Genesis 1:1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
MAY
29
PSALMS: 29,
59, 89, 119, 149
PROVERBS: 29
OLD
TESTAMENT: ESTHER 1:1 - 3:15
NEW
TESTAMENT: CORINTHIANS 11:17 -
34
PSALMS: 29
A
psalm of David.
1
Ascribe
to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe
to the LORD glory and strength.
2
Ascribe
to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship
the LORD in the splendor of his A holiness.
3
The
voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the
God of glory thunders,
the
LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4
The
voice of the LORD is powerful;
the
voice of the LORD is majestic.
5
The
voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the
LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6
He
makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion
B like a young wild ox.
7
The
voice of the LORD strikes
with
flashes of lightning.
8
The
voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the
LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9
The
voice of the LORD twists the oaks C
and
strips the forests bare.
And
in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10
The
LORD sits D enthroned over the flood;
the
LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11
The
LORD gives strength to his people;
the
LORD blesses his people with peace. [1]
PSALMS: 59
For
the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.
A When Saul had sent men to watch David's house in order to kill
him.
1
Deliver
me from my enemies, O God;
protect
me from those who rise up against me.
2
Deliver
me from evildoers
and
save me from bloodthirsty men.
3
See
how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce
men conspire against me
for
no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
4
I
have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise
to help me; look on my plight!
5O
LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel,
rouse
yourself to punish all the nations;
show
no mercy to wicked traitors.
Selah
6
They
return at evening,
snarling
like dogs,
and
prowl about the city.
7
See
what they spew from their mouths--
they
spew out swords from their lips,
and
they say, "Who can hear us?"
8
But
you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you
scoff at all those nations.
9
O
my Strength, I watch for you;
you,
O God, are my fortress, 10 my loving God. [2]
God
will go before me
and
will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11
But
do not kill them, O Lord our shield, B
or
my people will forget.
In
your might make them wander about,
and
bring them down.
12
For
the sins of their mouths,
for
the words of their lips,
let
them be caught in their pride.
For
the curses and lies they utter,
13
consume
them in wrath,
consume
them till they are no more.
Then
it will be known to the ends of the earth
that
God rules over Jacob. Selah
14
They
return at evening,
snarling
like dogs,
and
prowl about the city.
15
They
wander about for food
and
howl if not satisfied.
16
But
I will sing of your strength,
in
the morning I will sing of your love;
for
you are my fortress,
my
refuge in times of trouble.
17
O
my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you,
O God, are my fortress, my loving God. [3]
PSALMS: 89
A
maskil A of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1
I
will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with
my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all
generations.
2
I
will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that
you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3
You
said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen
one,
I
have sworn to David my servant,
4 `I
will establish your line forever
and
make your throne firm through all generations.'"
Selah
5
The
heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your
faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6
For
who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?
Who
is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7
In
the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he
is more awesome than all who surround him.
8
O
LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You
are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9
You
rule over the surging sea;
when
its waves mount up, you still them.
10
You
crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with
your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11
The
heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you
founded the world and all that is in it.
12
You
created the north and the south;
Tabor
and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13
Your
arm is endued with power;
your
hand is strong, your right hand exalted. [4]
14
Righteousness
and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love
and faithfulness go before you.
15
Blessed
are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who
walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
16
They
rejoice in your name all day long;
they
exult in your righteousness.
17
For
you are their glory and strength,
and
by your favor you exalt our horn. B
18
Indeed,
our shield C belongs to the LORD,
our
king to the Holy One of Israel.
19
Once
you spoke in a vision,
to
your faithful people you said:
"I have bestowed strength on a
warrior;
I
have exalted a young man from among the people.
20 I
have found David my servant;
with
my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21 My
hand will sustain him;
surely
my arm will strengthen him.
22 No
enemy will subject him to tribute;
no
wicked man will oppress him.
23 I
will crush his foes before him
and
strike down his adversaries.
24 My
faithful love will be with him,
and
through my name his horn D
will be exalted.
25 I
will set his hand over the sea,
his
right hand over the rivers.
26 He
will call out to me, `You are my Father,
my
God, the Rock my Savior.'
27 I
will also appoint him my firstborn,
the
most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I
will maintain my love to him forever,
and
my covenant with him will never fail.
his
throne as long as the heavens endure.
30"If his sons forsake my law
and
do not follow my statutes,
31
if
they violate my decrees
and
fail to keep my commands,
32 I
will punish their sin with the rod,
their
iniquity with flogging;
33 but
I will not take my love from him,
nor
will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I
will not violate my covenant
or
alter what my lips have uttered.
35 Once
for all, I have sworn by my holiness--
and
I will not lie to David--
36 that
his line will continue forever
and
his throne endure before me like the sun;
37 it
will be established forever like the moon,
the
faithful witness in the sky."
Selah
38
But
you have rejected, you have spurned,
you
have been very angry with your anointed one.
39
You
have renounced the covenant with your servant
and
have defiled his crown in the dust.
40
You
have broken through all his walls
and
reduced his strongholds to ruins.
41
All
who pass by have plundered him;
he
has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42
You
have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you
have made all his enemies rejoice.
43
You
have turned back the edge of his sword
and
have not supported him in battle. [6]
44
You
have put an end to his splendor
and
cast his throne to the ground.
45
You
have cut short the days of his youth;
you
have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Selah
46
How
long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?
How
long will your wrath burn like fire?
47
Remember
how fleeting is my life.
For
what futility you have created all men!
48
What
man can live and not see death,
or
save himself from the power of the grave E?
Selah
49
O
Lord, where is your former great love,
which
in your faithfulness you swore to David?
50
Remember,
Lord, how your servant hasF been mocked,
how
I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,
51
the
taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
with
which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
52
Praise
be to the LORD forever!
Amen
and Amen. [7]
PSALMS: 119
Aleph
1
Blessed
A are they whose ways are blameless,
who
walk according to the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed
are they who keep his statutes
and
seek him with all their heart.
3
They
do nothing wrong;
they
walk in his ways.
4
You
have laid down precepts
that
are to be fully obeyed.
5
Oh,
that my ways were steadfast
in
obeying your decrees!
6
Then
I would not be put to shame
when
I consider all your commands.
7
I
will praise you with an upright heart
as
I learn your righteous laws.
8
I
will obey your decrees;
do
not utterly forsake me.
Beth
9
How
can a young man keep his way pure?
By
living according to your word.
10
I
seek you with all my heart;
do
not let me stray from your commands.
11
I
have hidden your word in my heart
that
I might not sin against you.
12
Praise
be to you, O LORD;
teach
me your decrees.
13
With
my lips I recount
all
the laws that come from your mouth.
14
I
rejoice in following your statutes [8]
as
one rejoices in great riches.
15
I
meditate on your precepts
and
consider your ways.
16
I
delight in your decrees;
I
will not neglect your word.
Gimel
17
Do
good to your servant, and I will live;
I
will obey your word.
18
Open
my eyes that I may see
wonderful
things in your law.
19
I
am a stranger on earth;
do
not hide your commands from me.
20
My
soul is consumed with longing
for
your laws at all times.
21
You
rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
and
who stray from your commands.
22
Remove
from me scorn and contempt,
for
I keep your statutes.
23
Though
rulers sit together and slander me,
your
servant will meditate on your decrees.
24
Your
statutes are my delight;
they
are my counselors.
Daleth
25
I
am laid low in the dust;
preserve
my life according to your word.
26
I
recounted my ways and you answered me;
teach
me your decrees.
27
Let
me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then
I will meditate on your wonders.
28
My
soul is weary with sorrow; [9]
strengthen
me according to your word.
29
Keep
me from deceitful ways;
be
gracious to me through your law.
30
I
have chosen the way of truth;
I
have set my heart on your laws.
31
I
hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
do
not let me be put to shame.
32
I
run in the path of your commands,
for
you have set my heart free.
He
33
Teach
me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then
I will keep them to the end.
34
Give
me understanding, and I will keep your law
and
obey it with all my heart.
35
Direct
me in the path of your commands,
for
there I find delight.
36
Turn
my heart toward your statutes
and
not toward selfish gain.
37
Turn
my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve
my life according to your word. B
38
Fulfill
your promise to your servant,
so
that you may be feared.
39
Take
away the disgrace I dread,
for
your laws are good.
40
How
I long for your precepts!
Preserve
my life in your righteousness.
Waw
[10]
41
May
your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,
your
salvation according to your promise;
42
then
I will answer the one who taunts me,
for
I trust in your word.
43
Do
not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
for
I have put my hope in your laws.
44
I
will always obey your law,
for
ever and ever.
45
I
will walk about in freedom,
for
I have sought out your precepts.
46
I
will speak of your statutes before kings
and
will not be put to shame,
47
for
I delight in your commands
because
I love them.
48
I
lift up my hands to C your commands, which I
love,
and
I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
49
Remember
your word to your servant,
for
you have given me hope.
50
My
comfort in my suffering is this:
Your
promise preserves my life.
51
The
arrogant mock me without restraint,
but
I do not turn from your law.
52
I
remember your ancient laws, O LORD,
and
I find comfort in them.
53
Indignation
grips me because of the wicked,
who
have forsaken your law.
54
Your
decrees are the theme of my song
wherever
I lodge. [11]
55
In
the night I remember your name, O LORD,
and
I will keep your law.
56
This
has been my practice:
I
obey your precepts.
Heth
57
You
are my portion, O LORD;
I
have promised to obey your words.
58
I
have sought your face with all my heart;
be
gracious to me according to your promise.
59
I
have considered my ways
and
have turned my steps to your statutes.
60
I
will hasten and not delay
to
obey your commands.
61
Though
the wicked bind me with ropes,
I
will not forget your law.
62
At
midnight I rise to give you thanks
for
your righteous laws.
63
I
am a friend to all who fear you,
to
all who follow your precepts.
64
The
earth is filled with your love, O LORD;
teach
me your decrees.
Teth
65
Do
good to your servant
according
to your word, O LORD.
66
Teach
me knowledge and good judgment,
for
I believe in your commands.
67
Before
I was afflicted I went astray,
but
now I obey your word.
68
You
are good, and what you do is good;
teach
me your decrees.
69
Though
the arrogant have smeared me with lies, [12]
I
keep your precepts with all my heart.
70
Their
hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but
I delight in your law.
71
It
was good for me to be afflicted
so
that I might learn your decrees.
72
The
law from your mouth is more precious to me
than
thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Yodh
73
Your
hands made me and formed me;
give
me understanding to learn your commands.
74
May
those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for
I have put my hope in your word.
75
I
know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and
in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76
May
your unfailing love be my comfort,
according
to your promise to your servant.
77
Let
your compassion come to me that I may live,
for
your law is my delight.
78
May
the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without
cause;
but
I will meditate on your precepts.
79
May
those who fear you turn to me,
those
who understand your statutes.
80
May
my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that
I may not be put to shame.
Kaph
81
My
soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but
I have put my hope in your word.
82
My
eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I
say, "When will you comfort me?" [13]
83
Though
I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I
do not forget your decrees.
84
How
long must your servant wait?
When
will you punish my persecutors?
85
The
arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
contrary
to your law.
86
All
your commands are trustworthy;
help
me, for men persecute me without cause.
87
They
almost wiped me from the earth,
but
I have not forsaken your precepts.
88
Preserve
my life according to your love,
and
I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Lamedh
89
Your
word, O LORD, is eternal;
it
stands firm in the heavens.
90
Your
faithfulness continues through all generations;
you
established the earth, and it endures.
91
Your
laws endure to this day,
for
all things serve you.
92
If
your law had not been my delight,
I
would have perished in my affliction.
93
I
will never forget your precepts,
for
by them you have preserved my life.
94
Save
me, for I am yours;
I
have sought out your precepts.
95
The
wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but
I will ponder your statutes.
96
To
all perfection I see a limit;
but
your commands are boundless. [14]
Mem
97
Oh,
how I love your law!
I
meditate on it all day long.
98
Your
commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for
they are ever with me.
99
I
have more insight than all my teachers,
for
I meditate on your statutes.
100
I
have more understanding than the elders,
for
I obey your precepts.
101
I
have kept my feet from every evil path
so
that I might obey your word.
102
I
have not departed from your laws,
for
you yourself have taught me.
103
How
sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter
than honey to my mouth!
104
I
gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore
I hate every wrong path.
Nun
105
Your
word is a lamp to my feet
and
a light for my path.
106
I
have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that
I will follow your righteous laws.
107
I
have suffered much;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your word.
108
Accept,
O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and
teach me your laws.
109
Though
I constantly take my life in my hands,
I
will not forget your law.
110
The
wicked have set a snare for me,
but
I have not strayed from your precepts. [15]
111
Your
statutes are my heritage forever;
they
are the joy of my heart.
112
My
heart is set on keeping your decrees
to
the very end.
Samekh
113
I
hate double-minded men,
but
I love your law.
114
You
are my refuge and my shield;
I
have put my hope in your word.
115
Away
from me, you evildoers,
that
I may keep the commands of my God!
116
Sustain
me according to your promise, and I will live;
do
not let my hopes be dashed.
117
Uphold
me, and I will be delivered;
I
will always have regard for your decrees.
118
You
reject all who stray from your decrees,
for
their deceitfulness is in vain.
119
All
the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore
I love your statutes.
120
My
flesh trembles in fear of you;
I
stand in awe of your laws.
Ayin
121
I
have done what is righteous and just;
do
not leave me to my oppressors.
122
Ensure
your servant's well-being;
let
not the arrogant oppress me.
123
My
eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking
for your righteous promise.
124
Deal
with your servant according to your love
and
teach me your decrees. [16]
125
I
am your servant; give me discernment
that
I may understand your statutes.
126
It
is time for you to act, O LORD;
your
law is being broken.
127
Because
I love your commands
more
than gold, more than pure gold,
128
and
because I consider all your precepts right,
I
hate every wrong path.
Pe
129
Your
statutes are wonderful;
therefore
I obey them.
130
The
unfolding of your words gives light;
it
gives understanding to the simple.
131
I
open my mouth and pant,
longing
for your commands.
132
Turn
to me and have mercy on me,
as
you always do to those who love your name.
133
Direct
my footsteps according to your word;
let
no sin rule over me.
134
Redeem
me from the oppression of men,
that
I may obey your precepts.
135
Make
your face shine upon your servant
and
teach me your decrees.
136
Streams
of tears flow from my eyes,
for
your law is not obeyed.
Tsadhe
137
Righteous
are you, O LORD,
and
your laws are right.
138
The
statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they
are fully trustworthy. [17]
139
My
zeal wears me out,
for
my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your
promises have been thoroughly tested,
and
your servant loves them.
141
Though
I am lowly and despised,
I
do not forget your precepts.
142
Your
righteousness is everlasting
and
your law is true.
143
Trouble
and distress have come upon me,
but
your commands are my delight.
144
Your
statutes are forever right;
give
me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
145
I
call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD,
and
I will obey your decrees.
146
I
call out to you; save me
and
I will keep your statutes.
147
I
rise before dawn and cry for help;
I
have put my hope in your word.
148
My
eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that
I may meditate on your promises.
149
Hear
my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your laws.
150
Those
who devise wicked schemes are near,
but
they are far from your law.
151
Yet
you are near, O LORD,
and
all your commands are true.
152
Long
ago I learned from your statutes
that
you established them to last forever. [18]
Resh
153
Look
upon my suffering and deliver me,
for
I have not forgotten your law.
154
Defend
my cause and redeem me;
preserve
my life according to your promise.
155
Salvation
is far from the wicked,
for
they do not seek out your decrees.
156
Your
compassion is great, O LORD;
preserve
my life according to your laws.
157
Many
are the foes who persecute me,
but
I have not turned from your statutes.
158
I
look on the faithless with loathing,
for
they do not obey your word.
159
See
how I love your precepts;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your love.
160
All
your words are true;
all
your righteous laws are eternal.
Sin
and Shin
161
Rulers
persecute me without cause,
but
my heart trembles at your word.
162
I
rejoice in your promise
like
one who finds great spoil.
163
I
hate and abhor falsehood
but
I love your law.
164
Seven
times a day I praise you
for
your righteous laws.
165
Great
peace have they who love your law,
and
nothing can make them stumble.
166
I
wait for your salvation, O LORD,
and
I follow your commands.
167
I
obey your statutes, [19]
for
I love them greatly.
168
I
obey your precepts and your statutes,
for
all my ways are known to you.
Taw
169
May
my cry come before you, O LORD;
give
me understanding according to your word.
170
May
my supplication come before you;
deliver
me according to your promise.
171
May
my lips overflow with praise,
for
you teach me your decrees.
172
May
my tongue sing of your word,
for
all your commands are righteous.
173
May
your hand be ready to help me,
for
I have chosen your precepts.
174
I
long for your salvation, O LORD,
and
your law is my delight.
175
Let
me live that I may praise you,
and
may your laws sustain me.
176
I
have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek
your servant,
for
I have not forgotten your commands. [20]
PSALMS: 149
1
Praise
the LORD. A
Sing
to the LORD a new song,
his
praise in the assembly of the saints.
2
Let
Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let
the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3
Let
them praise his name with dancing
and
make music to him with tambourine and harp.
4
For
the LORD takes delight in his people;
he
crowns the humble with salvation.
5
Let
the saints rejoice in this honor
and
sing for joy on their beds.
6
May
the praise of God be in their mouths
and
a double-edged sword in their hands,
7
to
inflict vengeance on the nations
and
punishment on the peoples,
8
to
bind their kings with fetters,
their
nobles with shackles of iron,
9
to
carry out the sentence written against them.
This
is the glory of all his saints.
Praise
the LORD. [21]
PROVERBS: 29
29
1
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will
suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.
2
When
the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when
the wicked rule, the people groan.
3
A
man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but
a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4
By
justice a king gives a country stability,
but
one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.
5
Whoever
flatters his neighbor
is
spreading a net for his feet.
6
An
evil man is snared by his own sin,
but
a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7
The
righteous care about justice for the poor,
but
the wicked have no such concern.
8
Mockers
stir up a city,
but
wise men turn away anger.
9
If
a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the
fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10
Bloodthirsty
men hate a man of integrity
and
seek to kill the upright. [22]
11
A
fool gives full vent to his anger,
but
a wise man keeps himself under control.
12
If
a ruler listens to lies,
all
his officials become wicked.
13
The
poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The
LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14
If
a king judges the poor with fairness,
his
throne will always be secure.
15
The
rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but
a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16
When
the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but
the righteous will see their downfall.
17
Discipline
your son, and he will give you peace;
he
will bring delight to your soul.
18
Where
there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but
blessed is he who keeps the law.
19
A
servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
though
he understands, he will not respond.
20
Do
you see a man who speaks in haste?
There
is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
If
a man pampers his servant from youth,
he
will bring grief A in the end. [23]
22
An
angry man stirs up dissension,
and
a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
23
A
man's pride brings him low,
but
a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
24
The
accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
he
is put under oath and dare not testify.
25
Fear
of man will prove to be a snare,
but
whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
26
Many
seek an audience with a ruler,
but
it is from the LORD that man gets justice.
27
The
righteous detest the dishonest;
the
wicked detest the upright. [24]
OLD
TESTAMENT: ESTHER 1:1 - 3:15
1
1
This
is what happened during the time of Xerxes, A the Xerxes who ruled
over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush B: 2 At
that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,
3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his
nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and
the nobles of the provinces were present.
4
For
a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and
glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a
banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for
all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa.
6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with
cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars.
There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble,
mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets
of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in
keeping with the king's liberality. 8 By the king's command each
guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine
stewards to serve each man what he wished.
9
Queen
Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
10
On
the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded
the seven eunuchs who served him--Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha,
Zethar and Carcas—11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her
royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she
was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the
king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and
burned with anger.
13
Since
it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice,
he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were
closest to the king--Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and
Memucan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king
and were highest in the kingdom.
15
"According
to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the
command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her."
16
Then
Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, "Queen Vashti has
done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the
peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen's
conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their
husbands and say, `King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him,
but she would not come.' 18 This very day the Persian and Median
women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to
all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and
discord. [25]
19
"Therefore,
if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in
the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never
again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal
position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the
king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will
respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest."
21
The
king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan
proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each
province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming
in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own
household.
2
1
Later
when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she
had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king's
personal attendants proposed, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins
for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province
of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of
Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in
charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4
Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This
advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.
5
Now
there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai
son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been
carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those
taken captive with Jehoiachin A king of Judah. 7 Mordecai
had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither
father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form
and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and
mother died.
8
When
the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, many girls were brought to the
citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the
king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9
The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with
her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected
from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the
harem.
10
Esther
had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had
forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near
the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to
her. [26]
12
Before
a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of
beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six
with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the
king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the
king's palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the
morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's
eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king
unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
15
When
the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his
uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai,
the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the
favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the
royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of
his reign.
17
Now
the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she
won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal
crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the
king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his nobles and officials.
He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with
royal liberality.
19
When
the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's
gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and
nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow
Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.
21
During
the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana B and
Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and
conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about
the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving
credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found
to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. C All this
was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the
king.
3
1
After
these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite,
elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other
nobles.
2
All
the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for
the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or
pay him honor. [27]
3
Then
the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the
king's command?" 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to
comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior
would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
5
When
Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.
6 Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea
of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all
Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
7
In
the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they
cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day
and month. And the lot fell on A the twelfth month, the month of
Adar.
8
Then
Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered
among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are
different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it
is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases
the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand
talents B of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out
this business."
10
So
the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of
Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 "Keep the money,"
the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."
12
Then
on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned.
They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people
all Haman's orders to the king's satraps, the governors of the various provinces
and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King
Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. 13 Dispatches were sent
by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and
annihilate all the Jews--young and old, women and little children--on a single
day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder
their goods. 14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as
law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they
would be ready for that day.
15
Spurred
on by the king's command, the couriers went out, and the edict was issued in the
citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was
bewildered. [28]
NEW
TESTAMENT: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17 -
34
17
In
the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more
harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come
together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I
believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to
show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it
is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes
ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.
22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the
church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you?
Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
23
For
I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the
night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for
you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after
supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of
me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27
Therefore,
whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will
be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man
ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the
Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among
you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But
if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.
32
When
we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be
condemned with the world.
33
So
then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34
If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together
it may not result in judgment.
And
when I come I will give further directions. [29]
[1]
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[2]
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[4]
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[5]
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[7]
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[8]
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[9]
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[10]
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[11]
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[12]
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[13]
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[14]
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[15]
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[16]
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[17]
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[18]
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[19]
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[20]
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[21]
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[22]
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[23]
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[24]
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[25]
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[26]
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[27]
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[28]
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[29]
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John 3:16-21 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, F that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.G 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." H
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