pomegranate upon the net-work were an hundred round about 24 ¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the †Heb. threshold door 25 He took also out of the city an eunuch which had the charge of the men of war and seven men of them that †Heb. saw the face of the king were near the kings person which were found in the city and the ‖ Or scribe of the captain of the host principal scribe of the host who mustered the people of the land and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the midst of the city 26 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of babylon to Riblah 27 And the king of Babylon smote them and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land 28 This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty 29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two †Heb. souls persons 30 In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred fourty and five persons all the persons were four thousand and six hundred 31 ¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehosachin king of Judah in the twelfth moneth in the five and twentieth day of the moneth that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lilted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him forth out of prison 32 And spake †Heb. good things with him kindly unto him and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon 33 And changed his prison-garments and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life 34 And for his diet there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon †Heb. the matter of the day in his day every day a portion until the day of his death all the days of his life ¶ The LAMENTATIONS of JEREMIAH CHAP. 1. 1 The miserable estate of Jerusalem by reason of her sin 12 She complaineth of her grief 18 and confesseth Gods judgement to be righteous HOw doth the city sit solitary that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was great among the nations and princess among the provinces how is she become tributary 2 She * Jer. 13.17 weepeth sore in the * Job 7.3 night and her tears are on her cheeks among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her all her friends have dealt treacherously with her they are become her enemies 3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction and †Heb. for the treateâ— of servitude because of great servitude she dwelleth among the heathen she findeth no rest all her persecutours overtook her between the straits 4 The ways of Zion do mourn because none come to the solemn feasts all her gates are desolate her priests sigh her virgins are afflicted and she is in bitterness 5 Her adversaries * Deu. 28.13 14. are the chief her enemies prosper for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions her * Jer. 52.28 children are gone into captivity before the enemy 6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed her princes are become like harts that finde no pasture and they are gone without strength before the pursuer 7 Jerusalem remembred in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her ‖ Or desirable pleasant things that she had in the days of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her sabbaths 8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned therefore she †Heb. is become 〈◊〉 removing or wandering is removed all that honoured her despise her because they have seen her nakedness yea she sigheth and turneth backward 9 Her filthiness is in her skirts she remembreth not her last end therefore she came down wonderfully she had no comforter O LORD behold my affliction for the enemy hath magnified himself 10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her ‖ Or desirable pleasant things for she hath seen that the heathen entred into her sanctuary whom thou didst command that * Deu. 23.3 they should not enter into thy congregation 11 All her people sigh they seek bread they have given their pleasant things for meat ‖ Or to make the soul to come again to relieve the soul see O LORD and consider for I am become vile 12 ¶ ‖ Or It is nothing Is it nothing to you all ye that †Heb. pass by the way pass by behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger 13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones and it prevaileth against them he hath spread a not for my feet he hath turned me back he hath made me desolate and saint all the day 14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand they are wreathed and come up upon my neck he hath made my strength to fall the Lord hath delivered me into their hands from whom I am notable to rise up 15 The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men the Lord hath troden ‖ Or the wine-press of the viram c. the virgin the daughter of Judah as in a wine-press 16 For these things I weep * Jer. 13.17 and 14.17 Ch. 2.18 mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should †Heb. tâ—mâ— back relieve my soul is far from me my children are desolate because the enemy prevailed 17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands and there is none to comfort her the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob that his adversaries should be round about him Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them 18 ¶ The LORD is * Dan. 9.7 righteous for I have rebelled against his †Heb. mouth commandment hear I pray you all people and behold my sorrow my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity 19 I called for my lovers but they deceived me my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city while they sought their meat to relieve their souls 20 Behold O LORD for I am in distress my * Iâ— 15.11 Jer. 43.35 bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me for I have grievously rebelled abroad the sword bereaveth at
saw it and †Heb. it was evil in his eyes it displeased him that there was no judgement 16 ¶ And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no intercessour * Ch. 63.5 therefore his arm brought salvation unto him and his righteousness it sustained him 17 * Ephes 6.14 17. 1 Thes 5.8 For he put on righteousness as a breast-plate and an helmet of salvation upon his head and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloke 18 * Ch. 63 6. According to their †Heb. recompences deeds accordingly he will repay fury to his adversaries recompence to his enemies to the islands he will repay recompence 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west and his glory from the rising of the sun when the enemy shall come in * Rev. 12 15. like a flood the spirit of the LORD shall ‖ Or put him to flight lift up a standard against him 20 ¶ And * Rom. 11.26 the redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the LORD 21 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the LORD My spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the LORD from henceforth and for ever CHAP. LX. 1 The glory of the church in the abundant access of the Gentiles 15 and the great blessings after a short affliction ARise ‖ Or be enlightned for thy light cometh shine for thy light is come and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee 2 For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people but the LORD shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen upon thee 3 And the * Rev. 21.24 Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising 4 Ch. 49.18 Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee thy sons shall come from far and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side 5 Then thou shalt see and flow together and thine heart shall fear and be enlarged because the ‖ Or nois◠of the se◠shall be turned toward thee abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee the ‖ Or wealth forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee 6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah all they from Sheba shall come they shall bring * Ch. 61.6 gold and incense and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee the rams of Nebaieth shall minister unto thee they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar and I will glorifie the house of my glory 8 Who are these that flie as a cloud and as the doves to their windows 9 Surely the isles shall wait for me and the ships of Tarshish first * Gal. 4.26 to bring thy sons from far their silver and their gold with them unto the name of the LORD thy God and to the holy One of Israel because he hath glorified thee 10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls and their kings shall minister unto thee for in my wrath I smote thee but in my favour have I had mercy on thee 11 Therefore thy gates * Re. 21 25. shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that men may bring unto thee the ‖ Or wealth forces of the Gentiles and that their kings may be brought 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee the fir-tree the pine-tree and the box together to beautifie the place of my sanctuary and I will make the place of my feet glorious 14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall * Rev. 3.9 bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and they shall call thee The city of the LORD the Zion of the holy One of Israel 15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many generations 16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breast of kings and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy saviour and thy redeemer the mighty One of Jacob. 17 For brass I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brass and for stones iron I will also make thy officers peace and thine exactours righteousness 18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy gates Praise 19 * Rev. 21.23 22. ◠The sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory 20 Thy sun shall no more go down neither shall thy moon withdraw it self for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light and the days of thy mourning shall be ended 21 Thy people also shall be all righteous they shall inherit the land for ever the branch of my planting the work of my hands that I may be glorified 22 A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation I the LORD will hasten it in his time CHAP. LXI 1 The office of Christ 4 The forwardness 7 and blessings of the faithful THE * Luke 4.18 spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek he hath sent me to blinde up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them hat are bound 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they might be called trees of righteousness the planting of the LORD that he might be glorified 4 ¶ And they shall * Chap. 58.12 build the old wastes they shall raise up the former desolations and they shall repart the waste cities the desolations of many generations 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks and the sons of the alien shall be your plowman and your vine-dressers 6 But ye shall be named the priests of the LORD men shall call you the ministers of our God * Chap. 60.6 ye
home there is as death 21 They have heard that I sigh there is none to comfort me all mine enemies have heard of my trouble they are glad that thou hast done it thou wilt bring the day that thou hast ‖ Or â—â—â—laimed called and they shall be like unto me 22 Let all their wickedness come before thee and do unto them as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions for my sighs are many and my heart is saint CHAP. II. 1 Jeremiah lamenteth the misery of Jerusalem 20 He complaineth thereof to God HOw hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel and remembred not his footstool in the day of his anger 2 The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob and hath not pitted he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah he hath †Heb. male to south brought them down to the ground he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof 3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire which devoureth round about 4 He hath bent his bowe like an enemy he stood with his right hand as an adversary and slew †Heb. all the desireable of the eye all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion he poured out his fury like fire 5 The Lord was as an enemy he hath swallowed up Israel he hath swallowed up all her palaces he hath destroyed his strong holds and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation 6 And he hath violently * Ps 80.12 and 89.40 Isa 5.5 taken away his ‖ Or â—edâ—e tabernacle as if it were of a garden he hath destroyed his places of the assembly the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest 7 The Lord hath cast off his altar he hath abhorred his sanctuary he hath †Heb. Sout up given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces they have made a noise in the house of the LORD as in the day of a solemn feast 8 The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion he hath stretched out a line he hath not withdrawn his hand from †Heb. swallowing up destroying therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament they languished together 9 Her gates are sunk into the ground he hath destroyed and broken her bars her king and her princes are among the Gentiles the law is no more her * Ps 74.9 prophets also finde no vision from the LORD 10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground and keep silence they have cast up dust upon their heads they have girded themselves with sackcloth the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground 11 Mine eyes do fail with tears my bowels are troubled my liver is poured upon the earth for the destruction of the daughter of my people because the children and the sucklings ‖ Or saint swoon in the streets of the city 12 They say to their mothers Where is corn and wine when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city when their soul was poured out into their mothers bosom 13 What thing shall I take to witness for thee what thing shall I liken to thee O daughter of Jerusalem what shall I equal to thee that I may comfort thee O virgin daughter of Zion for thy breach is great like the sea who can heal thee 14 Thy * Jer. 2.8 and 5.31 and 14.14 and 23.16 prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee and they have not discovered thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment 15 All that pass †Heb. by the way by clap their hands at thee they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem saying Is this the câ—ty that men call * Ps 48.2 the perfection of beauty the joy of the whole earth 16 All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee they hiss and gnash the teeth they say We have swallowed her up certainly this is the day that we looked for we have found we have seen it 17 The LORD hath done that which he had * Lev. 26.16 devised he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old he hath thrown down and hath not pitied and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoyce over thee he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries 18 Their heart cried unto the Lord O wall of the daughter of Zion * Jer. 14.17 Ch. â— 16 let tears run down like a river day and night give thy self no rest let not the apple of thine eye cease 19 Arise cry out in the night in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord lift up thy hands towards him for the life of thy young children that faint for hunger in the top of every street 20 ¶ Behold O LORD and consider to whom thou hast done this shall the women eat their fruit and children ‖ Or swaddled with their hands of a span long shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the LORD 21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets my virgins and my young men are fain by the sword thou hast slain them in the day of thy anger thou hast killed and not pitied 22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrours round about so that in the day of the LORDS anger none escaped nor remained those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed CHAP. III. 1 The faithful bewall their â—alamities 22 By the mercies of God they nourish their hope 37 They acknowledge Gods justice 55 They pray for deliverance 64 and venâ—eance on their enemies I Am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath 2 He hath led me and brought me into darkness but not into light 3 Surely against me is he turned he turneth his hand against me all the day 4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old he hath broken my bones 5 He hath builded against me and compassed me with gall and travel 6 He hath set me in dark places as they that be dead of old 7 He hath hedged me about that I cannot get out he hath made my chain heavy 8 Also when I cry and shout he shutteth out my prayer 9 He hath enclosed my ways with hewn stone the hath made my paths crooked 10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait and as a
that abhor judgement and pervert all equity 10 They build up Zion with * Ezek. 12 2â— Zeph. 3.3 †Heb. blouds bloud and Jerusalem with iniquity 11 The heads thereof judge for reward and the priests thereof teach for hire and the prophets thereof divine for money yet will they lean upon the LORD †Heb. saying and say Is not the LORD among us none evil can come upon us 12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be * Jer. 26.18 plowed as a field and Jerusalem shall become heaps and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest CHAP. IV. 1 The glory 3 peace 8 kingdom 11 and victory of the church BUt * Isa 2 2 c. in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it 2 And many nations shall come and say Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem 3 ¶ And he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong nations afar off and they shall beat their swords into * Is 2.4 Joel 3.10 plow-shares and their spears into ‖ Or sithes pruning-hooks nation shall not lift up a sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it 5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever 6 In that day saith the LORD will I assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted 7 And I will make her that * Zeph. 3.19 halted a remnant and her that was cast far off a strong nation and the LORD * Dan. 7.14 Luk. 1.33 shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever 8 ¶ And thou O towre of the flock the strong hold of the daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come even the first dominion the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud is there no king in thee is thy counsellour perished for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail 10 Be in pain and labour to bring forth O daughter of Zion like a woman in travail for now shalt thou go forth out of the city and thou shalt dwell in the field and thou shalt go even to Babylon there shalt thou be delivered there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies 11 ¶ Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say Let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsel for the shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor 13 Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I will make thine horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth CHAP. V. 1 The birth of Christ 4 His kingdom 8 His conquest NOw gather thy self in troups O daughter of troups he hath laid siege against us they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek 2 But thou * Mat. 2.6 Joh. 7.42 Beth-lechem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall be come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from of old from †Heb. the days of eternity everlasting 3 Therefore will he give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel 4 ¶ And he shall stand and ‖ Or â—ule feed in the strength of the LORD in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God and they shall abide for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth 5 And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land and when he shall tread in our palace then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight †Heb. princes of men principal men 6 And they shall †Heb. â—at up waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod ‖ Or with her own naked sworâ—â— in the entrances thereof thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian when he cometh into our land and when he treadeth within our borders 7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD as the showers upon the grass that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the sons of men 8 ¶ And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest as a young lion among the flocks of ‖ Or gâ—atâ— sheep who if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver 9 Thine hand shall be lift up upon thine adversaries and all thine enemies shall be cut off 10 And it shall come to pass in that day saith the LORD that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee and I will destroy thy chariots 11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land and throw down all thy strong holds 12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand and thou shalt have no more soothsayers 13 Thy graven images also will I cut off and thy ‖ Or statues standing images out of the midst of thee and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands 14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee so will I destroy thy ‖ Or enemies cities 15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen such as they have not heard CHAP. VI. 1 Gods controversy for unkindness 6 for ignorance 10 for injudâ—â—e 16 and for idolatry HEar ye now what the LORD saith Arise contend thou ‖ Or with before the * Isa 1.2 mountains and let the hills hear thy voice 2 Hear ye O mountains the LORDs controversy and ye strong foundations of the earth for the LORD hath a controversy with his people and he will plead with Israel 3 O my people what have I done unto thee and wherein have I wearied thee tâ—stify against me 4 For I brought thee up ouâ— of the lanâ—
through the street of the city and proclaimed before him Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour 12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the kings gate but Haman hasted to his house mourning and having his head covered 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befâ—â—n him Then said his wisemen Zeresh his wife unto him if Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevail against him but shalt surely fall before him 14 And while they were yet talking with him came the kings chamberlains hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared CHAP. VII 1 Esther entertaining the king and Haman maketh suit for her own life and her peoples 5 She accuseth Haman 7 The king in his â—nâ—er understanding of the gallows which Haman had made for Mordecai causeth him to be banâ—ed thereon SO the king and Haman came †Heb. to drink to banquet with Esther the queen 2 And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine What is thy petition queen Esther and it shall be granted thee and what is thy request and it shall be performed even to the half of the kingdom 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said If I have found favour in thy sight O king and if it please the king let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request 4 For we are sold I and my people †Heb. that they should destroy and kill and cause to perish to be destroyed to be slain and to perish but if we had been sold for bond men bond-women I had held my tongue although the enemy could not counter all the kings damage 5 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen Who is he and where is he †Heb. whose heart hath filled him that durst presume in his heart to do so 6 And Esther said †Heb. the man adversary The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman Then Haman was afraid ‖ Or. at the presence of before the king and the queen 7 ¶ And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace-garden and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king 8 Then the king returned out of the palace-garden into the place of the banquet of wine and Haman was fain upon the bed whereon Esther was Then said the king Will he force the queen also †Heb. with me before me in the house As the word went out of the kings mouth they covered Hamans face 9 And Harbonah one of the chamberlains said before the king Behold also the †Heb. tree gallows fifty cubits high which Haman had made for Mordecai who had spoken good for the king standeth in the house of Haman Then the king said Hang him thereon 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai Then was the kings wrath pacified CHAP. VIII 1 Mordecai is advanced 3 Esther maketh suit to reverse Hamans letters 7 Ahasuerus granteth to the Jews to defend themselves 15 Mordecai's honour and the Jews joy ON that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews enemy unto Esther the queen and Mordecai came before the king for Esther had told what he was unto her 2 And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman gave it unto Mordecai And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman 3 ¶ And Esther spake yet again before the king and fell down at his feet †Heb. she wept besought him and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite and his device that he had devised against the Jews 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther So Esther arose and stood before the king 5 And said If it please the king and if I have found favour in his fight and the thing seem right before the king and I be pleasing in his eyes let it be written to reverse †Heb. thâ— device the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite ‖ Or who wrote which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the kings provinces 6 For how can I †Heb. 〈◊〉 able that I may see endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred 7 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen to Mordecai the Jew Behold I have given Esther the house of Haman him they have hanged upon the gallows because he laid his hands upon the Jews 8 Write ye also for the Jews as it liketh you in the kings name and seal it with the kings ring for the writing which is written in the kings name and sealed with the kings ring * See chap. 1.19 may no man reverse 9 Then were the kings scribes called at that time in the third moneth that is the moneth Sivan on the three and twentieth day thereof and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews and to the lieutenants and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia an hundred twenty and seven provinces unto every province according to the writing thereof and unto every people after their language and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus name and sealed it with the kings ring and sent letters by posts on hors-back and riders on mules and young dromedaries 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life to destroy to slay and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province that would assault them both little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus namely upon the thirteenth day of the twefth moneth which is the moneth Adar 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was †Heb. revealed published unto all people and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out being hastned and pressed on by the kings commandment and the decree was given at Shushan the palace 15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel ofâ—blue white with a great crown of gold with a garment of fine linen and purple the city of Shushan rejoyced and was glad 16 The Jews had light and gladness
as long as the sun and men shall be blessed in him all nations shall 〈◊〉 him blessed 18 Blessed 〈◊〉 the LORD God the God of Israel who onely doth wondrous things 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen and amen 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended PSAL. LXXIII 1 The prophet prevailing in a temptation 2 sheweth the occasion thereof the prosperity of the wicked 13 the wound given thereby diffidenâ—â— 15 the victory over it knowledge of Gods purpose in destroying of the wicked and sustaining the righteous ¶ ‖ Or A psalm for Asaph A psalm of Asaph ‖ Or. yet TRuly God is good to Israel even to such as are †Heb. clean of heart of a clean heart 2 But as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt 3 * Job 21. â— Psal 3â— 1 Jer. 12.1 For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked 4 For there are no bands in their death but their strength is †Heb. fat firm 5 They are not †Heb. in the trouble of other men in trouble as other men neither are they plagued †Heb. with like other men 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain violence covereth them as a garment 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness †Heb. they pass the thoughts of the heart they have more then heart could wish 8 They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression they speak loftily 9 They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walketh through the earth 10 Therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them 11 And they say How doth God know and is there knowledge in the most High 12 Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world they increase in riches 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency 14 For all the day long have I been plagued and †Heb. my chastisement was chastned every morning 15 If I say I will speak thus behold I should offend against the generation of thy children 16 When I thought to know this †Heb. it was labour in mine eyes it was too painful for me 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God then understood I their end 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction 19 How are they brought into desolation as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrours 20 As a dream when one awaketh so O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image 21 Thus my heart was grieved and I was pricked in my reins 22 So foolish was I and †Heb. I knew not ignorant I was as a beast †Heb. with thee before thee 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by my right hand 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee 26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the †Heb. rock strength of my heart and my portion for ever 27 For lo they that are far from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord GOD that I may declare all thy works PSAL. LXXIV 1 The prophet complaineth of the desolation of the sanctuary 10 He moveth God to help in consideration of his power 18 of his reproachful enemies of his children and of his covenant ¶ ‖ Or a psalm for Asaph to give instruction Maschil of Asaph O God why hast thou cast us off for ever why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture 2 Remember thy congregation which thou hast purchased of old the ‖ Or tribe rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this mount Zion wherein thou hast dwelt 3 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary 4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations they set up their ensigns for signs 5 A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees 6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers 7 †Heb. they have sent thy sanctuary into tâ—â— fire They have cast sire into thy sanctuary they have defiled by casting down the dwelling-place of thy name to the ground 8 They said in their hearts Let us †Heb. break destroy them together they have burnt up all the synagogues of God in the land 9 We see not our signs there is no more any prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long 10 O God how long shall the adversary reproach shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever 11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand even thy right hand pluck it out of thy bosom 12 For God is my King of old working salvation in the midst of the earth 13 * Ex 14.21 Thou didst †Heb. break divide the sea by the strength thou brakest the heads of the ‖ Or a â—ales dragons in the waters 14 Thou brakest the heads of seviathan in pieces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness 15 * Ex. 1â— â— Numb 20.11 Thou didst cleave the fountain and the floud * Jos 2.13 thou driedst up †Heb. riverâ— of stâ—â—â—â—t mighty rivers 16 The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun 17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast †Heb. maâ—e them made summer and winter 18 Remember this that the enemy hath reproached O LORD and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name 19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the wicked forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever 20 Have respect unto the covenant for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty 21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed let the poor and needy praise thy name 22 Arise O God plead thine own cause remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily 23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies the tumult of those that rise up against thee †Heb. â—sâ—endeth increaseth continually PSAL. LXXV 1 The prophet praiseth God 2 He promiseth to judge uprightly 4. He rebuketh the proud by consideration of Gods providence 9 He praiseth God and promiseth to execute justice ¶ To the chief musician ‖ Or destroy not Al-taschith A Psalm or long ‖ Or for Asaph of Asâ—ph UNto thee O God do we give thanks unto thee do we give thanks for
waters to run down like rivers 17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most Hâ—gh in the wilderness 18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust 19 * Numb 11.4 Yea they spake against God they said Can God †Heb. order furnish a table in the wilderness 20 * Ex. 17.6 Numb 20.11 Behold he smote the rock that the waters gushed out and the streams over-flowed can he give bread also can he provide flesh for his people 21 Therefore the LORD heard this and was wroth so a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also came up against Israel 22 Because they beleeved not in God and trusted not in his salvation 23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above and opened the doors of heaven 24 * Ex. â—6 14. Joh. 6.31 And had rained down manna upon them to eat and had given them of the corn of heaven 25 ‖ Or every one did eat the bread of the mighty Man did eat angels food he sent them meat to the full 26 He caused an east-wind †Heb. to go to blow in the heaven and by his power he brought in the south wind 27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust and †Heb. fowl of wing feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea 28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp round about their habitations 29 So they did eat and were well filled for he gave them their own desire 30 They were not estranged from their lust but * Num. 11.33 while their meat was yet in their mouths 31 The wrath of God came upon them and slew the fattest of them and †Heb. made to bow smote down the ‖ Or young men chosen men of Israel 32 For all this they sinned still and beleeved not for his wondrous works 33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity and their years in trouble 34 When he slew them then they sought him and they returned and enquired early after God 35 And they remembred that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lied unto him with their tongues 37 For their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant 38 But he being full of compassion forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not yea many a time turned he his anger away and did not stir up all his wrath 39 For he remembred that they were but flesh a wind that passeth away and cometh not again 40 How oft did they ‖ Or rebel against him provoke him in the wilderness and grieve him in the desert 41 Yea they turned back and tempted God and limited the holy One of Israel 42 They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them ‖ Or from affliction from the enemy 43 How he had †Heb. set wrought his signs in Egypt and his wonders in the field of Zoan 44 * Ex. 7.20 And had turned their rivers into bloud and their flouds that they could not drink 45 * Ex. 8.24 He sent divers sorts of flies among them which devoured them and * Exod. 8.6 frogs which destroyed them 46 * Ex. 10.13 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller and their labour unto the locust 47 * Ex. 9.23 He †Heb. killed destroyed their vines with hail and their sycomore-trees with ‖ Or great hailstones frost 48 †Heb. he shut up He gave up their cattel also to the hail and their flocks to ‖ Or lightnings hot thunder bolts 49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger wrath and indignation and trouble by sending evil angels among them 50 †Heb. He were bed a path He made a way to his anger he spared not their soul from death but gave ‖ Or their beasts to the murrain Exod. 9.3 their life over to the pestilence 52 * Exod. 12.29 And smote all the first-born in Egypt the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham 52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock 53 And he led them on safely so that they feared not but the sea * Ex. 14.27 and 15.10 †Heb. covered overwhelmed their enemies 54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary even to this mountain which his right hand had purchased 55 He cast out the heathen also before them and * Jol. 13.7 divided them an inheritance by line made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents 56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God and kept not his testimonies 57 But turned back and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers they were turned aside like a deceitful bowe 58 * Deut. 32.21 For they provoked him to anger with their high places and moved him to jealousie with their graven images 59 When God heard this he was wroth and greatly abhorred Israel 60 * 1 Sam. 4.11 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh the tent which he placed among men 61 And delivered his strength into captivity and his glory into the enemies hand 62 He gave his people over also unto the sword and was wroth with his inheritance 63 The fire consumed their young men and their maidens were not †Heb. prâ—dsed given to marriage 64 Their priests fell by the sword and their widows made no lamentation 65 Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine 66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts he put them to a perpetual reproach 67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph and chose not the tribe of Ephraim 68 But chose the tribe of Judah the mount Zion which he loved 69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces like the earth which he hath †Heb. founded established for ever 70 * 1 Sam. 16.11 2 Sam. 7.8 He chose David also his servant and took him from the sheepfolds 71 †Heb. from after From following the ews great with young he brought him * 2 Sam. 5.2 1 Chr. 11.2 to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands PSAL. LXXIX 1 The psalmist complaineth of the desâ—lation of Jerusalem 8 He prayeth for deliverance 13 and promiseth thankfulness ¶ A psalm ‖ Or for Asaph of Asaph O God the heathen are come into thine inheritance thy holy temple have they defiled they have laid Jerusalem on heaps 2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth 3 Their bloud have they shed like water round
that hate him 24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him and in my name shall his horn 〈◊〉 exalted 25 I will set 〈◊〉 â—and also in the sea and his right hand in the rivers 26 He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father my God and the rock of my salvation 27 Also I will make him my first-born higher then the kings of the earth 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore and my covenant shall stand fast with him 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven 30 It his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgements 31 If they †Heb. profane my statutes break my statutes and keep not my commandments 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes 33 Nevertheless my loving kindness †Heb. I will not make void from him will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faâ—thfulness †Heb. to lie to fail 34 My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness †Heb. if I lie that I will not lie unto David 36 * 2 Sam. 7.16 Luke 1.33 Joh. 12.34 His seed shall endure for ever his throne as the sun before me 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven Selah 38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred thou hast been wroth with thine anointed 39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant thou hast profaned his câ—own by casting it to the ground 40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges thou hast brought his strong holds to ruine 41 All that pass by the way spoil him he is a reproach to his neighbours 42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries thou hast made all his enemies to rejoyce 43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword and hast not made him to stand in the battel 44 Thou hast made his †Heb. brightness glory to cease and cast his throne down to the ground 45 The days of his youth hast thou shortned thou hast covered him with shame Selah 46 How long LORD wilt thou hide thy self for ever shall thy wrath burn like fire 47 Remember how short my time is wherefore hast thou made all men in vain 48 What man is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah 49 Lord where are thy former loving kindnesses which thou * 2 Sam. 7 1â— swarest unto David in thy truth 50 Remember Lord the reproach of thy servants how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people 52 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached O LORD wherewith they have reproached the foot-steps of thine anointed 52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore Amen and amen PSAL. XC 1 Moses setting forth Gods providence 3 complains of humane fragility 7 divine chastisements 10 and brevity of life 12 He prayeth for the knowledge and sensible experience of Gods good providence ¶ ‖ Or a prayer being a psalm of Moses A Prayer of Moses the man of God LOrd thou hast been our dwelling-place †Heb. in generation and generation in all generations 2 Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 3 Thou turnest man to destruction and sayest Return ye children of men 4 * 2 Pet. 3.8 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday ‖ Or when he hath passed them when it is past and as a watch in the night 5 Thou carriest them away as with a floud they are as a sleep in the morning they are like grass which ‖ Or is changed groweth up 6 In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up in the evening it is cut down and withereth 7 For we are consumed by thine anger and by thy wrath are we troubled 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance 9 For all our days are †Heb. turned away passed away in thy wrath we spend our years ‖ Or as a meditation as a tale that is told 10 †Heb. as for the days of our years in them are seventy years The days of our years are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years yet is their strength labour and sorrow for it is soon cut off and we flie away 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger even according to thy fear so is thy wrath 12 So teach us to number our days that we may †Heb. cause to come apply our hearts unto wisdom 13 Return O LORD how long and let it repent thee concerning thy servants 14 O satisfie us early with thy mercy that we may rejoyce and be glad all our days 15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us and the years wherein we have seen evil 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children 17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it PSAL. XCI 1 The state of the godly 3 Their safety 9 Their habitation 11 Their servants 14 Their friend with the effects of them all HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall †Heb. lodge abide under the shadow of the Almighty 2 I will say of the LORD He is my refuge and my fortress my God in him will I trust 3 Sureâ—y he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noysom peâ—tilâ—nâ—e 4 He shall â—over thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou tâ—â—â—â— his truth shall be thâ— shâ—â—ld and buâ—â—ler 5 Tâ—oâ— shalt noâ—â—e afraid for the terrour by night nor for the arrow that flâ—â—th â—y day 6 Noâ— for the pestilâ—nce that walketh in darkness nor for the destruction that wasteth at noâ—n-day 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand but it shall not come nigh thee 8 Onely with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked 9 Because thou hast made the LORD which is my refuge even the most High thy habitation 10 There shall no evil befal thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling 11 * Mat. 4.6 Luke 4.10 For he shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and ‖ Or asp adder the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet 14 Because he hath
to favour his fatherless children 13 Let his posterity be cut off and in the generation following let their name be blotted out 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembred with the LORD and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out 15 Let them be before the LORD continually that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth 16 Because that he remembred not to shew mercy but persecuted the poor and needy man that he might even slay the broken in heart 17 As he loved curing so let it come unto him as he delighted not in blessing so let it be far from him 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment so let it come †Heb. within him into his bowels like water and like oyl into his bones 19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually 20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD and of them that speak evil against my soul 21 But do thou for me O GOD the Lord for thy names sake because thy mercy is good deliver thou me 22 For I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me 23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth I am tossed up and down as the locust 24 My knees are weak through fasting and my flesh faileth of fatness 25 I became also a reproach unto them when they looked upon me they shaked their heads 26 Help me O LORD my God O save me according to thy mercy 27 That they may know that this is thy hand that thou LORD hast done it 28 Let them curse but bless thou when they arise let them be ashamed but let thy servant rejoyce 29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as with a mantle 30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth yea I will praise him among the multitude 31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor to save him †Heb. from the judâ—es of his soul from those that condemn his soul PSAL. CX 1 The kingdom 4 the priesthood 5 the conquest 7 and the passion of Christ ¶ A psalm of David THe * Mat. 22.44 Mark 12.26 Luke 20.42 Acts 2.24 1 Cor. 15.25 Heb. 1.13 LORD said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the mids of thine enemies 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness ‖ Or more then the womb of the morning thou shalt have c. from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth 4 The LORD hath sworn and will not repent * Heb. 5.6 and 7.17 Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek 5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 6 He shall judge among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over ‖ Or great many countreys 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head PSAL. CXI 1 The psalmist by his example inciteth others to praise God for his glorious 5 and gracious works 10 The fear of God breedeth true wisdom †Heb. Hallelujah PRaise ye the LORD I will praise the LORD with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation 2 The works of the LORD are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein 3 His work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred the LORD is gracious and full of compassion 5 He hath given †Heb. prey meat unto them that fear him he will ever be mindful of his covenant 6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works that he may give them the heritage of the heathen 7 The works of his hands are verity and judgement all his commandments are sure 8 They †Heb. are stabâ—iâ—ied stand fast for ever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness 9 He sent redemption unto his people he hath commanded his covenant for ever holy and reverend is his name 10 * Job 28.28 Prov. 1.7 and 9.10 Ecclus 1.16 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom ‖ Or. good success a good understanding have all they †Heb that do them that do his commandments his praise endureth for ever PSAL. CXII 1 Godliness hath the promises of this life 4 and of the life to come 10 The prosperity of the godly shall be an ese-sore to the wicked †Heb. Hallelujah PRaise ye the LORD Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD that delighteth greatly in his commandments 2 His feed shall be mighty upon earth the generation of the upright shall be blessed 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house and his righteousness endureth forever 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness he is gracious and full of compassion and righteous 5 A good man sheweth favour and lendeth he will guide his affairs with †Heb. judgement discretion 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance 7 He shall not be a fraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the LORD 8 His heart is established he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies 9 * 2 Cor. 9.9 He hath dispersed he hath given to the poor his righteousness endureth for ever his horn shall be exalted with honour 10 The wicked shall see it and be grieved he shall gnash with his teeth and melt away the desire of the wicked shall perish PSAL. CXIII 1 An exhortation to praise God for his excellency 6 for his mercy †Heb. Hallelujah PRaise ye the LORD Praise O ye servants of the LORD praise the name of the LORD 2 * Dan. 2.20 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore 3 * Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORDS name is to be praised 4 The LORD is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens 5 Who is like unto the LORD our God who †Heb. exalteth himself to dwell dwelleth on high 6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth 7 * 1 Sam. 2.8 Psal 107.41 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghil 8 That he may set him with princes even with the princes of his people 9 He maketh the barren woman †Heb. to dwell in an house to keep house and to be
Ch. 59.3 †Heb. blouds bloud 16 ¶ Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes * 1 Pet. 3.11 cease to do evil 17 Learn to do well seek judgement ‖ Or rightâ—â—â— relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow 18 Come now and let us reason together saith the LORD though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool 19 If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land 20 But if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with the sword for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it 21 ¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot it was full of judgement righteousness lodged in it but now murderers 22 Thy silver is become dross thy wine mixt with water 23 Thy princes are rebellious and companions of theeves every one loveth gifts and followeth after rewards they * Jer. 5.28 Zech. 7 1â— judge not the fatherless neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them 24 Therefore saith the Lord the LORD of hosts the mighty One of Israel Ah I will ease me of mine adversaries and avenge me of mine enemies 25 ¶ And I will turn my hand upon thee and †Heb. according to pureness purely purge away thy dross and take away all thy tin 26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first and thy counsellours as at the beginning afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousnes the faithful city 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgement and ‖ Or they that return of her her converts with righteousness 28 ¶ And the * Job 31.3 Ps 1.6 5.6 73.27 92.9 and 104.35 †Heb. breaking destruction of the transgressours and of the sinners shall be together and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth and as a garden that hath no water 31 And the strong shall be as tow ‖ Or and his work and the maker of it as a spark and they shall both burn together and none shall quench them CHAP. II. 1 Isaiah prophesieth the coming of Christs kingdom â— Wickedness is the cause of Gods forsaking 10 He exhorteth to fear because of the powerful effect of Gods majesty THe word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem 2 And * Mic. 4 â— c. it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the LORD house shall be ‖ Or prepared established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it 3 And many people shall go and say Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem 4 And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into ‖ Or sithes pruning-hooks nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more 5 O house of Jacob come ye and let us walk in the light of the LORD 6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob because they be replenished ‖ Or more then the east from the east and are sooth-sayers like the Philistines and they ‖ Or abound with the children c. please themselves in the children of strangers 7 Their land also is full of silver and gold neither is there any end of their treasures their land is also full of horses neither is there any end of their chariots 8 Their land also is full of idols they worship the work of their own hands that which their own fingers have made 9 And the mean man boweth down and the great man humbleth himself therefore forgive them not 10 ¶ Enter into the rock and hide thee in the dust for fear of the LORD and for the glory of his majesty 11 The * Chap. 5.15 lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day 12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low 13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon all the oaks of Bashan 14 And upon all the high mountains and upon all the hills that are lifted up 15 And upon every high towre and upon every senced wall 16 And upon all the ships of Tarthish and upâ—n all †Heb. pictures of dâ—sire pleasant pictures 17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of men shall be made low and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day 18 And ‖ Or the idols shall utterly pass away the idols he shall utterly abolish 19 And they shall go into the * Hoâ— 10.8 Lu. 23.30 Rev. 6.16 9.6 holes of the rocks and into the caves of †Heb. the â—ust the earth for fear of the LORD and for the glory of his majesty when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth 20 In that day a man shall cast †Heb. the idols of his silvâ—r c. his idols of silver and his idols of gold ‖ Or which they made for him which they made each one for himself to worship to the moles and to the bats 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks and into the tops of the ragged rocks for fear of the LORD and for the glory of his majesty when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth 22 Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of CHAP. III. 1 The great confusion which cometh by sin 9 The impudeney of the people 12 The oppression and covetousâ—â—es of the culers 16 The judgements which shall be joy the pride of the women FOr behold the LORD the LORD of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water 2 The mighty man and the man of war the judge and the prophet and the prudent and the ancient 3 The captain of fifty and †Heb. amâ—â— emiâ—eâ—t in counterance the honourable man and the counsellour and the cunning artificer and ‖ Or skilful of speâ—ck the eloquent oratour 4 And I will give * â—â—â—â—es 1â— 16 children to be their
For the LORD spake thus to me †Heb. in strength of hand with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people saying 12 Say ye not A confederacy to all them to whom this people shall say A confederacy neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid 13 Sanctifie the LORD of hoâ—s himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary but for * Ch. 2â— 16 Luk. 2. â—4 Rom. 9 3â— 1 Pet. 2.8 a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem 15 And many among them shall * Matth. 2â— 44. Luk. 20.18 stumble and fall and be broken and besnared and be taken 16 Binde up the testimony seal the law among my disciples 17 And I will wait upon the LORD that hâ—â—â—th his face from the house of Jacob and I will look for him 18 * Hebr. 2 13. Behold I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts which dwelleth in mount Zion 19 ¶ And when they shall say unto you Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto wizard that peep and that mutter should not a people seek unto their God for the living to the dead 20 * Luk. 16.29 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is †Heb. no morning no light in them 21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry they shall fret themselves and curse their king and their God and look upward 22 And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble and darkness dimness of anguish and they shall be driven to darkness CHAP. IX 1 What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions by the kingdom and birth of Chrâ—st 8 The judgements upon Israel for their pride 13 for their byjoâ—r sie 18 and for their impenitency NEvertheless the dimnesâ— shall not be such as was in her vexation when at the first he lightâ— afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea beyond Jordan in Galilee ‖ Or populous of the nations 2 * Mat. 4.16 Eph. 5.14 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation and ‖ Or to him not increased the joy they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest and as men rejoyce when they divide the spoil 4 ‖ Or when thou breakest For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder the rod of his oppressour as in the day of * Judg. 7.22 Ch. 10.26 Midian 5 ‖ Or When the whole â—atteâ— of the warrâ—our was c. For every bâ—ttel of the warriour is with confused noise and garments rolled in bloud ‖ Or and it was c. but this shall be with burning and †Heb meat fewel of fire 6 For unto us a childe is born unto us a * Joh. 3.16 son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour The mighty God The everlasting father The prince of peace 7 Of the increase of his government and peace * Luke 1.32 33. there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever the * 2 King 19.31 Ch 37.32 zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this 8 ¶ The Lord sent a word into Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel 9 And all the people shall know even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria that say in the pride and stoutness of heart 10 The bricks are fallen down but we will build with hewn stones the sycomores are cut down but we will change them into cedars 11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him and †Heb. mingle joyn his enemies together 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behinde and they shall devour Israel †Heb. with whole mouth with open mouth * Ch. 5.25 10.4 for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still 13 ¶ For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seek the LORD of hosts 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail branch and rush in one day 15 The ancient and honourable he is the head and the prophet that teacheth lies he is the tail 16 For ‖ Or they that call them blessed the leaders of this people cause them to err and ‖ Or they that are called blessed of them they that are led of them are †Heb. swallowed up destroâ—ed 17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows for ever one is an hypocrite and an evil doer and every mouth speaketh ‖ Or villany folly for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still 18 ¶ For wickedness â—urneth as the fire it shall devour the briers and thorns and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke 19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkned and the people shall be as the †Heb. meat fewel of the fire no man shall spare his brother 20 And he shall †Heb. cut snatch on the right hand and be hungry and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm 21 Manasseh Ephraim and Ephraim Manasseh and they together shall be against Judah For all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still CHAP. X. 1 The wo of tyrants 5 Assyria the rod of hypocrites for his pride shall he broken 20. A remnant of Israel shall be saved 24 Israel is comforted with promise of deliverance from Assyria WO unto them that decree unrighteous decrees and ‖ Or to the writers that write grievousness that write grievousness which they have prescribed 2 To turn aside the needy from judgement and to take away the right from the poor of my people that widows may be their prey and that they may rob the father less 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which shall come from far to whom will ye flee for help and where will ye leave
the inhabitants of the world would not have beleeved that the adversary and the enemy should have entred into the gates of Jerusalem 13 ¶ * Jer. 5.31 and 23.21 For the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests that have shed the bloud of the just in the midst of her 14 They have wandred as blinde men in the streets they have polluted themselves with bloud ‖ Or in that they could not but touch so that men could not touch their garments 15 They cried unto them Depart ye ‖ Or ye polluted it is unclean depart depart touch not when they fled away and wandred they said among the heathen They shall no more sojourn there 16 The ‖ Or faâ—â— anger of the LORD hath divided them he will no more regard them they respected not the persons of the priests they favoured not the elders 17 As for us our eyes as yet failed for our vain help in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us 18 They hunt out steps that we cannot go in our streets our end is near our days are fulfilled for our end is come 19 Our persecutours are swifter then the eagles of the heaven they pursued us upon the mountains they said wait for us in the wilderness 20 The * Gen. 2.7 breath of our nostrils the anointed of the LORD was taken in their pits of whom we said Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen 21 Rejoyce and be glad O daughter of Edom that dwellest in the land of Uz the cup also shall pass through unto thee thou shalt be drunken and shalt make thy self naked 22 ¶ ‖ Or Thine iniquity The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished O daughter of Zion he will no more carry thee away into captivity he will visit thine iniquity O daughter of Edom he will ‖ Or carry thee captive for thy sins discover thy sins CHAP. V. A pitiful complaint of Zion in prayer unto God REmember O LORD what is come upon us consider and behold our reproach 2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers our houses to aliens 3 We are orphans and fatherless our mothers are as widows 4 We have drunken our water for money our wood †Heb. cometh for price is sold unto us 5 †Heb. on our necks are we persecuted Our necks are under persecution we labour and have no rest 6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians and to the Assyrians to be satisfied with bread 7 * Jer. 31.29 Ezek. 18.2 Our fathers have sinned and are not and we have born their iniquities 8 Servants have ruled over us there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand 9 We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness 10 Our * Ps 119.83 skin was black like an oven because of the ‖ Or terrours or storms terrible famine 11 They ravished the women in Zion and the maids in the cities of Judah 12 Princes are hanged up by their hand the faces of elders were not honoured 13 They took the young men to grinde and the children fell under the wood 14 The elders have ceased from the gate the young men from their musick 15 The joy of our heart is ceased our dance is turned into mourning 16 †Heb. the crown of our head is fallen The crown is faln from our head wo unto us that we have sinned 17 For this our heart is faint for these things our eyes are dim 18 Because of the mountain of Zion which is desolate the foxes walk upon it 19 Thou O LORD * Ps 9.7 c 29.10 and 102.12 and 145.13 remainest for ever thy throne from generation to generation 20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever and forsake us †Heb. for â—ength of days so long time 21 * Jer. 31.18 Turn thou us unto thee O LORD and we shall be turned renew our days as of old 22 ‖ Or For wilt thou utterly reject uâ—â— But thou hast utterly rejected us thou art very wroth against us ¶ The book of the Prophet EZEKIEL CHAP. I. 1 The time of Ezekiels prophesie at Chebar 4 His vision of four therubims 15 of the four wheels 2â— and of the glory of GOD. NOw it came to pass in the thirtieth year in the fourth moneth in the fifth day of the moneth as I was among the †Heb. captivity captives by the river of Chebar that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God 2 In the fifth day of the moneth which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachins captivity 3 The word of the LORD came expresly unto †Heb. Jekezkel Ezekiel the priest the son of Buzi in the land of the Caldeans by the river Chebar and the hand of the LORD was there upon him 4 ¶ And I looked and behold a whirlwind came out of the north a great cloud and a fire †Heb. catching it self infolding it self and a brightness was about it and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber out of the midst of the fire 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures And this was their appearance They had the likeness of a man 6 And every one had four faces and every one had four wings 7 And their feet were †Heb. a strait foot strait feet and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calves foot and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides and they four had their faces and their wings 9 Their wings were joyned one to another they turned not when they went they went every one strait forward 10 As for the likeness of their faces they four had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side and they four had the face or an ox on the left side they four also had the face of an eagle 11 Thus were their faces and their wings were ‖ Or artâ—â—â— aâ—â—â— stretched upward two wings of every one were joyned one to another and two covered their bodies 12 And they went every one strait forward whither the spirit was to go they went and they turned not when they went 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures their appearance was like burning coals of fire and like the appearance of lamps it went up and down among the living creatures and the fire was bright and out of the fire went forth lightning 14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning 15 ¶ Now as I beheld the living creatures behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures with his four faces 16 The apâ—earance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl and they four had one
enemies THe burden of Nineveth The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite 2 ‖ Or The LORD is a jealous Gâ—â— and revenger c. God is * Ex. 20.5 jealous and the LORD revengeth the LORD revengeth and †Heb. that cath furâ— is furious the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries and he reserveth wrath for his enemies 3 The LORD is â—â—ed 32 6 7. slow to anger and great in power and will not at all acquit the wicked the LORD hath his way in the wirlwind and in the storm and the clouds are the dust of his feet 4 He rebuketh the sea maketh it dry and drieth up all the rivers Bashan languisheth and Carmel the flower of Lebanon languisheth 5 The mountains quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt at his presence yea the world and all that dwell therein 6 Who can stand before his indignation and who can †Heb stand up abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured out like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him 7 The LORD is good a ‖ Or strength strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him 8 But with an overrunning floud he will make an utter end of the place thereof and darkness shall pursue his enemies 9 What do ye imagine against the LORD he will make an utter end affliction shall not rise up the second time 10 For while they be folden together as thorns and while they are drunken as drunkards they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry 11 There is one come out of thee that imagineth evil against the LORD †Heb. a counsellâ—ur of Beâ—â—al a wicked counsellour 12 Thus saith the LORD ‖ Or It the would have been at peace so should they have been many and so should they have been shorn and he should have pasâ—ed away Though they be quiet and likewise many yet thus shall they be †Heb. shorn cut down when he shall pass through though I have afflicted thee I will afflict thee no more 13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee and will burst thy bonds in sunder 14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee that no more of thy name be sown out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image I will make thy grave for thou art vile 15 Behold upon the * Isa 52.7 Rom. 10.15 mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace O Judah †Heb. feast keep thy solemn feasts perform thy vows for †Heb. Belial the wicked shall no more pass through thee he is utterly cut off CHAP. II. The fearful and victorions armies of God againse Ninevth ‖ Or The disperser or hammer HE that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face keep the munition watch the way make thy loyns strong fortify thy power mightily 2 * Isa 10.12 For the LORD hath turned away ‖ Or the pride of Jacob as the pride of Israel the excellency of Jacob as the excellency of Israel for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vinâ—-branches 3 The shield of his mighty men is made red the valiant men are ‖ Or died scarlet in scarlet the chariots shall be with ‖ Or fiery torches flaming torches in the day of his preparation and the fir-trees shall be terribâ—y shaken 4 The chariots shall rage in the streets they shall justle one against another in the broad ways †Heb. their show they shall seem like torches they shall run like the lightnings 5 He shall recount his ‖ Or gâ—lants worthies they shall stumble in their walk they shall make haste to the wall thereof and the †Heb covering or coverer defence shall be prepared 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened and the palace shall be ‖ Or molten dissolved 7 And ‖ Or that which was established or there was a stand made Huzzab shall be ‖ Or discovered led away captive she shall be brought up and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves tabering upon their breasts 8 But Nineveh is ‖ Or from the days that she hath been of old like a pool of water yet they shall flee away Stand stand shall they cry but none shall ‖ Or cause them to turn look back 9 Take ye the spoil of silver take the spoil of gold ‖ Or and their infinite store c. for there is none â—nd of the store and glory out of all the ‖ Heb. vessels of desire pleasant furniture 10 She is empty and void and waste and the * Isa 13.7 8. heart melteth and the knees smite together and much pain is in all loyns and the faces of them all gather blackness 11 Where is the dwelling of the lions and the feeding-place of the young lions where the lion even the old lion walked and the lions whelp and none made them afraid 12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps and strangled for his lionesses and filled his holes with prey and his dens with ravine 13 Behold I am against thee saith the LORD of hosts and I will burn her chariots in the smoke and the sword shall devour thy young lions and I will cut off thy prey from the earth and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard CHAP. III. The miserable ruine of Nineveh Wo to the †Heb. city of blouds * Ezek. 24.9 Hâ—â— 2.12 bloudy city it is all full of lies and robbery the prey departeth not 2 The noise of a whip and the noise of the rattling of the wheels and of the pransing horses and of the jumping chariots 3 The hors-man lifteth up both †Heb. the flamâ— of the sword and the lightning of the spear the bright sword and the glittering spear and there is a multitude of slain and a great number of carcases and there is none end of their corpses they stumble upon their â—orpses 4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favoured harlot the mistress of witchcrafts that selleth nations through her whoredoms and families through her witchcrafts 5 Behold I am against thee saith the LORD of hosts and * Isa 47.3 Ezek. 16.37 I will discover thy skirts upon thy face and I will shew the nations thy nakedness and the kingdoms thy shame 6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee and make thee vile and will set thee as a gazing-stock 7 And it shall come to pass that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee and say Nineveh is laid waste who will bemâ—an her Whence shall I seek â—omforters for thee 8 Art thou better then ‖ Or nourishing †Heb. no Amon. populous No that was situate among the rivers that had
by their cities are destroyed so that there is no man that there is none inhabitant 7 I said Surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them but they rose early and corrupted all their doings 8 ¶ Therefore wait ye upon me saith the LORD until the day that I rise up to the prey for my determination is to gather the nations that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my * Ch. 1.18 jealousy 9 For then will I turn to the people a pure †Heb. lip language that they may all call upon the name of the LORD to serve him with one †Heb. shoulder consent 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offering 11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings wherein thou haâ—t transgressed against me for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoyce in thy pride and thou shalt no more be haughty †Heb. iâ— my holy because of my holy mountain 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the LORD 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth for they shall feed and lie down and none shall make them afraid 14 ¶ Sing O * Isa 12.6 54.1 daughter of Zion shout O Israel be glad and rejoyce with all the heart O daughter of Jerusalem 15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgements he hath cast out thine enemy the King of Israel even the LORD is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem Fear thou not and to Zion Let not thine hands be ‖ Or faint slack 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy †Heb. he will be silent he will rest in his love he will joy over thee with singing 18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly who are of thee to whom †Heb. the burden upon it was reproach the reproach of it was a burden 19 Behold at that time I will undo all that afflict thee and I will save her that * Mic. 4.7 halteth and gather her that was driven out and †Heb. I will set them for a praise I will get them praise and fame in every land †Heb. of their shame where they have been put to shame 20 At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the LORD ¶ HAGGAI CHAP. I. 1 Haggai reproveth the people for neglecting the building of the house 7 He intiteth them to the building 12 He promiseth Gods assistance to them being forward IN the second year of Darius the king in the sixth moneth in the first day of the moneth came the word of the LORD †Heb. by the hand of Haggai by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel ‖ Or captain governour or Judah and to Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest saying 2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts saying This people say The time is not come the time that the LORDs house should be built 3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet saying 4 Is it time for you O ye to dwell in your cieled houses and this house lie waste 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts †Heb. Set your heart on your ways Consider your ways 6 Ye have * Deu. 28.38 Mic. 6.14 15. sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough ye drink but ye are not filled with drink ye clothe you but there is none warm and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag †Heb. pierced through with holes 7 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts Consider your ways 8 Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified saith the LORD 9 Ye looked for much and lo it came to little and when ye brought it home I did ‖ Or blow it away blow upon it why saith the LORD of hosts Because of mine house that is waste and ye run every man unto his own house 10 Therefore * Deu. 28.23 the heaven over you is stayed from dew and the earth is stayed from her fruit 11 And I called for a drought upon the land and upon the mountains and upon the corn and upon the new wine and upon the oyl and upon that which the ground bringeth forth and upon men and upon cattel and upon all the labour of the hands 12 ¶ Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest with all the remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet as the LORD their God had sent him and the people did fear before the LORD 13 Then spake Haggai the LORDs messenger in the LORDs message unto the people saying I am with you saith the LORD 14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel governour of Judah and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest and the spirit of all the remnant of the people and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts their God 15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth moneth in the second year of Darius the king CHAP. II. 1 He encourageth the people to the work by promise of greater glory to the second temple then was in the first 10 In the type of holy things and unclean be sheweth their sins hindred the work 20 Gods promise to Zerubbabel IN the seventh moneth in the one and twentieth day of the moneth came the word of the LORD †Heb. by the hand of by the prophet Haggai saying 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel governour of Judah and to Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest and to the residue of the people saying 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory and how do ye see it now is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing 4 Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel saith the LORD and be strong O Joshua son of Josedech the high priest and be strong all ye people of the land saith the LORD and work for I am
from them a wicked heart that thy law might bring forth fruit in them 21 For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed and was overcome and so be all they that are born of him 22 Thus infirmity was made permanent and the law also in the heart of the people with the malignity of the root so that the good departed away and the evil abode still 23 So the times passed away and the years were brought to an end * 1 Sam. 16.13 then didst thou raise thee up a servant called David 24 * 2 Sam. 5.2 7.5 13. Whom thou commandedst to build a city unto thy name and to offer incense and oblations unto thee therein 25 When this was done many years then they that inhabited the city forsook thee 26 And in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done for they also had a wicked heart 27 And so thou gavest thy city over into the hands of thine enemies 28 Are their deeds then any better that inhabit Babylon that they should therefore have the dominion over Sion 29 For when I came thither and had seen impieties without number then my soul saw many evil doers in this thirtieth year so that my heart failed me 30 For I have seen how thou sufferest them sinning and hast spared wicked doers and hast destroyed thy people and hast preserved thine enemiâ—â— and hast not signified it 31 ‖ Or I conceive I do not remember how this way may be left Are they then of Babylon better then they of Sion 32 Or is there any other people that knoweth thee besides Israel or what generation hath so beleeved thy covenants as Jacob 33 And yet their reward appeareth not and their labour hath no fruit for I have gone here and there through the heathen and I see that they ‖ Or abound flow in wealth and think not upon thy commandments 34 Weigh thou therefore our wickedness now in the balance and theirs also that dwell in the world and so shall thy name no where be found but in Israel 35 Or when was it that they which dwell upon the earth have not sinned in thy sight or what people hath so kept thy commandments 36 Thou shalt finde that Israel by name hath kept thy precepts but not the heathen CHAP. IV. 1 The angel declareth the ignorance of Esdras in Gods judgements 13 and adviseth him not to meddle with things above his reach 23 Nevertheless Esdras asketh divers questions and receiveth answers to them ANd the angel that was sent unto me whose name was Uriel gave me an answer 2 And said Thy heart hath gone too far in this world and thinkest thou to â—omprehend the way of the most High 3 Then said I Yea my lord and he answered me and said I am sent to shâ—w thee three ways and to set forth three similitudes before thee 4 Whereof if thou canst declare me one I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh 5 And I said Tell on my lord Then said he unto me Go thy way weigh me the weight of the fire or measure me the blast of the wind or call me again the day that is past 6 Then answered I and said What man is able to do that that thou shouldest ask such things of me 7 And he said unto me If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep or how many springs are above the firmament or which are the outgoings of paradise 8 Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me I never went down into the deep nor as yet into hell neither did I ever climbe up into heaven 9 Nevertheless now have I asked thee but onely of the fire and wind and of the day where-through thou hast passed and of things from which thou canst not be separated and yet canst thou give me no answer of them 10 He said moreover unto me Thine own things and such as are grown up with thee canst thou not know 11 How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest and the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the ‖ Or incorruption corruption that is evident in my sight 12 Then said I unto him It were better that we were not at all then that we should live still in wickedness and to suffer and not to know wherefore 13 He answered me and said I went into a forest into a plain and the * Judg. 9.8 2 Chr. 25.18 trees took counsel 14 And said Come let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us and that we may make us more woods 15 The flouds of the sea also in like manner took counsel and said Come let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain that there also we may make us another countrey 16 The thought of the wood was in vain for the fire came and consumed it 17 The thought of the flouds of the sea came likewise to nought for the sand stood up and stopped them 18 If thou wert judge now betwixt these two whom wouldest thou begin to justifie or whom wouldest thou condemn 19 I answered and said Verily it is a foolish thought that they have both devised for ‖ Or the land the ground is given unto the wood and the sea also hath his place to bear his ‖ Or waves flouds 20 Then answered he me and said Thou hast given a right judgement but thy judgest thou not thyself also 21 For like as ‖ the land the ground is given unto the wood and the sea to his flouds even so * Is 55.8 9. Joh. 3.31 1 Cor. 2.14 they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth and he that dwelleth above the heavens may onely understand the things that are above the height of the heavens 22 Then answered I and said I beseech thee O Lord let me have understanding 23 For it was not my minde to be curious of the high things but of such as pass by us daily namely wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought and the written covenants come ‖ Or no where to none effect 24 And we pass away out of the world as grashoppers and our life is astonishment and fear and we are not worthy to obtain mercy 25 What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called of these things have I asked 26 Then answered he me and said The more thou searchest the more thou shalt marvel for the world hasteth fast to pass away 27 And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to
is a testimony and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbeleeving soul 8 For regarding not wisdom they gat not onely this hurt that they knew not the things which were good but also left behinde them to the world a memorial of their foolishness so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid 9 But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her 10 When the righteous fled from his brothers wrath she guided him in right paths shewed him the kingdom of God and gave him knowledge of holy things made him rich in his travels and multiplied the fruit of his labours 11 In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him and made him rich 12 She defended him from his enemies and kept him safe from those that lay in wait and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory that he might know that godliness is stronger then all 13 * Gen. 37.28 39.7 Act 7.10 When the righteous was sold she forsook him not but delivered him from sin she went down with him into the pit 14 And left him not in bonds till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom and ‖ Or the power of them that ruled over him power against those that oppressed him as for them that had accused him she shewed them to be liars and gave him perpetual glory 15 * Ex. 1.10 12.42 She delivered the ‖ Or holy righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them 16 She entred into the soul of the servant of the Lord and * Exod. 5.1 withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs 17 Rendred to the righteous a reward of their labours guided them in a marvellous way and was unto them for a cover by day and a ‖ Or flame light of stars in the night-season 18 * Exod. 14.21 22. Psal 78.13 Brought them through the Red sea and led them through much water 19 But she drowned their enemies and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep 20 Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly and * Exo. 15.1 praised thy holy name O Lord and magnified with one accord thine hand that sought for them 21 For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent CHAP. XI 5 The Egyptians were punished and the Israelites reserved in the same thing 15 They were plagued by the same things wherein they sinned 20 God could have destroyed them otherwise 23 but he is merciful to all SHe prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet 2 * Exod. 16.1 They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited and pitched tents in places where there lay no way 3 * Exod. 17.10 11. They stood against their enemies and were avenged of their adversaries 4 When they were thirsty they called upon thee and water was given them out of the flinty rock and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone 5 For by what things their enemies were punished by the same they in their need were benefited 6 For in stead of a fountain of a perpetual running river troubled with foul bloud 7 For a manifest reproof of that commandment whereby the infants were slain thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for 8 Declaring by that thrist then * Exod. 7.20 how thou hadst punished their adversaries 9 For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented thirsting in another manner then the just 10 For these thou didst admonish and try as a father but the other as a severe king thou didst condemn and punish 11 Whether they were absent or present they were vexed alike 12 For a double grief came upon them and a groaning for the remembrance of things past 13 For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited they ‖ Or perceived had some feeling of the Lord. 14 For whom they rejected with scorn when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth of the infants him in the end when they saw what came to pass they admired 15 But for the foolish devices of their wickedness wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason and vile beasts thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance 16 That they might know that wherewithal a man sinneth by the same also shall he be punished 17 For thy almighty hand that made the world of matter without form wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears or fierce lions 18 Or unknown wilde beasts full of rage newly created breathing out either a fiery vapour or filthy sents of scattered smoke or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes 19 Whereof not onely the harm might dispatch them at once but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them 20 Yea and without these might they have faln down with one blast being persecuted of vengeance and scattered abroad through the breath of thy power but thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight 21 For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou wilt and who may withstand the power of thine arm 22 For the whole world before thee is as a ‖ Or little weight little grain of the balance yea as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth 23 But thou hast mercy upon all for thou canst do all things and winkest at the sins of men because they should amend 24 For thou lovest all the things that are and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made for never wouldest thou have made any thing if thou hadst hated it 25 And how could any thing have endured if it had not been thy will or been preserved if not called by thee 26 But thou sparest all for they are thine O Lord thou lover of souls CHAP. XII 2 God did not destroy those of Chanaan all at once 12 If he had done so who could control him 19 But by sparing them be taught us 27 They were punished with their gods FOr thine uncorruptible Spirit is in all things 2 Therefore chastnest thou them by little and little that offend and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended that leaving their wickedness they may beleeve on thee O Lord. 3 For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those ‖ Or ancient old inhabitants of thy holy land 4 Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of ‖ Or sorceries witchcrafts and wicked sacrifices 5 And also those merciless murderers of children and devourers of mans flesh and the feasts of bloud 6 With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crue and the parents that killed with their own
is at rest but the life of the fool is worse then death 12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life 13 Talk not much with a fool and go not to him that hath no understanding * Ch. 12.12 beware of him lest thou have trouble and thou shalt never be defiled ‖ Or when â—e sâ—akes off in filth with his fooleries depart from him and thou shalt finde rest and never be ‖ Or wearied disquieted with madness 14 What is heavier then lead what is the name thereof but a fool 15 * Pro. 27.3 Sand and salt and a mass of iron is easier to bear then a man without understanding 16 As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time 17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering ‖ Or of a polished wall on the wall of a gallery 18 Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear 19 He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge 20 Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away and he that uphraideth his friend breaketh friendship 21 Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend yet despair not for there may be a returning to favour 22 If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend fear not for there may be a reconciliation except for upbraiding or pride or disclosing of secrets or a treacherous wound for for these things every friend will depart 23 Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty that thou mayest rejoyce in his prosperity abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage for a mean eâ—tate is not always to be contemned nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration 24 As the vapour and smoke of a furnace gueth before the fire so reviling before bloud 25 I will not be ashamed to defend a friend neither will I hide my fell from him 26 And if any evil happen unto me by him every one that heareth it will beware of him 27 * Psal 141.3 Who shall set a watch before my mouth and a seal of wisdom upon my lips that I fall not suddenly by them and that my tongue destroy me not CHAP. XXIII 1 A prayer for grace to flee sin 9 We may not use swearing 14 but remember our parents 16 Of three sorts of sin 23 The adulterous wife sinneth many ways O Lord Father and Governour of all my whole life leave me not to their counsels and let me not fall by them 2 Who will set scourges over my thoughts and the discipline of wisdom over mine heart that they spare me not for mine ignorances and it pass not by my sins 3 Lest mine ignorances increase and my sins abound to my destruction and I fall before mine adversaries and mine enemy rejoyce over me whose hope is far from thy mercy 4 O Lord Father and God of my life give me not a proud look but turn away from thy servants always ‖ Or a giant-like a haughty minde 5 Turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence and thou shalt hold him up that is desirous always to serve thee 6 Let not the greediness of the belly nor lust of the flesh take hold of me and give not over me thy servant into an impudent minde 7 Hear O ye children the discipline of the mouth he that keepeth it shall never be taken in his lips 8 The sinner shall be left in his foolishness both the evil speaker and the proud shall fall thereby 9 * Ex. 20.7 Ch. 27.14 Mat. 5.33 34. Accustom not thy mouth to swearing neither use thy self to the naming of the Holy one 10 For as a servant that is continually beaten shall not be without a blew mark so he that sweareth and nameth God continually shall not be faultless 11 A man that useth much swearing shall be filled with iniquity and the plague shall never depart from his house if he shall offend his sin shall be upon him and if he acknowledge not his sin he maketh a double offence and if he swear in vain he shall not be †Gr. justified innocent but his house shall be full of calamities 12 There is a word that is clothed about with death God grant that it be not found in the heritage of Jacob for all such things shall be far from the godly and they shall not wallow in their sins 13 Use not thy mouth to untemperate swearing for therein is the word of sin 14 Remember thy father and thy mother when thou sittest among great men Be not forgetful before them and so thou by thy custom become a fool and wish that thou hadst not been born and curse the day of thy nativity 15 * 2 Sam. 16.7 The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words will never be reformed all the days of his life 16 Two sorts of men multiply sin and the third will bring wrath a hot minde is as a burning fire it will never be quenched till it be consumed a form catour in the body of his flesh will never cease till he hath kindled a fire 17 * Prov. 9.17 All bread is sweet to a whoremonger he will not leave off till he die 18 A man that breaketh wedlock saying thus in his heart * Job 24.15 Isa 29.15 Who seeth me I am compassed about with darkness the walls cover me and no body seeth me what need I to fear the most High will not remember my sins 19 Such a man onely feareth the eyes of men and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter then the sun beholding all the ways of men and considering the most secret parts 20 He knew all things ere ever they were created so also after they were perfected he looked upon them all 21 * Lev. 20.10 Deu. 22.22 This man shall be punished in the streets of the city and where he suspecteth not he shall be taken 22 Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband and bringeth in an heir by ‖ Or a stranger another 23 For first she hath disobeyed the * Ex. 20.14 law of the most High and secondly she hath trespassed against her own husband thirdly she hath played the whore in adultery and brought children by another man 24 She shall be brought out into the congregation and ‖ Or visitation inquisition shall be made of her children 25 Her * Wiâ—â— 4.3 children shall not take root and her branches shall bring forth no fruit 26 She shall leave her memory to be
the Lord is judge and with him is * Deut. 10.17 2 Chr. 19.7 Job 34.19 Wisd 6â— Acts 10 34. Rom. 2.11 Gal. 2.5 Ephes 6.9 Coloss 3.25 1 Pet. 1.17 no respect of persons 13 He will not accept any person against a poor man but will hear the prayer of the oppressed 14 He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless nor the widow when she poureth out her complaint 15 Do not the tears run down the widows cheeks and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall 16 He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds 17 The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds and till it come nigh he will not be comforted and will not depart till the most High shall behold to judge righteously and execute judgement 18 For the Lord will not be slack neither will the Mighty be patient towards them till he have smitten in sunder the loyns of the unmerciful and repayed vengeance to the heathen till he have taken away the multitude of the ‖ Or crued oppressours proud and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous 19 Till he have rendred to every man according to his deeds and to the works of men according to their devices till he have judged the cause of his people and made them to rejoyce in his mercy 20 Mercy is †Gr. fâ—r seasonable in the time of affliction as clouds of rain in the time of drought CHAP. XXXVI 1 A prayer for the church against the enemies thereof 18 A good heart and a froward 21 Of a good wife HAve mercy upon us O Lord God of all and behold us 2 And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee 3 * Jer. 10.25 Lift up thy hand ‖ Or upon against the strange nations and let them see thy power 4 As thou wast sanctified in us before them so be thou magnified among them before us 5 And let them know thee as we have known thee that there is no God but onely thou O God 6 Shew new signs and make other strange wonders glorify thy hand and thy right arm that they may set forth thy wondrous works 7 Raise up indignation and pour out wrath take away the adversary and destroy the enemy 8 Make the time short remember the †Gr. oath covenant and let them declare thy wonderful works 9 Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire and let them perish that oppress the people 10 Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers of the heathen that say There is none other but we 11 Gather all the tribes of Jacob together and inherit thou them as from the beginning 12 O Lord have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name and upon Israel * Exod. 4.22 whom thou hast named thy first-born 13 O be merciful unto Jerusalem thy holy city the place of thy rest 14 Fill Sion ‖ Or. that it may magnify thine oracles with thine unspeakable oracles and thy people with thy glory 15 Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning and raise up ‖ Or. prophesies prophets that have been in thy name 16 Reward them that wait for thee and let thy prophets be found faithful 17 O Lord hear the prayer of thy ‖ Or supplients servants according to the * Num. 6.23 blessing of Aaron over thy people that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord the eternal God 18 The belly devoureth all meats yet is one meat better then another 19 * Job 34.3 As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison so doth an heart of understanding false speeches 20 A froward heart causeth heaviness but a man of experience will recompense him 21 A woman will receive every man yet is one daughter better then another 22 The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance and a man loveth nothing better 23 If there be kindness meekness and comfort in her tongue then is not her husband like ‖ Or common other men 24 He that getteth a wife beginneth ‖ Or to thrive a possession a help like unto himself and a pillar of rest 25 Where no hedge is there the possession is spoiled and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning 26 Who will trust a thief well-appointed that skippeth from city to city so who will beleeve a man that hath no house and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him CHAP. XXXVII 1 How to know friends and counsellours 12 The discretion and wisdom of a godly man blesseth him 27 Learn to refrain thine appetite EVery friend saith I am his friend also but there is a friend which is onely a friend in name 2 Is it not a grief unto death when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy 3 O wicked imagination whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit 4 There is a companion which rejoyceth in the prosperity of a friend but in the time of trouble will be against him 5 There is a companion which helpeth his friend for the belly and taketh up the buckler ‖ Or in presence of the enemy against the enemy 6 Forget not thy friend in thy minde and be not unmindful of him in thy riches 7 Every councellour extolleth counsel but there is some that councelleth for himself 8 Beware of a counsellour and know before ‖ Or what use there is of him what need he hath for he will counsel for himself lest he cast the lot upon thee 9 And say unto thee Thy way is good and afterward he stand on the other side to see what shall be fall thee 10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee 11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous neither with a coward in matters of war nor with a merchant concerning exchange nor with a buyer of selling nor with an envious man of thankfulness nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness nor with the slothful for any work nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work nor with an idle servant of much business hearken not unto these in any mattter of counsel 12 But be continually with a godly man whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord whose minde is according to thy minde and will sorrow with thee if thou shalt miscarry 13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand for there is no man more faithful unto thee then it 14 For a mans minde is sometime wont to tell him more then seven watchmen that sit above in an high tower 15 And above all this pray to the most High that he will direct thy way in truth 16 Let reason go before every enterprise and counsel before every action 17 The countenance is a signe of changing of the heart 18
Then Judas returned to spoil the tents where they got much gold and silver and blue silk and purple of the sea and great riches 24 After this they went home and sung a song of thanksgiving and praised the Lord in heaven because it is good because his mercy endureth for ever 25 Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day 26 Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had hapned 27 Who when he heard thereof was confounded and discouraged because neither such things as he would were done unto Israel not such things as the king commanded him were come to pass 28 The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot and five thousand hors-men that he might subdue them 29 So they came into Idumea and pitched their tents at Bethsura and Judas met them with ten thousand men 30 And when he saw that mighty army he prayed and said Blessed art thou O Saviour of Israel * 1 Sam. 17 50 51. who didst quail the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David and gavest the host of ‖ Or. Philistines strangers into the hands of * 1 Sam. 14.13 14. Jonathan the son of Saul and his armour-bearer 31 Shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel and let them be confounded in their power and hors-men 32 Make them to be of no courage and cause the boldness of their strength to †Gr. melt fall away and let them quake at their destruction 33 Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee and let all those that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving 34 So they joyned battel and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men even before them were they slain 35 Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight and the manliness of Judas souldiers and how they were ready either to live or die valiantly he went into Antiochia and gathered together a company of strangers and having made his army greater then it was he purposed to come again into Judea 36 Then said Judas and his brethren Behold our enemies are discomfited let us go up to cleanse and ‖ Or repair dedicate the sanctuary 37 Upon this all the host assembled themselves together and went up into mount Sion 38 And when they saw the sanctuary desolate and the altar profaned and the gates burnt up and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest or in one of the mountains yea and the priests chambers pulled down 39 They rent their clothes and made great lamentation and cast ashes upon their heads 40 And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces and blew an alarm with the trumpets and cried towards heaven 41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress until he had cleansed the sanctuary 42 So he chose priests of blameless conversation such as had pleasure in the law 43 Who cleansed the sanctuary and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place 44 And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt-offerings which was profaned 45 They thought it best to pull it down lest it should be a reproach to them because the heathen had defiled it wherefore they pulled it down 46 And said up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them 47 Then they took whole stones * Ex 2â— 2â— Deut. 2â— 5 Josh 8.21 according to the law and built a new altar according to the former 48 And made up the sanctuary and the things that were within the temple and hallowed the courts 49 They made also new holy vessels and into the temple they brought the candlestick and the altar of burnt-offerings and of incense and the table 50 And upon the altar they burnt incense the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted that they might give light in the temple 51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table and ‖ Or spread abroad the haâ—â—inâ— or hanged up the vâ—â—s spread out the veils and finished all the works which they had begun to make 52 Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth moneth which is called the moneth Casleu in the hundred fourty and eighth year they rose up betimes in the morning 53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt-offerings which they had made 54 Look at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it even in that was it dedicated with songs and citherns and harps and cymbals 55 Then all the people fell upon their faces worshipping and praising the God of heaven who had given them good success 56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt-offerings with gladness and sacrificed the sacrifice of ‖ Or peace-offerings deliverance and praise 57 They deckt also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold and with shields and the gates and the chambers they ‖ Or dedicated renewed and ‖ Or made doors for them hanged doors upon them 58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people for that the reproach of the heathen was put away 59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days from the five and twentieth day of the moneth Casleu with mirth and gladness 60 At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towres round about lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before 61 And they set there a garison to keep it and fortified Bethsura to preserve it that the people might have a defence against Idumea CHAP. V. 3 Judas smiteth the children of Esau Bean and Ammon 17 Simon is sent into Galilee 25 The exploits of Judas in Galaad 51 He destroyeth Ephron for denying him to pass through it 56 Divers that in Judas absence would fight with their enemies are slain NOw when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before it displeaseth them very much 2 Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people 3 Then Judas sought against the children of Esau in Idumea at ‖ Or. Arabatthane or Arabattan or Akrabattine Arabattine because they besieged Israel and he gave them a great overthrow and abated their courage and took their spoils 4 Also he remembred the ‖ Or malice injury of the children of ‖ Or Hakan Gen. 36.27 Numb 33.31 32. Bean who had been a snare and an offence unto the people in that they lay in wait for them
‖ Or the wealth of the land good things and the young men put on glorious warlike apparel 10 He provided victuals for the cities set in them all manner of munition so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world 11 He made peace in the land and Israel rejoyced with great joy 12 For * 1 Kin. 4.25 every man lat under his vine and his fig-tree and there was none to fray them 13 Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them yea the kings themselves were overthrown in those days 14 Moreover he strengthned all those of his people that were brought low the law he searched out and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away 15 He beautified the sanctuary and multiplied the vessels of the temple 16 Now when it was heard at Rome and as far as Sparta that Jonathan was dead they were very sorry 17 But assoon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead and ruled the countrey and the cities therein 18 They wrote unto him in tables of brass to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas Jonathan his brethren 19 Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem 20 And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent The rulers of the Lacedemonians with the city unto Simon the high priest and the elders and priests and residue of the people of the Jews our brethren send greeting 21 The ambassadours that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour wherefore we were glad of their coming 22 And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason the Jews ambassadours came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us 23 And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably and to put the copy of their ambassage in publick records to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the high priest 24 After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight to confirm the league with them 25 Whereof when the people heard they said What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons 26 For he and his brethren and the house of his father have established Israel and chased away in fight their enemies from them and confirmed their liberty 27 So then they wrote it in the tables of brass which they set upon pillars in mount Sion and this is the copy of the writing The eighteenth day of the moneth Elul in the hundred threescore and twelfth year being the third year of Simon the high priest 28 At ‖ Or Jerusalem peradventure by corruption and transposition of letters or as somethink the common hall where they met to consult of matters of estate Saramel in the great congregation of the priests and people and rulers of the nation and elders of the countrey were these things notified unto us 29 Forsomuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the countrey wherein for the mintenance of their sanctuary and the law Simon the son of Mattathias of the posterity of Jarib together with his brethren put themselves in jeopardy and resilting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honour 30 For after that Jonathan having gathered his nation together and been their high priest was added to his people 31 Their enemies purposed to invade their countrey that they might destroy it and lay hands on the sanctuary 32 At which time Simon rose up and sought for his nation and spent much of his own substance and armed ‖ Or the men of war the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages 33 And fortified the cities of Judea together with Bethsura that lieth upon the borders of Judea where the ‖ Or weâ—pons armour of the enemies had been before but he set a garison of Jews there 34 Moreover he fortified Joppe which lieth upon the sea and ‖ Or Gaâ—a Gazaâ—â— that bordereth upon Azotus where the enemies had dwelt before but he placed Jews there and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof 35 The people therefore seeing the acts of Simon and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation made him their governour and chief priest because he had done all these things and for the justice and saith which he kept to his nation and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people 36 For in his time things prospered in his hands so that the heathen were taken out of their countrey and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem who had made themselves a towre out of with they issued of luted all about the sanctuary did much hurt ‖ Or unto religion in the holy places 37 But he placed Jews therein and fortified it for the safety of the countrey and the city and raised up the walls of Jerusalem 38 King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things 39 And made him one of his friends honored him with great honor 40 For he had heard say that the Romanes had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren and that they had entertained the ambassadours of Simon honourably 41 Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governour and high priest for ever until there should arise a faithful prophet 42 Moreover that he should be their captain and should take charge of the sanctuary to set them over their works and over the countrey and over the armour and over the fortresses that I say he should take charge of the sanctuary 43 Besides this that he should be obeyed of every man and that all the writings in the countrey should be made in his name and that he should be clothed in purple and wear gold 44 Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things or to gainsay his words or to gather an assembly in the countrey without him or to be clothed in purple or wear a buckle of gold 45 And whosoever should do otherwise or break any of these things he should be punished 46 Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon and to do as hath been said 47 Then Simon accepted hereof was well pleased to be high priest and captain governour of the Jews priests to defend them all 48 So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place 49 Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury to the end that Simon and his sons might have them
remember the benefits that I have done unto you generally and in special and that every man will be still faithful to me and my son 27 For I am perswaded that he ‖ Or following understanding my minde will favourably and graciously yeeld to your desires 28 Thus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered most grievously as he entreated other men so died he a miserable death in a strange countrey in the mountains 29 And Philip that was brought up with him carried away his body who also fearing the son of Antiochus went into Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometor CHAP. X. 1 Judas recovereth the city and purifieth the temple 14 Gorgias vexeth the Jews 16 Judas winneth their bolds 29 Timotheus and his men are discomfited 35 Gazara is taken and Timotheus slain NOw Maccabeus and his company the Lord guiding them recovered the temple and the city 2 But the altars which the heathen had built in the open street and also the chappels they pulled down 3 And having cleansed the temple they made another altar and striking stones they took fire out of them and offered a sacrifice after two years and set forth incense and lights and shew-bread 4 When that was done they fell flat down and besought the Lord that they might come no more into such troubles but if they sinned any more against him that he himself would chasten them with mercy and that they might not be delivered unto the blasphemous and barbarous nations 5 Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple on the very same day it was cleansed again even the five and twentieth day of the same moneth which is Casseu 6 And they kept eight days with gladness as in the feast of the tabernacles remembring that not long afore they had held the feast of the tabernacles when as they wandred in the mountains and dens like beasts 7 Therefore they bare branches and fair boughs and palms also and sang psalms unto him that had given them good success in cleansing his place 8 They ordained also by a common statute and decree That every year those days should be kept of the whole nation of the Jews 9 And this was the end of Antiochus called Epiphanes 10 Now will we declare the acts of Antiochus Eupator who was the son of this wicked man gathering briefly the calamities of the wars 11 So when he was come to the crown he set one Lyâ—ias over the affairs of his realm and appointed him chief governour of Celosyria and Phenice 12 For Ptolemeus that was called Macron choosing rather to do justice unto the Jews for the wrong that had been done unto them endeavoured to continue peace with them 13 Whereupon being accused of the kings friends before Eupator and called traitour at every word because he had left Cyprus that Philometor had committed unto him and departed to Antiochus Epiphanes ‖ Or and not bearing his authority as it becometh a noble man and seeing that he was in no honourable place he was so discouraged that he poisoned himself and died 14 But when Gorgias was governour of the ‖ Or or strong places holds he hired souldiers and nourished was continually with the Jews 15 And there withal the Idumeans having gotten into their hands the most commodious holds kept the Jews occupied receiving those that were banished from Jerusalem they went about to nourish war 16 Then they that were with Maccabeus made supplication and besought God that he would be their helper and so they ran with violence upon the strong holds of the Idumeans 17 And assaulting them strongly they wan the holds and kept off all that fought upon the wall and slew all that fell into their hands and killed no fewer then twenty thousand 18 And because certain who were no less then nine thousand were fled together into two very strong castles having all manner of things convenient to sustain the siege 19 Maccabeus left Simon and Joseph and Zaccheus also and them that were with him who were enow to besiege them and departed himself unto those places which more needed his help 20 Now ‖ Or Simoâ—â— they that were with Simon being led with covetousness were perswaded for money through certain of those that were in the castle and took seventy thousand drachmes and let some of them escape 21 But when it was told Maccabeus what was done he called the governours of the people together and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money let their enemies free to fight against them 22 So he slew those that were found traitours and immediately took the two castles 23 And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand he slew in the two holds more then twenty thousand 24 Now Timotheus whom the Jews had overcome before when he had gathered a great multitude of forein forces and horses out of Asia not a few came as though he would take Jury by force of arms 25 But when he drew near ‖ Or Maccabeus and they that were with him they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God and sprinkled earth upon their heads and girded their loyns with sack â—loth 26 And fell down at the foot of the altar and besought him to be merciful to them and to be * Deut. 28. an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries as the law declareth 27 So after the prayer they took their weapons and went on further from the city and when they drew near to their enemies they kept by themselves 28 Now the sun being newly risen they joyned both together the one part having together with their vertue their refuge also unto the Lord for a ‖ Or warrant or surety pledge of their success and victory the other side making their rage leader of their battel 29 But when the battel waxed strong there appeared unto the enemies from heaven five comely men upon horses with bridles of gold and two of them led the Jews 30 And took Maccabeus betwixt them and covered him on every side with their weapons and kept him safe but shot arrows and lightnings against the enemies so that being confounded with blindness and full of trouble they were killed 31 And there were slain of footmen twenty thousand and five hundred and six hundred hors-men 32 As for Timotheus himself he fled into a very strong hold called Gazara where Chereas was governour 33 But they that were with Maccabeus laid siege against the fortress couragâ—ouâ—ly four days 34 And they that were within trusting to the strength of the place blasphemed exceedingly and uttered wicked words 35 Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus company inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies assaulted the wall manly with a fierce courage killed all that they met withal 36 Others likewise ascending after them whiles they were busied with them that were within burnt the towres