¹ tn Heb “let his work hurry, let it hasten.” The pronoun “his” refers to God, as the parallel line makes clear. The reference to his “work” alludes back to v. 12, which refers to his “work” of judgment. With these words the people challenged the prophet’s warning of approaching judgment. They were in essence saying that they saw no evidence that God was about to work in such a way.

¹ tn Or “my works”; or “my accomplishments.” The term מַעֲשָׂי (maʿasay, “my works”) has been handled in two basic ways: (1) great works or projects, and (2) possessions. The latter assumes a metonymy, one’s effort standing for the possessions it produces. Both interpretations are reflected in the major English translations: “works” (KJV, NEB, NAB, ASV, NASB, MLB, RSV, Douay, Moffatt), “projects” (NIV), and “possessions” (NJPS).

² tn The form is the Pual imperfect, “will not be blessed,” suggesting that divine justice is at work.

¹ sn The words for “laborer” (עָמֵל; ʿamel) and “labored” (עָמַל; ʿamal) are less common Hebrew terms for work. The root idea refers to exertion, or toil, and sometimes to anxiety. In Eccl. 2:11 the Preacher refers to all his many building projects with this verb for hard work. This proverb pictures hard work being done of necessity rather than for the satisfaction of doing the work itself.

⁴ sn “Steps” is an implied comparison, along with “way,” to indicate the events of the plan as they work out.

¹ tn The literal translation “sons” works well here in view of the warning. Cf. KJV, NAB, NRSV “children.”

⁴ tn Heb “you work [your favor] for the ones seeking shelter in you before the sons of men.”

¹ tn Heb “you cause [i.e., “permit, allow”] him to rule over the works of your hands.”

⁴ tn The word עָמָל (ʿamal) means “work, heavy labor, agonizing labor, struggle” with the idea of fatigue and pain.

¹ tc The Hebrew text lacks the verb “worked.” It is implied, however, and has been supplied in the translation.

¹ tn The words “of the work” are not in the Aramaic, but are supplied in the translation for clarity.

¹ tn Heb “and priests serving the Lord [are] the sons of Aaron and the Levites in the work.”

¹ tn Heb “and from the sons of Israel whom Solomon did not assign to the laborers for his work.”

² tn Heb “Huram finished doing all the work which he did for King Solomon [on] the house of God.”

¹ tn Heb “and those who lived in Netaim and Gederah; with the king in his work they lived there.”

¹ sn The work crews. This Hebrew word מַס (mas) refers to a group of laborers conscripted for royal or public service.

² tn Heb “Hiram finished doing all the work which he did for King Solomon [on] the house of the Lord.”

¹ tn The precise meaning of these final words is uncertain. A possible literal translation would be, “wreaths, the work of descent.”

² sn Work crews. This Hebrew word (מַס, mas) refers to a group of laborers conscripted for royal or public service.

³ sn The work crews. This Hebrew word (מַס, mas) refers to a group of laborers conscripted for royal or public service.