2 SAMUEL 20

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The Rebellion of Sheba  20:1 Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said,

“We have no portion in David,

and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;

every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
    3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.
    4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died.
    Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 And one of Joab’s young men took his stand by Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” 12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. 13 When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
    14 And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah, and all the Bichrites assembled and followed him in. 15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
    23 Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also David’s priest.

PSALM 119

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Your Word Is a Lamp to My FeetAleph119:1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the Lord! 2

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart, 3

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways! 4

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently. 5

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes! 6

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous rules. 8

I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me! Beth9

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word. 10

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments! 11

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you. 12

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes! 13

With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth. 14

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches. 15

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways. 16

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word. Gimel17

Deal bountifully with your servant,

that I may live and keep your word. 18

Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law. 19

I am a sojourner on the earth;

hide not your commandments from me! 20

My soul is consumed with longing

for your rules at all times. 21

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments. 22

Take away from me scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your testimonies. 23

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24

Your testimonies are my delight;

they are my counselors. Daleth25

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word! 26

When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes! 27

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word! 29

Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law! 30

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me. 31

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

let me not be put to shame! 32

I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart! He33

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end. 34

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart. 35

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it. 36

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain! 37

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways. 38

Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared. 39

Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good. 40

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life! Waw41

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

your salvation according to your promise; 42

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word. 43

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules. 44

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever, 45

and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts. 46

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame, 47

for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love. 48

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes. Zayin49

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope. 50

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life. 51

The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law. 52

When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O Lord. 53

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law. 54

Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning. 55

I remember your name in the night, O Lord,

and keep your law. 56

This blessing has fallen to me,

that I have kept your precepts. Heth57

The Lord is my portion;

I promise to keep your words. 58

I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise. 59

When I think on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60

I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments. 61

Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law. 62

At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules. 63

I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts. 64

The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes! Teth65

You have dealt well with your servant,

O Lord, according to your word. 66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments. 67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word. 68

You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes. 69

The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70

their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law. 71

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes. 72

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Yodh73

Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word. 75

I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76

Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant. 77

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight. 78

Let the insolent be put to shame,

because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79

Let those who fear you turn to me,

that they may know your testimonies. 80

May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

that I may not be put to shame! Kaph81

My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word. 82

My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 83

For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84

How long must your servant endure?

When will you judge those who persecute me? 85

The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law. 86

All your commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87

They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88

In your steadfast love give me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Lamedh89

Forever, O Lord, your word

is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91

By your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants. 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 given me life. 94

I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts. 95

The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies. 96

I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Mem97

Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day. 98

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me. 99

I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation. 100

I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts. 101

I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word. 102

I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me. 103

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104

Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way. Nun105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path. 106

I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules. 107

I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 108

Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and teach me your rules. 109

I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law. 110

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts. 111

Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart. 112

I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end. Samekh113

I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law. 114

You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word. 115

Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117

Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually! 118

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain. 119

All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies. 120

My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments. Ayin121

I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors. 122

Give your servant a pledge of good;

let not the insolent oppress me. 123

My eyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124

Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes. 125

I am your servant; give me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies! 126

It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken. 127

Therefore I love your commandments

above gold, above fine gold. 128

Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;

I hate every false way. Pe129

Your testimonies are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them. 130

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple. 131

I open my mouth and pant,

because I long for your commandments. 132

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your way with those who love your name. 133

Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me. 134

Redeem me from man’s oppression,

that I may keep your precepts. 135

Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes. 136

My eyes shed streams of tears,

because people do not keep your law. Tsadhe137

Righteous are you, O Lord,

and right are your rules. 138

You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness

and in all faithfulness. 139

My zeal consumes me,

because my foes forget your words. 140

Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it. 141

I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts. 142

Your righteousness is righteous forever,

and your law is true. 143

Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my delight. 144

Your testimonies are righteous forever;

give me understanding that I may live. Qoph145

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!

I will keep your statutes. 146

I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies. 147

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words. 148

My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise. 149

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 150

They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law. 151

But you are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are true. 152

Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever. Resh153

Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law. 154

Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise! 155

Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes. 156

Great is your mercy, O Lord;

give me life according to your rules. 157

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies. 158

I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands. 159

Consider how I love your precepts!

Give me life according to your steadfast love. 160

The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Sin and Shin161

Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162

I rejoice at your word

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 rules. 165

Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble. 166

I hope for your salvation, O Lord,

and I do your commandments. 167

My soul keeps your testimonies;

I love them exceedingly. 168

I keep your precepts and testimonies,

for all my ways are before you. Taw169

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

give me understanding according to your word! 170

Let my plea come before you;

deliver me according to your word. 171

My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes. 172

My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right. 173

Let 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 my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me. 176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

PSALM 120

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Deliver Me, O LordA Song of Ascents.
120:1

In my distress I called to the Lord,

and he answered me. 2

Deliver me, O Lord,

from lying lips,

from a deceitful tongue.
3

What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

you deceitful tongue? 4

A warrior’s sharp arrows,

with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6

Too long have I had my dwelling

among those who hate peace. 7

I am for peace,

but when I speak, they are for war!

PROVERBS 16

« Proverbs 15 | Proverbs 16 | Proverbs 17 »

16:1

The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3

Commit your work to the Lord,

and your plans will be established. 4

The Lord has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7

When a man’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8

Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice. 9

The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps. 10

An oracle is on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment. 11

A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work. 12

It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness. 13

Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right. 14

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

and a wise man will appease it. 15

In the light of a king’s face there is life,

and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. 16

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;

whoever guards his way preserves his life. 18

Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,

and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 21

The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 22

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly. 23

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 25

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death. 26

A worker’s appetite works for him;

his mouth urges him on. 27

A worthless man plots evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28

A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends. 29

A man of violence entices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good. 30

Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;

he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. 31

Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained in a righteous life. 32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33

The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord.