Israel was so severely weakened by Midian that the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; ¹  he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make ²  an idol that will not fall over.

On the fourth ¹  day they said to Samson’s bride, “Trick your husband into giving the solution to the riddle. ²  If you refuse, ³  we will burn up ⁴  you and your father’s family. ⁵  Did you invite us here ⁶  to make us poor?” ⁷ 

As for their enemies, ¹  they decreased in number and were beaten down, because of painful distress ²  and suffering.

Abandon your foolish ways ¹  so that you may live, ²  and proceed ³  in the way of understanding.”

ז (Zayin) Remember ¹  my impoverished and homeless condition, ²  which is a bitter poison. ³ 

“‘If your brother becomes impoverished with regard to you so that he sells himself to you, you must not subject him to slave service. ¹ 

Edom ¹  says, “Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the Lord who rules over all ²  responds, “They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as ³  the land of evil, the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased.

The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts.

Many times he delivered ¹  them, but they had a rebellious attitude, ²  and degraded themselves ³  by their sin.

because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished, and drowsiness ¹  clothes them with rags. ² 

Then ¹  after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need.

They will eat up your crops and your food. They will kill off ¹  your sons and your daughters. They will eat up your sheep and your cattle. They will destroy your vines and your fig trees. ²  Their weapons will batter down ³  the fortified cities you trust in.

I will provide you with food ¹  there because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor – you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you.”’

“‘If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his near redeemer is to come to you and redeem what his brother sold. ¹ 

Do not love sleep, ¹  lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that ²  you might be satisfied with food. ³ 

“‘Therefore, this is what the sovereign Lord says to them: Look, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

For whoever has will be given more, but ¹  whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” ² 

So listen carefully, ¹  for whoever has will be given more, but ²  whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has ³  will be taken from him.”

“‘If your brother ¹  becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, ²  you must support ³  him; he must live ⁴  with you like a foreign resident. ⁵