¹ These are the words of Nehemiah ²  son of Hacaliah: It so happened that in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, ³  I was in Susa ⁴  the citadel.

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

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

If you lay your hand on it, you will remember ¹  the fight, and you will never do it again!

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

I will declare your name to my countrymen! ¹  In the middle of the assembly I will praise you!

O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire; ¹  my groaning is not hidden from you.

I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp. ¹ 

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

I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past. ¹ 

Is your loyal love proclaimed in the grave, or your faithfulness in the place of the dead? ¹ 

I told you about my ways ¹  and you answered me. Teach me your statutes!

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

They will talk about the fame of your great kindness, ¹  and sing about your justice. ² 

When a wicked person dies, his expectation perishes, ¹  and the hope of his strength ²  perishes. ³ 

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

I spoke to the prophets; I myself revealed many visions; ¹  I spoke in parables ²  through ³  the prophets.”

Certainly the sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd,

“The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.