Whatever you decide ¹  on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.

For they do not try to make peace with others, ¹  but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. ² 

The one who gives an answer ¹  before he listens ²  – that is his folly and his shame. ³ 

The end of a matter ¹  is better than its beginning; likewise, patience ²  is better than pride. ³ 

This is the interpretation of the words: ¹  As for mene ²  – God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end.

But if you want anything in addition, ¹  it will have to be settled ²  in a legal assembly. ³ 

in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. ¹ 

Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich ¹  while in your bedroom; ²  for a bird ³  might report what you are thinking, ⁴  or some winged creature ⁵  might repeat your ⁶  words. ⁷ 

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you ¹  made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

All the men of Judah and Benjamin were gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. (It was in the ninth month, on the twentieth day of that month.) All the people sat in the square at the temple of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the rains.

Let our leaders take steps ¹  on behalf of all the assembly. Let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at an appointed time, and with them the elders of each town and its judges, until the hot anger of our God is turned away from us in this matter.”

For ¹  it has been hidden from the eyes of every living creature, and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed.

For I am full of words, and the spirit within me ¹  constrains me. ² 

For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power.

For see what this very thing, this sadness ¹  as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, ²  what indignation, ³  what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, ⁴  what punishment! ⁵  In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

The dream was repeated to Pharaoh ¹  because the matter has been decreed ²  by God, and God will make it happen soon. ³ 

They judged the people under normal circumstances; the difficult cases they would bring ¹  to Moses, but every small case they would judge themselves.

Look, these people through the counsel of Balaam caused the Israelites to act treacherously against the Lord in the matter of Peor – which resulted in the plague among the community of the Lord!

When they called out to the Danites, the Danites ¹  turned around and said to Micah, “Why have you gathered together?”