as well as the thresholds, narrow windows and galleries all around on three sides facing the threshold were paneled with wood all around, from the ground up to the windows (now the windows were covered),

Then ¹  he began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. ²  He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then ³  he leased it to tenant farmers ⁴  and went on a journey.

He built an extension all around the temple; it was seven and a half feet high ¹  and it was attached to the temple by cedar beams.

Now the king was talking to Gehazi, the prophet’s ¹  servant, and said, “Tell me all the great things which Elisha has done.”

This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: ¹  “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.” ² 

Herod said, “I had John ¹  beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus. ² 

nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. ¹  Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan ²  that operates by faith.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

They were stoned, sawed apart, ¹  murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

Will you speak wickedly ¹  on God’s behalf? ²  Will you speak deceitfully for him?

Have you never questioned those who travel the roads? Do you not recognize their accounts ¹  –

to give you thanks, ¹  and to tell about all your amazing deeds. ² 

One generation will praise your deeds to another, and tell about your mighty acts! ¹ 

They help one another; ¹  one says to the other, ‘Be strong!’

And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. ¹ 

Make a roof for the ark and finish it, leaving 18 inches ¹  from the top. ²  Put a door in the side of the ark, and make lower, middle, and upper decks.

My people, recall how King Balak of Moab planned to harm you, ¹  how Balaam son of Beor responded to him. Recall how you journeyed from Shittim to Gilgal, so you might acknowledge that the Lord has treated you fairly.” ² 

Or speak ¹  to the earth ²  and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you.

Sing praises to the Lord, who rules ¹  in Zion! Tell the nations what he has done! ² 

For they harass ¹  the one whom you discipline; ²  they spread the news about the suffering of those whom you punish. ³