For they are entirely given ¹  to me from among the Israelites. I have taken them for myself instead of ²  all who open the womb, the firstborn sons of all the Israelites.

Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive ¹  become queen in place of Vashti.” This seemed like a good idea to the king, ²  so he acted accordingly.

Instead they have followed the stubborn inclinations of their own hearts. They have paid allegiance to ¹  the gods called Baal, ²  as their fathers ³  taught them to do.

They mixed in with the nations and learned their ways. ¹ 

“Look, ¹  I myself have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of ²  every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites. So the Levites belong to me,

When any of you has a legal dispute with another, does he dare go to court before the unrighteous rather than before the saints?

Abraham looked up ¹  and saw ²  behind him ³  a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he ⁴  went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

But look, there is outright celebration! ¹  You say, “Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep, eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” ² 

So the people spread out ¹  through all the land of Egypt to collect stubble for straw.

The Benjaminites came from their cities and assembled at Gibeah ¹  to make war against the Israelites.

For my sighing comes in place of ¹  my food, ²  and my groanings ³  flow forth like water. ⁴ 

Your ¹  sons will carry ²  on the dynasty of your ancestors; ³  you will make them princes throughout the land.

Receive my instruction ¹  rather than ²  silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

So the warden removed the delicacies and the wine ¹  from their diet ²  and gave them a diet of vegetables instead.

But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,

Instead, pursue ¹  his ²  kingdom, ³  and these things will be given to you as well.

Instead your hearts are filled with sadness ¹  because I have said these things to you.

Instead, does a Christian sue a Christian, ¹  and do this before unbelievers?

But you yourselves wrong and cheat, and you do this to your brothers and sisters! ¹ 

And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval ¹  more than all the other young women. ²  So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen ³  in place of Vashti.