The fishermen will mourn and lament, all those who cast a fishhook into the river, and those who spread out a net on the water’s surface will grieve. ¹ 

Look, all of them are nothing, ¹  their accomplishments are nonexistent; their metal images lack any real substance. ² 

They are dismayed because the ground is cracked ¹  because there has been no rain in the land. The farmers, too, are dismayed and bury their faces in their hands.

They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast. ¹ 

Ephraim has been like a dove, easily deceived and lacking discernment. They called to Egypt for help; they turned to Assyria for protection.

But they were filled with mindless rage ¹  and began debating with one another what they would do ²  to Jesus.

But if anyone walks around at night, ¹  he stumbles, ²  because the light is not in him.”

Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered disgraces his head.

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, ¹  so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, my sheep have become prey and have become food for all the wild beasts. There was no shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but fed themselves and did not feed my sheep,

So Israel’s sons came to buy grain among the other travelers, ¹  for the famine was severe in the land of Canaan.

I will not drive them out before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild animals ¹  multiply against you.

As for an ox ¹  or a sheep with a limb too long or stunted, ²  you may present it as a freewill offering, but it will not be acceptable for a votive offering. ³ 

Now Joab returned from chasing Abner and assembled all the people. Nineteen of David’s soldiers were missing, in addition to Asahel.

So David and all the people who were with him got up and crossed the Jordan River. ¹  By dawn there was not one person left who had not crossed the Jordan.

“This is what Hezekiah says: ¹  ‘This is a day of distress, insults, ²  and humiliation, ³  as when a baby is ready to leave the birth canal, but the mother lacks the strength to push it through. ⁴ 

The Lord humiliated ¹  Judah because of King Ahaz of Israel, ²  for he encouraged Judah to sin and was very ³  unfaithful to the Lord.

Do not be ¹  like an unintelligent horse or mule, ²  which will not obey you unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit. ³ 

Therefore I will again do an amazing thing for these people – an absolutely extraordinary deed. ¹  Wise men will have nothing to say, the sages will have no explanations.” ²