I decided ¹  to carefully ²  and thoroughly examine ³  all that has been accomplished on earth. ⁴  I concluded: ⁵  God has given people ⁶  a burdensome task ⁷  that keeps them ⁸  occupied. ⁹ 

Who has measured out the waters ¹  in the hollow of his hand, or carefully ²  measured the sky, ³  or carefully weighed ⁴  the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales? ⁵ 

I have listened to them very carefully, ¹  but they do not speak honestly. None of them regrets the evil he has done. None of them says, “I have done wrong!” ²  All of them persist in their own wayward course ³  like a horse charging recklessly into battle.

‘Think carefully about the past: ¹  from today, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, ²  to the day work on the temple of the Lord was resumed, ³  think about it. ⁴ 

So listen carefully, ¹  for whoever has will be given more, but ²  whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has ³  will be taken from him.”

For you know that ¹  later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing ²  with tears.

But if you refuse to release them, then I am going to plague ¹  all your territory with frogs. ² 

and the sons of Aaron, the priest, ¹  must put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.

Balaam ¹  uttered ²  his oracle, and said, “Rise up, ³  Balak, and hear; Listen to me, son of Zippor:

Furthermore, remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and so be careful to observe these statutes.

“Therefore, keep the terms ¹  of this covenant and obey them so that you may be successful in everything you do.

Relent, ¹  let there be no falsehood; ²  reconsider, ³  for my righteousness is intact! ⁴ 

For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s ¹  steps.

For the music director, to be accompanied by wind instruments; ²  a psalm of David. Listen to what I say, ³  Lord! Carefully consider my complaint! ⁴ 

I carefully obey your commands; ¹  I do not deviate from them. ² 

I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp. ¹ 

I said, “During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening. ¹ 

ב (Bet) How can a young person ¹  maintain a pure life? ²  By guarding it according to your instructions! ³ 

For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. ¹  I hate all deceitful actions. ² 

You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; ¹  you are aware of everything I do. ²