זֹאת

In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”

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.

Did not your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!”

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.

Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

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,

So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.

In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him.

Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.”

Yet You concealed these things in Your heart, and I know that this was in Your mind:

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent are stirred against the godless.

Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.

Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,

“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me.

Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

“Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’

“At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place.

Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wonders of God.

After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.

O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,

For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength.

Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant.

…would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,

Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight

Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.

In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; despite His wonderful works, they did not believe.

Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine—

A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,

Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.

May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me.

Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, O LORD, have done it.

This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.

This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.

“This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.

…then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?

Who is this who shines like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as the stars in procession?