3,205 verses contain “con” (in the KJV: 2,174, in the BSB: 1,788) — showing 1,101–1,200
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And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with
Urim and with
Thummim.
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to
consult the
Urim and
Thummim.
The whole
congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and
threescore,
The whole assembly numbered 42,360,
And afterward offered the
continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were
consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a
freewill offering unto the LORD.
After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings and those for New Moons and for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as all the
freewill offerings brought to the LORD.
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the
remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem,
Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to
supervise the
construction of the house of the LORD.
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and
sedition have been made therein.
I issued a decree, and a search was
conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times,
engaging in rebellion and
sedition.
Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of
Darius king of Persia.
Thus the
construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a
standstill until the second year of the reign of
Darius king of Persia.
Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
They also asked, “What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?”
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to
Darius: and then they returned answer by letter
concerning this matter.
But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, so that they were not stopped until a report was sent to
Darius and written instructions about this matter were returned.
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed.”
Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s
treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us
concerning this matter.
Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal
archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree
concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof
threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof
threescore cubits;
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to
enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to
evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.
And
whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to
banishment, or to
confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
If
anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death,
banishment,
confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
And
weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
and I
weighed out to them the
contribution of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites there had offered for the house of our God.
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great
trespass unto this day; and for our
iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a
spoil, and to
confusion of face, as it is this day.
From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our
iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to
pillage and
humiliation, as we are this day.
Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be
angry with us till thou hadst
consumed us, so that there should be no
remnant nor escaping?
shall we again break Your commandments and
intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You not become so
angry with us as to
wipe us out, leaving no
remnant or
survivor?
Now when
Ezra had prayed, and when he had
confessed,
weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great
congregation of men and women and children: for the people
wept very
sore.
While
Ezra prayed and made this
confession,
weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people
wept bitterly as well.
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of
Elam, answered and said unto
Ezra, We have
trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel
concerning this thing.
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an
Elamite, said to
Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel.
And that
whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be
forfeited, and himself separated from the
congregation of those that had been carried away.
Whoever failed to appear within three days would
forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.
Now therefore make
confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate
yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Now, therefore, make a
confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate
yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.”
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
And the whole assembly
responded in a loud voice: “Truly we must do as you say!
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
Let our leaders represent the whole assembly. Then let
everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at an appointed time, together with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in this matter is turned away from us.”
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the
remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
Let thine ear now be
attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and
confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have
sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have
sinned.
let Your eyes be open and Your ears
attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I
confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have
sinned.
And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be
sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’
sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are
consumed with fire?
and replied to the king, “May the king live
forever! Why should I not be
sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the
dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were
consumed with fire.
So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I
inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
And
conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
So we
continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of
dawn until the stars came out.
Then I
consulted with myself, and I
rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact
usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
and after serious thought I
rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting
usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?
Also I
shook my
lap, and said, So God
shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he
shaken out, and
emptied. And all the
congregation said,
Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
I also
shook out the folds of my
robe and said, “May God likewise
shake out of His house and possession every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be
shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “
Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
Yea, also I
continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
And thou hast also appointed prophets to
preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to
proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us
confer together.”
Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to
slay thee;
yea, in the night will they come to
slay thee.
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you— by night they are coming to kill you!”
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with
Urim and
Thummim.
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to
consult the
Urim and
Thummim.
The whole
congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and
threescore,
The whole assembly numbered 42,360,
And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the
treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.
Some of the heads of the families
contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50
bowls, and 530 priestly garments.
And
Ezra the priest brought the law before the
congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
On the first day of the seventh month,
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could
listen and understand.
And all the
congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of
Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great
gladness.
The whole assembly who had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of
Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great
rejoicing.
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and
confessed their sins, and the
iniquities of their fathers.
Those of
Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and
confessed their sins and the
iniquities of their fathers.
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they
confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.
Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess.
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a
shekel for the service of the house of our God;
We also place ourselves under the obligation to
contribute a third of a
shekel yearly for the service of the house of our God:
For the
shewbread, and for the
continual meat offering, and for the
continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an
atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
for the
showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make
atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God.
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the
porters, and the singers: and we will not
forsake the house of our God.
For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”
For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
For there was a command from the king
concerning the singers, an
ordinance regulating their daily
activities.
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a
descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in every matter
concerning the people.
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the
tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah
rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies,
contributions, firstfruits, and
tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah
rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving.
And all Israel in the days of
Zerubbabel, and in the days of
Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the
porters, every day his portion: and they
sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites
sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.
So in the days of
Zerubbabel and
Nehemiah, all Israel
contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside daily portions for the Levites, and the Levites set aside daily portions for the descendants of Aaron.
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the
audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the
Ammonite and the
Moabite should not come into the
congregation of God for ever;
At that time the Book of Moses was read
aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no
Ammonite or
Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where
aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the
frankincense, and the vessels, and the
tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the
porters; and the offerings of the priests.
and had prepared for
Tobiah a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the
frankincense, the temple articles, and the
tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the
contributions for the priests.
Then
contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God
forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
So I
rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,
And I made treasurers over the
treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and
Zadok the
scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest,
Zadok the
scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were
considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.
Remember me, O my God,
concerning this, and
wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
Remember me for this, O my God, and do not
blot out my deeds of loving devotion for the house of my God and for its services.
Then I
contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and
profane the sabbath day?
Then I
rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—
profaning the Sabbath day?
And I commanded the Levites that they should
cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to
sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God,
concerning this also, and
spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
Then I
instructed the Levites to
purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.
And I
contended with them, and
cursed them, and
smote certain of them, and
plucked off their hair, and made them
swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for
yourselves.
I
rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for
yourselves!
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Then the king
consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to
confer with the experts in law and justice.
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall
despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king
Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
For the
conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to
despise their husbands and say, ‘King
Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’
Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.
In the evening she went, and on the
morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the
custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s
chamberlain, which kept the
concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second
harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s
eunuch in charge of the
concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.
In those days, while
Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were
wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king
Ahasuerus.
And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced
Haman: for the king had so commanded
concerning him. But
Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid
homage to
Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But
Mordecai would not bow down or pay
homage.
The posts went out, being
hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in
Shushan the palace. And the king and
Haman sat down to drink; but the city
Shushan was
perplexed.
The couriers left,
spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of
Susa. Then the king and
Haman sat down to drink, but the city of
Susa was in
confusion.
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a
gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have
Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the
banquet with the king and enjoy
yourself.” The advice pleased
Haman, and he had the
gallows constructed.
And it was found written, that
Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king
Ahasuerus.
And there it was found recorded that
Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had
conspired to
assassinate King
Xerxes.
Now in the
twelfth month, that is, the month
Adar, on the
thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the
contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that
hated them;)
On the
thirteenth day of the
twelfth month, the month of
Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who
hated them.
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as
Mordecai had written unto them;
So the Jews agreed to
continue the custom they had started, as
Mordecai had written to them.
Because
Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast
Pur, that is, the lot, to
consume them, and to destroy them;
For
Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had
plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the
Pur (that is, the lot) to
crush and destroy them.
Wherefore they called these days
Purim after the name of
Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen
concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
Therefore these days are called
Purim, from the word
Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,
To
confirm these days of
Purim in their times appointed, according as
Mordecai the
Jew and
Esther the queen had
enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
in order to
confirm these days of
Purim at their appointed time, just as
Mordecai the
Jew and Queen
Esther had established them and had committed themselves and their descendants to the times of fasting and
lamentation.
And the decree of
Esther confirmed these matters of
Purim; and it was written in the book.
So
Esther’s decree
confirmed these regulations about
Purim, which were written into the record.
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and
sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have
sinned, and
cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job
continually.
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to
purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have
sinned and
cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
And the LORD said unto
Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Then the LORD said to
Satan, “Have you
considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is
blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
While he was still speaking, another
messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and
consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
And the LORD said unto
Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his
integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Then the LORD said to
Satan, “Have you
considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is
blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his
integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”
Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
“May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope?
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Consider now, I
plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed?
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.
Whose harvest the
hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the
robber swalloweth up their substance.
Then should I yet have comfort;
yea, I would
harden myself in sorrow: let him not
spare; for I have not
concealed the words of the Holy One.
It still brings me comfort, and joy through
unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
What time they wax warm, they
vanish: when it is hot, they are
consumed out of their place.
but ceasing in the dry season and
vanishing from their channels in the heat.
They were
confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were
ashamed.
They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an
hireling?
“Is not man
consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a
hired hand?
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to
Sheol does not come back up.
For
enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare
thyself to the search of their fathers:
Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a
spider’s web.
If he will
contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
If one wished to
contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.
He is the Maker of the Bear and
Orion, of the
Pleiades and the
constellations of the south.
If I
justify myself, mine own mouth shall
condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me
perverse.
Even if I were righteous, my mouth would
condemn me; if I were
blameless, it would declare me guilty.
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would
despise my life.
I will say unto God, Do not
condemn me;
shew me wherefore thou
contendest with me.
And these things hast thou
hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.
Yet You concealed these things in Your heart, and I know that this was in Your mind:
If I be wicked,
woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of
confusion; therefore see thou mine
affliction;
If I am guilty,
woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my
affliction.