Therefore I am content with ¹  weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties ²  for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

The Lord’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited ¹  by all who desire them.

For he is not predisposed to afflict ¹  or to grieve people. ² 

It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.

May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice! May they continually say, ¹  “May the Lord be praised, ²  for he wants his servant to be secure.” ³ 

who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand ¹  what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,’

All of you, gather together and listen! Who among them ¹  announced these things? The Lord’s ally ²  will carry out his desire against Babylon; he will exert his power against the Babylonians. ³ 

When you enter the vineyard of your neighbor you may eat as many grapes as you please, ¹  but you must not take away any in a container. ² 

However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’ then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.” ¹ 

Go, eat your food ¹  with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.

who commissions ¹  Cyrus, the one I appointed as shepherd ²  to carry out all my wishes ³  and to decree concerning Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and concerning the temple, ‘It will be reconstructed.’” ⁴ 

This man, Jeconiah, will be like a broken pot someone threw away. He will be like a clay vessel ¹  that no one wants. ²  Why will he and his children be forced into exile? Why will they be thrown out into a country they know nothing about? ³ 

On all the housetops in Moab and in all its public squares there will be nothing but mourning. For I will break Moab like an unwanted jar. I, the Lord, affirm it! ¹ 

to proclaim the year ¹  of the Lord’s favor.” ² 

For what is his interest ¹  in his home after his death, ²  when the number of his months has been broken off? ³ 

Certainly ¹  you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; ²  you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. ³ 

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking. ¹ 

The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice by magnifying his law and displaying it. ¹ 

So then, ¹  God ²  has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden. ³ 

“Now if the king is so inclined, ¹  let a search be conducted in the royal archives ²  there in Babylon in order to determine whether King Cyrus did in fact issue orders for this temple of God to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us a decision concerning this matter.”