אַל

Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Do not be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that He made them an object of horror, as you can see.

Now do not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you.

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.

So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!”

But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”

Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’

Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.

After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.”

So now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God who keeps His gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

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.

…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.

“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

“Hurry,” said the king to Haman, “and do just as you proposed. Take the robe and the horse to Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything that you have suggested.”

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above disregard it; may no light shine upon it.

If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year; may it never be entered in any of the months.

Behold, may that night be barren; may no joyful voice come into it.

May its morning stars grow dark; may it wait in vain for daylight; may it not see the breaking of dawn.

Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.

I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me.

…if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:

Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.

Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.

O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.

He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.

If this is not so, then who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?”

I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray.

Do not long for the night, when people vanish from their homes.

Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.

If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the battle and never repeat it!

Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah