The priests and Levites who lived throughout Israel supported him, no matter where they resided. ¹ 

Be my protector and refuge, ¹  a stronghold where I can be safe! ²  For you are my high ridge ³  and my stronghold.

they did something clever. They collected some provisions ¹  and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched.

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather there with us. Our God will fight for us!”

They repay my love with accusations, ¹  but I continue to pray. ² 

The city’s rich men think nothing of resorting to violence; ¹  her inhabitants lie, ²  their tongues speak deceptive words. ³ 

Jesus ¹  went out again by the sea. The whole crowd came to him, and he taught them.

(Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, knew the place too, because Jesus had met there many times ¹  with his disciples.) ² 

¹ When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, ²  he did not go as at the other times ³  to seek for omens, ⁴  but he set his face ⁵  toward the wilderness.

But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, was in front of the Lord’s tabernacle. ¹  Solomon and the entire assembly prayed to him ²  there.)

At that time ¹  a root from Jesse ²  will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, ³  and his residence will be majestic.

The Egyptians will panic, ¹  and I will confuse their strategy. ²  They will seek guidance from the idols and from the spirits of the dead, from the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, and from the magicians. ³ 

There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed. ¹ 

Woe ¹  to those who live in ease in Zion, ²  to those who feel secure on Mount Samaria. They think of themselves as ³  the elite class of the best nation. The family ⁴  of Israel looks to them for leadership. ⁵ 

Then ¹  Jesus ²  left that place and went to the region of Judea and ³  beyond the Jordan River. ⁴  Again crowds gathered to him, and again, as was his custom, he taught them.

Many ¹  came to him and began to say, “John ²  performed ³  no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man ⁴  was true!”

Let each one examine ¹  his own work. Then he can take pride ²  in himself and not compare himself with ³  someone else.

For we never appeared ¹  with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

Deacons likewise must be dignified, ¹  not two-faced, ²  not given to excessive drinking, ³  not greedy for gain,

The Lord was angry at Amaziah and sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why are you following ¹  these gods ²  that could not deliver their own people from your power?” ³