Ephraim boasts, ¹  “I am very rich! I have become wealthy! ²  In all that I have done to gain my wealth, ³  no one can accuse me of any offense ⁴  that is actually sinful.” ⁵ 

But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” ¹ 

But you say that if anyone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is corban’ ¹  (that is, a gift for God),

If from a human point of view I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, ¹  what did it benefit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. ² 

We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has his inheritance.

Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoida, who gained fame among the three elite warriors.

Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who gained fame along with the three elite warriors.

They had dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to be used for repairs on the Lord’s temple.

He brought them to the border of his holy land, to this mountainous land ¹  which his right hand ²  acquired.

“Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not defeated me.

because they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

And these all were commended ¹  for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. ² 

In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies.

Jacob and all his descendants took their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they went to Egypt. ¹ 

Whenever Moses would raise his hands, ¹  then Israel prevailed, but whenever he would rest ²  his hands, then Amalek prevailed.

Be careful ¹  not to say, “My own ability and skill ²  have gotten me this wealth.”

Gaal son of Ebed ¹  came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. ² 

He gathered some men and organized a raiding band. ¹  When David tried to kill them, ²  they went to Damascus, where they settled down and gained control of the city.

They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it ¹  and imparting insight. Thus the people ²  gained understanding from what was read.

You have made the nation larger, ¹  O Lord, you have made the nation larger and revealed your splendor, ²  you have extended all the borders of the land.