The waters kept on receding ¹  until the tenth month. On the first day of the tenth month, the tops of the mountains became visible. ² 

When the stronger females were in heat, ¹  Jacob would set up the branches in the troughs in front of the flock, so they would mate near the branches.

For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be ¹  on it at night, in plain view ²  of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Then on the next morning Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to Bamoth Baal. ¹  From there he saw the extent of the nation.

For from the top of the rocks I see them; ¹  from the hills I watch them. ²  Indeed, a nation that lives alone, and it will not be reckoned ³  among the nations.

When ¹  they went up to the Eshcol Valley and saw the land, they frustrated the intent of the Israelites so that they did not enter ²  the land that the Lord had given ³  them.

Go up to the top of Pisgah and take a good look to the west, north, south, and east, ¹  for you will not be allowed to cross the Jordan.

For I was terrified at the Lord’s intense anger ¹  that threatened to destroy you. But he ²  listened to me this time as well.

The judge ¹  may sentence him to forty blows, ²  but no more. If he is struck with more than these, you might view your fellow Israelite ³  with contempt.

You will see the land before you, but you will not enter the land that I am giving to the Israelites.”

So they inquired again of the Lord, “Has the man arrived here yet?” The Lord said, “He has hidden himself among the equipment.” ¹ 

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, ¹  and Absalom had sex with ²  his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, just as Ahab’s dynasty had done, for he married Ahab’s daughter. ¹  He did evil in the sight of ²  the Lord.

Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against him; he assassinated him in Ibleam ¹  and took his place as king.

He did evil in the sight of ¹  the Lord; he did not repudiate ²  the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who encouraged Israel to sin.

David praised the Lord before the entire assembly: ¹  “O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore!

(10:1) ¹  “Because of all of this we are entering into a binding covenant ²  in written form; ³  our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names ⁴  on the sealed document.”

Consider its defenses! ¹  Walk through ²  its fortresses, so you can tell the next generation about it! ³ 

The look on their faces ¹  testifies to their guilt; ²  like the people of Sodom they openly boast of their sin. ³  Too bad for them! ⁴  For they bring disaster on themselves.

Pick up millstones and grind flour! Remove your veil, strip off your skirt, expose your legs, cross the streams!