Honest scales and balances ¹  are from the Lord; all the weights ²  in the bag are his handiwork.

I have observed the burden that God has given to people ¹  to keep them occupied.

Damascus was your trade partner because of the abundance of your goods and of all your wealth: wine from Helbon, white wool from Zahar,

calling out ¹  to those who are passing by her ²  in the way, ³  who go straight ⁴  on their way.

All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who performed the king’s business were assisting the Jews, for the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them.

besides what he collected from the merchants, ¹  traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land.

Do you see a person skilled ¹  in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position ²  before obscure people. ³ 

Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, ¹  so is the person passing by who becomes furious ²  over a quarrel not his own.

But ¹  he replied, ²  “Why were you looking for me? ³  Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁴ 

For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside?

As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple ¹  as officers and judges over Israel.

For they do not try to make peace with others, ¹  but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. ² 

It goes well for the one ¹  who generously lends money, and conducts his business honestly. ² 

Jesus replied, ¹  “Woman, ²  why are you saying this to me? ³  My time ⁴  has not yet come.”

For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, ¹  not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. ² 

When a man is newly married, he need not go into ¹  the army nor be obligated in any way; he must be free to stay at home for a full year and bring joy to ²  the wife he has married.

David replied to Ahimelech the priest, “The king instructed me to do something, but he said to me, ‘Don’t let anyone know the reason I am sending you or the instructions I have given you.’ ¹  I have told my soldiers ²  to wait at a certain place. ³ 

A man who is all alone with no companion, ¹  he has no children nor siblings; ²  yet there is no end to all his toil, and he ³  is never satisfied with riches. He laments, ⁴  “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself ⁵  of pleasure?” ⁶  This also is futile and a burdensome task! ⁷ 

No one came to the rescue because the city ¹  was far from Sidon ²  and they had no dealings with anyone. ³  The city ⁴  was in a valley near Beth Rehob. The Danites ⁵  rebuilt the city and occupied it.

On the third day ¹  you should go down quickly ²  and come to the place where you hid yourself the day this all started. ³  Stay near the stone Ezel.