Unapologetically Sold Out: 7 Days of Prayers for Millennials to Live Whole-Heartedly Committed to Jesus Christ

Stormproof

God in 60 Seconds - Basic Bible Bites

Greatest Journey!

Let Us Pray

Breath & Blueprint: Your Creative Awakening

Faith in Hard Times

Judges | Chapter Summaries + Study Questions

Returning Home: A Journey of Grace Through the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Homesick for Heaven

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPRO">
      <div class="chapter ch28" data-usfm="PRO.28">
         <div class="label">28</div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.28.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The wicked flee though no one pursues,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.28.1"><span class="content">but the righteous are as bold as a lion.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.28.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.28.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.28.2"><span class="content">but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.28.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.28.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">A ruler</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">28:3 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">A poor person</span></span></span><span class="content"> who oppresses the poor</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.28.3"><span class="content">is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.28.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.28.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.28.4"><span class="content">but those who heed it resist them.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.28.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.28.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Evildoers do not understand what is right,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.28.5"><span class="content">but those who seek the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> understand it fully.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.28.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.28.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Better the poor whose walk is blameless</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.28.6"><span class="content">than the rich whose ways are perverse.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.28.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.28.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">A discerning son heeds instruction,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.28.7"><span class="content">but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.28.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.28.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.28.8"><span class="content">amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.28.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.28.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.28.9"><span class="content">even their prayers are detestable.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.28.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.28.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Whoever leads the upright along an evil path</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.28.10"><span class="content">will fall into their own trap,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.28.10"><span class="content">but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.28.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.28.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The rich are wise in their own eyes;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.28.11"><span class="content">one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.28.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.28.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.28.12"><span class="content">but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.28.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.28.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.28.13"><span class="content">but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.28.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.28.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.28.14"><span class="content">but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.28.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.28.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Like a roaring lion or a charging bear</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.28.15"><span class="content">is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.28.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.28.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.28.16"><span class="content">but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.28.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.28.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.28.17"><span class="content">will seek refuge in the grave;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.28.17"><span class="content">let no one hold them back.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.28.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.28.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.28.18"><span class="content">but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">28:18 </span><span class="ft">Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">into one</span></span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.28.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.28.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Those who work their land will have abundant food,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.28.19"><span class="content">but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.28.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.28.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">A faithful person will be richly blessed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.28.20"><span class="content">but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.28.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.28.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">To show partiality is not good&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.28.21"><span class="content">yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.28.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.28.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The stingy are eager to get rich</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.28.22"><span class="content">and are unaware that poverty awaits them.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.28.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.28.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.28.23"><span class="content">rather than one who has a flattering tongue.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.28.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.28.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Whoever robs their father or mother</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.28.24"><span class="content">and says, &#8220;It&#8217;s not wrong,&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.28.24"><span class="content">is partner to one who destroys.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.28.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.28.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">The greedy stir up conflict,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.28.25"><span class="content">but those who trust in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will prosper.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.28.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.28.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Those who trust in themselves are fools,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.28.26"><span class="content">but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.28.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.28.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.28.27"><span class="content">but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.28.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.28.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.28.28"><span class="content">but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch11" data-usfm="NEH.11">
         <div class="label">11</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The New Residents of Jerusalem</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.11.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.11.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.11.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.11.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon&#8217;s servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on their own property in the various towns, </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.11.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">while other people from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem):</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.11.4"><span class="content">From the descendants of Judah:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.11.4"><span class="content">Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez; </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.11.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Kol-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.11.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of standing.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.11.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.11.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Benjamin:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.11.7"><span class="content">Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah, </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.11.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai&#8212;928 men. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.11.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Joel son of Zikri was their chief officer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the New Quarter of the city.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.11.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.11.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">From the priests:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.11.10"><span class="content">Jedaiah; the son of Joiarib; Jakin; </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.11.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God, </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.11.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">and their associates, who carried on work for the temple&#8212;822 men; Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.11.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">and his associates, who were heads of families&#8212;242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.11.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">and his</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">11:14 </span><span class="ft">Most Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">their</span></span></span><span class="content"> associates, who were men of standing&#8212;128. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.11.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.11.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">From the Levites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.11.15"><span class="content">Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.11.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God; </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.11.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.11.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">The Levites in the holy city totaled 284.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.11.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.11.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">The gatekeepers:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.11.19"><span class="content">Akkub, Talmon and their associates, who kept watch at the gates&#8212;172 men.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.11.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.11.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on their ancestral property.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.11.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.11.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.11.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.11.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika. Uzzi was one of Asaph&#8217;s descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.11.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">The musicians were under the king&#8217;s orders, which regulated their daily activity.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.11.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.11.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king&#8217;s agent in all affairs relating to the people.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.11.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.11.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its surrounding settlements, in Dibon and its settlements, in Jekabzeel and its villages, </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.11.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet, </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.11.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its settlements, </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.11.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">in Ziklag, in Mekonah and its settlements, </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.11.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.11.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its settlements. So they were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.11.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.11.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">The descendants of the Benjamites from Geba lived in Mikmash, Aija, Bethel and its settlements, </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="NEH.11.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">in Anathoth, Nob and Ananiah, </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="NEH.11.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">in Hazor, Ramah and Gittaim, </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="NEH.11.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">in Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat, </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NEH.11.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">in Lod and Ono, and in Ge Harashim.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NEH.11.35"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="NEH.11.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">Some of the divisions of the Levites of Judah settled in Benjamin.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch12" data-usfm="NEH.12">
         <div class="label">12</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Priests and Levites</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.12.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">These were the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Joshua:</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.12.1"><span class="content">Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.12.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.12.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Amariah, Malluk, Hattush,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.12.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.12.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Shekaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.12.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.12.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Iddo, Ginnethon,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:4 </span><span class="ft">Many Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also verse 16); most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Ginnethoi</span></span></span><span class="content"> Abijah,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.12.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.12.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Mijamin,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:5 </span><span class="ft">A variant of </span><span class="fqa">Miniamin</span></span></span><span class="content"> Moadiah, Bilgah,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.12.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.12.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.12.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.12.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah and Jedaiah.</span></span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.12.7"><span class="content">These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Joshua.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.12.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.12.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.12.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.12.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.12.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.12.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.12.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.12.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">In the days of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families:</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.12.12"><span class="content">of Seraiah&#8217;s family, Meraiah;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.12.12"><span class="content">of Jeremiah&#8217;s, Hananiah;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.12.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.12.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">of Ezra&#8217;s, Meshullam;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.12.13"><span class="content">of Amariah&#8217;s, Jehohanan;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.12.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.12.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">of Malluk&#8217;s, Jonathan;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.12.14"><span class="content">of Shekaniah&#8217;s,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:14 </span><span class="ft">Very many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also verse 3); most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Shebaniah&#8217;s</span></span></span><span class="content"> Joseph;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.12.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.12.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">of Harim&#8217;s, Adna;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.12.15"><span class="content">of Meremoth&#8217;s,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:15 </span><span class="ft">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 3); Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Meraioth&#8217;s</span></span></span><span class="content"> Helkai;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.12.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.12.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">of Iddo&#8217;s, Zechariah;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.12.16"><span class="content">of Ginnethon&#8217;s, Meshullam;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.12.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.12.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">of Abijah&#8217;s, Zikri;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.12.17"><span class="content">of Miniamin&#8217;s and of Moadiah&#8217;s, Piltai;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.12.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.12.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">of Bilgah&#8217;s, Shammua;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.12.18"><span class="content">of Shemaiah&#8217;s, Jehonathan;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.12.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.12.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">of Joiarib&#8217;s, Mattenai;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.12.19"><span class="content">of Jedaiah&#8217;s, Uzzi;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.12.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.12.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">of Sallu&#8217;s, Kallai;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.12.20"><span class="content">of Amok&#8217;s, Eber;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.12.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.12.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">of Hilkiah&#8217;s, Hashabiah;</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.12.21"><span class="content">of Jedaiah&#8217;s, Nethanel.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.12.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.12.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The family heads of the Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, as well as those of the priests, were recorded in the reign of Darius the Persian. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.12.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">The family heads among the descendants of Levi up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the book of the annals. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.12.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.12.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.12.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.12.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.12.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.12.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.12.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem&#8212;from the villages of the Netophathites, </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.12.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.12.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.12.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.12.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:31 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">go alongside</span></span></span><span class="content"> the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:31 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">proceed alongside</span></span></span><span class="content"> the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="NEH.12.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="NEH.12.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="NEH.12.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NEH.12.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">as well as some priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="NEH.12.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">and his associates&#8212;Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani&#8212;with musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the teacher of the Law led the procession. </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NEH.12.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">At the Fountain Gate they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David&#8217;s palace to the Water Gate on the east.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NEH.12.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="NEH.12.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:38 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">them alongside</span></span></span><span class="content"> the wall, together with half the people&#8212;past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall, </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="NEH.12.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:39 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Old</span></span></span><span class="content"> Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="NEH.12.39"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="NEH.12.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="NEH.12.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">as well as the priests&#8212;Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="NEH.12.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="NEH.12.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="NEH.12.43"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="NEH.12.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="NEH.12.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="content">They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. </span></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="NEH.12.46"><span class="label">46</span><span class="content">For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="NEH.12.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="content">So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch13" data-usfm="NEH.13">
         <div class="label">13</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Nehemiah&#8217;s Final Reforms</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.13.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.13.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.13.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.13.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.13.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.13.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.13.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.13.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.13.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.13.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah&#8217;s household goods out of the room. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.13.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.13.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.13.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.13.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">So I rebuked the officials and asked them, &#8220;Why is the house of God neglected?&#8221; Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.13.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.13.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.13.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.13.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.13.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.13.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.13.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.13.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.13.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, &#8220;What is this wicked thing you are doing&#8212;desecrating the Sabbath day? </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.13.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Didn&#8217;t your ancestors do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity on us and on this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.13.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.13.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.13.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.13.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">But I warned them and said, &#8220;Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.&#8221; From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.13.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.13.22"><span class="content">Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.13.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.13.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.13.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.13.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God&#8217;s name and said: &#8220;You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.13.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.13.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.13.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.13.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.13.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.13.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.13.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.13.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.13.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.13.31"><span class="content">Remember me with favor, my God.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEST">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="EST.1">
         <div class="label">1</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Queen Vashti Deposed</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EST.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:1 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Ahasuerus</span><span class="ft">; here and throughout Esther</span></span></span><span class="content"> the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:1 </span><span class="ft">That is, the upper Nile region</span></span></span><span class="content">: </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EST.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EST.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EST.1.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EST.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EST.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king&#8217;s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EST.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EST.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king&#8217;s liberality. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EST.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">By the king&#8217;s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EST.1.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EST.1.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EST.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him&#8212;Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EST.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EST.1.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">But when the attendants delivered the king&#8217;s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EST.1.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EST.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.1.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">and were closest to the king&#8212;Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EST.1.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EST.1.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EST.1.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EST.1.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, &#8220;Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EST.1.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">For the queen&#8217;s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, &#8216;King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.1.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen&#8217;s conduct will respond to all the king&#8217;s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EST.1.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EST.1.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.1.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Then when the king&#8217;s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EST.1.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EST.1.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EST.1.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch25" data-usfm="ACT.25">
         <div class="label">25</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul&#8217;s Trial Before Festus</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.25.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.25.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.25.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.25.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Festus answered, &#8220;Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.25.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.25.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.25.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.25.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.25.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.25.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Then Paul made his defense: &#8220;I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.25.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.25.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, &#8220;Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.25.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.25.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Paul answered: &#8220;I am now standing before Caesar&#8217;s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.25.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.25.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.25.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: &#8220;You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Festus Consults King Agrippa</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.25.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.25.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.25.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul&#8217;s case with the king. He said: &#8220;There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.25.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.25.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.25.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.25.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.25.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.25.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.25.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.25.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor&#8217;s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.25.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.25.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Then Agrippa said to Festus, &#8220;I would like to hear this man myself.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.25.22"><span class="content">He replied, &#8220;Tomorrow you will hear him.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul Before Agrippa</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.25.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.25.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.25.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Festus said: &#8220;King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.25.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.25.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.25.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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