The Lord says, ¹  “I will make youths their officials; malicious young men ²  will rule over them.

The young men perform menial labor; ¹  boys stagger from their labor. ² 

When Israel was a young man, I loved him like a son, ¹  and I summoned my son ²  out of Egypt.

“But you made the Nazirites drink wine; ¹  you commanded the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy!’

But God heard the boy’s voice. ¹  The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, “What is the matter, ²  Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard ³  the boy’s voice right where he is crying.

He went up from there to Bethel. ¹  As he was traveling up the road, some young boys ²  came out of the city and made fun of him, saying, “Go on up, baldy! Go on up, baldy!”

When he turned around and saw them, he called God’s judgment down on them. ¹  Two female bears came out of the woods and ripped forty-two of the boys to pieces.

So let their children die of starvation. Let them be cut down by the sword. ¹  Let their wives lose their husbands and children. Let the older men die of disease ²  and the younger men die by the sword in battle.

As for my food that I gave you – the fine flour, olive oil, and honey I fed you – you placed it before them as a soothing aroma. That is exactly what happened, declares the sovereign Lord.

and with every living creature that is with you, including the birds, the domestic animals, and every living creature of the earth with you, all those that came out of the ark with you – every living creature of the earth. ¹ 

Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, from the youngest to the oldest, ¹  with blindness. The men outside ²  wore themselves out trying to find the door.

Then God enabled Hagar to see a well of water. ¹  She went over and filled the skin with water, and then gave the boy a drink.

“So now, please let your servant remain as my lord’s slave instead of the boy. As for the boy, let him go back with his brothers.

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.

His armor bearer said to him, “Do everything that is on your mind. ¹  Do as you’re inclined. I’m with you all the way!” ² 

But David struck them down from twilight until the following evening. None of them escaped, with the exception of four hundred young men who got away on camels. ¹ 

On my right the young rabble ¹  rise up; they drive me from place to place, ²  and build up siege ramps ³  against me. ⁴ 

I will offer up to you fattened animals as burnt sacrifices, along with the smell of sacrificial rams. I will offer cattle and goats. (Selah)

when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees.

For at that time ¹  everyone will get rid of ²  the silver and gold idols your hands sinfully made. ³