²⁵ While they were in high spirits,^(A) they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars,

²⁸ Absalom^(A) ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high^(B) spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.^(C)”

⁶ So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman’s father said, “Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself.^(A)”

²⁷ After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden^(A) them, they held a festival in the temple of their god.^(B) While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek.

³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging,^(A) and even chains and imprisonment.^(B)

³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^{(A) 40} and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^(B) save yourself!^(C) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”^{(D) 41} In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!^(E) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe^(F) in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him^(G) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.^(A)

⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.^(A) Others slapped him ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”^(B)

⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

Israel Will Rise