Then I turned, went down the mountain, and placed the tablets into the ark I had made – they are still there, just as the Lord commanded me.

As for me, I stayed at the mountain as I did the first time, forty days and nights. The Lord listened to me that time as well and decided not to destroy you.

But I will certainly ¹  hide myself at that time because of all the wickedness they ²  will have done by turning to other gods.

and the Lord ¹  commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelites to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you.” ² 

We have enough straw and grain for our donkeys, and there is enough food and wine for me, your female servant, ¹  and the young man who is with your servants. ²  We lack nothing.”

Now may the Lord show you true kindness! ¹  I also will reward you, ²  because you have done this deed.

He replied, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ¹  ‘Perhaps ²  the Lord will show pity and the child will live.

How could I ever be rid of my humiliation? And you would be considered one of the fools ¹  in Israel! Just ²  speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

But he did not invite me – your servant – or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.

Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back,”’ ¹  but he will kill me.”

I dug wells and drank water in foreign lands. ¹  With the soles of my feet I dried up all the rivers of Egypt.’

Now I have chosen and consecrated this temple by making it my permanent home; ¹  I will be constantly present there. ² 

When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, ¹  crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Even I and my relatives ¹  and my associates ²  are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral! ³ 

Then I would yet have my comfort, ¹  then ²  I would rejoice, ³  in spite of pitiless pain, ⁴  for ⁵  I have not concealed the words ⁶  of the Holy One. ⁷ 

Although I am innocent, ¹  my mouth ²  would condemn me; ³  although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse. ⁴ 

“I ¹  am weary ²  of my life; I will complain without restraint; ³  I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

I also have understanding ¹  as well as you; I am not inferior to you. ²  Who does not know such things as these? ³ 

If my heart has been enticed by a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door, ¹ 

because I was terrified ¹  of the great multitude, ²  and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors – ³