the blessing of the dying man descended on me, ¹  and I made the widow’s heart rejoice; ² 

But no one says, ‘Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night, ¹ 

You make me happier ¹  than those who have abundant grain and wine. ² 

Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away. ¹ 

The oppressed look on – let them rejoice! You who seek God, ¹  may you be encouraged! ² 

The sailors ¹  rejoiced because the waves ²  grew quiet, and he led them to the harbor ³  they desired.

A song of ascents, ²  by David. I was glad because ³  they said to me, “We will go to the Lord’s temple.”

The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise child ²  makes a father rejoice, ³  but a foolish child ⁴  is a grief to his mother. ⁵ 

The king shows favor ¹  to a wise ²  servant, but his wrath falls ³  on one who acts shamefully.

From James, ¹  a slave ²  of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. ³  Greetings!

On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon ¹  sent the people home. They left ²  happy and contented ³  because of the good the Lord had done for David, Solomon, and his people Israel.

This is why the Jews who are in the rural country – those who live in rural cities – set aside the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a holiday for happiness, banqueting, holiday, and sending gifts to one another.

Then you will look and smile, ¹  you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. ²  For the riches of distant lands ³  will belong to you and the wealth of nations will come to you.

You assist ¹  those who delight in doing what is right, ²  who observe your commandments. ³  Look, you were angry because we violated them continually. How then can we be saved? ⁴ 

her husband came ¹  after her, hoping he could convince her to return. ²  He brought with him his servant ³  and a pair of donkeys. When she brought him into her father’s house and the girl’s father saw him, he greeted him warmly. ⁴ 

So the sovereign master was not pleased ¹  with their young men, he took no pity ²  on their orphans and widows; for the whole nation was godless ³  and did wicked things, ⁴  every mouth was speaking disgraceful words. ⁵  Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. ⁶ 

This is how the once-proud city will end up ¹  – the city that was so secure. ²  She thought to herself, ³  “I am unique! No one can compare to me!” ⁴  What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her ⁵  and shakes his fist. ⁶ 

But the grapevine said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, just to sway above the other trees!’ ¹ 

while David and all Israel were energetically ¹  celebrating before God, singing and playing various stringed instruments, ²  tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

All of this happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. They then rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day for banqueting and happiness.