Now King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, as governor over the people whom he allowed to remain in the land of Judah. ¹ 

So David again asked God what he should do. ¹  This time ²  God told him, “Don’t march up after them; circle around them and come against them in front of the trees. ³ 

In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life, ¹  for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him. ² 

“As for those who consecrate and ritually purify themselves so they can follow their leader and worship in the sacred orchards, ¹  those who eat the flesh of pigs and other disgusting creatures, like mice ²  – they will all be destroyed together,” ³  says the Lord.

‘Rather, I will sweep them away in a storm into all the nations they are not familiar with.’ Thus the land had become desolate because of them, with no one crossing through or returning, for they had made the fruitful ¹  land a waste.”

When ¹  he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true ²  to the Lord with devoted hearts, ³ 

I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison ¹  to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

The reason I left you in Crete was to set in order the remaining matters and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his outer garment and ran outside.”

Then ¹  seven heads of grain, withered and thin and burned with the east wind, were sprouting up after them.

Don’t worry ¹  about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt will be yours.’”

Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back, ¹  but my face must not be seen.” ² 

Our children, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock will be there in the cities of Gilead,

The bars of your gates ¹  will be made of iron and bronze, and may you have lifelong strength.

They turned and went on their way, but they walked behind the children, the cattle, and their possessions. ¹ 

Then Saul built an altar for the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar for the Lord.

The Philistines left ¹  their idols ²  there, so David ordered that they be burned.

Get up, for this matter concerns you. We are with you, so be strong and act decisively!”

If I say, ¹  ‘I will ²  forget my complaint, I will change my expression ³  and be cheerful,’ ⁴ 

if ¹  iniquity is in your hand – put it far away, ²  and do not let evil reside in your tents.