They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news ¹  of the faith he once tried to destroy.”

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

For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,

The whole earth ¹  had a common language and a common vocabulary. ² 

About seventy-five pounds ¹  of pure gold is to be used for it ²  and for all these utensils.

He made the lampstand ¹  and all its accessories with seventy-five pounds of pure gold.

Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, ¹  but now I keep your instructions. ² 

Surely you recall ¹  that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you.

Their responsibilities included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, ¹  the curtain, and all their service. ² 

Then they must take all the utensils of the service, with which they serve in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of fine leather, and put them on a carrying beam.

They passed their sons and daughters through the fire, ¹  and practiced divination and omen reading. They committed themselves to doing evil in the sight of the Lord and made him angry. ² 

From Tibhath ¹  and Kun, ²  Hadadezer’s cities, David took a great deal of bronze. (Solomon used it to make the big bronze basin called “The Sea,” ³  the pillars, and other bronze items.

At that time ¹  every place where there had been a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels will be overrun ²  with thorns and briers.

And all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use them as examples when they put a curse on anyone. They will say, “May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted to death in the fire!” ¹ 

Indeed! If it was not made into anything useful when it was whole, how much less can it be made into anything when the fire has burned it up and it is charred?

With it he made the bases for the door of the tent of meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, and all the utensils of the altar,

(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba. Arba was a famous Anakite. ¹ ) Then the land was free of war.

Then Samson’s father accompanied him to Timnah for the marriage. ¹  Samson hosted a party ²  there, for this was customary for bridegrooms ³  to do.

Her rival wife used to upset her and make her worry, ¹  for the Lord had not enabled her to have children.

Year after year he used to travel the circuit of Bethel, ¹  Gilgal, and Mizpah; he used to judge Israel in all of these places.