who longed to eat ¹  what fell from the rich man’s table. In addition, the dogs ²  came and licked ³  his sores.

And he must be well thought of by ¹  those outside the faith, ²  so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap. ³ 

And what I intended to do to them I will do to you.”

He added, ¹  “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.”

“I also hereby issue orders as to what you are to do with those elders of the Jews in order to rebuild this temple of God. From the royal treasury, from the taxes of Trans-Euphrates the complete costs are to be given to these men, so that there may be no interruption of the work. ¹ 

and during the time when I appointed judges to lead my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. “‘“I declare to you that the Lord will build a dynastic house ¹  for you!

I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness, to the glad celebration of brides and grooms in these lands. ¹  I will put an end to the sound of people grinding meal. I will put an end to lamps shining in their houses. ² 

Then he said to me, “Son of man, I am about to remove the bread supply ¹  in Jerusalem. ²  They will eat their bread ration anxiously, and they will drink their water ration in terror

I also gave them my Sabbaths ¹  as a reminder of our relationship, ²  so that they would know that I, the Lord, sanctify them. ³ 

then you must say, ¹  ‘They belong ²  to your servant Jacob. ³  They have been sent as a gift to my lord Esau. ⁴  In fact Jacob himself is behind us.’” ⁵ 

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission ¹  no one ²  will move his hand or his foot ³  in all the land of Egypt.”

He will infect you with all the diseases of Egypt ¹  that you dreaded, and they will persistently afflict you. ² 

“Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your reputation. ¹ 

You also have available many workers, including stonecutters, masons, carpenters, ¹  and an innumerable array of workers who are skilled

He was committed to following the Lord; ¹  he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

He built royal cities ¹  and owned a large number of sheep and cattle, for God gave him a huge amount of possessions.

Not only was the Teacher wise, ¹  but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated ²  and arranged ³  many proverbs.

Furthermore it was by the command of the Lord that I marched up against this land to destroy it. The Lord told me, ‘March up against this land and destroy it!’”’” ¹ 

Later the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I answered, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

The Lord said to me, ¹  “Tell them, ‘The Lord says, Do people not get back up when they fall down? Do they not turn around when they go the wrong way? ²