Even if only a tenth of the people remain in the land, it will again be destroyed, ¹  like one of the large sacred trees ²  or an Asherah pole, when a sacred pillar on a high place is thrown down. ³  That sacred pillar symbolizes the special chosen family.” ⁴ 

Although its roots may grow old ¹  in the ground and its stump begins to die ²  in the soil, ³ 

They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven ¹  rules.

A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s ¹  root stock, a bud will sprout ²  from his roots.

But leave its taproot ¹  in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it ²  surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with ³  the animals in the grass of the land.

But ¹  they could not reply ²  to this.

As for the king seeing a holy sentinel coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its taproot in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, surrounded by the grass of the field. Let it become damp with the dew of the sky, and let it live with the wild animals, until seven periods of time go by for him’ –

Tell him, ‘Make sure you stay calm! ¹  Don’t be afraid! Don’t be intimidated ²  by these two stubs of smoking logs, ³  or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah.

Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king. ¹ 

Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king. ¹ 

at the scent ¹  of water it will flourish ²  and put forth ³  shoots like a new plant.

God says, ¹  “I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious.” ² 

The one who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous ¹  will flourish like a green leaf. ² 

Look, you are wiser than Daniel; ¹  no secret is hidden from you. ² 

But when they got up early the following day, Dagon was again lying on the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and his two hands were sheared off and were lying at the threshold. Only Dagon’s body was left intact. ¹ 

He said to them, “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong one came something sweet.” They could not solve the riddle for three days.

No one ¹  was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to question him any longer.

Howl, fir tree, because the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees have been destroyed. Howl, oaks of Bashan, because the impenetrable forest has fallen.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.