest parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and someone greater than Solomon is here. The people of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this people, and will accuse them because they changed their ways at the preaching of Jonah; and someone greater than Jonah is here. No one, when they have lit a candle, puts it in a secret place, nor under a basket, but on a candle holder, so that those who come in can see the light. The eye is the light of the body, so when your eye is set on the light of goodness, your whole body is full of light also; but when your eye is set on the darkness of evil, your body is full of darkness also. So be sure that your spiritual light isn’t dimmed. If your whole body is full of light, having no dark purpose, the whole body will be full of light, as when a shining candle gives you light.”
Christ Speaks On Giving
[37-44] As the Christ spoke, a certain religious leader begged Yeshua to dine with him: so the Christ went in, and sat down to eat. And when the religious leader saw it, he was surprised that Yeshua hadn’t washed before dinner. So Yeshua said, “Now you religious leaders wash the outside of the cup and plate; but your inside is full of evil and greediness. You’re so thoughtless, didn’t the One who made the outside also make the inside? You should give a part out of whatever you have; and you’ll be clean both inside and out. But you’ll be sorry, you religious leaders! You give a part of even the smallest amounts of herbs, but you overlook fair judgment and God’s love: you should do this, but not leave the other things undone. You’ll be sorry, you religious leaders! You love the best seats in the places of worship, and love to be greeted in the shopping centers. You’ll be sorry, you religious leaders and those of you in the religious sects, you fakes! You’re like hidden graves that people walk over and don’t even know they’re there.”
[45-54] Then one of the religious leaders, said, “Christ, what you say accuses us also.” And the Christ said, “You’ll be sorry also, you religious leaders! because you give others rules that are hard to keep, and you yourselves don’t even try to keep them. You’ll be sorry! You build the memorial tombs of the great preachers, and your own ancestors killed them. The truth is, you’re witnesses of the fact that you accept the actions of your ancestors because they in fact killed them, and you build their memorials. So the wisdom of God said, ‘I’ll send them great preachers and followers, and they’ll kill and mistreat some of them: So that the blood of all the great preachers, which was shed from the beginning of the world, can be required of this people; From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who was killed between the altar and the Place of Worship: The truth is, it’ll be required of this people. You’ll be sorry, you religious leaders! You’ve hidden away the key of knowledge; You didn’t come in yourselves, and you even stopped those who were trying to come in.” As the Christ said this to them, the religious leaders and the religious sects began to question Yeshua, to try to get the Christ to speak of many things, waiting to catch something in which they could put blame on the Christ.
The Unforgiveable Sin
12 [1-12] In the mean time, when there was an innumerable crowd of people gathered together, so that they trampled on one another, the Christ began to say to the followers first of all, “Beware of the untruthful leaven of the religious ones, because there isn’t anything covered, that won’t become known; nor hid, that won’t be found out. So whatever you’ve spoken in darkness will be heard in the light; and what you’ve whispered in private will be called out on the rooftops. I tell you My friends, don’t be afraid of those who can kill the body, and after that can do no more. I tell you whom you should fear: Fear the One, who has power to put your soul in Hell when you’re dead; yes, I tell you, Honor and respect Yahweh God. Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins, and not one of them is forgotten by God? Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid: you’re worth more than many sparrows. I tell you, too, whoever admits that they know Me to others, I’ll admit that I know them in the presence of the angels of God: But whoever says they don’t know me to others, I’ll say I don’t know them in the presence of the angels of God. And whoever speaks a word against Me, can be forgiven: but those who reject the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. And when they bring you to religious ones, courts, and rulers, don’t think about what you’ll answer, or what you might say, because the Holy Spirit will show you what to say at that very time.”
Beware of Greed
[13-21] Then one out of the crowd said, “Christ, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Christ said, “Who made me a judge or an overseer over you?” And then Christ answered, “Be careful and beware of greed because a person’s life isn’t made up of what they have.” And then Christ told a story to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich person produced a great crop, so that person thought, ‘What can I do, because there’s no room to store my crops? I know; I’ll do this: I’ll tear down my barns, and build bigger ones; and then I’ll have room for all my crops and stuff. And I’ll say to myself, I’ve got enough stored up for many years to come; eat, drink, rest, and have fun.’ But God said, ‘You idiot, tonight your soul will be taken from you and then who will get everything you saved up?’ This is the way it’ll be for whoever saves up wealth for themselves, and aren’t rich in God.”
Don’t Worry About Worldly Things
[22-30] Then Christ said to the followers, “So I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat; nor for the body, what you’ll put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Think about the ravens, which neither plant nor pick; nor store anything up; and God takes care of them: how much better you are than the birds! And who by worrying can add one inch to their height? If you then aren’t able to do this least little thing, why do you worry about all the rest? Consider the lilies that grow: they don’t work, they don’t plant; and still I tell you, that all Solomon’s riches didn’t make him as beautiful as one of these. So then, if God clothes the grasses this way, which is in the field today, and wilts away in the heat by tomorrow; how much more will God clothe you, who have such little faith? So don’t worry about what you’ll eat, or what you’ll drink, nor doubt in your mind, because worldly people do this. Your God in heaven knows that you need these things.
[31-40] But instead, put your mind on the realm of God; and all this will be given to you, too. Don’t be afraid, little flock because it’s your God’s good will to give you the realm of God. Sell whatever you have, and give your gifts to God and others; work for the wealth that never gets old, a wealth in the heavens that never runs out, where no thief comes near, nor any moth harms because your heart is wherever your wealth is. Always be ready to go, night or day; and you yourselves, be like those that wait till their owner returns from the wedding; who comes and knocks, so that they can quickly open the door. Blessed are those who are watching when I come. The truth is, that even I’ll get ready, and make them sit down to eat, and will come out and serve them. And if I come late at night or early in the morning, and find them waiting, they’ll be blessed. Know this, if the owners of the house had known when the thief would come, they would have watched, and not have let their house be broken into. So you be ready also because I’ll come at a time when you won’t be expecting Me.”
Be Ready
[41-48] Then Peter said, “Christ, are you speaking this story just to us, or to everyone?” And Christ said, “Who is that faithful and wise caretaker, whom the owner will put over the household, to give them what they need at just the right time? Blessed is that worker, whom when the owner comes back, finds working hard. The truth is, I tell you, that the owner will make them a ruler over everything. But if that worker says in their heart, ‘My owner puts off coming;’ and begins to abuse the workers and working girls, and to eat and drink, and gets drunk; The owner of that worker will come in a day when the worker isn’t watching, and at a time when the worker won’t know it, and will punish the worker with death in the judgment of unbelievers. And that worker, which knew the owner’s will, but didn’t get ready, nor do what the owner wanted, will be badly punished. But whoever didn’t know what the owner wanted, and did things worthy of punishment, will only be punished a little, because a lot will be expected of whoever is given a big job: and to whoever has been trusted with a lot, more will be expected of them.
[49-53] I have come to send fire on the earth and long for it to be lit already! But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and am troubled till it’s over! Do you think that I’ve come to bring peace on earth? I tell you, no; but instead, I’ll cause disagreements: because from now on there will be five in a house divided, three against two, and two against three. Father against son and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
[54-59] Then Yeshua said to the people, “When you see a cloud come up out of the west, quickly you say that a rain shower is coming; and so it does. When you see the south wind blow, you say that it’s going to be hot; and it’s hot. You fakes, you understand the face of the sky and of the earth; but why don’t you understand this time? Yes, and why don’t you yourselves judge what’s right? When you’re on the way to go to court with your enemy, try your best to settle your argument; in case they take you to the judge, and the judge hands you over to the officer, and the officer puts you in jail. I tell you, you won’t leave there, till you’ve paid the very last cent of your fine.”
Story of the Fig Tree
13 [1-5] At that time, some came and told Yeshua of the Galilaeans, who Pilate had killed while they were making sacrifices, mixing their own blood with that of the sacrifices. Then Yeshua said, “Do you think that these people were greater sinners than anyone else, because they suffered like this? I tell you, no: but, unless you change your evil ways, you’ll all be destroyed like this. Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you think that they were greater sinners than anyone else that lived in Jerusalem? I tell you, no: but, unless you change your evil ways, you’ll all be destroyed like this.”
[6-10] Then the Christ told them this story, too; “Someone had a fig tree planted in their garden and came and looked for some fruit on it, but didn’t find any. Then the owner said to the gardener, ‘I’ve looked for fruit on this fig tree for three years now, and haven’t found any: cut it down; why should it take up space?’ But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone this year, till I’ll dig around it, and fertilize it: If it makes fruit, good: but if not, then after that I’ll cut it down as you say.’ And the Christ was teaching in one of the places of worship on the Seventh Day.
A Woman Healed on the Seventh Day
[11-17] There was a woman who had a problem for eighteen years, and was humped over, and couldn’t lift herself up by any means. When the Christ saw her, Yeshua called her, saying to her, “Woman, you’re freed from your problem.” And when the Christ laid hands on her, she was suddenly able to straighten up, and praised God. But because Yeshua had healed on a Seventh Day, the leader of the Place of Worship said to the people with resentment, “There are six days in the week to work, so come and be healed on those days, and not on a Day of Worship.” So Christ said then, “You fake, doesn’t each one of you let your animals out of their stalls, and lead them to water on the Seventh Day? So shouldn’t I help this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has made to suffer these eighteen years, be freed from this condition on a Day of Worship?” And when the Christ had said this, all the enemies of Yeshua were ashamed. So all the people celebrated for the amazing things that had happened because of the Christ.
The Realm of God
[18-30] Then the Christ said, “What is the realm of God like? And to what can I compare it? It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which someone took and planted in their garden; It grew, and became a great tree; so much that even the birds of the air could live in its branches.” Then the Christ said, “What is the realm of God like? It’s like yeast, which a woman mixed in three cups of flour, till it was all leavened.” And then the Christ went through all the cities and towns, teaching, and going toward Jerusalem. Then someone said, “Christ, are there only a few that will be saved?” And the Christ answered, “Work hard to come in the right way at the gate, which is narrow, because many, I tell you, will want to come in, but won’t be able. When the owner of the house has gotten up, and shut the door, and you begin to gather outside, knocking at the door, saying, ‘Christ, Christ, open the door to us;’ then the owner will answer saying to you, ‘I don’t even you know who you are.’ Then you’ll begin to say, ‘We’ve celebrated in your presence, and you’ve taught in our streets.’ But the owner will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t even know who you are; go away, you sinful people.’ And you‘ll be crying and gritting your teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the great preachers, in the realm of God, and you yourselves put out. And they’ll come from east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in the realm of God. And some of those who were last will be first then, and some of those who were first will be last then.”
Herod Threatens the Christ
[31-35] This same day some of the religious leaders came, saying to the Christ, “Get out, and leave here because Herod will kill you.” But Christ answered, “Go, and tell that sly one, I’ll put out evil spirits and heal today, tomorrow, and the third day I’ll be finished. In the same way, I must walk today, tomorrow, and the next day because a great preacher can’t be killed outside of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the great preachers, and stone those who are sent to you; how often I would have gathered your children together, as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you wouldn’t come! Your house is left to you empty, and the truth is, you won’t see Me, until the time comes when you’ll say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of Yahweh God.’”
Healing on a Day of Worship
14 [1-6] And then, one of the important religious leaders watched as the Christ went into his house to eat on a Day of Worship. And someone came to the Christ, who was very swollen with fluid in the body. So Yeshua said to the religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects, asking, “Is it right to heal on a Day of Worship?” But they didn’t answer. So the Christ healed the person, and let them go; And said, “Which of you, if you had a donkey or a cow that had fallen into a hole, wouldn’t quickly pull them out, even on a Day of Worship?” And again, they couldn’t answer the Christ’s question.
Be Humble
[7-11] So Yeshua told a story to those which were asked, when the Christ noted how they chose the best places; saying to them, “When you’re asked to a wedding by someone, don’t sit down in the best places; in case a more honorable person than you is also asked by them; And then the one who asked you, comes and says to you, ‘Let this person have your place;’ and then, with shame, you have to go to a less important place. But when you’re asked, go and sit down in a less important place; so that when the one who asked you comes, they can say to you, ‘Friend, come sit over here.’ Then you’ll be praised in front of all those who sit to eat with you. Whoever puts themselves in a higher place will be shamed; and whoever humbles themselves will be praised.”
[12-14] Then Yeshua said this to the one who had asked the Christ to come and eat, “When you give a dinner or a supper, don’t just call your friends, nor your family, nor your other kin people, nor your rich neighbors, because they’ll also ask you to a dinner, and repay the favor. But when you give a dinner, call those who are poor, or hurt, or disabled, or blind. Then you’ll be blessed even though they can’t repay you, because you’ll be repaid when those who are good come back to life again.”
The Great Supper
[15-24] When someone who was eating with them heard this, they said, “Blessed is the One who eats in the realm of God.” Then the Christ answered, “Someone made a great supper, and asked many to come, sending their worker at supper time to say to those who were asked, ‘Come because everything is ready now.’ But they all, in agreement, began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I’ve bought a piece of land and have to go and see it: Please, excuse me.’ And another said, ‘I’ve bought five pairs of cattle, and have to prove them: Please, excuse me.’ And another said, ‘I’ve just gotten married, and so I can’t come.’ So the worker came, and told the owner this. Then the owner of the house, being angry said to the worker, ‘Go quickly out into the streets and roads of the city, and bring here all those who are poor, hurt, disabled, and blind.’ And the worker said to the owner, ‘I’ve done as you’ve told me, and there’s still more room.’ So the owner said to the worker, ‘Go out into the highways and the roads, and beg them to come in, so that my house can be filled. Because I tell you that not one of those others who were asked will taste of my supper.’”
Count the Cost
[25-35] And great crowds went along with the Christ: who turned, saying to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and doesn’t hate their parents, and spouse, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and even their own life also, they can’t be My follower. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross, and come after Me, can’t be My follower. Would any of you, intending to build a house, not sit down first, and count the cost, to see whether or not you had enough to finish it? In case, after you’ve laid the foundation, you aren’t able to finish it, and all that see it begin to mock you, saying, ‘This person began something, and wasn’t able to finish it.’ Or what ruler, going to make war against another, doesn’t sit down first, and consider whether they are able with ten thousand to fight those who come against them with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, they send an ambassador asking for conditions of peace. So in this way, whoever doesn’t turn away from everything, can’t be My follower. Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how can it season anything? It’s not fit for the land, nor even for the compost; but only to be thrown out. If anyone will accept this, let them accept it.”
Finding the One That’s Lost
15 [1-9] Then all the tax collectors and sinners came near to hear the Christ. The religious leaders and the ministers from the religious sects spoke against the Christ, saying, “This person accepts sinners, and eats with them.” So Christ told this story to them, saying, “Which one of you, if you had a hundred animals, and lost one, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the countryside, and go after the one that’s lost, until you find it? And when you find it, lay it across your shoulders, and celebrate. And when you come home, call together all your friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my animal that was lost.’ I tell you that the same kind of joy will be in heaven over one sinner that changes their ways, more than over ninety-nine good people, who don’t need to change their ways.”
[8-10] “And who, having ten silver coins, if they lose one, wouldn’t get a light, and search the house, and look carefully till they find it? And when they find it, call their friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found the silver coin that I had lost.’ In this way, I tell you, the angels of God will have great joy over one sinner that changes their ways.”
The Lost Child
[11-32] Then the Christ told them this story, “Someone had two children. The younger of them said to the parent, “Give me my share of the inheritance now.” So the parent gave the inheritance to the younger one. A few days later, the younger child gathered everything together, and took a journey into a far country, and when the child got there, wasted it all with selfish living. And when the child had spent it all, a great shortage of food came to that land; and the child began to be in need. So the child went to work for a citizen of that country; who sent them into their fields to feed the pigs. And the child almost would have eaten what the pigs ate, because no one gave the child anything to eat. And when the child thought about it, thinking, ‘How many of my parent’s hired workers have enough food, with some to spare, and I am dying of hunger! I’ll go back home to my parent, and say to them, I’ve sinned against heaven, and you, and I’m not worthy to be called your child: but make me as one of your hired workers.’ So the child got up, and went home to their parent. So when the child was still a great way off, the parent saw them, and had compassion, and ran, and hugged the child’s neck, and kissed them. And the child said, ‘I’ve sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and I’m not worthy to be called your child.’ But the parent said to the workers, ‘Bring out the best clothes, and put it on my child; and put a ring and shoes on the child: And butcher the fatted calf, and kill it; and let’s eat, and celebrate, because my child was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and now is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Now the older child was in the field: and coming home, got near the house, and heard music and dancing. So that child called one of the workers, and asked what was the meaning of all this. And the worker said, ‘Your younger brother has come home; and your parent has killed the fatted calf, because the child has returned safe and sound.’ And the older child was angry, and wouldn’t go in: so the parent came out, and begged the child to come in. So the older one said to the parent, ‘Look, I’ve worked for you many years, and I’ve never disobeyed your word: and still, you never even gave me a baby goat, that I might have a party with my friends: But as soon as that child came home, who has spent your living on whores, you killed the fatted calf. So the parent said, ‘Child, you’ve always been with me, and all that I have is yours. But it’s right to celebrate, and be happy because this child was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and now is found.”’
The Story of the Bad Manager
16 [1-12] The Christ also said to the followers, “There was a certain rich person, which had a manager who was accused of having wasted their goods. So they called them, saying, ‘How come I am hearing this about you? Give an account of your management or you can no longer be my manager.’ Then the manager thought, ‘What will I do? My owner will take away my job. I can’t dig; and I’m ashamed to beg. I know what to do. When I’m fired from the management, I’ll go to those who owe my owner.’ So the manager called everyone of the owner’s debtors, saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my owner?’ And that one said, a hundred dollars worth of oil. So the manager said, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and change it to fifty.’ Then the manager said to another, ‘and how much do you owe?’ And that one said, ‘a hundred dollars worth of wheat.’ So the manager said, ‘Take your bill, and change it to eighty.’ And the owner applauded the bad manager, because the manger had wisely gotten out of trouble by giving them a good discount. The people of this world are more dishonest than the children of light. So I tell you, make godly friends with your earthly money; so that, when you die, you’ll be accepted into the heavenly realm along with them. Whoever is faithful with a little is faithful also with a lot. And whoever is unfaithful with a little will also be unfaithful with a lot. So if you haven’t been faithful in the world’s money, who will trust you with the true riches? And if you haven’t been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you anything for your own?”
Serve God, Not Money
[13-17] “No worker can serve two employers because either they’ll hate one, and love the other; or else they’ll be faithful to one, and hate the other. You can’t serve God and worship money, too.” And the religious leaders also, who were very selfish, heard all this, and mocked what Yeshua had said. So the Christ said, “You’re the ones who try to make yourselves appear good to others; but God knows your hearts. What’s highly valued among humanity is evil in the sight of God. Humanity has had the Word of God and the great preachers up until John came, and since that time, the realm of God has been preached about, and everyone is trying to get into it. But it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one small point of the Word of God to fail. So whoever divorces their spouse, and marries another, takes part in sexual sin: and whoever marries someone that is divorced takes part in sexual sin, as well.
Lazarus and the Rich Person
[19-31] There was a certain rich person, who was clothed in fine clothes, and fared well every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who lay at the gate, and was full of sores, hoping to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich person’s table. And besides this, the dogs came and licked the beggar’s sores. And then the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham. Then the rich person also died, and was buried. And the rich person opened their eyes up in Hell, and suffering, saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus nearby, too. So the rich person cried saying, ‘Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue because I am suffering in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime had good things, and Lazarus had evil things: but now Lazarus is comforted, and you’re suffering. And besides all this, there’s a great gulf fixed between us and you: so that those who would pass from here to you can’t; nor can those who would come from there pass to us.’ Then the rich person said, ‘I beg you, then, send Lazarus to my family to tell them: because I have five brothers, in case they also come into this place of suffering.’ And Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the great preachers; let them hear them.’ But the rich person said, ‘No, Abraham: but if someone went to them from the dead, they’ll change their evil ways.’ And Abraham said, ‘If they won’t hear Moses and the great preachers, they won’t be won over, even though someone rose from the dead.”
Abusers Will be Punished
17 [1-10] Then Yeshua said to the followers, “It would be impossible for abuses not to happen: but sorrow will surely come to those who hurt others! It would better for them to have a large stone hung around their neck, and be drowned in the sea, than to hurt one of these little ones. Watch out for yourselves: If someone sins against you, confront them; and if they change their evil ways, forgive them. And if they sin against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn back to you, saying, I’ll change my evil ways; forgive them.” And the followers said to Christ, “Help us to have more faith.” So Christ said, “If you have faith even as small as a grain of mustard seed, if you said to this sycamore tree, ‘Be moved out of your place, and be planted in the sea;’ it would obey you. But which of you, having a worker plowing or feeding cattle, would say to them, when they’ve come in from the field, ‘Go and sit down to eat?’ But wouldn’t you say to them instead, ‘Get my supper ready, and get ready to serve me, till I’ve finished my meal; and then you can eat’? Would you thank that worker because they did what they were told? I don’t think so. So it’s the same with you, when you’ve done all that you’re told, say, ‘We’re worthless workers: we’ve only done what was our duty to do.’”
Ten People Healed, One Returns with Thanks
[11-19] And then, as they went on to Jerusalem, they passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee. And as they came to a certain town, ten lepers met them, who stood off away from them: And they called out, saying, ‘Yeshua, Christ, have mercy on us.’ And seeing them, the Christ said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were healed, and one of them, who saw that he was healed, turned back, and praised God with a loud voice, and fell face down at Yeshua’s feet, giving thanks: and it was a mixed-race Samaritan. So Yeshua said, “Weren’t there ten healed? So where are the other nine? Didn’t any come back to give praise to God, except this stranger?” So Christ said, “Get up, and go: your faith has healed you.”
The End Times
[20-37] Now when the religious leaders asked the Christ when the realm of God would come, Yeshua answered, “The realm of God isn’t something you see: Nor will people say, Look here! or, Look there! because the realm of God is what’s inside you.” Later the Christ said to the followers, “The time will come, when you’ll wish to see one of these days with Me, but you won’t see it. And people will say to you, ‘Look here;’ or, ‘Look there:’ but don’t go with them, nor follow after them, because I’ll be like the lightning that flashes from one side heaven and shines to the other side of heaven in the day of My return. But first I must suffer many things, and be rejected by the people. And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the day of My return. People ate and drank, and were married and given in marriage, until the day that Noah went in the ark, and the flood came, and killed them all. The same also as it was in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, and they built; But the very day that Lot went out of Sodom, God rained fire and sulfur down from heaven, and killed them all. In the same way, it’ll also be this way on the day when I am made known. In that day, whoever is on the rooftop, and their stuff is in the house, don’t go down to get it: and whoever is in the field, don’t go back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever tries to save their life will lose it; and whoever is willing to lose their life will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people on one bed; and one will be taken, and the other left behind. Two women will be working together; and one will be taken, and the other left behind. Two men will be out in the field; and one will be taken, and the other left behind.” And they asked, “Where, Christ?” And Yeshua answered, “Wherever the body is, the birds of prey will be gathered together there.”
Keep Praying
18 [1-8] And Yeshua told a story to them so that people would always pray, and not give up hope; So the Christ said, “There was a judge in a city, who wasn’t afraid of God, nor cared about what people thought either: And there was a widow in that city, who came to the judge, saying, ‘Punish my enemy.’ And the judge wouldn’t for a while: but later thought, ‘Though I’m not afraid of God, nor do I care what anyone thinks; Yet because this widow bothers me, I’ll get justice for her, or if she keeps coming, she’ll wear me out.’” And then Yeshua said, “Listen to what the evil judge said. Won’t God do justice for the chosen ones, who cry out to God day and night, though God waits along time to answer them? I tell you that God will bring justice for them suddenly. And yet, when I come, will I find any faith left on the earth?”
The Religious Leader and the Tax Collector
[9-14] Christ told this story to certain people who trusted in themselves that they were good, but hated others: “Two people went into a Place of Worship to pray; One was a religious leader, and the other a tax collector. The religious leader stood and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you, that I’m not like others are, cheats, evil ones, sexually unfaithful, or like this tax collector. I go without food twice a week, I always give a part of what I have.’ And the tax collector, standing far off, wouldn’t even look up to heaven, but hit himself on the chest, saying, ‘God, be compassionate to me a sinner.’ I tell you, this person went home made right instead of the other because everyone who thinks too highly of themselves will be ashamed; and whoever humbles themselves will be praised.”
Let the Children Come
[15-17] And the people brought babies to Yeshua, also, hoping that the Christ would bless them: but when the followers saw it, they scolded them. But Yeshua called them over, saying, “Let the little children to come to Me, and don’t tell them not to come, because the realm of God is filled with such as these. The truth is, whoever won’t come into the realm of God with the undoubting faith of a little child, won’t come in at all.”
Put Christ First
[18-30] Then a certain ruler asked Yeshua, saying, “Good Christ, what do I need to do to have everlasting life?” And Yeshua said, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except One, and that is God. You know the Words of the Law: Don’t do any sexual sin, don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t lie about someone, and honor your parents.” And the ruler said, “I’ve done all this from my youth up.” Now when Yeshua heard this, the Christ said, “Yet still, you lack one thing. Sell everything you own, and give to the poor, and you’ll have wealth in heaven: and come, follow Me.” But the ruler, hearing this, was very sorrowful because he was very rich. Yeshua saw that he was very sorrowful, and said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to come into the realm of God! It’s easier for a camel to be completely unloaded and squeeze through the eye of a needle, that is, the smallest gate, than for a rich person to come into the realm of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who can be saved then?” And the Christ said, “The things that are impossible for people, are possible with God.” Then Peter said, “Look, we’ve left everything, and followed you.” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, there’s not one of you who has left a house, or parents, or siblings, or a spouse, or children, for the realm of God’s sake, who won’t get much more in this life, and in the world to come, everlasting life.”
The Death of Christ Foretold
[31-34] Then the Christ took the twelve away from the others, saying to them, “We’re going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the great preachers about Me will happen. I’ll be handed over to the other peoples, and mocked, and treated hatefully, and spit on: And they’ll beat Me, and put Me to death: and the third day I’ll come to life again.” But they didn’t understand any of this: the Christ’s words were unclear to them, and they didn’t remember any of what the Christ had said.
The Blind Sees
[35-43] And then as they came near Jericho, a certain blind person sat begging beside the road. Hearing the crowd pass by, the blind person asked what it meant. And the people told him, that Yeshua of Nazareth was passing by. So he called out, saying, “Yeshua, Child of David, have mercy on me.” And those who were ahead of him scolded him, telling him to be quiet: but he called out all the more, “Child of David, have mercy on me.” And Yeshua stood still, and told the people to bring the person who was blind there: and when he came near, the Christ asked, “What do you want Me to do to you?” And he said, “Christ, that I can have my sight.” And Yeshua said, “Believe that you’ll see: your faith has saved you.” And suddenly, he got his sight back and followed along, worshipping God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Christ Eats at the House of Zaccaeus
19 [1-10] Then Yeshua came and passed through Jericho, where there was someone named Zaccaeus, which was the leader among the tax collectors, and who was rich. Now Zaccaeus looked for a way to see who Yeshua was; but couldn’t for the crowd, because he was short. So he ran, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Yeshua, because the Christ was about to pass by that way. And when Yeshua came to that place, the Christ looked up, and saw him, saying, “Zaccaeus, come down quickly; I want to stay at your house today.” So he quickly came down, and welcomed Christ joyfully. And when the people saw it, they all spoke against it, saying, “The Christ has gone to be the guest of a sinner!” And Zaccaeus stood up, saying, “Christ, I’ll give half of everything I own to the poor; and if I’ve taken anything from anyone by false claim, I’ll give them back four times as much.” And Yeshua said, “Today, you and your family are saved, because you also are a child of Abraham. This is why I’ve come to find and save those who are lost.”
The Story of the Workers and the Coins
[11-27] As they heard this, Yeshua told another story, because Jerusalem was nearby, and because they thought that the realm of God was just about to happen. So the Christ said, “Someone of great respect went far away to accept the rule of a country, and to return; who called ten workers, and gave them ten coins, saying to them, do business till I come back. But the citizens hated this person, and sent a message, saying, ‘We won’t have you reign over us.’ And then the ruler came back, having taken rule over the country, and called the workers to whom he had given the money, in order to know how much each had gained by trading. Then the first came, saying, ‘Ruler, your coin has gained ten more.’ And the Ruler said, ‘Well done, you’re a good worker, and because you’ve been faithful in a very little, you’ll have power over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Ruler, your coin has gained five coins.’ And the Ruler said the same to this one, ‘You also will be over five cities.’ And another came, saying, ‘Ruler, here is your coin, which I’ve saved wrapped in a napkin because I was afraid of you, because you’re a harsh person: you take what you didn’t put down, and pick what you don’t plant.’ And the Ruler said, ‘I’ll judge you by your own words, you evil worker. You knew that I was a harsh person, taking what I haven’t put down, and picking what I didn’t plant: Why then didn’t you put my money into the bank, so that at my coming I might have gotten my own back with interest?’ And the Ruler said to those who stood by, ‘Take the coin, and give it to the one who has ten coins.’ (And they said, ‘Ruler, he has ten coins already.’) I tell you, that everyone which has something will be given more; and those who haven’t got much, even what they have will be taken away from them. And all my enemies, who didn’t want me to reign over them, bring them here to me, and kill them.”
Christ Rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey
[28-40] And when Yeshua had said this, the Christ went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. And then the Christ came near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mountain called the Mount of Olives, and sent two of the followers, saying, “Go into the town up ahead of you; and when you get there, you’ll find a foal tied up, on which no one has ever sat before. Untie it, and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ Say to them, ‘because the Christ needs it.’” And those who were sent left, and found it just as the Christ had told them. And as they were untying the foal, the owners of it asked, “Why are you untying the foal?” So they said, “The Christ needs it.” And they brought it to Yeshua: and laid some of their clothes on the foal, and Yeshua sat on it. And as the Christ went, they spread their clothes down on the road. And when the Christ came near the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of followers began to celebrate and praise God with a loud voice for all the amazing things that they had seen; saying, “May the One who is coming be blessed, a Ruler that comes in the Name of Yahweh God: peace in heaven, and victory to the Highest.” And some of the religious leaders from among the crowd said, “Christ, tell your followers not to do that.” But the Christ answered them, saying, “I tell you that if these were to be quiet, the stones would cry out.”
[41-48] And Yeshua came near, and saw the city, and cried over it, saying, “If you had only known, even in this your time now, the things which would give you peace! But now they’re hid from you. The time will come, that those who come against you will put a siege around you, and surround you, and keep you closed off from every direction, and will level you to the ground, along with your people; and they’ll not leave in you one stone in its place; because you didn’t know it when I visited you.” And as they went into the Place of Worship, the Christ began to throw out all those who were buying and selling in it; saying to them, “It’s written, ‘My house is the house of prayer’: but you’ve made it a place of thieves.” So the Christ taught daily in the Place of Worship. And the leading priests, the religious leaders, and the leaders of the people looked for a way to kill Yeshua; but they couldn’t find a way to do it, because all the people came to hear the Christ.
The Christ Questioned by the Religious Leaders
20 [1-8] On one of those days, as the Christ taught the people in the Place of Worship, and preached the New Word, the leading priests and the religious leaders, along with the elders, came and asked the Christ, saying, “Tell us, by what right do you do this? Who gave you this right?” So the Christ answered them, saying, “I’ll ask you something, too; and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven, or of human origin? And they argued among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven;’ then Yeshua will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin;’ all the people will stone us because they believe that John was a great preacher.” So they said that they didn’t know. And Yeshua answered, “Then neither will I tell you by what right I do this.”
The Story of the Farmers
[9-18] Then the Christ began to tell the people this story; “Someone planted a garden, and rented it out to farmers, and went into a far off country for a long time. And at the end of the season the owner sent a worker to the farmers, to collect the fruit of the garden, but the farmers beat and sent the worker away empty-handed. And again the owner sent another worker, who they beat, treating shamefully, and sent this one away empty-handed, too. And again the owner sent a third, who they wounded and put out, too. Then the owner of the garden said, ‘What will I do? I’ll send my own child, who I love. It may be that when they see the heir, they’ll show respect.’ But when the farmers saw the heir, they argued among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir: come, if we kill the heir, the inheritance will be ours.’ So they went outside of the garden, and killed the heir. So what will the owner of the garden do to them? The owner will come and kill these farmers, and will give the garden to others.” And when they heard it, they said, “Never!” And watching them, the Christ said, “Then what is this that is written, the same stone which the builders rejected will become the first cornerstone? And whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but whoever it falls on, will be ground to dust.”
On Paying Taxes and Tithes
[19-26] So the leading priests and the religious leaders began at that very time, to look for a way to take the Christ; but they were afraid of the people because they realized that the Christ had told this story about them. So they watched the Christ, and sent out spies, who would pretend to be good people, in order to hear some word, that they might use to hand over the Christ to the power and control of the governor. So they asked Yeshua, saying, “Christ, we know that you say and teach what is right, nor do you care what anyone says, so teach us the way of God: Is it right for us to give taxes to the ruling government, or not?” But the Christ realized their craftiness, and answered, “Why do you try to tempt Me? Show Me a coin. Whose picture and name does it have?” And they answered, “The Ruler’s.” Then the Christ answered, “So pay your taxes to the government, and give the part of your money to God that belongs to God.” And they couldn’t grasp the Christ’s words in front of the people: and were amazed at the answer, and didn’t say anything.
No Sexuality or Marriage in the Afterlife
[27-38] Then some of the religious sects came, which don’t believe that there’s any afterlife; and asked, saying, “Christ, Moses wrote to us, ‘If someone dies, having a spouse, and they die without children, that another should take their spouse, and give them children.’ There were seven brothers and the first took a spouse, and died without children. And the second took her as a spouse, and died childless. And the third took her; and in this same way all seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. So when they come to life again whose spouse will she be because all seven had her in marriage?” So Yeshua answered, “The people of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But those who are thought worthy to obtain that world, and the coming to life again from the dead, won’t be sexual or live in marriage: Neither will they die anymore because they’ll be like the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the new life. And as to those who are dead coming to life again, even Moses showed at the bush, when God was called the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, that God isn’t a God of the dead, but of the living because all live to God.”
Christ David’s Descendant
[39-44] Then some of the religious leaders said, “Christ, you’ve answered well.” After that they dared not ask any more questions at all. So Yeshua asked them, “How do they say that Christ is David’s descendant? When David himself said in the book of Songs, Yahweh God said to My Christ, sit beside Me, till I make those who come against you a place to rest your feet. So then, if David called the Christ, Christ, how is the Christ David’s descendent?”
False Religious Leaders
[45-47] Then in the presence of all the people the Christ said to the followers, “Beware of the religious leaders, which want to walk around dressed in impressive clothing, and love greetings in the shopping centers, and the best seats in the places of worship, and the best places at celebration dinners; which take survivors’ money, and for a show make long prayers: these will get the greater punishment.”
The Survivor’s Coins
21 [1-4] Then the Christ looked up, and saw the rich people throwing their money into the treasury. And then the Christ saw a certain poor survivor throwing in two small coins, also. So the Christ said, “The truth is, this poor survivor has put in more than all of them. All of these have put into God’s offering out of their wealth, but she has put in all the living that she had, even in her need.
The End Times
[5-9] And as some spoke of the Place of Worship, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and metals, the Christ said, “As for this which you see, the time will come, in which there won’t be left one stone on another, that won’t be put out of its place.” So they asked Yeshua, saying, “Christ, but when will this happen? And what sign will there be when this is about to happen?” And Yeshua answered, “Be sure that you aren’t lied to because many will come in My Name, saying, ‘I am Christ;’ and ‘The time is near’: but don’t follow them. When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be frightened because this must happen first; but the end isn’t yet.”
[10-19] Then Yeshua said, “Nation will make war with nation, and country will fight country. Great earthquakes will be in many different places, a great lack of food, and deadly diseases; Then there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all this, people will take and mistreat you, and hand you over to the religious leaders, putting you in jails. You’ll be brought to rulers and leaders because of My Name, and it’ll give you a time to tell others about Me. So settle it in your hearts, not to think about what you’ll say, because I’ll give you a word of wisdom, with which all those who come against you won’t be able to dispute nor argue. You’ll be handed over by parents, siblings, kinfolks, and friends; and they’ll put some of you to death. You’ll be hated by all people because of My Name, but a hair of your head won’t be destroyed. If you have patience, you’ll keep your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
[20-24] When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that it’s destruction is near. Those who are in Judea should escape to the mountains; and those who are in the middle of it should leave; and those who are in the countryside shouldn’t go back into it, because these are the days of its punishment, so that everything which is written will happen. But those with child and those who are breastfeeding will be sad in those days! For there will be great suffering in the land and rage toward this people. They’ll be killed in war, and those left will be taken captive into all nations. Jerusalem will be overrun by the nations of the world, until their time is up.
[25-28] And then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and the nations on earth will have great troubles, with confusion; even the waves of the sea will be uprising; People’s hearts will fail them for fear, and for watching what is going to happen on the earth because the forces of heaven will be out of balance. And then they’ll see Me coming in a cloud with great power and bright light. And when this begins to happen, then look up, and lift up your heads because you’ll be saved very soon.”
The Story of the Fig Tree
[29-33] And then the Christ told them a story; “Watch the fig tree, and all the trees; When you see the buds begin to shoot out, don’t you know for yourselves that summer is near. So in this same way, when you see all this happening, know that the realm of God is near. The truth is, the people of this time won’t die out, till all of it happens. Heaven and earth will come to an end: but My Words won’t ever come to an end.
[34-38] And watch yourselves, in case your hearts ever be overcome with partying, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly, because it will come on everyone on the whole face of the earth like a sudden trap. So always watch and pray, so that you may be thought worthy to escape all this that will happen, and to stand with Me.” And Yeshua was teaching in the Place of Worship in the day time; and at night went out, staying on the mountain that is called the Mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to the Place of Worship to hear the Christ.
The Passover Supper
22 [1-6] Now the celebration of unleavened bread came near which is called the Passover. And the leading priests and religious leaders were looking for a way to take the Christ secretly because they were afraid of the people. Then the spirit of Satan went into Judas, named Iscariot, being one of the twelve, who left, and talked with the leading priests and captains, to decide how to turn the Christ over to them. And they were pleased, and promised to give Judas money. So he promised to look for a way to turn the Christ over to them without the crowd being there.
[7-13] Then the day of unleavened bread came, when the Passover animals would be killed. So Yeshua sent Peter and John, saying, “Go, and get the Passover meal ready for us, so that we can eat.” And they asked, “Where do you want us to get it ready?” So the Christ answered, “Right when you get to the city, someone carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow them into the house they go into. And say to the owner of the house, the Christ said to ask you, ‘Where is the guestroom, where I may eat the Passover with My followers?’ And they’ll show you a large furnished upper room: get everything ready there.” So they went, and found it just as the Christ had said: and they got the Passover meal ready.
[14-20] And when the time came, Christ and the twelve followers sat down. And Yeshua said, “I’ve longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, because I tell you, I won’t eat it any more, until I eat it in the realm of God.” And the Christ took the cup, and gave thanks, saying, “Take this, and share it among yourselves. I tell you, I won’t drink wine anymore, until the realm of God comes. Then Yeshua took bread, giving thanks, and breaking it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is the symbol of My body that is being given for you. Do this to remember Me.” And after supper, the Christ took the cup, and said, “This cup is the symbol for My blood, which is shed for you in the New Word.”
[21-23] But the hand of the one who will hand Me over is with Me on the table. And the truth is, I go, as it was decided: but sorrow is coming to the one who hands Me over! So they began to ask, who among them, would do this.
Who will be the Greatest?
[24-30] And there was an argument among them, about which of them would be the greatest. So the Christ said, “The rulers of the other peoples use control over them; and those who use power over them are called governors. But you won’t do this: whoever wants to be greatest among you, should be like the younger; and whoever leads, like the one who serves, because which is greater, the one who sits to eat, or the one who serves? Isn’t it the one who sits to eat? Yes, but I am among you as One who serves. You’re the ones who have stayed with Me through all My troubles. So I give you a realm, just as My God has given one to Me; so that you can eat and drink at My table in My Realm, and sit on the judgment thrones of the twelve families of Israel.”
Peter will be Tempted
[31-38] And the Christ, said, “Peter, Peter, Satan wants to have you, so that you can be tested: But I’ve prayed for you, that your faith doesn’t fail. So when your faith comes back, strengthen the others.” And Peter said, “Christ, I am ready to go with you, both to jail, and even to death.” But the Christ said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster won’t crow today, before you’ll say that you don’t even know Me three times.” Then Yeshua said, “When I sent you without a moneybag, backpack, or shoes, did you lack anything?” And they answered, “Nothing.” Then Christ said, “But now, whoever has a money bag, let them take it, and their backpack: and whoever has no weapon, should sell their extra clothing, and buy one. I tell you, that what has been written about Me, ‘and the Christ was thought of as a lawbreaker,’ must happen to Me, because the things written about Me have a purpose.” And they said, “Christ, we have two swords.” And Yeshua said, “That’s enough.”
The Christ is Betrayed
[39-46] Yeshua and the followers came out, and went to the Mount of Olives as they were used to doing. When they got there, Yeshua said, “Pray, so that you won’t be tempted.” The Christ withdrew from them about a stone’s throw away, and kneeling down, prayed, “Yahweh God, if You will allow it, don’t let this happen to Me; but don’t let happen what I want to be done, but what You want.” And an angel from heaven appeared to Yeshua, in order to strengthen the Christ. And the Christ, being greatly troubled, prayed harder: so much that the sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground. So the Christ getting up from prayer, and coming back to the followers, found them sleeping for sorrow, and asked, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray, in case you’re tempted.”
[47-53] And while the Christ was speaking, a crowd came up, along with Judas, who was one of the twelve. Then Judas started to kiss Yeshua. But Yeshua said, “Judas, are You betraying Me with a kiss?” When those who were with the Christ saw what was about to happen, they said, “Christ, should we use our swords?” And one of them cut off the right ear of the worker of the leading priest. And Yeshua answered, “Let this happen, too.” And the Christ touched the ear, and healed it. Then Yeshua said to the leading priests, and the religious leaders of the Place of Worship, and the elders, which had come to them, “Have you come out with swords and sticks like you’d come against a thief? When I was with you in the Place of Worship daily, you didn’t put your hands on Me: but this is your time, and the time for the power of darkness.”
Peter Denies the Christ
[54-62] Then they took Yeshua, leading the Christ into the house of the leading priest. Peter followed far off behind them. And when they had made a fire in the middle of the hall, and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. But a certain girl was watching as he sat down by the fire, and carefully looking at him, said, “This one was with Yeshua, too.” And Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I don’t even know this person.” And after a little while another person saw Peter, and said, “You’re one of them, too.” But Peter answered, “I am not.” Then about an hour later, someone else swore to it, saying, “It’s the truth, this person was with them, too, because he’s a Galilaean.” And Peter said, “People, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” And suddenly, while Peter was speaking, the rooster crowed. And Yeshua turned, and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered the Words of Yeshua, how the Christ had said, “Before the rooster crows, you’ll say that you don’t know Me three times.” So Peter left there, and cried with great sorrow.
Christ Mocked by the Priests
[63-71] And those who were keeping Yeshua mocked and hit the Christ. And then when they had blindfolded the Christ, they struck Yeshua on the face, and said, “Tell us who hit you.” And they spoke against the Christ many other disrespectful things. Then as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, the leading priests, and the religious leaders all came together, and led Yeshua into their court, saying, “If You’re the Christ, tell us!” And Yeshua answered, “If I tell you, you won’t believe Me: And if I also ask you something, you won’t answer Me, nor let Me go. But later, I’ll sit in judgment with the power of God.” So they all said, “Then, are you the Heir of God?” And the Christ answered, “You say it, because I am.” So they said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? We’ve heard it ourselves, from this person’s own mouth!”
Christ Goes to Pilate
23 [1-7] Then they all got up, and took the Christ to Pilate. They began to accuse the Christ, saying, “We found this person leading the people astray, forbidding them to pay taxes to the government, and claiming to be the Christ, a Ruler.” So Pilate asked, “You are the Ruler of the Jews?” And the Christ answered, “It’s just as you say.” Then Pilate said to the leading priests and to the people, “This person has done nothing wrong.” But they were greatly angered, saying, “This One stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, all the way from Galilee to here.” So when Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Christ were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that it was Herod’s place to judge the matter, he sent the Christ to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time.
Christ Sent to Herod
[8-12] Then when Herod saw Yeshua, he was very happy because he had wanted to see the Christ for long time, having heard many things, and hoped to see the Christ do a miracle. So he asked many times; but the Christ didn’t answer. And the leading priests and religious leaders stood by, accusing the Christ. Then Herod, along with his guards, clothing Yeshua in a beautiful robe, disrespectfully mocked the Christ, sending Yeshua back to Pilate. And that very day Pilate and Herod became friends together, though they were enemies before.
Pilate Finds Christ Innocent
[13-26] So Pilate, who had called together the leading priests, the rulers, and the people, said, “You’ve brought this person to me, as One that leads the people astray: But I, having questioned this person, have found no fault as to these accusations. No, nor Herod either, because I sent you to him; and this person has done nothing worthy of death. The punishment is done, so I’ll free Yeshua to you (because he was required to free someone to them at the celebration.) And the people called out all at once, saying, “Take Yeshua away, and free Barabbas” (who was put in jail for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.) So Pilate, wanting to free Yeshua, asked them again, but they called out, saying, “Put Yeshua on a cross, put Yeshua on a cross.” And Pilate asked them the third time, “Why, what evil has this person done? I’ve found no cause for death: so I’ll punish and let Yeshua go.” And instantly, they called out for Yeshua to be put to death. And their voices overpowered Pilate’s. So Pilate set the punishment as they wanted it, and freed to them the one who was put in jail for rebellion and murder, whom they had wanted; but gave Yeshua over to their will. And as they led the Christ away, they ordered someone named Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, to carry the cross, following after Yeshua.
Two Thieves with Christ
[27-33] And a great many people, including women followed along, who also grieved for the Christ. But Yeshua turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me, but cry for yourselves, and for your children, because the days are coming, in the which they’ll say, ‘Blessed are those who never gave birth, and the breasts which never nursed a baby.’ Then they’ll begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us;’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ If they do this when the tree is green, what will be done when it’s dry?” And there were two others, too, law breakers, led with the Christ to be put to death. And when they had come to the place of the skull, which is called Calvary, they put Yeshua to death, along with the law breakers, one on the right side, and the other on the left.
[34-37] Then Yeshua said, “God, forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.” And they divided the Christ’s clothing, and placed bets on them. And the people stood watching. And the rulers also with them mocked the Christ, saying, “You saved others; so save Yourself, if You’re the Christ, the Chosen of God.” And the guards also mocked Yeshua, coming and offering the Christ sour wine, and saying, “If You’re the Ruler of the Jews, save Yourself.” And a title was written also over the Christ in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, This is the Ruler of the Jews.
[39-45] And one of the law breakers who was hung also mocked the Christ, saying, “If You’re the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other one scolded him, saying, “Don’t you honor and respect God, seeing you’re judged in the same way? And we, justly, because we’re only getting what we deserve for our actions: but this person hasn’t done anything wrong.” And he said to Yeshua, “Christ, remember me when You come into Your realm.” And Yeshua said, “The truth is, today you’ll be with Me in the Garden of Paradise.” And about noon, darkness came over all the earth until about three o’clock. And when the sun was darkened, the curtain of the Place of Worship was torn in half.
Christ’s Last Words
[46-49] And when Yeshua had called out, having said, “God, I give My Spirit to You,” the Christ gave up the Spirit. Now when one of the guards saw what happened, he praised God, saying, “The truth is, this really was a good person!” And all those who had come together to see this, and who were watching everything that had happened, hit their breasts, and left. And all those who had known the Christ, and the women who had followed along from Galilee, stood far off, watching all of this.
Joseph Asks for Christ’s Body
[50-56] And there was someone named Joseph, a person from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was a good and fair person: (who hadn’t consented to the words and actions of them;) and who also waited for the realm of God. This person went to Pilate, and begged for the body of Yeshua. So he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was cut out of stone, and in which no one had ever been laid to rest. And that day was the preparation day, and the Seventh Day was nearing. The women, which came with the Christ from Galilee, followed, and watched the tomb, and saw how the body was laid. And they went home, and got the spices and perfumes ready; and rested on the Day of Worship according to the Word of God.
Christ is Alive!
24 [1-12] Now very early on Sunday morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and a few others were with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. So they went in, and didn’t find the body of the Christ Yeshua. And then, as they were very confused about it, two people stood next to them in shining white clothes: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, the two asked, “Why are you looking for One who lives among the dead? The Christ isn’t here, but is risen: remember how the Christ spoke to you while still in Galilee, saying, ‘I must be given into the hands of sinful people, and be put to death, and the third day come to life again?’” And they remembered the Words of the Christ, and came back from the tomb, and told all this to the eleven, and to all the rest who were there. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, and some other women that were with them, who told this to the followers. But their words seemed to the followers as story-tales, so they didn’t believe them. Then Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, saw the linen clothes put by themselves, and went, wondering to himself, about what had happened.
Christ Appears to the Followers
[13-26] And two of them went that same day to a town called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about seven miles. And they talked together of all this which had happened. And then, while they talked and reasoned together, Yeshua came near, and walked with them. But they didn’t know it was the Christ. And the Christ asked, “What kind of stories are these that you’ve told to each other, as you were walking, and why are you so sad?” And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem that doesn’t know the things which have happen there in these days?” And the Christ asked, “What things?” And they said, “About Yeshua of Nazareth, who was a great preacher, powerful in words and actions before God and all the people: And who the leading priests and our rulers caused to be accused, and put to death, and have put the Christ to death. But we trusted that it was the One who would have saved Israel: and besides all this, today, is the third day since all this has happened. Yes, and also, some of the women of our company amazed us, which went early to the tomb; And when they didn’t find the body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that the Christ was alive. And some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said: but didn’t see the Christ.” Then the Christ said, “You thoughtless, and slow of heart to believe all that the great preachers have spoken: Shouldn’t Christ have suffered this, and have victory?”
[27-35] And beginning at Moses and all the great preachers, Yeshua explained all the Words about the Christ. And as they came near the town, where they were going: the Christ pretended to want to go further. But they pleaded with Yeshua, saying, “Stay with us, it’s just about evening, and the day is almost over.” So the Christ went in to stay with them. And then, as Yeshua was eating a meal with them, the Christ blessed and broke the bread, and gave it to them. Then suddenly they understood, and knew it was Yeshua; and then the Christ disappeared. So they said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us, while the Christ talked with us on the way, and explained the Word to us?” And they got up right then, and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them all gathered together, and who were saying, “The Christ has truly come to life again, and has appeared to Peter.” Then the two of them told what had happened to them on the road, and how the Christ was known of them in the breaking of the bread.
[36-49] And as they were speaking, Yeshua appeared in the middle of them, saying to them, “Be at peace.” But they were terrified and afraid, and thought that they had seen a spirit. So the Christ said, “Why are you so upset? And why do you doubt in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, It’s Me: Touch Me, and see, because a spirit doesn’t have a body and bones, as you see that I have.” And when the Christ had said this, they saw Yeshua’s hands and feet. And while they still couldn’t believe it for joy, and were so amazed, the Christ asked, “Do you have any food here?” And they gave the Christ a piece of a broiled fish and honeycomb. So Yeshua took it, and ate it in front of them. And then said, “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, so that everything would happen, which was written in the Words of Moses, and in the Words of the great preachers, and in the Songs about Me.” Then the Christ opened their minds to understand the Words, and said, “Just as it was written, it was right that Christ would suffer, and come to life from the dead on the third day: And that a change of ways and freedom from sins would be preached in the Name of Yeshua among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you’re witnesses of this. So I send the promise of My God, who I am from, to you. But stay in the city of Jerusalem, until you’re given the power from Heaven.”
Christ Carried Into Heaven
[50-53] Then the Christ led them out as far as to Bethany, and with uplifted hands, blessed them. And then, while Yeshua blessed them, the Christ was taken from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped the Christ, and went back to Jerusalem with great joy, staying in the Place of Worship continually, praising and blessing God. So be it!
The New Word According to John
The Spoken Word
1 [1-5] The Word was at the beginning of creation, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This same Word was active in the creation with God. Everything was made by the Voice of the Spoken Word; and nothing that was made was made without the Voice of the Spoken Word. Life was in the Spoken Word; and the Life was the Light of humanity. And the Light shined in the darkness; but the darkness didn’t know it.
John’s Witness of the Light
[6-14] There was someone sent from God, whose name was John. And John came to be a witness, to be a truthful witness of the Light, so that all people might believe. John wasn’t the Light, but was sent to be a truthful witness of the Light. This was the True Light, which gives light to everyone that comes into the world. The Spoken Word, who brought the world into being, was in the world, but the world didn’t know it. The Word came into the world, but the world didn’t accept the Spoken Word. But those who accepted the Spoken Word were given the power to become the children of God, that is, all those who believe on the Name of the Spoken Word of God: Who wasn’t born by blood relation, nor by physical means, nor by human means, but by God. And the Spoken Word became human, and lived among us, (and we saw the miracle, the miracle of the First and Only One Born of God,) full of grace and truth.
Yeshua the Christ
[15-18] John gave witness to the Spoken Word, calling out, “This was the One of whom I said, the One coming after me is better than me because this One existed before me. And we’ve all been given grace and more grace from the gifts of this One. Though the Word of God’s Law was given by Moses, the Word of grace and truth came by Yeshua the Christ. No one has ever seen God; but the First and Only One Born of God, who is in the heart of God, and has told us of God.”
The Voice of One Calling out in the Countryside
[19-28] And this is what John said, when the Jews sent priests and religious leaders from Jerusalem to ask, “Who are you?” John said, and didn’t deny it; but clearly said, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked John, “Then who are you, Elijah?” But John answered, “I am not.” Then they asked, “Are you the great preacher?” But again, John said, “No.” So they asked again, “Tell us who you are then, so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say of yourself?” Then John said, “’I am the voice of one calling out in the countryside to get the way ready for Yahweh God, making the way plain’, as the great preacher Isaiah said.” And those who were sent were of the religious leaders. So they asked John, “Why do you baptize then, if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the great preacher?” And John answered, saying, “I baptize with water: but there stands One among you, whom you don’t know; This is the Christ, who is coming after me, and is better than me, whose shoe laces I am not even worthy to undo.” And this happened in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John Baptizes the Christ
[29-34] The next day John saw Yeshua coming to him, and said, “See, the Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is the One of whom I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is better than me and who existed before me.’ But I didn’t know who it was until it was to become known to Israel, so I came baptizing with water.” Then John said, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on Yeshua. And I didn’t know who it would be: but the One who sent Me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One who you see the Spirit coming down and resting on will be the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I saw, and say that this is the One Born of God.”
Calling the Disciples – Andrew and Peter
[35-42] Again the next day John was standing with two followers; And looking at Yeshua, who was walking by, said, “See, the Christ, the Lamb of God!” So when the two followers heard John speak, they followed Yeshua. Then Yeshua turned, and seeing them following, asked, “What do you want?” And they asked, “Rabbi,” (which means, Teacher) “where are you staying?” So the Christ answered them, saying, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where the Christ was staying, and stayed there for the rest of the day because it was about four o’clock. And one of the two who heard John speak, and followed along, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, who found his own brother, Simon, first, saying, “We’ve found the Messiah”, (which means, the Christ) and brought him to Yeshua. And seeing them, the Christ said, “You’re Simon, the son of Jonas: you’ll be called Peter,” (which means, a rock.)
Calling the Disciples – Philip and Nathanael
[43-51] The next day Yeshua went out into Galilee, and found Philip, saying, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same city Andrew and Peter were from. Then Philip found Nathanael, and said, “We’ve found the Christ, who Moses and the great preachers wrote about in God’s Law, Yeshua of Nazareth, the Child of Joseph.” And Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” So Philip said, “Come and see.” And seeing Nathanael coming, Yeshua said of him, “See, a true Israelite, who always speaks the truth!” And Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” So Yeshua answered, “I saw you when you were under the fig tree, before Philip found you.” And Nathanael answered, “Teacher, You are the Child of God and the Ruler of Israel.” So Yeshua said, “Just because I said, ‘I saw you under the fig tree’, you believe? You’ll see even greater things than this.” And the Christ said, “The truth is; later you’ll see heaven open, with the angels of God coming down to Me and going back up from Me.”
The First Miracle
2 [1-11] On the third day, Yeshua’s mother was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, in which Yeshua and the followers were also invited. And when they needed more wine, Yeshua’s mother said, “They have no wine.” But Yeshua said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and Me? My time isn’t here yet.” So Yeshua’s mother said to the workers, “Whatever Yeshua says to you, do it.” And there were six stone jars sitting there, the kind the Jews use for washing, containing several gallons each. Then Yeshua said, “Fill up the jars with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And then Yeshua told them, “Dip some out now, and carry it to the host of the celebration.” So they did. And when the host of the celebration had tasted the water that had turned to wine, and didn’t know where it came from: (but the workers which dipped the water knew;) the host of the celebration called the groom, and said, “Everyone sets out the good wine first; and when everyone has drunk well, then they put out what is worse: but you’ve kept the good wine until now.” So what Yeshua did in Cana of Galilee was the first amazing miracle, which made the followers believe that Yeshua was the Christ.
The Angry Christ
[12-17] Later, the Christ, the Christ’s mother and family members, and the followers all went down to Capernaum, where they stayed for several days. And it was the Jews’ Passover, so Yeshua went up to Jerusalem. Then finding sales people and bankers sitting in the Place of Worship, the Christ braided a whip of small cords, and drove them all out of the Place of Worship, along with the animals; overthrowing the tables, and dumping out the bankers’ money; and said to those who sold doves, “Take all this out of here; and don’t make My God’s house a place of business.” And the followers remembered that it was written, “The passion of Your house has overcome Me.”
[18-21] Then the Jews asked, “What proof can you show us, seeing what you’ve done?” So Yeshua answered them, saying, “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I’ll raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It took forty-six years to build this Place of Worship! Will you rebuild it in three days?” But Yeshua was talking about the sanctuary of the Christ’s body. And when the Christ had come back to life, the followers remembered what Yeshua had said and believed the Writings.
[23-25] Now when they were in Jerusalem at the Passover on the celebration day, many believed in the Name of Yeshua, when they saw all the amazing things which the Christ did. But knowing all people and how they are, Yeshua didn’t trust them, not needing to hear anyone say anything about them.
The New Birth
3 [1-13] There was someone named Nicodemus, from the religious leaders, who was a ruler of the Jews: This person came to Yeshua by night, saying, “Teacher, we know that you’re a teacher from God, because no one can do these amazing things that you do, unless God is with them.” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, unless a person is born anew, they can’t see the realm of God.” So Nicodemus asked, “How can someone be born when they’re old? Can they go into their mother’s womb a second time, and be born anew?” So Yeshua said, “The truth is, unless a person is born of water and of the Spirit, they can’t come into the realm of God. What is born of the body is physical; but what is born of the Spirit is spiritual. So don’t be surprised that I said to you, you must be born anew. The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but can’t tell where it comes from, nor where it goes: Everyone that is born of the Spirit is like this.” So Nicodemus asked, “How is this?” And Yeshua answered, “Can you be a leader of Israel, and not know this? The truth is, we speak about what we know, and tell others about what we’ve seen; and you don’t believe us. If I’ve told you about earthly things, and you don’t believe it, how will you believe what I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven, but the One who came down from heaven, even the very One who is in heaven.
[14-17] And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the countryside, I must also be lifted up, so that whoever believes in Me won’t be destroyed, but will have everlasting life. And God, who loved the world so much, gave us the only One Born of God, that whoever believes in the Christ, wouldn’t be destroyed, but would have everlasting life. But God didn’t send the Christ into the world to judge the world; but that the world might be saved through belief in the Christ.
[18-21] Whoever believes on the Christ isn’t damned: but whoever doesn’t believe is already damned, because they haven’t believed in the Name of the only One Born of God. And this is why they’re damned in judgment; the light has come into the world, but humanity loved darkness instead of light, because their actions were evil. Because everyone that does evil things hates the light, and won’t come into the light, or their actions would be discovered. But whoever does what is true comes into the light, so that it is clear to all that their actions have been done in God.”
Jews Question John about Jesus
[22-36] Later, Yeshua came with the followers into the land of Judea; and stayed there with them, and baptized. And John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salem, because there was a lot of water there. So they came, and were baptized, because John hadn’t been put in jail, yet. Then a question came up between some of John’s followers and the Jews about baptism. And they came to John, saying, “Teacher, everyone is going to be baptized by the One who was with you at the Jordan, the One who you told us about.” So John answered, “No one can have anything, unless it’s given to them from heaven. You yourselves know that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I have been sent before the Christ. The One who is getting married gets the spouse: but the best friend, which stands by, celebrates greatly because of the voice of the One who marries: so my joy is complete. The Christ must become more important, but I must become less important. The One who comes from above is above all: and the one who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of earthly things: but the One who comes from heaven is above all. And tells us what has been seen and heard by that One; but no one believes it. But whoever believes what the Christ says, knows that God is true. The One whom God has sent speaks the Words of God because God has given the Spirit in full to the Christ. Yahweh loves Yeshua, and has given everything into the Christ’s hand. Whoever believes on Yeshua the Christ, has everlasting life: and whoever doesn’t believe in the Christ won’t see life; but the judgment of God is on them.”
Woman at the Well and the Samaritans
4 [1-6] Knowing that the religious leaders had heard that Yeshua made and baptized more followers than John, (Though Yeshua didn’t baptize, but only the followers,) the Christ left Judea, and went back to Galilee, going through Samaria. Then they came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob gave to Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there, so Yeshua, being tired from the long walk, sat on the well about noon.
[7-15] Then a woman from Samaria came there to get water: so Yeshua asked her, “Give Me a drink,” (because the followers had gone on to the city to buy food.) Then the woman of Samaria answered, “How come you, being a Jew, ask me to give you a drink, who am a woman from Samaria? Jews don’t have anything to do with Samaritans of mixed-race. So Yeshua answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me a drink; you would have asked of Me, and I would have given you living water.” So the woman said, “Sir, you have nothing to get it with, and the well is deep: so then, where do you have that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank out of it, along with the children and cattle?” So Yeshua answered, “Whoever drinks this water will always thirst again, but whoever drinks the water that I give them will never thirst; but the water that I give them will be in them as a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Then the woman said, “Sir, give me this water, so that I won’t be thirsty, nor have to come here to get it.”
[16-26] And Yeshua said to her, “Go, call your husband and come back here.” But the woman answered, “I don’t have a husband.” So Yeshua said to her, “You said rightly, I don’t have a husband: because you’ve had five husbands; and the one you have now isn’t even your husband: in that you said rightly.” So the woman said, “Sir, I realize now that you’re a great preacher. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain; but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we ought to worship.” So Yeshua said to her, “Woman, believe me, the time is coming, when you won’t worship God on this mountain, nor at Jerusalem. You don’t even know what you worship: but we know what we worship because it is through the Jews that people are saved. But the time is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth because Yahweh God wants worship from this kind of people. God is Spirit: and those who worship God must worship God in spirit and in truth.” Then the woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming, which is called the Christ: and will tell us everything then.” So Yeshua said to her, “I, the One who is speaking to you, am the Christ.”
[27-30] At this time, the followers came, and were amazed that the Christ talked with the woman: but still no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar, and went back into the city, saying to all the people, “Come and see someone who has told me everything that I ever did: isn’t this the Christ?” Then they went out of the city, and came to the Christ.
[31-38] In the mean time, the followers begged Yeshua, saying, “Christ, eat.” But Yeshua answered, “I’ve got food to eat that you don’t know of.” So the followers asked one another, “Has anyone brought Yeshua anything to eat?” And Yeshua answered, “My food is to do what the One who sent Me wants Me to do, and to finish God’s work. So don’t say, ‘There are still four months, and then the harvest will be ready?’ I tell you, look up, and see that the fields are all ready to be harvested. And whoever collects the harvest will get paid, and gathers fruit to everlasting life, so that both those who plant and those who pick it can celebrate together. And this saying is true, One plants, and another picks. I sent you to pick from what you’ve not worked on: other people worked, and you joined them in their work.”
[39-42] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on the Christ because of the Words of the woman, who told us truthfully, “The Christ told me everything that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come, they begged the Christ to stay with them: so the Christ stayed there two days. And many more believed because of the Christ’s own words, who said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your saying, but because we’ve heard the Christ for ourselves, and know for sure that this is the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
The Second Miracle
[43-54] Now after two days the Christ left there, and went into Galilee. And Yeshua told us truthfully, that great preachers have no honor in their own country. Then when the Christ came into Galilee, the Galilaeans accepted Yeshua, having seen everything that the Christ did at Jerusalem at the celebration because they also went to the celebration. So Yeshua came back into Cana of Galilee, where the water was turned to wine. And there was someone of high standing, whose child was sick at Capernaum, who had heard that Yeshua had come out of Judea into Galilee. So this person went to the Christ, and begged the Christ to come down, and heal the child, who was at the point of death. Then Yeshua answered, “Unless you people see signs and amazing things, you won’t believe any other way.” Then the person begged, “Sir, come down or my child will die.” So Yeshua said, “Go now; your child lives.” And that person believed the Words that Yeshua had spoken, and left. And some workers came to the person, who was going back down, saying, “Your child lives;” Who then asked them the time when the child began to get well. And they said, “Yesterday, at one o’clock the fever left the Child.” So the person knew that it was at the very time that Yeshua had said, “Your child lives”: so the whole family believed. This is the second miracle that Yeshua did, when the Christ came out of Judea into Galilee.
Miracle at Bethesda
5 [1-9] Later there was a celebration of the Jews; and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem. Now at Jerusalem, by the animal market, there’s a pool, which is called in the Hebrew language Bethesda, having five columned porches, where a great many people, who were disabled, blind, unable to walk, or had other disabilities, lay waiting for the moving of the water, because whoever stepped in first after the water stirred, was healed of whatever trouble they had when an angel went down at a certain time into the pool, and stirred the water. And there was someone there, who was disabled for thirty-eight years. So when Yeshua saw them lying there, and knew that they had been that way a long time, the Christ asked, “Would you like to become well?” But the helpless person answered, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool: but while I am coming, someone else steps down before me.” Then Yeshua said, “Get up, pick up your bed, and walk.” And suddenly the person was healed, and picked up their bed, and walked. That day was on the Seventh Day.
[10-16] So the Jews said to the one that was healed, “You can’t carry your bed; It’s a Day of Worship!” And that person answered, the One who made me well told me, “Pick up your bed, and walk.” Then they asked, “Who said to you, ‘Pick up your bed, and walk?’” And the one who was healed didn’t know who it was because Yeshua had left from the crowd that was there. But later, Yeshua saw that person in the Place of Worship, and said, “Now that you’re well: don’t sin any more, or something worse may come to you.” Then the person went and told the Jews that it was Yeshua who had done it, so the Jews mistreated Yeshua, and looked for a way to kill the Christ, because it had been done on a Day of Worship.
Christ’s Judgment and the Afterlife
[17-29] So Yeshua told them, “The One I came from has been working until now, so I have been working.” So the Jews looked for a way to kill the Christ all the more, because Yeshua hadn’t only broken the law of the Day of Worship, but said also, “I am from God”, which made Yeshua equal with God. Then Yeshua answered, saying, “The truth is, I can’t do anything of Myself, but what I see God do, I do, because whatever God does, I do in the same way. God loves Me, and shows Me everything that is done: and God will show Me greater things than these, so that you can wonder about it. Just as God brings the dead to life again, and gives them the breath of life; in the same way I’ll give life to whoever I want. God judges no one, but has given all judgment to Me, so that all people would honor Me, just as they honor God. Whoever doesn’t honor Me doesn’t honor God, who has sent Me. The truth is, whoever hears My Word, and believes on the One who sent Me, has everlasting life, and won’t be damned to Hell, but will go from death to life. The truth is, the time is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Christ of God: and those who hear will live. As God is life; so God has given Me life in Myself, and has given Me power to give judgment also, because I am the Christ. Don’t wonder about this because the time is coming, in which those who are dead in their graves will hear My voice, and will come out; those who have done good will come to life again and live; and those who have done evil will be damned in the afterlife.
The Four Witnesses
[30-35] I can do nothing of My own self: but as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is fair, because I don’t do what I want, but what the God who has sent Me wants. If I only give witness of Myself, My witness isn’t true. But there’s another that tells the truth about Me; and I know that this witness of Me is true. You sent to John, who gave witness of the truth, though I don’t accept what a person says: but I say this that you might be saved. John was a burning and shining light: and for a while you wanted to celebrate in that light.
[36-38] But there’s a greater witness of Me than John because the work that My God has given Me to finish, the very things that I do, are a truthful witness of Me, that I have been sent by God. And My God, who has sent Me, has given witness of Me. You haven’t even heard the voice of God once, nor seen what God looks like. And you don’t have God’s Word in you because you don’t believe the One God has sent to you.
[39-47] You search the Words because you think you have everlasting life in them: but they’re the very words which tell of Me. But you won’t come to Me, that you might have life. I get no honor from you people. But I know that you don’t have God’s love in you. I am come in the Name of God, and you don’t accept Me: but if someone else comes in their own name, you’ll accept them. How can you believe, who get honor from one another, but don’t want the honor that comes from God? And don’t think that I’ll accuse you to God: but there’s one who does accuse you, Moses, the very one in whom you trust. If you had believed Moses, you would have believed Me because Moses wrote of Me. But if you don’t believe those Writings, how will you believe My Words?”
The Bread and Fish
6 [1-14] Later, Yeshua sailed across the sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a great crowd followed along, because they saw all the amazing things which the Christ did for those who were diseased. So Yeshua went up on a mountain, and sat there with the followers, the Passover, a celebration of the Jews, being near. Then when Yeshua looked up, and saw a great many coming to them, the Christ said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread, so that they can eat?” But the Christ said this to test them, already knowing what would happen. Then Philip answered, “More than half a year’s wage worth of bread isn’t enough, even if everyone takes just a little.” Then another of the followers, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, “There’s a little boy here, who has five loaves of barley bread, and two little fish: but how can they feed so many?” Then Yeshua said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a lot of grass in that place, so the people sat down, which numbered about five thousand. Yeshua took the loaves; and when the Christ had given thanks, gave it to the followers, and the followers to those who were sitting down; and they all had as much of the bread and the fish as they wanted. Then when they were full, the Christ said to the followers, “Gather up the scraps that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.” So they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the scraps of the five barley loaves, which were over and above what had been eaten. And the people, when they had seen the miracle that Yeshua did, said, “It’s true, this is the great preacher that was to come into the world!”
The Christ Walks on the Water
[15-21] So realizing that the people would come, making the Christ their Ruler by force, Yeshua went back up on a mountain alone. When evening came, the followers went down to the sea, got in a ship, and rowed across the sea toward Capernaum. It was dark, but Yeshua still hadn’t come to them. Then the waves rose up from a storm wind. And when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Yeshua walking on the water, and coming near the ship: so they were very afraid. But the Christ called out, “It’s Me; don’t be afraid.” Then they willingly took the Christ into the ship: and the ship was suddenly at the land where they were heading.
[22-24] The next day, the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one that the followers had come in, and that Yeshua hadn’t got into the boat and left with the followers, because the followers had left alone. But other boats had come from Tiberias, near the place where they ate the bread, after the Christ had given thanks. So when the people saw that Yeshua wasn’t there, nor the followers, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, looking for Yeshua.
Bread From Heaven
[25-29] And when they had found the Christ on the other side of the sea, they asked, “Teacher, when did you come here?” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, you look for Me, not because you saw the amazing things, but because you ate the bread, and were filled. But don’t just work for the food that ruins, but for the spiritual food that lasts to everlasting life, which I’ll give to you because I have the blessing of My God.” Then they asked, “What do we need to do, so that we might do the work of God?” And Yeshua answered, saying to them, “The work of God is that you believe on the One who God has sent.”
[30-40] Then they asked the Christ, “What sign will you show us then that we can see, and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the bread from heaven in the desert; as the Word says, God gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Then Yeshua answered, “The truth is, Moses didn’t give you that bread from heaven; but My God gives you the true bread from heaven, because the bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” Then they said, “Christ, give us this bread to have forever.” And Yeshua answered, “I am that bread of life: whoever comes to Me will never hunger; and whoever believes on Me will never thirst. But I say to you that even though you’ve seen Me, you still don’t believe. Everyone that God gives Me will come to Me; and I won’t ever put out those who come to Me, because I came down from heaven, not to do what I want, but what the One who sent Me wants. And this is what God who has sent Me wants; that I would lose none of all I have been given, but would bring them to life again at the last day. And this is what the One who sent Me wants, that everyone who sees and believes on the Christ, will have everlasting life: and I’ll bring them to life at the last day.”
[41-45] Then the Jews spoke against the Christ for saying, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Isn’t this Yeshua, the Child of Joseph, whose parents we know? Why then does Yeshua say, I came down from heaven?” So Yeshua said to them, “Don’t whisper among yourselves. No one can come to Me, unless the God who sent Me calls them: and I’ll bring them to life at the last day. It’s written in the Words of the great preachers, ‘and they’ll all be taught of God.’ So everyone that has heard, and learned of God, comes to Me.
[46-51] Not that anyone has seen God; but the only One who has seen God is the One who is of God. The truth is, whoever believes on Me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your ancestors ate the bread from heaven in the countryside, and are dead now. But this is the bread which comes down from heaven, which when someone accepts it, they won’t die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if anyone eats this bread, they’ll live forever: and the bread that I give is My body, which I give for the life of the whole world.”
[52-58] So the Jews argued among themselves, saying, “How can someone give us their body to eat?” Then Yeshua answered, “The truth is, unless you eat of My body, and drink of My blood, you won’t have life in you. Whoever eats My body, and drinks My blood, has everlasting life; and I’ll bring them to life at the last day. The truth is, My body is spiritual food, and My blood is spiritual drink. Whoever accepts My body, and My blood, lives in Me, and I in them. As the Living God has sent Me, and I live by God, so, whoever is fed by Me, will live by Me. This is that bread which came down from heaven. Not as your ancestors ate the bread from heaven, and are dead, but whoever eats of this bread will live forever.”
[59-65] The Christ said this in the Place of Worship, while teaching in Capernaum. So many of the followers, when they had heard this, said, “This is hard to hear; who can understand it?” And when Yeshua knew that the followers spoke against it, the Christ asked, “Does this offend you? What if you see Me go up to where I came from? It’s the Spirit that gives life; the body is good for nothing: I speak to you with Life-giving words, which are spirit. But there are some of you who still don’t believe.” And Yeshua, knowing from the beginning who wouldn’t believe, knew who it was that would hand the Christ over. So Christ said, “So I said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless they were called by My God.”
Peter’s Confession
[66-71] From then on many of the followers went back home, and didn’t follow along any more. So Yeshua asked the twelve, “Will you go away, too?” Then Simon Peter answered, “Christ, who would we go to? Only You speak the Words of everlasting life. We believe and are sure that You’re the Christ, the One Born of the Living God.” So Yeshua said, “Didn’t I choose the twelve of you, and even one of you has an evil spirit?” Yeshua spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, because it was him who would hand over the Christ, being one of the twelve.
The Unbelief of Christ’s Family
7 [1-9] Later, Yeshua walked in Galilee, not going in the towns of the Jews, because they waited for a chance to kill the Christ. Now, it was the Jews’ celebration of harvest huts, so some of the Christ’s family members said, “Leave here, and go to Judea, so that your followers there can also see what you’ve done and what you do, because no one does anything in secret, who wants to become known to the public. If you really do these things, show yourself to the world.” Not even Yeshua’s own family members believed in the Christ. Then Yeshua answered, “My time isn’t here yet: but your time is always right now. The world doesn’t hate you; but it hates Me, because I tell them that what they’ve done is evil. Go on up to this celebration: but I won’t go now because it’s not My time yet.” So the Christ told them this and stayed behind in Galilee.
The Heavenly Teacher
[10-13] But when they had gone on up, the Christ went up also to the celebration, though not in the open, but in secret. The Jews were looking for the Christ at the celebration, saying, “Where is that One?” And everyone was whispering about the Christ, some saying, “The Christ is a good person”, and others saying, “No; but this One misleads the people.” But no one spoke openly of the Christ for fear of the Jews.
[14-19] Now about the middle of the celebration Yeshua went up into the Place of Worship, and was teaching. And the Jews were wondering, saying, “How does this person understand letters, having never been taught?” So Yeshua answered, saying, “My teaching isn’t Mine, but is from the One that sent Me. If anyone wants to do what God wants, they’ll know whether these words are of God, or whether I speak for Myself. Whoever speaks for themselves looks for their own praise; but whoever wants praise for the One who sent them, this person is true, and no ungodliness is in them. Didn’t Moses give you the Word of God, and still none of you keep it? Why do you go about trying to kill Me?”
[20-24] So the people answered, “You’ve got an evil spirit: who is going around trying to kill you?” So Yeshua said to them, “I’ve done one work, and you all wonder. Moses gave you the practice of cutting the flesh of the foreskin, not because it’s of Moses, but of the ancestors, and you even cut the flesh of people on a Day of Worship. If someone can be cut on a Day of Worship, so that the Words of Moses won’t be broken; why are you angry at Me, because I’ve made someone well on a Day of Worship? Don’t judge by the way something appears, but use good sense.”
[25-31] Then some of those from Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this the One they want to kill? But this person speaks without fear, and they don’t say anything. Do the rulers really know that this is the very Christ? But we know where this person comes from; and no one will know where the Christ comes from.” Then Yeshua called out in the Place of Worship while teaching, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from: I am not come of Myself, but the One who sent Me is true, whom you don’t know. But I know this One because I am from God, and God has sent Me.” Then they looked for a way to take the Christ; but no one dared, because it wasn’t the right time. And many of the people believed on the Christ, asking, “When the Christ comes, will anyone do more amazing things than what this person has done?”
The Living Water
[32-39] The religious leaders heard the people whispering these things; and they sent officers to take the Christ. Then Yeshua said, “For a little while yet, I am with you, and then I’ll go to the One who sent Me. You’ll look for Me, but won’t find Me; and where I am, you can’t come.” Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where can Yeshua go, that we can’t find? To those scattered among the other peoples, and teach them? What kind of saying is this, ‘You’ll look for Me, and won’t find Me’; and ‘Where I am, there you can’t come?’ So in the last day, the greatest day of the celebration, Yeshua stood up and called out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to Me, and drink of My Words. Whoever believes on Me, as the Word has said, ‘Out of their spirit will flow rivers of living water.” (But Yeshua spoke this of the Holy Spirit, which hadn’t yet been given to those who would believe on the Christ, who hadn’t been raised from the dead yet.)
[40-44] So many of the people, when they heard this saying, said, “It’s true, this is the Great Preacher.” But others said, “This is the Christ.” And some asked, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Hasn’t the Word said that the Christ comes from the line of David, from the town of Bethlehem, where David was born?” So there was a disagreement among the people about the Christ. Some of them would have taken the Christ; but no one dared .
[45-53] Then the officers went back to the leading priests and the religious leaders; and they asked, “Why haven’t you brought Yeshua?” The officers said, “No one has ever spoken like this person.” Then the religious leaders asked them, “Have you also lost your minds? Have any of the rulers or the religious leaders believed this person? But these people who don’t know the Word of God are cursed.” And Nicodemus said, (the one who came to Yeshua by night, being one of them) “Does our law judge anyone, before it hears them, and knows what’s been done?” So they asked, “Are you also of Galilee? Search, and see that no great preacher comes out of Galilee.” And everyone left and went home.
The Woman Caught in Sexual Sin
8 [1-11] Then Yeshua went to the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning Yeshua came into the Place of Worship again, so all the people came and sat down, and the Christ taught them. Then the religious leaders and those from the religious sects brought to Yeshua a woman caught in the act of sexual sin; and when they had put her in the middle of the room, they said to Yeshua, “Teacher, this woman was caught in sexual sin, in the very act. Now Moses in the Word of God told us, that these kinds of people must be stoned to death, but what do You say?” But they said this, tempting Yeshua, so that they would have something in which to accuse the Christ. But Yeshua bent over, and with a finger wrote on the ground as though not hearing them. So when they asked the Christ again, Yeshua stood up, answering them, “Whoever has never sinned among you, let them be the first to throw a stone at her.” And Yeshua bent over again, and wrote on the ground. And those who heard it, being convicted by their own consciences, went out one by one, from the oldest, even to the last youngest: and Yeshua was left alone, with the woman standing in the middle of the room. So when Yeshua got up, seeing no one but the woman, the Christ said to her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one accused you?” So she answered, “No one, Christ.” And Yeshua said to her, “Nor do I accuse you. Go, but don’t sin anymore.”
The Light of the World
[12-18] Then Yeshua spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me won’t walk in darkness, but will have light for the way of life.” So the religious leaders said, “Just because you say so, doesn’t make it true.” So Yeshua answered, “Though I say so Myself, still My record is true because I know where I came from, and where I go; but you can’t tell where I came from, nor where I go. You judge by what you see; I judge no one. But still if I judge, My judgment is true because I am not alone, but it is I and the One who sent Me. It’s also written in your law, that if two people say something is true, then it’s the truth. I am One that says what I say of Myself is true, and the One that sent Me tells the truth about Me, too.”
[19-27] Then they asked, “Where is the One who sent You?” So Yeshua answered, “You neither know Me, nor the One who sent Me. If you had known Me, you would have known the One who sent Me also.” These words Yeshua spoke in the treasury room, while teaching in the Place of Worship, so no one tried to take the Christ because it wasn’t the right time yet. Then Yeshua said to them again, “I go away, and you’ll look for Me, but will die in your sins; and where I go, you can’t come.” Then the Jews asked, “Will you kill yourself?” for saying, “Where I go, you can’t come.” Christ answered, “You’re from below; I am from above. You’re of this world; but I am not of this world. So I said to you, that you’ll die in your sins because if you don’t believe that I am the Christ, you’ll die without forgiveness for your sins.” Then they asked, “Who are you?” So Yeshua answered, “The One who I said I was from the beginning. I have many things to say about you and to judge: but the One who sent Me is true; and I tell the world only what I’ve heard from that One.” But they didn’t understand that the Christ spoke to them of God.
The Truth will Make You Free
[28-32] Then Yeshua said, “When you’ve lifted Me up, then you’ll know that I am the Christ, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My God has told Me, I say this. And the One who sent Me is with Me. God hasn’t left Me alone because I always do what pleases God.” As Yeshua said these words, many believed on the Christ. Then Yeshua said to the Jews who believed, “If you stay in My Word, then you are My true followers; and you’ll know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
[33-47] And they answered, “We’re of Abraham’s family, and have never served anyone, so how can you say, ‘You’ll become free?’” So Yeshua answered, “The truth is, whoever is doing sinful things is the servant of that sin. And the servant doesn’t live in the house forever, but only the true Child lives there forever. So if the Child makes you free, you’ll be truly free. I know that you’re of Abraham’s family; but you try to kill Me, because you don’t accept My Word. I say only what I’ve seen with the One I came from; and you do what you’ve seen with who you came from.” Then they said, “We come from Abraham.” But Yeshua answered, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do what you’ve seen of Abraham. But now you try to kill Me, because I have told you the truth, which I’ve heard of God. Abraham didn’t do like this. You do what the One you came from does.” Then they said, “We weren’t born of unfaithfulness; we’ve come from only One, who is God.” So Yeshua said, “If God was who you came from, you would love Me because I came from God; nor did I come of Myself, but God sent Me. Why don’t you understand what I say? It’s because you can’t hear My Words. You come from the devil, and what the devil wants, you’ll do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and didn’t stay in the truth, because there’s no truth in the devil. When someone tells a lie, it’s spoken out of themselves because they’re a liar, and the one they’re from is a liar, too. And because what I say is true, you don’t believe Me. Who of you can prove Me a sinner? And if I speak the truth, why don’t you believe Me? Whoever is of God hears the Word of God, so you who can’t hear them, aren’t of God.”
[48-59] Then the Jews said, “Didn’t we say rightly that you’re a Samaritan, and have an evil spirit?” Then Yeshua answered, “I don’t have an evil spirit; but I honor My God, and you dishonor Me. And I don’t want praise for Myself: but there’s One who wants it and judges. The truth is, if anyone keeps My Word, they won’t see death.” Then the Jews said, “Now we know that you have an evil spirit. Abraham is dead, and all the great preachers; and you say, ‘If someone keeps My Word, they won’t see death.’ Are you greater than our ancestor Abraham, who is dead, and the great preachers who are dead? Who do you think you are?” And Yeshua answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It’s My God that honors Me; who you say is your God, yet you don’t know God. But I know God: and if I were to say, I don’t know God, I’d be a liar like you: but I know God, and keep God’s Word. Your ancestor Abraham wanted to see My day, and saw it, and was happy.” Then the Jews said, “You aren’t even fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” And Yeshua answered, “The truth is, before Abraham was, I Am.” Then they picked up stones to throw at Yeshua, but the Christ hid, and so passed by, going through the middle of them, and went out of the Place of Worship.
One Born Blind Healed
9 [1-7] And passing by, Yeshua saw someone who was blind from birth. And the followers asked, “Christ, who sinned, this person, or the parents, to cause this blindness at birth?” So Yeshua said, “Neither has this person, nor the parents sinned; but it happened so that God’s work would be seen in him. I must do the work of the One who sent Me, while there’s still time. The time is coming, when it’ll be too late to work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light that shows the way to the world.” And after saying this, the Christ spat on the ground, and made clay out of the spit, rubbing it on the eyes of the person who was blind, and saying, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,” (which means, sent). So the person who was blind left, and washed, and came back seeing.
[8-12] So the neighbors, and those who had seen this person before, said, “Isn’t this the one who sat and begged?” Some said, “Yes, it is;” but others said, “It looks like the one who was blind.” So the one who had been blind said, “It’s me.” So they asked, “How can you see?” So he answered, “Someone named Yeshua made clay, and rubbed it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash;’ so I went and washed, and I could see.” But when they asked, “Where is this One?” he said, “I don’t know.”
[13-17] Then they brought the one who had been blind to the religious leaders, because it was a Day of Worship when Yeshua had made the clay, and healed his eyes. So the religious leaders asked him, “How are you able to see?” who answered, “Yeshua put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.” So some of the religious leaders said, “Yeshua isn’t of God, because this person doesn’t keep the Day of Worship.” But others said, “How can someone that is a sinner do such amazing things?” So there was a disagreement among them. Then they asked the one who had been blind, “What do you think of this person that has made you see?” who answered, “Yeshua is a great preacher.”
[18-23] But the Jews didn’t believe that this person had been blind, and could now see, until they called the parents of the one whose eyes had been healed. They asked them, saying, “Is this your child, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” And they answered, “We know that this is our child, who was born blind, but as to how, we don’t know; or who has done it, we don’t know: ask him; we don’t need to speak for someone who’s an adult now.” They said this, because they were afraid of the Jews, and because the Jews had already agreed that if anyone said that Yeshua was the Christ, they would be put out of the Place of Worship. So they said, “Our child is old enough to speak for himself.”
[24-34] Then they called the one that had been blind again, saying, “Give God the praise: we know that this person is a sinner;” who answered, “Whether this One is a sinner or not, I don’t know: but one thing I know, that I was blind, and now I see.” Then they asked again, “What did Yeshua do to you? How are your eyes able to see?” And he answered, “I’ve told you already, and you didn’t listen, so why do you want to hear it again? Will you also become followers?” Then they hated him, and said, “You’re the follower; but we’re followers of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses: as for Yeshua, we don’t know where this person is from.” Then he asked them, “Why is this so important, that you don’t know from where Yeshua is from, who has still healed my eyes? Now we know that God doesn’t hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does what God’s wants, God hears them. Since the world began, it has never been heard that someone healed the eyes of one that was born blind. If Yeshua isn’t of God, how could this person do anything?” But they answered, “You were fully born in sin, and you dare to teach us?” And they put him out.
[35-41] And Yeshua, who had heard that they had put that person out, found him, and asked, “Do you believe on the Child of God?” So that person asked, “Who is it, that I might believe on them?” And Yeshua said, “You’ve already seen them, and it’s the One who is speaking to you, now.” So he said, “Christ, I believe!” and bowed and worshipped Yeshua. And Yeshua said, “I am come into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see might see; and that those who see might become blind.” And some of the religious leaders which were with them heard this, and asked, “Are we blind also?” So Yeshua answered, “If you didn’t understand you wouldn’t be sinning; but since you say, “We understand; you are sinning.”
The Good Keeper
10 [1-6] “The truth is, whoever doesn’t come in by the gate into the pen, but climbs up some other way is a thief and a burglar. But the One who comes in by the gate is the Keeper of the animals. The gatekeeper opens the gate for the Keeper; and the animals hear the Keeper’s voice: who calls their own animals by name, and leads them out. And the Keeper who lets out the animals, goes before them, and the animals follow because they know their Keeper’s voice. The animals won’t follow a stranger, but will run away from them because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” Yeshua told this story to them, but they didn’t understand what the story meant.
[7-18] Then Yeshua said again, “The truth is, I am the gate for the animals. Whoever has come before Me are thieves and burglars; but the animals didn’t go to them. I am the gate, so if anyone comes in by Me, they’ll be saved, and will go in and out, and find land. The thief only comes to steal, kill, and hurt: I am come so that they’ll have life, and that they’ll have the best life possible. I am the Good Keeper, and the Good Keeper gives their own life for their animals. But whoever is a hired hand and not the Keeper, who doesn’t own the animals, and sees the wolf coming, will leave the animals, and run away. Then the wolf takes some, and scatters all the other animals. The hired hand runs away, because they’re a hired hand and doesn’t really care about the animals. I am the Good Keeper, and know My animals, and I am known by those who are Mine. As God knows Me, in the same way I know God; and I give My life for those who are Mine. And I have others, which aren’t from this pen. I must also bring them, and they’ll know My voice; and there will be one pen, and One Keeper. My God loves Me, because I give My life, so that I might live again. No one takes it from Me, but I give it Myself. I have the power to give it, and I have the power to take it again. I have this promise from My God.”
[19-21] So there was another disagreement among the Jews because of these stories. And many of them said, “Yeshua has an evil spirit, and is crazy; why do you listen to that One?” But others said, “These aren’t the Words of someone who has an evil spirit. Can an evil spirit make someone who is blind see?”
One Being
[22-30] And it was the celebration of the dedication at Jerusalem, during the winter, when Yeshua walked in the Place of Worship in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews came to the Christ, saying, “How long will you make us doubt? If you’re the Christ, tell us clearly?” So Yeshua answered, “I’ve told you already, and you didn’t believe Me: what I do in Yahweh’s Name, is a truthful witnesses of Me. But you don’t believe, because you aren’t Mine, as I said to you. Those who are Mine hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give them everlasting life; and they’ll never die, nor will anyone take them out of My hand. My God, which gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to take them out of My God’s hand. Yahweh God and I are One Being.”
[31-38] Then the Jews picked up stones again, wanting to kill the Christ. So Yeshua said, “I’ve shown you many good works from My God, so for which of them do you stone Me?” And the Jews answered, “We don’t stone you for a good work; but for disrespect of God; and because you, being human, make yourself God.” Then Yeshua asked, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you’re gods?’ If God called them gods, to whom the Word of God came, and that Word can’t be broken; How can you say of the One, who God has set apart, and sent into the world, You show disrespect for God; because I said, I am the Child of God? If I don’t do what is of My God, then don’t believe Me. But if I do, even if you don’t believe Me, believe what I’ve done: so that you can know, and believe that God is in Me, and I am in God.”
[39-42] So they looked for a way to take Yeshua again: but the Christ escaped from them and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John first baptized; and stayed there. And many came to Christ, saying, “John didn’t do any miracle, but everything that John said of You was true.” So many believed on the Christ there.
Lazarus Brought Back to Life
11 [1-6] Now someone named Lazarus was sick, who was of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was the same Mary who anointed the Christ with perfume, and wiped the Christ’s feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) So Lazarus’s sisters sent word to Yeshua, saying, “Christ, the one you love is sick.” But hearing that, Yeshua said, “This sickness won’t end in death, but is for God’s praise, that the Child of God might be made known by this.” Now Yeshua loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus, but hearing that Lazarus was sick, the Christ stayed two more days in the place they were at.
[7-16] Then after that, the Christ said to the followers, “Let’s go into Judea again.” And the followers asked, “Christ, the Jews were just looking for a way to kill You; and You want to go there again?” So Yeshua answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day? If someone waits to walk in the daylight, they won’t stumble, because they see the light of the world. But if someone goes ahead and walks in the darkness of night, they’ll stumble, because they have no light.” Then the Christ said, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping; but I go, so that I can wake him up.” Then the followers said, “Christ, if he’s sleeping, that’s good.” The Christ had spoken of the death of Lazarus, but they thought that Yeshua had spoken of resting in sleep, so Yeshua said clearly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am happy for your sakes that I wasn’t there, so that you can believe; So let’s go.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to the followers, “Let’s go, too, that we may die with Yeshua.”
[17-27] Then when Yeshua got there, the Christ found out that Lazarus had been in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was very near, only about two miles away from Jerusalem, so many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them about their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard who was coming, went and met Yeshua, but Mary still stayed in the house. And Martha said to Yeshua, “Christ, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died, but I know, that even now, whatever you ask of God, God will give it to You.” So Yeshua said to her, “Your brother will come to life again.” Then Martha said, “I know that he will come to life again in the new life at the last day.” But Yeshua said to her, “I am the One who gives life again; I am the new life. Whoever believes in Me, even though they were dead, they’ll still live; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” And she said, “Yes, Christ: I believe that You’re the Christ, the Child of God, the One who would come into the world.”
[28-35] And when she had said this, she went, and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher is here, and wants you.” And as soon as she heard that, Mary quickly got up, going to the Christ. Now Yeshua hadn’t come into the town yet, but was still there where they had met. Then the Jews who were with Mary in the house, and comforted her, when they saw her suddenly get up and go out, followed her, saying, “She’s going to the grave to cry there.” Then when Mary came to where Yeshua was, and saw the Christ, she bowed down at the Christ’s feet, saying, “Christ, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” So when Yeshua saw her crying, and the Jews who came with her also crying, the Christ mourned in the spirit, and was upset, and said, “Where have you laid Lazarus?” So they said, “Christ, come and see.” And Yeshua cried.
[36-46] Then the Jews said, “Look how much Yeshua loved him!” And some of them said, “Couldn’t this person, which opened the eyes of those who are blind, have kept this person from dying?” So Yeshua, mourning in the spirit again, came to the grave, which had a stone covering it. Then Yeshua said, “Take away the stone.” But Martha, the sister of the one who was dead, said, “Christ, by this time he stinks, being dead for four days.” So Yeshua said to her, “Didn’t I say to you, that if you’d believe, you’d see the victory of God?” Then they moved the stone from the cave where the body was laid. Yeshua looked up, saying, “God, I thank You that You’ve heard Me. I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people here, I said it, so that they can believe that You’ve sent Me.” After that, the Christ called out loudly, saying, “Lazarus, come out.” And the one who was dead came out, tied up hand and foot with graveclothes, and whose face was tied up with a cloth. So Yeshua said, “Untie him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Yeshua did, believed on the Christ. But some of them went to the religious leaders, and told them what Yeshua had done.
The Leading Priest Foretells Yeshua’s Death
[47-54] Then the leading priests and the religious leaders gathered a court, saying, “What do we do? Yeshua does so many amazing things. If we let this go on, everyone will believe in this One: and the Romans will come and take us out of our place and destroy our nation.” And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the leading priest that year, answered, “You don’t know anything at all, nor know that it’s necessary for us, that One person dies for the people, so that the whole nation won’t be destroyed.” And he didn’t speak this of himself, but being the leading priest that year, he foretold that Yeshua was about to die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but also so that the Christ would gather together the children of God that were scattered about into one family. Then from that day on, they planned together to put the Christ to death. So Yeshua didn’t walk among the Jews openly anymore; but left there to a place near the countryside, into a city called Ephraim, and stayed there with the followers.
[55-57] And the Jews’ Passover was near, so many went from the countryside up to Jerusalem for the Passover, to purify themselves. Then they looked for Yeshua, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the Place of Worship, “Do you think that Yeshua will come to the celebration at all?” because both the leading priests and the religious leaders had given a word, that if anyone knew where Yeshua was, to tell them, so that they could catch the Christ.
The Anointing of Yeshua at Bethany
12 [1-8] Then six days before the Passover, Yeshua came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead but was brought back to life again by the Christ. And Martha was serving them supper there, and Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with the Christ. Then Mary, who had taken a pound of perfumed oil of spikenard, which was very expensive, anointed the feet of Yeshua, wiping them with her hair; and the whole house was filled with the smell of the perfume. Then one of the followers, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who was about to hand over the Christ, said “This perfume could’ve been sold for almost a year’s wage; Why wasn’t it sold and given to those who are poor?” But he said this, not that he cared for those who are poor; but because he was a thief, and took some of what was put in the moneybag. Then Yeshua said, “Leave her alone; she’s done this for the day of My burial. You’ll always have those who are poor with you; but you won’t always have Me.”
The Plan to Kill Lazarus
[9-11] Many people of the Jews knew that the Christ was there: but they didn’t come for Yeshua’s sake only, but to see Lazarus also, whom the Christ had raised from the dead. So the leading priests planned to put Lazarus to death, as well, because many of the Jews went away, and believed on Yeshua because of him.
The Entry into Jerusalem
[12-19] On the next day many people that had come to the celebration, when they heard that Yeshua was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet the Christ, and called out, “Save us now! Blessed is the Ruler of Israel that comes in the Name of Yahweh.” And when Yeshua had found a young donkey, and sat on it; as the Word says, “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion: your Ruler comes, sitting on an donkey’s foal.” The followers didn’t understand this at the time, but when Yeshua came to life again, they remembered that this was written about the Christ, and that this had happened. So the people that were there when the Christ called Lazarus out of the grave, and brought him back from the dead, told everyone about it. Because of this, the people also came out, because they had heard that the Christ had done this miracle. Then the religious leaders said among themselves, “Don’t you know that you haven’t done a thing? The whole world is following after this Yeshua!”
[20-22] And there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the celebration. And one of them came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked, saying, “Sir, we want to see Yeshua.” So Philip went and told Andrew, and then Andrew and Philip went together and told Yeshua.
The Seed of Grain
[23-27] But Yeshua said, “It’s time for Me to die now and come back to life. The truth is, unless a grain of wheat is put into the ground and dies, it’s only one grain; but if it dies, it will make much more. Whoever loves their life will lose it; and whoever hates their life in this world will keep it to everlasting life. If anyone wants to serve Me, let them follow Me; Where I am, My worker will be there also. If anyone serves Me, My God will honor them. My soul is uneasy now; but what can I say? God, save Me from this time: No, but I came to this time for this very reason.”
Yahweh Speaks from Heaven
[28-36] “Yahweh God, bring praise to Your Name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I’ve both made it known, and will make it known again.” And some of the people that stood by, heard it, and said that it had thundered, but others said, “An angel spoke to Yeshua.” So Yeshua said, “This voice didn’t come because of Me, but for your sakes. Now, this world will come to judgment, and then, the ruler of this world will be put out. And if I am lifted up from the earth, I’ll draw all people to Myself.” And this was said to signify how the Christ was to die. So the people asked, “But we’ve heard out of the Word of God that the Christ lives forever, so why do you say, ‘I must be lifted up?’ What are you talking about?” Then Yeshua answered, “The Light is with you for just a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light, in case darkness overcomes you; because whoever walks in darkness doesn’t know where they’re going. Believe in the Light, while you have it, so that you can be the children of Light.” After speaking this, the Christ went and hid from them.
The Blindness of Unbelievers
[37-43] Even though the Christ had done so many amazing things for them, many still didn’t believe on Yeshua; so that the word of Isaiah the great preacher would happen, which said, “God, who has believed us? And to whom has the strength of Yahweh God been made known?” So they couldn’t believe, because Isaiah had said again, “God has blinded their eyes, and made their hearts full of doubt; so that they don’t see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be changed, and healed.” Isaiah said this when he saw God’s glory, and spoke of it. But in the same way, many among the leading rulers believed on the Christ; but loving the praise of others more than the praise of God, and because of the religious leaders, they didn’t say so or they would be put out of the Place of Worship.
Judgment on Those Who Reject Christ
[44-50] Then Yeshua said, “Whoever believes on Me, doesn’t believe on Me only, but on the One who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I am come like a light into the world, so that whoever believes on Me wouldn’t live in darkness. And if anyone hears My Words, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge them because I didn’t come to judge the world, but to save the world. Yet, whoever rejects Me, and doesn’t accept My Words, will be judged by the Word that I’ve spoken, which will judge them in the last day; because I haven’t spoken of Myself; but of the God who sent Me, who gave Me a Word, what I would say, and what I would speak. And I know that God’s Word is everlasting life, so whatever I speak, I say just as God told Me.”
Washing the Feet of the Followers
13 [1-5] Before the celebration of the Passover, knowing that the time had come to leave this world and go back to God, the Christ loved the people of God, which were in the world, to the end. Now supper being over, the devil’s spirit put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to hand over the Christ. And knowing that God had put everything into the Christ’s own hands, and that the Christ came from God, and went to God; Yeshua arose from supper, and with clothes laid aside, took a towel, and got ready; pouring water into a basin, and began to wash the followers’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel to get them ready.
[6-17] Then as the Christ came to Simon Peter: Peter asked, “Christ, are you going to wash my feet?” So Yeshua answered, “What I do you don’t know now; but you’ll understand afterwards.” But Peter said, “You’re not washing my feet.” So Yeshua said, “If I don’t wash your feet, you can have nothing to do with Me.” So then Simon Peter said, “Christ, then don’t wash my feet only, but my hands and my head, as well!” And Yeshua said, “Whoever is washed only needs to wash their feet, but is clean everywhere else: and you’re clean, but you aren’t all clean.” And knowing who would hand over the Christ; Yeshua had said, “You aren’t all clean.” So the Christ, who had washed their feet, and dressed, and sat down again, asked, “Do you know what I’ve done to you? You call Me Teacher and Christ: and you say well, because so I am. If then, being your Teacher and Christ, I’ve washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, because I’ve given you an example, that you would do as I’ve done to you. The truth is, the worker isn’t greater than the owner; nor is the One who is sent greater than the One who sent them. If you know this and do it, you’ll be happy.
Yeshua Identifies Judas
[18-22] I don’t speak of you all. I know whom I’ve chosen; but so that this Word will happen, ‘The one who eats bread with Me is ready to kick Me down;’ I tell you before it comes, so that when it’s happened, you can believe that I am the One. The truth is, whoever accepts the one I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.” Having said this, being uneasy in spirit, Yeshua told us truthfully, saying, “I am telling you the truth, that one of you will hand Me over.” Then the followers looked at one another, wondering who the Christ spoke about.
[23-30] Now there was one of the followers leaning on the Christ, whom Yeshua loved. So Simon Peter waved to him, to ask who it was of whom the Christ had spoken. Then, leaning back on Yeshua, he asked, “Christ, who is it?” And Yeshua answered, “It’s the one that I’ll give a piece of bread, when I’ve dipped it.” And the Christ dipped a piece of bread, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the piece of bread was dipped, Satan overcame him. Then Yeshua said, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why the Christ had said this to him, some of them thinking, because Judas had the moneybag, that Yeshua had said to buy what was needed for the celebration; or, to give something to those who are poor. Then having taken the piece of bread, Judas suddenly went out, it being night.
The New Word
[31-35] So, when he had gone out, Yeshua said, “Now I’ll be made known, and God will be made known in Me. If God be made known in Me, God will also make Me known in God’s own self, and will make Me known soon. Little children, I am with you for just a little while longer. You’ll look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I go, you can’t come’; so now I tell you. A New Word I give to you, that you love one another; Just as I’ve loved you, you also love one another. If you love one another, by this, all people will know that you’re My followers.”
Peter’s Denial Foretold
[36-38] Simon Peter asked, “Christ, where are You going?” And Yeshua answered, “Where I go, you can’t follow Me now; but you’ll follow Me later.” Then Peter said, “Christ, why can’t I follow you now? I’ll give my own life for Your sake.” So Yeshua asked, “Will you really give your life for My sake? The truth is, the rooster won’t crow, till you’ve said you don’t even know Me three times.”
No One Comes to God but by Me
14 [1-7] “Don’t let your hearts be upset by anything: If you believe in God, believe in Me, too. There are many places to live in My God’s house: I’d have told you if it weren’t true. I go to get a place ready for you. And if I go to get a place ready for you, I’ll come back, and bring you to Myself; so that where I am, you may be there, also. And you know where I am going, and you know the way.” Then Thomas asked, “Christ, we don’t know where you’re going; so how can we know the way?” And Yeshua answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to God, but by Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My God also: and from now on, you know God, and have seen God.”
[8-14] Then Philip said, “Christ, show us God, and it will be enough.” But Yeshua answered, “Have I been with you this long, and you still don’t know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen God; so how can you say then, ‘Show us God?’ Don’t you believe that I am in God, and God in Me? The words that I speak to you, I don’t speak of Myself: but the God who lives in Me, does the things that you’ve seen. Believe Me, that I am in God, and God in Me: or else believe Me for the sake of the very things you’ve seen Me do. The truth is, whoever believes on Me, they’ll do the things that I do, also; and they’ll do even greater things than these; because I go to My God. And whatever you ask in My Name, that I’ll do, so that God can be made known in Me. If you ask anything in My Name, I’ll do it.
Yeshua Promises the Comforter
[15-21] If you love Me, keep My Words. And I’ll pray to God, who will send you another Comforter, who can stay with you forever; the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world can’t accept, because it’s the One who it doesn’t see, nor know: but who you know because it’s the One who lives with you, and who will be in you. I won’t leave you helpless: I’ll come to you. In just a little while, and the world will see Me no more; but you’ll see Me, because I live, and you’ll live also. At that time you’ll know that I am in My God, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My Words, and keeps them, that is who loves Me; and whoever loves Me will be loved of My God, and I’ll love them, and will make Myself known to them.”
[22-31] Then Judas, not Iscariot, asked the Christ, “How is it that you’ll make yourself known to us, and not to the world?” Yeshua answered, “If someone loves Me, then they’ll keep My Words: and My God will love them, and We’ll come to them, and make Our home with them. Whoever doesn’t love Me doesn’t keep My Words: and the Word which you hear isn’t My own, but is God’s, who sent Me. I’ve told you this, being still here with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in My Name, will teach you everything, and help you remember what I’ve said to you. I leave peace with you, but it’s My peace I give to you: I don’t give you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be upset by anything, nor let it be afraid. You’ve heard how I said to you, ‘I go away, and come back again to you.’ If you loved Me, you’d celebrate, because I said, ‘I go to God, because My God is greater than I.’ And now I’ve told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you might believe. From now on, I won’t talk much with you because the ruler of this world is coming, and has nothing to do with Me. But that the world can know that I love God; and just as God gave Me Word, so I do. Get up, it’s time to go from here.
The Vine and the Branches
15 [1-6] I am the true vine, and My God is the Farmer. Every branch in Me that doesn’t make fruit is cut away: and every branch that bears fruit, is pruned, so that it can make more fruit. Now you’re already saved through the Word which I’ve spoken to you. So live in Me, and I’ll live in you. As the branch can’t make fruit by itself, without the vine; neither can you, unless you live in Me. I am the vine, you’re the branches: Whoever lives in Me, and I in them, makes much fruit; but you can’t do anything without Me. So if someone doesn’t live in Me, they’re cut off like a branch, and will wither; and they’re gathered together to be put into the fire, and burned.
Ask Anything in My Name
[7-12] If you live in Me, and My Words live in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it’ll be done for you. In this, My God is made known, so that you’ll make much fruit; and you’ll be My followers. As God has loved Me, I have loved you, so live in My love. If you keep My Words, you’ll live in My love, just as I’ve kept the Word of God, and live in God’s love. I’ve told you this, that My joy might live in you, and that you may have complete joy. This is My Word, that you love one another, as I’ve loved you.
Yeshua calls us Friends
[13-17] No one has greater love than when someone gives up their own life for their friends. You’re My friends, if you do what I tell you. From now on I won’t call you workers because a worker doesn’t know what the owner does: but I’ve called you friends because everything that I’ve heard of My God I’ve told you. You haven’t chosen Me, but I’ve chosen you, and set you apart, so that you would go and make fruit, and that your fruit would live: so that whatever you ask of God in My Name, it will be given to you. I tell you this, so that you’ll love one another.
We are Hated by the World
[18-27] If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you aren’t of the world, and I’ve chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember what I said to you, ‘The worker isn’t greater than the owner.’ If they’ve abused Me, they’ll also mistreat you; but if they’ve kept My Word, they’ll keep yours also. But they’ll do all this to you because of My Name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have sinned, but now there’s no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates My God also. If I hadn’t done among them the things which no one else has done, they wouldn’t have sinned, but now they’ve seen and hated both Me and My God. But this happened so that the Word would happen that is written in their Words, “They hated Me without a cause.” But the Comforter will come, whom I’ll send to you from God, the Spirit of Truth, who comes from God, and who will tell others of Me: And you are truthful witnesses, because you’ve been with Me from the beginning.
The Rejection of the Followers Foretold
16 [1-6] I’ve told you this, so that you won’t be offended. They’ll put you out of the places of worship. Yes, the time is coming, that whoever kills you will think that they’re helping God. And they’ll do this to you, because they don’t know God, nor Me. But I’ve told you this, that when the time comes, you’ll remember that I told you about them. I didn’t say this to you at first, because I was with you. But now I am going away to the One who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are you going?’ And now, because I’ve said this to you, your heart is sad.
The Spirit of Truth
[7-16] Just the same, the truth is, that it’s necessary for you that I go away because if I don’t go away, the Comforter won’t come to you; but if I leave, I’ll send the Comforter to you. And the Comforter is coming, who’ll convict the world of sin, and of My goodness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they don’t believe on Me; Of My goodness, because I go to My God, and you won’t see Me anymore; And of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you can’t understand them all now. But when the Comforter is here, this Spirit of Truth will help you to know what’s true, not speaking of Its Own Self; but whatever the Comforter hears, that the Comforter will speak and will show you things to come. The Comforter will make Me known, taking of what’s Mine, and showing it to you. Everything that God has is Mine: so I said that the Comforter will take of Mine, and will show it to you. In just a little while, you won’t see Me: and again, in just a little while, you’ll see Me, because I go to God.”
[17-27] Then some of the followers said among themselves, “What does the Christ mean by, ‘In just a little while, you won’t see Me: and again, in just a little while, you’ll see Me: because I go to God?’” So they said, “What does it mean, ‘In a little while?’ We don’t know what the Christ meant.” Now Yeshua knew that they wanted to ask, so the Christ said to them, “Are you asking among yourselves about what I said, ‘In a little while, you won’t see Me: and again, in a little while, you’ll see Me?’ The truth is, that you’ll cry and mourn, but the world will celebrate: and you’ll be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman who’s in labor suffers, because her time is here: but as soon as she’s given birth, she doesn’t remember the suffering any more, for the joy that she’s brought a child into the world. So now you’ll have sorrow: but I’ll see you again, and your heart will celebrate, and no one will take your joy from you. And in that day you won’t have to ask Me anything. The truth is, whatever you ask God in My Name, God will give it to you. Up to now, You haven’t asked anything in My Name, so ask, and you’ll get what you ask for, that you can have complete joy. I’ve told you this in strange sayings: but the time is coming, when I won’t speak to you any more in strange ways, but I’ll explain clearly about God. At that time you’ll ask in My Name: and I don’t say to you, that I’ll pray to God for you because God’s Own Self loves you, because you’ve loved Me, and have believed that I came from God. I came from God, and am come into the world: but again, I leave the world, and go to God.”
Overcoming the World
[29-33] Then the followers said, “See, now you’re speaking clearly, and aren’t speaking in strange sayings. Now we’re sure that you know everything, and that we don’t need to ask anything of you: by this, we believe that God is who You came from.” Then Yeshua answered, “Do you believe now? The time is coming, yes, and is now here, that you’ll be scattered, everyone on their own, and will leave Me alone: but still I am not alone, because God is with Me. I’ve said this to you, so that in Me you might have peace. You’ll always have troubles in the world, but be happy; because I’ve overcome the world.”
One God, One Family
17 [1-8] These words Yeshua spoke, looking up to heaven, saying, “Yahweh God, it’s time now; Make your Child known, that your Child may also make You known: As you’ve given Me power over everyone, to give everlasting life to whoever You’ve given to Me. And this is everlasting life, that they may know You, Yahweh, the only true God, and Me, Yeshua the Christ, whom You’ve sent. I’ve made You known on the earth: I’ve finished the work which You gave Me to do. And now, God, make Me known along with Your Own Name with the glory which I had with You before the world was. I’ve made Your Name clear to all those which You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me; and they’ve kept Your Word. Now they’ve known that everything that You’ve given Me is of You, because I’ve given to them the Words which You gave to Me; and they’ve accepted them, and have truly known that I came from You, and they’ve believed that You sent Me.
[9-13] I pray for them, though I don’t pray for the whole world, but only for those who You’ve given Me because they’re Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I am made known through them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to You. Holy God, keep through Your Own Name those whom You’ve given Me, that they can be one, as We are One. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your Name, Yahweh: those that You gave Me I’ve kept, and none of them is lost, but the one who was forever damned; so that everything in the Word would happen. And now I come to You; and this I speak in the world, so that they’ll have My complete joy in themselves.
[14-23] I’ve given them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they aren’t of the world, just as I am not of the world. I don’t pray that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the evil in it. They aren’t of the world, just as I am not of the world, so set them apart through Your truth: Your Word is truth. As You’ve sent Me into the world, in the same way I’ve also sent them into the world. For their sakes I set Myself apart, so that they also might be set apart through the truth. I don’t pray for these alone, but for those who will also believe on Me through their word; so that they can all be one; as You, God, are in Me, and I in You, so that they also can be one in Us: and that the world may believe that You’ve sent Me. The glory, which You gave Me, I’ve given to them; so that they can be one, just as We are One: I in them, and You in Me, so that they can be made one family; and that the world can know that You’ve sent Me, and have loved them, as You’ve loved Me.
[24-26] God, I also want those whom You’ve given Me, to be with Me where I am; so that they can see My victory, which you’ve given Me because You loved Me before the beginning of the world. Good God, the world hasn’t known You: but I’ve known You, and these have known that You’ve sent Me. And I’ve told them Your Name, Yahweh, and will tell it: that the love in which You’ve loved Me can be in them, and I in them.”
The Garden of Gethsemane
18 [1-6] After the Christ had spoken these words, Yeshua went out with the followers over the creek Cedron, coming into a garden. And Judas, which handed over the Christ, knew the place, because Yeshua often went there with the followers. So Judas then, having gotten troops and officers from the leading priests and religious leaders, came there with lanterns and torches and swords. And Yeshua, knowing everything that would come about, went to them, saying, “Who are you looking for?” So they answered, “Yeshua of Nazareth.” And Yeshua said, “I am that One.” And Judas also, who had turned Yeshua over, stood with them. Then as soon as the Christ had said, “I am that One”, they all went backward, falling to the ground.
[7-14] Then the Christ asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “Yeshua of Nazareth.” So Yeshua said, “I’ve told you that I am that One: so if you’re looking for Me, let all these go;” so that the saying would happen, which the Christ spoke, “I have lost none of those who You gave Me.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, took it out and cut off the right ear of the leading priest’s worker, whose name was Malchus. Then Yeshua said to Peter, “Put your sword in its sheath: shouldn’t I suffer the things which My God has given Me to suffer?” Then the troop, the captain, and the officers of the Jews took and tied up Yeshua, leading the Christ away to Annas first, because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the leading priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one, who said to the Jews, that it was necessary that one person would die for the people.
Peter Denies Knowing Yeshua
[15-18] And Simon Peter followed Yeshua, and so did another follower: that follower was known to the leading priest, and went in with Yeshua into the hall of the leading priest. But Peter stood outside the door. Then that other follower went out, which was known to the leading priest, and spoke to the girl that kept the door, bringing Peter in. Then she said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this person’s followers?” But Peter said, “I am not.” And the workers and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals because it was cold and warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
The Leading Priests Question Yeshua
[19-24] The leading priest then asked Yeshua about the followers, and of the Christ’s teachings. So Yeshua answered, “I spoke openly to the world; I taught in all the places of worship, where the Jews always go; and I haven’t said anything in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who heard what I’ve said: they know what I said.” And when the Christ had said this, one of the officers which stood by slapped Yeshua with the palm of his hand saying, “You dare answer the leading priest that way?” Then Yeshua answered, “If I’ve spoken any evil, be a truthful witnesses of the evil: but if well, why do you hit Me?” Then Annas sent the Christ tied up to Caiaphas the leading priest.
Peter’s Final Denial
[25-27] And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of the followers?” But Peter denied it, saying, “I am not.” Then one of the workers of the leading priest, being kin to the one whose ear Peter cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Yeshua?” Then Peter denied it again, and suddenly the rooster crowed.
Pilate and Yeshua
[28-32] Then they led Yeshua from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment, being early; but they themselves didn’t go into the judgment hall, or they would be ruined and not be able to eat the Passover. So then Pilate went out to them, saying, “Of what do you accuse this person?” And they answered, “If this One wasn’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have brought this person to you.” Then Pilate said to them, “You take and judge this One by your law.” So the Jews said, “It isn’t right for us to put anyone to death;” so that what Yeshua had said, would happen, about what death the Christ would die.
[33-40] Then Pilate went in the judgment hall again, and asked Yeshua, saying, “Are you the Ruler of the Jews?” And Yeshua answered, “Do you say this thing of yourself, or did others tell you about Me?” Then Pilate asked, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the leading priests have given You to me: what have you done?” So Yeshua said, “My realm isn’t of this world: if My realm were of this world, then My workers would fight, so that I wouldn’t be given to the Jews: but My realm is not here now.” So Pilate asked, “Are you a Ruler then?” And Yeshua answered, “You say that I am a Ruler. For this reason I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I would be a witness to the truth. Everyone that knows the truth hears My voice.” And Pilate asked, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, saying to them, “I find no fault at all in this person. But you have a way of life, that I free someone to you at the Passover, so would you like me to free to you the Ruler of the Jews?” Then they all cried out again, saying, “Not this One, but Barabbas.” And Barabbas was a criminal.
The Guards Mock Yeshua
19 [1-7] Then Pilate had Yeshua beaten. And the guards platted a crown of thorns, and put it on Yeshua’s head, and put a purple robe on the Christ, saying, “Hello, Ruler of the Jews!” as they slapped Yeshua with their hands. So Pilate went out again, saying to them, “I am bringing Yeshua out to you, so that you can know that I find no fault in this person.” Then Yeshua came out, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look at this person?” So when the leading priests and officers saw the Christ, they called out, saying, “Put this One to death, put this One to death.” So Pilate answered, “You do it, because I find no fault in this person.” But the Jews said, “We have a law, and by our law this One ought to die, because this person claimed to be the Child of God.”
[8-12] So when Pilate heard that, he was all the more afraid; And went back into the judgment hall, saying to Yeshua, “Where are You from?” But Yeshua didn’t answer. So Pilate asked, “Why don’t you speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the power to put you to death, or the power to free you?” Then Yeshua answered, “You could have no power at all against Me, unless it were given to you from above, so whoever has given Me to you has the greater sin.” And from then on Pilate looked for a way to free the Christ. But the Jews called out, “If you let this person go, you aren’t Caesar’s friend; whoever claims to be a Ruler speaks against Caesar.”
[13-16] So when Pilate heard that, he had Yeshua brought out, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about noon, when he said to the Jews, “See, your Ruler!” But they called out, “Away with this One, away with this One, put this person to death.” Then Pilate asked, “Do I put your Ruler to death?” And the leading priests said, “We have no Ruler but Caesar.” Then he gave the Christ to them to be put to death. And they took and led Yeshua away.
Christ on the Cross
[17-22] And the Christ, carrying the cross, went out to a place called “The Place of a Skull,” which is called in the Hebrew “Golgotha”: Who they put to death, along with two others, one on either side, with Yeshua in the middle. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was “Yeshua of Nazareth, The Ruler of the Jews.” Then many of the Jews read this title because the place where Yeshua was put to death was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Then the leading priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The Ruler of the Jews’; but that this One said, I am Ruler of the Jews.” But Pilate said, “I’ve written what I’ve written.”
The Soldier’s Divide the Christ’s Clothes
[23-24] Then the guards, when they had put Yeshua on the cross, took the Christ’s clothes, and made four parts, giving to every soldier a part; and also the Christ’s coat, but the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. So they said among themselves, “Let’s not tear it, but place bets for it, to see whose it will be;” so that the Word would happen, which said, “They divided my clothing among them, and they placed bets for My coat.” And so the guards did this.
The Christ’s Mother
[25-27] Now Yeshua’s mother stood there by the cross, with her sister, Mary, the spouse of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. So seeing her with the follower standing by, whom the Christ loved, Yeshua said, “Mother, look, this is your child! Then the Christ said to the follower, “Look, this is your mother!” And from that time on, that follower took her to his own home.
Christ Gives Up the Spirit
[28-37] Later, knowing that everything had now happened, that was said in the Word should happen, Yeshua said, “I’m thirsty.” Now there was a bottle full of sour wine, so they filled a sponge with it, and put it on a hyssop reed, and put it to the Christ’s mouth. After taking the wine, the Christ, giving up the Spirit, said, “It’s done;” whose head then bowed. So the Jews, because it was the preparation day, (for that Day of Worship was a holy day) begged Pilate that their legs be broken, and that they be taken away so that the bodies wouldn’t stay on the crosses on a Day of Worship. Then the guards came, and broke the legs of the first, and then of the other who were put on crosses along with the Christ. When they came to Yeshua, and saw that the Christ was dead already, they didn’t break them: But when one of the guards pierced the Christ’s side with a spear, blood and water gushed out. And the one who saw it told it, and what they say is true: and they know what they said is true, so that you might believe. And this happened, so that what was written in the Word would happen, “Not a bone of the Christ will be broken.” And again another Word said, “They’ll look on the One whom they pierced.”
Yeshua’s Burial
[38-42] And then Joseph of Arimathaea, being a follower of Yeshua, but secretly for fear of the Jews, begged Pilate to let him take away the body of Yeshua: so Pilate said that he could. Then he came and took the body of Yeshua. And Nicodemus came also, who first came to Yeshua by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Yeshua, and wound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the Jews way to bury someone. Now near the place where the Christ was put on the cross, there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. So they laid Yeshua there because of the Jews’ preparation day and because the tomb was near there.
Mary Magdalene Sent to the Followers
20 [1-10] Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on Sunday morning when it was still dark, and saw the stone moved away from the tomb. Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other follower, whom Yeshua loved, saying to them, “They’ve taken away the Christ out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve laid the body.” So Peter went out, and that other follower, and came to the tomb. And both of them ran together: but the other follower outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. And stooping down, and looking in, he saw the linen clothes there; but still didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter came following him, and went into the tomb, and saw the linen clothes lying there, with the napkin that was around the Christ’s head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded up in a place by itself. Then that other follower also went in, which came first to the tomb, and saw it, and believed. But they still didn’t know the Word, that the Christ must come to life again from the dead. Then the followers went back to their own homes.
[11-18] But Mary stood outside the tomb crying: and as she cried, she stooped down, and looked into the tomb, and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Yeshua had lain. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” So she answered, “Because they’ve taken my Christ away, and I don’t know where they’ve put the body.” And when she had said this, she turned around, and saw the Christ standing there, but didn’t know that it was Yeshua. Then Yeshua said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” And she, thinking it to be the gardener, said, “Sir, if you’ve taken the body from here, tell me where you’ve put it, and I’ll take it away.” Then Yeshua said to her, “Mary!” And she turned around, saying, “Rabboni;” which means, “Teacher.” And Yeshua said to her, “Don’t touch Me yet because I am still not gone up to God: but go to My followers, and say to them, I go up to the One I am from, and the One you’re from; to My God, and to your God.” So Mary Magdalene came and told the followers that she had seen the Christ, who had spoken this to her.
Receiving the Holy Spirit
[19-23] Then the same day at evening, being Sunday, when the doors were shut where the followers were gathered for fear of the Jews, Yeshua came and stood in the middle, saying to them, “Be at peace!” And after the Christ had said this, they saw Yeshua’s hands and side. Then the followers were happy, when they saw the Christ. And then Yeshua said again, “Be at peace: just as My God has sent Me, I am sending you, too.” And the Christ said this, then breathed on them, saying to them, “Take the Holy Spirit: Whoever’s sins you forgive, they’re forgiven them; and whoever’s sins you keep, they’re kept.”
The Doubting Thomas
[24-30] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, wasn’t with them when Yeshua came. So the other followers told him, “We’ve seen the Christ.” But he said, “Unless I see the print of the nails in Yeshua’s hands, and put my finger into them, and put my hand into Yeshua’s side, I won’t believe it.” And eight days later the followers were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Then Yeshua came, the doors being shut, and stood in the middle, saying, “Be at peace.” Then the Christ said to Thomas, “Touch Me here with your finger, and see My hands; and touch Me here with your hand and put it into My side: and don’t be faithless, but believe.” And Thomas answered, “My Christ and my God.” Then Yeshua said, “Thomas, you believed because you’ve seen Me: those who haven’t seen are blessed, because they’ve still believed.”
[30-31] And Yeshua, truly, did many other signs in the presence of the followers, which aren’t written in this book. But these things are written, so that you might believe that Yeshua is the Christ, the Child of God; and that believing, you might have life in the Name of Yeshua.
Peter and the Followers Go Fishing
21 [1-3] Later Yeshua appeared again to the followers at the Sea of Galilee; and this is the way it happened: Simon Peter, and Thomas, called the Twin, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of the followers were all together. Then Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” Then the others said, “We’re going, too.” So they went out, and quickly got in a ship; but that night they caught nothing.
[4-8] Now at sunrise, Yeshua stood on the shore, but the followers didn’t know yet that it was Yeshua. Then Yeshua called out, “Children, did you catch anything?” And they answered, “No”. So Yeshua called out, “Throw out the net on the right side of the ship, and you’ll catch some.” So they threw it out, and then they weren’t able to pull it in for all the fish. So the follower whom Yeshua loved said to Peter, “It’s the Christ.” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was Christ, he put on his fisher’s coat, because he was naked, and dove into the water. And the other followers came in a little ship, not being far from land, but only about a hundred yards or so, dragging the net with the fish.
[9-14] Then as soon as they had come to land they saw the coals of a fire there, with fish and bread laid on it. And Yeshua said, “Bring some of the fish you caught.” So Simon Peter went and drew the net to land full of huge fish, a hundred and fifty-three: but still the net wasn’t broken even though there were so many. Then Yeshua said, “Come and eat.” And knowing that it was the Christ, none of the followers dared ask, “Who are you?” Then Yeshua came, and took bread, and gave them some, along with the fish. Now this is the third time that Yeshua appeared to the followers, after the Christ had come back to life.
Peter’s Threefold Duty
[15-19] So when they had eaten, Yeshua asked Simon Peter, “Peter, son of Jonah, are you sure that you love Me, even more than these here?” Then Peter answered, “Yes, Christ; you know that I love you.” Then the Christ said, “Feed My new followers.” Then Yeshua asked again the second time, “Peter, son of Jonah, have you really made up your mind to love Me?” Then Peter said, “Yes, Christ; you know that I truly love you.” Then the Christ said, “Guide My young followers.” Then Yeshua asked the third time, “Peter, son of Jonah, do you truly love Me?” And Peter was saddened because the Christ had asked for the third time, “Do you love Me?” So Peter said, “Christ, you know everything; you know that I truly love you.” And Yeshua said, “Be faithful to My older followers.” The truth is, when you were young, you made yourself ready, and went wherever you wanted to go: but when you’re old, you’ll reach out for help, but someone else will get you ready, and take you where you don’t want to go.” The Christ spoke this, signifying what kind of death Peter would die for God’s glory. And after this, the Christ said, “Follow Me.”
The Follower Who Yeshua Loved
[20-25] Then Peter, turning around, saw the other follower, whom Yeshua loved, following along; which also was the one who leaned back on the Christ at supper, saying, “Christ, who is it that will turn You over to them?” So Peter said to Yeshua, “Christ, and what will this follower do?” So Yeshua answered, “If I want this one to stay till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then it spread among the Christians, that that follower wouldn’t die: but Yeshua didn’t say to them that the follower wouldn’t die; but only, “If I want this one to stay till I come, what is that to you?” This is the one who tells us of this, and who wrote this: and we know that this is a true story. And there are many other things also, which Yeshua did, and which, if they were all written, I think that even the world itself couldn’t contain the books that would be written about it. So be it!
The Acts of the Followers
1 [1-8] The earlier work I made for you, Theophilus, told of all that Yeshua began to do and teach, until the day in which the Christ was taken up, after the Christ, through the Holy Spirit, had told the followers, whom Yeshua had chosen, what to do: To whom also the Christ appeared alive after suffering death on the cross, by many unmistakable proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the realm of God: And being gathered together with them, the Christ said, Don’t leave from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of Yahweh God, who I am from. You’ve heard me say, John truly baptized with water; but you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit a few days from now. So when they had come together, they asked, saying, “Christ, will you now give Israel back again the realm of God?” But the Christ answered, “It isn’t for you to know the days or periods of time, which are all in the power of Yahweh God. But you’ll have power, after the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you’ll be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and even to the farthest parts of the world.”
[9-14] And when Yeshua had spoken this, even as they watched, the Christ was taken up in the sky, with a cloud blocking their sight. And as they kept on looking toward heaven as the Christ went up, two messengers stood by them in white clothing; Who said, “You people of Galilee, why are you standing here staring up into heaven? This same Yeshua, which has been taken up from you into heaven, will come again in the same way as you’ve seen the Christ go into heaven.” Then they came back to the city from the Mount of Olives, which is a Seventh Day’s walk from Jerusalem. And when they had come in, they went upstairs into an upper room, where Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, the child of Alphaeus, Simon, the Zealot, and Judas, the brother of James, were. They all came together with one heart, praying and making requests, along with the women, Mary, the mother of Yeshua, and with the other Christians.
Matthias Chosen
[15-26] And in those days Peter stood up in the middle of the followers, (about a hundred and twenty all together) saying, “Christians, this Word had to have been completed, which the Holy Spirit spoke by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the guide to those who took Yeshua. “He was included in our number, and had taken part in this ministry.” (Now Judas bought a field with the profit of his sin; and falling headfirst, his body burst open, and all his insides fell out. And everyone who lives in Jerusalem knew this; so that field is called in their language, Aceldama, which means, Field of Blood.) “The Word says in the book of Psalms, “Leave his home empty, and let no one live in it: and let someone else take up his work.” So which of these others who have been with us all the time that Christ Yeshua went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that the Christ was taken up from us, must be set apart to be a witness with us of the Christ’s coming to life again?” So they chose two, Joseph, who is called Barsabas, who was nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, saying, “You, Christ, who knows the hearts of everyone, show us which of these two You’ve chosen, who will take part in the leadership of this ministry, from which Judas by sin fell, that he might go where he belonged.” And they threw their lots to see who would be chosen; and the lot fell on Matthias; who was numbered along with the other eleven leaders.
Peter’s Sermon on the Day of Pentecost
2 [1-13] And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all in the same place together with one heart. And suddenly a loud noise from heaven, like a very strong wind, filled the whole house where they were sitting together. And they all saw what looked like split languages of fire, which came to rest on each of them. And everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them words. And many people were staying at Jerusalem, both Jews, and other dedicated people, from all over the world. Now when they heard the noise sound out, the crowd came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speaking in their own language. And everyone was amazed and wondered about it, saying to one another, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galilaeans? So how do we hear them in our own languages, which came from where we were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, those who live in Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya near Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and converts, Cretes and Arabians, we all hear them speak of the amazing things God has done in our own languages.” And everyone was amazed, and wondered, asking one another, “What does this mean?” Others mocking them said, “These people are drunk on new wine.”
[14-21] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, spoke out, saying to them, “You people of Judea, and all you that live at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to My Words: because these people aren’t drunk, like you think. You can see it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. But this is what was spoken by the great preacher Joel; And in the last days, says God, I’ll pour out of My Spirit on all people: and your sons and your daughters will preach, and your young people will see visions, and your old people will dream dreams: And on My male and My female workers I’ll pour out of My Spirit in those days; and they’ll all preach: And I’ll show amazing things in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and smoky vapors: The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will shine blood red, till that great and notable day of Yahweh God comes: And whoever will call on the Name of Yahweh God will be saved.
[22-36] You people of Israel, hear these words; Yeshua of Nazareth, someone who lived among you and who was approved by God by the amazing and wonderful signs, which God did among you through Yeshua, as you yourselves also know: This person, being given by the unchangeable direction and foreknowledge of God, you’ve taken, and by evil hands have put to death on the cross: Whom God has brought back to life, having been freed from the sufferings of death, because it wasn’t possible for the Christ to be held by it. And David speaks about the Christ, saying, I saw the Christ before my face, who is always beside me, so that I wouldn’t be shaken: So my heart celebrated, and my voice was happy; and my body will also rest in hope: because you won’t leave my soul in Hell, nor will you let your Holy One decay. You’ve made known to me the ways of life; you’ll make me full of joy when you come. Everyone, let me speak to you freely of our ancestor David, who’s both dead and buried, and whose tomb is with us to today. David, being a great preacher, knew that God had sworn to him with a promise, that from one of his own descendants, the Christ would be raised up to sit on his throne; So knowing this, David spoke of the new life of Christ, that the Christ’s soul wasn’t left in Hell, nor was the Christ’s body decayed. This Yeshua, God has brought back to life, in which we are all witnesses. So being lifted up on the right side of God, and having gotten the promise of the Holy Spirit from God, the Christ has poured it out upon us, which is what you now see and hear. David hasn’t gone up into the heavens: but said himself, Yahweh God said to my Christ, “Sit beside Me, until I put your enemies under your feet.” So let all the house of Israel know without a doubt, that God has made that same Yeshua, whom you’ve put to death, both Ruler and Christ.”
[37-40] Now when the people heard this, their hearts were greatly saddened, saying to Peter and to the rest of the followers, “Everyone, what should we do?” Then Peter answered, “Change your evil ways, and all of you be baptized in the Name of Yeshua the Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you’ll get the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are to come, whoever Yahweh God will call.” And with many other words, Peter talked to them and strongly encouraged them, saying, “Save yourselves from the evil of the people of this time.”
All Things Together In Common
[41-47] Then those who gladly accepted his word were baptized: and this same day about three thousand souls were added to their numbers. And they faithfully stayed in the followers’ teachings, breaking bread and praying in loving friendship. And every soul feared and wondered at many amazing things and signs that had happened by the followers. And everyone that believed had all things together in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and divided them out to everyone, as they had need. And continuing daily with one heart in the Place of Worship, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with happiness and undivided hearts, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And God gave to the church daily all who would be saved.
The Crippled Walks
3 [1-11] Now Peter and John went up together into the Place of Worship at the time of prayer, being three o’clock. And someone unable to walk from birth was carried and laid daily at the gate of the Place of Worship which is called Beautiful, to ask for money of those who went in the Place of Worship; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the Place of Worship asked for a gift. And Peter, looking at him with John, said, “Look at us.” And he looked up to them, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “I don’t have any money; but what I have I give to you: In the Name of Yeshua the Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” And they took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and suddenly his feet and ankle bones were made strong. And jumping up, he stood up and walked, and came with them into the Place of Worship, walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was the one who sat waiting for gifts at the Beautiful gate of the Place of Worship: and they were amazed and wondered at what had happened to him. And as the person who was unable to walk and was healed held Peter and John, all the people, who were greatly amazed, ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s.
[12-18] And when Peter saw it, he said to the people, “People of Israel, why are you so amazed at this? Why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or goodness we had made this person walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has made Yeshua, God’s Christ, known; whom you gave up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to let the Christ go. But you denied the Holy and Godly One, and wanted a murderer to be freed to you instead; And you killed the One who has the power of life, which God has brought back to life from the dead; in which we’re all witnesses. And through faith in the Christ’s name, this person was made strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith in the name of Yeshua, which is through the Christ, has given this person complete healing in the presence of you all. And now, people, I understand that you did it in ignorance, as your rulers also did. But those things, which God had showed by the words of all the great preachers, that Christ would suffer, have now happened.
[19-26] So change your evil ways, and turn back to God, that your sins can be forgiven, so that the times of refreshing will come from the presence of God; And God will send Yeshua the Christ, which was preached to you: Whom heaven must keep until the time when everything will be made right, which God has spoken by the mouth of all the great holy preachers since the world began. The truth is, Moses said to the ancestors, Yahweh your God will raise up to you a great preacher out of your own people, like me; Listen to whatever is said to you by this One. Every soul, which won’t listen to that great preacher, will be completely separated from among the people. Yes, and all the great preachers from Samuel and those that follow after, whoever has spoken, has foretold of these days. You’re the children of the great preachers, and of the promised agreement which God made with our ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘and your descendant will bless all the families of the earth.’ God, having brought back Yeshua the Christ to life, sent the Christ to you first to bless you, by turning all of you away from your uncontrolled actions.”
Peter and John Jailed
4 [1-4] And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the leader of the Place of Worship, and those of the Religious sects, came to them, being upset that they taught the people, and preached through Yeshua the coming to life again from the dead. So they took them, and put them in a holding cell till the next day because it was now evening. But many of those who heard the Word believed; and the people numbered about five thousand.
[5-12] And then the next day, their rulers, the elders, the religious leaders, Annas, the leading priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all those who were kin to the leading priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had put them in the middle, they asked, “Who gave you the power to do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we’re being questioned today about the good thing we did to the helpless person, who was made well; Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that it was by the Name of Yeshua the Christ of Nazareth, whom you put to death, and whom God raised from the dead, that this person stands here before you made completely well. This is the stone that was not chosen by you builders, which has now been chosen for the most important cornerstone. Nor can we be saved by any other because there’s no other name under heaven given to humanity, by which we can be saved.
[13-22] Now when they saw that Peter and John had no fear, and realized that they were untaught and without knowledge, they were amazed and took note that they had been with Yeshua. And seeing the person who was healed standing with them, they couldn’t say anything against it. So they told them to leave the courtroom, and they talked among themselves, saying, “What are we going to do to these people? There’s no doubt that a notable miracle has been done by them. It’s plain to all who live in Jerusalem; and we can’t deny it. But so that it spread no further among the people, let’s strictly warn them not to speak to anyone in this name again.” And they called them, and told them not to speak at all, nor teach in the Name of Yeshua. But Peter and John asked them, “Which is right in the sight of God? To listen to you more than to God, what do you say? We can’t say anything but what we’ve seen and heard.” So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people. And everyone praised God for what happened, because the person on whom this miracle of healing was done was more than forty years old.
Peter and John Released
[23-30] And being let go, they went to their own company, and told all that the leading priests and elders had said. And when they heard that, they called out to God with one heart, saying, “Yahweh, You are God, who has made heaven and earth, and the sea, and everything that is in them: Who by the mouth of Your worker David has said, ‘Why did the ungodly rage, and the people imagine meaningless things? The rulers of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Yahweh God, and against God’s Christ.’ The truth is, both Herod, Pontius Pilate, the people of Israel, and all the other peoples were gathered together against Your Holy One Yeshua, whom You’ve anointed, to do whatever You decided was to be done. And now, God, listen to their threatening: and help Your workers speak Your word without fear. Let us be Your healing hands, let there be great signs, and let amazing things be done by the Name of Your Holy One, Yeshua.”
All Things Together In Common
[31-37] And when they had finished praying, the place where they were gathered together shook strongly; and everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God without fear. And all of those who believed were of one heart and of one mind: no one said that anything they had was their own; but they had all things together in common. And the followers spoke with great power about the coming to life again of Christ Yeshua: and great grace was on them all. No one lacked anything among them because whoever had lands or homes sold them, and brought whatever they got from the things that were sold, and laid it down at the followers’ feet: and everyone was given according to their needs. And Joses, who by the followers was nicknamed Barnabas, which means “the child of comfort,” and Matthew, from the country of Cyprus, sold the land they owned, and brought the money, and laid it at the followers’ feet.
Ananias and Sapphira Lie
5 [1-11] Someone named Ananias, along with Sapphira, his spouse, sold some land, but kept back part of the price. With Sapphira being in on it, he brought a certain part, and laid it at the followers’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Wasn’t it yours as long as you owned it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it in your own power? Why have you planned this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to human beings, but to God.” And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and died: and great fear came on all those who heard about it. And some young people got up, wound him up, carried him out, and buried him. Then about three hours later, Sapphira, not knowing what had happened, came in. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this much?” And she said, “Yes, for that much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you’ve agreed together to tempt the Spirit of God? The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and will carry you out as well.” Then suddenly she fell down at their feet, and died: and the young people came in, and found her dead, and carried her out, and buried her by her husband. And great fear came on all the church, and on whoever heard this.
Peter’s Shadow
[12-16] And the followers did many great signs and amazing things among the people; (and everyone was with one heart in Solomon’s porch. But none of the rest dared to join them, even though the people thought highly of them. And more and more, both men and women believed in Christ and were added to their numbers.) So much so, that they brought the sick out into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that Peter’s shadow might at least overshadow some of them as he passed by. A crowd also came out of the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and those who were suffering with evil spirits: and they were all healed.
Peter and the Followers Released from Jail by an Angel
[17-28] Then the leading priest and all those of the religious sect who were with him were filled with resentment, and took the followers, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of God opened the prison doors that night, and brought them out, saying, “Go, stand, and speak in the Place of Worship to the people all the Words of this life.” And when they heard that, they went in the Place of Worship early in the morning, and taught. But when the leading priest and those who were with him came, they called the court together and all the elders of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they didn’t find them in the prison, and came back, and told them, saying, “The truth is, we found the prison shut tight, and the guards standing outside the doors: but when we had opened them, we found no one inside.” Now when the leading priest and the captain of the guard of the Place of Worship, and the other priests heard this, they wondered what would happen next. Then someone came and told them, saying, “Those people you put in prison are standing in the Place of Worship, and teaching the people.” Then the captain and the officers went and brought them without violence because they were afraid, thinking the people might try to kill them. And when they had brought them, they brought them before the court: and the leading priest asked them, saying, “Didn’t we clearly tell you that you shouldn’t teach in this name? And you’ve filled all Jerusalem with your teachings, and intend to bring this person’s blood on us.”
[29-32] Then Peter and the other followers answered, “We must obey God, not people. The God of our ancestors brought Yeshua back to life, which you hung on a cross and killed. The Christ was lifted up to God’s own right side to be a Ruler and a Savior, to give the people of Israel a chance to change their ways, and be freed from sins. And we’re Christ’s witnesses of this; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who accept the Christ.”
Beaten for Christ’s Sake
[33-42] When they heard that, they were so angry they planned to kill them. Then someone stood up in the court, a Religious leader, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Word of God, who had a good reputation among all the people, and told them to put the followers out for a little while; Who said, “You people of Israel, be very careful what you intend to do with these people. Someone named Theudas once came, bragging about himself and claiming to be somebody important; to whom about four hundred people joined themselves: who was put to death; and all who followed him were scattered out, and brought to nothing. Later someone named Judas of Galilee came in the days of the taxing, and drew many people after himself, who was also killed; and all who followed him were scattered. And now I tell you, don’t do anything to these people, and leave them alone because if these words or this work is of human origin, it’ll come to nothing: But if it’s of God, you can’t stop it; and you may even find yourselves to be fighting against God.” And they all agreed with him: and when they had called the followers, and beaten them, they told them not to speak in the Name of Yeshua, and let them go. And they went from the presence of the court, with joy that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. And they didn’t stop teaching and preaching about Yeshua the Christ, but spoke daily in the Place of Worship, and in every house.
Stephen Chosen
6 [1-4] And in those days, when the number of followers was growing, the Grecian followers secretly complained against the Hebrew followers, because their widows were being neglected in the daily ministry. Then the twelve called all the followers to them, saying, “It isn’t right that we neglect spreading the Word of God to serve tables. So, Christians, pick out from among you seven people known to be honest and respectable, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint over this business, so we may continue to pray, and to do the ministry of the Word.”
[5-8] And this pleased the whole crowd, so they chose Stephen, someone full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch. They brought them before the followers, who prayed for them, and laid their hands on them. And the Word of God spread; and the number of the followers in Jerusalem grew daily; and a great many of the Jewish priests accepted the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did wonderful and amazing things among the people.
[9-15] Then some of the local worshipers from the Church of the Free People, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those of Cilicia and Asia, began arguing with Stephen. But they weren’t able to speak against the wisdom and the spirit of Stephen. Then they secretly told some to say, “We’ve heard this person speak disrespectful words against Moses, and against God.” So they stirred up the people, the elders, and the religious leaders, who came to take Stephen and brought him to the court. The false witnesses said, “This person won’t stop speaking disrespectful words against this holy place, and the Word of God: We’ve heard him say that this Yeshua of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the way of life which Moses gave us.” And all that sat in the court, stared intently at Stephen, whose face shown like the face of an angel.
Stephen Martyred
7 [1-10] Then the leading priest asked, “Is this so?” And Stephen said, “Everyone, listen carefully; The God of victory appeared to our ancestor Abraham, who was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said, ‘Get out of your country, and go away from your family, and go the land which I’ll show you.’ Then Abraham came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran: and from there, when his father died, God moved Abraham’s family into this land in which you now live. But God gave him no inheritance in it, no, not even enough to set a foot on. But still God promised to give it to the descendants of Abraham for a possession, when Abraham still had no child. And God said that the descendants would live in a foreign country, which would make slaves of them, and treat them cruelly for four hundred years. ‘And then I’ll judge the nation who enslaves them,’ God said: ‘and after that they’ll come out of that country, and serve Me in this place.’ And God gave them the sign of the promised agreement, which was the cutting of the male foreskin. So Abraham had Isaac, and cut his flesh on the eighth day; and Isaac had Jacob; and Jacob had the twelve leaders of the families of Israel, who acted in jealousy, and sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him, and freed him from all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, who made him governor over Egypt and his whole house.
[11-22] Now a drought came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, with great suffering, so that our ancestors had no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, our ancestors were sent the first time. Then when they were sent a second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph’s family was made known to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent, and called Jacob to come, and all their family, seventy-five people in all. So Jacob went down into Egypt, where he and our ancestors died, and whose bones were carried back into Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought from the children of Hamor, the leader of Shechem. But when the time came near for the promise to take place, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and grew in Egypt, till another ruler came, which didn’t know Joseph. This Pharaoh was very cruel to our people, and treated our ancestors horribly, making them throw their babies in the river and kill them. Moses was born at this time, and was a beautiful baby, and was nursed in his parent’s house three months: And when Moses was put out, Pharaoh’s daughter found him, and brought him up as her own child. And Moses was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in words and in actions.
[23-36] And when Moses was forty years old, it came into his heart to go see the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being beaten, he defended them, and took revenge for the one who was hurt, and killed the Egyptian. He thought the Hebrews would understand how that God would free them through him: but they didn’t understand. And the next day he came up to two of them as they argued, and wanted to help them make peace again, saying, ‘People, you’re family; Why are you fighting one another?’ But the one who did the other wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Will you kill me, as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ When he said this, Moses ran away, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he had two children. And after another forty years, an angel of God appeared to him in the countryside of Mount Sinai in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight: and as he came nearer, he heard the voice of God say, ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Then Moses was so afraid that he dared not look. Then God said to him, ‘Take your shoes from off your feet because the place where you’re standing is holy ground. I’ve seen the suffering of My people in Egypt, and I’ve heard their crying, and I am come down to free them. And now come, I’ll send you back to Egypt.’ This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ was the same person God sent to be their leader to free them by the power of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. So Moses led them out, showing them amazing things for forty years, with signs in the land of Egypt, in the Red sea, and in the countryside.
[37-50] This is the same Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘Yahweh your God will send you a great preacher out of your own people, like me; Listen to this One.’ This is the One who was in the meeting place in the countryside with the angel which spoke to him in Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors who got the words of life to give to us. But our ancestors wouldn’t accept him, rejected Moses, and turned their hearts back to Egypt again, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go with us. As for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t even know what has happened to him.’ And they made a golden calf in those days, and offered sacrifices and celebrated in the false worship of something made by their own hands. So God turned away from them, and let them worship the planets and stars of heaven; as the Word says in the book of the great preachers, ‘House of Israel, did you give Me animals to be killed and sacrifices those forty years in the countryside? You took up the worship of Molech, and worshiped the star of your god Remphan; things which you made yourselves to worship them: so I’ll carry you far away beyond Rome.’ Our ancestors had the Place of Worship in the desert as a witness of God’s Word, who had told Moses to make it the way that God had shown it to him. Our ancestors that came afterwards brought it in with Joshua into the land of the other peoples, whom God drove out before them. It was used until the time of David, who found favor with God, and wanted to find a Place of Worship for the God of Jacob that wouldn’t be moved. But Solomon built the house of God, though the Most High God doesn’t live in places of worship made by humans; as the great preacher once said, ‘God said, Heaven is My throne, and the earth is where I rest My feet, so what kind of house will you build Me to rest in? Haven’t I made all this Myself?’
[51-60] You stubborn people are unfit in your heart and ears, you always reject the Holy Spirit: you do just as your ancestors did. Have any of the great preachers not been abused by your ancestors? They’ve put to death all those who told them of the coming of the Christ; And now, you, who have the Word of God by the gift of angels, and haven’t kept it, have handed over and murdered Yeshua the Christ.” When they heard this, they were deeply angered, and they ground their teeth at him. But Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, stared up into heaven, and saw the light of God, and Yeshua standing on the right side of God, and said, “I see heaven opened up, and the Christ standing on the right side of God.” Then they yelled loudly, and stopped listening, and ran at him all together, and put him out of the city, and stoned him to death, laying down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen while he called on God, saying, “Christ Yeshua, take my spirit.” And he kneeled down, and called out with a loud voice, “Christ, don’t hold this sin against them.” And after he said that, he fell dead.
Saul Persecutes the Church
8 [1-8] Now Saul agreed to Stephen’s death. And at that time the church at Jerusalem was greatly discriminated against; so much that everyone except the followers were scattered throughout all the areas of Judea and Samaria, but some dedicated people carried Stephen to be buried, and mourned greatly over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, going into every Christian home, putting both men and women into prison. So those who were scattered out went everywhere preaching the New Word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached about Christ to them. And the people listened to what Philip spoke with one heart, because they both heard and saw the amazing things which he did. Evil spirits, calling out with loud voices, came out of many that were overcome by them, and many who were paralyzed, and that were unable to walk, were healed, also. There was great joy in that city.
Simon, the Witch, is Converted
[9-24] But there was someone, named Simon, who used witchcraft before in that same city, and fooled the people of Samaria, making out that he was someone great. Everyone in the city listened to him, from the youngest to the oldest, saying, “This person is the great power of God.” And they had great respect for him, because he had fooled them with his witchcraft for so long. But when they believed Philip’s preaching about the things of the realm of God, and the Name of Yeshua the Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself also believed, and when he was baptized, he stayed with Philip, and was amazed, watching all the amazing things and signs which had happened. Now when the followers who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them: Who, when they had come down, prayed for the Holy Spirit to come on them: (because the spirit hadn’t fallen on any of them yet; they were only baptized in the Name of Christ Yeshua.) Then they laid their hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on all of them. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the followers’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power, too, so that whoever I lay hands on can get the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said, “Your money will be destroyed along with you, because you think that the gift of God can be bought with money. You can’t have any part in this, because your heart isn’t right in the sight of God. Change your evil ways, and pray to God that maybe what you thought in your heart can be forgiven you. I realize that you have a spirit of bitterness, and are being controlled by sin.” Then Simon said, “Pray to God for me, that what you’ve just said won’t happen to me.”
Phillip Baptizes the Queen’s Worker
[25-40] And when they had told us the truth and preached the Word of God, they went back to Jerusalem, preaching the New Word in many of the Samaritan towns, which were of mixed race. And an angel of God spoke to Philip, saying, “Get up, and go south, toward the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is deserted.” So he got up and went, coming to someone who was from Ethiopia, one of Queen Candace’s helpers, who had great power and was in charge of all her wealth. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning, sitting in a chariot reading from Isaiah, the great preacher. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and catch up to this chariot.” And Philip ran up to it, and heard the person reading from the great preacher Isaiah, saying, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” And he answered, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. He was reading in the Word at this place, “The Christ was led as an animal to slaughter; and like a dumb lamb to its shearer, who didn’t cry out: The Christ was humbled, whose judgment was taken away. Who will tell of the Christ’s people? The Christ’s life was taken from the earth.” And the person asked Philip, saying, “Who does the great preacher speak about? of himself, or of some other person?” Then Philip began to speak at the same place, and preached about Yeshua to him. And as they went on, they came to a place with water, so the person asked Phillip, “Look, here’s some water; what’s keeping me from being baptized?” And Philip answered, “If you believe with all your heart, you can.” And the person said, “I believe that Yeshua the Christ is the Child of God.” They told the chariot to stop, and both of them went down into the water; and Phillip baptized him. And when he had come up out of the water, the Spirit of God caught Philip, away and he never saw him again, but went on with great joy. And Philip was brought to Azotus, so passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Saul Sees the Christ
9 [1-9] And Saul, still threatening to slaughter the followers of God, went to the leading priest, and asked for letters to send him to Damascus to the places of worship, and that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, to arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, coming near Damascus, a bright light suddenly shined from heaven all around him. He fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you trying to hurt me?” And he said, “Who are you, Christ?” And the Christ said, “I am Yeshua, who you are trying to hurt: isn’t it hard for you to fight against My prods?” And trembling and amazed Saul said, “Christ, what do you want me to do?” And the Christ said, “Get up, and go into the city, and you’ll be told there what you must do.” And the others who went with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but not seeing anyone. And Saul got up from the ground; and when his eyes opened, he couldn’t see anything. So they led him by the hand, bringing him into Damascus. And he couldn’t see for three days, nor did he eat or drink anything.
Saul’s Ministry Begins
[10-22] And there was a certain follower at Damascus, named Ananias; and God said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “I am here, Christ.” And the Christ said, “Get up, and go to the street named Straight, and ask in the house of Judas for someone called Saul of Tarsus, because he prays, and has seen in a vision someone named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him to give him sight again.” Then Ananias said, “Christ, I’ve heard by many of this person, and how much evil he has done to your people at Jerusalem: And now he has power from the leading priests to arrest all that call on Your Name.” But the Christ said, “Go now because he’s has been chosen by Me, to bring My Name to the other peoples, and rulers, and the children of Israel: but I’ll show him the great things he must suffer because of My Name.” And Ananias left, and went to the house, and putting his hands on Saul said, “Brother Saul, Christ Yeshua, who appeared to you down the road as you came, has sent me, that you might see again, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And suddenly something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see then. He got up, and was baptized right then. And after he had eaten, he was strengthened. Then Saul stayed a few days with the followers at Damascus. Then suddenly, he began to preach about Christ in the places of worship, that Yeshua was the Child of God. Everyone who heard him was amazed, saying, “Isn’t this the one who killed all those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that very reason, to arrest them and bring them to the leading priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and shamed the Jews which lived at Damascus, proving that Yeshua was, in fact, the Christ.
[23-31] And after a long time had passed, the Jews planned to kill him, but Saul found out about their plan. They watched the gates day and night to kill him, but the followers took him by night, and let him down a window in the city wall in a basket. Then when Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the followers, but everyone was afraid of him, and didn’t believe that he was really a follower. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the followers, and told them how he had seen Christ on the road, and that the Christ had spoken to him, and how he had preached without fear at Damascus in the Name of Yeshua. So he was with the followers at Jerusalem, coming and going with them. And he spoke without fear in the Name of Christ Yeshua, and argued with the Greeks, who tried to kill him. So when the Christians found out, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him to Tarsus. Then the churches had rest throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and grew. And walking in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, their numbers grew greatly.
Peter raises Tabitha from the Dead
[32-43] And then, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down to the Christians who lived at Lydda, also. And Peter found someone named Aeneas there, who had been bed-ridden for eight years, and was paralyzed. And Peter said, “Aeneas, Yeshua the Christ makes you well: Get up, and make up your bed.” And suddenly, he got up. And everyone that lived at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to Christ. Now at Joppa, there was a certain follower named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. This woman was always doing good things and loved everyone. And then in those days, she got sick, and died, who they had washed, and lay in an upstairs room. And so as Lydda was near Joppa, the followers had heard that Peter was there, so they sent two people, hoping that Peter would come quickly. So Peter got up and went with them, and when he came, they brought him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around crying, and showing him the coats and clothes which Dorcas had made, while she was alive. But Peter put them all out, and kneeling down to pray, turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, Get up.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And Peter gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in all the Christians and widows, and showed them that she was alive. And it was made known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Christ. And then Peter stayed for a long time in Joppa with someone named Simon, who was a tanner.
Peter’s Vision
10 [1-8] There was someone in Caesarea named Cornelius, a soldier of the Italian band. He was a dedicated person, who believed in God along with his whole family, who gave many gifts to the people, and always prayed to God. He saw clearly in a vision at about three o’clock in the afternoon, an angel of God coming to him, and saying, “Cornelius.” And when he saw it, he was afraid, saying, “What is it, Christ?” And the angel said, “Your prayers and your gifts have gone up as a memorial to God. Now send to Joppa, and call for someone named Simon, whose is called Peter, who lives with another named Simon, who is a tanner, whose house is by the sea shore: he’ll tell you what you need to do.” And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius was gone, he called two of his household workers, and a dedicated soldier of those who waited on him continually; And when he told this to them, he sent them to Joppa.
[9-18] The next day, as they went on their journey, and came near the city, Peter went up on the rooftop to pray about noon: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while it was being made, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven open up. And something like a great sheet knotted at its four corners came down to him, which was let down to the earth. All kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, insects, and birds of the air were in the sheet. And a voice spoke to him, saying, “Get up, Peter; kill, and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Christ, I’ve never eaten anything that is common or bad for me.” And the voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God says is good, don’t call evil.” This happened three times, and then the sheet was taken up again into heaven again. Now while Peter was wondering what this vision that he had seen meant, those who were sent from Cornelius had asked where Simon’s house was, and stood at the gate, asking whether Simon, who was nicknamed Peter, lived there.
[19-33] While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said, “Three people are looking for you. So get up, and go down stairs. Go with them, doubting nothing because I’ve sent them.” Then Peter went down to those who were sent to him from Cornelius; saying, “I’m the One you’re looking for. Why have you come?” And they said, “Cornelius, the soldier, a good person, who believes God, and has a good name among the whole nation of the Jews, was told by God through a holy angel to call you to come to his home to hear what you have to say.” Then he called them in, asking them to stay for the night. The next day Peter went away with them, along with some Christians from Joppa, who went with them. And the next day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called all his kin people and close friends together. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met them, and bowed down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, stand up; “I’m just a man, myself.” And as he talked with them, they went in, and found that many people had come together. So Peter said, “You know how it’s not proper for a Jew to keep company, or come to the house of someone from another nation; but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call anyone common or evil. So I came to you without arguing, as soon as I was sent for: So I ask why you’ve sent for me?” And Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was going without food until this time; and at three o’clock I was praying in my house, and someone came to me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts are remembered in the sight of God. So send to Joppa, and call Simon, whose nickname is Peter, who lives in the house of someone named Simon, who is a tanner by the sea shore. When he comes, he’ll speak to you.’ So I sent to you right away; and it’s good that you’ve come. So now that we’re all here before God, we want to hear everything that God has told you.”
[34-43] Then Peter began telling them, “The truth is, I realize now that God doesn’t favor one person over another: But in every nation whoever believes God, and does good things, is accepted by God. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preached peace by Yeshua the Christ, who is the Christ of all. That Word, I say, and you know, was published throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. God anointed Yeshua of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were kept down by the devil, because God was with the Christ. And we’re witnesses of everything which the Christ did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they hung on a cross and killed. But God brought the Christ back to life on the third day, who was openly seen; Not by all the people, but to the witnesses chosen by God, those of us who ate and drink with Yeshua after the Christ rose from the dead. And the Christ told us to preach to the people, and to tell others that it’s Yeshua who was chosen by God to be the Judge of both those alive and dead. All the great preachers have witnessed that through the Name of Christ, whoever believes in Yeshua the Christ will be forgiven of their sins.”
[44-48] While Peter was speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard it. And the Jews who came with Peter and were believers were amazed, knowing that the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the other peoples also, when they heard them speak with other languages, and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone deny them water, that these people shouldn’t be baptized, who have gotten the Holy Spirit just as we did?” And Peter told them to be baptized in the Name of Christ. Then the people asked them to stay a few days.
Peter Tells the News at Jerusalem
11 [1-10] And the followers and the Christians from Judea heard that the other peoples had also heard the Word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were of the Jews argued with him, saying, “You went to those who are not of us, and ate with them.” But Peter went over the story from the beginning, and explained it to them in order, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying and in a trance when I saw in a vision something like a large sheet come down, which was let down from heaven by its four corners; and it came down to me. And when I looked at it, I thought about it, and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, insects, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘No, Christ; I have never eaten anything common or bad for me.’ But the voice from heaven said to me again, ‘What God says is good, don’t call evil.’ And this happened three times: and it was all taken back up into heaven again.
[11-18] And suddenly there were three people, who had already come to the house where I was, and who were sent from Caesarea to me. And the Spirit wanted me to go with them, without doubting anything. Besides this, these six Christians came with me, and we went in to the person’s house, who told us how he had seen an angel in his house, which said, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose nickname is Peter; Who will tell you words, by which you and all your house will be saved.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as it did on us at the beginning. Then I remembered the words of Christ, who said, ‘The truth is, John baptized with water; but you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So then, as God gave them the same gift, who believed on Yeshua the Christ, as we ourselves got; who was I that I could go against God?” When they heard this, they didn’t say anything else, but praised God, saying, “Then God has also given to the other peoples a chance to change their ways to have life without end.”
The Followers Called Christians
[19-30] Now those, who were scattered out from the discrimination that rose up after Stephen was killed, traveled as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word only to the Jews. And some of them were those of Cyprus and Cyrene, who after coming to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching about Christ Yeshua. And the hand of God was with them: and many people believed, and turned to God. Then news of this came to the church that was in Jerusalem, so they sent out Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen God’s grace, was happy, and encouraged them all that they should cling to God with all their hearts. He was a good person, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and many people came to God through him. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus, to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And then for a whole year they gathered with the church, and taught all the people. And the followers were first called Christians in Antioch. And in these days great preachers came from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up, and said by the spirit that there would be a great drought throughout the whole world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the followers, everyone as they were able, decided to send relief to the Christians who lived in Judea, which they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Herod Beheads James, Peter Freed From Jail
12 [1-10] Now about that time Herod the ruler used his power to trouble some of the church. And he beheaded James, the brother of John with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he tried to take Peter also, during the celebration days of unleavened bread. And when he arrested him, and put him in prison, he ordered four troops of guards to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church didn’t stop praying to God for him. And the night before Herod was to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two guards, held with two chains; and the doorkeepers kept the prison tight. And the angel of God came to him, and a bright light shined in the prison. The messenger hit Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off from his hands. Then the angel said, “Get dressed, and put on your sandals.” And so he did. And then the angel said, “Throw your coat around you, and follow Me.” And he went out, and followed along; and didn’t know that what was happening by the angel was really true; but thought that he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guards of the prison, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened up for them all by themselves. And they went out, going down the street; and then the angel was gone.
[11-19] And when Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure, that God has sent the messenger, and has taken me out of Herod’s hands, saving me from what the Jews were hoping for.” Then when he had thought about it, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose nickname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to listen carefully. When she knew Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate, being so happy, but ran in, and told them that Peter was at the gate. They said to her, “You’re crazy.” But she kept on telling them the same thing. Then they said, “It’s his spirit.” But Peter kept knocking, and when they opened the door, and saw him, they were amazed. But Peter, waving to them with his hands to be quiet, told them how God had brought him out of the prison. And they said, “Go tell this to James, and the followers.” So he left, and went there. Now as soon as it was day, the guards were very upset, and didn’t know what happened to Peter. And when Herod called for him, and they couldn’t find him, he questioned the guards, and ordered them to be killed. So Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
Herod Dies
[20-25] Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but they came with one heart to him, having made Blastus, the ruler’s own private assistant, their friend, and wanted peace because their country was supported by food from the ruler’s country. Then on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his public throne, and made a speech to them. And the people shouted out, saying, “It’s the voice of a god, and not of a man.” And suddenly the angel of God struck him, because he didn’t give God due respect, and he was eaten of worms, and died. And the Word of God grew more and more. Then Barnabas and Saul came back from Jerusalem, when they had completed their ministry, and took along John, whose nickname was Mark.
Paul and Barnabas Sent Out
13 [1-13] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain great preachers and teachers; Barnabas, Simeon that was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the governor, and Saul. As they ministered to God, and went without food to pray, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Me Barnabas and Paul for the work that I’ve called them.” And when they had gone without food and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, went to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the Word of God in the places of worship of the Jews, having John to help them. And when they had gone past the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false preacher, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus, who was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, who was a careful person and called for Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear the Word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (this is the meaning of his name) refused to accept them, looking for a way to turn the deputy away from the faith. Then Saul, (who is also called Paul,) filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him, and said, “You sneaky and lying child of the devil, you enemy of everything good, won’t you stop twisting the right ways of God? And now, the hand of God is on you, and you’ll be blind, not seeing the sun for a while.” And suddenly a mist of darkness fell on him; and he went about looking for someone to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what happened, believed, being amazed at the Word of God. Now when Paul and the others left from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and went back to Jerusalem.
[14-22] But when they went from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the Place of Worship on a Day of Worship, and sat down. And after the reading of the Word of God and the great preachers, the rulers of the Place of Worship asked them, saying, “Do you all have any word of encouragement for the people? If so, say so.” Then Paul stood up, and waving with his hand, said, “People of Israel, and you who honor and respect God, pay attention. The God of this people of Israel chose our ancestors, and uplifted the people when they lived as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with great strength brought them out of it. And God put up with their ways for forty years in the countryside. And when God had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, their land was divided to them by lot. And after that God gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel, the great preacher came. And later when they wanted a ruler: God gave them Saul, the child of Kish, from the family of Benjamin, for forty years. And when God had removed him, God lifted up David to be their ruler; of whom also God said, ‘David the child of Jesse, I’ve found, is someone after my own heart, which will fulfill all My will.’
[23-37] God has raised up a descendant of this person, as promised to Israel, a Savior, Yeshua. John had first preached before the Christ’s coming, the baptism of a changed life, to all the people of Israel. And as John finished his work, he asked, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you’re looking for. But, there comes One after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to undo.’ You people, children of the family of Abraham, and whoever among you respects God, the Word of how to be saved is sent to you now. Those who live at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know Yeshua was the Christ, nor even the voices of the great preachers which are read every Day of Worship, they’ve made to come true by passing judgment on the Christ. And even though they found no reason for a death sentence, they still wanted Pilate to put Yeshua to death. They did everything that was written about the Christ, who they took down from the cross and laid in a tomb. But God raised the Christ from the dead, who was seen for a long time by those who came up with Yeshua from Galilee to Jerusalem. We are the witnesses of Christ to the people, and tell you this happy news. The promise which was made to the ancestors, God has made happen for all of us, who are their children, through this person. God has brought Yeshua back to life again; as it’s also written in the second song, ‘You’re My Child, today I have born you.’ And about God raising the Christ from the dead, no more to return to death, God said in this way, ‘I’ll give you the true promises of David.’ Which is why God also said this in another song, ‘You won’t let your Holy One rot in the grave.’ But David, after having served his own people by the will of God, died, and was laid with his ancestors, and rotted in his grave. But the Christ didn’t rot, whom God brought back to life.
[38-43] So we want you to know, dear people and loved ones, that through this person, who we’ve preached to you, you can be saved from your sins. Through Christ, all that believe are made right from everything, from which you couldn’t be made right by the Word of God which was given to Moses. So beware, in case what was spoken of in the great preachers comes on you: ‘See, you who hate others, wonder and die! I’ll do something in your days, something you’ll never believe, even if someone tells it to you.’ And when the Jews had gone out of the Place of Worship, the other peoples begged them to preach this to them the next Day of Worship. Now when the people left, many of the Jews and religious converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, proved to them that they should stay in God’s grace.
[44-52] When the next day of Worship came, almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous, and spoke against what Paul was saying, contradicting him and disrespecting God. Then Paul and Barnabas, having no fear, said, “It was necessary that the Word of God was first spoken to you, but seeing you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, we turn to the other peoples. The Christ has told us, saying, ‘I’ve made you to be a light to the other peoples, that you would teach all people how to be saved, even to the farthest parts of the world.’” And when the other peoples heard this, they were happy, and praised the Word of God: and whoever was set apart for everlasting life believed in the Christ. And the Word of Christ was published throughout the whole region. But the Jews stirred up the dedicated and honorable women, and the leading men of the city, and made the people prejudiced against Paul and Barnabas, and forced them to leave out of their coasts. So they shook the dust off of their feet as a witness against them, and came to Iconium. And the followers were joyful, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Paul Stoned and Left for Dead
14 [1-7] Later, in Iconium, they went both together into the Jews’ Place of Worship, and spoke, so that a great crowd, both of the Jews and also of the Greeks, believed. Then the unbelieving Jews stirred up the other peoples, and made them turn against the Christians. But they stayed a long time, speaking without fear in Christ, who gave witness to the Word of God’s grace, letting signs and amazing things be done by their hands. So the people of the city were divided, part of them agreeing with the Jews, and part with the followers. And when an attack was planned by both the other peoples, and also by the Jews, along with their rulers, to abuse them shamefully, and kill them, they became aware of it, and ran away to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lies around them. So they preached the New Word there.
[8-18] And there was someone at Lystra, sitting helpless, being a cripple in their feet from birth, who had never walked. This person heard Paul speak, who firmly watching them, knew that this person had faith to be healed, and said with a loud voice, “Stand on your feet.” And suddenly this person jumped up and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they called out, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of human beings.” And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the leading speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter for their city, brought a cow and a wreath to the gates, and would have sacrificed the cow with the people. But when the followers, Barnabas and Paul, heard about it, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, calling out, and saying, “People, why are you doing this? We’re human beings just like you and have a human nature, and preach to you so that you’ll turn from these empty practices to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it: Who in the past let all nations act in their own ways. Just the same, God left us a witness. God is good, giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and happiness.” And with this, they barely kept the people from worshiping them.
[19-28] And certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium came, who won over the people to stone Paul, and they threw him out of the city, thinking he was dead. But as the followers stood around him, he got up, and went back into the city. The next day he went with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the New Word to that city, and had taught many, they came back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, proving the souls of the followers, and encouraging them to stay in the faith, and telling them that we must go through many troubles to come into the realm of God. And when they had set apart elders for every church, and had prayed, willingly going without food, they trusted them to God, on whom they believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. When they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia, where they then sailed to Antioch, and where they were praised for God’s grace to them for the work they’d done. And when they had come, and had gathered the church together, they went over everything that God had done with them, and how they had opened the door of faith to the other peoples. They stayed there a long time with the followers.
Questions of the Law
15 [1-11] And some people which came down from Judea told the Christians, “Unless you’re flesh is cut in the way of Moses, you can’t be saved.” So when Paul and Barnabas had a big disagreement with them and argued about it, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and a few more of them, would go to Jerusalem to the followers and elders to ask about it. The church sending them on their way, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, telling how the other peoples were saved: and all the Christians there were very happy about it. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and the followers and elders, and they told them everything that God had done with them. But some of the sects of the religious leaders who believed got up, saying that they needed to cut the foreskins of the other peoples, and to order them to obey the Word of God by Moses. And the followers and elders came together to decide the matter. After there had been a lot of arguing, Peter got up, saying to them, “Christians, you know how that a good while ago God chose among us, that the other peoples by my mouth would hear the New Word, and believe. And God, which knows the hearts, gave them witness, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as God did to us. God put no difference between us and them, making their hearts pure by faith. So now, why are you tempting God, to put restrictions on the new followers, which neither our ancestors, nor we were able to carry? Don’t we believe that through the grace of Yeshua the Christ we’ll be saved, just as they do?”
[12-21] Then everyone was silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who told them what wonderful and amazing things God had done among the other peoples by them. And after they stopped speaking, James said, “Christians, listen carefully to me: Simeon has made known how God first visited the other peoples, to take a people out of them for God’s name. And the Words of the great preachers agree with this; as the Word says, “I’ll return later, and will rebuild the Place of Worship of David, which is fallen down; and I’ll rebuild its ruins, and I’ll set it up, so that the rest of the peoples might look for God, and all the other peoples, on whom My Name is called, God said, who does all this”. God knows everything we’ve done from the beginning of the world. So this is what I think: we shouldn’t trouble those who came from among the other peoples who turned to God. We should write to them, and tell them not to worship anything else but God, not to do any sexual sin, and not to eat anything that has been strangled, or still has blood in it. Moses, since long ago, has been made known to them in every city by those who preached, being read in the places of worship every Seventh Day.
[22-35] Then it pleased the followers and elders, along with the whole church, to send some chosen out of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas, who was nicknamed Barsabas, and Silas, who were leaders among the Christians. They wrote letters later by them in this way:
The followers, elders, and Christians send greeting to the Christians which are of the other peoples in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: So as we’ve heard that some who went out from us have upset you with their words, weakening your faith, saying, “You must be cleansed, and obey the Word of God”: to whom we gave no such word. We thought it best, all of us having one heart, to send some of our people to you, along with our dear loved ones Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the Name of our Christ Yeshua. So we’ve sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put on you nothing more than what’s necessary; That you don’t eat meats offered in false worship to statues, don’t eat anything with its blood in it, or that has been strangled, and don’t do any sexual sin. If you keep yourselves from these things, you’ll do good. Be well.
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the crowd together, they gave them the letter: Which after they had read it, they celebrated for the comfort it gave them. And Judas and Silas, being great preachers also themselves, encouraged the Christians with many words, and blessed them. And after they had stayed there awhile, they went in peace from the new Christians back to the followers. Silas decided to stay there, and Paul and Barnabas also stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God, with many others also.
[36-41] And a few days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go and visit the Christians everywhere that we’ve preached the Word of God, and see how they’re doing. And Barnabas decided to take with them John, whose nickname was Mark. But Paul didn’t want to take him with them, who had left from Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to the work. And the argument between them was so great, that they separated from one another: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and went, being recommended by the Christians to God’s grace. And they went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Paul Meets Timothy
16 [1-15] Then they came to Derbe and Lystra, where a certain follower was, named Timothy, whose mother was a Jew, who believed; but whose father was a Greek. They were told of Timothy by the Christians that were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted him to go out with them; and took and cut his foreskin because of the Jews there, all of them knowing that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they gave them the rules they were to keep, that were set up by the followers and elders which were at Jerusalem. So the churches settled in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were foretold by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia, after they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit wouldn’t let them. And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. Then a vision appeared to Paul in the night, in which someone of Macedonia stood, calling them, saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” And after he had seen the vision, we quickly tried to go into Macedonia, gathering that God had called us to preach the New Word to them. So leaving from Troas, we came straight to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. We were staying a few days in that city. And on the Seventh Day we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer services were being held. We sat down, and spoke to the women who went there. And a certain woman named Lydia, who sold things dyed purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us. God opened her heart that she listened to the things which were spoken by Paul. So after she and her family were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you’ve judged me to be faithful to God, come and stay at my house. So she won us over.
[16-24] And then as we went to prayer, a certain girl who was being controlled by an evil spirit, which helped her tell the future, and which made her employers much money by her fortune telling, followed Paul and us, and called out, saying, “These people are the workers of the Most High God, who will show us the way to be saved.” And she did this for a long time, so Paul, being tired of it, turned saying to the spirit, “I tell you in the Name of Yeshua the Christ, come out of her.” And it came out as soon as he said it. And when her employers saw that they had no hope of making any more money off of her, they caught Paul and Silas, bringing them into the shopping center to the rulers, and brought them to the courts, saying, “These people, being Jews, greatly trouble our city, and teach a way of life, which isn’t right for us to do, nor to observe, being Romans.” And the crowd gathered together against them, tearing off their clothes, and told the guards to beat them. And when they had beaten them, they put them in jail, charging the jailer to keep them safely: Who, having gotten such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and put their feet in chains.
Paul and Silas Sing at Midnight
[25-40] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and all the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison, and all the doors began to open, and everyone’s chains fell open. And the keeper of the prison, awaking out of sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, thinking that the prisoners had run away. But Paul called out, saying, “Do yourself no harm; we’re all here.” Then he called for a light, and came in trembling, and bowed down to Paul and Silas, and brought them out, saying, “Please, what must I do to be saved?” And they answered, “Believe on Yeshua the Christ, and you’ll be saved, and your whole house.” And they told him the Word of God, along with all that were in his house. And he took them at the same time of night, and washed their wounds; and was baptized, him and his whole house. And when he had brought them home, he gave them something to eat, and celebrated, believing in God with his whole house. But when the day came, the courts sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those people go.” And the keeper of the prison told this to Paul, “The courts have sent to let you go: so you can leave now, and go in peace.” But Paul answered, “They have beaten us openly uncharged, being Romans, and have put us in jail; and now do they want to kick us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and get us out.” And the sergeants told these words to the courts, who were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came, begging them, and brought them out, and asked them to leave the city. And they went out of the prison, and went to the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the Christians, they comforted them, and left.
17 [1-4] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Place of Worship of the Jews. So Paul, as his way was, for three Days of Worship, went in and explained to them and showed them from the Word that Christ needed to have suffered, and come back to life again from the dead; saying that “This Yeshua, whom I preach to you, is the Christ.” And some of them believed, and a great crowd of dedicated Greeks and many of the leading women gathered together with Paul and Silas.
[5-9] But the Jews that didn’t believe, became jealous, and gathered a crowd of evil people, who stirred up the whole city, and attacked the house of Jason, trying to bring them out to the people. But when they didn’t find them, they took Jason and a few other Christians to the rulers of the city, saying, “These people who have upset the whole world have come here also; Whom Jason has taken in: and they all act against the law of Caesar, saying that there’s another ruler, Yeshua.” Both the people and the rulers of the city were greatly upset when they heard this, and when they had taken money from Jason and the others for security, they let them go.
[10-15] And right away the Christians sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, where they went into the Jews’ Place of Worship. The people there were more understanding than those in Thessalonica, in that they accepted the Word with willing minds, and searched the Words daily, to see whether or not those things were true. So many of them believed; both the honorable women of the Greeks, and many of the men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that Paul preached the Word of God at Berea, they came there also, and stirred up the people there. And then the Christians quickly sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy still stayed there. And those who led Paul brought him to Athens, and being told to tell Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as they could, they went.
[16-21] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred when he saw the whole city falsely worshiped other things. So he argued in the Place of Worship with the Jews, and with the other people who were dedicated, and in the shopping center daily with whoever he met. Then he met certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics. And some said, “What’s this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be telling us of a strange god;” because he was preaching about Yeshua and the new life to them. So they took Paul, and brought him to Areopagus, asking, “Would you please tell us what this new teaching is, which you’ve been talking about? What you’ve been saying seems strange to us, so we want to know what it means.” (All the Athenians and the strangers who came there spent all their time either telling, or listening to something new.)
The Unknown God Made Known
[22-33] Then Paul stood in the middle of Mars’ hill, saying, “You people of Athens, I realize that you’re too superstitious in everything, because as I passed by, and watched your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. I’ll tell you about the One whom you worship without knowing. God, who made the world and everything in it, seeing that this One is the God of all heaven and earth, doesn’t live in Place of Worship made with human hands; Neither is worshipped with human hands, as though God needed anything, seeing that God gives life, breath, and everything else to all things; And has made of one race all the nations of humanity that live on the face of the earth, and has decided their times beforehand, and where the borders of their nation was to be; To look for God, if it so happens that they search for God, and find God, though God isn’t far from any of us. We live, and move, and have our very being in God; as certain also of your own poets have said, “We’re God’s children also.” So then, since we’re the children of God, we shouldn’t think that God is like gold, or silver, or stone, which is carved by the art work of a human being. And though God winked at these times of ignorance; now God tells everyone everywhere to change their evil ways. God has chosen a day, in which the whole world will be judged rightly by that person whom God has set apart; in which God has given assurance to everyone, in that God has raised the Christ from the dead. And when they heard of the coming to life again of the dead, some mocked him, but others said, “We want to hear more about this from you.” So Paul left them, but some of them went with him, and believed: Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and some others, being among them.
Paul Ministers in Corinth
18 [1-6] Later Paul went from Athens, and came to Corinth, finding there a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had just come from Italy, with his spouse Priscilla; ( because Claudius had told all Jews to leave Rome:) and came to them. And because they did the same kind of work, he stayed with them, and worked because they were all tentmakers by trade. And they argued in the Place of Worship every Seventh Day, and won over many of the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was called by the spirit to clearly tell the Jews that Yeshua was the Christ. But when they argued against it, showing disrespect for God, he shook his clothing, saying to them, “Your blood is on your own heads; I’ve done what I was supposed to, and now I’ll go to the other peoples.”
[7-11] And he left there, and went to someone’s house, named Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was right next door to the Place of Worship. And Crispus, the leading ruler of the Place of Worship, believed on Christ, along with his whole house; and many of the Corinthians who heard believed, and were baptized. Then God spoke to Paul in a dream by night, saying, “Don’t be afraid, but speak, and don’t be silent. I am with you, and no one will try to hurt you because I have many people in this place.” And he stayed there a year and a half, teaching the Word of God among them.
[12-17] And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews, with one heart, stirred everyone up against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, “This person teaches others to worship in a way that is against the Word of God.” And when Paul was just about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were about some wrong or evil action, Jews, I would put up with you and reason with you. But since it’s a question of words and names, and of your law, you see to it! I won’t judge these kinds of things.” And he ran them out from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, a ruler of the Place of Worship, and beat him right in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio didn’t even care about that.
[18-23] Paul still stayed there a good while, and then took leave of the Christians there, and sailed into Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila going along. Paul had all his hair cut off in Cenchrea because he had made a promise. Then he came to Ephesus, and left them there, but he himself went to the Place of Worship, and argued with the Jews. When they wanted him to stay a little longer with them, he said no; But told them goodbye, saying, “I must keep the celebration that comes in Jerusalem if at all possible, but I’ll come back to you later, if its God will.” And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church there, then went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there, he left, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the followers.
[24-28] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, a great speaker, and knowledgeable in the Word, came to Ephesus. This person was taught in the way of Christ; and being strong in the spirit, he spoke and taught everything about the Christ perfectly, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak without fear in the Place of Worship, whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of Christ more completely. And when he wanted to go on to Achaia, the Christians wrote, encouraging the followers to accept him. And when he came, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, publicly winning over the Jews, and showing Yeshua to be Christ by the Word.
Paul Heals and Preaches at Ephesus
19 [1-12] And then, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus. Finding some followers there, he asked, “Have you gotten the Holy Spirit since you believed?” And they said, “We haven’t even heard that there is any Holy Spirit.” So he asked them, “Then into what baptism were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “The truth is, John baptized with the baptism of a changed life, saying to the people, to believe on the One who would come later, that is, on Christ Yeshua.” So when they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of Christ Yeshua. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in another language, and preached. There were twelve of them in all. And they went into the Place of Worship, and spoke without fear for about three months, arguing and proving the things of the realm of God. But when some were doubtful, and didn’t believe, but spoke evil of that way to the crowds, he left, and separated the followers, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this happened for two years; so that all those who lived in Asia heard the Word of Christ Yeshua, both Jews and Greeks. And God did some amazing things by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases were healed, and the evil spirits left them.
[13-20] Then some of the traveling Jews, exorcists, took it upon themselves to call the Name of Christ Yeshua over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We order you to come out by Yeshua whom Paul preaches.” There were seven children of someone named Sceva, a Jew, and a leader of the priests, which did this. But the evil spirit answered them, saying, “Yeshua I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” And the person in whom the evil spirit was jumped on them, attacking and overpowering them, so that they ran naked and wounded out of that house. And all the Jews and Greeks living at Ephesus found out about it; and great fear fell on them all, so the Name of Christ Yeshua became well known. And many that believed came, and confessed, telling what they had done. Many of them, who used witchcraft, brought their books together, and burned them in front of everyone: and they counted to see what they were worth, and found it to be fifty thousand silver coins. So the Word of God grew more and more and did well.
Ephesus in an Uproar
[21-27] After Paul had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, he decided in the spirit to go on to Jerusalem, thinking, “After I’ve been there, I must also go to Rome.” So he sent into Macedonia two of those who had ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a while. And at the same time there was a great stir about that way. Someone named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver objects of worship of Diana, and helped the salesmen make a lot of money, called together everyone in that occupation, saying, “People, you know that we make our money by this trade. Besides this, you see and hear, that not just at Ephesus, but almost throughout all of Asia, this Paul has won over and turned many people away from us, saying that the things which are made with hands aren’t gods at all. Not only our employment is in danger of losing its place; but also the Place of Worship of the great goddess Diana will be hated, and her beauty will be destroyed, whom all Asia and the whole world worships.”
[28-41] And when they heard this, they were very angry, and called out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” And the whole city was in an uproar. Then, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, of Macedonia, Paul’s traveling companions, they rushed together into the theatre. And when Paul would have come to speak to the people, the other followers wouldn’t let him. And some of the leading of people of Asia, which were his friends, sent to him, begging him not to go into the theatre. So some cried one thing, and others cried out another because the whole crowd was confused; and most of them didn’t even know why they had come together. So they forced Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander waved his hands to make his defense to the people, but when they knew that he was a Jew, they all called out with one voice for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Then when the town clerk had quieted the people, he said, “You people of Ephesus, everyone knows that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, which came down from Jupiter! Seeing then that this can’t be argued against, you should be quiet, and do nothing too quickly. You’ve brought these people here, which haven’t stolen anything from the Place of Worship, nor have spoken evil of your goddess. So if Demetrius, and the others which are with him, have a problem with anyone, court days are held, and there are officers: let them accuse one another. But if you have a problem with anything else, it’ll be decided on in a legal gathering. We’re in danger of being called into question for today’s uproar! There’s no reason for us to explain this meeting.” After he had said this, he told the crowd to go.
Paul Raises the Dead
20 [1-12] And after the uproar ended, Paul called the followers, and hugged them, and left to go into Macedonia. After he had gone through it, and had given the Christians there much encouragement, he came into Greece, and stayed there three months. And when the Jews tried to catch him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he planned to return through Macedonia. And Sopater of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe, Timothy; Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia all went with him into Asia. They had gone on ahead, waiting for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the holidays of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days; where we stayed seven days. And on Sunday, when the followers came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, being ready to leave the next day; and kept talking until midnight. And there were many lights in the upstairs room, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young person named Eutychus, who had fallen into a deep sleep. As Paul was preaching for a long time, he fell down as he was sleeping from the third story window, and was found dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and holding on to him said, “Don’t worry, he’s still alive.” So when they had come up again, and had broken bread, after having eaten, and talked for a long while, even till daybreak, he went. And they brought the young person alive, and were greatly comforted.
[13-16] We went to the ship, and sailed to Assos, intending to take Paul in there, because he had chosen to go there on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed from there, and came the next day across from Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and stayed at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus, not wanting to spend time in Asia because he was in a hurry, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
[17-27] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they had come, he said, “You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, how I’ve lived among you at all times, serving God with a willing mind, and with many tears, and trials, which happened to me by the evil plans of the Jews: And how I didn’t keep anything back that was helpful to you, but have told you everything, having taught you publicly, and from house to house. I have told both the Jews, and also the Greeks, about having a changed life in God, and having faith in Yeshua the Christ of God. And now I go to Jerusalem, trusting in the spirit, not knowing what might happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that imprisonment and troubles await me. But none of this changes my mind, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my way with joy, and the ministry, which I’ve gotten from Christ Yeshua, to tell others of the New Word of God’s grace. And now, I know that you all, among whom I’ve gone preaching the realm of God, won’t see me anymore. So I tell you today, that I’m innocent of the blood of all people. I haven’t neglected telling you any of the Words of God.
[28-38] So be sure of yourselves, and to all the people, which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to take care of the church of God, which has been bought with the Christ’s own blood. I know that after I leave, evil people who are as wild wolves will come in among you, tearing the people apart as if they were a flock of animals. Even out of your own selves, some will come, speaking evil things, to lead the followers away after themselves. So watch, and remember, that for three years I didn’t stop warning everyone, night and day, with tears. And now, Christians, I give you to God, and to the Word of God’s grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are set apart. I’ve wanted no one’s money or clothes. Yes, you yourselves know, that these hands have worked for whatever I and those who were with me needed. I’ve shown you in every way, how that by working you should support the weak. And remember the Words of Christ Yeshua, who said, ‘It’s more blessed to give than to get’.” And when he had said this, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all cried very much, hugging Paul’s neck, and kissing him, being sorry most of all for what he had said about them not seeing him anymore. And they walked him to the ship.
Phillip’s Daughters Foretell Paul’s Arrest
21 [1-14] And then after we had left them, and started out, we sailed straight to Cos, and the next day, on to Rhodes, and from there, on to Patara. Then finding a ship to Phenicia, we boarded it, and set out again. Now when we had seen Cyprus, we left it on the left hand and sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, because the ship was to be unloaded of its cargo there. And we stayed there for seven days, and found followers, who said to Paul through the Spirit, “Don’t go up to Jerusalem.” And at the end of those days, we left, and went on our way. The followers walked with us on our way, along with their families, till we were out of the city. Then we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had said goodbye to one another, we boarded the ship; and they went back home. And after we left from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and greeted the Christians there, and stayed a day with them. And the next day, we that were of Paul’s company went, and came to Caesarea: and we went to the house of Philip, the evangelist, which was one of seven; and stayed with him. And this person had four daughters, who had never been sexually active, who preached. And as we stayed there for a long time, there came down from Judea a certain great preacher, named Agabus. And when they came to us, they took Paul’s belt, and tied their own hands and feet up, saying, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘The Jews at Jerusalem will tie up the person that owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the other peoples.’” And when we heard this, both we, and the people of that place, begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul asked, “Why are you crying and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be tied up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of Christ Yeshua.” And when he wouldn’t change his mind, we stopped, saying, “Let what God wants be done.”
[15-26] And after that, we packed our stuff, and went up to Jerusalem. Some of the followers of Caesarea went with us, and brought with them Mnason of Cyprus, an old follower, with whom we would stay. When we had come to Jerusalem, the Christians gladly took us in. The next day Paul went with us to James; and all the elders were there, also. And when he had greeted them, he told them in detail all the things God had done among the other peoples by his ministry. And when they heard it, they praised God, saying, “You see how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they’re all passionate about the Word of God. But they have heard of you, that you teach all the Jews, who live among the other peoples, to turn away from Moses, saying that they shouldn’t cut the foreskins of their children, nor to practice that way of life. What then, should we do? The crowd will come together as soon as they hear that you’ve come. So do what we say to you: There are four people who have made promises; Them take, and purify yourself with them, and pay for them to have their heads shaved: and then everyone will know that the things they were told about you, aren’t true; but that you yourself also walk orderly, and obey the Word of God. About the other peoples which believe, we’ve written and decided that they don’t have to do this, except only that they stay away from foods offered in the false worship of other things, and from anything that’s been strangled, or still has its blood, and from sexual sin.” Then Paul took the others, and the next day purifying himself with them, went into the Place of Worship, to signify the end of the days of purification, so that an offering could be offered for all of them.
Paul is Arrested
[27-40] And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the Place of Worship, stirred up all the people, and took him, calling out, “People of Israel, help: This is the person, that teaches everyone everywhere against the people, and the Word of God, and this place: and has also brought Greeks into the Place of Worship, making it unholy.” (because they had seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him before in the city, whom they thought Paul had brought into the Place of Worship.) And the whole city was upset, and a mob of people came together, taking Paul out of the Place of Worship, and shut the doors. And as they tried to kill him, news came to the captain of the guard that all Jerusalem was in an uproar, who quickly took soldiers and guards, and ran down to them. When the people saw the captain and the guards, they stopped beating Paul. Then the captain came near, and took him, and ordered him to be held with two chains; and demanded to know who he was, and what he had done. And some cried out one thing, and some another, among the crowd. So when he couldn’t find out for sure what had started the disorder, he ordered him to be carried into the prison. And when Paul got to the stairs, he had to be picked up and carried off by the guards because the people were so violent. The crowd of people followed them, calling out, “Take him away!” And as Paul was to being led into the prison, he said to the captain, “May I speak to you?” Who answered, “Can you speak Greek? Aren’t you that Egyptian, which made an uproar not long ago, and led four thousand people who were murderers out into the countryside?” But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no rough city: I beg you, let me speak to the people.” So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs, and waved his hand to the people. And when it was silent, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language.
Paul’s Defense to the People
22 [1-11] Paul said to them, “Everyone, hear my defense which I make to you now.” (And when they heard him speaking in the Hebrew language to them, they quieted down: and he said,) “The truth is, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught in the strict way of the ancestors in God’s Word, and was as passionate about God, as you all are today. And I abused the people of this Way, even to death, arresting and putting them in jails, both the men and the women. As also the leading priest are my witnesses, and all the court of the elders: from whom also I had gotten letters to the Jews, and went to Damascus, to bring those who were arrested there back to Jerusalem to be punished. And then, as I traveled there, and came near Damascus about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shined all around me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, Why are you trying to hurt me?’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Christ?’ And the Christ told me, ‘I am Yeshua of Nazareth, whom you’re trying to hurt.’ And those who were with me saw the light, too, and were afraid; but they didn’t hear the voice of the One who spoke to me. And I said, ‘What should I do, Christ?’ And the Christ told me, ‘Get up, and go into Damascus; and it’ll be told you there everything that has been chosen for you to do.’ And when I couldn’t see because the light was so bright, being led by those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
[12-21] And someone named Ananias, someone dedicated to the Word of God, having a good report of all the Jews which lived there, came to me and said, ‘Brother Saul, see again.’ And as soon as he said this, I could see him. And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you, that you would know God’s will, and see that Holy One, and would hear the voice of the Christ. You’ll be the Christ’s witness to everyone of what you’ve seen and heard. And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of God.’ And then, when I came again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the Place of Worship, I was in a trance; And saw the Christ saying to me, ‘Go quickly, and get out of Jerusalem because they won’t accept what you say about Me.’ And I said, ‘Christ, they know that I locked up and beat in every Place of Worship those who believed on You: And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I was standing there, too, and agreed to his death, and kept the coats of those who killed him.’ And the Christ told me, ‘Go and I’ll send you far from here to the other peoples.’”
[22-30] And they listened to him until he said this, and then called out, saying, “Put a person like this to death because he isn’t fit to live.” And as they called out, and took off their coats, and threw dust into the air, the captain told them to bring him into the prison, and question him by beating; in order to know why the people were calling out against him. And as they tied him up with leather straps, Paul said to the soldier next to him, “Is it right for you to beat someone who is a Roman, and has not been charged with anything?” When the soldier heard that, he went and told the captain, saying, “Be careful what you do because this person is a Roman.” Then the captain came, asking, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And Paul said, “Yes.” And the captain said, “I got this right with a lot of money.” And Paul said, “But I was born with that right.” Then suddenly those who were about to question him left: and the captain was also afraid, after he knew that Paul was a Roman, and because they had tied him up. The next day, because they wanted to know for sure why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he let him out and brought him down, and told the leading priests and all their court to appear, and set Paul before them.
Paul Goes to Court
23 [1-9] And Paul, carefully watching the court, said, “Everyone, I’ve lived in good conscience to God until today.” And the leading priest Ananias told those who were next to him to hit him on the mouth. Then Paul said to them, “God will hit you, you whitewashed wall because you sit and judge me in the Word of God, and order me to be beaten, which is against the Word of God.” And those who stood there said, “Are you accusing God’s leading priest?” Then Paul said, “I didn’t know that he was the leading priest, but the Word says, ‘You shouldn’t speak evil of the ruler of your people.’” But when Paul realized that part of them were of one religious sect, and the others were of another religious sect, he called out in the court, “People, I am a religious leader, the child of a religious leader: because of my belief and hope of the coming to life again of the dead I am called into question.” And when Paul had said this, an argument started between the religious leaders and the ministers from the other religious sects: and the crowd was divided, because one religious sect says that there’s no the coming to life again, nor angel, nor spirit: but the religious leaders believe in both. And everyone started calling out: and those who were of the religious leaders’ belief stood up, and said, “We find this person not guilty! If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God.”
[10-21] And when everyone started arguing again, the captain, fearing that Paul would have been torn apart by them, told the guards to go down, and take him away from them by force, and to bring him back to the prison. And the night after that, Christ came to him, saying, “Be happy, Paul! Just as you’ve told of Me truthfully in Jerusalem, so you must be a truthful witness at Rome, also.” And when it was day, some of the Jews came together, and put themselves under a curse, saying that they wouldn’t eat or drink anything till they had killed Paul. And more than forty of them had made this promise. So they came to the leading priests and elders, saying, “We’ve put ourselves under a great curse, that we won’t eat anything until we’ve killed Paul. So now you, along with the court, tell the captain to bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you want to ask him more questions: and we, when they come close enough, will be ready to kill him.” But when Paul’s nephew heard of their plan to kill him, he left, and went to the prison, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the guards to him, saying, “Bring this young person to the captain because he has something to tell him.” So he took him, and brought him to the captain, saying, “Paul, the prisoner called me, and asked me to bring this young person to you, who has something to say to you.” Then the captain took him by the hand and went with him aside secretly, and asked him, “What do you want to tell me?” And he told him, “The Jews have all agreed to ask you to bring Paul down into the court tomorrow, as though they wanted to ask him some more questions. But don’t give in to them, because more than forty people have planned to kill him, which have promised, that they won’t eat or drink anything till they’ve killed him: and now they’re ready, waiting for a promise from you.”
Paul Sent to Felix
[22-35] So then the captain let the boy leave, and told him, “Don’t tell anyone what you’ve told me.” And he called two guards, saying, “Get two hundred guards ready to go to Caesarea, and seventy riders, and two hundred soldiers, at nine o’clock tonight; And give them a horse for Paul, and bring him safely to Felix, the governor.” Later, he wrote a letter:
Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting. This person was taken from the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with an army, and rescued him, knowing that he was a Roman. And when I wanted to know the reason why they accused him, I brought him out into their court: Whom I realized then was being accused of questions about their law, but I don’t have anything to charge him with worthy of death or even of imprisonment. And when it was told me that the Jews planned to kill this person, I sent him quickly to you, and gave word to his accusers also to tell you what they had against him. Goodbye.
Then the guards did as they were told and took Paul, bringing him by night to Antipatris. The next day they left the riders to go on with him, and then went back to the prison. When they came to Caesarea, and had given the letter to the governor, they turned Paul over to him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked what province Paul was from. And when he found out that he was from Cilicia; he said, “I’ll hear you, when your accusers have come, too.” And he told them to keep Paul in Herod’s court.
Paul Defends Himself in Court
24 [1-9] And after five days Ananias the leading priest came down with the elders, and with a certain well spoken person named Tertullus, who told the governor of the accusations against Paul. And when he was called on, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that we enjoy great peace with you, and that you have done very worthy things for this nation by your generosity, we accept it always, everywhere, most noble Felix, with great thankfulness. But so that I won’t be too tiring to you, I ask you to hear a few words from us out of your kindness. We’ve found this person to be a troublesome person, who starts rebellions among all the Jews throughout the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Christians: Who also has tried to treat the Place of Worship with disrespect: whom we took, and would have judged by our law. But the captain Lysias came on us, and with great force took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come to you. You will know this for yourself when you question him about the things we’re accusing him of. And the Jews also agreed, saying that it was true.
[10-23] Then Paul, after that the governor had waved to him to speak, said, “As I know that you’ve been a judge to this nation for many years, I’ll more gladly, answer for myself: because I know that you can understand that it has been only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they didn’t find me in the Place of Worship arguing with anyone, nor stirring up the people, neither in the Place of Worship, nor in the city. They can’t prove anything they’re accusing me of now. But I tell you this, that I worship in the Way, which they call heresy, the God of my ancestors, believing everything which is written in the Word of God and in the words of the great preachers: And I have hope in God, which they themselves also allow, that there will be a coming to life again of the dead, both of the good and the evil. And in this, I always try to have a good conscience, without doing wrong to God, or anyone else. Now after many years, I came to bring gifts to my nation, and offerings. At which point, certain Jews from Asia found me cleansed in the Place of Worship, not with a crowd, nor with any disorder. Who should have come here before you, to accuse me, if they had anything against me. Or else, let these that are here say if they’ve found me doing anything wrong, while I stood in the court, except maybe for this one thing, that I called out to them, I am being called into question by you today about my belief in the coming to life again of the dead.” And when Felix heard this, having a better knowledge of that Way, he told them to wait, saying, “When Lysias, the captain, comes down, I’ll make a decision on your case.” And he told a guard to keep Paul, but to let him have freedom, and not to tell anyone that they can’t minister or come to him.
[24-27] And after a few days, when Felix came with his spouse Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and listened to him speak about the faith in Christ. And as he spoke to them about goodness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix shook with fear, saying, “Go for now; but I’ll call for you again when it’s a better time.” He was hoping also that Paul would give him some money to free him, so he sent for Paul more often, and talked with him. But after two years Porcius Festus took the office of Felix: and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul in prison.
Paul Appeals to Caesar
25 [1-12] Now when Festus came into the province, after three days he had gone up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the leading priest and the other leaders of the Jews told him of the accusations against Paul, and begged him for a favor, that he would send Paul to Jerusalem, while people were waiting down the road to kill him. But Festus said, that Paul would be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would leave shortly to go there. So he said, “Let whoever among you that’s able, go down with me, and accuse this person, if there is any wrongdoing in him.” And when he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat, he had Paul brought to him. And when he came, the Jews that came down from Jerusalem stood around, charging Paul with many serious complaints, which they couldn’t prove. While he said for himself, “I haven’t done anything against the law of the Jews, nor against the Place of Worship, nor even against Caesar.” But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, saying, “Will you go up to Jerusalem, to be judged of this by me?” Then Paul said, “I’m standing at the court of Caesar, where I should be judged: I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. If I’m an offender, or have done anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die: but if I have done none of this that I’m accused of, no one can hand me over to them. I make my appeal to Caesar.” Then when Festus had talked with the court, he said, “You’ve appealed to Caesar, so to Caesar you’ll go.”
Paul Speaks to Agrippa
[13-22] And after a few days the ruler Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. And when they had been there a long time, Festus told them about Paul’s case, saying, “There’s someone left locked up by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the leading priests and the elders of the Jews told me, hoping to have a judgment against him. I answered, It isn’t the way of the Romans to deliver anyone to die, before the accused has seen the accusers face to face, and has had a chance to answer for himself about the crime charged against him. So, when they had come here, without any delay, I held court the next day, and told the person to be brought out. When the accusers stood up, they brought none of the accusations I thought they would: But had some questions against him about their own religious beliefs, and of someone named Yeshua, who had died, whom Paul said was alive. And because I didn’t really know how to answer those kinds of questions, I asked him if he would go to Jerusalem, and be judged there about it. But when Paul had appealed to be kept until the hearing of Augustus, I ordered him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this person myself.” So he told him, “Tomorrow, you’ll hear him.”
[23-27] And the next day, when Agrippa came, and Bernice, with great show, and was gone into the court, with the captains, and the leaders of the city, Paul was brought out at Festus’ word. And Festus said, “Ruler Agrippa, and people in the court, listen to this person, about whom all the leaders of the Jews have talked with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, saying that he shouldn’t be allowed to live any longer. But when I found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and that he himself has appealed to Augustus, I’ve decided to send him. But I have nothing to write to my Ruler. So I’ve brought him out to you, and especially to you, ruler Agrippa, so that, after he’s questioned, I might have something to write. It seems to me to be out of the question to send a prisoner, with nothing to signify the crimes against him.”
26 [1-11] Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You’re may speak for yourself, now.” Then Paul reached out with his hand, saying for himself: “I think myself happy, ruler Agrippa, because I’ll answer for myself today to you about everything in which I am accused of by the Jews: Especially because I know you to be an expert in the Jewish way of life and all the questions which we have: so I beg you to hear me patiently. My way of life from my youth, which was at first among my own nation at Jerusalem, which all the Jews know; Those who knew me from the beginning, if they would tell you, know that I lived the life of a religious leader in the most strict sect of our religion. And now I stand and am judged for the hope I have in the promise made by God to our ancestors: The promise we hope to get, which was made to our twelve families, who sincerely serve God day and night. It’s for this hope’s sake, ruler Agrippa, that I am being accused by the Jews. Why would you think it an incredible thing, that God would raise the dead? The truth is, I thought myself, that I should do many things against the Name of Yeshua of Nazareth. Which I did in Jerusalem, putting many of the Christians in prison, having gotten power from the leading priests; and when they were put to death, I spoke against them. And I punished them often in every Place of Worship, and tried to get them to dishonor God; and being very angry with them, I chased them even to far off cities, to abuse them.
[12-23] At which point as I went to Damascus with power and orders from the leading priests, at noon, I saw on the road a great light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you trying to hurt me? Isn’t it hard for you to fight against my prods? And I said, Who are you, Christ? And the Christ answered, I am Yeshua who you’re trying to hurt. But get up, and stand on your feet because I’ve appeared to you so I can make you a minister and a witness both of what you’ve just seen, and of the things that you’ll see later; I’ll deliver you from your own people, and from the other peoples, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they can be saved from their sins, and have an inheritance among those who are set apart by faith in Me.’ At which point, Ruler Agrippa, I wasn’t disobedient to the heavenly vision: But I went first to those of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the other peoples, to tell them to change their ways and turn to God, and to do right to have a changed life. This is why the Jews caught me in the Place of Worship, and tried to kill me. But having the help of God, I’m still here to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing other than the faith of the great preachers and Moses said would come: That Christ would suffer, and be the first that would come back alive from the dead, and would give light to our people, and to the other peoples.”
[24-32] And as Paul so spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you’re beside yourself; all your learning has made you crazy.” But he answered, “I am not crazy, most noble Festus; but I speak the words of wisdom and truth. You know of this, and I speak freely to you because I know that none of this is hidden from you, because this thing wasn’t done in secret. Ruler Agrippa, do you believe the great preachers? I know that you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost prove to me that I should become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I wish to God, that not only you, but also everyone who hears me today, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except for my imprisonment.” And when they had said this, the ruler got up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, “This person has done nothing worthy of death or of imprisonment.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “He might have been set free, if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
Paul Sent to Rome
27 [1-8] And when it was time for us to go to Italy, they gave Paul and some other prisoners to someone named Julius, a soldier of Augustus’ troop. And going into a ship of Adramyttium, we started, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him freedom to go to friends to refresh himself. And when we had started from there, we sailed behind Cyprus, to protect us from the storm winds. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the soldier found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and they put us in it. And when we had sailed slowly for a long time, and had almost gotten to Cnidus, the winds not letting us, we sailed behind Crete, next to Salmone; And as we almost passed it, we came to a place which is called Fair Havens; near the city of Lasea.
Paul Warns of Shipwreck
[9-15] Now when a long time had passed, and when the sailing was quite dangerous, because the Holiday had already passed, Paul warned them, saying, “Please, I know that this voyage will be hurt and have a lot of damage, and not only the cargo and ship, but our very lives will be in danger.” But the soldier was more willing to do what the captain and the owner of the ship said, than what Paul had said. And because the haven wasn’t a good place to winter in, most of them wanted to leave there also, if by chance they could get to Phenice, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, and lies toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, thinking that they had gotten their chance, they left there and sailed close to Crete. But not long after a great storm wind blew, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and couldn’t go into the wind, we let it drive.
[16-24] And sailing in the shelter of a certain island called Clauda, we had to work very hard to save the lifeboat: Which when they had brought it up, they used ropes to help support the ship. And fearing they would get stuck in the sand, they raised the sail, and were driven by the wind. And the boat, being greatly rocked by the storm, the next day, they lightened the ship. And the third day, we threw all the tackling of the ship out with our own hands. And when we couldn’t see the sun, nor the stars for a long time, and we were in a very great storm, we lost all hope of being saved. But after a long time without any food, Paul stood in the middle of them, and said, “People, you should have listened more carefully to me, and not have left Crete, and gotten all this harm and loss. And now I tell you to be calm, because no one’s life will be lost, but only the ship. The angel of God, who I belong to and serve, came to me tonight, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul; you must be brought to Caesar: And God has given you all those who sail with you.’
[25-34] So, please, be calm, because I believe God that it’ll be just as it was told me. But we must be put on a certain island.” But when the fourteenth night came, as we were driven up and down in Adriatic Sea, about midnight the ship’s crew believed that they were coming near to some land. And when they sounded, they found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing we would be driven on to the rocks, they put four anchors out of the stern, and prayed for daylight. And as the crew was about to escape out of the ship, when they had let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending as though they were putting anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the soldier and to the guards, “You won’t be saved unless they stay in the ship.” Then the guards cut the ropes off of the boat, and let it fall. And just as the sun was rising, Paul begged them all to eat, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you’ve waited and gone without food, having eaten nothing. I ask you to eat something for your health because not one hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
[35-44] And when he had said this, he ate, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and then he began to eat. Then they all felt better, and began to eat, too. And there were two hundred and seventy-six people on board the ship. And when they had all eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and threw the wheat out into the sea. And when it was day, they didn’t know what land they were at: but they found a bay with a beach, in which they were hoping, if at all possible, to drive the ship ashore. And when they had brought the anchors up, they let them fall into the sea, and let loose the rudder ropes, and lifted the mainsail into the wind, and tried to reach the shore. And being driven into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck in the sand, and couldn’t move, but the hinder part was broken by the violence of the waves. And the guards’ planned to kill the prisoners, in case any of them swam out, and escaped. But the soldier, wanting to save Paul, wouldn’t let them; and told that those who could swim to jump into the sea first, and get to land, and then the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so they all escaped safely to land.
Paul Heals on the Island of Malta
28 [1-6] And when they had escaped, then they found out that the island was called Malta. And the native people were very kind and kindled a fire, and welcomed us all, because of the falling rain, and the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a snake came out of the heat, and bit his hand. And when the natives saw the venomous snake hanging on his hand they said among themselves, “No doubt this person is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, still justice won’t let him live.” But Paul shook it off into the fire, and wasn’t harmed at all. But when they thought he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly, and saw after they had watched a great while, that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds, saying that Paul was a god.
[7-10] A leading person of the island whose name was Publius lived in that area; who had kindly taken us all in for three days. And then when Publius’ father was sick with a fever and a bloody diarrhea, Paul came in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this happened, others in the island, who had diseases came also, and were healed. And we were honored with many honors also; and when we left the island, they gave us whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
[11-16] And after three months we went in a ship of Alexandria, whose sign was Castor and Pollux, the Twin Brothers, which had wintered in the island. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. And from there we got a compass, and headed to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. We found Christians there, and were asked to stay with them for a week: and then we went toward Rome. And from there, when the Christians heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the soldier handed the prisoners over to the captain of the guard: but Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier who guarded him.
[17-31] And then after three days Paul called all the leaders of the Jews together: and when they had come together, he said, “People, though I’ve done nothing against the people, or the way of life of our ancestors, still, I was taken prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had questioned me, would have let me go, because I had done nothing to deserve death. But when the Jews spoke against it, I had to appeal to Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. Because of this, I have called for you, to see you, and to speak with you. It’s for the hope of Israel that I have been made a prisoner like this.” And they said, “We haven’t gotten any letters from Judea about you, nor have any of those who have come here spoken anything bad about you. But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect, because we know that it’s spoken against everywhere.” And when they had chosen a day, many people came to where Paul was staying. Then Paul explained and carefully told them everything about the realm of God, proving to them about Yeshua, both out of the Word of God by Moses, and out of the great preachers, from morning till evening. And some believed what was said, and some didn’t believe. And when they didn’t agree among themselves, they went, after Paul had said this, “The Holy Spirit spoke well by Isaiah the great preacher to our ancestors, saying, ‘Go to this people, and say, Hearing you’ll hear, and won’t understand; and seeing you’ll see, and not realize: because the heart of this people has become numb, and their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes are closed; or they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and would be changed, and I would heal them.’ So let it be known to you, that the New Word of how to be saved by God is being sent to the other peoples, and they’ll listen.” And when Paul had said these words, the Jews left, and had many questions among themselves. And Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented house, and took in all that came to him, and taught them about the realm of God, and all the teachings about Yeshua the Christ, without fear, and no one forbidding him.
Paul’s Letter to Romans
1 [1-7] Paul, a worker of Yeshua the Christ, called to be a follower, set apart for the New Word of God, (Which God had promised before by the great preachers in the Holy Word,) about the Child of God, Yeshua the Christ, our Savior, who was in human form from the line of David; And by the spirit of faithfulness said to be the Child of God with power, by the coming to life again from the dead. We’ve accepted, by grace, the membership of the faith among all nations, for the name of Christ. You all that are in Rome are also called of Yeshua the Christ, dear loved ones of God, and called to be Christians. May grace and peace come to you from Yahweh God, and Yeshua the Christ.
Not Ashamed of the New Word
[8-17] First, I thank my God for you all, through Yeshua the Christ, that your faith is being spoken of throughout the whole world. God is my witness, whom I serve with all my spirit in the New Word of the Child of God, that I always remember you in my prayers, never stopping. I ask if, in any way now at last, I might come to you by the will of God and have a good journey. I long to see you, so that I can give you some spiritual gift, so that you’ll have what you need; That is, so that I’ll be in good spirits along with you by the faith that we now share. I want you to know, Christians, that I planned often to come to you, (but was unable before this,) that I might have some converts among you also, just as I do among the other peoples. I owe it both to the Greeks, and to the other foreigners, both to the wise, and to the unwise. So as much as is in me, I’m ready to preach the New Word to you who are at Rome also. I am not ashamed of the New Word of Christ because it’s the power of God to save everyone that believes; first the Jews, and then the other peoples. The goodness of God is made known, which is by faith: as the Word says, “Those made right will live by faith.”
No Excuses
[18-22] The judgment of God is revealed from heaven against all the evil and ungodliness of human beings, who hold back the truth with their ungodly actions; What might be known about God, they know, because God has clearly shown it to them. The things that we can’t see about God, have been clearly shown to us since the creation of the world, that is, God’s everlasting power and Godhead, which is understood by seeing everything that is made, so that they have no excuse. And even when they knew God, they wouldn’t praise God as God, nor thank God; but became like unthinking idiots in their thoughts, and their stupid hearts were darkened. They claim to be wise, but they became like unthinking idiots, changing the light of the everlasting God into the false worship of other things, in the form of human beings, birds, animals, and water creatures.
On Homosexuality and Other Sins of the Flesh
[24-32] So God also gave them up to the evil they wanted out of their own hearts, to shame their own bodies among themselves. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served what was created more than the Creator who made them, who is blessed forever. So be it! Because of this God gave them up to the evil they wanted, so that even their women changed the natural way of sex into what is against nature (anal sex): And in the same way the men also, not wanting to have sex with a woman naturally, but wanting to have sex with each other (homosexual anal sex); men with men, doing what is clearly wrong, and getting diseases in themselves from their wrongs, which they rightfully deserved as punishment. And as they didn’t like to remember God, God gave them over to an ungodly mind, to do what isn’t natural; Being filled with all ungodliness, sexual sin, evil, greed, cruelty; jealousy, murder, arguments, lies, criticism; gossip, back-talkers, God-haters, wanting revenge, proud, braggers, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without knowledge, promise breakers, without natural love, stubborn, and uncaring: Who knowing the judgment of God, that those who do such things are worthy of death, and not only do them, but are happy when others do them.
Everyone will Come to Judgment
2 [1-16] So you’re inexcusable, you people, who judge others, because however you judge someone else, you accuse yourself because you who are judging others do the same kinds of things. But we’re sure that in truth the judgment of God is against those who do such things. And do you think, you people, who judge those who do such things, and do the same, that you’ll escape the judgment of God? Or do you hate the riches of God’s goodness, and patient waiting; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to a changed life? But because of your hardness and unchanged heart, you store up for yourself rage against the day of rage, when the good sense of God will be made known, who will give everyone just what their actions deserve. Everlasting life to them who patiently continue doing good, while looking for victory, honor, and a spiritual body: But God will have resentment and rage toward those who want to argue, and don’t obey the truth, but are ungodly. Suffering and sorrow will come to every soul of those who do evil, of the Jew first, and also of the other peoples; But victory, honor, and peace, to everyone that does good, to the Jew first, and also to the other peoples. God shows no favor to anyone. Whoever has sinned without knowing the Word of God will also be destroyed without the Word of God: and whoever has sinned knowing the Word of God will be judged by the Word of God. Those who only hear the Word of God aren’t right to God, but those who act on the Word of God will be made right. When the other peoples, which haven’t heard the Word of God, naturally do the things contained in the Word of God, these, not having the Word of God, are a law to themselves. This shows the work of the Word of God is written in their hearts, their conscience also giving proof, and their thoughts either accusing or else excusing them. This will happen in the day when God will judge the secrets of humanity by Yeshua the Christ as my New Word says.
Being a Jew is of the Heart
[17-24] If you’re called a Jew, and rest in the Word of God, and brag about your relationship to God, and you know God’s will, and approve of the things that are best, being taught from the Word of God; And if you’re sure that you yourself are a guide to those who are blind, a light for those who are in darkness, a teacher of the stupid, a teacher of babies, you have, in the Word of God, the spirit of knowledge and the truth. So why do you teach others, but don’t teach yourself? You, who preach that someone shouldn’t steal, do you steal? You, who say that no one should act in sexual sin, do you act in sexual sin? You, who hate false worship, do you worship falsely? You that brag about yourself in using the Word of God, do you dishonor God by breaking the Word of God? So the Name of God is disrespected among the other peoples because of you, as the Word says. The truth is, if you obey the Word of God, your cleansing is good: but if you break the Word of God, your cleansing is as if you weren’t cleansed. So if those who aren’t cleansed keep the goodness of the Word of God, won’t their uncleanness be as if they were cleansed? And won’t those who aren’t clean by nature, if they fulfill the Word of God, judge you, who by the written word and by the Jews break the Word of God? Those who are only Jews outwardly aren’t really cleansed at all, which are only outwardly cleansed in the body: But it is those who are inwardly cleansed that are Jews; and being a Jew is of the heart, by the Spirit, and not by the letter of the law; whose praise isn’t of human beings, but of God.
No One is Good
3 [1-8] So what advantage has the Jew then? or what good is it to be cleansed? It’s good in every way: but most importantly, because they were trusted in to be the preachers of God’s Word. So what if some don’t believe? Will their unbelief make God’s faithfulness useless? Never! God speaks truth, but everyone else is a liar. The Word says, “That all Your words might be proved right, and that You might be found fair when You judge.” But if our ungodliness shows the goodness of God more, what can we say? Is God not good who punishes those who deserve it? (I speak as a human being) Never! Because then, how could God judge the world? Some might ask, “If the truth of God is shown more by my lie to God’s victory; then why am I judged as a sinner?” And some say, (as we’re falsely accused of saying,) “Let’s do whatever evil we want, so that good may come from it.” They’ll get just what they deserve!
[9-18] So what then? Are we any better than they are? No, in no way because we’ve proved to both the Jews and the other peoples, that they’re all sinners; As the Word says, “No one is good, no, not even one. No one understands; no one tries to find God. They’ve all turned out of the way. They’ve all together failed to be any good; There’s no one that does any good, no, not one. Their mouths are like open graves; they’ve spoken nothing but lies; their words spread like the poison of a snake. Their mouths are full of anger and cursing. They’re quick to murder. Their ways only destroy and hurt others. They don’t know how to make peace. They have no fear of God’s punishment.”
We are Saved By Faith
[19-31] Now we know that whatever things the Word of God says, it says to those who know the Word of God, so that every mouth can be shut, and all the world will be found guilty before God. So no one will be made right in God’s sight by doing the things the Word of God says to do, but the Word of God brings us to the knowledge of sin. But now the goodness of God that comes without doing what the Word of God says, is made known to us, being witnessed by the Word of God and the great preachers; This is the goodness of God which comes by faith in Yeshua the Christ to all those who believe. No one is any different. All have sinned, and fail to measure up to the goodness of God, who are made right freely by God’s grace. We are bought back by Christ Yeshua, who God has sent to take our place through faith in the Christ’s shed blood, to make known God’s goodness for the forgiveness of past sins, which were overlooked by God, to make known, I say, at this time God’s goodness. And in order to be fair, to cleanse those who believe in Yeshua. So why do you brag then? You have no reason to brag about the law you follow or of anything you’ve done. No, but only by following the Word of God, which is of faith. So we conclude that people are made right by their faith, not by doing what the Word of God says. Is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t God also the God of the other peoples? Yes, of the other peoples also! So seeing it’s One God, who will forgive those who are cleansed by faith, and those who aren’t cleansed by the same faith, do we then make the Word of God useless by our faith? Never! But we prove the Word of God is true.
4 [1-8] So what can we say then, that Abraham, our ancestor, as concerning the body, has found? If Abraham were made right by what he’d done, he’d have reason to brag; but not before God. What did the Word of God say? Abraham believed God, and he was counted as good. Now the pay of those who work isn’t a gift, but is earned. But those who don’t work, but believe on the One who forgives the ungodly, their faith is counted for good. Just as David also says the person who God calls good without considering what they’ve done is blessed, saying, “Blessed are those whose actions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the person to whom God doesn’t count a sinner.”
[9-15] So are those who are cleansed, that is cut in the flesh, the only ones who are blessed, or are those who aren’t cleansed also blessed? Don’t we say that Abraham’s faith was counted for goodness. So when was it counted as good then? When he was cleansed, or before he was cleansed? Not in cleansing, but before then. He got the sign of cleansing, a seal of the goodness of the faith which he had before he was cleansed, in order to be the ancestor of all those who believe, who aren’t cleansed, so that they might be counted good also. And the ancestor of cleansing not just to those who are cleansed only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our ancestor Abraham, which he had when he was still not cleansed. The promise, to be the heir of the world, wasn’t to Abraham, or to his children, through the Word of God, but through the goodness of faith. If those who are of the Word of God are heirs, faith is useless, and the promise would be useless. The Word of God only brings us rage from God. And where there is no law, there’s no sin.
[16-25] So it’s of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end that the promise might be made sure to all the descendants; not only to those who are of the Word of God, but to those also who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the ancestor of us all. (As the Word says, “I’ve made you an ancestor of many peoples.”) Abraham believed God, the very God, who gives life to the dead, and speaks of what hasn’t happened yet as though it has already happened. Abraham, who against all hope, in hope, believed in order to become the ancestor of many peoples; just as it was spoken, “so will your descendants be.” And not at all having a weak faith, he didn’t consider that his body was as good as dead, even when he was about a hundred years old, nor even that Sarah’s womb was dead: Who never swayed from believing the promise of God by doubting; but had great faith, giving praise to God; And being fully sure that what God had promised, God was also able to do. And so it was counted as goodness for him. Now it wasn’t written for Abraham’s sake alone, that it was counted for good to him; But for us also, who will be counted as good, if we believe on the God who brought back Yeshua our Christ from the dead; Who died for our sins, and was raised again for our forgiveness.
Christ Brings Us Back to God
5 [1-11] So being made right by faith, we have peace with God through our Christ Yeshua: By whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we now stand and celebrate in hope of the victory of God. And not only so, but we have victory in our trials as well, knowing that our troubles help us to patiently wait through it; And our patience builds good character; and our character gives us hope. And we aren’t ashamed of our hope because God’s love flows through our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Even when we were still without strength, when the time was right, Christ died for the ungodly. Someone would hardly die for a good person, but still some would even dare to die for a good person. But God shows love for us, in that, even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now made right by the blood of Christ, we’ll be saved from God’s rage through Christ. And if, when we were enemies, we were brought back to God by the death of God’s own Child, much more, being brought back, we’ll be saved through the new life of Christ. And not only so, but we also celebrate in God through our Christ Yeshua, by whom we’ve now been bought back.
[12-21] So, as sin came into the world by one person, and death by sin; and so death passed to everyone, because all have sinned: ( Until the Word of God came, sin was in the world, though sin isn’t counted when there’s no law. Just the same, death ruled from Adam to Moses, even over those who hadn’t sinned like Adam did when he disobeyed a direct order, who was the likeness of the One who was to come. But the free gift isn’t like the sin. But if through the sin of One person many die, God’s grace, and the gift by grace, which is by One, Yeshua the Christ, has come much more to many. And the gift isn’t like it was by someone who sinned, because the judgment was brought by One to accuse him, but the free gift is given to forgive the sins of many people. If by one person’s sin death ruled; how much more will those who get the riches of grace and the gift of goodness reign in life by One, Yeshua the Christ.) So as by the sin of one judgment came on everyone to accuse them; in the same way by the goodness of One, the free gift came to everyone to forgive them and bring them life. As by one person’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One, many will become good. Besides this, the Word of God came so that the sin might grow more and more. But where sin grew, grace grew much more. So as sin has ruled to death, in the same way, grace might reign through goodness to everlasting life by Yeshua our Christ.
We are Dead to Sin
6 [1-11] So what will we say then? Will we keep on sinning, that grace can grow more? Never! How will we, that are dead to sin, live any longer in it? Don’t you know, that as many of us as were baptized into Yeshua the Christ were baptized into the death of Christ? So we’re buried with Christ by baptism into death, so that like Christ was brought back from the dead by the victory in God, in the same way, we also will walk in the newness of life. If we’ve been brought together in the likeness of Christ’s death, we’ll also be raised up, just like the Christ came to life again. Knowing this, our old person is put to death with Christ, so that the body of sin might be killed, and that we wouldn’t serve sin again. Whoever is dead is freed from sin. Now if we’re dead with Christ, we believe that we’ll also live with Christ. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death has no more control over the Christ. In that the Christ died, Christ died to sin once, but in that the Christ lives, Christ lives to God. Just the same, think yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Yeshua, our Christ.
[12-23] So don’t let sin reign in your human body, that you would do whatever evil it wants. Don’t let your body parts be used as tools of ungodliness to sin, but give yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and use your body parts as tools of goodness for God. Sin won’t have control over you because you aren’t under the Word of God, but under grace. What then? Will we sin, because we aren’t under the Word of God, but under grace? Never! Don’t you know, that to whom you give yourselves as workers to obey, you work for whoever you obey; whether it’s sin to death, or obedience to goodness? But God be thanked, that even though you were the workers of sin, you’ve obeyed from the heart the kind of teachings which was given you. So then, being made free from sin, you became the workers of goodness. I speak as a human being, because of the weakness of your body. Just as you’ve given your body parts as workers for evil and to sin which led to more sin; in the same way now give your body parts as workers to goodness which leads to faithfulness. When you were the workers of sin, you were free from goodness. What good did you get then from those things in which you’re now ashamed? The end result of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and becoming workers for God, the good you do leads to faithfulness, and in the end to everlasting life. Death is the payment for sin; but the gift of God is everlasting life through Yeshua our Christ.
The Word of God Shows Us Our Sin
7 [1-6] Don’t you know, Christians, (for I speak to those who know the Word of God,) how that the law controls a person as long as they live. A person is joined to their spouse by the law so long as they both live; but if one of them dies, the other is set free from the law of marriage. So then if, while the spouse lives, they are married to another person, they would be acting in sexual sin: but if one dies, they are free from that law; so that they aren’t acting in sexual sin, though they’re married to another person. So, my dear Christians, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you would be joined to another, even to the One who is raised from the dead, so that we would bring others to God. When we were acting on the wants of our bodies, the acts of sin, which were made known to us by the law of God, worked in our bodies to bring about death. But now we’re freed from the law of God, being dead to that which we were held by; so that we would serve in the newness of the spirit, and not in the letter of the law, which is now old to us.
[7-13] What can we say then? Is the law of God sin? Never! No, but I wouldn’t have known sin, but by the Word of God, because I wouldn’t have known want, unless the law of God had said, “You shouldn’t want what others have.” But sin, taking the opportunity by the Word, brought about all kinds of evil wants in me. Before I knew the Word of God, sin was dead. I was alive without the Word of God once, but when the law came, sin was awakened, and I died. And the law, which was given to bring life, I found to bring me death. Sin, taking opportunity by the Word, lied to me, and killed me by it. So the law of God is holy, and the Word holy, and just, and good. So then, was what’s good bringing death to me? Never! But sin, that it might be seen as sin, was bringing about death in me by what’s good; so that sin by that Word might become very sinful.
The Spiritual Battle Between the Mind and Body
[14-25] We know that the Word of God is spiritual: but I’m earthly, completely sold out by my sin. What I do I don’t allow. What I want to do, that I don’t do; but what I hate to do, that I do. If then, I do what I don’t want to, I admit that the Word of God is good. Now then, it’s not me that does it, but it’s the sin that lives in me. I know that nothing good lives in me (that is, in my body,) because even though I want to do what’s good; I don’t know how to do it. The good that I want to do I don’t do: but the evil things which I don’t want to do, that I do. Now if I do what I don’t want to, it’s not me that does it, but the sin that lives in me. So then, I find a law, that, when I want to do good, evil is right here with me. I truly want to do the Word of God in my inner person. But I see another law in my body, fighting against the law in my mind, and making me captive to the law of sin which is in my body. Oh what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this body of death? I thank God, through Yeshua the Christ, our Savior. So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the body the law of sin.
Those Who Reject Christ, Don’t Have God
8 [1-11] So God doesn’t accuse those who are in Christ Yeshua, who don’t act on what the body wants, but act on what the Spirit wants. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Yeshua has freed me from the law of sin and death. What the law couldn’t do, because it was weak in our bodies, God did by sending Yeshua, God’s own Child, in the likeness of a sinful human being. And because of sin, God accused all sin in the body of Christ, so that the goodness that the law calls for could happen in us, who don’t act on what the body wants, but act on what the Spirit wants. Those who live for the body act on the things the body wants; but those who live by the Spirit act on the things the Spirit wants. To be bodily-minded brings death; but to be spiritually-minded brings life and peace. The bodily mind is against God because it doesn’t answer to the law of God, nor can it. So then those who live by the body can’t please God. But you don’t live by the body, but by the Spirit, if in fact, the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they’re not of God. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is alive because of goodness. But if the Spirit of the God, who brought back Yeshua from the dead, lives in you, the God who brought back Christ from the dead will also bring your human body back to life by the Spirit that lives in you.
We Owe Ourselves to Christ
[12-17] So, Christians, we owe our lives, not to the body, to live for the wants of the body, because if you live for the body, you’ll die; but if you put an end to the actions of the body through the Spirit, you’ll live. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. You haven’t been given the Spirit to be controlled again by fear; but you’ve been given the Spirit of adoption, by this we cry out to God, who cares for us like a parent. The Spirit itself tells the truth to our own spirit, that we’re the children of God. And if we’re children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, that is, if we suffer with Christ, so that we can all be praised together.
Suffering for Christ
[18-30] I think that whatever we suffer now in this time isn’t worthy to be compared with the victory which we’ll have. The hope and expectation of all creation waits for the children of God to be made known. All creation was made useless, not willingly, but by the will of the One who has subjected it in hope, because even the creation itself will also be freed from the control of evil and given the amazing freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation groans and labors as in the pain of childbirth together until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves also, which have the promise of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, and for our bodies to be saved. We’re saved by hope: but hope that is seen isn’t hope, because what someone sees, they don’t still hope for. But if we hope for what we don’t yet see, then we wait for it with patience. Just the same, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses because we don’t even know what we should pray for as we ought to. So the Spirit itself speaks up for us with groanings which can’t be spoken. And the One who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit speaks up for Christians by the will of God. And we know that God will make everything work out and come together for the good of those who love God and are the called for God’s purpose. Those whom God knew before time, God also chose before time to be like God’s own Child, who is the firstborn among many Christians. Besides this, those whom God chose before time, God also called: and those whom God called, God has also made right: and those whom God has made right, God has also made known.
[31-39] So then, what can we say about this? If God is for us, who can come against us? And won’t God, who didn’t spare God’s own Child, but gave the Christ up for us all, along with Christ, also freely give us everything? Who will blame God’s chosen with anything? It’s God that forgives. Who is the One who accuses? It’s Christ that died, yes, but instead, that is here back to life again, who is even at the right side of God, who also speaks up for us. What can separate us from the love of Christ? Will troubles, or suffering, or discrimination, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or death? As the Word says, “For Your sake we’re killed all day long; we’re like animals going to be slaughtered.” No, but we can overcome all this and more through Christ who loves us. And I know without a doubt, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor things in spiritual realms, nor powers, nor what’s here now, nor the things that are yet to come, nor the heights of the heavens, nor the depths of Hell, nor any other creature, can separate us from God’s love, which is in Christ Yeshua our Savior.
The Chosen ones
9 [1-5] I tell the truth in Christ, and am not lying, my conscience also being my witness in the Holy Spirit, that I’ve great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. I could almost wish that I myself could be damned from Christ for my people, my own race in the physical sense. They’re the Israelites; to whom the adoption was promised, and the victory, and the promised agreements were given, along with the Word of God, and the service of God, and all the promises. They’re the human ancestors of the Christ, who is over all, who God blessed forever. So be it!
[6-13] But it isn’t as though the Word of God has no effect. Not all who are descended from Israel, are Israelites. Neither, because they’re descended from Abraham, are they all children; but, “In Isaac will your promised descendents be called.” That is, those which are the natural children of the body, these aren’t the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the promised descendents. And this is the Word of promise, “at this time I’ll come, and Sarah will have a child.” And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived the twins by our ancestor Isaac (the children not being born yet, nor having done any good or evil) one was chosen, so that the purpose of God for the chosen ones would come to pass, not because of anything that’s done, but because of the God who calls. It was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.” As the Word says, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
[14-21] What will we say then? Is there ungodliness with God? Never! God said to Moses, “I’ll have mercy on whoever I have mercy, and I’ll have compassion on whoever I have compassion. So then, it isn’t earned by those who choose, nor of those who try to work for it, but is given by the God that shows mercy. The Word said about Pharaoh, “I have raised you up even for this very purpose, that I might show my power in you, and that My Name might be made known throughout all the earth.” So God has mercy on whoever God has mercy, and whoever God wants to harden will be hardened. So then you might say to me, so why does God still find fault? Who can fight against God’s will? No, but you who are just a human being, who are you to question God? Will the thing made say to the One who made it, “Why have you made me this way?” Doesn’t the potter have power over the clay, to make the same lump a dish for a special purpose, and another for everyday use?
[22-33] What if God, wanting to show God’s rage, and make known God’s power, waits with much patience for those who God rages against, who are made to be destroyed; And to make known the riches of God’s victory on those who have God’s mercy, which God had prepared before time for victory? Yes, even us, whom God has called, not out of the Jews only, but also out of the other peoples. As God said also in Hosea, “I’ll call them My people, which weren’t My people; and her a dear loved one, which wasn’t a dear loved one.” And it’ll happen in the very place where it was said, “You aren’t my people;” there they’ll be called “the children of the living God.” Isaiah also cries out about Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a few will be saved: because in goodness God will make a quick end to the work, making a quick end with the final judgment on the earth.” And as Isaiah said before, “Unless God Almighty had left us a descendent, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.” So what can we say then? That the other peoples, which didn’t follow the ways of goodness, have gotten goodness, even the goodness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed the law of goodness, hasn’t reached the law of goodness. Why? Because they didn’t follow it by faith, but by what they’d done of the law. They stumbled over that stone, as the Word says, “I lay in Zion a stone that many will stumble over and a rock that many will be offended by, but whoever believes on the Christ won’t ever be ashamed.”
Claim Christ as Your Savior
10 [1-13] Everyone, what my heart wants and my prayer to God for Israel is, that they’ll be saved. I know that they have a passion for God, but not for knowledge. And they, being without knowledge of God’s goodness, and going about to prove their own goodness, haven’t accepted the goodness of God. Christ is the goodness of the law of God for everyone that believes. Moses tells about the goodness which is of the law of God, “The person who does those things will live by them.” But the goodness which is of faith says it this way, “Don’t say in your heart, Who will go up into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who will go down into the depths of Hell? (that is, to bring Christ up again from the dead.)” But what did it say? “The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the Word of faith, which we preach. If you claim with your mouth Christ Yeshua as your savior, and believe in your heart that God has raised the Christ from the dead, you’ll be saved. With the heart a person believes for goodness, and with the mouth confession is made in order to be saved. The Word said, “Whoever believes on the Christ won’t be ashamed.” There’s no difference between the Jew and the other peoples because the same God over all blesses all that call on Yeshua the Christ. Whoever calls on the Name of Christ Yeshua will be saved.
[14-21] How then can they call on the One in whom they haven’t believed? How can they believe in the One, in whom they haven’t heard? How can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach, unless they’re sent? As the Word says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the New Word of peace, and bring happy news of good things!” But they haven’t all obeyed the Word. Isaiah said, “Yahweh God, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I ask, Haven’t they heard? Yes, the truth is, “Their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, Didn’t Israel know? First Moses said, “I’ll make you jealous by those who are not a nation, and I’ll anger you by a nation that doesn’t understand.” But Isaiah has no fear, saying, “I was found of those who weren’t looking for me; I was made known to those who didn’t ask about me.” And said to Israel, “All day long I’ve stretched out my hands to a disobedient and arguing people.”
By Grace We Are Saved
11 [1-7] I say then, have the people of God been abandoned? Never! I also am an Israelite, from the line of Abraham, of the family of Benjamin. The people which God foreknew haven’t been left by God at all. Don’t you know what the Word said about Elijah? How he spoke to God against Israel, saying, “God, they’ve killed your great preachers, and torn down your altars; and I am left alone, and they want to take my life.” But what did God answer? “I’ve kept for myself seven thousand others, who haven’t bowed the knee to that false god Baal.” Just the same then, at this present time also, there’s still a few left who are chosen by grace. And if we’re chosen by grace, then it’s not by what you’ve done. Otherwise, grace isn’t grace at all. But if it’s by what you’ve done, then it’s not grace. Otherwise the work that you do isn’t work at all.
[7-12] So what then? Israel hasn’t found what they are looking for; but the chosen ones have found it, and the rest can’t understand. (As the Word says, “God has given them the spirit of slumber, their eyes don’t see, and their ears don’t hear;”) to this day. And David said, “Let their wealth have control over them, and become a trap, and a problem, and a punishment to them. Let their eyes be blinded, so that they can’t see, and may their backs be bent down always.” I say then, have they only stumbled to fall? Never! But through their fall the other peoples are saved, to make them jealous. Now if their fall brings the riches of being saved to the rest of the world, and their loss allows the other peoples to be saved; how much more will their addition bring greater riches to God’s realm?
Israel Blinded to Open the Eyes of Other Peoples
[13-24] I speak to you other peoples, because I am a minister to you, but I brag about my ministry so that maybe in some way I can make my own people jealous, and might save some of them. If their being tossed aside brings together the rest of the world, their acceptance will be as the dead coming back to life? If the first fruit is holy, the rest is also holy: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches are broken off, and you, being like a wild olive tree that’s grafted in among them, are nourished by the root with them and are strengthen by the olive tree; don’t think that you’re better than the branches. But if you brag, know that you don’t strengthen the root, but the root strengthens you. You might say then, “The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.” That’s true; it was because of unbelief that they were broken off, and you’re joined by faith. So don’t think yourselves better than them, but fear, because if God didn’t spare the natural branches, be careful, in case God doesn’t spare you either. So think about God’s goodness and strict judgment both. Strict judgment came on those who fell; but God’s goodness came to you, that is, if you stay in God’s goodness. Otherwise you’ll also be cut off. And they also, if they quit living in unbelief, will be grafted back in because God is able to graft them in again. And if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted in against your own nature, into a good olive tree: how much better will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
[25-32] Christians, I don’t want you to be without knowledge of this secret, in case you think yourselves better than you are; that Israel, in part, has been blinded until all the other peoples have come in. And so all Israel will be saved as the Word says, “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and will turn ungodliness away from Jacob: This is my promise to them, when I take away their sins.” But as to the New Word, they’re enemies of it for your sakes, and as touching the chosen ones, they’re loved for their ancestors’ sakes. The gifts and calling of God can’t be taken back. As in the past you didn’t believe God, now you have found mercy through their unbelief. Just the same, they also don’t believe now, so that through your mercy, they also can have mercy. God has judged them all in unbelief, in order to have mercy on all of them.
[33-36] How deep are the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! God’s judgments can never be fully understood, and God’s ways can’t be fully known! Who understands the mind of God? Or who has questioned God? Or who has first given to God, so that it’ll be paid back to them again? Everything is of God, and through God, and for God, who will have victory forever. So be it!
Be a Living Sacrifice
12 [1-2] So I beg you, Christians, by the mercies of God, that you give your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is only reasonable for you to do. And don’t accept the ways of the world, but be changed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can know what is the good, acceptable, and complete will of God.
[3-8] And I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone that is among you, not to think of yourselves more highly than you should think; but to think with clear judgment, according to how much faith God has given to each of you. Just as we have many parts in one body, and they don’t all have the same purpose; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and we are all part of one another. So then having differing gifts for the grace that is given to us, whether preaching, let’s preach according to our faith; Or ministry, let’s serve in our calling; or whoever teaches, let them use the teaching they’ve been given; Or whoever encourages, let them use the encouragement they have to give; whoever gives, let them do it in sincerity; whoever leads, let them lead with careful thought; and whoever shows mercy, let them show it with cheerfulness.
[9-21] Love in truth, without faking it. Hate what is evil and hold on to what is good. Be loving and kind to one another with the love of friendship, wanting to honor others before yourselves; not having a lack of concern; but being passionate about your work, serving God; celebrating in your hope; being patient in your troubles; praying right away for everything; supplying the needs of Christians; and welcoming others. Bless those who mistreat you: bless, and don’t curse them. Celebrate with those who celebrate, and cry with those who cry. Get along with one another. Don’t be too proud of yourself, but think of others who are in a lower place. Don’t be wise in your own thinking. Don’t repay anyone evil for evil. Be honest in the sight of everyone. If it’s possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone. Dear loved one, don’t try to get someone back, but instead leave room for God’s rage because the Word says, “Revenge is mine; I’ll repay, God said. So if your enemy is hungry, feed them; if they’re thirsty, give them a drink. If you do this you’ll make them burn with shame.” So don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Respect God’s Authority
13 [1-7] Let everyone answer to whoever leads them, because no one comes to power but of God: Whoever has power is put in place by God. So whoever doesn’t accept that power, doesn’t accept what God has put in place, and those who fight against it will bring judgment on themselves. Rulers aren’t a dread to those who do good, but to those who do evil. So why then are you afraid of those in power? Do what is good, and you’ll have their praise, because they’re the minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid because they don’t hold power for no reason, but because they’re the minister of God, to carry out judgment on those who do evil. So you need to accept them, not only because you might be punished, but also for your conscience sake. Because of this, pay your taxes also because they’re God’s ministers, who give all their time to service. So pay all their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due; payments to whom payments are due; respect to whom respect is due; and honor to whom honor is due.
[8-14] Owe no one anything, but to love one another, because whoever loves another has done what the Word of God says to do. Because of this, “You shouldn’t act in sexual sin, You shouldn’t kill, You shouldn’t steal, You shouldn’t lie about someone, You shouldn’t want what others have;” and if there’s any other word, it’s briefly understood in this saying, namely, “You should love others as yourself.” Love does nothing wrong to another, so love does what the Word of God says to do. And do that, knowing the time, that now it’s high time to awake from sleep, because now we’re closer to being saved than we ever thought. The night is almost over, and the day is near, so let’s put off what we’ve done in darkness, and let’s put on the covering of light. Let’s walk honestly, as in the day; not in fighting and drunkenness, not acting in sexual sin and shamelessness, not in arguing and jealousy. But put on the likeness of Yeshua the Christ, and don’t satisfy the wants of the body.
Everyone will Acknowledge God
14 [1-11] Allow those who are weak in the faith, but not as far as doubtful arguments. One believes that they can eat everything, but another, who is weak, eats only plants. Don’t let those who eat hate those who don’t eat; and don’t let those who don’t eat judge those who eat because God has accepted them. Who are you that judges another’s worker? To their own employer they stand or fall. Yes, they’ll be held up because God is able to make them stand. Someone respects one day above another and another values every day alike. So let everyone be completely sure in their own mind. Whoever respects the day, respects it in God; and whoever doesn’t respect the day, to God they don’t respect it. Whoever eats, eats to God, and they give thanks to God; and whoever doesn’t eat, to God they don’t eat, and they give thanks to God. None of us lives to ourselves, and none of us dies to ourselves. If we live, we live to God; and if we die, we die to God, so whether we live, or die, we’re God’s. For this reason Christ both died, and rose, and awakened, in order to be Christ both of the dead and the living. But why do you judge one another? Or why do you make one another not important? We’ll all stand at the judgment seat of Christ. The Word says, “As I live, God said, every knee will bow to Me, and every people will acknowledge God.”
[12-23] Then everyone of us will give account of ourselves to God. So let’s not judge one another anymore, but decide to do this instead: Don’t be a problem to anyone else or give an occasion for another to fall. I know, and am sure by Christ Yeshua, that there isn’t anything evil of itself: but to those who believe anything to be evil, to them it’s evil. So if another gets upset about your food, then you aren’t acting in love. Don’t destroy their faith with your food, for whom Christ died. Don’t let your good be spoken ill of. The realm of God isn’t about food and drink; but goodness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this is acceptable to God, and approved of by others. So let’s try to do the things which make peace, and the things that can benefit one another. Don’t let what you eat destroy the work of God. To be sure, all food is good; but it’s evil for someone to offend others with their food. It’s good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything else if it makes another stumble, or be offended, or made weak. Do you have faith? Keep it for yourself and for God. We will be happy if we don’t bring guilt on ourselves in whatever we approve of. Whoever doubts is damned if they eat, because they don’t eat in faith, and whatever isn’t of faith is sin.
Love One Another
15 [1-6] We then that are strong ought to be patient with the sins of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let everyone of us please others for their good to build them up. Even Yeshua didn’t please the Christ’s own self; but as the Word says, “The accusations of those who dishonored You fell on Me.” Whatever things that were written before were written to help us learn, so that we, through the patience and comfort of the Word, might have hope. Now the God of patience and comfort will help you to think of one another in Christ Yeshua, so that you can with one mind and one mouth praise God, the God, who our Christ Yeshua is from.
[7-13] So accept one another, as Christ also accepted us in order to make God known. Now I tell you that Yeshua the Christ was a minister of the Jews for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the ancestors, and so that the other peoples might praise God for God’s mercy; as the Word says, “Because of this, I’ll praise You among the other peoples, and sing to Your name.” And again it said, “Celebrate, you other peoples, with God’s people.” And again, “Praise God, all you other peoples; Praise God, all you peoples.” And again, Isaiah said, “A shoot will spring up from the root of Jesse, One who will rise up to reign over the nations, in Whom the other peoples will trust.” Now let the God of hope fill you with every joy and peace as you believe, so that you can grow in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[14-21] And I myself am sure also that you Christians are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to warn one another. Just the same, Christians, I’ve written without fear all the more to you about some things, to remind you, because of the grace that has been given to me by God, so that I would be the minister of Yeshua the Christ to the other peoples, ministering the New Word of God, that the offering up of the other peoples might be acceptable, being set apart by the Holy Spirit. So I have a reason to make known what God has done through Yeshua the Christ in me. I won’t dare to speak of anything Christ hasn’t done in me, by word and action, to make the other peoples acceptable, through powerful signs and amazing things, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem to Illyricum, I’ve fully preached the New Word of Christ. Yes, I have tried hard to preach the New Word, not where Christ was named, in case I might build on another person’s foundation, but as the Word says, “Those to whom the Christ wasn’t spoken of, will see: and those who haven’t heard will understand.”
Paul Plans His Journey
[22-29] For this reason I’ve also been stopped many times from coming to you, but now having no more place in these parts, and having wanted these many years to come to you, whenever I take my journey into Spain, I’ll come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by you, if first I enjoy your company. But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the Christians. It has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for those Christians who are poor which are at Jerusalem. It’s truly pleased them; and they do owe it to them. If the other peoples have shared in their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them with their earthly things. So when I’ve done this, and have brought to them this blessing, I’ll come to you first and then go on to Spain. And I am sure that, when I come to you, I’ll come in the fullness of the blessing of the New Word of Christ.
[30-33] Now I beg you, Christians, for Yeshua the Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you work together with me in your prayers to God for me; so that I can be freed from those in Judea who don’t believe; and that my service for Jerusalem will be accepted by the Christians; And that I can come to you with joy by the will of God, and that I can be renewed with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. So be it!
Paul’s Final Greetings
16 [1-16] I entrust to you Phebe our sister, who is a church worker, which is at Cenchrea. I ask that you accept her in God, as Christians should, and that you assist her in whatever business she needs of you because she’s helped many people, and myself also. Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Yeshua, who have for my life risked their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the other peoples. Say hello also to the church that is in their house. Say hello to my dear loved one Epaenetus, who is the first one to be won for Christ in Achaia. Say hello to Mary, who worked very hard for us. Say hello to Andronicus and Junia, my kin people, and my prison mates, who are of note among the followers, who also were in Christ before me. Say hello to Amplias my dear loved one in God. Say hello to Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my dear loved one. Say hello to Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Say hello to those who are of Aristobulus’ family. Say hello to Herodion my kinsman. Say hello to those who are of the family of Narcissus, which are in God. Say hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work together in God. Say hello to my dear loved one Persis, who worked very hard in God. Say hello to Rufus, chosen in God, and his mother and mine. Say hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the Christians which are with them. Say hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus, their sister, Olympas, and all the Christians which are with them. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. The churches of Christ say hello to you as well.
Stay Away From Those Who Cause Disagreements
[17-20] Now I beg you, Christians, mark those who cause disagreements and upsets against the Word of God which you’ve learned; and stay away from them. Those who are like this don’t serve our Christ Yeshua, but their own way; and by nice words and smooth speeches they mislead the hearts of innocent people. Your acceptance of the word is heard about by everyone. I am so happy on your behalf, but I still want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you. So be it!
[21-24] Timothy, my worker, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kin people, say hello to you. I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, says hello to you in God. Gaius, my host, and the whole church, says hello to you. Erastus, the officer of the city, says hello to you, and Quartus, a Christian. The grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you all. So be it!
[25-27] Now to the One who has the power to approve you by my New Word, and the preaching of Yeshua the Christ, for the revelation of the secret, which was kept secret since the world began, but is now made known, and by the words of the great preachers, for the Word of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the acceptance of faith. To the God, who is only wise, be victory through Yeshua the Christ forever. So be it!
Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
1 [1-3] From Paul, who am called to be a follower of Yeshua the Christ, through the will of God, and Sosthenes, our coworker, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who are set apart in Christ Yeshua, called to be Christians, with everyone everywhere who call on the Name of Yeshua, our Christ, both theirs and ours: May God’s grace and peace be with you, from the God we’re from, and from Yeshua the Christ.
[4-9] I thank my God always for you, for God’s grace which was given to you by Yeshua the Christ; who blessed you in everything, both in all your words, and in all your knowledge. This is proof of what you say about having Christ; so that you don’t lack any gift, while waiting for the coming of our Christ Yeshua: Who will also prove you to the end, so that you can be found without fault in the day of our Christ Yeshua. God is faithful, who called you to the church of God’s Child, Yeshua our Christ.
Denominations and Sects Forbidden
[10-17] Now I beg you, Christians, by the Name of our Christ Yeshua, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no disagreements among you; but that you be completely joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, because it has been told me of you, my Christians, by those who are from the house of Chloe, that there are disagreements among you. Now I say this, that all of you are saying, “I am of Paul;” or “I am of Apollos;” or “I am of Peter;” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul put to death for you? Or were you baptized in the Name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, in case anyone should say that I had baptized them in my own name. I did baptize the family of Stephanas also, but besides that, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the New Word: not with any great words of wisdom, in case the cross of Christ would have no effect.
The Preaching of the Cross is Stupidity to Unbelievers
[18-31] The preaching of the cross is stupidity to those who are dying; but to us, which are saved, it’s the power of God. The Word says, “I’ll silence the wisdom of the wise, and bring to stupidity the understanding of the sensible.” Where are the wise ones? Where are the lawyers? Where are the debaters of this world? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of this world stupid? Since the world couldn’t know God by its own wisdom, in God’s wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe by the seeming stupidity of preaching. The Jews want physical proof, and the Greeks want wisdom: But when we preach Christ put to death, it’s confusion to the Jews, and pure stupidity to the Greeks; but to those who are saved, of any race, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. And even the stupidity of God is wiser than that of humanity; and the weakness of God is stronger than that of humanity. So you see of your calling, Christians, how that few wise ones, few powerful ones, and few proud ones out of humanity are called: But God has chosen the stupid things of the world to puzzle the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to defeat the things which are powerful; And the dishonorable things of the world, and things which are hated, God has chosen, yes, and things which aren’t, to bring to nothing the things that are: So that nobody would be prideful in the presence of God. But by God, you are in Christ Yeshua, who is our wisdom, our goodness, our setting apart and blessing, and our saving; so that, like the Word says, “Whoever is prideful, let them be proud in God.”
Spiritual Discernment
2 [1-8] Christians, when I came to you, I didn’t come with great speech or wisdom, telling you the Word of God, because I decided not to teach anything to you, except Yeshua the Christ, and the Christ put to death. And I was with you in weakness and fear, trembling greatly. My speech and my preaching wasn’t with the tempting words of humanity’s wisdom, but in the showing of the Spirit and of power: So that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of humanity, but in the power of God. But we speak wisdom to those who have become strong in the faith. Still, not the wisdom of this world, nor of the powers of this world, which will all come to nothing, but we speak the wisdom of God as a secret, yes, the hidden wisdom, which God set apart before the world was created for our victory: Which none of the rulers of this world knew, because if they had known it they wouldn’t have put the Christ of victory to death.
[9-16] But as the Word says, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of any person imagined what has been prepared for those who love God.” But God has revealed these truths to us by the Spirit because the Spirit knows everything, yes, even the secrets of God. Who knows what is in someone, except the spirit of that person, which is in them? Like this, no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God. Now we have, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit, which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. Which we also speak, not in the Words which human wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; judging spiritual things against things that are spiritual. But the natural person doesn’t accept the things of the Spirit of God because it doesn’t make sense to them. Nor can they understand it, because they’re spiritually dead. But whoever is spiritually alive judges everything right, but still, they themselves aren’t judged rightly by anyone. “Who knows the mind of God, that they may teach God?” But we have the knowledge of the mind of Christ.
Denominations and Sects Forbidden Again
3 [1-7] Christians, I couldn’t speak to you as to the spiritually alive, but as to earthly people, just like new babies in Christ. So I’ve fed you with milk, and not with solid food, because to this point you weren’t able to have it, nor are you able to yet, because you’re still earthly. While there’s jealousy, strife, and disagreements among you, aren’t you earthly, and walk as earthly people? While one says, “I am of Paul;” and another says, “I am of Apollos;” Aren’t you still being earthly? So who is Paul and who is Apollos then, but the ministers who brought you to faith, just as God gave to everyone? I’ve planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then the one who plants is nothing, nor the one who waters; but only God who gives the harvest.
[8-17] Now whoever plants and whoever waters are one and the same and will all be rewarded for their own work. We’re all coworkers with God: you’re God’s farmer’s, you’re God’s builders. For God’s grace, which has been given to me, as a wise master-builder, I’ve laid the foundation, and someone else built on it. But let everyone be careful how they build on it. No one can lay any other foundation than what has already been laid, which is Yeshua the Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble; It will become plain what every person’s work is because it will be clearly seen on that day, becoming exposed by the fire, which will try everyone’s work to see what kind it is. If anyone builds on a work, which isn’t burned, they’ll get a reward. But if someone’s work is burned, they’ll lose their reward, though they themselves will be saved; but still as though by fire. Don’t you know that you’re God’s Place of Worship, and that the Spirit of God lives in you? So if anyone makes God’s Place of Worship unfit, God will put them to death, because God’s Place of Worship is holy, which you are.
[18-23] Let no one mislead themselves. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world, let them become like an idiot, so that they can be wise; because the wisdom of this world is stupidity with God. The Word says, “God catches the wise in their own scheming.” And again, “Yahweh God knows that the thoughts of the wise are meaningless.” So let no one be prideful about these human beings, because everything is yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Peter, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all these are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Ministers of Christ
4 [1-7] So let people think of us as the ministers of Christ and managers of the secrets of God. Besides this, it’s required of managers to be found faithful. But it doesn’t matter to me that I’m judged by you, or by a human system of judgment: yes, and I don’t even judge my own self, because I don’t know everything myself; still I’m not excused by this: but the One who judges me is God. So don’t judge anything before Christ comes, who will bring both the hidden things of darkness out into the light, and will make plain the thoughts of the hearts and then each one of us will be praised by God. And this, Christians, I’ve symbolically shifted to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; so that you might learn through us not to think in human terms above what is written, that none of you become prideful one over another. And who makes you different from one another? And what do you have that you weren’t given? Now if you did accept it, why do you brag, as if you hadn’t been given it?
Ministers Made Examples to the World
[8-21] Now you’re full and rich, and you’ve ruled as rulers without us, and I hope to God that you do rule that we might also rule with you. But I think that God has put us followers last, as if we were chosen for death because we’re made an example to the world, both to angels, and to human beings. We make ourselves foolish for Christ’s sake, but you’re wise in Christ; We’re weak, but you’re strong; You’re respectable, but we’re disrespected. Even to this day, we hunger, thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are beaten, and have no real home; And we work, working with our own hands; being hated, we bless; being abused, we suffer it; being defamed, we plead. And we’re made as the filth of the world, and are the trash of all to this day. I don’t write this to shame you, but as my dear loved children, I warn you. Even though you may have many teachers in Christ, still, you’ve only one who bore you, because in Christ Yeshua, you were born through me through the New Word. So I beg you, follow me. Because of this, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my own Child that I love, and faithful in God, who will bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are prideful, as though I wouldn’t come to you. But I’ll come to you shortly, if God wills it, and then I’ll know, not the words of those who are prideful, but the power, because the realm of God isn’t in word, but in power. What do you want? For me to come to you with force, or in love, and in the spirit of gentleness?
Immorality Destroys the Church
5 [1-5] It’s commonly told that there’s sexual sin among you, and such sexual sin as isn’t so much as named among the other peoples, that one would have the spouse of one of their parents. And you’re prideful, instead of crying over this, that the one who has done this might be taken away from among you. The truth is, being absent in body, but present in spirit, I have judged already, as though I were present, about those who have done this. In the Name of our Christ Yeshua, when you’re gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Christ Yeshua, let Satan have such as this until they ruin their body, so that the spirit might be saved in the day of Christ Yeshua.
[6-8] Your bragging isn’t good. Don’t you know that just a little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough? So put out the ones who remain in their earthly ways, so that you can become a new lump of dough, as if you’re unleavened. Even Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us: So let’s keep the celebration, not with the leaven of our old ways, nor with the leaven of hatred and evil; but with the unleavened bread of honesty and truth.
Immorality is to be Judged by the Church and Separated from the Assembly
[9-13] I wrote to you before in a letter not to keep company with the sexually immoral: Yet you can’t stay away from the sexually immoral of this world totally, or with the selfish, or cheats, or with those who worship falsely, because then you would need to completely leave the world. But I’ve written to you not to keep company with anyone called a Christian, who is a sexually immoral person, or is selfish, or worships other faiths, or is abusive, or a drunk, or a cheat; so don’t keep company with these kinds of people. I’ve no business judging those that aren’t in the faith. I only judge those who are thought of as Christians. But those who aren’t in the faith God judges. So separate those evil people from among you.
Taking Legal Actions Against Christians
6 [1-11] If you have something against another, dare you take legal action in the earthly courts, instead of bringing it before the church? Don’t you know that the Christians will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, aren’t you worthy to judge things like this? Don’t you know that we’ll judge angels? How much more then, should we judge things that concern this life? If then you make judgments of things concerning this life, set them to judge who are least valued in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there isn’t a wise person among you? No, not even one, who will be able to judge between one another? But someone takes legal action against another, and that to the courts of unbelievers! So there’s quite a fault among you, because you take legal action against one another. Why don’t you instead take wrong? Why don’t you instead let yourselves be taken advantage of? But no, you do wrong, and take advantage of one another. Don’t you know that the ungodly won’t inherit the realm of God? Don’t be misled: Neither the sexually immoral, nor those who worship falsely, nor those who are sexually unfaithful, nor cross-dressers, nor those who are homosexual, nor thieves, nor selfish, nor drunks, nor haters, nor cheats, will inherit the realm of God. And some of you were like this, but now you’re clean and have a changed life; but now you’re set apart; but now you’re made right in the Name of Yeshua the Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Give God Body and Spirit
[12-20] All things are legal to me, but everything isn’t good for me. Even though everything is legal for me, I won’t be controlled by anything. Food is for the body, and the body needs food: but God will put an end to both. Now the body isn’t for sexual sin, but for God; and the body needs God. And God, who has brought Christ back to life, will also bring us back to life with great power. Don’t you know that your bodies are the members of Christ’s body? Should I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a sexually immoral person? Never! Don’t you know that whoever is joined to a sexually immoral person is one body? The Christ said, when two are joined, they will become as one body. But whoever is joined to God is one spirit. So run from sexual sin! Every sin that someone does is outside the body; but whoever takes part in sexual sin sins against their own body. Don’t you know that your body is the Place of Worship of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You aren’t even your own, because you were bought for a price. So give God your body, and your spirit, which are both God’s.
On Marriage
7 [1-7] Now about the things in which you wrote to me: It’s good for someone not to be sexually active. But just the same, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband to keep away from sexual sin. Let the husband give to the wife what is rightfully due her, and the same also the wife to the husband. The wife doesn’t have complete control of her own body, but the husband shares it; and the same also, the husband doesn’t have complete control of his own body, but the wife shares it. So don’t cheat one another out of affection, unless it be with agreement for a specific time, so that you can willingly going without food and pray; then come together again, so that Satan doesn’t tempt you for your lack of faithfulness. I give you permission for this, but I don’t command it. I wish that everyone were just like I am. But everyone has their own gift of God, one person has one gift, and someone else has another gift.
Live as You are Called
[8-24] So I say to the unmarried, the widows, and the widowers, it’s good for them if they can live without being sexually active just as I do. But if they can’t control themselves, let them marry because it’s better to marry than to be continually tempted with sexual immorality. And I say to the married, but not I, God, the wife shouldn’t leave her husband; but if she must leave, let her stay single, or make up with her own husband; and the husband shouldn’t divorce his wife. But to the rest, and this is what I think, but it’s not God’s command: If any Christian man has a wife that doesn’t believe, and she is pleased to live with him, he shouldn’t divorce her. And the Christian woman who has a husband that doesn’t believe, and that is pleased to live with her, let her not leave him. Because the unbelieving husband is set apart by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart by the husband: or else your children would be ungodly; but now they’re blessed. But if the unbeliever leaves, let them leave. A Christian brother or sister isn’t trapped in such cases, because God has called us to be in peace. And how do you know, wife, whether you’ll save your husband? Or how do you know, husband , whether you’ll save your wife? But use the gifts that God has given to you, and stay just as you were called by God. And I ordain this in all the churches. If someone is called in a higher social standing, don’t let them look for lower social standing. If someone is called in a lower social standing, then don’t let them look for a higher social standing. What situation you are in is unimportant, but the keeping of the Words of God is what is truly important. Let everyone live the same way they were called. Are you called being a hired worker? Don’t worry about it, but if you can become free to do your own business, then take the chance to do that instead. Because whoever is called in God, being a worker, is free in God. In the same way also, whoever is called, being free, is Christ’s worker. You’re bought with a price; so don’t work for what ungodly people want. Christians, let everyone else live in God just as they were called.
On the Unmarried and the Widows
[25-40] Now about those who have never been sexually active, I have no Word of God, but still I give my judgment, as someone that has found the mercy of God to be faithful. I think that this is good for the present problem, I say, that it’s good for someone to be like one who has never been sexually active. Are you married? Don’t look to be separated. Are you separated from a spouse? Don’t look for a spouse. But if you do marry, you haven’t sinned; and if those who have never been sexually active get married, they haven’t sinned. Just the same, they’ll have trouble in the physical realm, but I would like to spare them that. But I say this, Christians, the time left is short; so those who have spouses should be as though they didn’t have one; And those who cry, as though they didn’t cry; and those who celebrate, as though they didn’t celebrate; and those who buy, as though they didn’t have anything; And those who use this world, as not abusing it, because the way of this world is coming to an end. But I wouldn’t have you worry. Whoever is unmarried cares for the things that concern God, and how they can please God; but whoever is married cares for the things that are of the world, and how they can please their spouses. There’s a difference also between a married person and one who has never been sexually active. The unmarried cares for the things of God, so that they can be holy both in body and in spirit; but whoever is married cares for the things of the world, how they can please their spouses. I say this for your own good; not that I want to limit you, but to tell you what is acceptable, and so that you can serve God without being pulled in two different directions at once. But if anyone thinks that they behaved unwisely toward their promised one, if their youth is passing them by, and their needs demand it, then let them do whatever they have vowed in their heart. But if they can keep the one who has never been sexually active pure, they do well. So then whoever gives themselves in marriage does well; but whoever doesn’t give themselves in marriage does better. A spouse is bound by law as long as the other spouse lives; but if one spouse dies, the other is free to be married to whoever they want, as long as they are both Christians. But they’ll be happier if they live as I have said: and I think that I do have the Spirit of God.
Don’t Use Your Freedom to Harm Others’ Consciences
8 [1-13] Now about things used for the worship of other faiths, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge is full of self-importance, but love builds up others. And if anyone thinks that they know anything, they don’t know anything as they should. But if anyone loves God, this person is known by God. As about the eating of what is offered in worship of other faiths, we know that something worshiped falsely isn’t anything in the world but a statue, and that there’s no other God but One. Though there are other things that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there are many gods, and many saviors,) there’s only One God to us, the God, who is the Creator of everything, and we’re in God; and have One Savior, Yeshua the Christ, through whom everything exists, and we live through Christ. But everyone doesn’t have that knowledge, because some with consciences of the false worship still to this time, eat it as a thing used to worship something falsely; and their consciences being weak are ruined. But food doesn’t commit us to God, because if we eat, we aren’t any better; and if we don’t eat, we aren’t any worse. But be careful that this freedom of yours doesn’t become a problem in some way to those who are weaker. So if anyone who has knowledge takes a meal in their place of false worship, won’t the conscience of those who are weak be encouraged to eat what is offered in false worship; And through your knowledge won’t the weak Christian be ruined, for whom Christ died? But when you sin this way against the Christians, and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. So if certain foods makes me offend other Christians, then I won’t eat it while the world is still here, because I might offend another Christian.
On the Rights of A Follower of Christ
9 [1-10] Am I not a follower? Am I not free? Haven’t I seen Yeshua the Christ, our Savior? Aren’t you my work in God? If I am not a follower to others, still doubtless, I am to you, because you’re the proof of my work in God. My answer to those who question me is this: Don’t we have the right to eat and to drink? Don’t we have the right to take with us a spouse, too, as the other followers do, and as the families of Yeshua, and Peter do? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to take time off? Who goes to fight at their own expense? Who plants a garden and doesn’t eat its fruit? Or who feeds a herd, and doesn’t drink the milk from the herd? Do I say this as just a person? Or doesn’t the Word of God say the same things also? The Word of God says by Moses, “You shouldn’t muzzle the mouth of the cow that treads out the grain.” Doesn’t God take care of the cow? Or was it said for our own sakes? It was said for our sakes, no doubt, because it’s written that “Whoever plows should plow in hope; and that “Whoever threshes in hope, should get from what they had hoped.”
Give the New Word of Christ without Charge
[11-19] If we’ve planted to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we pick your earthly things? If others have this right over you, shouldn’t we have more right than they? Just the same, we haven’t even used this right; but suffer through everything, so we won’t hinder the New Word of Christ. Don’t you know that those who minister in holy things live off the things from the Place of Worship? And those who serve at the altar take from what is brought to the altar? Just like this, God has said that those who preach the New Word would live off of preaching the New Word. But I’ve used none of these rights, nor have written this, that it would be this way to me, because it would be better for me to die, than for anyone to make my bragging of no use. Though I preach the New Word, I don’t have anything to brag about, because it’s necessary for me; yes, how sorry I would be, if I didn’t preach the New Word! But if I do this thing willingly, I’ll get a reward, but if it is against my will, I’ve been trusted with the responsibility of the New Word. What is my reward then? The truth is, that when I preach the New Word, I give the New Word of Christ without charge, so that I don’t abuse my power in the New Word. And though I am free from everyone, still I have made myself worker to all, so that my reward will be greater.
On Self-Control
[20-27] And to the Jews I became like a Jew, that I might win over the Jews; to those who are bound by the Law, as though I were bound by the Law, that I might win those who are bound by the Law; And to those who are without law, as without law, (not being without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became as the weak, that I might win the weak: I become everything to everybody, so that I might in some way save some. And I do this for the New Word’s sake, that I might share in it with you. Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but only one wins the prize? So run to win. And everyone that wants to win is paced in everything. Now they do it to get a prize that won’t last; but we work for an everlasting prize. So I run with a purpose; and I fight, not as someone that only swings at the air: But I use self-control, in case in some way, after I’ve preached to others, I myself would be rejected.
Examples of Sin from the Old Agreement
10 [1-13] Besides this, Christians, I want you to know of how all our ancestors walked under the cloud, and walked through the sea; And all of them were baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And all of them ate the same spiritual food; And all drank the same spiritual drink because they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But God wasn’t pleased with many of them so they died out in the countryside. Now these were our examples, so that we wouldn’t want the evil things that they wanted. So don’t be like those who worship falsely, as some of them were; as the Word says, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play around.” So don’t join in sexual sin, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand of them fell in one day. And don’t tempt Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. And don’t whisper complaints, as some of them did, and were killed by the One who destroys all. Now all this happened to them for our example: and they’re written for our warning, on us who the end of the world now comes. So let those who thinks they stand be careful in case they fall. You will face no temptation but what is common to all humanity; but God is faithful, who won’t let you be tempted more than what you’re able to handle; but will make a way for you to escape along with the temptation, so that you’ll be able to handle it.
On False Worship
[14-24] So, my dear loved ones, stop worshiping falsely. I speak as to the wise; so judge what I say. Isn’t the sharing of the blood of Christ the cup of blessing which we bless? Isn’t the sharing of the body of Christ the bread which we break? And we being many are one bread, and one body, because we’re all one who have taken part of that One bread. Look at Israel. Aren’t those who eat of the sacrifices those who have taken part in the worship at the altar? What am I saying then? That something worshiped falsely is anything, or what is offered in sacrifice to statues is anything? But what I am saying is that the things which the other peoples sacrifice, they sacrifice to evil spirits, and not to God; and I don’t want you to have anything to do with evil spirits. You can’t drink the cup of Christ, and the cup of evil spirits. You can’t share in God’s table, and in the table of evil spirits. Aren’t we provoking God to jealousy? Are we stronger than God? I have a right to do anything, but everything isn’t needed; And though I have a right to do anything, everything isn’t for the best. Don’t look out only for your own good, but everyone should look out for the good of one another.
Do Your Best to Offend No One
[25-33] So eat whatever is sold in the meat market, and for the sake of your conscience, don’t ask any questions, because the whole earth is God’s, and everything in it. And if any of those who don’t believe call you to a celebration, and you want to go; eat whatever is set before you, and don’t ask any questions for the sake of your conscience. But if anyone says to you, “This is offered in sacrifice for false worship;” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience sake, because the earth is God’s, and everything in it. When I say conscience, I mean the other person’s, because why should my freedom be judged by another person’s conscience? Because if I, by grace, am one who has shared, why am I evil spoken of for what I give thanks? So whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all in praise of God. Do your best to offend no one, not the Jews, nor the other peoples, nor the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything, not looking out for my own good only, but for the good of many, so that they might be saved.
On Order of Public Worship
11 [1-16] Be followers of me, just as I am of Christ also. Christians, I praise you because you remember me in everything, and willingly do what I have told you. But I want you to know, that man’s power comes from Christ; and the woman’s power comes from the man; and Christ’s power comes from God. Every man praying or preaching, having their head covered, dishonors their authority. But every woman that prays or preaches with her bare head dishonors her authority, because that is just as if her head was shaved. If the woman isn’t covered, she may as well be shaved. So if it’s shameful for a woman to have her head shaved, she should be covered as well. Men shouldn’t cover their head, because they’re a picture and reflection of God: but woman is the reflection of man. The man isn’t from the woman; but the woman from the man. And the man wasn’t created for the woman; but the woman to be the helper of the man. Because of this, the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head when she prays or preaches because of the angels who are present. Just the same, the man isn’t free from the woman, nor the woman free from the man, in God. Just as the woman is of the man, in the same way the man is also by the woman; but everything is of God. Judge for yourselves: is it good for a woman to pray to God with her head bared? Doesn’t even nature itself teach you, that, if a man has long hair, it’s shameful? But if a woman has long hair, it’s a praise to her because her hair is her covering. But if anyone wants to argue about it, we don’t practice this way of life, nor do any of the churches of God.
On the Celebration of the Last Supper
[17-34] In this that I tell you now, I don’t praise you, because you come together for bad, rather than for good. First of all, when you come together in the church, I hear that there are disagreements among you; and I only know part of it. But there must be differences among you, to show clearly which of you are approved by God. So when you come together into one place, this isn’t to eat the Christ’s supper, because when you eat, everyone takes their own supper before the others: and one is hungry, and another is drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you hate the church of God, and want to shame those who don’t have anything? What should I tell you? Should I praise you in this? No, I don’t praise you. I’ve gotten from Christ what I have given to you, that the same night in which Christ Yeshua was handed over, the Christ took the bread, gave thanks, then broke it, saying, “Take and eat: this is the symbol of my body, which is broken for you: do this to remember Me.” Then the Christ also took the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the New Word written in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it, to remember Me.” And as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you show Yeshua’s death till the Christ comes again. So whoever eats this bread, and drinks this cup of Christ, being unworthy, will be guilty of the body and blood of Christ. But everyone should question themselves, before they eat of that bread, or drink of that cup, because whoever eat and drinks, being unworthy, eats and drinks damnation to themselves, not understanding Christ’s body. This is why so many of you are weak and sickly, and many more are dead. If we judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged by others. But when we’re judged, we’re corrected by God, so that we won’t be punished with the rest of the world. So, Christians, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. And if anyone hungers, let them eat at home, so that you don’t come together and bring judgment on yourselves. And I’ll set everything else in order when I come.
Different Spiritual Gifts, Same Spirit
12 [1-11] Now about spiritual gifts, Christians, I wouldn’t have you without knowledge. You know that when you were like the other peoples, you yourselves were swayed by these dumb statues, just as you were led to believe. So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Yeshua, and that no one can say that Yeshua is God but by the Holy Spirit. Now there are differences in your spiritual gifts, but you all have the same Spirit. And there are differences in the ways you worship, but you worship the same Christ. And there are differences in the way you serve, but it’s the same God who works in everything in all Christians. But the appearance of the Spirit is given to each of you for the good of all Christians. The Word of wisdom is given to some by the Spirit; to others the Word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To others faith by the same Spirit; to others the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To others the working of amazing things; to others the Word of things to come; to others the understanding of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; to another the interpretation of languages: But the same Spirit does all of these things and gives to everyone as the Christ wants to.
Different Members, Same Body
[12-18] As there are many parts in one body and all the members of that one body, being many, make up the body, so also is Christ. By One Spirit we’re all baptized into One body, whether we’re one race or another, whether we work for someone else or for ourselves; and we have all been made to drink into One Spirit. So the body of Christ isn’t just one member, but many different members. If the foot says, “because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body;” is it not still part of the body? And if the ear says, “because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body;” is it not still part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would it smell? So each member has been put in the body, just as God pleased. And if everyone was the same part, how would there be a body?
[20-31] But now there are many parts, but still one body. And the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you;” nor the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” No, but those members of the body, which seem to be less needed, are still necessary. Those members of the body, which we think to be less needed, we take better care of; and even our private parts are given special treatment and our exposed parts don’t need anything. So God has put the body together, in such a way as to give more honor to those parts which lack it, so that there would be no separation in the body; but that the members would have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer; or when one member is honored, all the members celebrate. Now you’re all the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God has set some in the church, first traveling messengers, second preachers, third teachers, after that, those who do amazing things, then those who can heal, then helpers, then overseers, and finally those who speak in different languages. Can they all be traveling messengers? Can they all be great preachers? Can they all be teachers? Do all do amazing things? Do all have the gift of healing? Do all speak in different languages? Do all interpret them? You should want the best gifts, but still I’ll show you a better way.
Love Lasts, Other Gifts will End
13 [1-3] Though I speak with both human and spiritual languages, if I don’t have love, I’m just making noise. And though I have the gift of preaching, and can understand all secrets, and all knowledge; and though I have great faith, so that I could move mountains, but don’t have love, I’m nothing. And though I give all my earthly goods to take care of those who are poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it does me no good.
[4-13] Love puts up with much suffering, and is kindhearted; love doesn’t get jealous; love doesn’t use force and doesn’t consider itself better than others, doesn’t behave poorly, doesn’t try to get its own way, isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t blame others wrongly; doesn’t approve of sin, but of the truth; takes responsibility in everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, lasts through everything. Love always lasts. Preaching will come to an end; languages will come to an end; and knowledge will come to an end. All our knowledge is incomplete, and even our preaching is incomplete. But when what is complete is here, then what is incomplete will come to an end. As a child, I spoke like a child, I took things in like a child, I thought like a child: but as an adult, I gave up those childish ways. Now we see as if through a piece of darkly tinted glass; but then we’ll see Christ face to face. Now I know only partly; but then I’ll know just as I am known. And now these three are what will really last: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
On Speaking in Unknown Languages
14 [1-19] Ask for love, and ask for spiritual gifts, but more than that, ask that you may preach. Whoever speaks in an unknown spiritual language doesn’t speak to humans, but to God, because no one understands them; even though they speak secrets in the spirit. But whoever preaches speaks to others to make them strong, to encourage them, and to comfort them. Whoever speaks in a spiritual language makes themselves strong; but whoever preaches makes those of the church strong. I wish that all of you could speak with spiritual languages, but I would rather that you preach, because the one who preaches is more important than the one who speaks with spiritual languages, unless it can be interpreted, so that the church may be made strong. Now, Christians, if I come to you speaking with all kinds of languages, what good will I do you, unless I speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by preaching, or by teaching? And even things without life giving sounds, like a flute or a harp, unless it makes a difference in its sounds, how can we know what is played? If the trumpet gives an unknown sound, who will know to get ready for the battle? So in the same way, unless you speak words that are easy to understand, how can anyone know what you speak? You may as well speak into the air. There are, it can be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them are without significance. So if I don’t know the meaning of the voice, I’ll be like a foreigner to those who speak, and whoever speaks will be like a foreigner to me. Just the same, since you’re passionate of spiritual gifts, be sure to pray for those which build up the church. And let those who speak in a spiritual language pray that they can interpret, because if I pray in an unknown language, my spirit prays, but I don’t understand what I pray. So what am I saying then? I’ll pray in the spirit, and I’ll pray with understanding also; I’ll sing in the spirit, and I’ll sing with understanding, also. Or else, when you bless with the spirit, how will those in the room who haven’t heard the Word say “So be it” at your giving of thanks, seeing they don’t understand what you say? The truth is, you gives thanks well, but they aren’t helped at all. I thank my God that I speak with these languages more than you all. Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by My voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
[20-25] So, everyone, don’t be like children in understanding, even though you should be like children in anger; but in understanding, be adults. In the Word of God it says, “With those of other languages and other lips I’ll speak to this people; but in the same way, they won’t hear Me, God said.” So these languages are for a sign for unbelievers, not to those who believe. But preaching is for those who believe, and not for unbelievers. So if the whole church has come together, and everyone speaks in an unknown spiritual language, and those that haven’t heard the Word before, or are either unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you’re crazy? But if everyone preaches clearly, and someone comes in that doesn’t believe, or hasn’t ever heard the Word before, they’ll be won over by everyone, and they’ll be judged by everyone. So the secrets of their hearts are made clear; and they will bow their heads and worship God, and say that God is truly in you.
On Orderly Worship, speaking in Spiritual Languages, Women
[26-40] How is it then, Christians, that when you come together, everyone has a song, a word, a spiritual language, a revelation, or an interpretation? Let everything be done to benefit of all. If anyone speaks in an unknown language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let someone interpret it. But if there isn’t an interpreter, let them not speak out in the church; but let them speak quietly to themselves, and to God. Let two or three preachers speak, and let someone else judge what they speak. If anything is made known to someone else there, let the first speaker be quiet. Now, you can all preach one by one, so that everyone can learn, and be in good spirits. And the spirits of the preachers are responsible to the preachers. God doesn’t bring confusion, but peace, as it should be in all churches of the Christians. And your women shouldn’t speak out in a disorderly manner in the churches either, because it isn’t permitted for them to speak out this way; but they’re told to be helpful, as the Word of God says. And if they have questions, they should ask their husbands about it at home because it’s a shame for women to speak out disorderly in the church. Did the Word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only? If anyone thinks of themselves as a preacher, or spiritual, let them acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the Words of God. But if anyone is without knowledge, let them be without knowledge. Christians, you should want to preach, and don’t forbid anyone to speak in spiritual languages. But let everything be done properly and in order.
The Evidence of Christ Coming to Life Again
15 [1-11] Besides this, Christians, I tell you the New Word, which I preached to you, and which you’ve accepted, and in which you take your stand; And you’ll be saved by it, if you keep in mind what I preached to you, unless you really didn’t believe it. And I’ve given you only what I was given first of all, how that Christ died for our sins as the Word says; And Who was buried, and rose again on the third day, as the Word says: And that the Christ was seen by Peter, then by the twelve: And after that, the Christ was seen by more than five hundred Christians at once; of whom most are still with us today, though some are now dead. After that, the Christ was seen by James; then by all the followers. And last of all, I saw the Christ myself, at just the right time. And I am the least important of the followers, who has no right to even be called a follower, because I abused the church of God. But by God’s grace, I am what I am; and the grace which was given to me wasn’t meaningless because I have worked more than all of them. Still, not I, but by God’s grace, who was with me. So, whether it was me or them, we preached, and you believed.
Our Hope is in Christ
[12-23] Now, if it’s preached that the Christ rose from the dead, how do some of you say that there’s no coming to life again from the dead? If there is no coming to life again from the dead, then is Christ not raised? And if Christ isn’t risen, then our preaching is meaningless, and your faith is also meaningless. Yes, and we’re found false witnesses of God because we’ve told you that God brought Christ back to life: whom God hasn’t raised up, if it is true that the dead don’t come to life again. If the dead don’t come to life again, then Christ hasn’t been raised: And if Christ hasn’t been raised, your faith is meaningless and you’re still in your sins. Then those who have died in Christ have been destroyed forever. If our hope is in Christ for this life only, we’re the saddest of all people. But Christ has come back to life, and is the first fruits of those who died. Since death came by one human being, new life came by a human being for the dead. Just as all die in Adam, everyone who is in Christ will live. But everyone in their own time: Christ the first fruits; Later, those who are in Christ at the Christ’s second coming.
[24-34] Then the end will come, when Christ will give up the realm to Yahweh God; when the Christ puts down all right, rule, and power. And Christ must reign, till all enemies are in Christ’s control. Then, the last enemy that the Christ will put an end to, is death itself. “Because God has put everything in Christ’s control.” But when God said, everything is in Christ’s control, it’s plain that God isn’t included in this, who put everything in Christ’s control. And when everything is under Christ’s control, then the Christ will be responsible also to the One who put everything in the Christ’s control, so that God may be Ruler over everything. Or else why would some be baptized for the dead, if the dead don’t come to life again at all? Why are they then baptized in the place of those who are dead? And why do we put ourselves in danger all the time? I say by the joy which I have in Yeshua our Christ, I die daily. If I follow after the way of a human being only, and I fight with animals at Ephesus, how does that help me, if the dead don’t come to life again? “Let’s just eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.” Don’t be misled: evil people make good people do bad things. Awake and be good, and don’t sin, because some of you don’t really know God. I say this to your shame.
The New Body
[35-44] But some are asking, “How are the dead brought back? And what kind of body will they have?” You idiot, what you plant isn’t brought back to life again, unless it dies: And what you plant, isn’t the body that will be, but it’s like bare grain, maybe wheat, or some other grain, but it is given a body as it pleases God, and every seed will have its own body. Every physical body isn’t the same: but the human body is of one kind, the body of animals is another kind, fish have another, and birds have another. There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies: but the light of the heavenly is one kind, and the light of the earthly is another. The sun has one kind of light, and the moon has another, and the stars have another kind, because one star differs from another in its strength. So is the new life also of those who come to life again from the dead. Though it’s planted in sinfulness; when it’s raised it will be sinless: It’s planted in disgrace; but will be raised in victory: it’s planted in the weakness of death; but will be raised in the power of everlasting life: It’s planted a natural body; but will be raised a spiritual body. So there’s a natural body, and there’s a spiritual body.
Christ Gives the New Life
[45-58] And so the Word says, “The first human being, Adam, was given life by the Spirit; the last Adam, the Christ, was given a Spirit that gives life.” But what is spiritual didn’t come first, but what is natural came first; and then what is spiritual. The first person was of the earth, and made of earth: the second person is God from heaven. As the earthly one was, so are those who are earthly: and as the Heavenly One is, so also will be those who are heavenly. And as we’re like the earthly, we’ll also be like the Heavenly One. Now I say this, Christians, that our human bodies can’t go into the realm of God; nor do evil people get spiritual bodies. I’ll tell you a secret; We won’t all die, but we’ll all be changed, in a split second, in the blink of an eye, at the last sounding of the trumpet, the dead in Christ will be raised to everlasting life, and we’ll all be changed. This sinful body must put on a sinless one, and this human body must put on a spiritual body. So when this sinful body has put on a sinless one, and this human body has put on spiritual one, then this saying that is written will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where is the sting of death? Where is the victory of the grave?” The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Word of God. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Christ Yeshua. So, my dear Christians, be firm and unmoved, always doing well in the work Christ gives you, so that you know your work isn’t meaningless in Christ.
Offerings and Support of Ministers and Other Christians
16 [1-9] Now, about the collection for the Christians, as I’ve told the churches of Galatia, do this as well. Every Sunday, let everyone of you bring the money you have to give, as God has given you, so that there won’t have to be a collection when I come. And when I come, whoever you approve by your letters, I’ll send to bring your kindness to Jerusalem. And if it’s possible that I go also, they’ll go with me. Now I’ll come to you, whenever I pass through Macedonia, because I’ll go that way. And it may be that I’ll stay, yes, and even spend the winter with you, so that you can send me on my journey wherever I go next. So I won’t see you now on the way, but I trust to stay with you for a while, if God allows it. But I’ll stay at Ephesus until Pentecost because a great chance for useful ministry has come to me, and there are many enemies.
[10-18] Now if Timothy comes, make sure he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the work of Christ, as I am. So make sure he’s not rejected and send him away in peace, so that he can come back to me, because I’m waiting for him to come with the other Christians. Now about our coworker Apollos, I really wanted him to come to you with the other Christians, but he didn’t want to come at all right now; but he’ll come when he has the time. So watch, stay in the faith, act like adults, and be strong. And do everything in love. I beg you, Christians, because you know that those of the family of Stephanas are the first Christians of Achaia, and that they’ve completely given themselves to the ministry of the Christians, that you cooperate with people like this, and to everyone else who helps us, and does the work of Christ. I’m happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they’ve given me what you couldn’t. They’ve awakened both my spirit and yours, so accept people like this.
Final Greetings
[19-24] The churches of Asia say hello to you. Aquila and Priscilla say hello to you most lovingly in Christ, along with the church that meets in their house. All the coworkers in Christ say hello to you. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. This is the greeting of me, Paul, written with my own hand. If anyone doesn’t love Yeshua the Christ, let them be damned! Come, Christ Yeshua! May the grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you. I send my love to you all in Christ Yeshua. So be it!
Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians
The God of Every Comfort
1 [1-11] From Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our coworker in Christ, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, and all the Christians, which are in all Achaia: May you have the grace and peace from Yahweh our God, and from Yeshua the Christ. May Yahweh God be blessed, the God our Christ Yeshua comes from, the God all mercies come from, and the God all comforts come from; Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to comfort those, who are in any kind of trouble, with the same kind of comfort that we ourselves have been comforted with by God. As we have suffered much for Christ, so we’ll be comforted much by Christ. And if we’re troubled, it’s for your comfort and to help you to be saved, which is what helps us to keep going in what we suffer: or if we’re in good spirits now, it’s for your comfort and to help you to be saved. And our hope for you is strong, knowing that just as you’ve taken part in the suffering, so you’ll be comforted. Christians, we want you to know of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were troubled more than ever, more than our own strength, so that we even lost all hope of life. We had a death sentence in us, so that we wouldn’t trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead: Who saved us from such a great a death, and so saves us: in whom we trust that even now, will still save us. You’ve also helped by praying for us, that many more people will give thanks in our place, for the gift given to us by the answered prayers of many of you.
We Have a Clear Conscience
[12-24] Our joy is that our conscience tells us by God’s grace that we’ve lived in the world with simple and godly honesty, not with earthly wisdom, and even more so with you. We write to you no other faith than what you’ve read or already know; and I trust you’ll know this even to the end of your days; As in a way, you’ve also accepted that we’re your joy, just as you’ll also be our joy in the day of Christ Yeshua. And in this trust, I was thinking of coming to you, so that you might have a second chance to do a good thing; And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come back out of Macedonia to you, and to be sent on my way again by you to Judea. Do you think I thought of this without thinking it through? Or do the things that I plan, come from my own human thinking, that I would say both yes and no at the same time? But as God is true, our word to you wasn’t unreliable, saying both yes and no at the same time. The Child of God, Yeshua the Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, wasn’t yes and no, but in Christ, was always yes. And all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ, and in Christ, we say “So be it” to the praise of God. Now the One who creates all of us in Christ, and has chosen us is God; Who has also put the proof of ownership on us, and given us this proof by the Spirit in our hearts. Besides this, I call on God for a defense of my soul that the reason I didn’t come to you was to spare you. Not that we have any control over your faith, but that we could help you to have joy, because it’s by faith that you keep on going.
Overcome with Love, not Sorrow
2 [1-7] But I decided on this in myself, that I wouldn’t come back to you in sorrow. If I make you sorry, who can make me happy, but the ones who are made sorry by me? And I wrote this to you, in case, when I came, I would have sorrow from the very ones I should have joy in; having trust in you all, that my joy is the same joy that you all have. In much suffering and heartbreak, I wrote to you in tears; not that you would be upset, but that you might know the great love that I have for you. But if anyone has caused sorrow, in a way, they haven’t caused me sorrow, as much as they’ve caused you sorrow: not to put it too unkindly. And they have had enough punishment from you all. So instead, you should forgive and comfort them, or they may be overcome with too much sorrow.
[8-17] So I beg you to prove your love to them. It was for this reason that I wrote, that I might know for sure if you do what you should. And whoever you forgive, I forgive also, and if I forgave anything, I forgave it for your sakes in Christ; Just in case Satan would get a hold on us, for we know of the ways of evil. And when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s New Word, and a door was opened to me by God, my spirit would not rest, because I didn’t find Titus, my coworker in Christ: so I left there, and went on to Macedonia. Now thanks to God, who always helps us to have victory in Christ, and spreads the scent of the knowledge of the Savior by us everywhere. We’re like a sweet scent of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who are destroyed: To one we’re the scent of death that leads to death; and to the other the scent of life that leads to life. And who is enough for this? We aren’t like many, who sell the Word of God for money, but we’re sent from God in truth, and in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
We Are Ministers Not of the Letter of the Law, but of the Spirit of the Law
3 [1-11] So should we start to say good things about ourselves again to you? Or do we need, as some others do, letters of approval to you, or letters of approval from you? Our letter is you, written in our hearts, known and read by everyone. So you’re clearly told to be like a letter from Christ written by us, but not written with ink on pieces of paper, but with the Spirit of the living God, written in the pages of the human heart. And we have this trust through Christ in God: Not that we’re enough in and of ourselves to think anything much of ourselves; but we’re enough in God; Who has also made us able to be ministers of the New Word; not of the letter of the Law, but of the spirit of the Law, because the letter kills without mercy, but the spirit of grace gives life. But if the way of death, which was written and carved in stones, was so amazing that the children of Israel couldn’t hardly look at the face of Moses for its brightness; which was already beginning to fade away: Won’t the way of the spirit be even more amazing? And if the way of judgment is so amazing, how much more amazing will the goodness of grace be. And even what was amazing then isn’t amazing at all compared to the amazement of the goodness of the grace we have now. And if what passed away was amazing, how much more amazing is that grace that we have forever.
[12-18] Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak as plainly as we can: And not as Moses, who put a covering over his face, so that the children of Israel couldn’t hardly see him until the brightness had faded away: But their minds were blinded because even to today, the same covering is still there when the Old Word is read; which is only taken away in Christ. Even to today, when Moses is read, the covering stays on their hearts. But in the same way, when someone turns to Christ, the covering is taken away. Now Christ is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of Christ is, there’s freedom. But we all, with uncovered faces, as if looking in a mirror, see the light of Christ in us, as we’re changed into the likeness of Christ with more and more goodness, as we’re given by the Spirit of Christ.
We Don’t Give Up
4 [1-12] So seeing that we’ve been given this ministry by the mercy of Christ, we don’t give up; But we’ve given up the secret ways of dishonesty, not being tricky, nor handling the Word of God falsely; but by clearly stating the truth entrusting ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our New Word is covered, only those who are lost can’t see it: The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, unless the light of the amazing New Word of Christ, who is the picture of God, shines on them. And we don’t preach about ourselves, but Yeshua the Christ as being God; and ourselves your workers for Yeshua’s sake. And God, who told the light to shine out of the darkness, has shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the victory of God in the face of Yeshua the Christ. But this wealth of knowledge is kept in human beings, so that others can know that this great power is of God, and not us. And though we’re troubled from all sides, still we’re not greatly upset; We’re confused, but not hopeless; Mistreated, but not left alone; pushed down, but not broken; We’re always suffering the death of Christ Yeshua in our human bodies, so that the life of Christ might also be known in our human bodies. And we who live are always giving ourselves up for dead for Yeshua’ sake, so that the life of Yeshua also might be known in our human bodies. So then death is working in us, so that life can work in you.
[13-18] And having the same spirit of faith, just like the Word says, “I believed, and so I speak;” we also believe, and we speak; Knowing that Yahweh God, who brought back Christ Yeshua, will also raise us up by Yeshua, and will offer us, along with you. And everything is for your sakes, that the amazing grace, having come to many people, would let their thankfulness overflow in the praise of God. And so we don’t give up; but though our outward lives are destroyed, still the inward life is renewed each and every day. And our suffering, which lasts only a little while, gives us a victory that far outlasts anything we go through now; So we don’t look at the things which we see, but at the things which we don’t see, because the things which are seen are only temporary; but the things which aren’t seen will last forever.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
5 [1-10] And we know that if our earthly body that we live in were to be destroyed, we have a heavenly body in God, which isn’t like our human bodies, but will last forever in heaven. But in this body we cry, actively hoping to be clothed with our heavenly body: So if it’s true that we’re clothed, we won’t be without it. And though we that are in this body cry, being greatly troubled: not that we want to be unclothed, but clothed with our heavenly body, so that our human body might be completely covered with life. Now the One who has created us for this same reason is God, who has also given to us the Spirit as proof. So we’re always sure, knowing that, while we’re in our bodies, we’re separated from God, but because we walk by faith, and not by sight, we’re sure, I say, instead to even be willing to leave this body to be with God. So we work, that, whether here or there, we can be accepted by God, because we all have to appear at the judgment seat of Christ; so that everyone can get back what they’re owed for the things they did in their body, whether it was good or bad.
[11-16] So knowing the fear of God, we try to change the minds of others; and though it’s clear to God who we are; I trust also that in your consciences we are made clear. And we don’t approve of ourselves again to you, but we want to give you a chance to be proud of us, that you can have something to answer those who take pride in appearances, but not in the heart. And if we’re crazy, it’s for God’s sake: or if we use good sense, it’s for your sake, because the love of Christ makes us believe that if One died for all, then all are dead: And that One died for all, so that those who live wouldn’t ever live for themselves again, but for the One who died for them, and rose again. So now, we see no one as they are in the body: and yes, though we’ve known Christ in the body, still now we don’t know the Christ that way anymore.
[17-21] So then, if anyone is in Christ, they’re a new creature, putting their old ways in the past until everything becomes new to them. And we are brought back to God, who has done all this by Yeshua the Christ, and has given to us the ministry of bringing others back to God; That is, that Yahweh God was in Christ Yeshua, bringing the world back to a relationship with God, not counting their sins against them; and has trusted to us the Word, which brings others back to God. Now then, we’re spokespersons for Christ, and as though God was begging you through us: we beg you in Christ’s stead, to come back to God, who has made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; so that we might become the goodness of God through Christ.
Being Patient Survivors
6 [1-10] We then, as workers together with Christ, beg you also not to accept God’s grace without purpose. God says, “I’ve heard you at just the right time, and in the day you were saved I have helped you;” so now is the right time; now is the day to be saved. We try not to offend anyone in anything, so that the ministry won’t be blamed: But in everything we approve of ourselves as the ministers of God, being patient survivors in our troubles, in our needs, in our suffering, in our beatings, in our imprisonments, in our chaos, in our work, in our willingness to go without sleep and food; By our purity of heart, by our knowledge, by our patience, by our kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by our heartfelt love, by the Word of Truth, by the power of God, by the protective covering of goodness which surrounds us, in honor and dishonor, in bad news and good news: as misleaders, and yet true; as unknown, yet still well known; as dying, yet still living; as punished, yet not killed; As sorrowful, yet always with joy; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet still possessing everything.
Have Hearts filled with Love and Separate from the Ungodly
[11-18] You Corinthians, we speak clearly to you, and our hearts are filled with love for you. You aren’t kept from loving by us, but you’re kept from loving in your own souls. Now return our love to us, (I speak as to my children,) be heart-filled also. And don’t come together with unbelievers, to be married unmatched, because what can goodness have to do with ungodliness? And how can light blend with darkness? And what agreement has Christ made with Satan? Or what does one who believes have to do with an unbeliever? And how can God’s Place of Worship be filled with the worship of other things? And it’s your own innermost soul, which is the Place of Worship of the living God; as God has said, “I’ll live in them, and be active in them; and I’ll be their God, and they’ll be my people. So come out from among the ungodly people, and separate yourselves from them, says Yahweh God, and don’t touch anything that’s evil; and I’ll accept you, and I’ll be like a parent to you, and care for you as my sons and daughters, says the Almighty Yahweh God.”
Cleanse Ourselves Before God with Godly Sorrow
7 [1-8] So having these promises, dear loved ones, let’s cleanse ourselves from everything filthy, in both the body and the spirit, making ourselves completely clean in the fear of God. Accept us, because we’ve wronged no one, we’ve ruined no one; we’ve taken advantage of no one. I don’t speak this to accuse you, because I’ve already said to you, that our hearts are filled with love for you, whether we die or live for you. I speak to you without fear, and my hopeful pride in you is great: My heart is filled with comfort; I’m very joyful even in all our troubles. And when we had come into Macedonia, we had no rest, and we were troubled everywhere; outside were fightings, and inside were fears. But in the same way, God, who comforts those that are put down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by that only, but by the comfort that he was comforted in you, when he told us of your great hope, your sorrowful crying, your great concern for me; so that I was even more joyful. And though I hurt you with my letter, I’m not sorry for writing it, though I am sorry, realizing that the letter hurt you, though it was only for a little while.
[9-16] Now I am full of joy, not that you were sorrowful, but that you were sorry enough to change your life because you were sorrowful in a godly way, so that you weren’t really hurt by us in any way. And you can’t be sorry for the godly sorrow that changed your life and helped you to be saved, because the kind of sorrow brought by the world only brings a hopeless death. See for yourselves what I’m saying; how that you sorrowed in a godly way, in order to make you truly care; Yes, look how you tried to clear yourselves; Yes, look at the anger you had; Yes, look at the fear you had; Yes, look at your longing to see me; Yes, look at the passion you had; And yes, what justice you wanted! In all this you’ve cleared yourselves of wrongdoing in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, I didn’t do it for the one who had done the wrong, nor for the ones who had suffered wrongs, but so that our care for you in the sight of God might be seen by you. So we were comforted in your comfort: and yes, had even more joy for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was awakened by you all. So if I’ve said anything prideful to him about you, I’m not ashamed; but as we spoke everything to you in truth, in the same way our prideful bragging, which I made to Titus, is the truth. And he has more love for you, because he knows how you all accepted him, how with fear and trembling you truly accepted him. And now I celebrate because I can trust you in everything.
On Giving Graciously
8 [1-9] Besides this, Christians, we want you to know of the grace God has given to the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great test of suffering, most of their joy and their deep poverty was found in the riches of their freedom in giving. They gave what they were able to, I say, and yes, even more than they were really able to, giving of their own free will; Asking and begging us to take the gift, and let them share in the blessing of helping the Christians. And they did this, not as we had hoped, but first gave their own selves to God, and then to us by the will of God. So much so, that we wanted Titus, just as he had begun, to pass on the same acts of grace to you also. So, as you grew fruitful in everything else, in faith, in words, in knowledge, and in all your concern and love for us, see that you grow fruitful in your acts of grace in giving as well. This isn’t a command, but I speak on account of the gracefulness of others, and to prove the honesty of your love. And you know the grace of our Christ Yeshua, who was rich, and still for your sakes became poor, that you might become rich through Christ’s own poverty.
[10-15] And in this I give my advice because this is necessary for you, who have begun to not only want to do, but also to do it over a year ago. So now act on your wanting to do it; so as there was a willingness, your actions can follow also out of what you have to give. If there is a willing mind first, then whatever you’ve to give is acceptable, and it doesn’t matter what You haven’t got to give. I don’t mean that other people shouldn’t give at all, and you to be overly troubled by giving: But give on an equal basis, so that now in the time of your plenty you can give whatever they need, and that when they are able they can also give you what you need: so that there is a balance: As the Word says, “Whoever took in richly had nothing over; and whoever took in little didn’t go without anything they needed.”
[16-24] And I thank God, who put the same true care that I have for you into the heart of Titus. And to be sure, he not only accepted this responsibility; but being so excited about it, went to you of his own accord. And another Christian coworker, whose is praised in the work of the New Word throughout all the churches is coming along; And not that only, but this is the one who was chosen by the churches to travel along with us for this responsibility, which is overseen by us to the praise of Christ, and to prove your willingness to give: We want to stop anyone from blaming us falsely in this responsibility which we oversee: Trying to do what is honest, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of humanity. And we’ve also sent with them our Christian coworker, whom we’ve proved to be careful in many things many times, but now how much more careful in this great trust, which I have in you. If anyone asks about Titus, he’s my coworker and helper to you: or if anyone asks about these Christian coworkers, they’re the angels of the churches, and the praise of Christ. So show them, and the churches the proof of your love and of our bragging about you.
The Gift Better than Words
9 [1-7] So as touching the ministering to the Christians, it’s really not needed for me to write to you, because I know you’re willing to do this, which is why I brag of you to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your passion has stirred up a very many more into action. Yet I have sent these Christian coworkers, in case our bragging of you in this way is for nothing; and that, as I said, you can be ready in case it so happens that those of Macedonia decide to come with me and find you unprepared, and that both we and you would be ashamed that we bragged about you so surely. So I thought it necessary to encourage these Christian coworkers to go ahead to you, and take up your willing gift, in which you had already known about, so that it might be ready, as a free-will offering, and not be given unwillingly. But I say this, those who give sparingly will also bring in sparingly; and those who give graciously will also bring in graciously. So let everyone give as they plan in their heart; not complaining about it, or because they feel they have to, because God loves those who give joyfully.
[8-15] And God is able to make all things be gracious to you; so that you’ll always have everything you need, and can share graciously in every good work: (As the Word says, “The goodness of those who scatter out and give to those who are poor lasts forever.” Now the One who gives seed to the farmer gives both bread for your food, and multiplies your seed that is planted, and increases the fruits of your goodness; Being enriched in everything so you can give more graciously, which causes us to give thanks to God. And the overseeing of this service not only supplies the needs of the Christians, but also causes many people to give thanks to God; And by the test of this help, they praise God for your full acceptance of the New Word of Christ, and for your heartfelt gift to them, and to everyone else; And by their prayer for you, whose hearts are filled with love for you, for that very grace of God that’s in you. I Thank God for the gift that’s much better than any words could say.
Spiritual Warfare
10 [1-6] Now I, Paul, beg you myself by the humbleness and gentleness of Christ, who am humble when I am with you, but not being there face to face, I have no fear of you: But I beg you, so that I won’t have to be so fearless when I come, with that sureness that I expect to have against some, who think of us as if we lived for the things of the earthly realm. And even though we live in the earthly realm, we don’t fight with earthly swords. The swords of our warfare aren’t earthly, but have the power in God even to pull down spiritual strong holds; targeting thoughts, and any imagination that raises its head against what we know about God, and keeping every thought in agreement with Christ; And being ready to fight back all rebelliousness, when you’ve come into full agreement with Christ.
Defense of Our Ability and Area of Work
[7-11] Do you look at things as they appear outwardly? If anyone trusts in themselves that they belong to Christ, they should seriously think again, that even as they belong to Christ, so do we also belong to Christ. And though I speak somewhat more freely of our ability, which God has given us for building you up, and not for tearing you down, I won’t be ashamed, even if I seem to scare you by my letters. And though my letters are said to be very serious and powerful; and my bodily presence is said to be weak, and my speech is disgraceful, let them seriously think about this, that is, just as we are in the words of our letters when we’re not there, we’ll be just as powerful in action when we are there.
[12-18] But we dare not compare ourselves to, or make ourselves as one of those, who think themselves to be something: but really they know nothing because they measure and compare themselves by people just like themselves. But we won’t brag about things outside our limits, but within the limits of the ability, which God has given us, which includes what we do with you. We don’t stretch ourselves beyond our limits, as though we didn’t have the ability to reach you, because we have come even as far as you in preaching the New Word of Christ. We don’t brag of things outside our limits, that is, of other’s work that may have been given to us; but having the hope that when your faith grows, our area of work will grow greatly by you, and that we can preach the New Word in other areas besides where you are, and not to brag in another person’s line of work. But whoever brags, let them brag in God, because it isn’t those who approve of themselves that are approved, but those whom God approves.
Don’t be Misled by Those Who Try to Make a Profit Off The Word of God
11 [1-15] I hope to God you’ll put up with me even when I do speak a little bit crazy: and you have put up with me. But I am crazy over you with a godly passion because I’ve promised you to Christ so that I can present you as a faithful spouse to Christ. But I fear, in case by some means, as the snake fooled Eve with half-truths, so your minds would wander from the pure truth that is in Christ. I’m afraid that if someone comes and preaches something different about Yeshua that we haven’t preached, or if you accept another spirit, which You haven’t accepted before, or hear another New Word, which You haven’t accepted before, you might very well believe it. But I think that I haven’t followed the least bit behind the very first followers. And though I am not very well trained in my speech, yet I am in knowledge; but we’ve been thoroughly open among you in everything. What sin have I done in humbling myself so that you might be lifted up, so I could preach to you the New Word of God freely and without pay? What support I took from other churches, I took to help you. And when I was with you, and needed anything, I was supported by none of you, because what I needed I was given by the Christians, who came from another place. I’ve kept myself from asking you for any help for anything, and so I’ll keep myself from ever asking you for anything. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one there will stop me from saying this. And why? Do you think it’s because I don’t love you? God knows that I do. But what I do, that I’ll keep on doing, so that I can cut off any chance for those who want a chance to make something of themselves, so that they can appear to be just as we are. And people like this are false followers, false workers, changing themselves into the appearance of followers of Christ. And no wonder, even Satan changes into an angel of light. So it’s not strange if their ministers also are changed into the ministers of goodness; who will be punished for what they do.
The Many Sufferings
[16-33] I say again, let no one think of me as crazy; but if otherwise, still accept me as a crazy person, so that I can talk about myself a little. What I speak, I don’t speak for God, but as in stupidity, in this self-confident bragging. Seeing that many brag about their earthly lives, I’ll brag also. And you gladly accept thoughtless ones, seeing that you yourselves are wise! And you even allow it, if they control you, if they use you, if they take from you, if they say they’re better than you, or even if they hit you on the face. And I speak about our own dishonor, as we had been weak in this way, too. Just the same, whatever anyone wants to brag about, though I speak stupidly, I’ll brag about it, also. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from Israel? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a crazy person, but I am more! I have worked harder; I have been beaten more times than I can count; I have been locked up more often; I have escaped death more often. The Jews beat me five times with thirty-nine licks. I was beaten with sticks three times; I was attacked with stones once; I was shipwrecked three times, and spent a night and a day in the sea; I have traveled often, and have been in danger of drowning, in danger of thieves, in danger of my own people, in danger of other people, in danger in the city, in danger in the countryside, in danger in the sea, in danger among false Christians; I have been tired and aching, often with no sleep, hungry and thirsty, often willingly going without food, cold and going without clothes. And besides all this, my daily concerns, which is the care of all the churches. Who is more weak than I am? Who is offended, and I am not burning with anger? So if I need to brag, I’ll brag about all my weaknesses. The God, who Yeshua, our Christ is from, which is blessed forever, knows I’m not lying. Even in Damascus, the governor under Arttas, the one who guarded the city of the Damascus, wanted to arrest me, but I was let down through a window in a basket by the wall, and escaped from them.
Visions and Revelations
12 [1-10] Doubtless, it does no good for me to brag like this, so I’ll come to visions and revelations of Christ. I knew someone in Christ more than fourteen years ago, who was taken up to the third heaven, (whether in the body, I can’t tell; or whether out of the body, I can’t tell: only God knows.) And I knew how this person, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can’t tell, only God knows,) was taken up into the Garden of Paradise, and heard things words can’t describe, which no one is able to tell. I’ll brag about this kind of person, but I’ll only brag about myself in my weaknesses. And even if I wanted to brag, I wouldn’t be crazy, because I’ll tell the truth: but now I don’t brag, in case anyone would think more of me than what they see me to be, or that they hear of me. And in case I were to be more proud than I ought, because of the many revelations, I was given a thorn in my side, the angel of Satan to keep me down, in case I were to become more proud than I ought. I prayed to Christ three times because of this thing, that it might leave from me. And Christ told me, “My grace is enough for you because My strength is seen in your weakness.” So most gladly, I’ll brag about my weaknesses instead, so that the power of Christ can be seen by all. So I have joy in my weaknesses, in accusations, in times of need, in discriminations, in all kinds of troubles for Christ’s sake, because when I am weak, that is when I’m really strong.
[11-21] I am crazy for bragging like this; but you’ve made me do it because I ought to have been approved of by you. I have followed not the least bit behind the very first followers, though I’m nothing. The truth is I’ve done the signs of a follower among you with much patience, in signs, and amazing things, and powerful actions. And how is it that you were treated any lesser than the other churches, unless it’s because I myself didn’t ask you for anything? Forgive me this wrong! This is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I won’t ask you for anything because I don’t want anything that’s yours, except you, because the children shouldn’t save up for their parents, but the parents for their children. And I’ll very gladly use up all that is mine and even be used up myself to save your souls; though the more greatly I love you, the less I am loved. But anyway, I didn’t trouble you, but being the sneaky way that I am, I caught you in my sneakiness. Did I get anything from you by any of those I sent to you? I wanted Titus to go, and sent with him the other Christians. Did Titus get anything from you? Didn’t we both have the same spirit? Didn’t we both go the same way? Once again, do you think that we’re making excuses for ourselves to you? What we say, we say before God in Christ, and everything we do, dear loved one, is to help you. I fear that when I come, I won’t find you as I want to, and that I’ll be found by you as you wouldn’t want me. I’m afraid that there’ll be arguments, jealousy, anger, making fun of me, bad-mouthing, gossiping, arrogant pride, or chaos. And in case, when I come back, my God will humble me among you, and that I’ll be upset by many who have sinned, and haven’t changed from their evil ways, sexual sins, and filthiness.
Last Warning
13 [1-4] This is the third time I am coming to you, so in the presence of two or three witnesses every word will be settled. I told you before, and warned you the second time, as if I were present; and not being there now, I write to those who up to now have kept on sinning, and to all others, that when I come back, I won’t show mercy to you, since you look for proof that Christ is speaking in me, which isn’t weak to you, but is powerful in you. And even though the Christ was put to death through weakness, yet by the power of God, Christ still lives. And if we also are weak in Christ, by the power of God we’ll still live with Christ for you.
[5-10] So examine yourselves, and see whether you’re in the faith or not; prove it to your own selves. Don’t you know your own selves, how that Yeshua the Christ is in you, unless, in fact, you are unsaved? But I trust that you’ll come to know that we aren’t unsaved. Now I pray to God that you don’t do anything evil; not so that we would appear approved of, but that you would do what is right, even if we were unsaved. We can’t do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. And we’re happy, when we’re weak, and you’re strong: and we pray for godly actions to follow your faith. So I write this, while not there, in case when I am there, I am too angry with you, and use the power which God has given me to tear you down instead of building you up.
[11-14] Finally, Christians, goodbye. Let godly actions follow your faith, be in good spirits now, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. All the Christians here say hello to you. May the grace of Yeshua the Christ, and God’s love, and the relationship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
1 [1-5] From Paul, a follower, (not made so by others, nor by any human action, but by Yeshua the Christ, and Yahweh God, the God who raised the Christ from the dead;) and all the Christians which are with me, to the churches of Galatia: May you have grace and peace from Yahweh God, and from our Christ Yeshua, who willingly died for our sins to free us from the evil that is in this world now, for the will of God, who we are from: May God be made known forever without end. So be it!
[6-9] I can’t believe that you’re so quickly leaving your faith in the One who called you into the grace of Christ to another New Word: which isn’t really another New Word at all; but there are some that are troubling you, and would change the truth of the New Word of Christ. But though we, or even an angel from heaven, were to preach any word to you other than what we’ve already preached to you, let them be damned forever. As we said before, I say so now again, if anyone preaches any other New Word to you other than what you’ve already heard, let them be damned forever.
Paul’s Call is from Christ
[10-14] Now, am I trying to convince others, or to please God? Or am I trying to please other people? If I still wanted to please others, I wouldn’t be the worker of Christ. But I tell you, Christians, that the New Word which was preached by me isn’t from the mind of any human being. I didn’t get it from a person, nor was I taught it, but it was made known to me by Yeshua the Christ. You know of my lifestyle in the Jewish religion, how that in the past, I abused those of the church of God more than anyone, and tried to stop it: And in that religion I moved ahead of many of my equals in my own nation, being more passionate of my ancestors’ way of life.
[15-23] But when God, who decided even before my birth to call me by grace, was pleased to make Christ known in me, so that I might preach the Christ to the ungodly; I didn’t first go to talk it over with human beings, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were followers before me; but I went straight to Arabia, and came back to Damascus later. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and stayed there fifteen days. But I saw none of the other followers, except for James, Christ’s brother. Now I say before God that I am not lying about the things which I write to you. Then later I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And I wasn’t personally known to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ, even though they had heard that the one who had abused them in the past was now preaching the faith which I had tried to put an end to. And they praised God for me.
False Teachings Creep In
2 [1-5] Then fourteen years later I went with Barnabas up to Jerusalem again, taking Titus along with me as well. And I knew to go up by the Spirit of revelation, and told them the New Word which I preach to the other peoples, but secretly to those who were well known, in case in some way I might be working, or had been working, for no reason. But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was required to keep the tradition of having the foreskin cut off: And that was only brought up because of false believers who had unexpectedly come in, having come in secretly to see the freedom we have in Christ Yeshua, and to try to make us do what they wanted us to: To whom we didn’t give in, even for an hour; so that the truth of the New Word might stay with you.
[6-10] But these, who seemed to think themselves something, (whatever they were, it doesn’t matter to me: God doesn’t accept anyone by their place in this world:) though they seemed to be highly respected, they gave me nothing to add to my message: But instead, when they saw that the New Word to the other peoples was trusted to me, just as the New Word to the Jews was to Peter; (because the One who worked effectively in Peter to the Jews, was the same One who was powerful in me toward the other peoples.) And when James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be the most important, realized the grace that was given to me, they accepted me and Barnabas by shaking hands on our partnership; so that we could go to the other peoples, and they to the Jews. They only wanted us to remember those who are poor; which was the same thing that I wanted to do.
[11- 21] But when Peter came to Antioch, I stood up to him face to face, because he was wrong in that before certain ones came from James, he ate with the other peoples, but when they had come, he had withdrawn and separated himself, fearing those who were Jews. So all the other Jews did the same; and even Barnabas was also fooled by their show of tradition. But when I saw that they didn’t walk rightly in the truth of the New Word, I said to Peter in front of them all, if you, being a Jew, live like the other peoples, and not as the Jews do, why are you trying to get the other peoples to live like the Jews? We, who are Jews by nature, and not like the ungodly ones of the other peoples, know that people aren’t made right by the what they’ve done in the Word of God, but by their faith in Yeshua the Christ, just as we’ve believed in Yeshua the Christ, so that we might be made right by our faith in Christ, and not by anything we’ve done out of the Word of God, because no one is made right by what they’ve done out of the Word of God. But if, while we’re being made right by Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, does that show that Christ is spreading sin? Never! For if I do again the things which I have already stopped doing, I make myself a sinner. So I die through the Word of God, so that I might live for God. And even if I am put to death with Christ: I live; though not I, but it’s Christ who lives in me: and the life which I now live in the body I live by my faith in the Child of God, who loved me, and willingly died for me. So I don’t make God’s grace to have no purpose, because if my goodness were to come by my obedience to the Word of God, then the death of Christ would be meaningless.
We are Saved by Faith, not Works
3 [1-6] You stupid Galatians, who has tricked you into not obeying the truth, who have already been shown that Yeshua the Christ has been put to death for you? I only want to know this: Did you receive the Spirit by what you’ve done out of the Word of God, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so stupid? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed by what you do with your body? Have you suffered so many things for nothing? If it was, in fact, for nothing. So does the One who gives to you the Spirit, and does the amazing things among you, do it because of what you do out of the Word of God, or by the faith that you have in what you hear? It is just like when Abraham believed God, and God thought of him as good because he believed.
[7-14] So don’t you know that only those who have faith are the children of Abraham. And the Word, knowing ahead of time that God would forgive the ungodly because of their faith, preached the New Word to Abraham, saying, “In you every race of people will be blessed.” So then those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, who believed God. Whoever thinks they are made right by what they do are cursed because the Word says, “Everyone that doesn’t continue to do everything which is written in the book of the Word of God is cursed.” It’s clear that no one is made right by the Word in the sight of God, because “Those made right will live by faith.” But outwardly obeying the Word of God isn’t from faith, but “The person that obeys it will live by it.” Christ has saved us from the curse of the Word of God, by being made a curse for us because the Word says, “Anyone who hangs on a cross is cursed:” so that the blessing of Abraham might come to all the other races through Yeshua the Christ; and so that we might get the Spirit that was promised by our faith.
[15-22] So, everyone, what I am saying is like when other people make agreements; even though it’s only a human agreement, still if it’s confirmed, no one can take away from it, or add anything to it. Now it was to Abraham and “the seed” that the promises were made. The Word didn’t say seeds, meaning many descendants; but One descendant, “And to your seed,” which is Christ. And what I am saying is this, that the promised agreement, which was confirmed by God in Christ, can’t be taken away from, making the promise have no purpose, by the Word of God, which came over four hundred years later. For if the inheritance is by the Word of God, it’s no longer by the promise: but God made the agreement with Abraham by promise. So why then do we have the Word of God? It was given to us to show us what sin is, till the Christ came, whom the promise was spoken of; and it was given by angels to a human go-between, Moses. Now there is One God, and One party doesn’t need a go-between. Does the Word of God then go against the Promises of God? Never! Because if there had been given a law which could have given life, the truth is, goodness would have come by that Word. But the Word has put all under the curse of sin, so that the promise by faith in Yeshua the Christ might be given to those who believe.
[23-29] But before faith in Christ came, we were kept by the Word of God, waiting for the faith which would later be made known. So the Word of God was like our schoolteacher to bring us to faith in Christ, so we could be made right by faith. But now that faith is here, we no longer need to be taught by a schoolteacher. For you’re all the children of God by faith in Christ Yeshua, and whoever has been baptized into the faith of Christ has put on the likeness of Christ. There’s no difference between races, there’s no difference between workers or those who are free, there’s no difference between males or females because you’re all one and the same in Christ Yeshua. And if you’re Christ’s, then you’re of Abraham’s lineage, and heirs of the promise.
Adoption of the Children of God
4 [1-10] Now I say, that as long as the heirs are children, they’re no different than a worker, even though someday they’ll have control of everything; But they’re under the control of teachers and managers until the time the parent gives them control. Just the same, when we were children, the things of the world controlled us: But when the right time came, God sent the Child, born of a woman, born under the rule of the Word of God, in exchange for those who were under the rule of the Word of God, so that we might be adopted like children. And because you’re children, God has sent the Spirit of the Child into your hearts, which cries out to God, who cares for us like a Parent. So you’re not a just a worker anymore, but you’re a child; and if you’re a child, then you’re an heir of God through Christ. Then again, when you didn’t know God, you worked for those things that aren’t really gods. But now, after you’ve come to know God, or rather, after God knows you, why do you want to turn back and be controlled by the weaker things of this world? You’re still keeping the rules of your traditional holidays, and special months, times, and years. I’m afraid that I’ve wasted my work on you for no reason at all.
[12-19] Everyone, I beg you, be as I am because I’m just like you. You haven’t hurt me at all. You know how at first, through the weakness of my body, I preached the New Word to you. And you didn’t hate or reject the weakness of my body; but took care of me as an angel of God, just as you would Christ Yeshua. So then, where is the blessing that you spoke of? I tell you that if it had been possible, you would have even taken out your own eyes, and given them to me. So have I become your enemy now, because I tell you what is true? They eagerly try to convince you, but not for your good; yes, they would keep you out, so that you might want to go along with them. But it’s always good to be eager in good things, and not only when I’m there with you. My little children, I’ll have the pains of birth over and over again until the life of Christ is created in you! I want to be there with you now and to change the way I have to speak to you because I question whether you really have the truth or not.
[21-31] Tell me, you that want to be controlled by the Word of God, don’t you know the Word of God? The Word says that Abraham had two children, one by a worker, the other by a freewoman. But the one who was born of the worker was born in the normal way, while the one who was born of the freewoman was given by the promise of God. These things are a symbol to us because these are two promised agreements; The first one came from Mount Sinai, which is controlled by that agreement, which is symbolized by Hagar. Hagar is a symbol for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and is like Jerusalem is now, that is, she and her children are under the control of the first agreement. But the spiritual Jerusalem, which is from above, is free, and is the spiritual mother of us all. The Word says, “Celebrate, you who can’t have children; break out and cry, you who have never had the pain of birth, because the deserted one has many more children than she who has a husband.” Now Christians, as Isaac was, we’re the children of promise. Just as it was then, those who are born the normal way abuse those who are born in the Spirit, now. But in the same way, what does the Word say? “Throw out the worker and her child because the child of the worker won’t be heir along with the child of the free woman.” So then, Christians, we aren’t children of the first agreement, but of the promise.
Love Others
5 [1-8] So stay in the freedom that Christ has given to make us free, and don’t be caught up again by being controlled by the first agreement. I, Paul, say to you, that if you’re living by the first agreement, Christ will do you no good. I say again to everyone that is living by that agreement, that they must keep every point of that whole agreement. Christ means nothing to you, who are trying to be made right by the first agreement; and you’re not living by grace. We, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of goodness by our faith, because in Yeshua the Christ, neither those who live by that agreement, nor those who live by the promise are really changed unless they’re living by faith, in love. You were doing well; so who stopped you from obeying the truth? The influence they have on you doesn’t come from the One who calls you.
[9-15] A little untruthful leaven makes the whole lump a lie. But I trust in you that through God, you won’t change your minds: but the ones who trouble you will take their punishment, whoever they are. And I, Christians, if I’m still preaching from the first agreement, why do I still suffer discrimination? Then those who are offended by the cross would stop. I wish that they would even cut themselves completely off which trouble you. Christians, you’ve been called to freedom; but don’t use your freedom for an excuse to live in ungodly ways, but to serve one another in love. Because all the Word of God is completed in this one word, which is “Love others as you love yourself.” But if you snap at each other and hurt one another, be careful that you aren’t completely destroyed by one another.
Fruits of the Spirit
[16-26] So what I’m saying then is this: Walk in the Spirit, so you won’t do the sinful things you would naturally want to do. For what you naturally want to do fights against what the Spirit wants you to do, and the Spirit fights against what you naturally want to do: and these are fighting against one another: so that you aren’t able to do the things that you want. But if you’re led by the Spirit, you aren’t controlled by the Word of God. Now the things that you’ve done in your natural self are clear: Adultery and other kinds of sexual sins, all kinds of evil and filthy things, worshiping other things falsely, witchcraft, hateful differences, cruel jealousy, thoughtless anger, fighting and rebellion, untruthful beliefs, envious greed and murders, drunken partying, and other things like these: of which I tell you as I’ve also told you in the past, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit the realm of God. But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, helpfulness, and self-control. There’s no law against these kinds of things. Those who are Christ’s have put to death what they naturally want and like in their physical bodies. So if we live in the Spirit, let’s also do what the Spirit wants us to do. Let’s not want the meaningless recognition we get from others, stirring up each other, and being greedy for what others are or have.
Help One Another
6 [1-6] Everyone, if someone is being controlled by a fault, you who are spiritual, try to bring them back with a gentle spirit; carefully remembering that you may also be tempted. Help one another with your problems, and you’ll do the Word of God by your faith in Christ. And if some are proud of themselves, when they have no reason to be, they mislead themselves. So let everyone judge their own actions, and then they can be proud of themselves without thinking of themselves as better than others. So let everyone take care of themselves as they are able. And let those who are taught by the Word share with those who teach them all the good things they have been given.
[7-10] Don’t be misled; God’s Word won’t be taken lightly, because whatever someone does, they’ll get back more of the same things. Whoever does whatever evil they want to do will get back whatever evil they do; but whoever does what the Spirit wants will get everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing good because we’ll get what we work for in due time, if we don’t give up. So let’s do good to everyone as much as we can, especially to those who are in the family of faith.
[11-16] You see how large the letters are that I’ve written to you with my own hand. Those who want to be seen by what they do outwardly, are those that are trying to convince you to live by outward rules; but only because they would suffer discrimination for the cross of Christ. Those who do these things don’t even obey the Word of God; but they want you to obey it, so that they can brag about making you do it. But may I never brag about anything but the cross of our Christ Yeshua, by whom the ways of the world are put to death in me, and I die to the world. In Christ Yeshua neither those who live by the first agreement, nor those who live by the promise are changed at all unless they are changed into a new person. And whoever lives by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the new people of God.
[17-18] So let no one give me trouble from now on because I have on my body the scars of Christ Yeshua. Everyone, May the grace of our Christ Yeshua be with your spirit. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
1 [1-7] From Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ by the will of God, to the Christians which are at Ephesus, and to all the faithful who are in Christ Yeshua: May grace and peace be with you, from Yahweh God, and from Yeshua the Christ. May Yahweh God be blessed, the God of our Christ Yeshua, who has given us every blessing in the spiritual realm in Christ. God has chosen us in Christ even before the creation of the world, that we would be set apart and without blame before God. We were chosen before time to be the adopted children of God through Yeshua the Christ, out of God’s love and favor for us; in order for God’s grace to made known to us, in which God has accepted us in the Dear Loved Christ. The cost was the blood of Christ Yeshua, which has bought us back, in order to save us from our sins, for the riches of God’s grace.
Marked by the Holy Spirit
[8-14] In this, God has greatly blessed us in all wisdom and foresight, having made known to us the secret of what God truly wants, which was decided by God for God’s own happiness: That in the right time everything would be brought together to be completed in Christ, both that which is in heaven, and that which is on earth; everything in Christ. So we have an inheritance in Christ, being chosen before time for the purpose of the One who works everything out by God’s own plan, so that we, who first trusted in Christ, would make God known by our praise. And you have also trusted in Christ, after you heard the Word of truth, the New Word that saves you. After you believed, you were also marked with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the proof of our inheritance until the possession is bought back, and we will make God known by our praise.
[15-23] This is why, after hearing of your faith in Christ Yeshua, and your love for all the Christians, I give thanks for you always, remembering you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Christ Yeshua, the God, who we make known, will give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God, and that the eyes of your understanding will be opened. I pray that you can know the hope of God’s calling, and the riches of making known God’s inheritance in the Christians, the very greatness of God’s power to us who believe, according to the working of God’s great power, which God did in Yeshua the Christ. I pray that you know the Christ was raised from the dead, and sat beside God in the heavenly realm, far above all other spiritual realms, or power, or stronghold, or control, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And that everything was put under the Christ’s control, and Christ became Ruler over everything in the church, which is the body of Christ, which completes the One who completes everyone in everything.
We are Brought back to Life
2 [1-10] And God has brought you back to life again, who were dead in your uncontrolled actions and sins. In the past you did this, walking in the ways of this world, for the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that works now in those who refuse to be controlled by God. In the past, our lifestyle suited the wants of our body, fulfilling what the body and the mind wanted; and we were by nature the children of rage, just as others are now. But God, who is rich in mercy, for the great love that God has for us, even when we were dead in our sins, has brought us back to life again together with Christ, and by grace you’re saved. God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in spiritual realms in Christ Yeshua, so that in the time to come the very riches of God’s grace would be shown in God’s kindness toward us through Christ Yeshua. By grace you’re saved, through your faith. You’re not saved of yourselves, it’s the gift of God. You’ve done nothing to deserve it, in case anyone wants to brag. We’re all God’s handiwork, created in Christ Yeshua to do good works, which God has previously set apart for us to do, so that we would do them at the right time.
We Worship God in Spirit
[11-22] So remember, that you once lived like the other people, who are called unclean by those who call themselves clean, because of that which is done in the physical body by human beings. Remember that at that time, you were without Christ, kept from being a citizen of Israel, and were strangers to the promised agreements, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Yeshua you who were then far away are now brought near by the blood of Christ. Christ is our peace, and has brought both together, and has broken down the wall that separates us; having put an end to that rage of the Word of God in the Christ’s body, which was only about following rules, in order to make one new people of the two in Christ, and so making peace. And this happened to bring back both people to God in one body by the cross, having put an end to the rage by this word: The Christ came and preached peace to those who were far away, and to those who were near. Through Christ we are both joined by One Spirit to the God we came from. So now you’re not strangers and foreigners anymore, but citizens along with the other Christians, and are now part of the family of God. You’re built on the foundation of the followers and great preachers, Yeshua the Christ being the first corner stone in whom all the building is perfectly fit together to grow into a holy Place of Worship in God. You also are built together in Christ to be a Place of Worship of God, through the Spirit.
Other Peoples Share Israel’s Promise
3 [1-9] Because of this, I Paul, am the prisoner of Yeshua the Christ for you other peoples, if you’ve heard of the privilege of God’s grace which I have been given for you. That is, that Christ made known to me the secret by revelation, as I wrote before in a short letter, by which, when you read it, you can understand how I know the secret of Christ. In other times this wasn’t made known to the children of humanity, as it has been made known to God’s holy followers and great preachers now by the Spirit. But it was made known so that the other peoples could be part of the same body, sharing in the promise of Israel in Christ by the New Word. And I was made a minister of this New Word, for the gift of God’s grace which was given to me by the purposeful activity of the power of God. I have been given this grace, who am the least worthy of all Christians, so that I would preach the unimaginable riches of Christ to others, and to make everyone see the purpose of this secret, which from the beginning of time God has kept secret, who created everything by Yeshua the Christ.
The Endless Boundaries of Christ’s Love
[10-20] And this has happened so that the great wisdom of God would be made known to the rulers and powers in spiritual realms by the church, for the everlasting purpose which God has worked out in Yeshua, our Christ. In Christ, we have no fear, who we can go to with trust by our faith. So I don’t want you to give up because of my troubles for you, which is really for your victory. So, I bow my knees to the God of our Christ Yeshua, for whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. I pray that God will give you strength, out of the riches of God’s victory, with the power of the Spirit in the inner person so that Christ can live in your hearts by faith; And that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to understand, along with all Christians, the endless boundaries of Christ’s love, which is wider, and longer, and deeper, and higher than anyone can know, so that you might be filled with everything God has for you. Now God is able to do so much more than anything we can ask or even think of by the power of the Spirit that acts in us. May God have victory in the church by Christ Yeshua to the end of time, and forever. So be it!
Christ Gives Gifts to Humanity
4 [1-10] So, I, the prisoner of God, beg you to walk worthy of the work that you’re called to do, in humility and gentleness, and with patience, forgiving one another in love. Try to be as one in the Spirit, coming together in peace. There’s one body, and one Spirit, just as you’ve been called in one hope; There’s One Christ, one faith, one baptism; One God, the same Yahweh God we are all from, who rules over everything, and is everywhere, and is in every one of you. And Christ has measured out gifts to everyone of us by grace. This is why it is said, “The Christ went up to heaven leading a long line of freed prisoners, and gave gifts to humanity.” So now that the Christ has gone up, the Christ must also have come down first to the earth? So the One who came down is the same One also that has gone up to the highest heaven, in order to complete everything.
[11-16] And the Christ chose some of us to be followers, some great preachers, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers; And Christ gave these gifts to complete the Christians, for the work of the ministry, and for the good of the body of Christ until we all come together in the same faith, and the same knowledge of the Child of God. This is so we can become a complete person, that is, so we can become mature like Christ. We shouldn’t act like children anymore, getting confused by, and being swayed by every new teaching, by those who would fool us with their evil lies, who are only waiting for a chance to mislead us. But we should always tell the truth in love in everything we do, so we can grow up in Christ, which is the head of the body. In Christ, the whole body is perfectly joined and held together by everyone that does their own work and helps the body to do its work, which helps the body to grow for its own good in the love of Christ.
Be a New Person
[17-24] So I tell you, in the name of Yahweh God, that you must not keep on living as other people live, with their useless thinking. They don’t understand, being strangers to the life of God, because they refuse to accept the truth. These people, having no sense of shame, have given themselves over to living filthy lives, always wanting to do something more evil. But those in Christ haven’t learned to be this way, if you’ve really heard the truth, and have been taught by the truth that is in Yeshua. That truth tells you to put off your former lifestyle, which is the old person that is ruined by the evil it wants. You must change the way you think, putting on the new person, which is created by God in true goodness and right living.
[25-32] So everyone of you tell the truth to others, and stop lying, because we all belong to the same body. Be angry, but don’t sin. Don’t let the day come to an end with your rage still in your heart, or you’ll give the devil a way to destroy you. Those of you who have stolen must not steal anymore, but instead work with your hands the things which are good, so that you can have enough to give to those in need. Don’t say anything evil, but say only what’s good for the benefit of others, your words being graceful to whoever hears it. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you’re marked till the day we’re saved. Don’t become bitter, angry, or full of rage, yelling and talking evil, and hating; but be good and kind to one another, forgiving one another, just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
Walk as Children of Light
5 [1-10] So be followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has died for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling scent. And don’t let any sexual sin, or any evil thing, or greed, be named among you, as Christians shouldn’t live this way; nor immorality, nor stupid talking, nor joking around, which aren’t right to do; but instead give thanks. You should know that no sexually immoral or evil person, nor a selfish person, or someone who worships falsely, has any part in the realm of Yeshua the Christ and of Yahweh God. Don’t let anyone mislead you with meaningless words, for because of this, the rage of God is on those who refuse to be under God’s control. So don’t take part in it along with them. You once lived in darkness, but now you live in the light of God; so walk as children of light, because the fruit of the Spirit lives in everything right, and good, and true; and proves what is acceptable to God.
[11-21] So don’t have anything to do with the meaningless actions of darkness, but instead expose them for what they are. It’s a shame even to speak of what’s done by them in secret, but everything that is disapproved of is made clear when it’s brought to light and whatever makes it clear is light. This is why God said, “Awake, you who are sleeping, come to life from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then, that you walk carefully, not as thoughtless people do, but as wise ones, using your time wisely, because the days are evil. So don’t be unwise, but understand what God wants you to do. And don’t be getting drunk on alcohol, which is excessive; but be filled with the Spirit. Speak to yourselves in sayings and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to God. Always give thanks to the God we are from for everything in the Name of our Christ Yeshua; accepting one another out of respect for God.
Wives and Husbands Live in Love and Respect
[22-33] Wives, accept the leadership of your husbands, as you would accept God’s leadership, because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church; and the savior of the body. So just as the church is responsible to Christ, so you wives should be responsible to your own husbands in everything. But you husbands, be sure to love your wives just as Christ also loved the church, and unselfishly died for it; In order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, and in order to present it to Christ’s own self an amazing church, not having any fault, or blame, or any such thing; but that it would be holy and without a flaw. So you men should love your wives as your own bodies. Whoever loves their wife loves themselves. No one has ever hated their own body; but they take good care of it and value it, just as God does the church. We’re all members of the Christ’s body, and of the Christ’s bones. Because of this, a man will leave his parents, and will be joined to his wife, and the two of them will be as one body. This is a great secret; but I am speaking about Christ and the church. So in the same way let everyone of you in particular love your own wife just as you love yourself; and the wife should see that she shows respect for her husband.
Children Respect Your Parents
6 [1-9] Children, accept what your parents say, who are in God, because this is right. Show respect for your parents; (which is the first word with a promise;) so that things will go well with you, and you can live a long life here on the earth. And you parents, don’t make your children angry; but bring them up right, teaching and warning them about God. Workers, be acceptable to those who are your overseers in the physical body, with fear and trembling, with an undivided heart, as if you worked for Christ; and not just when they see you, as people-pleasers; but as the workers of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Do your work with good will, as to God, and not only to others, knowing that whatever good anyone does, they’ll get the same of God, whether they’re workers or work for themselves. And you who are overseers, do the same things to them, not threatening them, knowing that your Overseer is also in heaven; and there is no favor toward anyone with the Christ.
The Whole Armor of God
[10-20] Finally, my dear Christians, be strong in God, and in the power of God’s strength. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you’ll be able to stand against the lies of the devil. We don’t struggle against human beings, but against spiritual realms, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual evil in high places. So take the whole armor of God, so that you can be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all you can, to keep standing. So stand, putting around your waist the belt of truth, and having on the protective covering of goodness; And prepare your feet to march with the New Word of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, so that you’ll be able to stop all the burning arrows of the devil. And take as your helmet the fact of being saved, and the sharp blade of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all your prayers and requests in the Spirit. Keep on watching, praying for all the Christians, and for me, that words will be given to me, so that I can speak without fear, to make known the secret of the New Word, for which I am locked up as a spokesperson, so that I can speak without fear in it, as I should.
[21-24] But so that you also can know my affairs, and how I am doing, Tychicus, a dear loved one, a Christian and faithful minister in God, will make everything known to you: Whom I’ve sent to you for that purpose, that you might know how we’re doing, and that he will comfort your hearts. Peace be to all the Christians, and love with faith, from the God who we are from and Yeshua the Christ. May God’s grace be with all those who love our Christ Yeshua in truth. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
1 [1-11] From Paul and Timothy, the workers of Yeshua the Christ, to all those in Christ Yeshua, which are at Philippi, along with the overseers and helpers of the church: May God’s grace and peace be with you, from Yahweh God, and from Yeshua the Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you in prayer, always asking for what I need with joy, for your friendship in the New Word from the first day until now; I am so sure that Yahweh God, who has begun a good work in you will do it until the day Yeshua the Christ comes again. It’s right for me to think this way of you all, because you’re in my heart. You all have shared of my grace, both while I have been locked up, and as I have defended and proven the New Word. God knows how greatly I long for you all in the spirit of Yeshua the Christ. And I pray that your love can grow more and more in knowledge and in good judgment, so that you can know what’s best; and that you can be honest and without blame till the day of Christ; which ends in the acts of goodness that come from Yeshua the Christ, to the victory and praise of God.
Suffering for Christ
[12-30] But I want you to understand, dear Christians, that the things which happened to me have worked out to spread the New Word; So that it’s plain to all in the government, and everywhere else that I have been put in jail for Christ; And being more sure because of my being locked up, many of those in Christ speak the Word much more boldly and without fear. It’s true that some preach Christ even out of jealousy, causing trouble; but some also out of good will: The first ones preach Christ because of a disagreement, not honestly, but wanting to add to my suffering while I am locked up: But the other out of love, knowing that I am here for defending the New Word. So what then? In spite of this, whether in lies, or in truth, Christ is preached in every way; and I celebrate in this, yes, and will keep on celebrating. I know that I’ll be freed through your prayers, and by the Spirit of Yeshua the Christ. It’s my deep belief and hope that I won’t be ashamed of anything, but will act without fear, as always, so Christ will be made known by my life now also, whether it is by living, or by dying. To me, to live is to live for Christ, and to die is to get everlasting life. But if I keep on living in my body, I’ll have more time for my work, still, I don’t even know what I would choose. I can’t choose between the two, wanting to go to be with Christ; which is so much better. But just the same, to keep on living in the body is more needful for you. And trusting this, I know that I’ll live and stay with you all for your personal growth and joy in the faith; so that by my coming to you again, you’ll have greater joy in Yeshua the Christ, for me. Only let your lifestyle be as the New Word of Christ says it should, that whether I come and see you or not, I’ll hear all about you, that you have one spirit, working together with one mind for the faith of the New Word. Don’t be afraid of those who come against you, because this clearly shows them that they’re damned, but shows you that you’re saved by God. On behalf of Christ, God has let you, not only believe in the Christ, but also suffer for the Christ’s sake. You are now going through the same kinds of troubles which you saw me having, and hear that I’m having right now.
Be Humble
2 [1-11] So if you have hope in Christ, if you have any comfort of Christ’s love, if you have any relationship with the Spirit, if any tender care and mercy, make my joy complete, having the same mind, the same love, the same purpose, and the same spirit. Don’t let anything be done with fighting or for selfish reasons; but in a spirit of humbleness, let everyone think of others as better than themselves. Don’t just think about yourselves, but also think of others. Think the same way that Christ Yeshua did: Who, being in the form of God, thought nothing of being the same as God. But the Christ, having no known name, became as a hired worker, coming in the form of a human being. Then being found as a human being, the Christ was humble, and accepted death, even the death of the cross. So God has also put the Christ in the highest place, and given the Christ a name above all names: That at the name of Yeshua every knee would bow, all those in heaven, all those on earth, and all those buried in Hell; And that every mouth would admit that Yeshua the Christ is Christ, to the praise of the God we are from.
[12-17] So, my dear loved one, just as you’ve always done, and not just when I’m there, but now much more while I’m away, keep on working toward being saved yourself with a shivering fear. It’s God who works in you, both to make you want to do God’s will, and to do God’s will. So do everything without whispering complaints or arguing about it, so that you can’t be blamed for anything. Be harmless children of God, without fault, in a world of twisted and evil people. Then you’ll shine out as a light in the night sky when you share the Word of Life with others, and I’ll celebrate in the day of Christ, that I haven’t done all this for nothing. Yes, and even if I have to sacrifice myself as a drink poured out in service for your faith, I’m happy, and celebrate with you all. For the same reason you’re also happy, and celebrate with me.
[19-30] But I trust in Christ Yeshua to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I can be in good spirits also, when I know how you are. I don’t have anyone else who thinks like me, who will naturally care about you, as I do. Everyone looks out for their own well being, and not for the well being of those who belong to Yeshua the Christ. But he has proven to you, that, as a child with a parent, he has served alongside me in the New Word. I hope to send him quickly, as soon as I see what’s going to happen to me. I trust in God that I’ll come shortly myself. Yet I thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you, my Christian brother, and coworker, and soldier for Christ, but also the angel you sent to take care of my needs. He longed after you all, and missed you terribly, because you had heard that he had been sick. And he truly was so sick he was near death, but God had mercy on him; and not only on him, but on me also, or I would have had one sorrow added to another. So I sent him all the more carefully, so that, when you see him again, you can celebrate, and so that I can be less sorrowful. So accept him in Christ with great happiness; and respect those like him. He came in your place to help me for the work of Christ, being near death, and not thinking of his own life.
Reach for What’s Ahead
3 [1-10] Finally, my dear Christians, celebrate in God. It isn’t any trouble for me to write the same things to you again, because it’s to keep you safe. Beware of those dogs, the evil people who only want to cut you to pieces. We’re the ones who are clean, which worship God in the spirit, and celebrate in Christ Yeshua, and have no trust in what we do in the body, though I might have reason to trust what I’ve done in the body. If anyone thinks that they have reason to trust in what they’ve done in the body, I have more: My flesh was cut on the eighth day after my birth; I am of the family of Israel, of the family of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; And as to the Word of God, a religious leader; As to passion, I treated the church shamefully; as to being good as is in the Word of God, I was without blame. But whatever I might have gained from this, I think as nothing but loss for Christ. Yes, no doubt, and I think of everything as loss for the greater knowledge of Yeshua, my Christ, for whom I’ve suffered the loss of everything, and think of it all as nothing more than the waste of the body, so that I can be found in Christ. I no longer have my own goodness from doing the Word of God, but what is through the faith of Christ, the goodness which is of God by faith. Now I know Christ, and the power of Christ’s coming to life again, and have shared in the Christ’s sufferings, being made acceptable by the Christ’s death.
[11-21] By this way, I hope I might come to new life from the dead. It’s not as though I’ve already gotten there, or were already complete: but I chase after it, so that I can hold on to that for which I am also held on to by Christ Yeshua. Christians, I don’t think myself to have made it: but I do this one thing; I forget the things that are in the past, and reach for things that are ahead of me, I run for the finish line to win the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Yeshua. So whoever wants to be complete should do this same thing: and if you think another way about anything, God will reveal even this to you. Just the same, those who are being completed, should walk by this same rule, and should think in the same way. So, Christians, be followers along with me, and watch those who walk in the way of Christ, so that you have us for an example. I’ve told you often and now tell you again with tears, that many are enemies of the cross of Christ. Those who live only to eat, and who celebrate in their shameful behaviors, who think only of earthly things will be destroyed in the end. But we live for heaven, where we’ll also find the Savior, Yeshua the Christ: Who will change our sinful body, so that it can become like the amazing body of the Christ. And the Christ, by this power, is even able to control everything for the Christ’s own purpose.
Don’t Worry, Pray
4 [1-9] Christians, my dear loved ones, who I long for, you are my joy and my crown. So keep yourselves in Christ, my dear loved ones. I beg Euodias, and Syntyche to come together in Christ. And I beg you also, my true coworkers, help those women who worked with me in the New Word, along with Clement also, and with my other coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Celebrate in Christ always: and again I say, Celebrate! Let your self-control be seen by everyone. Christ is here. Don’t worry about anything; but pray about everything, making known whatever you need to God, with thankfulness. And the peace from God, which is greater than anyone can ever understand, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Yeshua. Finally, dear Christians, whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is spoken well of; if there’s anything good, and if there’s anything worthy of praise, think about these kinds of things. Those things, which you’ve learned, and been given, and heard about, and seen me doing, do them and the God of peace will be with you.
[10-20] But I celebrate in Christ greatly, that now, at last, your care for me is growing again; I know you cared for me, even when you couldn’t show it. I’m not saying this out of need, because I’ve learned to be at peace, however I am. I know how to do without, and how it is to have more than I need. I’ve learned through everything, both to be full and to be hungry, both to have more than enough and to suffer with needs. I can do anything in Christ, who gives me strength. Just the same, you’ve done well, in that you understood why I suffered. Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the New Word, when I went from Macedonia, that no church talked with me about giving and receiving, but only you. Even in Thessalonica, you sent for my needs once again. I’m not saying this because I want a gift, but because I want the results of what helps you grow. But I have all I need, and am satisfied. I have plenty, having gotten from Epaphroditus the things which you sent, the scent of a sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God will give you everything you need out of the riches that have been made known by Christ Yeshua. Now may our God, who we’re from, be made known forever and ever. So be it!
[21-23] Say hello to every Christian in Christ Yeshua. Those who are with me say hello to you. All the Christians say hello to you, and most importantly those who are of Caesar’s family. The grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you all. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to the Colossians
1 [1-17] From Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our Christian brother, to the Christians and all the faithful ones in Christ which are at Colosse: May grace and peace be with you, from Yahweh God and Yeshua the Christ. We give thanks to God, who Yeshua the Christ is from, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Yeshua, and of the love which you have for all the Christians. The hope which is laid up for you in heaven, in which you heard in the words of truth of the New Word, which is here for you, as it is in all the world, is growing, as it does also in you, since the day you heard it, and knew God’s grace in truth. Epaphras our dear coworker, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you, told us of your love in the Spirit. Because of this, we also, since the day we heard it, don’t stop praying for you, and wanting you to be filled with the knowledge of what Christ wants with wisdom and spiritual understanding. We hope that you might please God, growing in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all strength, for the amazing power of Christ, in patience and suffering, with joyfulness; giving thanks to God, Who has made us right in order for us to take part of the inheritance of the Christians in light: Who has taken us from the power of darkness, and has brought us into the realm of God’s Own Loved Child. We’ve been bought through Christ’s blood to save us from our sins; Who is the living example of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. By Christ everything was created, that is in heaven and earth, both visible and invisible, whether it’s thrones, or areas of control, or spiritual realms, or powers. Everything was created by Christ, and for Christ: And Christ was before everything, and by the power of Christ everything exists.
Christ is the Head of the Body
[18-29] And Christ is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first to be raised from the dead; in order to have the most important place in everything. It pleased God that all of the Godhead would be in the Christ; And having made peace through the blood of the cross, by Christ, to bring everything back to God by Christ, I say, whether it’s things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, who were at odds at one time and enemies in your minds by the evil that you’ve done, still now Christ has bought back: In the flesh of Christ’s body through death, to set you apart without blame, being unconvictable in God’s sight: If you stay in the faith, being well grounded and settled, and don’t move away from the hope of the New Word, which you’ve heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. I, Paul, am made a minister and now gladly accept my sufferings for you, taking on the troubles of Christ in my body for the body’s’ sake, which is the church. I am a minister of the church for the privilege of God, who is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; Even the secret which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made known to the Christians. God wants to make known the wealth of the victory of this secret among the other peoples; which is Christ in you, the hope of victory: Whom we preach, warning everyone, and teaching everyone in all wisdom; so that we can present each one complete in Christ Yeshua. This is why I also work, striving for the work of God, which works greatly in me.
Cleansed in Christ
2 [1-5] And I wish you knew what great struggles I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for whoever hasn’t seen me face to face. I hope that their hearts might be in good spirits now, coming together in love, and to have all the wealth of the full assurance of understanding, to know the secrets of God, both of Yahweh God, and of Yeshua the Christ; in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And I say this, in case anyone tries to fool you with tempting words. Because though I am absent in the body, still I am with you in spirit, with joy and watching over you, and seeing the strength of your faith in Christ.
[6-10] So as you’ve gotten Christ Yeshua, the Savior, walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Christ, and settled in the faith, as you’ve been taught, prospering in it with thankfulness. Beware, in case anyone tries to ruin you through certain ways of thought and meaningless lies, in the way of human beings, after the ways of the world, and not after Christ. Because all the fullness of the Godhead is in the body of Christ, and you’re complete in Christ, which is the head of all spiritual realms and power.
[11-15] And you’re cleansed in Christ with a spiritual cleansing, in putting the sins of the flesh out of the spirit by Christ. You’re buried with Christ in baptism, and also raised with Christ through the faith of the work of God, who has raised Christ from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncleanness of your body, have been brought back to life again together with Christ, who has forgiven you all your sins. Christ crossed out the writing of rules that were against us, which were hard for us to follow, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; And having destroyed spiritual realms and powers, Christ made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
[16-19] So let no one judge you in what you eat or drink, or in respect of a holiday, or of the new moon, or of Days of Worship, which are only a shadow of things to come. The body is freed through Christ, so let no one cheat you out of your reward by tricking you into thinking salvation can be gained by yourselves, or through the worship of angels. They’re intruding into what they haven’t seen, filled with useless pride by their earthly minds, and not holding on to the Head, from which all the body gets nourishment ministered to it and comes together by joints and ligaments, and grows with the nourishment of God.
[20-23] So if you’re dead with Christ from the ways of the world, as though living in the world, are you still subjecting yourselves to rules, (Don’t touch; don’t taste; don’t hold; which are all about things that are gone when they are used;) the rules and teachings created by human beings? And these things do appear to be wise in the worship of human willpower, false humility, and the neglecting of the body, but aren’t of any value against the selfishness of the soul.
All are Accepted in Christ
3 [1-4] If you then are risen with Christ, look for what is above, where Christ sits on the right side of God. Place your love on things above, not on things on the earth. Because you’re dead to the world, and your life is buried with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you’ll also appear with Christ in victory.
[5-11] So put to death in your bodies, which are on earth, sexual sin, all evil, unnatural affection, evil passions, and greed, which is false worship, because the judgment of God comes on the children of rebelliousness for these very things. And you also once did these kinds of things, when you lived in that way. But now you should also get rid of all these; anger, rage, hatred, disrespect, and filthy talking coming out of your mouth. And don’t lie to one another, seeing that you’ve gotten rid of the old person with your past actions; and have put on the new person, which is renewed in knowledge in the likeness of the One who created you. There’s neither one race nor another, fit nor unfit, foreigner nor uncivilized, worker nor free: but Christ is all that counts, and in Christ, all are accepted.
[12-17] So put on, as the chosen of God, holy and dear loved ones, souls of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, gentleness, patience; waiting for one another, and forgiving one another. And if anyone has a problem with someone, just as Christ forgave you, so you should forgive others, too. And above all this, put on love, which is the perfect bond. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you’re called in one body; and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ live richly in you in all wisdom; teaching and warning one another in sayings and songs and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or action, do all in the Name of Christ Yeshua, giving thanks to Yahweh God through Christ.
Family Life
[18-25] Wives, show respect to your own husband, as you would to God. Husbands, love your wife, and don’t be abusive with her. Children, obey your parents in everything, which is pleasing to God. Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, or they will become discouraged. Workers, work hard for your employers at all times as for the physical body; not just when you’re seen by them, as people-pleasers; but in the trueness of the heart, as in respect to God. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as to God, and not just for those you serve; knowing that you’ll get the reward of the inheritance from God because you serve Yeshua the Christ. Whoever does wrong will be punished for whatever they’ve done: and God shows no partiality between persons.
Know How to Answer About Your Faith
4 [1] Employers, pay your workers an equal wage that is fair; knowing that you also have a Boss in heaven.
[2-6] Stay in prayer, and watch in the same with thankfulness; while also praying for us, that God would open to us a door to speak the New Word, so we can tell the secrets of Christ, for which I’m in jail, also. I want to make it plain, as I should speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside the church, buying your time. Speak always with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you can know how you should answer everyone.
[7-9] Tychicus will tell you how I’m doing, who is a dearly loved brother, and a faithful minister and coworker in Christ: Whom I’ve sent to you for the same purpose, to know how you are, and to comfort your hearts; with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They’ll let you know everything that’s happened here.
[10-17] Aristarchus, my jail mate says hello to you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, (the one about whom you’ve already gotten word: if he comes to you, take him in;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are Jews. These are my only coworkers in the realm of God, which have been a great comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a worker of Christ, says hello to you, always praying hard for you, so that you can stand completely perfect in everything God wants. I tell you, that they have a great passion for you, along with those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. The dearly loved, Dr. Luke, and Demas say hello to you. Say hello to the Christians which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in their house. And when this letter is read among you, let it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and you read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Be true to the ministry which you’ve gotten in Christ, so that you complete it.”
[18] The Greeting is by my own hand, Paul. Remember I am in jail. May grace be with you! So be it!
Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians
1 [1-10] From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, which is in Yahweh God and in Yeshua the Christ: May grace and peace be with you, from Yahweh God, and Yeshua the Christ. We give thanks to God always for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers; never forgetting your work of faith, and work of love, and patience of hope in Yeshua, our Christ, in the sight of Yahweh God. And we know, Christians, dear loved ones, that you were chosen of God, our New Word not coming to you only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much promise. You know by others what kind of people we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us, and of Christ, having gotten the Word in much suffering, but with joy of the Holy Spirit. You were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. From you the Word of God sounded out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also everywhere your faith toward God has spread, so that we don’t need to say anything. They themselves say of us how we came to you, and how you turned to God from worshiping other things to serve the living and true God; And to wait for Yeshua, God’s Child from heaven, whom was raised from the dead, which keeps us from the punishment to come.
Give up Your Life for Others
2 [1-12] You yourselves, Christians, know our coming to you wasn’t for nothing. Even after we had suffered, and were shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, in our God, we weren’t afraid to speak to you the New Word of God with a lot of argument, because our encouragement wasn’t a mistake, nor of evil, nor in untruthfulness. We were trusted by God with the New Word, in the same way we speak; not as pleasing others, but God, which tries our hearts; Nor did we ever use flattering words, as you know, nor a coat of greed; God is our witness: Nor did we look for praise from humanity, not from you, nor from anyone else, when we might have asked for help, as the followers of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a breastfeeding mother loves her own child. So lovingly hoping for you, we were willing to have given to you, not only the New Word of God, but also our own lives, because we loved you so much. And you remember, Christians, our work and pain because we worked night and day, so we wouldn’t be a hardship to any of you, and we preached to you the New Word of God. You’re witnesses, and God also, how faithfully and fairly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. You know how we encouraged and comforted and told everyone of you, as a parent does their children, to walk worthy of God, who has called you to victory in the realm of God.
[13-16] Because of this, we never stop thanking God also, because, when you had gotten the Word of God, which You heard from us, you didn’t take it as a word from just humans, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which actually works in you who believe, as well. And you, Christians, became followers of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Yeshua, because you also have suffered the same kinds of things from your own people, just as they have from the Jews: Who both killed the Christ Yeshua, and their own great preachers, and have abused us. They don’t please God, and are against everyone else, forbidding us to speak to the other peoples so that they can be saved, to complete their sins always because the judgment is on them here to the full.
[17-20] But we, Christians, being taken from you for a little while in presence, but not in spirit, tried all the more to see you face to face with great love. We would have come to you, even I, Paul, once again; but Satan stopped us. But what is our hope, or joy, or crown of joy? Isn’t it you, in the presence of our Christ Yeshua, at the second coming? Yes, you’re our victory and joy.
Grow and Prosper In Love
3 [1-13] So when we could no longer wait, we thought it best to be left at Athens alone. So we sent Timothy, our Christian brother, and minister of God, and our coworker in the New Word of Christ, to teach you, and to comfort you in your faith: That no one would be upset by these troubles because you yourselves know that we’re chosen to be like this. The truth is, when we were with you, we told you to that we would suffer troubles, just as it happened, and you know. And because of this, when I could no longer wait, I sent to know your faith, in case by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our work was meaningless. But now, when Timothy came from you to us, and brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you remember us well, always hoping to see us, as we also hope to see you. So, Christians, we were comforted about you in all our suffering and sorrow by your faith, because now we live, if you stay in God. And what thanks can we give to God for you, for all the joy that we have for your sakes before our God? Night and day, we pray greatly that we might see your face, and might give you what is lacking in your faith. Now may God, who we’re from, and Yeshua, our Christ, guide us to you. And God make you grow and prosper in love toward one another, and toward everyone, just as we do toward you: To the end that God can keep your hearts without blame in faithfulness to God, even our God, at the coming of our Christ Yeshua with all the Christians.
Work Hard, Walk Honestly
4 [1-12] So we beg you, Christians, and encourage you by Christ Yeshua, that as you’ve gotten from us how you should walk to please God, so you would prosper more and more. And you know the Words we gave you by Christ Yeshua, because this is what God wants, that you be set apart and blessed. God wants you to give up sexual sin, so that everyone of you would know how to keep their body set apart, with blessing and honor; Not in the need of excitement, like other people who don’t know God. No one should go beyond this and take advantage of another in any matter, because God is the punisher of everything like this, as we also have warned you and told you truthfully. God hasn’t called us to evil, but to faithfulness. So whoever hates this, doesn’t just hate the person who brought it, but God, who has also given to us the Holy Spirit. But as to the love of friendships, you don’t need me to write to you because you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And though you do this toward all the Christians, which are in all Macedonia, we beg you, Christians, that you let your love grow more and more; Try to lead a quiet life, and to mind your own business, and work hard with your own hands, as we told you; so that you can walk in honesty with those who are outside the faith, and that you can lack nothing.
The Dead in Christ Rise First
[13-18] But I want you to know, Christians, about those who are dead, so that you don’t sorrow, as others which have no hope. Because if we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Christ those who are dead in Yeshua. And we say this to you by the Word of God, that we, who are alive and stay here to the second coming of Christ, won’t keep those who are dead from coming to life before us. Christ will come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise up first, and then we which are still alive and here will be taken up together with them in the clouds, to meet Christ in the sky: and so we’ll be with Christ forever. So comfort one another with these words.
Christ Comes Unexpectedly
5 [1-11] But of the times and the seasons, Christians, you don’t need me to write to you, because you yourselves fully know that the day of Christ comes as a thief in the night. And when they say, “Peace and safety;” then punishment will come on them suddenly, as pain on a woman in labor; and they won’t escape. But you, Christians, don’t live in darkness that the time would take you by surprise. You’re all children of light, and children of the day: we aren’t of the night, nor of darkness. So let’s not sleep, as others do; but let’s watch and use good sense. Those who are sleeping sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, use good sense, putting on the body armor of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of being saved. Because God hasn’t chosen us for punishment, but to be saved by our Christ Yeshua, who died for us, so that, whether we’re still alive or are dead, we would live together with Christ. So comfort yourselves together, and help one another, just as you’re doing.
Respect the Leader’s in Christ
[12-22] And we beg you, Christians, to acknowledge those who work among you, and are over you in Christ, and warn you; Think of them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we encourage you, Christians, warn those who don’t act right, comfort the mentally ill, support the weak, and be patient toward everyone. See that no one gives evil for evil to anyone. Always try to do what is good, both for yourselves, and for everyone else. Celebrate always, and never stop praying. In everything give thanks because this is what God wants in Christ Yeshua for you. Don’t hold back the Spirit. Don’t hate the preaching. Prove everything; hold on to what is good. Give up anything that even appears to be evil. And the very God of peace will wholly set you apart; and I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept safely without fault to the coming of our Christ Yeshua. Faithful is the One who calls you, who also will do it.
[25-28] Everyone, pray for us. Say hello to all the Christians with a kiss of love. I tell you by God to read this letter to all the faithful Christians. May the grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you. So be it!
Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians
1 [1-2] From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in Yahweh our God and Yeshua the Christ: May you be blessed with grace and peace, from Yahweh, our God, and Yeshua the Christ.
[3-12] We must thank God for you always, Christians, as is right, because your faith grows greatly, and the love of everyone of you all toward each other grows. We ourselves have success in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your abuses and trials that you keep on going through. This is clear proof of the fairness of God’s judgment, that you can be found worthy of the realm of God, for which you also suffer. It’s a good thing with God to repay troubles to those who trouble you. And so you, who are uneasy, can rest with us when Yeshua the Christ comes from heaven with God’s powerful angels to punish in flaming fire those who don’t know God, and that don’t obey the New Word of Yeshua the Christ. These will be punished with endless destruction and put out of the presence of God, and from the light of God’s power when the Christ comes to be known in the Christians, and to be admired by all those who believe ( because our profession among you was believed) in that day. So we also always pray for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and complete all the joy of God’s goodness, and the work of faith with power, so that the Name of our Christ Yeshua, can be made known in you, and you in God, for the grace of our God and Yeshua the Christ.
A Loss of Faith Before Christ Comes Again
2 [1-12] Now, Christians, about the coming of our Christ Yeshua, and about our gathering together to be with Christ, we beg you not to be quickly upset in your mind, nor to be uneasy, not by spirit, not by word, and not by letter, as if from us, as if the day of Christ had already come. Let no one mislead you by any means, because that Day won’t come, unless a great loss of faith comes first, and that soul of sin becomes known, the child of Hell; Who opposes and praises them self above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that as God, they will sit in the Place of Worship of God, believing that they are God. Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I told you this? And now you know what is keeping this from happening, and that they will become known in their own time. Because the secret of sin is already working, only the one who now lets this happen will let it happen, until that one is taken out of the way. And then that evil one will become known, whom God will burn up with the blast of Christ’s breath, and will destroy with the brightness of Christ’s coming. This is the one, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, amazing signs, things without truth, and all the ungodly lies in those who are to be destroyed; because they didn’t accept the love of the truth, in order to be saved. And for this reason, God will send a strong sense of false belief on them, so that they’ll believe the lie, and that they’ll all be damned, who didn’t believe the truth, but enjoyed ungodliness.
[13-17] But we must thank God for you always, Christians, dear loved ones of God, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the blessing of the Spirit and by your belief of the truth. You were called by our New Word, in order to get the light of our Christ Yeshua. So, Christians, stand your ground, and keep the way of life which you’ve been taught, whether by word, or our letter. Now may our Christ Yeshua, and Yahweh God, who we are from and who has loved us, and has given us everlasting reassurance and a good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and approve you in every good word and work.
Stay Away from Disorderly Christians
3 [1-5] Finally, Christians, pray for us, that the Word of God will have free reign, and become well known, just as it’s known by you: And that we’ll be spared from unreasonable and evil people, because some of them don’t have faith. But God is faithful, who will approve you, and keep you from the evil one. And we have trust in God about you, both that you do and will do the things we tell you to do. And may Christ guide your hearts into God’s love, and into patient waiting for Christ.
[6-16] Now we tell you, Christians, in the Name of our Christ Yeshua, that you stay away from every person that calls themselves a Christian that walks disorderly, and not in the way of life which they learned from us. You yourselves know how you should follow us, because we weren’t disorderly among you; Neither did we eat anyone’s food for nothing; but worked with sweat and hard work night and day, so that we wouldn’t be chargeable to any of you: Not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example for you to follow us. Even when we were with you, we told you this, that if anyone wouldn’t work, neither would they eat. And we hear that there are some who are walking disorderly among you, not working at all, but being busybodies. Now those who are such people, we tell and advise by our Christ Yeshua that they work without arguing, and eat their own food. But you, Christians, don’t get tired of doing good. And if anyone doesn’t obey our word by this letter, note that person, and stay away from them, so that they will be ashamed. Yet don’t think of them as an enemy, but warn them as a Christian. Now may the God of peace give you peace always and by all ways. God be with you all.
[17-18] I write the Greeting of Paul with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. May the grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you all. So be it!
Paul’s First Letter to Timothy
1 [1-2] Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ by the Word of God, our Savior, Yeshua the Christ, which is our hope; To Timothy, a true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from Yahweh God and Yeshua our Christ.
The Word of God for the Disobedient
[3-11] Now do as I said when I begged you to stay at Ephesus, and I went on to Macedonia. Tell your people not to teach any other teachings, nor to pay attention to stories and endless genealogies, which only cause questions, instead of building them up in their faith in God. Now I said this out of love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a heartfelt faith. But some of you, having changed their way, have turned aside to meaningless talking, wanting to be teachers of the Word of God, but they don’t understand what they say, nor what they uphold. But we know that the Word of God is good, if used rightly; So we know that the Word of God wasn’t given for good people, but for the lawless and disobedient, the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and disrespectful, for murderers, for those who are sexually unfaithful, or homosexual, kidnappers, liars, and anything else that’s against the good teachings of the amazing New Word of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
[12-20] I thank Yeshua our Christ, who has enabled me, who thought of me as faithful, putting me into the ministry. Before I was someone who spoke evil of the church, mistreating, and hurting those in it: but I found mercy, because I did it unknowingly in unbelief. And great was the grace of our Christ with faith and love, which is found in Christ Yeshua. Christ Yeshua came into the world to save sinners; of whom I’m the greatest. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptance. But I found mercy so that Yeshua the Christ might show complete patience in me first, as an example to those who would believe on the Christ later to have everlasting life. Now to the invisible, everlasting Ruler, who can never be destroyed, the only wise God, be honor and victory forever and ever. So be it! I’m entrusting to you everything that I tell you, my child Timothy, according to the word which was spoken of you before, that by these things you might fight a good fight, holding on to your faith with a good conscience. But some having lost their faith, have become like those who are shipwrecked. I’ve given over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan, so that they might be taught not to speak evil of God.
The Beauty of Women of Godliness
2 [1-7] So, I encourage, that, first of all, our prayers, both for what we need and speaking up for others, and the giving of thanks, be made for everyone; Both for the rulers, and for all that are in power; so that we can lead a quiet and peaceable life in every godly way and in all honesty. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. There’s One God, and One who speaks up for us to God for humanity, the person Christ Yeshua; Who willingly died to pay for the sins of all, to be shown to us in truth at the right time. I am set apart to be a great preacher, and a follower, (I speak the truth in Christ, I’m not lying;) to teach the other peoples in faith and truth.
[8-15] So I want people everywhere to pray, worshiping with uplifted hands, being holy, without rage and doubting. Just the same, women should dress themselves properly in acceptable clothing, with self-control; not with fancy hairdos, or fine jewelry, or high-priced clothes; But with what really beautifies women of godliness, that is, with the good things that they do. Allow the women to learn quietly, accepting the Word of God. But I don’t allow a woman to teach, nor to have power over her own husband, but to be quiet in this case. Because Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam sinned knowingly, but the woman, being lied to, came into sin. Just the same, a woman will be saved through the birth of a child, if they keep the faith in love and faithfulness with seriousness.
Guidelines for Overseers and Leaders
3 [1-10] It’s true, if anyone wants the office of an overseer, they want a good thing. An overseer then must be without fault, the spouse of one spouse, watchful, self-controlled, having good behavior, welcoming to strangers, able to teach, not a heavy drinker, nor an abuser, not greedy for money, but unselfish, patient, and not argumentative; Someone that leads their own home well, having their children well disciplined, and showing respect; (if someone doesn’t know how to lead their own home, how can they take care of the church of God?) It must not be someone new in the faith, in case being lifted up with pride they fall into the same judgment as the devil. Besides this, they need to have a good report of those not in the church; in case they’re dishonored and are tempted by the devil. In the same way, the ministers of the church must be serious, not saying different things to different people, not a heavy drinker, not greedy for money, holding the secret of the faith in a pure conscience. And these should also be proved first and if they are found without fault, then let them serve the office of a minister.
[11-16] In the same way, the women who lead must be serious, not gossipers, watchful, faithful in everything. Let the ministers of the church be the spouse of one spouse, leading their children and their own homes well. Those who serve the office of a minister well must have a good standing for themselves, and great courage in the faith which is in Christ Yeshua. I write this to you, hoping to come to you shortly, but if I stay long, so that you can know how people should act in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the strength and foundation of the truth. And without a doubt, the secret of godliness is great: God was made known in the body, made complete in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached about to the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in victory!
The Latter Times
4 [1-10] Now the Spirit openly says, that in the latter times some will leave the faith, being led away by tempting spirits, and teachings of evil spirits; Pretending to be what they aren’t and lying; having their conscience ruined; Forbidding people to marry, and telling them to give up eating meats, which God has created to be eaten with thankfulness by those who believe and know the truth. Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it’s eaten with thankfulness. It’s set apart by the Word of God and prayer. If you remind the Christians of this, you’re a good minister of Yeshua the Christ, grown up in the words of faith and in the good teachings, which you’ve followed. Don’t believe godless myths and old fairytales, but instead train yourself to be godly. Training the body does a little good, but godliness is good for everything, holding promise for the life that you have now, and for your life to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy to be accepted. So we both work and suffer dishonor, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
[11-16] Tell this and teach it and let no one find fault with you for your youth; but be an example to believers, in word, in lifestyle, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Take care of the reading, the preaching, and the teaching until I come. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by word, which was told you before, when the elders laid hands on you. Think about these things; giving your full attention to them; so that your spiritual growth will appear to all. Be careful of yourself, and of the Word of God; stay in it, because in doing this you’ll both save yourself, and those who hear you.
Treatment of Elders and Widows
5 [1-16] Don’t accuse an elder, but treat them as a parent; and the younger ones as siblings; The elder women as mothers; the younger women as sisters, with all decency. Honor widows that are true widows, but if any widow has children or other family, let them first show their faith at home by repaying their parents because that is good and acceptable to God. Now those who are true widows, having no one to care for them, trust in God, and keep on praying and asking God for help night and day. But those who live richly in pleasures are dead even while they live. Tell them these things, so that they can be without fault. So if anyone doesn’t give for their own, and especially for those of their own home, they have no true faith, and are worse than an unbeliever. Don’t let a widow be counted, who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the spouse of one person, is well spoken of for the good she’s done; if she’s brought up her children, and taken in strangers; if she’s taken care of the needs of Christians, helped the troubled, and done everything good with care. But the younger widows refuse because when their physical needs turn them against following Christ, they’ll remarry, bringing judgment on themselves, if they break their promises to God. And besides this, they learn to be lazy, going from house to house; and not only to be lazy, but to gossip and to mind other peoples’ business, telling things which they shouldn’t. So I’d rather that the younger women remarry, have children, keep the house, give the enemy nothing to speak evil of. Some have already followed after Satan. So if anyone believes they have widows, let them take care of them, and don’t let the church be troubled; so that the church can take care of those who are really in need.
[17-25] Let the elders that lead well, especially those who preach and teach the Word, be thought of as worthy of double honor. The Word says, “Don’t muzzle the cow that grinds the grain;” And “The worker is worthy of their pay.” Don’t accept an accusation against an elder, unless there are two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be accused before the church, so that others will fear also. I tell you, before God, and Yeshua the Christ, and the chosen angels, to do this without prejudice, not doing favors for anyone. Don’t lay hands on anyone too quickly, nor take part in the sins of others: keep yourself pure. Don’t drink water only any longer, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your sicknesses, which comes often. Some people’s sins are clearly seen even before they go to judgment; and some aren’t known till later. It’s the same also with the good that’s done; Some good things are clearly seen now; and those things that aren’t seen, won’t be hidden forever.
If We have Food and Clothing, Be Happy
6 [1-10] Let all the workers who are forced to work for someone else count those they work to be worthy of the most respect, so that the Name of God and these teachings aren’t spoken evil of. And those who work for believers, shouldn’t show them any less because they’re Christians, but should work harder for them, because the one who has been helped by the work is a faithful and dear loved one. Teach this and encourage it. If anyone teaches otherwise, and doesn’t accept these good words, which are the Words of our Christ Yeshua, and the Word of God, which are for godliness; That person is proud, knowing nothing, but loves to argue and fight about words, which only bring jealousy, fighting, abuses, evil imaginings, and unreasonable arguments by those with ruined minds, who don’t have the truth. They think that a show of religion brings financial gain, so stay away from these kinds of people. But true godliness with peace is a great gain. We bring nothing into this world, and we certainly can’t take anything out of it, so if we have food and clothing, let’s be happy with that. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap, wanting many stupid and hurtful things, which ruin them and send them to Hell. The love of money is the root of all evils. Some, being greedy for it, leave the faith, and give themselves a world full trouble.
The Good Fight of Faith
[11-16] But you, dear one of God, escape this; and follow after goodness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Hold on to the everlasting life, to which you’ve been called. You’ve made a good confession to many witnesses. I tell you, in the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and to Christ Yeshua, who made a good confession to Pontius Pilate, to keep this word without fault, blameless, until the appearing of our Christ Yeshua. The Christ will be made known at just the right time, who is the blessed and only Supreme One, the Ruler of rulers, and the Savior of saviors; Who is the only Everlasting Spirit, which lives in the light which no one can come near to; whom no one has seen, nor can see: to whom be everlasting honor and power. So be it!
[17-21] Tell those who are rich in this world, not to think themselves as better than others, nor trust in uncertain riches, but to trust in the living God, who richly gives us everything to enjoy; That they do good things, that they be rich in good behavior, ready to give, willing to share; Saving up for themselves a good treasure for the time to come, so that they can take hold of everlasting life. Timothy, keep what has been put in your trust, keeping away from ungodly and mindless arguments, and disagreements about what is falsely called knowledge, which some have accepted and left the faith. Grace be with you. So be it!
Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy
1 [1-18] From Paul, a follower of Yeshua the Christ by the will of God, for the promise of life which is in Christ Yeshua; To Timothy, a dearly loved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from Yahweh God and Yeshua our Christ. I thank God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did, that I’ve always remembered you in my prayers, both night and day. When I think of your tears, I greatly hope to see you, that I can be joyful when I remember the heartfelt faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice. I am sure that it’s in you also. I want to help you remember so that you’ll awaken the gift of God, which is in you from the time I laid my hands on you. God has given us a spirit of self-control, of good mental health, and of love, and not a spirit of fear. So don’t be ashamed to speak of our Christ, nor of me the prisoner of Christ: but share in the troubles of the New Word for the power of God; Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling; not for what we’ve done, but for God’s own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Yeshua before the creation of the world. This is now made known by the appearing of our Savior, Yeshua the Christ, who has put an end to death, and has brought everlasting life to light through the New Word. I am chosen to be a great preacher, a follower, and a teacher of the other peoples, for which I also suffer. But I’m not ashamed because I know who I believe in, and am sure that God is able to keep what I’ve trusted Christ with until that day. Hold on to what you’ve heard from me as an example of good teachings in the faith and love, which is in Christ Yeshua. Keep that good thing which was trusted to you by the Holy Spirit which lives in us. You know that all those who are in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. God give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus because they often awakened my spirit, and wasn’t ashamed of my being locked up. He searched hard for me until he found me when he came to Rome. God allowed him the gift of mercy in that day: you know very well how many times he ministered to me at Ephesus.
Keep On Going Through Everything
2 [1-14] So, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Yeshua. The things that you’ve heard from me among many witnesses, entrust the same to faithful ones, who will be able to teach others also. Keep on going, even in troubles, as a good soldier of Yeshua the Christ. No one who fights gets themselves mixed up with the pleasures of this life; so that they can please the one who has chosen them to be a soldier. And if someone wins a race, aren’t they awarded a winner’s crown, if they follow the rules. Also the farmer that works hard is the first one to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say; and God will give you understanding in everything. Remember that Yeshua the Christ, from the line of David, was raised from the dead according to the New Word. I suffer troubles because of this, even to the point of my being locked up as an evil doer; but the Word of God isn’t locked away. So I keep on going through everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they can also be saved in Christ Yeshua with everlasting victory. Here’s a faithful saying: If we die with Christ, we’ll also live with Christ: If we suffer, we’ll also reign with the Christ: if we disown the Christ, the Christ will also disown us: If we don’t believe, still the Christ is faithful, who can’t disown the Christ’s own self. Help them remember this, telling them before God, not to argue about words, which is to no good, but only to the weakening of those who hear.
Study and Know God’s Word
[15-26] Study, to show yourself that you’re approved by God, a worker who need not be ashamed, correctly understanding the Word of Truth. But ignore ungodly and meaningless talk because it only brings more ungodliness. The words of Hymenaeus and Philetus eat away like a cancer; Who have left the truth, saying that the new life has already come; and have overcome the faith of some. But the foundation of God stands true, having this seal, “God knows those who belong to Christ.” And “Let everyone that names the Name of Christ stop sinning.” But in a great house there aren’t just bowls of gold and of silver, but also of wood and clay, some being for more graceful purposes, and some being for disgraceful purposes. So if a person cleanses them self from disgraceful uses, they’ll be like a graceful bowl, set apart, right for the owner’s use, and made to do good things. Quickly run away from the wants of youth: but follow after goodness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on God out of a pure heart. Ignore stupid questions about things that haven’t been taught, knowing that they only start arguments. The worker of God must not argue; but be gentle to everyone, able to teach, patient in evil times, teaching those who are against themselves in gentleness. God may give them a changed life in coming to know the truth; And then they can get themselves out of the trap of the devil, who are taken captive at Satan’s will.
The Last Days
3 [1-17] Know this also, that many dangers will come in the last days. Human beings will be lovers of their own selves, greedy for money, full of themselves, proud, speaking evil, disobedient to parents, unthankful, ungodly, without love, breaking peace, liars, without self-control, abusers, haters of what’s good, spies, impulsive, self-righteous, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Appearing to be godly, but not having the power of true godliness: Turn away from everything like this. It’s this kind of people that sneak into homes, holding captive, and misleading those who are unlearned in the New Word, who have many sins, and are led away by all the things they want. They always want to learn something new, but never accept the knowledge of the truth. Now just as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so do these also fight against the truth: having ruined minds, unacceptable in the faith. As theirs was also, these will go no further because their stupidity will be made known to everyone. But you fully know all my teachings, my way of life, purpose, faith, willpower, love, and patience. You know the discriminations I’ve suffered through and my troubles, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra: but God brought me out of them all. Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Yeshua will suffer discrimination. But evil people and liars will grow worse and worse, lying, and being lied to. But keep the things which you’ve learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you’ve learned them; And that you’ve known the holy Words from your childhood, which are able to save you and make you wise through faith which is in Christ Yeshua. Every part of the Word is breathed by God, and is good for teaching, for discipline, for correction, for teaching good behavior, so that the people of God can be complete, carefully trained to do what’s right.
A Crown of Goodness Waits for Us
4 [1-8] So I tell you before God, and Yeshua the Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at the Christ’s appearing and reign; Preach the Word; be ready at any time; convict, correct, and encourage with great patience and good teachings. The time will come when people won’t keep on living by godly principles; but they’ll take to themselves teachers, who teach them what they want to hear. They won’t listen to the truth, but will turn to make believe stories. Watch in everything, keep on going in your troubles, do the work of one who tells others the New Word, giving full proof of your ministry. I’m ready now to be offered up, and the time for me to leave is here. I’ve fought a good fight, I’ve finished my race, I’ve kept the faith: Now a crown of goodness is waiting for me, which the God who judges those who do good, will give me at that time: and not just to me, but also to all those who wait for the Christ’s appearing.
[9-18] Do your best to come to me shortly, because Demas has left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me, now. Take Mark, and bring him with you because he’s of use to me in the ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring with you the coat that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, along with the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander, the metalworker, did me very wrong: God will repay him for what he’s done: Whom you should beware of also because he has greatly fought against our words. At my first defense, I stood alone, no one coming to my defense: I pray God won’t hold it against them. But Christ stood with me, and gave me strength; that by me the New Word might be fully known, and that all the other peoples might hear: and I was taken out of the mouth of the lion. And God will deliver me from every evil work, and will bring me safely to the Christ’s heavenly country. Let Christ be known forever and ever. So be it!
[19-22] Say hello to Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed at Corinth: but Trophimus I’ve left at Miletum sick. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus says hello to you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the Christians. May Yeshua the Christ be with your spirit. May God’s grace be with you. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to Titus
1 [1-4] From Paul, a worker of God, and a follower of Yeshua the Christ, for the faith of God’s chosen, and the acknowledging of the truth which works for godliness; In hope of everlasting life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before the world began; But has at just the right time made known the Word of God through preaching, which is trusted to me according to the Word of Christ our Savior; To Titus, my own child in the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from Yahweh God and Yeshua the Christ, our Savior.
Ordain Overseers and Elders
[5-16] Because of this, I left you in Crete, that you would set in order the things that still need to be done, and ordain elders in every city, as I had chosen you: If a person is without blame, the spouse of one spouse, having faithful children not accused of rebellion or unruliness. Because an overseer must be without fault, as a manager of God; not selfish, not getting angry too quickly, not a heavy drinker, not abusive, and not greedy for rich living; But has a love for hospitality, a love for good people, serious, fair, holy, and reasonable; Keeping the faithful word as they have been taught, that they can be able by good principles both to encourage and to convince those who argue. There are many unruly and empty talkers and misleaders, especially those of the Jews: Whose mouths must be stopped, who weaken whole homes, teaching things which they shouldn’t, for the sake of money. One of them, even a great preacher of their own, said, “The Cretians are always liars, evil animals, lazy pigs.” This witness is true. So accuse them sharply, so that they can be firm in the faith; not paying attention to Jewish stories, and words of people, who turn from the truth. To the innocent everything is innocent: but to those who are ruined and unbelieving nothing is innocent; even their mind and conscience is ruined. They say that they know God, but by what they’ve done they disown Christ, being sickening, and disobedient, and not fit for any good work.
Instructions On How to Live
2 [1-15] But say the things which agree with good principles: That the older men use good sense, be respectful, reasonable, sensible in the faith, in love, and in patience. And the same with the older women, that they be in action as agrees with faithfulness, not liars, not drinking too much alcohol, and teachers of good things; so that they can teach the young women to use good sense, to love their husbands, and to love their children, to be careful, faithful, homemakers, good, respectful to their own husbands, that the Word of God won’t be disrespected. Just the same encourage the younger ones to use good sense. Be an example with the good that you do in everything: showing reliability, thoughtfulness, and honesty in the Word, along with good speech, that can’t be accused; that whoever argues with you will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about you. Encourage workers to be acceptable to their own bosses, and to please them well in everything; not talking back; not stealing, but showing themselves trustworthy; that they can beautify the Word of God our Savior in everything. Because God’s grace that saves has appeared to humanity, teaching us to reject ungodliness and earthly wants, and to live seriously, with right and godly actions in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the amazing appearance of our great God and Savior Yeshua the Christ; Whose own self was given for us, to free us from all sin, and to cleanse us for Christ’s own self, a special people, passionate to do good things. You have every right to speak these things, and encourage, and warn, so let no one resent you.
We are Made Right by God’s Grace
3 [1-11] Remind them to respect rulers and powers, to obey the courts, to be ready for all good works, to speak evil of no one, to not be abusive, but gentle and humble with everyone, because we ourselves were also sometimes stupid, disobedient, believing lies, self-serving with different kinds of wants and pleasures, living in hatred and jealousy, being hateful, and hating one another. But after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward humanity appeared, not by any goodness that we’ve done, but for Christ’s mercy we were saved, by the washing of rebirth, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit; Which God shed on us greatly through Yeshua the Christ, our Savior; that being made right by God’s grace, we would become heirs for the hope of everlasting life. This is a faithful saying, and I want you to say this often, so that those who have believed in God might be careful to maintain what good they’ve done. These things are both good and profitable for everyone. But keep away from stupid questions, genealogies, arguments, and disputes about the Word of God because they’re useless and mean nothing. Reject those who are rebellious after the first and second warning; knowing that those who are like this are weakened, and sinful, being damned of themselves.
[12-14] When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be careful to come to me in Nicopolis because I’ve decided to winter there. Bring Zenas, the lawyer and Apollos on their journey carefully, so that they will have everything they need. And let our people also learn to keep doing the good things that they’ve done, meeting necessary needs, so that they won’t be unfruitful.
[15] Everyone here with me says hello to you. Say hello to those who love us in the faith. God’s grace be with you all. So be it!
Paul’s Letter to Philemon
1 [1-7] I Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Yeshua the Christ and Timothy our Christian coworker, to Philemon our dear loved one and coworker, and to our dear loved ones Apphia, and Archippus, our friends, and to the church in your house: May the grace and peace of Yahweh God, our Creator, and Yeshua the Christ, come to you. I thank my God, always mentioning your name in my prayers, because I’ve been hearing of your love and faith, which you have for Christ Yeshua, and for all Christians. I pray that your faith can be shared successfully by seeing everything that is good in you, which is in Christ Yeshua. We have great joy and comfort in your love, because the souls of the Christians are awakened by you, friend.
[8-20] Though I might be fearless in Christ to tell you what I think is right, yet for love’s sake I ask you instead, being old as I, Paul, am, and now also a prisoner for Yeshua the Christ. I ask you for my child, Onesimus, who I converted while locked up, which in the past was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and me. I’ve sent him back: so please accept him, as if he were me. I would like to have kept him with me, so that he could have ministered to me in the work of the New Word in your place. But without knowing what you think about it, I didn’t want to do anything; so that whatever you do wouldn’t be because you have to, but because you want to. Maybe he went the wrong way for a little while, so that you would accept him forever. Now, he isn’t like a forced-worker, but more than a worker, he’s a dear loved one and Christian, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the physical realm, and in the Spirit of Christ? If you consider me as a friend, accept him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, let me take care of it. I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, so I’ll repay it: not to mention the fact that you owe me much, and besides this, even your own self. Yes, my Christian brother, give me joy in God: let my soul be awakened in God.
[21-25] Being completely sure of your agreement, I wrote to you, knowing that you’ll also do more than I ask. But get a place ready for me to stay because I trust that through your prayers I’ll be allowed to come back to you. Epaphras, my prison mate in Christ Yeshua, says hello, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. May God’s grace in Yeshua the Christ be with your spirit. So be it!
A Letter to the Hebrews
(Author Unknown)
1 [1-14] God spoke to our ancestors in the past many different times and in many different ways by the great preachers, and has in these last days spoken to us by God’s Child, who has been chosen to be heir of everything, and by whom also the world was made; Who being the perfect reflection of God’s glory, and the exact picture of who God is, and keeping everything going by the power of God’s Word, when the Christ Yeshua had forgiven our sins, the Christ sat down in honor beside the Glorious God in the Highest Heaven. And being made so much better than the angels, the Christ has a much better name than they by inheritance. To which of the angels has God ever said, “You’re My Child, today I have born you?” Or, “I’ll be like a Parent to You, and You will be to me as a Child?” And again, when the Firstborn was brought into the world, God said, “And let all the angels of God worship the Firstborn.” And God said about the angels, “Who makes the angels fly like the wind, and the ministers burn like a flame of fire?” But God said to the Child, “You are God, and Your reign is forever and ever: You’ll rule with a reign of goodness. You’ve love goodness, and hate sin; so I, Your God, have anointed You with the oil of happiness more than any of Your people. And You, Christ, have made the earth’s matter at creation; and the heavens are Your creation: They’ll be destroyed; but You’ll live forever; and they’ll grow old as a piece of clothing; And like an old coat you’ll fold them up, and they’ll be changed for a new one: but you’ll stay the same, and live forever.” And to which of the angels has God ever said, “Sit beside Me, until I make those who come against you a place to rest your feet?” So the angels are just ministering spirits, sent to help those who will be saved.
Christ Became Human for Us
2 [1-4] So we ought to pay more attention to the things we’ve heard that are our proof, in case we should ever let them slip away from us. If God’s Word given by angels is true, and every sin and disobedience gets a fair punishment; How can we escape, if we neglect to be saved in such a great way? And God told us of this even at the first, which was confirmed to us by those who heard it; And God wanted to give us proof, both with wonderful signs and amazing things, and with many different miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
[5-11] God hasn’t put the world to come, in which we speak, in the power of the angels. But in a certain place someone told us truthfully, saying, “What is a human being that You’d think of them? Or the child of a human being that You’d come to them? You made them a little lower than the angels; You crowned them with victory and honor, and set them over all of Your creation: You’ve put everything in their control.” Because God put everything in our control, God didn’t leave anything out. But for now we don’t yet see everything in our control. Now we see Yeshua, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with victory and honor; that the Christ, by God’s grace, would taste death for everyone. And God, for whom everything is, and by whom everything is, chose to bring many children to victory, and to make Yeshua, through suffering, the perfect leader of those who are saved.
[12-18] Both the One who sets apart and those who are set apart are all of One, who isn’t ashamed to call them My people, saying, “I’ll make known Your name to My people, in the middle of the church I’ll sing praise to You.” And again, “I’ll put my trust in God.” And again, “I and the children which God has given Me.” So then as the children are one, who have shared in the body and blood, Christ, taking part of the same through death, overcame the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil; And delivered those, who through fear of death, were enslaved their whole lives. The truth is, Christ didn’t take on the nature of angels; but Christ took on the humanity of Abraham. In everything Christ was required to become like humanity, in order to be a compassionate and faithful leading priest in things concerning God, to bring others back to God for their sins. Since Yeshua the Christ has suffered being tempted, the Christ is also able to help those who are tempted.
Keep the Faith
3 [1-11] So, holy Christians, who have taken part in this heavenly calling, think about the Savior and Leading priest that we claim, Christ Yeshua; Who was faithful to and chosen by Yahweh God, as also Moses was faithful in all that house, and who was thought more worthy of being made known than Moses, just as the one who has built the house has more honor than the house. Every house is built by someone; but the One who built everything is God. And the truth is, Moses was faithful in his whole house, as a worker, who could speak about what would be spoken later; But Christ is the Child over God’s own home; and whose house we belong to, if we hold on tightly to the trust and the joy of our hope to the end. So as the Holy Spirit said, “Today if you’ll hear My voice, don’t be hard-hearted, as when I was made angry in the time of temptation in the countryside: When your ancestors tempted Me, proved Me, and saw what I had done forty years; so that I was grieved with that people, saying, ‘They’re always wrong in their hearts; and they haven’t known My ways.’ So I swore in my rage, ‘They won’t come into my rest.’”
[12-19] So be careful, Christians, in case any of you have an evil heart of unbelief, and leave your faith in the living God. But encourage one another daily, while it’s still today; in case any of you become doubtful, listening to the lies of sin. We’ll be with the Christ, if we hold tightly to the faith we had at the beginning and keep it to the end; So like it’s said, “Today, if you’ll hear My voice, don’t be hard-hearted, as when I was made angry.” Some, when they had heard, made God angry, even though not all of them did, who came out of Egypt by Moses. But who was God angry with for those forty years? Wasn’t it with those who had sinned, whose bodies died in the countryside? And to whom did God swear that they wouldn’t come into God’s rest, but to those who didn’t believe? So we see that they couldn’t come in because of their unbelief.
The Word No Good Without Faith
4 [1-7] So be careful, in case any of you would seem to come short of the promise of going into God’s rest that was given to us. The New Word was preached to us, too, just as to them: but the Word preached didn’t do them any good because they had no faith in it. But we who believe will come into rest, just as God said, “As I’ve sworn in My rage, they won’t come into My rest;” although the work was finished from the beginning of time. God spoke in a certain place of the Day of Worship in this way, “And God rested on the Seventh Day from all the work”, and in another place again, “They won’t come into my rest.” So seeing that some must yet come into it, and that those to whom it was first preached didn’t come in, it was because of their unbelief. Again, God limits it to a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after so long a time; as it’s said, “Today, if you’ll hear God’s voice, don’t be hard-hearted.”
[8-16] If Yeshua had given them rest, then wouldn’t another day, been spoken of later? So there is still a rest for the people of God. Whoever has gone into their rest, has also stopped doing their own work, just like God did. So let’s work till the day of our rest, in case anyone falls into that same kind of unbelief. The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged blade, piercing deep enough to divide the soul and spirit in two, separating even bones and marrow, and understanding even the very thoughts and intents of the heart. There’s no creature that isn’t plainly seen in God’s sight: everything is bare and plain to the eyes of the One to whom we answer. Seeing then that we have such a great leading priest, who has gone on into heaven, Yeshua, the Child of God, let’s hold on to what we have said. We don’t have a leading priest which can’t understand how we feel in our weaknesses; but the Christ was tempted just like we are, yet without ever sinning. So let’s come without fear to the throne of grace, so that we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
Yeshua is our Leading Priest
5 [1-4] Every leading priest is chosen from the people and set apart to act for them in the things of God, so that they can offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can understand and care about those without knowledge and those who are out of the way because they themselves also have weaknesses. And for this reason, they ought to make an offering for their own sins, as well as for the people. And no one takes this honor on themselves, but whoever is called of God, as was Aaron.
[5-10] So also Yeshua wasn’t made a leading priest by the Christ’s own self; but by the One who said, “You’re My Child, today I have born you.” As God said also in another place, “You’re a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” When in the body, Christ Yeshua, had offered up prayers and requests, crying many tears, to the One who was able to save the Christ from death, and was heard because of the Christ’s acceptance of God’s will. The Christ was the Child of God, yet still learned to accept what God wanted by the things which the Christ suffered; So being completed, became the way of being saved forever to all those who accept the Christ; who was called of God to be the leading priest after the order of Melchisedec.
[11-14] We have many things to say about the Christ, but they are hard to say clearly, since you don’t listen well. By this time you ought to be teachers, but you still need someone to teach you again the first things that we believe in God’s word; and are like those who need milk, and not solid food. Those who still need milk have not practiced the teachings on being good much because they’re like a new born. But solid food is for those who have grown, those who have practiced being good and learned to tell what is good from what is evil.
Don’t Give Up but Wait on God
6 [1-7] So moving past the first principles of the Word of Christ, let’s go on to completion; not going back to things like changing your life from doing things which lead to death, and of your faith in God, of the Word of God about baptisms, of the laying on of hands, of the coming to life again from the dead, and of everlasting judgment. And we’ll do this, if God allows us. It’s hopeless for those who once understood, and have experienced the heavenly gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit, and have experienced the good things of the Word of God, and the powers of the realm to come, if they leave the faith, to renew them again to a changed life; seeing that they have put the Christ of God to death anew in themselves, making a public disgrace of Yeshua. The garden which makes use of the rain that often falls on it, and grows plants that are good for the one who takes care of it, gets blessed by God: But the one that grows thorns and briers is useless, and is near being rejected; and will be burned in the end.
[9-12] But, dear loved one, we believe better things of you, the things that come with being saved, even though we speak of this. God isn’t so unfair as to forget what you’ve done and your work of love, which you’ve done in the name of God, in that you’ve ministered to the Christians, and still minister. And we want for every one of you to give the same attention to the full promise of hope to the end: so that you won’t give up, but do just like those who through faith and patience got the promises. When God made the promise to Abraham, who could swear by nothing greater, so swore by God’s Own Self, saying, “Surely with blessing I’ll bless you, and with many descendants I’ll multiply you.” And so, after patiently suffering through, Abraham got what was promised. The truth is, people swear by something greater than themselves. To them, a promise is proof enough and puts an end to all doubt. Like this, God, wanting to better show to the heirs of the promise the absolute truth of the Word of God, strengthened it with a promise, so that by these two undeniable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong comfort, who have run away for a place of safety to take hold of the hope we have been given. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and safe, which comes into the presence of God in the Most Holy Place, where Yeshua, who came before us, was made a leading priest forever just like Melchisedec.
Christ is Our Melchisedec
7 [1-10] This Melchisedec, Ruler of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the defeat of the rulers, and blessed him. Abraham gave this Priest a tenth of everything. First the name Melchisedec means Ruler of goodness, and then also Ruler of Salem, means, Ruler of Peace. This Priest had no parents, no descendants, had no beginning of days, nor end of life; but was like the Child of God; a Priest that lives continually. Now consider how great this person was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth part of all he had taken. The truth is, those who are of the children of Levi, who have the office of the priesthood, are told to take a tenth of everything by the Word of God, that is, from their own people, though they are all descendants of Abraham: But the Priest who didn’t come from Levi got a tenth part from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises. And without a doubt the greater One blessed the lesser one. And in our case the tenth part is given to people who die; but in that case the One who still lives gets it. So I might say that the descendants of Levi, who get a tenth part, also paid a tenth part through Abraham’s gift, because they were still in the body of their ancestors, when Melchisedec came.
[11-28] So if we could be made perfect by the acts of the Levitical priesthood, under which we got the Word of God, why would there need to be another Priest who would come in the likeness of Melchisedec, and not be called after the usual order of Aaron? But because the priesthood was changed, a change also needed to come to the Word of God. And the One of whom this is spoken belongs to another family, of which no one has ever served as priest. It’s clear that our Christ came from the family of Judah; of which Moses said nothing about having a priesthood. And it’s still even clearer because after the likeness of Melchisedec another Priest came, who came not by the law of the earthly Word, but by the power of a life without end. God said, “You’re a Priest forever in the likeness of Melchisedec.” The truth is, the first Word was incomplete because we are weak and it was useless for us. The Word of God couldn’t make any of us right, but the coming of a better hope did; by which we come near to God. And the Christ was not made our Priest without a promise, like those who are made priests without a promise; but it was with a promise by the One who said, “God promised and won’t go back on it, You’re a priest forever in the likeness of Melchisedec.” So Yeshua came as proof of a better Word by this promise. The truth is, there were many priests, because they weren’t able to keep serving because of death: But Yeshua, who lives ever, has an everlasting priesthood. So Yeshua is able to completely and finally save those that come to God by the Christ, who lives forever and speaks up for them. The Christ is a leading priest that became for us One who is holy, innocent, without fault, never having sinned, and is in the highest heavens; Who doesn’t need to offer sacrifices daily, as those priests did, first for their own sins, and then for the people’s, because Yeshua did this once and for all, who offered up the Christ’s own self. The first Word gave us priests who sinned; but the Word of the promise, which came later, gave us the Child of God, who is set apart as our Priest forever.
The New Agreement
8 [1-6] Now what we are saying is this: We have a leading priest like this, who sits in a place of honor beside the throne of the Great God in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true Place of Worship, which God made, and not any person. Every leading priest is set apart to offer gifts and sacrifices: so it was needed for this One to have something more to offer. If Yeshua were still on earth, the Christ wouldn’t be a priest, seeing that there are already priests that offer gifts for that Word of God: Who serve as the example and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned of God when he was about to make the Place of Worship, God said, “See to it that you make everything just as it was shown to you on the Mountain.” But now the Christ has the more perfect ministry, who speaks up for us in the better agreement, which was settled for us by better promises.
[7-13] If that first agreement had been found faultless, then there would be no need for the second. But finding fault with those who followed it, God said, “The time is coming, God said, when I’ll make a new agreement with the family of Israel and with the family of Judah: Not like the one that I made with their ancestors in the time when I took care of them to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they didn’t keep their part of My promised agreement, and I didn’t accept them, God said. But this is the New Word that I’ll give to the families of Israel later, God said; I’ll put My Word in their thoughts, and mark them in their spirits: and I’ll be to them a God, and they’ll be to Me a people: And no one will teach their neighbor or a family member, saying, ‘Know God’ because everyone will know Me, from the youngest to the oldest. I’ll be forgiving of their ungodliness, I won’t ever remember their sins and uncontrolled acts again. So when God said, a New Word, the first became the old One. Now what is replaced becomes old and is about to end.
Christ’s Death Needed for the New Agreement
9 [1-10] The truth is, the first agreement had rules of divine service, and also an earthly sanctuary. There was a Place of Worship made; in which the first part had the candle holder, and the table, and the bread; which was the sanctuary. And in the second part, the Place of Worship which is called the most Holy Place; which had the golden censer, and the golden box of the first agreement, which held the golden pot that had the bread from heaven, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the carved stones of the first agreement; and on the lid of the golden box the angels of praise that overshadowed the mercy seat; of which we can’t fully speak of now. Now when this was set apart this way, the priests always went into the first part of the Place of Worship, to do the service of God. But only the leading priests went into the second part once a year, and not without blood, which was offered for both themselves, and for the sins of the people: The Holy Spirit shows us that the way into the Most Holy Place wasn’t yet opened up, while the first Place of Worship was still standing: Which was just an example for that time, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that couldn’t make those who did the service right, as concerning the conscience; Which was only for the rules about foods and drinks, and different washings, and earthly rules, imposed on them until the time of the New Word.
[11-15] So the Christ became our leading priest in the good things that were to come, with a greater and more complete Place of Worship, not made with human hands, that is, not of this nature; Neither by the blood of animals, but by the Christ’s own blood, who came into the Most Holy Place once and for all, saving us for all time. If the blood of animals, and the ashes of a cow could be sprinkled for the sinner to bless and cleanse the body: How much more will the blood of Yeshua, who through the Holy Spirit offered the Christ’s own self to God, who had never sinned, clear your conscience from the things you’ve done that lead to death to serve the living God? And for this cause the Christ, who died in our place, can speak up for us in the agreement of the New Word, to save us from the sins that were done under the first agreement, so that those who are called might get the promise of an everlasting inheritance.
[16-28] Where this kind of agreement is made, there must out of necessity be the death of the One making the will, because a will only comes into effect after the person has died. Otherwise, it has no value at all while that person still lives, so not even the first agreement came into effect without blood. So when Moses had spoken every Word of God to all the people, he took the blood of animals, along with water, and scarlet-dyed wool, and hyssop branches, and sprinkled both the Word of God, and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the agreement which God has made with you.” Besides this, he sprinkled both the Place of Worship, and all the bowls of the ministry with blood, because God’s Word says almost everything is cleansed with blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. So it was necessary that the examples of things which are in the heavens would be cleansed like this; but the heavenly things themselves are cleansed with better sacrifices than these. Christ didn’t go into the holy places made with human hands, which are only examples of the true ones; but the Christ went into heaven itself, and now stands in the presence of God in our place: Who doesn’t offer the Christ’s own self often, like the leading priest who comes into the holy place each year with blood of animals; because then the Christ would have suffered many times since the beginning of the world: but now once in the end of this time Yeshua has appeared to do away with the consequences of sin by the Christ’s own sacrifice. And just like others must die once, but later face the judgment, the Christ was once offered for the sins of many; and will appear the second time for those who look for the Christ, not for their sin, but to save them.
Christ’s Blood Given Once and For All
10 [1-10] The Word of God, being a shadow of the good things to come, and not the actual picture of the things, can never with the sacrifices which they continually offered year by year make those who came complete, or they wouldn’t have stopped being offered and the worshippers, once forgiven, would have had no more guilty conscience from their sins. But in those sacrifices they remember their sins again every year. It isn’t possible for the blood of animals to take away sins. So when the Christ came into the world, who said, “You didn’t want sacrifice and offering, but you’ve prepared Me a body: You took no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Then I said, see, I have come (in part of the book the Word says of Me,) to do what You want, God.” So before when the Christ said, “Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin You didn’t want, nor took pleasure in it;” which are offered by the Word of God; Then the Christ said, “See, I come to do what You want, God.” The Christ took away the first, so that the second could be set up, by whose will we’re set apart through the offering of the body of Yeshua the Christ once and for all.
[11-18] And all the priests stand daily ministering and offering the same sacrifices many times, which can never take away sins: But this person, who had offered One sacrifice for sins forever, afterwards sat down in the place of honor beside God; From then on waiting for God to take control of the Christ’s enemies. And by this One offering the Christ has forever completed the work for those who are being set apart. Of which the Holy Spirit is also a witness to us because after what the Christ had said before, “This is the promised agreement that I’ll make with them after those days, God said, I’ll put my teachings into their hearts, and I’ll write them in their minds; And their sins and uncontrolled actions I’ll remember no more.” Now where these have been taken away, there’s no longer any need to make offering for sin.
Don’t Forget to Worship Together
[19-25] So, Christians, we can have courage to come into the holiest place by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way, which the Christ has offered for us, through the curtain, that is, the Christ’s body; And we have a leading priest over the house of God; so let’s come near with a true heart that fully trusts our faith, having our hearts cleansed from a guilty conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. So let’s hold on to the faith we have claimed to have without doubting; (for the One who promised is faithful;) And let’s think about how we can encourage one another to love and to do good things: Not forgetting to come and worship together, as some do; but encouraging one another: and even more, as you see the day getting nearer.
[26-31] And if we willfully keep on sinning after we understand the knowledge of the truth, there is no more covering for sins, but a fearful waiting for judgment and the fiery rage, which will destroy the enemies. Whoever disobeyed Moses’ law died without mercy with two or three witnesses against them, so how much worse will the punishment be, do you think, for those who’ll be thought worthy, who have rejected the Christ of God, and has thought the blood of the promised agreement that the Christ has given for us an unholy thing, and has done this in spite of the Spirit of grace? We know the One who has said, “Punishment is for Me to do and I’ll repay, God said. And again, God will judge the people.” It’s very fearful to fall into the judgment of the living God.
[32-39] But remember in the past, when, after you accepted the truth, you suffered through great troubles; Partly, while you were publically accused in great troubles; and partly, while you became friends of those who were treated like this too. And you even cared for me when I was locked up, and gracefully took the taking of your things, knowing in yourselves that you have better and more lasting things in heaven. So don’t give up your trust, which will be greatly repaid. You need to have patience, so that, after you’ve done what God wants you to do, you might get the promise. “In just a little while, the One who is coming will come, and it won’t be long. Now the good will live by faith: but if anyone turns away, My soul will have no pleasure in them.” But we aren’t of those who turn away to be punished; but we are of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Examples of Faith
11 [1-16] Now faith is the spirit of what we hope for, what we know is true, but don’t yet see. By it, the elders were well spoken of. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen weren’t really made of things which appear. By faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, by which it is said that he was good, and God tells us of his gifts: and by it, he still speaks even though he is dead. By faith, Enoch was changed, not seeing death; and wasn’t ever found, because God had changed him. And before he was changed, it was said of him, that he pleased God. So without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that God exists, and that God rewards those who carefully look for God. By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen yet, acted with fear, built a large boat to save his family; by which the world was found guilty, and became heir of the goodness, which is by faith. By faith Abraham, who was called to go to a place he would later get for an inheritance, obeyed; and went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith, they traveled in the land of promise, in a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were also heirs of the same promise: because they wanted a place with a foundation, whose builder and maker is God. Also, through faith, Sara was made strong enough to have a baby, and was given a child when she was too old to have one, because she decided that the One who had promised was faithful. So from that one couple, who were as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the stars of the sky in number, and as uncountable as the sand by the sea shore. These all died in faith, not having gotten the promises, but having seen them in the future, and were sure of them, and accepted them, admitting that they were strangers and aliens on the earth. And those who say such things clearly say that they’re looking for a place of their own. And the truth is, if they had cared for the country they came out of, they could have gone back. But they wanted a better country, that is, a heavenly one: so God isn’t ashamed to be called their God, who has prepared for them a place to call home.
[17-31] By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. The one who had gotten the promises offered up the only child born to him, of whom it was said, “In Isaac will your descendants be called,” figuring that God was even able to bring him to life, even from the dead, from which he also got him back in a sense. By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau about the things which would happen in the future. By faith, Jacob, who was dying, blessed both the children of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning on the top of his walking cane. By faith, Joseph, when he died, made mention of the leaving of the children of Israel; and gave word about his bones. By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a good child; and they weren’t afraid of the ruler’s word. By faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the child of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing instead to suffer with the people of God, rather than enjoy the amusement of sin for a while. He prized the dishonor of Christ more valuable than the wealth in Egypt because he saw the profit of his future reward. By faith, they left Egypt, not fearing the ruler’s punishment, and suffered through, as if seeing the invisible God. Through faith, they kept the Passover, sprinkling the blood, so the angel who killed the firstborn wouldn’t touch them. By faith, they walked through the Red sea on dry land, in which the Egyptians who tried to do this were drowned. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were surrounded for seven days. By faith, Rahab, a sexually immoral person, wasn’t destroyed along with those who didn’t believe, because she had taken in the spies with peace.
[32-40] And what more can I say? Time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of all the great preachers, who through faith took over countries, worked for goodness, got promises, closed the mouths of lions, put out the heat of fire, escaped the edge of the blade, were made strong out of their weakness, became fearless in fighting, made the armies of alien peoples turn and run. Women got their dead raised to life again and others were tortured, not taking the chance to escape; in order to obtain a better life in the spiritual realm. And others had tests of cruel mockings and beatings, yes, and were even locked up and put in chains. Some were stoned to death, sawed in half, tempted to give up on their faith and escape, and some were stabbed with the blade. They wandered around wearing animal skins for clothing, being needy, troubled, and suffering. The world wasn’t worthy to have them, some of them wandering around in deserts, and in the mountains, hiding in dens and the caves of the earth. And through faith, all of them, though having lived good lives, didn’t get the promise because God, having given something better for us, wanted them to be completed along with us.
Christ Yeshua, the Beginning and End of our Faith
12 [1-10] So seeing that we also are surrounded by so many witnesses, let’s get rid of everything that weighs us down, and all the sin which so easily overcomes us, and let’s run the race that we’ve been called to with patience, looking to Yeshua, the beginning and end of our faith. The Christ, for the joy to come, suffered through the cross, despising its shame, and is now at the place of honor beside the throne of God. So consider the One who suffered through such opposition from sinners, in case you get so tired that you want to give up in your minds. In your fight against sin, you haven’t yet fought to the point of losing your life blood. And you’ve forgotten the encouragement which speaks to you as to children, “My child, don’t hate the discipline of God, nor give up when you’re under God’s control: because God loves whom God disciplines, and punishes every child that is accepted by God.” So don’t get discouraged when you’re disciplined, because God is dealing with you as with children. What child doesn’t a parent discipline? But if you’re not disciplined, in which all are one who have taken part, then you’re bastards, and not legal children. Besides, our physical parents corrected us, and we respected them, so shouldn’t we instead allow ourselves to be even more under the control of God, the source of our spirits, and live? The truth is, our parents, for a short time, punished us as they thought was best for us; but God punishes us for our good, so that we might share in God’s goodness.
[11-24] Now no discipline seems good at the time, but very hard to deal with: but later it brings peace and goodness to those who are trained this way. So lift up your hands which are hanging down, and strengthen your weak knees; Run straight in the path, so your feet won’t be broken; but well. Try to have peace with everyone, and be good, which without goodness no one will see God. Carefully watch so no one fails to receive God’s grace; or in case any root of bitterness springs up to trouble you, and ruins many others by that example; Or in case there be any sexually immoral, or disrespectful person, such as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright, because you know how that later, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected because he didn’t change his way of thinking, though he begged for the blessing with many tears. And you aren’t coming to the physical mountain that can be touched, that burned with fire, nor to black skies, darkness, and eruptions, along with the sound of a trumpet, and the voice speaking with words with which those who heard begged that they wouldn’t be spoken to anymore because they couldn’t handle what was told them, “and if so much as a creature touches the mountain, it must be stoned, or killed with an arrow:” And the sight was so terrible that Moses said, “I am shaking with fear:” But you come to Mount Zion, and the heavenly Jerusalem, where God lives, and to a countless number of angels, to the gathering together of the church of the Firstborn, whose names are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of All, and to the spirits of good people who are spiritually completed, and to Yeshua, the One who speaks up for us in the new promised agreement, whose sprinkled blood speaks of better things than the blood of Abel.
[25-29] So see that you don’t refuse the One who speaks, because if the ones who refused the One who spoke on earth didn’t escape, how will we ever escape if we turn away from the One who speaks from heaven: Whose voice shook the earth then, but now God has promised, saying, “Yet once more, I won’t shake the earth only, but also heaven.” And this word, “Yet once more,” signifies what can be shaken will be removed, that is the physical world, so that only what can’t be shaken will be left. Since we’re going to a spiritual place which can’t be moved, let’s be graceful, so that we can serve God acceptably with respect and godly fear, because our God is like an uncontrollable fire.
Love Each Other Like Family
13 [1-6] Keep loving each other like a family. Don’t forget to take care of strangers because in this way, some have unknowingly taken care of angels. Remember those who are locked up, as if you were a prisoner with them; and those who suffer hard times, as you yourselves also suffer in the body. Marriage is to be respected in all ways, and the marriage bed kept pure and holy. God will judge those who practice sexual sin and are sexually unfaithful. Let your lifestyle be without selfishness; and be happy with what you have because Christ has said, “I’ll never leave you, nor turn away from you”. So that we can say without fear, “God is my helper, so I won’t fear what anyone will do to me.”
[7-17] Remember the leaders who have spoken the Word of God to you. You should follow their faith, thinking about what kind of lifestyle they have. Yeshua the Christ, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So don’t let all different kinds of strange teachings change your mind. It’s good for the heart to depend on grace; not on eating certain foods, which haven’t helped those who have been controlled by them. We have an altar, from which those who serve in the Place of Worship have no right to eat. Just as the bodies of the animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the leading priest for sin, are burned outside the camp, so Yeshua also, in order to set apart the people with the Christ’s own blood, suffered outside the gate. So let’s go to the Christ outside the camp, being dishonored as the Christ was. Here we have no everlasting city, but we look for the one to come. So by the Christ, let’s offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to the name of Yahweh God. But don’t forget to do good things and to share because God is very pleased with such sacrifices. Obey your leaders, and accept what they say because they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Do this so that they can lead you with joy, and not with grief, because that isn’t good for you.
[18-25] Pray for us because we believe we have a good conscience, and are willing to live honestly in everything. But I beg you instead to pray that I can come back to you sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought our Christ Yeshua back again from the dead, that Great Keeper of the animals, through the blood of the everlasting promised agreement, make you complete in every good work to do what God wants, working in you what is pleasing in the sight of God, through Yeshua the Christ; who will be made known forever and ever. So be it! And I beg you, Christians, accept this word of encouragement because I’ve written this letter to you in just a few words. I want you to know that our Christian brother Timothy has been freed and if he comes shortly, I’ll see you with him then. Say hello to all those who lead you, and all of the Christians. All those of Italy say hello to you. May grace be with you all. So be it!
A Letter from James
1 [1] From James, a worker of Yahweh God and of Yeshua the Christ; Hello to the twelve families which are scattered out.
[2-18] My Christians, be happy when you’re tested by all kinds of temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith brings patience. Let the work of patience outlast the temptation, so that you can be complete and whole, not needing anything. If any of you lack wisdom, ask God for it, who gives freely to all who ask, and doesn’t scold them; and it’ll be given to them. But ask in faith, not doubting. Whoever doubts is like a wave of the sea blown by the wind and tossed around. Don’t think that you’ll get anything from God that way. A doubtful person is unsure of them self in everything. Let the Christian of low social status celebrate in the fact that they’re rich in Christ: But the rich, in that they’re humbled in Christ: Like a flower of the grass they’ll all come to an end. As soon as the sun comes up with its burning heat, the grass wilts, and the flower falls off it, and its beauty is gone: so the rich person will also fade away even as they go about their business. Blessed are those who outlast their temptations because after they’re tested, they’ll get the crown of life, which Yahweh God has promised to those who love God. No one should say when they’re tempted, “I am being tempted by God” because God can’t be tempted with evil, nor does God tempt anyone. When someone is tempted, they’re lured away by what they want, and are sure that they need it. Then when they get what they want, they sin; and when they sin, death follows. Don’t go wrong here, my dear Christians. Everything good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes from the Light we are from, with whom is no shade, nor fading shadows. God chose to make us with the Word of truth, so that we would be the best of all God’s creatures.
Act on what You Hear
[19-27] So, my dear Christians, let everyone first listen, then answer carefully, and not get angry so fast because a person’s anger doesn’t bring about the goodness of God. Put away everything evil that is unnecessary, and with gentleness, accept the Word growing in you, which is able to save your souls. Do what the Word tells you to do, not just hearing it only, lying to your own selves. If anyone only hears the Word, but doesn’t do it, they’re like someone looking at their face in a glass, who sees them self, and then goes on their way, quickly forgetting what they just saw. But whoever looks into the complete Word of freedom, and lives by it, not being a forgetful hearer, but does what it says, this person will be blessed in what they do. So if anyone among you is religious, but doesn’t control what they say, misleading their own heart, this person’s religion is meaningless. True religion, which is holy to Yahweh God, is to go to those without a parent and the single parents in need, and to keep yourself without fault from the world.
Don’t be Prejudiced
2 [1-12] My Christians, have the faith of our Christ Yeshua, God of victory, without prejudice. If someone comes to your church with a gold ring, in nice clothes, and also a poor person comes in with raggedy clothes, and you show more respect to the one who wears the nice clothes, and say to them, “Sit here in the best place;” and say to the one who is poor, “Stand over there, or sit here at my feet;” Then aren’t you being prejudiced in your heart, and haven’t you judged them with your evil thinking? Listen carefully, my dear Christians, hasn’t God chosen those who are poor in this world who are rich in faith, and heirs of the realm of God which has been promised to those who love God? But those who are poor, you hate. Don’t people, who are well off, keep you down and take you to court? Don’t they dishonor and disrespect that worthy name of Christian, by which you’re called? If you follow the law of God as the Word says, “Love others as you love yourself;” you’re doing what’s right: But if you’re disrespectful to some people, you’re sinning, and are found guilty by the Word of God as sinners. Whoever keeps the whole law, but breaks it in one area, is guilty of breaking it all. Didn’t the One who said, “Don’t sin sexually,” also say, “Don’t kill.” Now if you don’t sin sexually, but you kill someone, you have broken the law of the Word of God. So speak and do, as those who will be judged by the Word of God, which frees us from sin.
Faith Without Action is Dead
[13-26] Those who have shown no mercy will also be judged without mercy. It is much better to have mercy on someone than to judge them. What good does it do, my Christians, if someone says they have faith, but doesn’t follow up their faith with actions? Can their faith save them? If a Christian brother or sister is unclothed, and doesn’t even have their daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, I hope you get warm and full;” but in spite of this you don’t give them what they need for the body; what good did it do? Just the same, faith, if not followed by actions, by itself, is dead. Yes, even though someone might say, “You have faith, and I have actions:” I say show me your faith without doing anything about it, and I’ll show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there’s One God and this is good, but even the evil spirits believe, and shake with fear. But do you want proof, you thoughtless person, that faith without your actions is dead? Wasn’t Abraham our ancestor made right by what he did, when he had offered Isaac, his child, on the altar? Do you see how faith worked along with his actions, and by actions, faith was made complete? And the Word was completed which said, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for goodness:” and he was called the friend of God. You see then that a person is made right by what they do, and not by faith only. Just the same also, wasn’t Rahab, a sexually immoral person, made right by what she did, when she took in the spies, and helped them escape. So as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith that is not followed by actions is dead also.
The Untamable Tongue
3 [1-18] My dear Christians, many of you shouldn’t be leaders, because leaders will be held to a stricter judgment. We all do many things that are wrong. If a person doesn’t offend anyone with their words, they are a complete person, and able also to keep their whole body under control. We put bits in the mouths of horses, so that they’ll obey us; and with it we turn their whole body. And also the ships, which are so big, and are driven by very strong winds, are still turned around with a very small helm, wherever the captain wants it to go. Just the same, the tongue is a very small part of the body, but brags about a great many things. See what a great fire a little spark kindles! And the tongue is like a fire, a world of sin. Just the same, the tongue is the worst of our body parts, because it makes the whole body filthy, and changes the whole course of a person’s life, setting it on fire by Hell. Every kind of creature, bird, snake, and even the things in the sea, can be tamed, and has been tamed by humanity: But no one can tame the tongue. It’s an unruly, evil thing, full of deadly poison. With our tongue we bless the God we come from; and with the same tongue we curse others, who are made in the very likeness of God. Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My dear Christians, it shouldn’t be this way. Does a creek give out both good water and bad at the same place? Can the fig tree, my dear Christians, make olive berries? Or a vine, figs? No creek will have both salt water and fresh. So who is wise and has knowledge among you? Let them show by their good lifestyle that their actions are done with the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have jealousy and resentment in your hearts, don’t praise yourself, and lie about what is true. This wisdom doesn’t come from above, but is based on feelings, which are earthly, and devilish. Where there is jealousy and resentment, confusion and evil actions will follow. But the wisdom that is from above is first without any evil, then peaceful, gentle, willing to give in, full of mercy and good actions, without any partiality, and without any falsehood. And those who make peace do acts of goodness in peace.
A Friend of the World is an Enemy of God
4 [1-12] Where do these wars and fights among you come from? Don’t they come from the things you want, which fight within you? You want, but you don’t have: you kill, and want to have, but can’t get what you want, so you fight and war. Still, you don’t have, because you don’t ask. And when you do ask, you don’t get what you want, because you ask wrongly, so that you can use it only for the things that you want. You’re like sexually unfaithful people. Don’t you know that to love the world is to hate the things of God? So whoever wants to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do you think that the Word said for no reason, “The spirit that lives in us is very jealous for us?” But God gives us more grace, which is why it was said, “God doesn’t accept the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So accept what God says. Fight the devil, who’ll quickly go away from you. Come closer to God, and God will come closer to you. Wash your hands of your evil acts, you sinners; and get your hearts right, you doubting ones. Mourn, grieve, and cry: let your laughter turn into crying, and your joy into sadness. Humble yourselves in the sight of God, who will lift you up. Don’t speak evil of one another, Christians. Whoever speaks evil of another, and judges with prejudice, speaks evil of the Word of God, and judges the Word of God. If you judge the Word of God, you’re no longer a follower of the Word of God, but a judge. There’s only One Lawgiver, who is able to save and to kill: so who are you that you should judge one another?
[13-17] Now listen, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we’ll go into a certain city, and stay there a year, buying and selling, and make some money:” when you don’t even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? It’s just a breath, which is here today and gone tomorrow. But you should say instead, “If it’s God will, we’ll live, and do this, or that.” You celebrate with your bragging, but all this kind of celebrating is evil. Those who know to do well, and don’t do it are sinning.
Be Patient in Suffering
5 [1-6] Now listen, you rich people, cry and scream for the miseries that will come on you. Your riches are all gone, and all your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is corroded; and the rust of them will be a witness against you, and your body will be consumed as by a fire. You’ve selfishly kept your wealth for yourself in the last days. You haven’t paid the workers who worked your fields; you kept back their pay by your lies. The cries of those who worked for you have been heard by the God of All. You’ve lived in excess and pleasure on the earth, fattening your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. You’ve accused and killed the good, who didn’t fight you back.
[7-12] So be patient, Christians, until Christ comes again. As the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has great patience for it, until the early and latter rains come, you be patient also. Settle your hearts because Christ’s coming is very near. Don’t be unforgiving toward one another, Christians, or you won’t be forgiven. The Judge stands at the door. My dear Christians, the great preachers, who have spoken in the Name of God, are a good example of patient suffering. We consider them blessed who kept on going. You’ve heard about the patience of Job, and seen what God did in the end; God is very forgiving, and tenderhearted. But above everything else, my Christians, don’t swear, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other promise: but say exactly what you mean, either yes or no; or you’ll fall into judgment.
Pray for One Another
[13-20] Is anyone among you troubled? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the Name of Yeshua the Christ. When you pray in faith, the sick will be saved, and Christ will heal them; and if they have sinned, they’ll be forgiven. So be honest and admit your faults to one another, and pray for one another, so that you can be healed. The heartfelt prayer of a good person is very powerful. Elijah was a person with the same nature as us, who prayed passionately that it wouldn’t rain: and it didn’t rain on the earth for three and a half years. And when he prayed again, the heaven gave rain, and the earth gave its food. So all of you remember, if any of you do go astray from the truth, and someone changes their mind; Let them know, that whoever helps the sinner change from their wrongful ways will save a soul from death, and will bury a great deal of sins.
The First Letter from Peter
1 [1-2] From Peter, a follower of Yeshua the Christ, to the Christians, who are scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, the chosen ones by the foreknowledge of Yahweh God, through the setting apart and blessing of the Spirit, in the acceptance and cleansing power of the blood of Yeshua the Christ: May God’s grace and peace be given to you.
[3-9] May Yahweh God be blessed, the God of Yeshua the Christ, who for the great mercy of God, has given us a new life to live out our hope through Yeshua the Christ, who came to life again from the dead, to an honorable and everlasting inheritance that won’t ever disappear, waiting for you in heaven, who are kept safe by the power of God through faith, ready to become known in eternity. You greatly celebrate in this, though now for a little while, if need be, your spirit is depressed by the many temptations you face. But the test of your faith, being worth much more than gold that will be destroyed, though it be tested with many troubles, will be found with praise, honor, and victory at the appearance of Yeshua the Christ: Whom you love without seeing; and even without seeing, you still believe, and celebrate with a joy beyond words, full of victory. For this, you’ll get the end reward of your faith, even the saving of your souls.
[10-12] This saving, being what the great preachers have asked and searched carefully for, who preached before of the grace that would come to you. They searched for the meaning of what would happen, or when it would happen, when the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, truthfully told us ahead of time about the sufferings of Christ, and the victory that would follow. To whom it was revealed, so that they didn’t work for themselves, but for us in the things, which are now told to you by those who have preached the New Word to you by the Holy Spirit sent to us from heaven; which things, even the angels wanted to know.
Be Holy
[13-16] So let your mind be ready, use good sense. Hope till the end for the grace that is to be brought to you when Yeshua the Christ is made known. Be acceptable children, not acting on what you wanted before you knew Christ: But as the One who has called you is holy, be truly good in everything you do. The Word of God says, “Be holy because I am holy.”
[17-21] Call on the God, who judges each person for their actions without respect to who they are, and act with respect to God in the time of your stay here. You know that your freedom wasn’t bought from your meaningless lifestyle, which you got from your ancestors’ way of life, with things that will disappear like silver and gold; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb with no flaw or fault: Who was really set apart at the beginning of the world, but was made known in these last times for you, who by the Christ believe in God, who brought back Yeshua from the dead, and gave the Christ victory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
[22-26] Seeing you’ve cleansed your souls in accepting the truth through the Spirit to the heartfelt love of all Christians, see that you continue to love one another with a true heart: Being born anew, not of human origin, but of everlasting origin, by the Word of God, which lasts forever, because “All humanity is like the grass, and all the glories of humanity like the flowers of the grass. The grass wilts, and its flowers die: But the Word of God lasts forever.” This is what is preached to you by the New Word.
We are Chosen by God
2 [1-5] So stop all hatred, untruthfulness, pretending, jealousy, and all sinful talking, but as newborn babies, crave the true milk of the Word, so that you can grow by it: that is, if you’ve truly tasted that God is gracious. Come to God as to a living stone, really being unaccepted by others, but chosen by God, precious. You also, as living stones, are built up to be a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Yeshua the Christ.
[6-10] This is why it’s in the Word, “I lay in Zion the first corner stone, chosen, precious: and whoever believes on this One won’t be ashamed,” for those who believe that the Christ is precious: but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders wouldn’t accept, the same One is made the first cornerstone,” and “A stone to be stumbled over, and a rock to be offended by,” to those who stumble at the Word and don’t accept it, for which they were also chosen. But you’re a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people; that you would tell of the praises of the One who has called you out of darkness into God’s amazing light. In the past they weren’t even a nation of people, but are now the people of God, which hadn’t found mercy, but now have found mercy.
[11-12] Dear loved one, I beg you as strangers and foreigners in this world, give up the sinful things your physical body wants that fight against your soul. Have an honest lifestyle among the other peoples, so that even though they speak against you as being evil, they can see the good that you’ve done, and praise God in the day of Christ’s coming.
Suffer for Good, Not Evil
[13-25] Accept every human law for God’s sake: whether it be to the highest ruler; or to governors, as to those who are sent to punish those who are evil, and to praise of those who do good. This is the will of God, that by doing good you can silence the ignorance of stupid people. As free people, don’t use your freedom as a cover-up for sin, but as the hired workers of God. Respect everyone. Love the Christians. Honor and respect God. Respect the rulers. Workers, be responsible to your employers with respect; not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to the ones who are difficult. This is praiseworthy, if someone for conscience toward God keeps on going in sorrow, suffering wrongfully. And what good does it do, if, when you’re punished for your own faults, you take it patiently? But it’s praiseworthy with God if when you do good things and suffer for it, you take it patiently. And this is why you were called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example to follow: Who never sinned, nor was untrue: Who when hated, didn’t hate back; who when suffering, didn’t threaten; but trusted in the One who judges rightly. The Christ’s own body took on our sins on the cross, so that we, putting our sins to death, would live in goodness. By the Christ’s wounding you were healed, you being like animals going astray; but have now come back to the Keeper and Overseer of your souls.
The Beauty of a Wife’s Peaceful Spirit
3 [1-4] In this way, you wives, accept your husbands’ leadership, so that if any of them don’t obey the Word, they can, even without the Word, be won by your actions, by seeing your godly lifestyle, along with your respect. Don’t let your beauty be just the outward beauty of your hairstyle, of the jewelry you wear, or of your clothing, but let it also be the unseen spirit of your soul, which can’t age or die, even the beauty of a peaceful spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
[5-7] It was in this way, in the old days, that the holy women also, who trusted in God, beautified themselves, accepting the leadership of their own husbands: Just as Sarah accepted what Abraham told her, with respect: whose daughters you are, as long as you do good, without being threatened with any great fear. And in this way, you husbands, live with your wives with understanding, giving respect to your spouses, as caring for someone physically weaker than you are, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; so that your prayers will be heard by God.
Stay Away From Evil and Do Good
[8-12] Finally, all of you be of the same mind, caring for one another, loving each other as a family, be merciful, be considerate: Not repeating evil for evil, or abuse for abuse: but instead be a blessing; knowing that you’re called to be so, so that you’ll inherit a blessing. “Whoever loves life, and wants to see good days, let them stop speaking in sinful ways, and let them speak no untruthfulness. Let them stay away from evil, and do good; let them search for peace, and walk in it, because God watches over those who do good, and hears their prayers: but the face of God turns away from those who do evil.”
[13-22] And who would harm you, if you do what is good? But if you do suffer for the sake of doing good, be happy, and don’t be afraid of them, nor be uneasy. Have great respect for Yahweh God in your hearts: and always be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks you a question about the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect. Then you’ll have a good conscience; and while they speak badly of you, as if you were evil, those who falsely accuse your good lifestyle in Christ will be ashamed. It’s better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for doing good things, rather than for doing evil things. Just as Christ also has once suffered for sins, the good for the evil ones, in order to bring us to God, being put to death in the body, but brought back to life again by the Spirit. Then the Christ went also and preached to imprisoned spirits, which were disobedient, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built, in which few, that is, only eight souls were saved by water. And like that, baptism now saves us (not by the washing of filth from the body, but because we have a good conscience toward God) by the new life of Yeshua the Christ: Who has gone into heaven, and now sits beside God; with all the angels, authorities, and powers being put under the Christ.
Watch and Pray
4 [1-6] So then as Christ has suffered for us in the body, in this way, get yourselves ready with this mind because whoever has suffered in the body has stopped letting sin control them; that they no longer live the rest of their time in the body giving in to their human wants, but to the will of God. We have spent enough of our past life doing what other people do, when we lived in filthiness, physical wants, drunkenness, partying, pleasurable feasts, and the sickening worship of other things. In this, they think it’s strange that you don’t go along with them in their uncontrolled behavior, speaking evil of you. They’ll have to give account to the One who is going to judge the living and the dead. This is why the New Word was preached to those who are dead, too, so that they would be judged in the body for their humanity, but live for God in the spirit.
[7-11] But the end of everything is here, so use good sense. Watch and pray. And above everything, have great love among yourselves, because love will overlook many sins. Welcome and serve one another without complaining. As each one has gotten a gift from God, in this way, use it to serve others, as good managers of the many graces of God. If anyone speaks, let them speak as the preachers of God; if anyone ministers, let them do it with the ability that God gives them: so that in everything God can be praised through Yeshua the Christ, to whom praise and power is given forever and ever. So be it!
Trials and Tests to be Expected
[12-14] My loved ones, don’t think these hard tests which try you are strange, as though something unusual happened to you. Celebrate, because as much as you’ve suffered with Christ, you can be happy with just as much joy when the Christ’s victory comes. If you’re unfairly blamed for your faith in the Name of Christ, you should be happy because the spirit of victory and of God rests on you. Even though Christ is evil spoken of by their actions, Christ will be praised.
[15-19] So let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as someone who does evil, or as a busybody, minding other people’s business. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, don’t let them be ashamed; let them praise God because of it. The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begins with us first, what will happen to those who don’t obey the New Word of God? “And if those who do good things can hardly be saved, how can the ungodly and the sinner?” So let those who suffer for the will of God entrust their souls in doing good, in the safe keeping of the faithful Creator.
Be Willing to Serve God Without Being Paid
5 [1-5] I encourage the elders which are among you, as I am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also one who has shared in the victory that will be known. Take care of the flock of God that is among you, overseeing it, not because you have to, but because you want to; not for money, but be willing to do it for nothing; not giving orders to God’s people, but being examples to the flock. And when the Great Keeper appears, you’ll get a crown of victory that will never disappear. In this way, you young people, accept the lead of the elders. Yes, all of you accept the lead of one another with humility because “God doesn’t accept those who are proud, and gives grace to those who are humble.”
[6-11] So humble yourselves under the powerful hand of God, who will lift you up when the time is right. Give God all your worries, because God cares about you. Use good sense and be watchful; because your enemy, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat up: Whom you should fight back, being firm in the faith, knowing that the same troubles are happening to others in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us to everlasting victory in Christ Yeshua, after you’ve suffered a while, will make you complete, getting you started, strengthening, and settling you in your work. May God have victory and control forever and ever. So be it!
[12-14] I’ve written briefly by Silvanus, a faithful friend to you, as I think of him, encouraging you, and tell others that this is the true grace in which you stand. The church at Rome, which is chosen along with you, says hello to you; and so does Mark, my child. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Yeshua. So be it!
The Second Letter from Peter
1 [1-11] From Simon Peter, a worker and a follower of Yeshua the Christ, to those who have come to the same treasured faith as us by the goodness of our God and Savior, Yeshua the Christ: May grace and peace be given to you by the knowledge of God, and of Yeshua our Christ, as the power of God gives us everything we need for life and godliness, by the knowledge of the One who has called us to victory and goodness. By this, amazing and treasured truths were given to us, so that by these you might have a godly nature, having been freed from wanting what is evil in the world. And besides this, give all your attention to adding goodness to your faith; and knowledge to goodness; and self-control to knowledge; and patience to self-control; and godliness to patience; and friendly care and concern to godliness; and love to friendly care and concern. So, if you have these things and grow in them, your life won’t be meaningless or unrewarding in the knowledge of our Savior, Yeshua the Christ. But whoever doesn’t have these things can’t see what’s ahead, and has forgotten that they’ve been freed from their old sins. So dear Christians, be careful to make sure you were chosen and called, because if you do these things, you won’t fall: So your way will be fully cleared into the everlasting realm of our God and Savior, Yeshua the Christ.
God’s Word Not of Human Origin
[12-21] I won’t forget to remind you of this always, though you know it, and are now settled in the truth. Yes, I think I’m right, as long as I’m in this body, to wake you up by reminding you; knowing that shortly I must leave this body of mine, just as our Savior, Yeshua the Christ has told me ahead of time. Besides this, I’ll try to make sure you’ll always remember this after my death. Because we haven’t followed made-up story tales, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Savior, Yeshua the Christ, but we saw for ourselves Yeshua’s greatness. And the Christ received from Yahweh God honor and victory, when the voice of the One worthy of praise came to Yeshua, saying, “This is My Child, who I love, and I am so pleased with You.” And we heard this voice from heaven for ourselves, when we were with the Christ in the holy mountain. So we’re sure of the Word, which was given ahead of time; and you’ll do good to think of it as a light that shines in the dark, until the dawn of day when the sun rises in your hearts. You know that no Word, which was given ahead of time in God’s Word, is of any human origin. And the Word, which was given ahead of time in the old days, wasn’t created by the mind of any human being: but the holy ones of God spoke as they were led by the Holy Spirit.
Beware of False Teachers Who Only Want Money
2 [1-11] But there were false teachers among the people then, just as there are among you now, who secretly teach damned falsehoods, even disowning the very Christ who paid the price for them, and who bring on themselves a quick ruin. And many will follow their evil ways, who will cause the way of truth to be spoken of as evil. And through greed they’ll get rich off of you with their false words, whose judgment has left them a long time ago, and their damnation won’t end. If God didn’t even spare the angels that sinned, but threw them down to Hell, and put them into chains of darkness, to be kept until the judgment; And didn’t spare the old world, but saved Noah, one of only eight people, a great preacher of goodness, sending the flood on the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, damned them to complete ruin, making them an example to those who live ungodly lives now; And saved Lot, who was good, but suffered greatly from the filthy acts of those evil people: (because living among them, that good person’s soul suffered daily by seeing and hearing their uncontrolled actions). But God knew how to save the godly from those temptations, and how to keep the evil ones to be punished until the day of judgment: But most importantly those who follow their physical instincts in their greed for evil things, and hate to be told what they should do. They are full of self-importance, and selfish, and they aren’t afraid to speak evil of those in power, while angels, which are stronger and more powerful, won’t even accuse them to God.
[12-16] But these people, like animals, made to be hunted and killed, speak evil of the things that they don’t understand; and will be completely destroyed by their own evil actions. They’ll pay for their ungodliness, as those who think it a pleasure to sin openly in broad daylight. They’re ruining your celebrations, openly sinning while they keep them with you, lying to themselves. They look on others with sexual sin in their hearts, and can’t stop sinning; tempting unstable souls with a heart that’s used to selfish actions. They’re cursed children, who have left the right way, and have gotten lost, following the way of Balaam, the child of Beor, who loved to be paid for ungodly actions; But he was scolded by a dumb donkey speaking with a human voice for his sin, which stopped the stupidity of the great preacher.
[17-22] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried by a stormy wind, for whom is kept the blackest of darkness forever. When they speak very nice words full of empty promises, they shamelessly tempt others with the sexual sins of the body, even those who had already been freed from living in sin. While they promise them freedom, they themselves become controlled by their sin, because by the sin which a person is overcome, they are controlled by that same sin. And if after they’ve been freed from the sins of the world through the knowledge of our God and Savior, Yeshua the Christ, they’re trapped in it again, and overcome, with the latter end being worse than they were in the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of goodness, than, after they’ve known it, to turn from the Holy Word that was given to them. But they do just like this truth says, “The dog goes back to its own vomit again; and the pig that was washed goes back to wallowing in the mud.”
Atheists will Come in the Last Days
3 [1-7] This second letter, dear loved one, I now write to you; both of which I hope stirs up your pure minds by reminding you to remember the Words which were spoken by the holy ones, and our words, the followers of Christ our Savior. Know this first, that there will come in the last days those who will mock us, doing whatever they want to, and saying, “Where is the promise of the Christ’s coming? Since our ancestors died, everything continues as it was from the beginning of creation,” because they want to forget that by the Word of God the heavens were created long ago, and the earth surrounded by water: By which the world that was back then, being flooded with water, was destroyed. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept waiting, until the ungodly ones suffer the fire of the day of judgment and the punishment of Hell.
A New Heaven and A New Earth
[8-13] But, dear loved one, don’t be without knowledge of this one thing, that with God, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. God’s promise is not forgotten, as some say; but God is very patient with us, not wanting anyone to be destroyed, but wanting everyone to change their ways. But the day of God will come as a thief in the night. The heavens will come to an end with a great noise, and even the very elements will melt with great heat, and the earth too, along with everything in it, will be burned up. Seeing then that all this will disappear, what kind of people should you be in all holy behavior and godliness, looking for and hurrying the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens, being on fire, will disappear, and the elements will melt with great heat? Just the same, because of God’s promise, we look for the new heavens and a new earth, in which only goodness lives.
[14-18] So, dear loved one, seeing that you look for these things, be careful that you can be found by God in peace, without fault or blame. And know that we’re saved by the patience of our Christ; just as our dear loved one, Paul, for the wisdom given to him has also written to you, who has in all his letters spoken of this, too. These things are sometimes hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable in the Word struggle, as they do also the other Words, to their own ruin. So you, dear loved one, seeing that you know this, beware in case you also, being led away with the wrongs of the evil ones, fall from your own faithfulness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our God and Savior, Yeshua the Christ. To whom be victory both now and forever. So be it!
The First Letter from John
1 [1-4] About the Christ, the Word of Life, which was from the beginning, which we’ve heard, and which we’ve seen and looked on with our own eyes, and that our hands have touched. The Life was made known to us, and we’ve seen it, and are eye witnesses, and tell you about that Everlasting Life, which was with Yahweh God. What we’ve seen and heard we tell to you, so that you also can become one of us. The truth is, our relationship is with God, and with Yeshua the Christ of God. And we write this to you, so that you can have complete joy.
God Forgives Our Sin if We Admit It
[5-10] So this is the Word which we’ve heard from them, and that we tell to you, that God is light, and there’s no darkness at all in God. If we say that we know God, and yet live in the darkness of sin, we lie, and don’t act truthfully: But if we walk in the goodness of light, as Christ is in the light, we have a relationship with one another as well, and the blood of Yeshua the Christ of God, washes out all the stains of our sin. If we say that we don’t sin, we’re only lying to ourselves, and the truth isn’t in us. If we admit our sins, God is faithful and fair in forgiving our sins, and washes us from all our ungodliness. If we say that we haven’t sinned, we call God a liar, and God’s Word isn’t in us.
Christ Speaks Up for Us
2 [1-6] My little children, I write this to you, so that you don’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we have One who speaks up for us with Yahweh God, Yeshua the Christ, who never sinned. The Christ took the punishment for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. If we do what God’s Word says, we know that we know the Christ. But whoever says, “I know God,” and doesn’t do what God’s Word says, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in them. And whoever keeps the Word, God’s love is truly complete in them. By this, we know that we’re in God: whoever says they live in Christ should act like the Christ acted.
[7-17] People of God, I’m not writing a New Word to you, but the same word which you had from the beginning. This same word is the Word which you’ve heard from the beginning. But in the same way, I do write a New Word to you, which is true in Christ and in you. The darkness of sin is over, and the true light of Christ now shines. Whoever says they’re in the light, and hates someone, is still in darkness even now. Whoever loves others lives in the light, and there’s no reason for them to stumble. But whoever hates another is in the darkness of sin, and lives in that darkness, and doesn’t know where they are going, because that darkness has blinded them to the truth. I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven in Christ’s name. I write to you, parents, because you’ve known Christ, who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you’ve overcome the devil. I write to you, little children, because you’ve known Yahweh God, as a parent. I’ve written to you, parents, because you’ve known Christ, who is from the beginning. I’ve written to you, young people, because you’re strong, and the Word of God lives in you, and you’ve overcome the devil. So don’t love the world, or anything that’s in it. If anyone loves the world, God’s love isn’t in them. Everything that is in the world, every sinful thing you do, and every sinful thing you want, and all your sinful pride, isn’t of God, but is of the world. And the world will come to an end, along with all its wants: but whoever does the will of God will live forever.
The Antichrist will Come
[18-29] Little children, the last days are here! As you’ve heard that the Antichrist will come, even now there are many antichrists; so we know that it’s the last days. They left us, but they weren’t of us, and if they were of us, they would no doubt have stayed with us: but they left, so that it would be plain that all of them weren’t of us. But you’re anointed by the Holy Spirit, and you know everything. I haven’t written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. But whoever denies that Yeshua is the Christ is a liar! Whoever denies Yahweh God and Yeshua the Christ is an antichrist. Whoever denies the Christ, doesn’t have God either: but whoever accepts the Christ has God also. So let that live in you, which you’ve heard from the beginning. If what you’ve heard from the beginning stays in you, you’ll also stay in the Christ, and in God as well. The promise that the Christ has promised us is everlasting life. I have written this to you about those who lie to you to lead you away. But the anointing of the Spirit, which you’ve been given by Christ lives in you. You don’t need anyone to teach you, because this same Spirit teaches you everything, and is the truth, and no lie. Just as it has taught you, you’ll live in Christ. So now, little children, live in Christ Yeshua; so that when the Christ appears, we can be sure of ourselves, and not be ashamed at the coming of the Christ. If you know that Christ is good, you know that everyone who lives a godly lifestyle is born of the Christ.
We’re called the Children of God
3 [1-12] Look at the love that God has given to us, that we’re called the children of God! The world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know God. My loved ones, now we’re the children of God, and though we don’t yet know what we’ll be like, we know that when Yeshua appears, we’ll be like the Christ. Then we’ll see who the Christ really is. And all those who have this hope in Christ wash themselves, to be as pure as Christ. Whoever is doing sinful things disobeys the Word of God also, because sin is the rebelliousness of the Word of God. And you know that the Christ appeared to take away our sins; and there’s no sin in Christ. Whoever lives in Christ doesn’t keep on sinning. Whoever keeps on sinning hasn’t seen Christ and doesn’t know Christ. Little children, let no one mislead you. Whoever does goodness is good, just as Christ is good. Whoever is doing sinful things is of the devil because the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this reason, my loved ones, the Child of God was made known, in order to destroy what the devil has done. Whoever is born of God doesn’t keep on sinning because the seed stays in them: and they can’t keep on sinning, because they’re born of God. By this, the children of God, and the children of the devil are made known. Those who don’t act with goodness, nor love others aren’t of God. So to love one another is the message that you heard from the beginning. Not as Cain, who was of the devil, and killed Able. And why did Cain kill Able? Because Cain’s own actions were evil, and Abel’s actions were good.
We’ll Be Hated by the World
[13-24] Don’t be surprised, my children, if the world hates you. We know that we’ve passed from death to life, because we love all Christians. Whoever doesn’t love others lives in death. Whoever hates others is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has everlasting life in them. By this we know God’s love, because the Christ’s life was given for us, and we also ought to give up our lives for all Christians. Whoever has the things of this world, and sees another who has a need, and doesn’t care for them, how can God’s love be in them? My little children, let’s not love just in the words of our mouths; but in the truth of our actions. And by this we know that we’re of the truth, and will assure our hearts in Christ. But if our heart makes us feel guilty, God is greater than our heart, and knows everything. My loved ones, if our heart doesn’t make us feel guilty, then we’re sure that we’re in God. And whatever we ask, we’ll get from God, because we do the Word of God, and do what’s pleasing in the sight of God. God’s Word tells us to believe on the Name of the Child of God, Yeshua the Christ and to love one another, just as God told us to. Now whoever obeys the Word of God lives in God, and God lives in them. And we know that God lives in us by the Spirit that God has given us.
The Spirit of the Antichrist
4 [1-6] My loved ones, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they’re from God. Many false teachers have gone out into the world. Know the Spirit of God by this: Every spirit that says that Yeshua the Christ has come in a physical body is of God: And every spirit that doesn’t say that Yeshua the Christ has come in a physical body isn’t of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you’ve heard was to come; and even now is already in the world. You’re of God, little children, and have overcome them. Greater is the God who is in you, than the one who is in the world. They’re of the world, so they speak from the knowledge of the world, and the world hears them. We’re of God. Whoever knows God listens to us; and whoever isn’t of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of evil.
Love One Another
[7-21] My loved ones, let’s love one another because love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. Whoever doesn’t love, doesn’t know God because God is love. In this God’s love toward us was made known, because God sent the only One Born of God into the world, that we might live through Yeshua the Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent the Christ to take our place for the punishment of our sins. My loved ones, if God loved us like this, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us, and God’s love is shown in us. By this we know that we live in God, and God in us, because God has given us the Holy Spirit. And we’ve seen and tell others that God sent the Christ to be the Savior of the world. Whoever says that Yeshua is the Child of God, God lives in them, and they live in God. And we’ve known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and whoever loves, lives in God, and God in them. In this, our love is fully shown, that we can have no fear in the day of judgment, because as Christ is, so are we in this world. There’s no fear in love; but complete love puts fear away because fear has suffering. Whoever has fear doesn’t know love. We love God, because God first loved us. If someone says, I love God, and hates another; they’re a liar. Whoever doesn’t love others whom they have seen, how can they love God whom they haven’t seen? And this word we have from God, that those who love God must love others also.
Our Faith will Overcome the World
5 [1-5] Whoever believes that Yeshua is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loves the One who gave the Christ also loves the Christ, who is born of God. And we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and obey the Word of God. This is God’s love, that we obey the Word of God: and these words aren’t hard. Whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Whoever believes that Yeshua is the Child of God will overcome the world!
Three Witnesses, One God
[6-10] This is Yeshua the Christ, the One who came by the baptism of water and of blood; not by the baptism of water only, but by water and the suffering of blood. And it’s the Spirit that tells the truth about it, because the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. And there are three that are truthful witnesses in heaven, Yahweh God, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are One God. And there are three that are truthful witnesses in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree as One. If we accept the witness of human beings, the witness of God is greater because this is the witness of God who has told us truthfully of the Christ. Those who believe in the Christ of God have the witness in themselves: and those who don’t believe God have made God a liar; because they don’t believe the Word that God gave of the Christ.
No Life Without Christ
[11-15] And this is the Word that God has given to us, everlasting life, and this life is in God’s Christ. Whoever has the Christ has life; and whoever doesn’t have the Christ of God doesn’t have life. I’ve written this to you who believe on the Name of Yeshua, the Child of God; so that you can know that you have everlasting life, and so that you can keep on believing in the Name of the Child of God. And this is how we can be sure that we have the Christ, that is, if we ask anything that agrees with what God wants, God will hear us. And if we know that God hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we’ll get what we wanted from God.
[16-21] If anyone sees someone do something which is a sin, but doesn’t lead to death, if they’ll ask, God will give them life for those who don’t sin a sin which leads to death. There’s a sin that leads to death, so I’m not saying that they should pray for freedom from that kind of sin. All ungodliness is sin, but all sin doesn’t lead to death. We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin this kind of sin; but whoever is born of God has self-control, and the devil doesn’t touch them. And we know that we’re of God, but the whole world is tempted by evil. And we know that the Child of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we can know the One who is true. So we’re in the One who is true, even in God’s Child, Yeshua the Christ. This is the true God, and everlasting life. Little children, keep yourselves from worshiping anything else. So be it!
The Second Letter from John
1 [1-3] From John, the elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not just I, but all those who know the truth, as well; Because of the truth’s sake, which lives in us, and will be with us forever. May grace, mercy, and peace be with you from Yahweh God, and from Yeshua the Christ, the Child of God, in truth and love.
Love is to do what Christ’s Words Say
[4-6] I celebrated greatly that I found your children walking in the truth, as we’ve been told by God. And now I beg you, lady, not as a New Word to you, but as a reminder of what we were told from the beginning, that is, that we love one another. Love is to do what Christ’s words say. This is the Word that you’ve heard from the beginning, so that you would do it.
The Antichrist
[7-11] There are many misleaders in the world, who say that Yeshua the Christ didn’t come in a physical body. This is a liar and an antichrist. Be careful, so that we don’t lose what we’ve worked so hard for, but that we get our full reward. Whoever sins, and doesn’t live by the Words of Christ, doesn’t have God. Whoever lives by the Words of Christ, they have both the God we’re from and the Christ. If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring Christ’s New Word, don’t take them home, nor welcome them with a blessing of God, because whoever welcomes and blesses them takes part in their evil ways.
[12-13] I have so much to say to you, I can’t write it all on paper, but I trust I’ll come to you shortly, and speak face to face, that our joy can be complete. The children of your chosen sister say hello. So be it!
The Third Letter from John
1 [1-4] From John, the elder, to my loved one, Gaius, whom I love in the truth of Christ. My loved one, I wish more than anything that you can do well and be in good health, just as your soul does well! I celebrated greatly, when the Christians came and told me of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. It’ll be my greatest joy to hear that my children walk in the truth.
Whatever You do, Do Faithfully
[5-8] My loved ones, whatever you do, do it faithfully for both the Christians, and for strangers. They have told of your love to the church, whom if you send them on their way with this godly action, you do well: Because they went for Christ’s name’s sake, taking nothing from other people. So we ought to accept and give for them, that we might be coworkers for the truth.
[9-10] I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the most important place among them, won’t accept us. So if I come, I’ll remember what he does, speaking against us with hateful words: and not content with that, he doesn’t accept any of the faith either, and stops those who do, and puts them out of the church.
Whoever does Evil doesn’t know God
[11-12] My loved ones, don’t do what is evil, but what is good. Whoever does good is of God, but whoever does evil doesn’t know God. Demetrius has a good reputation with everyone, and the truth itself speaks well of him. Yes, and we also say he has a good reputation; and you know that what we speak is true.
[13-14] I had many things to write, but I won’t write to you on paper, but I trust I’ll see you shortly, and we’ll speak face to face. May Christ’s peace be with you. Our friends say hello. Say hello to all my friends by name.
A Letter from Jude
[1-2] From Jude, the worker of Yeshua the Christ and the brother of James, to those who are set apart by Yahweh God, and saved by Yeshua the Christ and called by the Holy Spirit: May God’s mercy, peace, and love, come to you many times over.
Actively Promote the Faith
[3-11] My loved ones, when I gave my full attention to write to you about our shared salvation, I needed to write to you to encourage you to actively promote the faith that was once given to all Christians. Because certain people have snuck in, being overlooked by us, who were long ago set apart for their guilt, ungodly ones, making a mockery of the grace of our God, and disowning the only true Savior and God, Yeshua, our Christ. So I’m reminding you, though you already know this, how that God, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, later punished those who didn’t believe by death. And also the angels who chose not to stay with God, but left their own place to follow Satan, God has kept in everlasting chains in darkness until the great day of judgment. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the people of the cities around them are an example, having given themselves over to sexual sin, went after those of the same sex, and suffered the punishment of everlasting fire. In this way, too, these filthy people, who don’t know the truth and destroy their own bodies, hate the authority of the Word, and speak evil of those in authority in the church. Yet Michael, the archangel, who was battling with Satan when they argued about the body of Moses, didn’t dare bring an accusation even against the devil, but only said, “May God accuse you.” But these people speak evil about what they don’t understand confusing themselves in what they should naturally know, as physical beings. Sorrow will come to them! For they’ve followed the path of Cain, and have made the same selfish mistake of Balaam, looking for a profit, and will be destroyed as in the rebellion of Korah.
False Teachers will be Judged
[12-16] These are marks in your love celebrations, when they celebrate with you, eating without fear. They’re clouds with the promise of rain, but carried away by the winds; trees whose fruit dies, with no harvest, completely dead, and pulled up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming and speaking out about their own shame; wandering stars, who are kept in the blackest darkness forever. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, preached about these kind of people, saying, “God comes with countless thousands of the chosen ones, to carry out judgment on all of them, and to prove to all those who are ungodly all the ungodly things they’ve done, and of all the cruel things, which these ungodly sinners have spoken against our God.” These people are rebellious complainers, doing whatever they want to do. They speak very nice words to get other’s praises in order to get ahead.
Our Faith Mocked in the Last Days
[17-23] But remember, my loved ones, the words which were spoken by the followers of Yeshua, our Christ; How that they told you there would be people who would mock our faith in the last days, who would do whatever ungodly things they want to do. These are the ones who separate themselves from the truth, living by their physical drives, and not having the self-control of Spirit. But you, my loved ones, keep encouraging yourselves with your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Spirit. Stay in God’s love, looking forward to the mercy of Yeshua, our Christ, in order to receive everlasting life. And care for those who choose to change their actions. Save the rest with fear, pulling them out of the heat of sin; hating even the outward appearance of their sin.
[24-25] Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling into sin, and to present you with great joy, unflawed, in the presence of Christ’s victory, and to the only One with God’s wisdom, Yeshua, our Savior, be victory and greatness, authority and power, now and forever. So be it!
The Revelation of John
1 [1-8] This is the Revelation of Yeshua the Christ, which God gave to the Christ, to show to God’s people all the things which must soon happen. It was sent and signified by God’s messenger to God’s worker John, who has told us the Word of God, and the truth of Yeshua the Christ, and of everything that he saw. Whoever reads it will be blessed, along with those who hear the message of this word which was given ahead of time, and keep what is written in it, because it’s time for it to be known. I, John, write to the seven churches of Asia: May God’s grace and peace be with you, from the One Who Is, and Who Was, and Is To Come; and from the seven spirits which are in front of the throne of God; And from Yeshua the Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the First Born of the dead, and the Ruler of the rulers of the earth. To the One who loved us, and washed us from our sins in Christ’s own blood, and has made us to be rulers and priests to Yahweh God, who Christ is from; May Your victory be known and Your reign be forever and ever. So be it! When the Christ comes back in the clouds of the sky, everyone will see it, and those who killed the Christ and all the families of the earth will cry when they see the Christ. It will happen in this very way! “I am the First Word and the Last Word, the beginning and the ending,” said the Christ, “Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is To Come, the Almighty God.”
[9-20] I, John, who also am your friend and companion in troubles, in the realm of God and in the patient waiting for Yeshua the Christ, was in the island of Patmos, being punished for telling the truth about the Word of God, and for telling the truth about Yeshua the Christ. I was in the Spirit on a Sunday, when I heard behind me a loud voice, like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “I am the First Word and the Last Word, the beginning and the ending. Write what you see in a book, and send it to the seven Asian churches; to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” And when I turned to see the voice that spoke with me, I saw seven golden candle holders; And in the middle of the seven candle holders Someone like a human being, clothed with a robe down to the foot, and with a golden belt around the waist; Whose head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and whose eyes shined like a flaming fire; And whose feet shown like fine brass, as if they were on fire; and whose voice sounded like a great rushing water; And who had seven stars in one hand: and out of whose mouth came something like a sharp two-edged sword: and whose appearance was like the sunshine in its full strength. And when I saw the Christ, I fell down as if I were dead. And the Christ, whose hand touched me, told me, “Don’t be afraid; I am the first and the last: I am the One who lives, and was dead; and I am alive forever, so be it; and now I have power over Hell and death. Write everything you’ve seen, all the things which are now, and the things which will happen later; I tell you the secret of the seven stars which you saw in my hand and the seven golden candle holders. The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches: and the seven candle holders which you saw stand for the seven churches.
Letters to the Seven Churches
2 [1-7] To the angel of the church of Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in one hand and who walks among the seven golden candle holders says to you: I know what you’ve done, your work, and your patience, and how you can’t stand those who are evil: how you’ve tested those who say they’re followers, but really aren’t, and you know they are liars: And what you’ve patiently gone through, and because of My Name have worked, and haven’t quit. But even so, I still have somewhat against you, because you’ve left your first love. So remember where you’ve come from, and change your evil ways, and do what you did at first; or else I’ll come to you suddenly, and will take your candle holder from out of its place, unless you change your evil ways. But you have hated the actions of the followers of Nicolas, which I also hate. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches; I’ll give those who overcome fruit to eat from the tree of life, which is in the middle of God’s Garden of Paradise.
[8-11] And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, which was dead, and is alive says this to you; I know what you’ve done, and your troubles, and your poverty, (but you’re really rich in spirit) and I know the disrespect of those who say they’re followers, but really aren’t. In truth, they’re the followers of Satan. Don’t fear anything that you’ll suffer: the devil will put some of you in jail, so that you can be tested; and you’ll have a great time of troubles: but be faithful, even to death, and I’ll give you a crown of life. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches; Whoever overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.
[12-17] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: The One who has the sharp blade with two edges says this to you: I know what you’ve done, and where you live, even the very place where Satan reigns: and you still hold on to My Name, and haven’t denied My faith, even in the days that Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan reigns. But I still have a few things against you, because those who, like Balaam, who taught Balak to compromise the faith of the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed in false worship, and to act in sexual sin, so you also have those who practice what the followers of Nicolas do, which I hate. Change your evil ways; or else I’ll come to you suddenly, and will fight against them with the blade of my mouth, the Word of God. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To those who overcome, I’ll give some of the hidden bread from heaven to eat, and will give them a white stone, with a new name written in it, which no one knows except whoever gets it.
[18-29] And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: This says the Child of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like fine brass; I know what you’ve done, your love, work, faith, and patience, and all the little things you’ve done; and the last is more than the first. But even so, I still have a few things against you, because you let that woman like Jezebel, which calls herself a great preacher, to teach and to seduce my workers to sin sexually, and to eat things offered in false worship. And I gave her time to change the sinful way of unfaithfulness; but she didn’t change her ways. So I’ll put her, and those who sinned with her, into a bed of great troubles, unless they change their evil ways. And I’ll kill her children with death; and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the mind and the heart: and I’ll give to everyone of you whatever you deserve. But I say to you, and to all the rest in Thyatira, whoever hasn’t accepted this teaching, and which hasn’t known the depths of Satan, as they speak: I’ll put on you no other problem. But what you already have, hold on to till I come. And whoever overcomes, and keeps on doing My work till the end, I’ll give them power over the nations just as I got of the One I am from: And they’ll rule them with a strong hand; and they’ll be broken to shivers like the jars of a potter. And I’ll give them the morning star. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
3 [1-6] And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: The One who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says this: I know what you’ve done, and that even though you have a name that’s alive, you’re dead. Be watchful, and strengthen those you have left that are ready to die, because I haven’t found what you’ve done to be without fault before God. So remember how you’ve gotten and heard the Word, and hold on to it, and change your evil ways. And if you won’t watch, I’ll come on you like a thief, and you won’t know when I’ll come to you. You still have a few people left in Sardis which haven’t ruined the clothes they walk in. They’ll walk with Me in white clothes because they’re worthy. Whoever overcomes will be clothed in white clothing; and I won’t take their name out of the Book of Life, but I’ll call their name before the One I am from, and before the angels. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
[7-13] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: This said the One who is holy, the One who is true, the One who has the power of David, the One who opens what no one can shut; and shuts what no one can open; I know what you’ve done: I’ve given you an open door, which no one can shut, because you only have a little strength left, and have kept My Word, and haven’t denied My Name. I’ll make those who follow Satan, which say they’re My followers, but aren’t, and lie about it, to come and fall at your feet, and to know that I have loved you. You’ve kept the Word of My patience, so I’ll also keep you from the time of temptation, which will come to the whole world, to test all those who still live on the earth. I’ll come suddenly, so hold tight what you have, so that no one can take your crown. Whoever overcomes I’ll make a leader in the Place of Worship of My God, and they won’t go out any more. I’ll write on them the Name of My God, and the Name of the City of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God: and I’ll write on them My New Name. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
[14-22] And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: This said the Last Word, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know what you’ve done, and that you’re neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot, but because you’re only lukewarm, and not cold or hot, I’ll spew you out of My mouth. You say, ‘I am rich, and have lots of things, and don’t need anything.’ But you don’t know that you’re a useless and miserable person, poor, blind, and naked. I tell you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, so that you can really be rich; and wear white clothing, that you can be covered, so that the shame of your nakedness doesn’t show; and anoint your eyes with medicine, so that you can see. Whoever I love, I judge and discipline, so be very careful, and change your evil ways. I stand at the door, knocking, to see if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door. Then I’ll come in and eat with them, and they with Me. I’ll allow those who overcome to sit with Me in My throne room, just as I also overcame, and am now sitting with the One I am from, in the throne room of Yahweh God. Whoever will listen, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Heaven Opened
4 [1-5] Later, I looked and a door was opened up in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet talking with me; which said, “Come up here, and I’ll show you the things which must happen later.” And suddenly I was in the spirit: And there was a throne in heaven, and the One who sat on the throne shined like a dark green jasper stone and a blood red chalcedony stone: and there was an emerald green rainbow shining around the throne. And there were twenty-four seats around the throne, where twenty-four elders sat, all wearing long white robes and golden crowns. And lightning and voices like thunder came out of the throne: and there were seven lamps of fire burning in front of it, which are the Seven Spirits of God, the Holy Spirit.
[6-11] And in front of the throne there was a great bowl made of glass as clear as crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and around the throne, were four living things, which were full of lights, both in front and in back. And the first one was like a lion, the second one was like a calf, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And each the four living things had six wings around them, which were full of lights. They rest neither day nor night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Highest God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” And when they gave praise and honor and thanks to the One who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders bowed down to the One who sat on the throne, and worshiped the One who lives forever and ever, and put out their crowns toward the throne, saying, “You’re worthy, God, to get praise, honor, and power because You’ve created everything, and for Your pleasure they live and were created.”
Christ Can Open the Book
5 [1-10] And I saw in the hand of the One who sat on the throne, a book written on front and on back, marked with seven seals. And I saw a strong messenger calling out with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to unlock its seals?” But no one either in heaven, or in earth, or in Hell, was able to open the book, nor to even look on it. And I cried so much, because no one was worthy enough to open and read the book, nor to look on it. But one of the elders told me, “Don’t cry: the Lion of the family of Judah, the Root of David, has done well and can open the book, and loose its seven seals.” And I watched, and a Lamb stood in the middle of the throne room and of the four living things, and in the middle of the elders, as if it had been put to death, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth, who came and took the book out of the hand of the One who sat on the throne. And when Christ, the Lamb had taken the book, the four living things and twenty-four elders bowed down to Christ, the Lamb, every one of them having harps, and holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of all the believers. And they sung a new song, saying, “You’re worthy to take the book, and to open its seals, because you were put to death, and have paid our ransom for God by your blood, for every family, language, people, and nation; And You have made us rulers and priests to our God: and we’ll reign on the earth.”
[11-14] And as I watched, I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, along with the living things and the elders: and there were so many you couldn’t count them all; And they said with a loud voice, “Worthy is Christ, the Lamb that was put to death to get power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, praise, and blessing.” And every creature which is in heaven, on the earth, and in Hell, and those that are in the sea, and all that is in them, I heard saying, “Blessing, honor, praise, and power, be to the One who sits on the throne, and to Christ, the Lamb forever and ever.” And the four living things said, “So be it!” And the twenty-four elders bowed down and worshipped the One who lives forever and ever.
The Seven Seals
6 [1-8] And I saw when Christ, the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard a voice like the noise of thunder, one of the four living things saying, “Come.” And I looked and saw a white horse: and the rider had a bow; and wore a crown: and went out taking control, and to take control. And when Christ, the Lamb had opened the second seal, I heard the second living thing say, “Come.” And another horse went out that was red: and power was given to the rider, who was given a great sword, to take peace from the earth, and to make people kill each other. And when Christ, the Lamb had opened the third seal, I heard the third living thing say, “Come.” And I watched, and saw a black horse; and the rider had a pair of balances. And I heard a voice in the middle of the four living things say, “A loaf of wheat bread for a day’s pay, and three loaves of barley bread for a day’s pay; and see that the oil and the wine stay available.” And when Christ, the Lamb had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living thing say, “Come.” And I looked, and saw a pale horse: and the name of its rider was Death, and Hell followed behind. And power was given to them over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with war, hunger, death, and with the animals of the earth.
[9-17] And when Christ, the Lamb had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who were beheaded and put to death for the Word of God, and for their belief: And they called out, saying, “How long, Christ, holy and true, until You judge and punish those who live on the earth for our blood?” And they were all given white robes and were told to rest a little while longer, until all the other Christians would be killed as they were. And I watched when Christ, the Lamb had opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as cloth made of goat’s hair, and the moon became as red as blood; And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, just as a fig tree drops its out of season figs, when its shaken by a strong wind. And the sky moved together as a scroll when it’s rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of place. And the rulers of the earth, and the great people, the rich people, the leaders, and all the other powerful people, both workers, and free people, hid themselves in the caves and rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the One who sits on the throne, and from the judgment of Christ, the Lamb, because the great judgment day is here; and who is able to stand?”
144,000 Jews Marked for God
7 [1-8] And then I saw four angels standing at the four quarters of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the land, or on the sea, or on any tree. And I saw another messenger going up from the east, having the seal of the living God: who called out to the four angels, who were given power to hurt the land and the sea, saying, “Don’t hurt the land, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we’ve marked the workers of our God in their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were marked: and a hundred and forty-four thousand were marked of all the families of the Jews. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Judah. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Reuben. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Gad. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Asher. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Naphtali. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Manasseh. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Simeon. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Levi. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Issachar. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Zebulun. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Joseph. Twelve thousand were marked of the family of Benjamin.
[9-17] Then I saw a great crowd, which no one could count, out of every nation, family, people, and language, who stood in front of the throne, and before Christ, the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, who called out with a loud voice, saying, “We are saved by our God who sits on the throne, and by Christ, the Lamb.” And all the angels stood around the throne, and around the elders and the four living things, and fell on their faces before the throne, and worshipped God, saying, “So be it: May God have blessing, praise, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength forever and ever. So be it!” And one of the elders asked me, “Who are these clothed in white robes? And where did they come from?” And I answered, “I don’t know, but you do.” And the elder told me, “These are those who came out of the great time of troubles, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of Christ, the Lamb. So they stand before the throne of God, and serve day and night in God’s Place of Worship: and the One who sits on the throne will stay with them. They’ll never be hungry anymore, nor be thirsty anymore; nor will the sun shine on them, nor burn them anymore, because Christ, the Lamb which is in at the throne will take care of them, and will lead them to the source of life giving waters: and God will brush away all the tears from their eyes.”
The Seven Trumpets
8 [1-6] And when Christ, the Lamb had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for a short time. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and seven trumpets were given to them. And another messenger came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, who was given a lot of incense, to offer with the prayers of all the Christians on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came up with the prayers of all the Christians, went up to God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with coals from the altar, and threw it into the earth: and there were voices, thundering, lightning, and an earthquake. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets go ready to sound.
[7-13] The first messenger sounded, and hail and fire mingled with blood followed, and were thrown on the earth: and a third of trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up. And the second messenger sounded, and something like a great erupting volcano was thrown into the sea: and a third of the sea filled with blood; And a third of all the creatures in the sea that had life, died; and a third of all the ships was destroyed. And the third messenger sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning like a lamp, and it fell on a third of the rivers, and on all the sources of water; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and a third of the waters became bitter; and many people died from drinking it, because it became poison. And the fourth messenger sounded, and a third of the sun was put out, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars; so a third of them was darkened, and the daylight didn’t shine for a third of the day, and no light shined for a third of the night. And I watched, and heard an angel flying through the middle of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Sorrow, sorrow, sorrow is coming to the inhabitants of the earth because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, which are still yet to sound!”
9 [1-12] And the fifth messenger sounded, and I saw an angel that shined like a star fall from heaven to the earth: which was given the power to open up the bottomless pit. And the bottomless pit was opened; and smoke came up out of the pit, as the smoke of a great burning fire; and the sun and the air were darkened by all the smoke that came up out of the pit. And something like locusts came out of the smoke on the earth: and they were given the power to sting like a scorpion. And it was told them “Don’t hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree; but only those people who don’t have the mark of God on their foreheads.” And they were told, “Don’t kill them, but make them suffer five months.” And those people suffered with the great pain of a scorpion sting, when it strikes someone. And in those days people will look for death, but won’t find it; and will want to die, but death will escape them. And the demonic locusts were armored like horses prepared for battle; and they had something like golden crowns on their heads, and their faces were like the faces of people. They had long hair like a woman’s hair, and their teeth were as fierce as lion’s teeth. And they had strong protective breastplates, like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt human beings for five months. And their ruler is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew language is Abaddon, but in the Greek language has the name of Apollyon, which means “destroyer.” When this sorrow is over, there are still two more to come.
[13-21] And the sixth messenger sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, “Let loose the four angels which are waiting at the great river Euphrates.” And the four angels were set free, which had been waiting for this hour, this day, this month, and this year to kill a third of all human beings. And I heard the number of the army of riders, which was two hundred million. And I saw the horses in the vision, and their riders, which had breastplates of bright red, dark blue, and pale yellow: and the heads of the horses were as fierce as the heads of lions; and fire, smoke, and sulfur shot out of their mouths. A third of the human beings were killed by these three troubles, by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which shot out of their mouths. Their power to hurt is in both their heads, and in their tail ends because their tails were like snakes with heads, which they hurt people with. And the rest of the people who weren’t killed by these troubles still didn’t change their minds or their evil actions, and kept on worshiping evil spirits, and false gods of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, idols which can’t see, hear, or walk. Nor did they ask forgiveness for their murdering and thieving ways, their witchcraft, or their sexual sins.
Seven Thunders Sealed
10 [1-7] And I saw another powerful messenger come down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud: and crowned with a rainbow, whose face shined like the sun, and whose feet glowed like two pillars of fire: Who held a little book open: and set one foot on the sea, and the other foot on the earth, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roars. When the messenger called out, seven thunders spoke with voices. And when the seven thunders had spoken with the voices, I was about to write, when I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Don’t write what the seven thunders spoke, but keep it to yourself.” And the angel which I saw stand on the sea and on the earth lifted up a hand toward heaven, swearing by the One who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, and everything in it, and the earth, and everything in it, and the sea, and everything in it, that time would be no longer: But in the days when the voice of the seventh angel begins to sound, the secret of God would be finished, just as God has told the great preachers.
[8-11] And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel, which stands on the sea and on the earth.” So I went to the angel, saying, “Give me the little book.” And the angel told me, “Take it, and eat it; It’ll make you sick to your stomach, but it’ll taste as sweet as honey.” So I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it; and it tasted as sweet as honey, but as soon as I had eaten it, it made me sick to my stomach. Then the angel told me, “You must go and preach again to many peoples, nations, languages, and rulers.”
Two Witnesses
11 [1-10] And I was given a measuring stick: and the angel stood, saying, “Go, and measure the Place of Worship of God, and the altar, and count those who worship in it. But leave out the court which is outside the Place of Worship. Don’t measure it because it’s for the other peoples who will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I’ll give power to My two witnesses, and they’ll preach 1,260 days, clothed in mourning clothes. These are the two olive trees, and the two candle holders standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone tries to hurt them, fire will come out of their mouths, and burn up their enemies: Those who try to hurt them must be killed in this way. These two have power to shut heaven, so that it doesn’t rain as long as they preach. They also have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to bring diseases on the earth as often as they want to. And when they’ve finished preaching, the creature that comes up out of the bottomless pit will fight against them, and will overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city of Jerusalem, where our Christ was put to death, which is called in the spiritual realm Sodom and Egypt. And every people, family, language, and nation will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and won’t allow their dead bodies to be buried. And those who live on the earth will celebrate over them, and party, sending gifts to one another; because these two great preachers had hurt those who lived on the earth.”
[11-19] And after three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God went back in them, and they stood up; and great fear fell on all those who saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them. And at that same time there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city was destroyed, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. Then all the rest were afraid, and praised the God of heaven. The second sorrow is over, and the third sorrow will come suddenly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, “The realms of this world have become the realms of Yahweh God, and of God’s Christ; who will reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, which sat before God on their seats, dropped to the ground, and worshipped God, saying, “We give you thanks, Highest God Almighty, who is, and was, and is to come; because You’ve taken Your great power, and have ruled. And the nations were angry that Your rage is here, and that the time is here for the dead to be judged, and that You would give rewards to Your workers the great preachers, and to the Christians, and to all those who fear Your Name, small and great; and for You to kill those who destroy the earth.” And the Place of Worship of God was opened in heaven, and the Ark of the Promise was seen in the Place of Worship. Then there were lightning, thundering, and voices, and an earthquake, and great hailstorm.
The Devil Thrown Out of Heaven to the Earth
12 [1-9] And a great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and wearing a crown of twelve stars: And she, being about to have a baby, cried out in pain as she was in labor, and about to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven; and it was a huge red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on the seven heads. And the dragon’s tail drew a third of the angels of heaven, and threw them to the earth: and the dragon stood waiting for the woman who was ready to give birth, to eat up her Child as soon as it was born. And she had the Child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her Child was caught up to the throne of God. And the woman ran away into hiding, where God had prepared a place to take care of her for 1,260 days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and the angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought along with a third of the angels, but they didn’t win; nor could they have their place in heaven any more. And the great dragon was thrown out, who was that old snake, called the Devil, and Satan, who misleads the whole world. So the devil was thrown into the earth, along with a third of the angels, who were also thrown out.
[10-17] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now the way to be saved, and strength, and the realm of our God is here, and the power of God’s Christ because the accuser of all the Christians is put down, who accused them day and night to our God. But they overcame the devil by the blood of the Christ, the Lamb of God, and by telling the story of how Christ saved them; and they didn’t love their lives so much that they even risked death. So all who live in heaven, celebrate! But sorrow will come to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! The devil has come down to you, having great rage, knowing that there’s only a little while left.” And the devil was thrown to the earth and tried to hurt the woman which had the child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly into the countryside to her place, where she was taken care of for three and a half years, out of reach of the devil. And the snake spewed out a flood of abuse after the woman to cause her to be overcome by it. But the earth helped the woman, and opened up, and swallowed the flood which the dragon spewed out. And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to fight against the rest of her children, which keep the Words of God, and claim Yeshua as their Christ.
The Creature and it’s Clone
13 [1-10] Then I stood on the sea shore, and saw a creature come up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on the horns ten crowns, and on the heads a disrespectful name. The creature that I saw was like a leopard, with feet like a bear, and a mouth like a lion. Satan gave it its power, and its government seat, and great control. And I saw one of the heads wounded to death; but the deadly wound was healed. So the whole world was amazed at the creature and worshipped the dragon which gave power to it: and they worshipped the creature, saying, “Who is like the creature? Who is able to fight against it?” And the creature was allowed to speak great and disrespectful things against God; and it was given the political power to rule for forty-two months. It spoke disrespectfully against God, to dishonor and disrespect God’s Name, and Place of Worship, and those who live in heaven. And it was allowed to fight against the Christians, and to overcome them. It was given power to govern all the families, languages, and nations. And all who live on the earth will worship it, whose names aren’t written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that is, of the Christ, who was to be put to death from the beginning of the world. Whoever will listen, let them hear. Whoever takes another’s freedom will have their own freedom taken away and whoever causes another to be killed, must be killed themselves. The patience and the faith of the Christians wait for God’s justice.
[11-18] And I watched another creature coming up out of the earth; which had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. And this religious leader uses all the political power of the first creature that came before it, and causes the earth and those who live in it to worship the first creature, who had come back to life. And this creature does amazing things, making fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of all humanity, and misleads all those who live on the earth by the things which it had power to do as long as it rules with the first creature. It told all those who live on the earth, to make a clone of the creature, which had been beheaded, and yet lived. And it had power to give life to the clone of the first creature, so that the clone of the first creature could both speak, and cause whoever wouldn’t worship it to be killed. And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and not free, to get a mark to identify them in their right hand, or in their foreheads. And no one could buy or sell anything unless they had a mark, something like a computer chip with the name of the creature or the number of its name. This is wisdom. Let those who understand count the number of the creature’s name because it’s the number of a human being; and the number is 666.
The 144,000
14 [1-5] And I looked, and Christ, the Lamb stood on the mountain of Jerusalem with 144,000 having Yahweh God’s Name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of rushing waters, and as the sound of the roll of thunder. Then I heard the sound of harpers playing their harps and they sang a new song before the throne, and before the four living things, and the elders. No one could learn that song but the 144, 000 who were saved from the earth. These are those who have kept themselves innocent from the false worship of the world. These are those who follow Christ, the Lamb. These were saved from among human beings, being the first gifts to God and to Christ, the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no untruthfulness and they’re without fault before the throne of God.
[6-13] And I saw another messenger fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting New Word to preach to those who live on the earth, to every nation, family, language, and people, saying with a loud voice, “Honor and respect Yahweh God, and give praise to Yahweh God because the time of judgment is here. Worship the One who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all the sources of waters.” And a second messenger followed the first, saying, “Rome is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because it made all nations drink of the cup of the judgment of its false worship.” And the third messenger followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the creature and its clone, and takes their mark in their forehead, or in their hand, this person will drink of the cup of the judgment of God, which is poured without being watered down into the cup of God’s anger; and they’ll suffer, burning with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of Christ, the Lamb. And the smoke of their suffering will go up forever and ever: and they’ll have no rest day nor night, who worship the creature and it’s clone, and who take the mark of their name. So here is the patience of the Christians, who keep the Words of God, and the faith of Yeshua. And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in Christ Yeshua from now on: Yes,” said the Spirit, “so they can rest from their work; and what they’ve done will go with them.”
[14-20] And I looked, and saw One sitting on a white cloud, who was like the Child of humanity, wearing a golden crown, and holding a sharp sickle. And another messenger came out of the Place of Worship, loudly calling out to the One who sat on the cloud, “Swing in your sickle, and harvest! It’s time now for you to pick because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” And the One who sat on the cloud swung the sickle in the earth; and harvested the earth. And another messenger came out of the Place of Worship which is in heaven, which also had a sharp sickle. And another messenger came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and loudly called out to the one who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Swing in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth because her grapes are fully ripe.” And the angel swung that sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and put it into the great winepress of the judgment of God. And those in the winepress were trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even up to the horses’ bridles, for about two hundred miles.
The Seven Last Horrors
15 [1-4] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels having the seven last horrors because God’s judgment is to completed by these. And I saw something like a huge sheet of glass shining like fire: and those who had gotten the victory over the creature, and over its clone, and over their mark, and over the number of their name, will stand on the glass, having the harps of God. And they’ll sing the song of Moses, the worker of God, and the song of Christ, the Lamb, saying, “You’ve done great and amazing things, Highest God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, and You’re the Ruler of the Christians. Who won’t fear You, God, and praise Your Name now? You’re the only Holy One and all nations will come and worship You because Your judgments are made known.
[5-8] And after that I looked, and the holiest part of the Place of Worship, which holds the Ark of the Promise was opened in heaven: And the seven angels came out of the Place of Worship, having the seven horrors, clothed in pure white linen, and wearing golden belts around their waists. And one of the four living things gave to the seven angels seven golden vials full of the judgment of God, who lives forever and ever. And the Place of Worship was filled with smoke from the light of God, and from God’s power; and no one was able to come into the Place of Worship, till the seven horrors of the seven angels were over.
The Seven Dishes of Punishment
16 [1-7] And I heard a loud voice coming out of the Place of Worship saying to the seven angels, “Go now, and pour out the seven dishes, which hold the judgment of God, on the earth.” And the first went, and poured out the first dish on the earth; and horrible and painful sores came on those which had the mark of the creature, and on those who worshipped its clone. And the second messenger poured out the second dish on the sea, which became as the blood of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. And the third messenger poured out the third dish on the rivers and all the sources of waters, which also became as blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, “You’re right, Christ, which is, and was, and is to come, because You’ve judged them for shedding the blood of the Christians and the great preachers, and You’ve given them blood to drink, which they rightfully deserve.” And I heard another out of the altar say, “Yes, Highest God Almighty, Your judgments are true and right.”
[8-14] And the fourth messenger poured out the fourth dish on the sun; and power was given to that angel to scorch humanity with fire. And all people were scorched with great heat, and disrespected the Name of God, which has power over these horrors: but they didn’t change their ways to give God praise. And the fifth messenger poured out the fifth dish on the seat of power of the creature; and that place was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and disrespected the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and didn’t change their minds nor their actions. And the sixth messenger poured out the sixth dish on the great river Euphrates; and all the water dried up, so that the way of the rulers of the east might be cleared. And I saw three frog-like demons come out of the mouths of the dragon, the creature, and its clone. They’re the spirits of demons, which do amazing things, and go out to the rulers of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
[15-20] “Watch, I come as a thief. Whoever watches will be blessed, if they keep their clothes on, so that they don’t walk naked, and expose their shame.” And the demons gathered together those from the east into a place called “Armageddon” in the Hebrew language. And the seventh angel poured out the seventh dish into the air; and there came a great voice out of the Place of Worship of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It’s done.” And there were voices, thunders, lightning; and then there was a great earthquake. And it was so powerful an earthquake, and so great, such as never before, since humans lived on the earth. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Then great Rome was given the cup of the wine of the fierceness of God’s rage. And every island disappeared, and the mountains were leveled. And a great hail fell out of heaven on humanity, every hailstone weighing about seventy-five to a hundred pounds each: and the people disrespected God because of the horror of the hail and because its damage was so great.
Rome, The Whore
17 [1-7] And one of the seven angels came, which had the seven dishes, and talked with me, saying, “Come here; I’ll show you the judgment of the great whore that sits on the great waters, with whom the rulers of the earth have falsely worshiped, and the people of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of its false worship.” So I was carried away in the spirit into the countryside, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet red creature, full of names that were disrespectful of God, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was dressed up in the colors of purple and scarlet, and wore jewels of gold, precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of the evils and filthiness of her false worship. On her forehead was a name written, Secret, Rome the Great, The Mother of Whores and Disgraces of the Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Christians, and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua: and when I saw her, I was greatly amazed.
[7-14] And the angel asked me, “Why are you so amazed? I’ll tell you the secret of the woman, and of the creature that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns. The creature that you saw was, but isn’t now; and will come up out of the bottomless pit, and go on to be finally destroyed: and those who live on the earth will wonder, whose names weren’t written in the Book of Life from the beginning of the world, when they see the creature that was, but isn’t now, and yet still is. And the mind that has wisdom will know this: The seven heads are the seven mountains of Rome, on which the woman sits. And there are seven rulers: five have fallen, and one rules now, and the other hasn’t come yet; and when that ruler comes, that reign will be short. And the creature that was, but isn’t now, is the eighth, and is the clone of one of the seven, and will go on to be finally destroyed. And the ten horns which you saw are ten more rulers, which haven’t gotten their place of rule yet; but they will get power as rulers for one hour with the creature. These will all have one mind, and will give their power and strength to the creature. These will fight against Christ, the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them, who is the Savior of saviors, and the Ruler of rulers: and those who are with the Christ are called, and chosen, and faithful.
[15-18] Then the angel told me, “The great waters which you saw, where the whore sits, are crowds of peoples, nations, and languages. And the ten horns which you saw on the creature, these will come to hate the whore, and will strip her naked of everything, and will destroy everything she has, and burn her with fire, because God has put it in their hearts to do what God wants them to do, and to agree to give the rule of their countries to the creature, until the Words of God happen. And the woman which you saw is Rome, that great city, which reigns over the rulers of the earth.”
Rome Falls
18 [1-10] And then I saw another angelic messenger come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth shown with its brightness. And it cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Rome, the great, has fallen, has fallen, and has become the place of demons, and every evil spirit, and a prison for all those evil and hateful birds, because all nations have drunk the wine of the judgment of its false worship, and the rulers of the earth have taken part in this sin with it, and the merchants of the earth have became wealthy through all of its riches.” And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, so that you don’t share in her sins, and that you don’t get punished with her horrors, because her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her unmerciful actions. Give back to her just as she gave to you, and give her double for what she’s done. Pour her double into the cup which she’s filled. Give her as much suffering and sorrow as she’s given praise to herself, and lived richly, because she said in her heart, ‘I am a queen, and not a widow, and I’ll see no sorrow.’” So will the horrors of death, crying, and hunger come in one day; and she’ll be completely burned with fire because Yahweh God is a powerful judge. And the rulers of the earth, who shared in its sin and lived richly with it, will mourn, and cry, when they see the smoke of its burning. And standing far off for the fear of its judgment, they’ll say, “How sad! How sad! That great city of Rome, that powerful city! In one hour you have been judged.”
[11-20] And the merchants of the earth will cry and cry over the city of Rome because no one can buy its sales goods any more: The sales goods of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linens of purple, silks of scarlet, all kinds of citrus trees, all kinds of things made from ivory, precious woods, brass, iron, marble, all kinds of cinnamon and spices, scented oils, perfumes, incense, wine, oil, fine wheat flour, wild animals, farm animals, horses, vehicles, workers, and even the souls of human beings. And everyone will say, “All the things that it wanted are gone now, and everything that was rich and beautiful are gone now, and will never come in it again.” The merchants of this city, which were made rich by her, will stand far off for fear of its judgment, and they will cry and cry, saying, “How sad! How sad! That great city of Rome, that was clothed in fine linens of purple and scarlet, and wore jewels of gold, precious stones, and pearls! In one hour such great riches has come to nothing.” And every ship owner, and all the ships’ companies, and sailors, and whoever traded by sea, stood far off, and called out when they saw the smoke of its burning, saying, “What city is like this great city of Rome!” And they put dust on their heads, and called out, crying and crying, saying, “How sad! How sad! That great city, in which everyone who had ships in the sea was made rich because of its riches! In one hour it’s been left empty.”
[20-24] Celebrate over it, all who are in heaven, and all you holy followers and great preachers, because God has taken revenge on it for you. And a powerful messenger took up a stone like a great millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying, “With this same violence that great city of Rome will be thrown down, and will never be found again. And the sound of harpers, and musicians, and flutists, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; and no craftsman of any kind will ever be found in you again; and the sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again; And the light of a candle will never shine in you again; and the voices of a bridal party will never be heard in you again, because your merchants were the great people of the earth from all the nations who were tricked by your evil sorceries.” And that city was punished for the blood of all the great preachers, and of all the Christians, and of all that were put to death on the earth.
The Great Supper in Heaven
19 [1-8] And then I heard a loud noise of many voices in heaven, saying, “Praise Yahweh! May victory, honor, and power be Yahweh God’s who saved us! True and right are God’s judgments, which have judged the great whore who ruined the earth with her false worship, and which have taken revenge for the blood of God’s people at her hand.” And again they said, “Praise Yahweh!” And the smoke of that city went up forever and ever. And the twenty-four elders and the four living things bowed down and worshipped God who sat on the throne, saying, “So be it; Praise Yahweh!” And a voice came out of the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you who are God’s people, you that fear God, both small and great.” And I heard the voice of a great crowd, as the voice of rushing waters, and as the voice of powerful thundering, saying, “Praise Yahweh! Highest Almighty God reigns. Let’s be happy and celebrate, and give honor to God because the marriage of Christ, the Lamb is here, whose spouse has made herself ready. And she was allowed to be clothed in pure white fine linen, because the fine linen is the acts of goodness of the Christians.”
[9-16] And I was told, “Write, Blessed are those who are called to the wedding supper of Christ, the Lamb.” And I was told, “These are the true Words of God.” And I fell down to worship the angel who spoke, but I was told, “See that you don’t do it: I am your coworker, and of those that tell how Yeshua changed their lives: Worship God because telling how Yeshua changed my life is the spirit of the Word, which was given ahead of time.” And I saw heaven opened, and saw a white horse; and the One who sat on it was called “Faithful and True,” and the Christ is right to judge and fight against evil. The Christ, who had eyes like flames of fire, wore many crowns; and had a name written, that no one knew, but only the Christ. And the Christ was clothed with a coat dipped in blood: and the Christ’s name is called “The Word of God.” And all the forces of heaven followed along on white horses, clothed in pure white fine linen. And out of the Christ’s mouth went a sharp blade, which is the Word of God, so that the nations would be struck with it. The Christ will rule them with a rod of iron and trample the winepress of the fierceness and rage of Almighty God. And the name, Ruler of rulers, and Savior of saviors, is written on the Christ’s coat and thigh.
[17-21] And I saw an angel standing in the sun; who called out, saying to all the birds that fly in the heavens, “Come and gather together to the supper of the great God; so that you can eat the bodies of rulers and captains, and the bodies of powerful people, and their soldiers and horses, and the bodies of everyone else, both free and not free, both small and great.” And I saw the creature, and the rulers of the earth, and their forces, gathered together to fight against the One who sat on the horse, and against all the Christ’s forces. And the creature was taken, along with the clone that did the amazing things for the creature, with which they lied to all those who had gotten the mark of the creature, and worshipped the clone of the creature. These were both thrown alive into a lake of fire and burning sulfur. And all the rest were put to death with the blade of the One who sat on the horse, which went out of the Christ’s mouth: and all the birds were filled with their bodies.
The Reign of Christ
20 [1-6] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the power to open the bottomless pit and a great chain in the angel’s hand. And the angel took the dragon, that old snake, which is the devil, who is called Satan, which was chained a thousand years, and thrown into the bottomless pit, and shut it up. And the angel marked the devil so that he couldn’t mislead the nations any more, till the thousand years were over. After that, the devil must be freed for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them, and judgment was given to them. Then I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for telling about Yeshua, and for the Word of God, and which hadn’t worshipped the creature, nor its clone, nor had gotten their mark in their foreheads, or in their hands. These lived and ruled with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead didn’t come to life again until the thousand years were over. This is the first coming to life again. Blessed and holy are those who take part in the first coming to life again: the second death will have no power over them, but they’ll be priests of Yahweh God and of Yeshua the Christ, and will reign with the Christ a thousand years.
The Judgment
[7-10] And when the thousand years are over, Satan will be freed out of the pit, and will once again go out to mislead the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, both the creature and the people, to gather them together for the battle: the number of which is as uncountable as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the forces of the Christians, and the greatly loved city of Jerusalem, but fire came down from God out of heaven, and burned them to death. And the devil that lied to them was put into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, where the creature and the clone of it are, and will suffer day and night forever and ever.
[11-15] And I saw a great white throne, and the One who sat on it, in whose presence the earth and the sky broke up and disappeared. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of what was written in the books, for all the things they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it; and death and Hell gave up the dead who were in them: and they were all judged for what they had done. And death and Hell were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And all those whose names weren’t found written in the Book of Life were thrown into the lake of fire.
A New Heaven and Earth
21 [1-8] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth because the first heaven and the first earth were destroyed; and there was no sea anymore. And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, like a bride who has made herself beautiful for her husband. And I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “God’s Place of Worship is now with humanity, and God will be with them. They’ll be God’s people, and God will be with them, and be their God. And God will wipe every tear away from their eyes; and there won’t be any more death, sorrow, crying, or pain because all these things from before are ended. And the One who sat on the throne said, “I have made everything new.” And I was told, “Write all this down, because these words are true and faithful. It’s done, now. I am the First Word and the Last Word, the beginning and the end. I’ll freely give to those who are thirsty from the source of the water of life. Whoever overcomes will inherit everything; and I’ll be their God, and they’ll be my child. But those who are afraid, unbelieving, sickening, murderers, those who practice sexual sin, those who do witchcraft, those who worship falsely, and the liars, will have their part in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death.”
The New Jerusalem
[9-14] Then one of the seven angels, which had the seven dishes full of the seven last horrors, came to me, and talked with me, saying, “Come here, and I’ll show you the bride of Christ, the Lamb.” And I was carried away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shown that great holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the light of God: and its light was like a very precious stone, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And the city had a huge high wall, and had twelve gates, with angels at each gate, and names written on it, which are the names of the twelve families of the children of Israel. One name was on each of the three east gates; on the three north gates; on the three south gates; and on the three west gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve followers of Christ, the Lamb.
[15-27] And the angel who talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. And the city was built in a cube with the length the same as the width: and the angel measured the city with the reed, and it was one thousand four hundred miles. Its length, width, and height are all equal. And the wall measured about two hundred feet thick, according to the measure of a human being, that is, of an angel. And the building of its wall was made of jasper: and the city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. And the foundations of the city’s walls were decorated with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was clear jasper; the second, blue sapphire; the third, a bloodstone; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, red carnelian; the sixth, ruby; the seventh, indigo chrysolite; the eighth, aquamarine; the ninth, gold topaz; the tenth, yellow green chrysoprasus; the eleventh, orange jacinth; the twelfth, purple amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was made of one large pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. And I saw no Place of Worship in it because Yahweh God Almighty and Christ, the Lamb are the Place of Worship. And the city won’t need the sun or the moon to shine in it because the light of God and Christ, the Lamb will shine in it. And the nations of those who are saved will walk in its light: and the rulers of the earth will bring their riches to honor it. And its gates won’t be shut at all by day and there’ll be no night there. And they’ll bring the riches and honor of the nations into it. And nothing will ever come into it that’s filthy, or sickening, or tells a lie: but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Christ is Coming
22 [1-5] And I was shown a pure river of the water of life, which was as clear as crystal, flowing from out of the throne of God and of Christ, the Lamb. The tree of life was in the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river, which made twelve different kinds of fruits, and yielded its fruit each month: and the leaves of the tree were used for the healing of the people. The curse will be over, so the throne of God and of Christ, the Lamb will be in it; and God’s people will serve them. They’ll see God’s face; and God’s Name will be in their foreheads. And there won’t be any night there; and no one will ever need a candle, or sunlight, because Yahweh God gives them light, who will reign forever and ever.
[6-15] And the angel told me, “These things are faithful and true: and Yahweh God of the great holy preachers sent this messenger to show to God’s people the things which will happen very soon. ‘I’m coming soon: blessed is whoever keeps the sayings of the Word, which was given ahead of time in this book.’” And I, John saw and heard all of this. And after I had heard and seen all this, I bowed down to worship at the feet of the angel, who told me, “Make sure that you don’t do that because I am one of your coworkers, and of the great preachers, and of those who keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.” And the angel told me, “Don’t hide the sayings of the Word, which was given ahead of time in this book because the time for it to be known is here now. Whoever is evil, let them still be evil: and whoever is filthy, let them still be filthy: and whoever is good, let them still be good: and whoever is holy, let them still be holy. ‘I’m coming soon; and I have rewards to give to everyone for the work they’ve done. I am the First Word and the Last Word, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are those who do My Words, so that they can have the right to the tree of life, and can come in through the gates into the city. Outside the city are whores, those who do witchcraft, those who practice sexual sin, murderers, those who worship falsely, and those who love to tell lies.
[16-21] I, Yeshua, have sent My messenger to tell you all this in the churches. I am both the Root and the Descendant of David, and the Bright and Morning Star. Let the Spirit and the church say, “Come.” And let those who hear say, “Come.” And let those who are thirsty come. And whoever wants it, let them freely take from the water of life. I tell everyone that hears the message of the New Word, which was given ahead of time in this book, if anyone adds to the meaning of the things in this book, God will add to them the curses that are written in this book: And if anyone takes away from the meaning of the book of this New Word, which was given ahead of time, God will take away their part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from all the blessings which are written in this book. The Christ who testifies of this said, ‘The truth is, I’m coming soon.’” So be it! Yes, come soon, Christ Yeshua. May the grace of our Christ Yeshua, be with you all. So be it!
So don’t have anything to do with the useless actions of darkness,
but instead expose them for what they are.
This is why God said,
Awake,
you who
are sleeping
Come to life from the dead
And
Christ
will give
you light.
Ephesians 5:14
©2005 Kimberly Hartfield
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[1] Note: The book of Enoch notes that Adam and Eve had two daughters at this time as well.
[2] Note: There is more on this subject in the Book of Enoch, not included in our Bible.
[3] Note: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not just based on the sexual sin of homosexuality but also of adultery and child sexual abuse according to the Book of Jasher (not in our Bible).
[4] Israel became a nation again in 1948
[5] Historically, these were descendants of the grandsons of Noah, Sons of Japheth, Genesis 10, the Scythians)
[6] Antigonus, Cassander, Ptolemy, Lysimachus)
[7] Maccabean Revolt 160-63 BC
[8] (Rome, historically possibly Octavian Augustus “The Holy” , Chief Preacher and Emperor of Rome, 29 BC?)
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